Chapter 437: Let Him Stand on Equal Footing with Bai Yuan?

"Battalion commander, you looking for me?"

Jiaolong Assault Team, battalion headquarters.

Chief of Staff Zhao Haishen just pushed the door into the battalion commander's office, and a notebook slammed straight at him.

"Pick it up!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Haishen nervously picked up the notebook and placed it back on the desk.

Battalion commander Hou Yi, with the report clenched in his fist, pointed at him, his face burning: "Zhao Haishen, look at what you've done—what is this?"

"Two such huge modified law‑enforcement ships were invisible; what the heck are you, Chief of Staff, doing?"

"We started reconnaissance, surveying, and investigation of the target island a month early, and evaluated the mission difficulty."

"For such a low‑difficulty, unarmed island infiltration and invader‑repelling mission, how did it turn into this mess?"

"What the hell are the people in your staff doing? Can any of them even work? If not, quit early, better to disband!"

Zhao Haishen, with a sincere apologetic tone, said: "Battalion commander, this was indeed our staff's oversight. I've already harshly scolded the intelligence‑reconnaissance officer, and I bear undeniable responsibility."

"According to the investigation, those two ships were only dispatched to the nearby waters three days ago; that means they arrived right after our last sweep, coincidentally evading our latest intelligence window."

Battalion commander Hou Yi, still angry, said: "That only shows one problem—that excessive reconnaissance alerted the enemy, making them anticipate our move, so they set up an ambush nearby in advance!"

"One patrol ship could be a coincidence, but two appearing together is definitely not accidental!"

Zhao Haishen could not refute; to ensure mission safety, they indeed sent fishing boats to scout around the island many times.

But they didn't expect that this action aroused enemy suspicion, making the situation uncontrollable.

Fortunately, in the end the danger was averted and everyone returned safely.

Hou Yi exhaled two puffs of hot breath, irritated by the explanation: "Averted danger? How did you avert it? You don't even know? Number Twelve Lu Yang, is he one of our Jiaolong people, huh?"

"You don't say it's all settled? Where's the settlement? Show it to me!"

Zhao Haishen: "......"

Hou Yi: "Zhao Haishen, Zhao Haishen, you're so scheming, you even double‑deceive? If Zheng Chengfeng hadn't called to tell me he'd come in two days to pick people up, I'd have been kept in the dark!"

"They set me up, stole a case of Maotai, and the most infuriating part is you damn well even dared to issue an invoice for reimbursement?"

"You treat my human brain like a donkey's, thinking I'm easy to fool?"

As the old saying goes, behind one lie you need countless lies to sustain it.

When the truth was uncovered, all the meticulously crafted lies burst like bubbles.

Battalion commander, such a disgraceful thing I truly can't tell you; I originally thought to keep the men back later to make up for it, never imagined this mess would happen.

Hou Yi stared: "Then keep them, did you talk to him?"

"I had Lao Mao talk to him."

"Did it work?"

"No."

"Then what are you talking about!"

Hou Yi unbuttoned his collar, took a cigarette from the drawer and slapped it onto the table.

He was about to light one, but then recalled his wife's reminder to quit smoking.

So he forced himself to suppress the craving, shoved the cigarette back, took out a mint candy and popped it in his mouth; the fresh breath trying to quell his anger.

Although in the past he'd clashed with Zhao Haishen over work, he'd never lost composure like today.

The mission's slip nearly left a whole boat of a dozen‑plus people unable to return.

Zheng Chengfeng, from who knows where, learned of this and called specifically to mock him.

The Chief of Staff he'd always trusted was pulling his leg behind his back; even the best temper would erupt like a volcano after a barrage of blows.

Hou Yi took several deep breaths to steady himself; the coolness of the mint candy truly doused some of his fury, restoring his calm.

"First of all, the mission's slip nearly caused irreparable loss; the responsible personnel must conduct a thorough review, you included."

"This low‑difficulty, rookie‑training mission, with soldiers already conducting specialized training on the island a month early, in my view should have had no issues at all."

"I want to see the rectification plan, response strategies, and solutions for any contingencies."

"This assessment may become the standard recruitment and selection process for Jiaolong in the future; it must be flawless, and similar incidents must never happen again!"

"Yes!"

Zhao Haishen nodded in assurance, promising to convene a review meeting and produce a detailed rectification plan.

Hou Yi continued: "Second, although the process was twisted and many incidents occurred, the mission ultimately was completed successfully, and superiors called to commend us."

"They said we handled everything beautifully, not only defending territorial sovereignty and striking the enemy hard, but also keeping the situation within controllable limits, and even forced the opponent to take a silent loss."

"That gave us the dominant position, allowing us greater leverage in negotiations; in the short term that sea area should see no similar incidents."

"All those wounded's after‑care and rehabilitation will give them a headache for a while, a lull; therefore, the higher‑ups plan to reward the participants for their merits."

Zhao Haishen, instead of being pleased, frowned: "But isn't the one with the greatest merit from our Jiaolong?"

Hou Yi closed his eyes, sighing heavily: "That's what irritates me most—the biggest merit isn't ours!?"

Zhao Haishen's eyes shifted, lowering his voice: "Battalion commander, how about this—let me write the report; the operation stays the same, but we can fine‑tune the details…"

"What are you thinking?"

Hou Yi glared: "Am I the kind of petty person who fabricates for a bit of credit? Moreover, can paper contain fire? Even Zheng Chengfeng knows the general process—how could the superiors be unaware?"

Zhao Haishen chuckled awkwardly, "I'm not that kind of person; why are you so angry?"

For the collective, he could be that petty person; it doesn't matter to him.

As for Zheng Chengfeng, the information likely came from the coast guard.

Zhao Haishen asked: "Then, write it truthfully and report it as is?"

Hou Yi hooked his finger, staring: "You didn't get my point? If we could keep the people before Zheng Chengfeng arrives, then whose head gets the biggest credit—does it even matter?"

Right!

Zhao Haishen's fist slammed into his palm, and he just realized.

It's not a question of whether we can keep Lu Yang, but that we must keep him.

As long as he joins Jiaolong, the report needs no changes at all; we can even embellish it with lavish praise and commendation, because his personal honor is Jiaolong's honor.

His outstanding performance in the mission also indirectly shows that Jiaolong's talent selection is sharp and its training methods highly effective.

When the superiors are pleased, the Battalion Commander is pleased too, and the staff's penalties will be reduced to the minimum.

As for the case of the Maotai box that Zheng Chengfeng swindled away, it can be ignored.

It can attract talent, gain honor, spare oneself from punishment, and even give Zheng Chengfeng a good disgust; truly a win‑win for everyone!

Hou Yi asked him, "Lao Mao has spoken with him; what is Lu Yang's current attitude?"

Zhao Haishen said, "He doesn't want to stay, wants to return to the Sea Training Base; I had someone investigate, his former regiment and the comrades in his battalion are all in the Sea Training Third Brigade, which is preparing to launch assessments…"

"Lao Mao means this kid is sentimental; he wants to return to his comrades, revive the old unit's glory, and carry the company banner."

"Indeed, he's a soldier of excellent conduct, loyal and righteous!"

Hou Yi nodded; the more like this soldier, the more he wanted him.

If it weren't for Zheng Chengfeng's interference, with his privileges he could transfer any soldier from the Southern Navy at will.

Admittedly, there's a hint of "snatching civilian women," but they're a T1‑level Marine Corps unit of the Southern Theater.

Zhao Haishen continued, "Battalion Commander, have you heard the saying? Loyalty exists only because the weight of betrayal is insufficient."

"What does that mean?"

"For ordinary people, joining Jiaolong is already a tremendous honor. But for someone like Lu Yang, a prodigy who brings resources into the group, it's not enough; we need to add leverage."

Hou Yi squinted, pondering for a long time, then snapped his mint candy, the coolness shooting straight to his spiritual crown, giving him an instant epiphany.

"Got it!"

"Battalion Commander, what position are you prepared to promise him?"

"How about as the squadron leader of the Fourth Squadron?"

?????

Zhao Haishen's face was full of astonishment, feeling the Battalion Commander was making an international joke with him.

A Special Operations Squadron Leader must be at least a Major and have battle‑hardened experience.

Even Bai Yuan started as a Special Operations Squad Leader and worked his way up to become the First Squadron Leader.

That kid just arrived and is on equal footing with Bai Yuan; who could accept that?

If this news spreads, wouldn't the camp be blown up, a collective rebellion??