"No, no, no."
Though Fan Tianlei was ecstatic at Kang Lei's words, he repeatedly shook his head and waved his hands on the surface.
While his purpose for this visit was indeed these soldiers: Qin Feng, He Chenguang, Wang Yanbing, and Li Erniu.
He also knew that Kang Lei was a man who responded to gentle persuasion rather than force.
His previous overt interest in these four had made Kang Lei wary.
He could only 'trick' these soldiers away using this method.
Furthermore, Kang Lei was a man who valued loyalty.
This was both his strength and his weakness, and Fan Tianlei had long understood Kang Lei's temperament.
No matter how much he desired these soldiers internally, Fan Tianlei maintained a sincere expression and said:
"Brother, I came specifically to see you today. I'm just treating you to a drink. I don't want your soldiers."
Upon hearing that he didn't want soldiers, Kang Lei spoke with firm conviction:
"You must take them. I trust you with my soldiers. Tell me, who do you want?"
Hearing this, Fan Tianlei knew his plan was already half successful.
The rest would be smooth sailing.
However, on the surface, Fan Tianlei sighed, feigning difficulty, and said:
"Brother, if I take your soldiers, wouldn't your regiment say I, Fan Tianlei, am a petty man?"
Hearing this, Kang Lei sat up straight and immediately retorted:
"Who dares? I am the commander of the Iron Fist Regiment, I am the number one man. If I give you my soldiers, I'll deal with anyone who calls you petty."
"Tell me, who do you want?"
Fan Tianlei still shook his head repeatedly, saying, "It's not suitable!"
Kang Lei was instantly angered. After pondering for a moment, he directly said:
"Why is it not suitable? You must take them."
"Listen to me, brother. I have three excellent soldiers: He Chenguang, a sniper, an excellent marksman with high overall capabilities; Wang Yanbing, skilled in all aspects; and Li Erniu, a fighter like the Five Heroes of Mount Langya. I'll give all three to you. How about that?"
Fan Tianlei couldn't help but smile slightly, but quickly recovered and repeatedly denied it.
"No, I can't accept them. These are all strong generals under your command. I can't take them."
Seeing Fan Tianlei like this, Kang Lei said with a serious expression:
"You must take them. If you don't, you are no longer my brother, and I am no longer your brother. I'm leaving now. You pay the bill."
With that, Kang Lei made to stand up and leave.
Fan Tianlei quickly stopped Kang Lei from standing, repeatedly saying:
"Don't be angry, I'll take them, I'll take them, alright?"
Hearing the affirmative reply, Kang Lei smiled and raised his wine glass, saying:
"Ah, that's more like it. You must take them. Anyone who doesn't is a grandson. Cheers."
Fan Tianlei beamed and immediately echoed:
"Anyone who doesn't is a grandson."
With that, Kang Lei clinked glasses and drank.
Fan Tianlei, holding his wine glass, looked at Kang Lei and continued:
"Brother, since you're giving me these three, why not throw in Qin Feng as well?"
Upon hearing Qin Feng's name, Kang Lei, who was still somewhat tipsy, sobered up instantly.
He directly slammed his wine glass on the table with a 'bang' and cursed:
"Nonsense! You're dreaming. You've got three and you're still not satisfied? You can have anyone else, but not Qin Feng."
Fan Tianlei also put down his wine glass and began to persuade:
"Brother, you also know Qin Feng's performance in the exercise. The higher-ups have already noticed him. If you don't give him to me now, when the order comes down, you'll still have to hand him over. How about this: three months later, during the Hundred Regiment Offensive, our Wolf Fang can act as your external support. What do you say?"
Kang Lei, hearing this, still frowned and shook his head, stubbornly refusing.
Seeing this, Fan Tianlei delivered a decisive blow.
"Brother, do you know what the Hundred Regiment Offensive three months from now is about? That's not a simple exercise, that's about the subsequent reorganization of the army. Old brother, can I harm you? You also know the strength of our Wolf Fang. You won't lose out on this, what do you say?"
Hearing Fan Tianlei's words, Kang Lei fell into thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Kang Lei furrowed his brow and said, "Really?"
"Really! More real than gold," Fan Tianlei assured him, knowing Kang Lei was wavering.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Fan Tianlei raised his glass again:
"Brother, drink!"
Kang Lei sighed helplessly, but still raised his glass and drank.
However, the wine tasted no longer as sweet as before, but rather bland.
The next morning, Gong Jian, unaware of anything, came from the Fourth Company to the Sixth Company.
Peng Lao Liu spotted Gong Jian from afar.
He immediately walked forward and said:
"Yo, what wind blew you, Gong Jian, to the Sixth Company today?"
Hearing this, Gong Jian immediately put on a fawning smile and said:
"Oh, it's just that I missed you, so I came to see you."
"Don't miss me. When you miss me, something bad always happens. Just get to the point," Peng Lao Liu retorted, turning to leave.
Gong Jian immediately followed and said:
"Oh, I just came to ask you for two men. Of course, I won't let you lose out. I'll trade you three of my veteran soldiers, all of whom are sharpshooters. How about that?"
Peng Lao Liu looked at Gong Jian as if he were an idiot, taunting:
"You, Gong Jian, would do a losing business with me? Do you really think I'm that stupid?"
Gong Jian chuckled dryly, not daring to meet Peng Lao Liu's gaze directly.
"If I asked you for a platoon leader now, I bet you'd give me one," Peng Lao Liu said.
"Oh, is that so? That's fine!"
Gong Jian immediately agreed upon hearing this.
"If you gave it to me, I wouldn't want it. Three veteran soldiers, sharpshooters? What were you doing before? Why didn't you trade then?"
"Ah, now that my soldiers are successful, you're rushing to trade with me."
"Pfft, you really take me for a fool."
Peng Lao Liu finished speaking sarcastically and strode forward.
Gong Jian called out from behind:
"Listen, Lao Liu, I'm telling you, this is the commander's intention. Just tell me if you'll trade or not."
Hearing this, Peng Lao Liu turned back and looked at Gong Jian, saying:
"What's this? What's this? What's this?"
"This little matter has even reached the commander."
"It's just business as usual," Gong Jian said meekly.
"I know, your Sharpshooter Fourth Company is amazing, but you can't hog all the good things just because you're the Sharpshooter Fourth Company. Tell me, which company in the whole regiment has soldiers with a bit of potential, and you've lured them all away? How many years has our Sixth Company waited? We've finally found these two good prospects, and you still want to poach them?"
"How about this, you find a knife and stab me a few times, alright?"
With that, Peng Lao Liu started walking away again.
Gong Jian immediately followed and said:
"Why would I stab you? It's not even enough to improve our company's meals."
"I'm here to discuss this with you, don't run."
"Let's talk it over properly!"
Saying that, Gong Jian grabbed Peng Lao Liu.
Peng Lao Liu stopped and looked at Gong Jian with a smile, saying:
"What now? Are we discussing again? Oh! It's not the commander's intention anymore?"
"Heh heh, Gong Jian, Gong Jian, you're really using both carrots and sticks with me. It seems you're determined to poach these two soldiers of mine."
Gong Jian immediately put on a fawning smile, but his body was honest, and he nodded heavily.
"Fine, how about this? We'll go find them now, and in front of my soldiers, if they're willing to go with you, and I say a single word of 'no', then I've been a soldier in vain for ten years. How about that?" Peng Lao Liu immediately proposed.
Gong Jian immediately agreed: "Okay, it's settled."
"Let's go!"
Just as the two were about to go find Qin Feng and Wang Yanbing,
A voice suddenly rang out from behind them...