Chapter 57: News of the Varyag Aircraft Carrier!

Kovskis and the others wore expressions of deep displeasure.

They had come to negotiate the second batch of 956E sales in the interest of their nation, aiming to sell the 956E at a high price. That was their primary objective.

Yet, they found themselves swayed by Wang De to the point of sympathizing with the Chinese Navy instead. Wasn’t that completely backwards?

The thought made their faces flush with irritation.

Earlier, they had been silently frustrated by Wang De’s silver tongue, feeling almost inhuman. Now, each of them wished they could seize Wang De and give him a piece of their minds.

“The Chinese are truly unbearable!”
“Damn Wang De! If I ever run into him again, I’ll make sure he regrets it!”

They grumbled angrily.

“First, let’s figure out how to explain this to headquarters,” Turgenev said.

Kovskis and the others immediately darkened.

At the time, Wang De had suggested they keep thinking of solutions after returning, but they had openly declared the deal was off and that they would handle the matter with headquarters themselves.

Now, what on earth could they say?

Kovskis looked to Turgenev. “You’re resourceful. What do you suggest?”

“This cooperation on the purchase is probably dead.”

“Not even a chance?”

“Weren’t you the ones who spoke too hastily? I bet Wang De has already reported this back. When that call comes, it’ll be all on us!” Turgenev said helplessly. “Believe me, headquarters will be calling soon.”

After a pause, Turgenev added, “The Chinese don’t want to buy, yet we’re left holding the bag. Wang De, Wang De… he’s dug us a deep hole!”

At those words, Kovskis and the others felt their spirits sink to the depths.

They had been focused on making a big score from the Chinese Navy, but in the end, they’d walked right into a trap.

Though they had enjoyed three months of good food, drinks, and fun here, failing to sell the two 956Es at a high price was their biggest loss.

As they stewed in frustration, a call came through from their homeland’s headquarters.

The caller immediately launched into a tirade.

“What’s going on with you? Such a sure-fire, profitable deal, and you blew it! We need an explanation, or you can just stay in China and forget about coming home…”

“General, the situation is actually like this…” After a moment, Turgenev hung up.

Kovskis quickly asked, “What did headquarters say?”

Everyone else turned to Turgenev, waiting.

“The general said we were outplayed by the Chinese this time, but that we’ll get this opportunity back,” Turgenev said.

Hearing this, Kovskis and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Though they’d messed up, headquarters didn’t seem to blame them too harshly.

***

“Turgenev, did the general say how we’ll make up for this?” Kovskis asked.

Turgenev waved his hand. “That, I don’t know. The general told us to wait here a few more days.”

“More waiting?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“The general said the Chinese will come back in a few days to buy the 956E again.”

Kovskis and the others exchanged doubtful glances.

After all that with Wang De, why would they come back to buy the 956E? It made no sense.

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Kovskis opened it to find a Chinese man standing outside.

“Mr. Kovskis, greetings. Secretary Wang sent me. If you have any gifts you need to take back, just tell me. I’ll arrange for it.”

After a brief explanation, the man left his contact information and departed.

Kovskis glanced at the card, then casually tossed it into the trash.

“That Wang De really is pushing us to leave quickly.”

“Let’s wait a few more days. Headquarters should make a move soon.”

…

Meanwhile, after handling the matter with Turgenev and the others, Wang De quickly sent someone from the capital to accompany them in purchasing gifts to take back.

Having done this, he reported the matter to three senior commanders.

In Qingdao, at the Northern Fleet Command, Xu Dongguo was reviewing documents, signing his name swiftly.

This document contained the 408 Research Institute’s recommendation to redesignate the 051B as the 051C, marking the Navy’s first officially modernized warship.

The other two commanders had already signed. Now that he had signed, only Liu Huaming’s signature remained before the modified 051B would officially become the 051C.

He had already watched the complete test videos of the 051B, which were far more convincing than the dry data.

Setting down his pen, he felt optimistic.

The millennium year had brought the Navy three major achievements: recruiting a heavyweight talent, breaking through the 956E, and finalizing the 051C.

Once this year’s military budget was approved and the 051C production line established, the 051C would become widespread across the three major fleets.

In just a few years, the Navy’s entire fleet would complete the leap from non-modern to fully modern.

As he contemplated the future, his desk phone rang.

“Report, sir. The matter with the Russian representatives has been resolved…”

Wang De explained the situation and added, “Commander Qian said he will send someone to communicate with Russia.”

***

“Secretary Wang, you handled this beautifully!”

After hanging up, Xu Dongguo pondered another issue.

With billions of dollars saved for their own production line, should they also build a production line for the 956E?

If they did, there was the risk of international military technology patent disputes that wouldn’t be easily settled by money.

If Russia learned that their Navy had not only cracked the core technology of the 956E but could also produce them in bulk, the trouble would be immense.

If it weren’t for the fact that the 956E was far superior to the 051C in combat capability—the very confidence needed to face the Eastern Eight-Eight Fleet—he wouldn’t be so hesitant.

Soon, another call came through.

“Report, sir. Secretary Zhao is on the line for you.”

Zhao Quanfan?

Xu Dongguo’s brow raised.

He remembered Zhao Quanfan had been secretly dispatched two months ago for a major task.

A call now meant there was news.

As soon as the call connected, Zhao said, “Report, sir. The ‘1121’ plan is showing initial success. We had close contact with the opposing leadership, and the talks went well! If all goes smoothly, it can be finalized in one or two months!”

“Excellent! Secretary Zhao, if this succeeds, you’ll be the greatest contributor!”

Setting down the receiver, Xu Dongguo was in high spirits.

“The millennium year truly is a fortunate year for our Navy!”

He had just thought three major achievements were complete this year. Now, it seemed a fourth—the aircraft carrier acquisition—was also underway.

The Varyag aircraft carrier had long been coveted by the Navy.

At the end of last year, upon learning that the Actor Country intended to sell the Varyag, the Navy’s top brass immediately decided to assign Zhao Quanfan to secretly handle the deal.

“A fleet composed entirely of modern 051Cs, supplemented by more powerful 956Es, and anchored by the core—the Varyag aircraft carrier. The formation of a complete carrier fleet is taking shape.”

At this moment, Xu Dongguo’s heart swelled.

In just a few years, with a full carrier fleet stationed, the security of their waters would be guaranteed to the utmost.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded, followed by a guard’s report: “Sir, Director Lü has arrived.”

Taking a deep breath to steady his excitement, Xu Dongguo said, “Let him in.”

Lü Guangjun entered and said directly, “Commander Xu, I’m applying to continue my studies under Comrade Su Dingping.”