Li Mingsheng subconsciously asked, "Can't we squeeze in a bit more?"

"This is an exercise, so there's no enemy counterattack from the shore. If it were actual combat, and the landing operation was like when we first came, all the ships packed together at sea, all the officers and soldiers crowded on the beachhead, the coastal artillery wouldn't even need to aim on purpose—one shell over and it'd cause us heavy casualties."

"Spread out like this now, we can preserve our fighting strength to the greatest extent?"

"It should."

"But this few people ashore still isn't enough!"

"This is just the first wave. Once the troops that seize the beachhead take down the positions, and once the Air Force and Navy Aviation secure air superiority, then the main force can come up."

...

Han Yu had no idea whether the superior really had deployed it this way, because the anchorage of Jiangyu 628 was far from the waters of the beach-landing.

The three of them just sat on the fishing boat's deck like that, heads tilted back watching planes for most of the day, until they got the message at four-thirty in the afternoon that the combined exercise was over.

Xiao Yu had also completed his task and, as agreed, drove the power boat over to pick up the three of them.

By the time they reached the anchorage where the Bin Xun was moored, the sun was setting in the west and the cook and galley hands were busy preparing dinner.

"Director Qian, Teacher Xia, what are we having tonight?"

"Hotpot for dinner."

"Hotpot?"

"Haven't had it in ages. You don't want it?"

"I do."

As soon as Han Yu finished speaking, Adviser Wu's call came over the walkie-talkie.

"Adviser Wu, what are your instructions?"

"Who would dare give you instructions—I'm just asking where you are."

"I'm on our Rescue Boat Team's supply ship, just waiting to eat dinner. We're improving the food today, having hotpot tonight. If you want to come over, I'll send a power boat to get you."

Adviser Wu glanced at the Air Force Major General opposite him, then raised the walkie-talkie and said with a grin, "I'll pass, but there are two people who want to see you. Hurry up and arrange a power boat to pick them up."

Han Yu asked curiously, "Who's looking for me?"

Seeing the Air Force Major General shake his head, Adviser Wu laughed. "You'll know when you see them. I've already said hello to the Inspection Team. You'd better step on it, or if the Commander sees you it won't look good."

"Where am I picking them up?"

"The place where your men set up the floating bridge when they were taking on supplies."

"Got it, I'll head over right away."

Who on earth could it be, acting all mysterious.

Then again, this was during an exercise—dropping in on hometown buddies and that kind of socialising had to be done carefully, especially on a heavily guarded beachhead. If you weren't careful, the Inspection Team would invite you over for tea.

Han Yu didn't want to cause trouble for Adviser Wu. He quickly called Xiao Yu, climbed down the pilot ladder onto the power boat moored alongside, fired up the engine, and sped for the beach.

They wouldn't have known if they hadn't come, but once they arrived, both Han Yu and Xiao Yu couldn't help laughing.

"Major General Jiang, when did you get here?"

"I got here the day before yesterday. You kid are an Observer now. Other people might not know, but you can't not know. You knew I was here and still didn't come find me, and even made me come looking for you instead!"

Old friends reuniting was always especially joyful.

Major General Jiang didn't even bother to return the salute. He hauled himself onto the power boat and gave Han Yu a bear hug, then let go and slung an arm around Xiao Yu's shoulders with a laugh. "Xiao Yu, we meet again!"

Han Yu was just as happy and excited, but there were Inspection Team patrols on the beach and this wasn't the time to reminisce. He quickly waved goodbye to Adviser Wu and hurriedly threw the power boat into reverse.

Xiao Yu hadn't expected to run into the leadership of the 105th Army's 404th Division here, and asked in delight, "Major General Jiang, isn't your division a recruit training division? The recruits are taking part in exercises too?"

Major General Jiang chuckled. "I've been transferred to the Army. Just moved over two months ago, otherwise I wouldn't have the chance to see you."

"A promotion, congratulations, congratulations."

"What promotion, I'm Deputy Chief of Staff. I used to be a Division Commander, I'm still at division commander level."

"Next step is Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff is Deputy Army level, and Deputy Army level can get you promoted to Lieutenant General!"

"I'll borrow your auspicious words. If that day really comes, I'll treat you to a feast." Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang laughed heartily and, resting a hand on the power boat's gunwale, sighed, "It's also thanks to being a deputy. If I were the chief, I wouldn't have the chance to sneak out to see you."

Xiao Yu asked curiously, "Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang, how did you know we were here?"

"Yeah, how did you know we were here?" Han Yu was just as curious.

"I ran into Captain Meng of the 402nd Army yesterday afternoon. He told me. He said you kid are hot stuff now, turned into an Observer just like that, even he has to go through you for favours."

"It's not as exaggerated as Captain Meng makes it sound. Oh right, how are Captain Peng and Political Commissar Yang doing?"

"Old Peng got promoted; he's now Deputy Division Commander of the 404th. Old Yang transferred out of the service this year and went back home early to look for a job."

"What about Li Shousong?" Han Yu asked, one hand on the wheel.

"Li Shousong's in the Capital for training. When he gets back, he'll be promoted to deputy regiment level. It's still not fixed whether he'll be Deputy Commander or Deputy Chief of Staff of a regiment."

Iron barracks, flowing soldiers.

Some get transferred, some get promoted, some leave the service—perfectly normal.

Thinking back to the scenes from the flood-fighting days, Han Yu couldn't help smiling as he asked, "Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang, are you here to inspect our Linghai Reserve Camp and Rescue Boat Team?"

Back on the Jingjiang flood front last year, he'd made plenty of trips to the "Hong Kong Garrison" to scrounge food and drink under the banner of inspection.

Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang hadn't expected Han Yu to keep that in mind and couldn't help laughing. "I heard you moved the Linghai Hotel over here, of course I had to come check it out—see how your meals are, and whether the cook's skills have improved."

Xiao Yu chuckled. "Early birds don't beat lucky ones. Tonight we just happen to be having hotpot!"

"Really? Hotpot is my favourite. Got any booze?"

"We do!"

"Then bring some out later."

"Xiao Yu can drink with you, I can't."

"Salted Fish, no offence, but you're a Navy Reserve Major now—how can you not be able to drink?"

"Drinking depends on talent. I really can't handle it."

...

Chatting and joking, they soon reached the anchorage of the logistics formation.

Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang went aboard the Binjiang Shipping College's training ship. Yang Jianbo, Ma Jintao, Chen Jian, Gao Jichun and the others had all taken part in flood-fighting and were overjoyed to see him, rushing up to salute and greet him.

After exchanging a few words on deck, they all headed into the dining room.

Looking at the hotpot set up on the table, Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang asked, half laughing, half crying, "Salted Fish, Jianbo, this is hotpot?"

"Yeah, look at all these things to swish, and we've even got beef!"

"I meant the broth."

"What's wrong with the broth?"

"This is a clear soup, I don't see a drop of red oil. How are you supposed to eat hotpot with such plain, watery broth—can you really call this hotpot?"

Han Yu suddenly remembered that Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang had a heavy palate, fond of greasy, spicy dishes. During the flood-fighting at Beihu last year, he'd never stopped complaining that the food at the "Linghai Hotel" was too mild and too sweet, until Zhang Erxiao specifically bought a few bottles of chilli sauce when stocking up, just for him to eat on his "inspection" visits.

Yang Jianbo also realised that, for Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang, this really didn't count as hotpot. He quickly turned around and asked, "Master Liu, do we have any hotpot base?"

"No. Nobody eats spicy here, so I didn't buy any."

"Any chilli sauce?"

"Nope."

"Dried chillies then."

"None. Anything spicy, we don't have it on board." Since Binjiang people didn't eat spicy food, who would buy that stuff. The cook looked helpless.

Han Yu was still wondering how to explain, but Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang smiled. "No worries if you don't have it. Just pour me some soy sauce and vinegar."

"Soy sauce and vinegar we have. I'll get some right away."

The cook hurried off to mix dipping sauce for Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang.

Director Qian, Teacher Xia, and Li Mingsheng weren't familiar with Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang and didn't want to intrude on the reunion of old comrades, so they found an excuse to eat in the next cabin.

They weren't supposed to drink during the exercise, but there were several alcohol lovers on the training ship, and they'd stashed two cases.

Xiao Yu and Ma Jintao were itching to have a proper drink with Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang. Han Yu, worried there might be an emergency mission at night, only allowed them one glass each and had the hard-drinking Yang Jianbo play main host.

After three rounds of drinks and five flavours of dishes.

Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang put down his glass, looked at Han Yu with a smile and said, "Salted Fish, Jianbo, I'm here to pave the way—General Lu is coming tomorrow as well."

"General Lu's coming tomorrow?"

"He's not Deputy Army Commander anymore; he's the full Commander now." Deputy Chief of Staff Jiang pointed at the clear soup in front of him, laughing. "If General Lu knew about your setup here, he'd definitely come see you. Have logistics go ashore later and see if there's any hotpot base for sale. His taste is similar to mine."

General Lu was a Commander everyone deeply respected.

Last year at Beihu, he'd visited the Linghai Reserve Camp's camp area more than once. Later, when the Yangtze River Committee and Changhang Bureau held a commendation conference in Linghai, he'd also given them face by attending there.

With the Commander coming, they naturally had to receive him properly.

Han Yu said quickly, "Understood. I'll have someone go ashore and buy supplies first thing tomorrow morning!"