Chapter 458: I

"Sit down, what would you like to drink?"

"Plain water is fine."

"Well, when you're with me, I can't let you have plain water; how about pu'er?"

In the office of the administrative building at the Sea Training Base, Zheng Chengfeng broke off a piece of pu'er tea cake, brewed a cup, and handed it to Lu Yang.

"We usually drink floral teas, pu'er, oolong; I'm not sure if you're used to them."

"Thank you, superior."

Lu Yang sniffed it after receiving it; indeed it was quite different from the green tea he had drunk before.

But because it was too hot, he could only set it on the tea table to cool.

Zheng Chengfeng sat beside him: "The assessment is completely finished; although the paperwork results aren't ideal, I'm personally satisfied with your performance and that of the Sea Training Third Brigade."

"Also, let me tell you something: the Commander was present in person during the assessment; he is also very pleased with your overall performance."

Lu Yang smiled; receiving unanimous praise from the superiors is the best recognition of everyone's three‑plus months of effort.

Zheng Chengfeng continued, mentioning that the higher‑ups have established the Third Brigade and intend to model it after the American cavalry to create the nation's first tri‑mode rapid reaction force.

"This undertaking is crucial to the future development of our Navy; the unit not only possesses conventional combat power, can backstop Special Operations, and can serve as a battlefield spear to swiftly strike enemy key facilities when needed."

"Whether it's localized friction, regional conflict, or exercise confrontations, the emergence of this unit is an absolute show‑stopper!"

Lu Yang knows how fierce the cavalry can be.

That is the toughest father behind the old American Delta and the SEALs.

Without the cavalry's combat deployment, intelligence gathering, enemy reconnaissance, air support, and withdrawal protection, these so‑called global Special Operations vanguards cannot exert any power at all.

Earlier, Bai Yuan had seriously told him: Special Operations operate in small‑unit mode, so they must attach to a large corps.

Without a large corps as a base, once encircled, they'd be shredded like a sieve.

Lu Yang had already deeply experienced this during the previous island‑seizing mission.

Imagine if the enemy ignored the rule of not opening fire, using machine‑guns to sweep them instead of high‑pressure water jets.

Then on the endless sea, Lu Yang and his team would have no way out; by the time Bai Yuan arrived with a coast‑guard vessel, the enemy would have long fled, and the dozen‑plus quasi‑Special Operations troops aboard would have all perished beneath the waves.

But if such a rapid reaction force existed, the situation would be entirely different; the area around the target island would be equipped with assault boats mounting heavy machine guns, with modified patrol vessels trailing behind.

Bullets chambered, all personnel on standby; if an incident occurs at the forward objective, they can arrive in the shortest time to stabilize the situation.

Imagine returning to that original fishing boat, before the enemy's water cannon fired, when Lao Mao had just finished calling for help over the radio.

In under five minutes, seven or eight support speedboats equipped with heavy machine guns, mortars, anti‑tank rocket launchers, and grenade launchers would already be on scene—a picture of safety, solidity, and warmth.

Moreover, the Special Operations troops on the mission would feel reassured, knowing there are people behind them; their margin for error would be much higher.

No need to worry about running out of ammunition, lacking support, or being surrounded after a failed mission with no evacuation.

Just thinking about it makes Lu Yang ecstatic: "Superior, are you planning to let me and my comrades join the Third Brigade, to join this rapid reaction force?"

Zheng Chengfeng smiled and nodded: "How about it? I promised you, haven't broken my word, right?"

"Hehe."

Lu Yang is delighted to be able to join such a unit.

But immediately after, he was splashed with cold water.

"Unfortunately, this rapid reaction force is still only a concept; it hasn't been formed yet."

"Huh?"

"But I believe that with our joint effort it will be realized soon; I'm confident—do you have confidence too?"

"Yes!"

"Speak up, your momentum's insufficient!"

"Yes!!!"

Lu Yang's voice is booming, full of vigor.

Zheng Chengfeng looked at him with satisfaction: "Very good, very spirited; since you have this confidence and determination, I'll leave this to you. I want you to craft a prototype of a rapid reaction force in the shortest time possible."

Lu Yang was stunned: "But I don't know how!"

Zheng Chengfeng retorted: "If you don't know, does that mean I do? The Americans can, the British can; we don't have much time left, and our maritime security faces constant severe challenges."

"You're from the Army, a Motorized Infantry soldier; your footwork is excellent, and you can swim faster than others."

"I know you even went to the artillery units to study basic artillery theory, and even armored troop theory."

"You've been in the Armed Police, learned hard qigong, staff‑shield techniques, and also practiced Through-the-back Fist and Black Dragon Eighteen Hands, right?"

"You're proficient in unarmed combat; you even KO'd the commander of the Zhencha Daitui, and earned a first‑class merit by stamping your feet during the island‑seizing mission."

"Jiaolong has learned certain special‑operations skills—sea‑island infiltration, cliff climbing, armed swimming, boat handling—and you mastered them excellently. Even the human Jiaolong brigade commander bent down to recruit you."

He said solemnly: "Your ability can definitely shoulder this main beam; I have confidence in you, and the Commander does too."

Lu Yang was very surprised: "Even the Commander knows about me?"

Zheng Chengfeng smiled faintly: "It's more than just knowing you; he values you immensely—you're his chosen one!"

"What?"

"Earlier he had already been watching you; he even ordered that you be transferred to the Navy."

"He even intended for you to be placed in Jiaolong for training; in other words, the higher‑ups have been steering you toward this direction all along, just for this day."

Lu Yang was overwhelmed with honor; he never dreamed that he was already on the Commander's roster and valued so highly.

No wonder he always felt, as if guided by some unseen hand, that his military career would be far more arduous than others'.

It turned out a big boss had been standing behind him all along, silently observing and offering more trials.

Lu Yang's mouth twitched with an uncontrollable grin: I'm just ridiculously outstanding!

Zheng Chengfeng spoke sincerely: "Lu Yang, it's not just the Commander; I also think you're well suited for this mission. Your old comrades have just arrived here, unfamiliar with the place, and they still can't find a sense of belonging."

"If the rapid reaction force can be successfully built, the honor, flowers, and applause will be dozens of times greater than what you received in the Special Third Regiment."

You are the Navy's greatest contributors; you will be the forefathers of Longguo's three-domain Quick Reaction Force—this honor needs no further explanation.

By then, you can produce the Iron Foot company's flag and proudly tell everyone.

I, Lu Yang, come from a heroic company called Iron Foot; we inherit the immortal spirit of the Volunteer Army and will carry it forward gloriously!

Although he was sitting on a stool, Lu Yang now felt as if he were floating on clouds.

Just imagining that scene left him unable to contain his excitement.

I believe that when that time comes, Ma Qing'an, Zhou Kaidong and the others will also be moved to tears, embracing each other as they weep.

The veterans planted the Iron Foot flag on the snowy mountain; now, even in the blue sea, the reflection of the Iron Foot company flag appears—what an inspiring sight that will be!

Zheng Chengfeng looked at Lu Yang's dreamy, blissed-out expression, a faint smile touching his lips: 'If you really feel you lack the ability and confidence, I won't push you—after all, this isn't a simple task.'

No, I'll just look for someone else; I'll consider it a misjudgment on my part and the commander's.

Lu Yang's eyes flashed with sharp light, his gaze extremely firm: 'I will carry this flag!'