Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Long confronts Yao Yuan 1
Translator: 549690339
Chapter 89: Long confronts Yao Yuan
Three months passed in a blink of an eye.
Throughout the three-month fresh recruit training period, under Yao Yuan’s strict demands, these five hundred new soldiers tasted the cruellest training ever.
Starting from the tenth day of the new soldier training, when other ordinary recruits were still undergoing basic formation drills, Yao Yuan had already begun physical training. Initially, it included full gear like weapons, ammunition, helmets, emergency kits, water, dry food, sleeping bags, gas masks, flashlights, raincoats, and army shovels, all combined weighing up to 25-5 kilograms. Moreover, Yao Yuan skipped the 5-kilometre threshold right from the beginning and went straight to 10 kilometres.
This was an extraordinarily brutal test for all the new soldiers. In this round, two hundred of the five hundred new soldiers were eliminated.
Yao Yuan was quite straightforward, directly transferring these two hundred people to other training units nearby.
Then came live firing, wilderness survival, hand-to-hand combat and so on. At the moment, Nie Zhenbang was keenly aware of the abnormality of the situation. This was definitely not an ordinary recruit training.
Indeed, by the time all the training was over, out of the five hundred in the new recruit camp, there were less than ten left.
Looking at Qin Lang and Xiong Zhanggui beside him, they had undergone a total transformation compared to three months ago.
At the moment, Yao Yuan once again stood in front of everyone. His expression was as calm and solemn as always, showing no difference despite having only ten men left. Yao Yuan’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd. Then, he said solemnly, “Soldiers. I’m pleased that till now, you have passed the examinations and stayed. Starting today, you will no longer be ordinary soldiers. You, will be members of the Xibei Military Region’s elite troops.”
Just then, an officer walked over to Yao Yuan from the side, whispered a few words in his ear, and Yao Yuan nodded. He swept his gaze over everyone else before finally resting on Nie Zhenbang, saying, “Nie Zhenbang, someone’s looking for you.”
Moments later, Nie Zhenbang looked up to see Long coming towards them.
Seeing Long, Yao Yuan’s face instantly turned grave. Just then, Long seemed to feel Yao Yuan’s gaze and his whole body was instantly on high alert. He also turned to look at Yao Yuan.
“Long, why are you here? I thought I had you assist Li Xue in the Soviet Union?” Nie Zhenbang seemed nervous at Long’s arrival. His joining the military was arranged by the senior figures, and not many people knew about it in Jingcheng. If Long wanted to know, he must have asked Yang Anbang. Could something have happened in the Soviet Union?
Meanwhile, Yao Yuan was a little shocked. Looking at everyone else, he said, “Dismiss, return to your dormitories to pack your belongings. Be ready to move out tonight.”
Even if soldiers have never met before, they have a feeling of knowing each other instinctively, especially excellent soldiers. Yao Yuan was one of the top powerhouses in the army. But so was Long. Even though Long looked quite ordinary now, Yao Yuan knew that the man in front of him was no less capable than himself. As for Nie Zhenbang, what was his background? His extraordinary physique, outstanding shooting talent, and brilliant hand-to-hand combat skills were all not qualities of a typical city soldier. Now, he had such an excellent soldier seeking him out. Could he be a spy from abroad?
When Yao Yuan thought of this, he had a start. Then he quickly dismissed the notion. Domestic political screenings were as strict as they come. Spies might infiltrate the government system, but infiltrating the military was considered a near impossibility.
Steal Huaxia’s reconnaissance training? There’s no need for that. Nowadays, our country’s special forces are still in their infancy, existing mostly as reconnaissance units. None of the country’s seven military regions have a formal special forces unit. We are just feeling our way in the dark. Stealing these things is impossible. The training of foreign special forces, such as those in the Soviet Union and Israel, is much more advanced than ours. They are globally recognized as formidable.
As Nie Zhenbang approached, Long began to speak, “Young Master Nie, there is a major issue with the Soviets. Miss Li is unable to make a decision herself.
The matter has been brought to you.”
Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression turned serious. He quickly asked, “Long, have the Soviets broken their promise? Are Tiger and Li Xue okay?”
Seeing Nie Zhenbang’s anxious look, Long’s face softened slightly. As soldiers, Long and Tiger had skills but lacked capabilities. As Colonel Yuan had once said, they only had enough to make it as soldiers in this lifetime. However, where in the world could one be a lifetime soldier? The final outcome was nothing more than returning to civilian life.
But now, after following Nie Zhenbang, they no longer had to worry about their family’s financial situation. Money was never a concern. The money they had accumulated so far in their lives was more than enough.
Most importantly, Long and Tiger both felt a profound sense of loyalty towards Zhenbang. Long shook his head and said, “No, Mikhail and the others did ask about you. However, Miss Li cleverly replied that you were tied down by urgent matters at home. Combined with Ganokovich’s persuasion, they stopped paying much attention. My main reason for being here is that they want to sell an aircraft to us.’
Aircraft?
Upon hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s eyebrows rose. Do Mikhail and others have such audacity now? Yet, this was good news for Nie Zhenbang. He did not fear their audacity, what he feared was their indifference.
Long continued, “It’s a heavy fighter designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and officially introduced into the Soviet military in 1985, the Su-27. The product is of excellent quality. However, Mikhail and his team’s price is outrageously high. They are asking 60 million US dollars.”
Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang frowned. The Soviets were insufferable. Both in the past and the present, under the European weapons embargo against Huaxia, the only import source was the Soviets. However, the price offered to Huaxia was always ten percent higher than that offered to other countries. They were pure bullies.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang’s face turned stone-cold. He said, “We’ll buy it. Not only will we buy it, we’ll raise the price to one billion dollars. However, in addition to the Su-27, we want their Su-30 design schematics. Tell them we’ll settle all payments in rubles and if possible, complete the transaction immediately, the sooner the better.”
After Nie Zhenbang finished speaking, Yao Yuan suddenly stepped forward, locked eyes with Long, and after a moment, solemnly said, “Yao Yuan, Xibei Military Region, Commander of the Third Company of the Military District
Reconnaissance Battalion.”
Hearing Yao Yuan’s words, Long’s face showed unprecedented seriousness as he responded, “Formerly Fengtian Military Region, Fifty-Ninth Army, Soldier of the Army’s Security Battalion, Li Dalong.”
“Li Dalong? You are a formidable opponent, interested in a duel?” At that moment, Yao Yuan felt a camaraderie for the fellow warrior. It was rare to encounter such an opponent, Yao Yuan felt both an impulse and joy at the prospect.
Nie Zhenbang was somewhat surprised at this development, Long’s gaze displayed a hitherto unseen intensity. After a pause, he nodded slightly and said, “You’re not bad either. However, we can’t do it here. Is there a quieter place? After all, I have already retired from the military.”
Nie Zhenbang’s words excited Yao Yuan. A confrontation between two warriors of this caliber was thrilling to contemplate. Yao Yuan gestured with a wave, “Good, refreshing, a real man. Please follow me..”
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