Chapter 399: General Guo of Liacheng

The France team has its own calculations, though their early surrender isn't surprising.

They only need to qualify; whether they finish second, third, or fourth makes little difference.

But at this point, the Zhongguo team has set a goal: to qualify as group winner.

When Fan Xi raised this goal at the post‑France victory team meeting, every Zhongguo player let out a "wow," coaches included.

Only Mike Brown and Bilupusi, the two assistants, sat calmly, their simultaneous translator feeding Fan Xi's words into their ears; they showed no surprise, instead turned around and looked around, wondering… why so many reacted so strongly.

Does Jie Ke's statement really deserve such questioning?

They don't grasp the national team's prior record; its best result before was the quarterfinals, and qualifying from the group stage was always a struggle. Now Fan Xi suddenly demands group‑first qualification, meaning they must defeat every group opponent. Having already beaten France and Brazil, the remaining foes are host UK team, Australia team, and Spain team.

The Australia team is still easy to handle.

But the host UK team, it's hard to say they won't get home‑court whistles.

Spain is even more so.

At the 2008 Olympics, the Zhongguo team truly battled Spain toe‑to‑toe in the first two quarters; they were only defeated in the second half due to stamina and other factors. Back then the national team still had peak‑form Yao Ming. Today Yao Ming can't stay at the top that long, and the rest of the squad was also at its peak then.

Frankly, Fan Xi's arrival caused the national team's confidence to surge, yet their innate fear of certain powerhouses hasn't been fully eradicated.

Fan Xi knows this well; he must forge a strong belief in his teammates and must believe himself invincible.

If the mindset isn't tough, it's hard to draw the sword against true strong foes.

After all, in a sense, the national team has been weakening for a long time.

They must take strong medicine.

"You all know many domestic fans are watching us now. Some may think my joining will revitalize the team. But I'll say the usual line: basketball is five‑on‑five. I hope everyone's strength unites; there's nothing we can't achieve."

Fan Xi shouted this in the locker room.

Yet, the effect seemed minimal.

The national team members stared silently at Fan Xi; they weren't as raucous as Kuaisuan players, shouting to fight.

Zhongguo people are generally restrained and subtle.

They don't, like Americans, constantly crave big deeds, fame, and plant the banner of heroism on their backs.

Nevertheless, Fan Xi did not fall silent because of that.

He took a light breath, steadied his rhythm, then slowly said, "There's an ancient poem: 'Glory is only seized on horseback; truly a hero is a man.' It fits our situation perfectly. I think everyone here is a man of patriotic spirit; now we're at war, fighting for the nation, only our weapon is basketball. In all these years, have we lost many battles on the court? This year, since we have a chance to conquer them, why abandon it?"

"General Chen Tang of the Western Han said, 'Those who offend the mighty Han will be punished even if far away.' We didn't win medals at home; we'll take them from others' homes. Wang Xuan Ce's mission to the Western Regions, he toppled a nation single‑handed—what did he rely on? Determination, defending the nation's honor."

"I believe when we stand on the highest podium, making history, all our names will be forever etched in Zhongguo basketball history. A true man should feast on five cauldrons! The moment for great deeds is right before us—don't miss it!!!"

Fan Xi's voice grew louder, and the players' emotions surged likewise; though they remained restrained and silent, their gazes grew ever more resolute.

Seeing the good effect, Fan Xi even wanted to recite another poem, but he couldn't find a fitting verse at the moment.

Fan Xi is clever; he knows exactly what patriotic sentiment means to Zhongguo people. Even the most restrained or timid will charge with a death‑defying mindset when the nation's gates are threatened.

That is the true national character of Zhongguo people.

After returning to the hotel, Guo Ailen chatted with Fan Xi: "Brother Fan, I didn't quite grasp what you said this afternoon and felt a bit awkward, but I feel a surge of hot blood inside, I want to fight, I want to do something for the country. I also want my name in history."

Fan Xi patted his uncultured brain and said, "That's the right mindset. Think—you're still under 20; if you help the national team win gold, you'll bring glory to your family. The neighbors will all give thumbs‑up, saying your ancestral tomb is smoking with pride. Imagine the splendor of returning home with an Olympic gold!"

Guo Ailen closed his eyes, a natural proud expression on his face, then involuntarily went "tsk tsk."

He must have pictured that glorious scene.

Zhongguo people have two major traits: first, patriotic feeling; second, "Wealth without returning home is like wearing brocade at night."

Fan Xi seized those two crucial points.

Guo Ailen shouted, "Bro, we have to give it our all. Do you think we can really win gold?"

"As long as we work ourselves to death, there's definitely a chance," Fan Xi said, patting his shoulder.

"Then tell me, if we face the USA team, can we actually win?" Guo Ailen asked.

"I'll handle James, I'll handle Paul, Xiao Ding will take down Wei De, and with Da Yao Ge, Xiao Yi Ge and the rest, no problem!"

Xiao Guo got instantly hyped.

Then Fan Xi instructed him that the championship plan must stay secret for now.

He answered affirmatively.

But the next day Fan Xi saw Xiao Ding with blood‑shot eyes and an excited face. Xiao Ding is from Xinjiang but now plays in Shandong, a famous institutional stronghold and the birthplace of Confucian thought; his patriotic fervor is top‑notch.

The UK team suffered.

The UK team's biggest star is Luo Er Deng.

Luo Er Deng is a domestic defensive forward, joined the league in 2004, briefly led the Bulls. His skill level is just above elite, just below All‑Star. He's an excellent jumper and strong rebounder, with formidable wing‑defense.

Though he isn't a household NBA name, every team needs his type. That's why the Bulls once considered him untouchable. A trade for O'Neill? No way! A trade for Garnett? No way! A trade for Gasol? No way!

Thus, a player like Luo Er Deng can secure a multi‑million or max contract in the NBA thanks to his personality advantage.

However, in international play, Luo Er Deng has few advantages. He isn't a primary ball‑handler, yet the UK team expects him to be.

Before the game, Fan Xi gave Xiao Ding a task: to lock down Luo Er Deng.

Xiao Ding obviously can't lock Luo Er Deng dead, but he fights fiercely; his height is similar, his physique weaker, yet Luo Er Deng's explosiveness isn't strong, his first step isn't fast… If his first step were fast enough, he might be a Durant prototype.

Under Xiao Ding's relentless pressure, Luo Er Deng's play wasn't as smooth as the first two games.

Fan Xi kept igniting, using his burst ability to dart into the paint, then passing out to create many threats.

The two teams battled into the fourth quarter; with Yao Ming's climactic entrance at the final moment, the game's outcome was decided.

Even if the UK team gained some whistle advantage, Yao Ming's dominance in the paint left them no escape, and Fan Xi also hit a three‑pointer at a crucial moment and assisted Lao Wang for a three in the corner.

After scoring, Lao Wang asked Fan Xi, "Do I have Wang Xuan Ce's style?"

Fan Xi replied, "It must be there."

Lao Wang laughed heartily.

He is a soldier.

Protecting his family and the nation is his responsibility.

After eliminating the host, the Zhongguo team's group‑stage record reached three straight wins.

The next opponent is Australia.

Since Australia was merged into the Asian zone, their meetings with the Zhongguo team in the Asian Championship have become more frequent; they favor physical contact, and their style is extremely fierce and brutal.

However, because Bogut did not participate in this Olympic Games.

Their strength is relatively weak.

The national team eliminated them without even spending three quarters, which means it cost a bit less spirit than playing Brazil.

109:69.

The national team set the Olympic Games' largest margin in history, slaughtering Australia by 40 points.

This news naturally exhilarated domestic fans.

Even more exciting for domestic fans was Guo Ailun, a semi‑illiterate, who after the game let loose, telling reporters, "As long as the Liaocheng Guo General stands, we will not let the barbarian horses cross the Yin Mountains!"

When a sports‑school student starts reciting poetry, it often marks the beginning of both comic effect and disaster. "Defeating the Australian team—how should we put it? It's like deciding whether you want two buns or two fried dough sticks for breakfast. Our goal is very lofty."

"What is a strong one? A strong one is the champion! What is a champion? A champion is the one who defeats every team. So you ask, how many points I would give this game, how satisfied I am with my performance tonight—my answer is… calm."

Guo Ailun spoke with a breezy, nonchalant air, but his hands were actually trembling.

He was somewhat nervous.

He has never carried such a big cup in his life.

Moreover, Fan Xi told him not to tell anyone, but this naive sweetie couldn't resist; he quietly announced his plan to fans nationwide.

He even used a parallel sentence.

He also quoted an ancient poem.

"Your two lines of poetry were truly well recited," Fan Xi scolded Guo Ailun in the hotel, then made him run twenty shuttle runs down the hallway.

He ran, panting heavily.

Then he told him, "In the next game, you'll guard Fernandez. If you can't even handle him, then you shouldn't play."

"You are a strong one; you are the Liaocheng Guo General!"

Fan Xi jabbed him.

In fact, teammates were also watching. This time he showed his face publicly, and fans nationwide got to know this young Liaocheng Guo General.

Originally everyone thought he was a promising young guard; his "cup" performance made people think the CBA is too small to contain this great Buddha, and he should be invited to the NBA.

Especially after his claim to win a championship went public.

Fans left comments all over the internet.

"A newborn calf isn't afraid of a tiger. Whether he's bragging or not, just having that spirit is rare and precious."

"I heard he's Fan Xi's roommate; could Fan Xi have told him? Then he used it to show off?"

"He's hanging with Fan Xi, so he must have a good platform; otherwise how could he improve so fast? I feel if Kuaisuan gets a top draft pick next year, they might sign this Liaocheng Guo General!"

"That's not certain; Shandong Xiao Ding is also a strong contender. He played wildly against the British team this time—truly a reckless fighter!"

"Hey, what if we actually win the gold medal…"

"No need to brag about that; even a bronze makes you a national hero!! Basketball has never been so successful before…"

"On such a good day, can we not mention soccer? Bad luck!"

…

The Liaocheng Guo General stirred domestic fans' expectations and also showed off boldly himself.

Meanwhile, the national team faced its fifth group‑stage opponent, also the strongest one.

Currently, the Spain team is also on a four‑game winning streak, as is the Zhongguo team; both have already secured group qualification, and this match will directly decide which of them finishes first in the group and the subsequent schedule. Read the book.

Fan Xi's goal has never changed: to take first place. With the Zhongguo team's current strength, he must avoid certain opponents in the knockout stage.

However, regarding this showdown, foreign public opinion overwhelmingly favors Spain.

Because Spain is so powerful, it is considered the only country in this Olympic Games with a chance to defeat the Dream Team… and even that chance is pitifully slim.

The Zhongguo team showed a dark‑horse temperament, but it is generally believed this dark horse won't reach the final.

Perhaps it will only contend for bronze, maybe fourth place.

Or it could be eliminated in the first knockout round.

Before the game started, Fan Xi finally met his new teammate: Li Ji Lubi'ao.

Lubi'ao took the initiative to greet Fan Xi, and beside him stood Pau Gasol.

Gasol and Fan Xi were teammates for a year; their relationship is that of normal teammates—though not as close as Kobe's, it's also not as stiff as Bai Na Mu's had been.

He said to Fan Xi, "From now on, take good care of my little brother."

Fan Xi nodded, "But tonight I'll thoroughly check his quality."

"I won't disappoint you," Lubi'ao said confidently. "In the FIBA system, I'm not afraid of any opponent."

Fan Xi nodded; he liked Lubi'ao's soaring confidence.

Although the trade for Lubi'ao was a spur‑of‑the‑moment decision, he now appears to be a very sharp‑tempered young man.

Looking forward to working with him.

Of course, before that, Fan Xi decided to give this new partner a harsh welcome.

…