Chapter 426: Want to scheme me? Wait till next life

Zhao Haishen quickly found an excuse to smooth things over, then had two more drinks with him, making Zheng Chengfeng dizzy.

Seeing he could barely keep his eyes open and couldn't pick up food with his chopsticks, he then took out a sheet of paper again.

On this paper were written the names of five soldiers, one of which was written on a correction slip, named Chen Panpan.

"I've already listed the names, take a look? They're not especially outstanding, just have more potential, won't make things difficult for you—just consider it me reporting back."

"Let me see, let me see......"

Zheng Chengfeng took it and leaned in to examine it closely.

He seemed unable to see clearly, so he shook his head hard and rubbed his eyes.

After repeatedly confirming that none of these five names were of the specially outstanding, key-trained soldiers, he then picked up his pen.

"Let me tell you, this isn't out of respect for your battalion commander's face; this is purely, hic, just out of respect for your face."

"That person from your Hou Battalion is narrow-minded, lacks vision; I just don't want to bother with him, it's boring!"

"Mm-hmm, yes, he's far worse than you!"

Zhao Haishen stared fixedly at the pen tip, hoping it would land soon.

As long as Zheng Chengfeng signs his name on it, this paper will have binding force, and his plan will succeed.

Fortunately, effort pays off; Zheng Chengfeng still managed a flourish, swoosh swoosh swoosh signing at the bottom.

Just as he finished writing, his head thumped onto the table, pressing the paper as he passed out drunk.

Zhao Haishen lifted his head a bit, pulled out the paper, tore off the correction slip bearing the three characters "Chen Panpan", revealing the covered "Lu Yang" underneath.

"All done~!"

Zhao Haishen looked at the drunken Zheng Chengfeng babbling on the table, smacking his lips with satisfaction.

"Deputy Brigade Commander Zheng, Deputy Brigade Commander Zheng, don't blame me—I have no choice."

"The Navy is reforming, our Special Operations also needs to recruit more talent from all quarters; if blame must be assigned, it's only because you sent Lu Yang to the island, making us notice him."

"After all, this soldier was also snatched by you from the Army Reconnaissance Battalion; now being taken by me is also reasonable; moreover, that kid has been training with us all along."

"Having learned so much from us and eaten our meals, naturally he should belong to us?"

Zhao Haishen folded the thing in half and slipped it into his pocket, patting it like he'd gotten a treasure.

He walked out of the private room, went to the toilet to relieve himself, and by the way called the battalion commander to report the good news.

"Done, Battalion Commander; I'll handle it, aren't you still uneasy?"

"You mentioned yesterday that his alcohol tolerance is poor, so I figured out how to deal with it."

"However, there's something you need to put up with; to let him lower his guard, I've said quite a few bad things about you—hahaha, knowing you don't mind, otherwise I wouldn't dare tell you."

"Oh well, hardship or not, it's all for troop buildup; Lao Mao even told me via satellite phone that these eleven soldiers selected this batch, all together, still aren't as good as Lu Yang."

"With such a soldier, could I let him slip away? Keeping such outstanding talent at the Sea Training Base or in grassroots units would be a waste—we're doing a good thing, hahaha!"

"That's it, I'm getting ready to settle the bill and leave; we'll meet later for a detailed report—no driving, drink then don't drive, drive then don't drink, I'll call a cab back soon!"

After hanging up, Zhao Haishen went to the sink to wash his face.

Looking at his sly smile in the mirror, he even felt proud of himself for doing a competent job as Chief of Staff.

If there were any award for moving the Special Operations Chief of Staff, he would have to come in first.

"Check, please."

He came to the downstairs bar, took out cash to pay the bill.

"Hello, the total consumption is 10,103; after the leader's discount, it's exactly 10,000."

"How much?!!"

Zhao Haishen's toothpick snapped and fell to the floor, his eyes nearly popping out.

Although they later added three seafood dishes, only two people ate, so it shouldn't exceed two thousand.

He had already calculated the bill in advance—how could it possibly be this much?

"Let me check the bill!"

"It says right here, 1,800—how did it become 10,000?"

"It's like this, sir: when your friend left earlier, he took a case of Maotai, twelve bottles total, worth over eight thousand......"

"Maotai?"

Zhao Haishen's head exploded with a boom.

He rushed upstairs to the private room, but it was empty—no trace of Zheng Chengfeng.

His mind went blank for a moment, he almost lost his balance, his head feeling like a spinning lantern.

Zhao Haishen quickly pulled out that paper, staring intently at the scribbled signature.

"Zheng Chenggong?!!!!"

Zhao Haishen plopped onto the chair, his face ashen.

After scheming half his life, he ended up being the one tricked.

The cashier, uneasy, followed him upstairs: "Sir, take a look—how should we settle the bill?"

Staring at the bill for exactly 10,000, Zhao Haishen's head buzzed, but he could only pull out his UnionPay card from his wallet, gritting his teeth as he swallowed it.

"Swipe, swipe card..."

"Issue an invoice..."

"Hahaha, old classmate, I didn't realize—you're still a drama type?"

"That Zhao Haishen guy is notorious as an old fox; everyone in the business who's dealt with him says he's sneaky—yet you managed to pull a fast one on him?"

"I'm increasingly impressed with you—no wonder you came up with that move back then, snatching Lu Yang from the Reconnaissance Battalion!"

A Jeep sped along the highway, driven by the former Eastern Army 17th Division Chief of Staff, Xiong Yao.

However, he now wears a pristine navy uniform, having been transferred to the South Sea Fleet Marine Corps for duty.

In the co‑pilot seat, Zheng Chengfeng rolled down the car window, took a cigarette and held it in his mouth, inhaled a big dragon of smoke lightly and calmly, showing no hint of drunkenness.

"That old kid surnamed Hou still thinks I'm still unable to drink like before; he has no idea that over the years I've already built up my tolerance."

"We say we can't drink outwardly just to keep a trump card. Sending a Chief of Staff to try to scheme me—are you dreaming?"

Xiong Yao laughed so broadly: "You really are planning ahead!"

Zheng Chengfeng let out a cold hum: "I dare to send Lu Yang to them for special training; I'm not afraid of thieves keeping an eye on him, playing dirty with me!"

Xiong Yao chuckled: "Who knows what Lu Yang will become after staying there for a few months and coming out?"

"I'm looking forward to it as well."

Zheng Chengfeng: "I suppose he'll have improved a lot; otherwise they wouldn't have come all the way to me to set up this situation. The more intense their reaction, the more they want to get someone out, which only proves my original decision was more correct."

Xiong Yao nodded: "Back then, the reconnaissance squad leader under me, Yang Yong, came out of Special Operations; your arrangement for Lu Yang seems to be preparing to develop his reconnaissance command direction?"

"For now that's the idea; the specifics still need study and discussion. After all, I haven't heard from him in a long time, but it's close—over there should be wrapping up soon."

"When that time comes, the Sea Training Base will be lively indeed."

"Indeed."

"By the way, what are you planning to do with that case of Maotai you brought back?"

Seeing his greedy look, Zheng Chengfeng smiled: "I'll give you six bottles later; you can use them to treat guests, for socializing, etc. Since you've just joined the Navy and are unfamiliar with the place, don't say I, an old classmate, won't look after you."

Xiong Yao laughed especially happily: "It has to be you being righteous, then I won't hold back!"

Zheng Chengfeng squinted: "I'll keep four bottles; the remaining two I'll return, letting the Hou Battalion and Zhao Haishen have a taste, after all they paid for it."

Xiong Yao almost burst out laughing: "Hahaha, you really get the art of killing and crushing hearts!"

At two in the afternoon, the sea surface glittered with countless ripples.

Lu Yang and the others heard the whistle, came to the camp, assembled and stood at attention.

Bai Yuan, shedding his usual playful demeanor, swept a serious gaze over them.

"At ease!"

"Stand at attention!"

"Report numbers!"

"1,2,3..... 12!"

After the set of commands, Bai Yuan shouted: "Next, I will formally announce the assessment contents; listen carefully!"

Everyone's hearts tightened, they stared at him with full concentration, awaiting their final assessment......