Chapter 463: Security Zone Inspection Brigade? I Want to Report!

"Yo, Lu Yang is here too, what a coincidence!"

Lu Yang rose, gave a salute, and politely replied with a "Chief of Staff, hello."

One must not forget the chain of command in the troops, even if one knows this person has ill intentions; the outward demeanor still has to be maintained.

Zheng Chengfeng also wore an eager smile and stepped forward: "Chief of Staff Zhao, you said you'd come, so just come—no need to bring anything; you're being overly polite, too polite—how am I supposed to feel about that?"

Zhao Haishen, as if he'd completely forgotten the past, laughed and shook his hand: "What's there to be embarrassed about? You're an old comrade of our brigade commander, so you're naturally my good big brother!"

"Hahaha, then from now on I'll call you, Junior Zhao?"

"That's great, Brother Zheng!"

"Junior Zhao!"

"Brother Zheng!"

Lu Yang's eyelids twitched as he watched from the side.

They were each more theatrical than the last; an outsider might think the two were about to become sworn brothers.

After a brief, eager exchange, Zheng Chengfeng finally asked his purpose; Zhao Haishen didn't hide anything and said outright that he was here to select soldiers.

Zheng Chengfeng clapped his hands together, lamenting, "What an unfortunate coincidence—the first batch has already been taken away; but rest assured, among the remaining, pick whichever you like and just name it."

Zhao Haishen had been smiling, but his expression gradually grew cold.

Lu Yang observed the detail, the facial control, the plot handling—definitely veteran‑actor level.

Zhao Haishen still wore a lingering smile, but his tone was icy: "Brother Zheng, are you joking? Isn't it always us who pick first, and only after we're done do other units get a turn?"

Zheng Chengfeng's smile gradually faded, turning into indifference as he lit a cigarette and crossed his legs.

"That's why I said it wasn't a coincidence."

"So you're basically giving us leftovers?"

"Reheat the leftovers; they're still edible. It's a special time, you have to understand."

"Hahaha, Brigade Commander Zheng is so humorous!"

Zhao Haishen suddenly shifted mood, burst into loud laughter, leaving Lu Yang stunned.

Zheng Chengfeng silently smoked, his slightly narrowed eyes watching as if a clown act.

"This year the rules have changed: no longer equal distribution nor lottery; instead we allocate soldiers selectively to reinforce each unit's functional attributes."

"You can't just break the rules; however, if you can offer a higher price to support the Third Brigade's construction, I can pull some strings and give you some extra slots."

Zhao Haishen: "Is that so? Then thank you very much? But I don't want the money; I want the people."

Zheng Chengfeng smiled, because he had said the same before: "In that case, sorry, I have to ask you to leave."

Zhao Haishen pretended to be nonchalant, looking around: "What if I go to the junior officers of those grassroots units and tell them that your so‑called double or triple returns are nothing but empty promises, a smokescreen."

"The construction of the Third Brigade already faces much opposition, and projects might even collapse midway; you think they'll consider it carefully and not budge a cent?"

Bang!

Zheng Chengfeng slapped the table, as if his tail had been stepped on: "How dare you!"

Zhao Haishen snorted coldly: "Others can't see your tricks, trying to fool Zhao Haishen, you're still a bit naive. The thirty‑five sets of equipment were meant to exchange for that kid Lu Yang; since he won't stay, you can use someone else as compensation!"

"Bring out the Score Book; I'll mark twenty soldiers and take them, and that'll settle the matter!"

"Otherwise, your dream of being acting brigade commander of the Third Brigade might shatter!"

Zheng Chengfeng's face flushed with anger, and Lu Yang's brows knit, both feeling a pressure.

He had thought someone surnamed Zhao might seek revenge, but didn't expect it to come so quickly.

It seemed the other side had investigated beforehand and came fully prepared, pinning Zheng Chengfeng down so tightly that even dissent forced him to agree.

Seeing this, Lu Yang could only step in and smooth things over: "Gentlemen, calm down; anything can be discussed. It's just thirty‑five pieces of equipment, right? How about I settle the debt by taking some time later to join your Jiaolong Voluntary Labor and help you with missions?"

"Heh, you seem to take yourself a bit too seriously!"

Zhao Haishen has been burned before; he can't believe his nonsense.

Lu Yang retorted: "Before, weren't you the ones constantly urging me to join? I'm now joining part‑time, and you still refuse?"

Zhao Haishen sneered: "Kid, you can't figure out your place; some things, once the village is passed, the shop is gone. Not long ago you were worth that price; now you're worthless in my eyes."

"Don't think I don't know your scheme; the shipyard won't let an outsider like you in."

"Training programs are also off‑limits; they're top‑secret."

Lu Yang curled his lip; this guy's words are truly obnoxious, a typical 'if you can't get it, you destroy it' type.

He's exactly the kind of trash‑talking man who, when he fails to achieve his goals, goes around slandering everything.

Fortunately, after Zheng Chengfeng vented his anger, he quickly calmed and began bargaining with the other side.

After a back‑and‑forth of sharp words and soft pressure, endless chatter and negotiation, Zhao Haishen ultimately gained the upper hand.

Reluctantly, to preserve the overall situation, Zheng Chengfeng had to concede and finally reach an agreement.

They returned fifteen sets of weaponry, letting him prioritize picking five top soldiers from the first detachment, ten from the second, plus three specialists, and that settled the matter.

"Lu Yang, why are you just standing there? Pour the wine for the Chief of Staff!"

After the talks concluded, to show his apology, Zheng Chengfeng specifically booked a restaurant.

At the table he lowered his posture as much as possible, keeping Lu Yang as a companion, continuously serving tea and water.

He even, to show sincerity, let Lu Yang settle the bill in advance, just to reassure Zhao Haishen.

Zhao Haishen's face turned a deep red as he looked at the loan receipt the server handed over, finally relaxing his guard: "Brother Zheng, you tell me, if you'd done it like this earlier, wouldn't it have been settled already?"

"I, Zhao Haishen, am not an unapproachable person, right?"

"Right, right, right, it's my petty heart measuring the noble's belly!"

"Given your relationship with our brigade commander, I couldn't possibly scheme against you! No way!"

Zhao Haishen waved his hand grandly; prompted by Zheng Chengfeng's hint, Lu Yang hurriedly handed over a cigarette and lit it with a lighter.

Zhao Haishen gave Lu Yang a seemingly sensible smile and then said: "Actually, everyone knows how big the funding shortfall is for the Third Brigade's construction; I was just talking earlier—how could I possibly do something that harms others and benefits no one?"

"The Navy needs construction, the troops need development; we can't just rely on those above, we down here must also be proactive, right?"

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"I'll go back and discuss with the battalion commander, allocate some special funds for you; speed up the construction of the new unit!"

Zhao Haishen, with his five fingers deep in the sea, says: "Fifty thousand, enough? If not, no problem, add ten thousand—sixty thousand! Over there we have nothing else but abundant funds, lots of money, hahaha!"

Zheng Chengfeng flashes a brotherly apologetic smile with each bite, and Lu Yang offers a toast with a cup of wine.

Perhaps because he's grasping Zheng Chengfeng's soft spot, or because he's no longer constrained by Lu Yang's affiliation issue, Zhao Haishen feels completely relaxed, with not a hint of mental burden.

He instantly recovers all the losses he previously suffered and the face he had lost; moreover, the orders here have already been purchased, so there's no worry of repeating mistakes.

So, in his moment of joy, he actually drinks a lot, gets dizzy from his own drinking, and feels completely light.

"Zhao bro, this meal, you're satisfied, right?"

"Satisfied, satisfied."

"Then, shall we change venue and go take a bath together?"

"No, I'm in a hurry to go back......"

"Don't rush off, I still have many ideas to discuss with you; you're the Special Operations Chief of Staff, you've got more cargo in your belly than I do, so later we can soak and chat. Since you're all smelling of alcohol, it wouldn't be appropriate if Hou Yi sees you back there."

"But I......"

"Is it that you're not giving me face? That you look down on me? Fine, if you don't want to go, then cancel everything we said earlier; at worst the fish dies and the net breaks, no one gets anything! If the higher‑ups later ask about the reason for failure, I'll write your three characters 'Zhao Haishen' into the report, calling you the chief culprit obstructing Navy development and construction!"

Zhao Haishen is startled into a shiver; such a huge black pot he can't back out of, so he can only reluctantly compromise.

"Alright, fine, just a bath; but we agreed, only talk work, nothing else."

"No problem!"

Zheng Chengfeng steadies himself, swaying, while the bewildered Zhao Haishen goes down the stairs.

Lu Yang, not drinking, acts as the driver, taking them to a nearby bathhouse.

Zheng Chengfeng supports Zhao Haishen as they walk forward, squinting at him; indicating that the next part is up to you.

The two step inside, and Lu Yang's rear foot reaches the phone booth, inserts a SIM card, and makes a call to the Security Command's duty post.

"Hello, is this the Security Area Military Police Battalion? I want to report that Special Operations Chief of Staff Zhao Haishen was drinking illegally during duty, entering a high‑end bath center, seriously violating unit discipline standards!"

"The location is 99 Gold Apple Bath Center, xx Road. Send someone over quickly. As for whether there are other witnesses, I am the witness!"

"Who am I? I never change my name or surname; I'm Zhang Jiaheng, nicknamed 'Plane Brother', a soldier of the Sea Training Base's Third Battalion!"

"I take responsibility for my actions. I was once a Military Police; correcting misconduct is my duty, maintaining military appearance and discipline is my lofty mission!"