Chapter 386: Never in My Life Have I Seen Soldiers This Cunning

"Are you confident?"

On the other side, Zheng Chengfeng was also communicating with Lu Yang.

Lu Yang nodded, "I have confidence in myself."

Zheng Chengfeng gave an awkward smile; originally he also had quite a bit of confidence in Lu Yang.

But the three‑against‑one drill left him feeling rather uncertain.

Nevertheless, he said nothing discouraging, and instead let Lu Yang do his best.

Because win or lose, he had the ability to take someone away—at worst he could act rogue or simply produce that order again.

The Navy's development requires a great number of outstanding talents, especially someone like Lu Yang with limitless potential who can inspire countless soldiers—a truly rare find.

If he couldn't take him, even if Zheng Chengfeng later had a chance to become a general, he would slap himself twice when the dream faded.

Zheng Chengfeng looked at him, "Lu Yang, don't take that kid's words to heart; the reorganization of the Special Third Regiment and your missing that exercise have no direct connection."

"Initially the group army planned to choose between your regiment and the 441st Regiment, but after a serious leak in the 441st, they switched to you."

"So don't blame yourself; none of this concerns you……"

"I understand."

Lu Yang nodded.

Zheng Chengfeng asked in surprise, "Then why were you angry before?"

Lu Yang said angrily, "That kid with the surname Lan definitely used height‑increasing insoles; last time I saw him, he was about the same height as me, so he must have been standing on something!"

"......"

"So, is it because they called you short?"

Zheng Chengfeng was genuinely at a loss between laughing and crying.

He had originally thought Lu Yang was angry because of the company and regiment honors.

He asked, "Then, when people say you didn't do well on the college entrance exam and had to join the army instead of going to a technical school, aren't you angry?"

Lu Yang replied, "Why be angry? That's the truth. My family gave me a few options: repeat the exam, go to a technical school, or study cooking at New Oriental. I ended up joining the army; otherwise I'd be stir‑frying with an excavator right now."

Zheng Chengfeng burst out laughing, "You kid really surprise me at every turn. So you were just pretending to be angry before?"

"Not entirely; I truly dislike being called short."

"Hahaha, I can prove that—you two are about the same height; you're not shorter than him."

"Then I'm relieved, hehe."

"Alright, let's make a bet between us."

Zheng Chengfeng folded his smile and looked at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang asked, "What are we betting?"

Zheng Chengfeng pointed to the flag atop the distant hill, "If you win, when you later go to the Sea Training Base, after the assessment I'll prioritize assigning you together with the comrades from your former unit, and we might even form a new unit."

"Really?"

Lu Yang's face was full of excitement.

Zheng Chengfeng nodded, "To emphasize, I'm not only talking about the soldiers of your Sixth Company, but also those of the Seventh and Third Companies—they're all included."

Lu Yang, excited and incoherent, didn't know what to say.

Even so, during his stay at the camp he had maintained extreme self‑discipline.

But without those chattering voices, he still felt very lonely.

He missed Chen Panpan, missed the veteran Squad Leader Zhou Kaidong, missed Liu Ziqiang and Sun Chen's playful banter.

He recalled the endless hopping, the lack of skill, but at crucial moments the reliable Kang Changyi, the whiny Zhang Feiji, and Cook Squad Leader Hong, whose cooking was superb.

Lao Ma, He Zhen Tao, Kong Long, Wan Baoshan, Guo Yongwen……

Just the thought of reuniting in the future, possibly being assigned to the same unit, made his heart feel like fireworks, his whole body brimming with motivation.

Zheng Chengfeng emphasized, "But if you lose, I'll have to handle it officially—disrupt as needed, allocate wherever appropriate, understand?"

"Yes!"

Lu Yang's gaze was more resolute than ever.

He turned his head toward the flag on the distant hill, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

He must win, he will definitely win; for the honor of the Special Third Regiment, and for the upcoming reunion!

Not far away, Xiong Yao and Division Commander Luo stood on one side, smoking a pipe.

Seeing the two chat and laugh, their bond deep, Division Commander Luo was fuming.

"How did I not see it back then, that this kid has a rebellious streak on his head?"

"You've cultivated him so carefully, given him recommendations, honors, and medals, and this is how he repays us?"

"Division Commander," Xiong Yao asked, "What if—what if, hypothetically, Lu Yang actually wins later; are you planning to just let him go?"

Division Commander Luo frowned, "What do you mean? You came up with this contest, and you're not even sure about it?"

Xiong Yao quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I didn't mean that; I'm just saying what if, suppose, if it comes to that, how will it end?"

Division Commander Luo took a drag, exhaled through his nose, "If that's the case, it shows the Zhencha Daitui has nothing to teach him; it's no longer suitable, so just take him away."

"People strive upward, water flows downward; I cannot let personal gain delay a young man's future."

"Objectively, the Navy's development is indeed better than the Army's right now, with more funding."

"The grassroots units in the division mostly eat at Type‑1 mess halls; the Zhencha Daitui only at Type‑2; the Navy mostly at Type‑3, with higher allowances, better benefits, and greater advancement opportunities."

"That place isn't suitable for us old guys who have already settled, but it's perfect for young people eager to advance and keep improving."

Xiong Yao looked at the Division Commander's wistful expression and wasn't too surprised by his words.

Those who reach this point and become generals all possess broader vision and magnanimous hearts.

Every unit competes for outstanding talent; every formation wants them.

But it certainly wouldn't, for personal gain, block a young soldier's upward path.

Moreover, having experienced several large-scale demobilizations, they clearly know what Lu Yang wants now.

He misses his comrades and wants to reunite with the soldiers of the mechanized Sixth Company of the Special Third Regiment, then strive together toward a new goal.

The reason he knows this so clearly is that similar events have happened many times for Division Commander Luo and Xiong Yao along their journey, leaving many regrets on their military path.

Soon, Lu Yang put on the professional gear and secured the smoke grenade.

But when he went to collect his weapon, he froze.

Because all he was issued was a Type 81 Rifle and two spare magazines, nothing else.

In contrast, his three opponents each had: two Type 95 assault rifles, plus an 88 sniper rifle, four spare magazines, plus grenades and smoke grenades.

Especially Lan Li, that kid, was outrageous—he had a rocket launcher slung on his back and was stuffing rocket warheads onto his person.

Seeing that guy could barely fit any more yet kept stuffing more onto himself, Lu Yang couldn't stand it.

"Stop, stop, stop!"

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Why are their weapons so good, even with a rocket launcher, while I only have a Type 81 Rifle?"

"I protest, this isn't fair!"

Lan Li stopped his actions and stared at him blankly.

Seeming to think that wasn't right, he put two rocket warheads back.

But shortly after, he stuffed a few more grenades onto himself, feeling it might be safer.

Xiong Yao glanced at Lu Yang and said blandly, "You're the breakout force, they're responsible for defensive blocking, so their gear naturally needs to be richer? Besides, you're mechanized infantry—carrying too much will slow you down."

Lu Yang: "......"

Fine, fine, fine, you want to turn up the intensity, huh?

Alright! With my Type 81 Rifle I'll still take you down!

"Almost ready, you three, go in and prepare first."

"Lu Yang, go in again in ten minutes."

Squad Leader Niu and Deputy Company Commander Zhang left first.

Before leaving, they made a throat-slashing gesture toward Lu Yang.

Signaling, we're waiting for you in the woods—coming here is just delivering yourself to death.

Lu Yang, not to be outdone, flashed them an international taunting gesture.

Soon after, the three entered Hou Shan from the west and vanished into the vast, lush green forest.

"Report!"

"What, scared and want to concede?"

Xiong Yao turned his head and gave a cold snort.

Lu Yang covered his stomach, furrowed his brows: "No, I need to take a dump—can I use the toilet first?"

"Like a lazy donkey at the millstone, hold it in!"

"I can't hold it!"

Xiong Yao rolled his eyes and waved his hand.

Yang Yong pointed to the nearby Shushe lou, indicating he could go there to relieve himself.

Watching Lu Yang clutch his stomach and jog over, everyone present really couldn't bear to watch.

In such a tense segment, they actually pulled this stunt—looks like their psychological resilience isn't up to par.

Time ticked by second by second; seeing that the time was up, Lu Yang still hadn't returned.

Xiong Yao glanced at his watch: "It's been this long and he still hasn't finished—should we send someone to urge him?"

"I'll go."

A veteran sprinted all the way to the dormitory building.

After a moment, he came running back in a panic.

"The person, the person isn't in the toilet!"

"Did you search carefully?"

"I searched thoroughly, even checked the tunnels and the second-floor toilet—no one!"

The scene instantly erupted in an uproar, everyone thinking Lu Yang had deserted in the face of battle.

Even Zheng Chengfeng momentarily didn't grasp what was happening.

Until Yang Yong raised his binoculars and spotted a figure in the gaps of the trees on the eastern slope, did they realize they'd been tricked!

"Oh no, this kid took the opportunity to poop, headed up the mountain from the east, racing toward the flag at the summit!"

"What?!"

Xiong Yao reached out to grab the binoculars, but Division Commander Luo snatched them away first.

Watching Lu Yang bypass the three defenders' line and sprint straight for the summit, Division Commander Luo nearly choked on his own rage.

He had seen cunning before, but someone as crafty as Lu Yang—he had never encountered such a person in his life!