Chapter 48: That Man Named Su Dingping

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In the conference hall, the heads of the Navy’s three major fleets had already gathered.

“Commander, this isn’t according to protocol,” Qian Wenbing said with clear dissatisfaction.

“Xu Dongguo—what right does he have to keep holding up the procurement plan for the 956E? I’ve asked him, but he won’t give me an explanation! The Northern Fleet under him has already received one 956E, but my Southern Fleet has nothing—just a single 052 to hold the line! But can a 052 compare to a 956E?”

Liu Huaming, the lead officer, sat calmly listening.

“His Northern Fleet is supposed to defend the capital, but my Southern Fleet has to guard the southern waters as well, right? That’s a huge sea area—how can we defend it without a modern warship?”

Obviously, Qian Wenbing harbored a deep grudge against Xu Dongguo’s repeated ‘forgetfulness,’ bottling up frustration and waiting for this day.

“I asked him for an explanation, and he said it was inconvenient to explain! I just can’t understand—what secrets could he know that I can’t? Later, he said he would transfer the 956E to me. Let me make it clear, I’m not unreasonable, but this back-and-forth, saying one thing and then retracting it repeatedly—that’s just cruel.”

“He knows I’m busy and don’t have time to go to Qingdao to see him, so he’s just stringing me along—that’s bullying!”

“He has the 956E; the Northern Fleet has confidence now. What about my Southern Fleet? The enemy is almost at our doorstep!”

Qian Wenbing rambled on.

If it weren’t for the setting, if he had met Xu Dongguo privately, he would have confronted him fiercely by now.

If they’re not going to give it, then don’t promise some empty pledge! Make a promise and don’t keep it—that’s just toying with people!

Playing house? Does the Southern Fleet not need to eat?

You have it, and yet you won’t let me have it—that’s just nonsense!

“Is this true?” Liu Huaming turned to Xiao Chongjun, head of the Eastern Fleet.

Xiao Chongjun shook his head.

He really didn’t know about this.

The second 956E was safely stationed with his Eastern Fleet, so he wasn’t concerned about the other one’s allocation.

But he could fully understand—this is how things had always been.

Whenever the heads of the three fleets met, sparks were bound to fly.

There was no choice; the Navy’s budget and foundation were limited, and everyone wanted more. The sea area was vast, the wolves numerous—they had to ask for more.

But with too little to go around, it was always a fight.

When they fought over the 052s, Xu Dongguo lost to two others, and the third 052 went to the Northern Fleet.

Later, when fighting over the 956E, Qian Wenbing lost to Xu Dongguo.

“That said, the bulk of the cost for the second batch of 956Es came from higher up. Our Navy was just filling a gap. What’s Xu Dongguo playing at, pretending to be the good guy here?” Qian Wenbing was determined to lodge a full complaint, not stopping for breath.

“If we had the confidence, who would want to stoop so low and buy from others? I also hate spending money, but what choice do I have!”

Liu Huaming began to see that Qian Wenbing’s grudge against Xu Dongguo was deep.

This kind of thing was nothing new to him.

So he waved his hand, signaling for calm, then said, “Where is Comrade Dongguo? He’s never late to meetings before!”

Xiao Chongjun shook his head.

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Qian Wenbing sneered, “Hah, probably too ashamed to face me.”

Just as he finished speaking, the door was pushed open, and Xu Dongguo’s voice rang out.

“Who said I’m ashamed to see you? I’m here, aren’t I?”

Xu Dongguo entered with a cheerful smile, clearly in a good mood, completely unfazed by Qian Wenbing’s behind-the-back complaints.

“Well, well, Xu Dongguo, you still have the face to come! What about the 956E you promised?”

“It’s been dismantled.”

“What?! Dismantled?”

Hearing this, Qian Wenbing was instantly furious.

If you’re not going to give it, fine; but why dismantle it?

Is that 956E really yours to do with as you please? It’s already nominally assigned to my Southern Fleet!

“Commander, you see! Xu Dongguo is shameless! To avoid giving me the 956E, he dismantled it!”

“What did we say at the meeting? The 956E must not be dismantled—that’s the bottom line! If a formidable enemy invades, we need it to face them!”

As he spoke, he looked at Xu Dongguo, “Xu Dongguo, if anything goes wrong, I want to see how you’ll take responsibility!”

Xu Dongguo simply sat down, ignoring Qian Wenbing’s words.

“Commander, look at him!”

“Enough!” Liu Huaming raised his voice several decibels. “If you two want to argue, take it outside! This is not the place for your quarrels!”

Qian Wenbing fell silent, though his anger was far from quelled.

Seeing both finally calm down, Liu Huaming said, “Comrade Dongguo, how did the 956E get dismantled?”

“Commander, it’s a long story.”

Qian Wenbing muttered, “I want to see how you turn black into white.”

Xu Dongguo went on without hesitation.

“Actually, the day after I promised to give the 956E to the Southern Fleet, it was dismantled!”

Hearing this, Qian Wenbing was stunned.

I thought you were just playing delay tactics, but you never intended to give it to me at all.

“You, Xu—what the hell…”

Even Liu Huaming frowned slightly.

“Comrade Dongguo, this was really going too far.”

Xu Dongguo hadn’t yet received news that the 956E had been successfully assembled, so he couldn’t answer that question.

Matters without clear outcomes weren’t suitable to discuss here.

“Explain!”

“Commander, before giving a reason, I want to say something else first.” He paused, then added to Qian Wenbing, “Old Qian, rest assured, the 956E will definitely be yours. If all goes well, it will be dispatched today!”

Qian Wenbing, who had been angry moments before, immediately sensed something off.

In this setting, if the other party said something like that, it surely wasn’t a lie! But if the 956E was dismantled, how could it be shipped today? He didn’t believe Xu Dongguo would just send a pile of spare parts.

They were all sharp-witted; he clearly sensed there was more to Xu Dongguo’s words.

Even Xiao Chongjun, usually indifferent, couldn’t help but become more curious.

Liu Huaming said, “Go ahead, explain.”

Xu Dongguo laid out the materials he had prepared on the table and handed the top document to Liu Huaming.

“Commander, this is the result of the 051B’s second modification.”

Second modification?

Wasn’t that a failure?

Liu Huaming took the document, puzzled, and began reading.

This was the classified telegram recently sent by Lü Guangjun.

Qian Wenbing and Xiao Chongjun exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what Xu Dongguo was up to.

They looked at Liu Huaming, only to see his expression visibly change.

Now their curiosity deepened.

For Liu Huaming’s expression to shift so noticeably, this document had to be important.

Before finishing, Liu Huaming looked up and asked Xu Dongguo, “Comrade Dongguo, is all this data authentic?”

“Yes, Commander!” Xu Dongguo replied solemnly. “The 051B’s avionics system, communications system, electronic warfare system, missile system—all core equipment—have surpassed the threshold of modernization!”

“The 051B after the second modification has entered the ranks of modern warships!”

Hearing this, Qian Wenbing and Xiao Chongjun were greatly shaken.

Liu Huaming finished reading and passed the documents to the two others.

After reviewing, they were too stunned to speak.

Our Navy now has a domestically developed modern warship? Am I dreaming? After longing for so long and growing used to disappointment, to succeed now?

“Wasn’t the 051B second modification declared a failure last December?” Qian Wenbing asked anxiously.

“Yes, it failed then, but later succeeded.”

“Just over a month later?”

“Yes!”

“How is that possible?”

“Because of one person!” Xu Dongguo looked at Qian Wenbing and said, “It’s because of him that I decided to dismantle the 956E I promised you.”

Xiao Chongjun asked, “Who?”

“That person is—Su Dingping!”

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