Chapter 53: Celebration Banquet

Stepping out of the conference hall, Qian Wenbing quickened his pace to catch up.

"Old Xu, let's talk about something."

Xu Dongguo kept walking, acting as if he hadn't heard a thing. He didn't even need to guess what the other man wanted to say.

"Old Xu, don't walk so fast."

Catching up with Xu Dongguo, Qian Wenbing said, "I don't mean anything by it, but let's keep each other in the loop if anything comes up in the future!"

Xu Dongguo cast a suspicious glance at him.

"Do you really think I'd try to trick you? The superior officer has already spoken, and since the little comrade is stationed on your side, there's no way I'd try to snatch him away, right? Besides, now that the 956E has been successfully optimized, your Northern Fleet is currently the weakest of the three major fleets. You certainly need to step up your game."

Seeing the sincere expression on Qian Wenbing's face, Xu Dongguo almost thought he had misheard.

Had he taken the wrong medicine?

Before the meeting, he was so eager he looked ready to roll up his sleeves and fight me!

Xiao Chongjun also hurried over and chimed in.

"Old Xu, let's discuss this. The optimization of the 956E assigned to my Eastern Fleet needs to be put on the schedule sooner rather than later. When can you arrange for the little comrade to bring a team over?"

"I'll have to discuss this with Comrade Su Dingping. To be honest, I can't make the final call on this matter."

"Old Xu, you're not being fair here. The superior officer has already given his word—do you really think I'd detain the man and refuse to send him back?"

Believing that Xu Dongguo was just being stingy and reluctant to let go of talent, Xiao Chongjun's face darkened.

Xu Dongguo said helplessly, "Not long ago, I received word that the second phase of the courses the little comrade is offering to the eighteen professors at the 335 Research Institute is about to begin. Whether he'll have the time by then is genuinely not something I can decide."

Xiao Chongjun quickly pressed on, "What second phase of courses? Could it be that mastering the 956E was only the first phase?"

Xu Dongguo nodded.

Qian Wenbing and Xiao Chongjun looked at each other in blank dismay, completely dumbfounded.

Your Northern Fleet moves way too fast! At least wait for us a little bit.

Although the 956E sent to the Southern Fleet had already been optimized, the researchers at the Southern Sea Military Base were still completely in the dark regarding the core technologies involved. Qian Wenbing certainly wasn't going to take the warship without the technology.

Immediately afterward, Xu Dongguo added, "The superior officer himself stated that we must grant the little comrade sufficient authority and ample space to showcase his talents. I can hardly go around ordering him about."

Seeing that Xu Dongguo had even brought up Liu Huaming, Xiao Chongjun knew the chances of getting Su Dingping to visit in person were slim. Yet, thinking of his own 956E, he still said, "Old Xu, in that case, I'll send some people over to learn when the time comes."

"Old Xiao, the first phase is already over. I doubt he'll be serving leftover food twice."

The words stuck in Xiao Chongjun's throat vanished instantly. "Well then, you figure out how to mediate this situation."

"Fine!"

"Old Xu, make sure a copy of the relevant core technologies gets sent over as well," Qian Wenbing called out.

"No problem."

With that, Xu Dongguo strode away. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, the two of them would come up with even more demands.

***

Watching Xu Dongguo slip away so quickly, the two men could only offer wry smiles.

"That Old Xu is getting more and more cunning. We didn't even get a hint of wind beforehand."

"It's good that we didn't know," Xiao Chongjun sighed. "A genius like the little comrade requires the highest level of confidentiality; otherwise, something might go wrong. Our navy simply cannot afford that kind of loss."

As soon as he boarded his special plane, Xu Dongguo contacted Zhou Qinglei.

Learning that the 956E had just arrived at the port and had not yet set sail, he quickly issued several instructions.

After hanging up the phone, a strange look crossed Xu Dongguo's eyes.

"A celebration banquet tonight? Hosted by Dingping?"

As he pondered this, a trace of a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. He turned to the guard beside him and said, "Go and help me prepare a few things."

Meanwhile, after receiving Xu Dongguo's notification, Zhou Qinglei immediately sought out Sun Yongguo and relayed the instructions.

"The superior officer said we need to sync this up with Dingping?"

"Yes, Director Sun."

After a brief moment of thought, Sun Yongguo understood. Xu Dongguo was placing increasing importance on Su Dingping.

"Indeed. Since all these core technologies were conquered by Dingping, we certainly need to inform him before sending a set over to the Southern Fleet."

"Alright, I'll go talk to Dingping about this." Pausing for a second, Sun Yongguo added, "Also, we'll set sail tomorrow. Everyone stays for the celebration banquet tonight."

"If Director Qian asks about the delay later, just tell him there is too much documentation, and organizing and copying it takes time."

"Understood, Director Sun!" Zhou Qinglei grinned broadly.

Finding Su Dingping, Sun Yongguo stated the purpose of his visit, and Su Dingping agreed immediately.

If more people could master the core technologies of the 956E, it would inevitably trigger an even greater chain reaction. If they could all follow the path forged by Lü Guangjun and the others from the 408 Research Institute—using the core technologies of the 956E to carve out a unique path for the navy—then everything would be worth it.

If time hadn't been so tight, Su Dingping truly would have liked to hold a massive lecture and gather all the suitable professors to attend.

Others could take their time studying, pondering, and comprehending, but he could not. He had to lead the way at the front.

Subsequently, he handed his card to Sun Yongguo. "Director Sun, deduct all expenses from this. There are 200,000 in there; it's more than enough."

"Dingping, this won't do at all. How can we possibly use your money?"

"Director Sun, the day I accepted this award, I promised to treat everyone once it was successfully completed. You wouldn't want me to go back on my word, would you?"

Sun Yongguo shook his head repeatedly. "But there's no precedent for the project leader paying out of his own pocket! If the superior officer finds out, he'll give me a hard time for sure. We should be the ones treating you to this meal!"

"Director Sun, it's settled. Otherwise, I'm canceling the second-phase course."

"This..."

"Don't try to save money; spend it lavishly so everyone can have a good meal. There are even greater challenges waiting for us ahead."

With that, Su Dingping shoved the card into Sun Yongguo's hand and gently pushed him out the door.

Clutching the card, Sun Yongguo let out a helpless sigh. "What kind of situation is this!"

That evening, a large marquee tent was erected on the grounds beside the 956E, with thirty-two large round tables arranged inside.

Outside the tent, the winter wind blew bitterly, but inside, it was warm and bustling.

The 296 officers and soldiers assigned to the 956E stood waiting outside the marquee.

Finally, Su Dingping, Sun Yongguo, and the others arrived.

Zhou Qinglei shouted, "Attention, everyone! Salute—"

Returning the salute, Su Dingping said, "Everyone, go on inside."

Zhou Qinglei remained standing at attention. "Comrade Su Dingping, please go first!"

Sun Yongguo and the others chimed in, "Dingping, please."

Seeing that no one else would move unless he did, Su Dingping had no choice but to step into the marquee first.

Following closely behind him were Sun Yongguo and the seventeen professors from the 335 Research Institute, as well as Zhou Qinglei and the 295 naval officers and soldiers.

Glancing at the dishes on the tables, Su Dingping was momentarily startled.

Aside from numerous Qingdao specialty dishes, there were also quite a few traditional Beijing dishes. Right in the center of each large round table sat a copper hot pot, piled high with beef and mutton. Beside the tables were stacked boxes of Erguotou liquor.

Pointing to the Beijing roast duck, instant-boiled mutton, and other characteristic dishes, Su Dingping asked, "Director, this is..."

"It's the dead of winter; we need to eat something piping hot."

Su Dingping clearly didn't believe him. A simple canteen meal and a full hot pot feast were two entirely different things.

"Earlier, the superior officer mentioned to me that you grew up in Beijing when you were young. The food at our base is usually quite ordinary, so we specially brought in some Beijing cuisine this time."

Just as Su Dingping was about to speak, Sun Yongguo cut him off. "Don't worry, it's all coming out of the card."

"Does everyone have their seats?"

"Yes, sir!"

"That's good." Su Dingping smiled.

Once everyone was seated, Su Dingping raised his voice. "Eat your fill, drink your fill, and enjoy the food!"

Abruptly, Zhou Qinglei, who was sitting at the same table as Su Dingping, popped open a bottle of Erguotou, poured a full cup to the brim, and stood up holding his bowl.

"Attention, all hands!"

Immediately, the 295 naval officers and soldiers poured themselves drinks and stood up with their bowls.

"Comrade Su Dingping, this first cup of wine—on behalf of these 295 brothers, I toast you!"

Huh?

So soon?

Su Dingping was stunned.

He was just about to say he would substitute tea for wine when he saw Zhang Gongnong casually uncapping a bottle of Erguotou and beginning to fill Su Dingping's glass.

"Professor Zhang, you really shouldn't..."

"How can a real man not drink a little? It's the depth of winter; have some to warm up your bones."

The sound of liquor gurgling into the glass made Su Dingping's heart flutter nervously.

At least let me get a bite of food to line my stomach first!