Phi-Fic Chapter 253 Are Chinese weapons really that bad?
Chapter 253 Are Chinese weapons really that bad?
In stark contrast to the snow-covered, frigid landscape outside, the cozy little tavern in Mao was bustling with activity and filled with warmth. As Mekarev and Li Zhen stepped into this lively place side by side, Sheriff Jeff's deep voice immediately cut through the crowd, carrying a touch of enthusiasm and friendliness: "Hey, there's a seat here, friends from China, let's have a drink!"
Mekarev placed the heavy piece of bear meat on the wooden table in front of the tavern owner with a hearty voice and ordered, "Please roast half of it until golden brown and crispy, and stew the other half until it's fully flavorful. Also, bring some fine wine to enhance this feast."
Seeing this, Li Zhen calmly slid out two crystal-clear bottles of Erguotou from his mysterious space, which seemed to hold endless secrets. His movements were so natural that it was as if he were simply reaching into his backpack to take them out.
Sheriff Jeff and Mekarev were instantly drawn to the unexpected fine wine, and exclaimed in unison, "Wow, this is something else! Erguotou, a famous Chinese liquor, is truly a rare find!"
Li Zhen gently placed the bottle of wine on the bar, a smile playing on his lips, seemingly a mixture of surprise and delight: "I really didn't expect you to be so familiar with this wine. I didn't bring much this time, but it's enough for us to share this rich flavor and savor it together."
As a few glasses of fine wine slid down their throats, the distance between the three subtly closed, as if bound together by an invisible bond, transforming them into inseparable friends. On the table, the perfectly roasted bear meat emitted an enticing aroma, intertwining with the spiciness of the strong liquor in their glasses, creating a warm yet bold scene. Even Li Zhen, known for his high alcohol tolerance, had a blush creeping onto his cheeks, like clouds reflected in the setting sun, adding warmth and a touch of intoxication to this time of gathering.
Just as the tavern was filled with laughter and everyone was raising their glasses in toasts, a wooden door quietly opened, and several Russian officers in crisp uniforms stepped into the warm atmosphere. The one in the lead was none other than General Tovalev, whom Li Zhen knew well.
Tovalev's gaze swept through the crowd, finally settling on Li Zhen, who was chatting and laughing with someone, toying with dice in his hand. He strode over, his tone urgent: "Hey, I've been looking for you for ages! Hurry up and come with me, I have something urgent to discuss."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen didn't ask any further questions. He simply smiled and nodded apologetically to Sergeant Jeff and Mekarev beside him, then put on his coat and followed Tovalev outside. Outside, two imposing military vehicles stood silently waiting, as if ready to head to the unknown front lines at any moment. Without hesitation, Li Zhen climbed into one of them. The moment the door closed, the vehicle started, leaving a trail of exhaust fumes as it disappeared into the night and the hustle and bustle.
Sheriff Jeff scrutinized Mekarev with sharp eyes and asked in a low voice, "Is your new friend perhaps from the military?"
Mekarev's face was flushed with alcohol, and he mumbled indistinctly, "Well, I really don't know. I only met this Chinese friend today, and I never imagined that he would have connections with the military."
As Li Zhen left, the tavern quickly returned to its usual boisterous atmosphere, as if the brief incident had never happened. Sheriff Jeff and Mekarev eventually passed out drunk on the table, completely unconscious. The tavern owner, unfazed by this, casually called someone to help the two drunkards to a guest room and settle them in.
Inside the car, Tovalev, in a deep and magnetic voice, succinctly explained the current situation to Li Zhen. The matter was this: a general from Mao, upon learning of Li Zhen's intention to purchase a large quantity of secondhand weapons and equipment, showed great interest and was eager to meet with Li Zhen in person to discuss the possibility of expanding the transaction and making the deal more profitable.
Li Zhen walked briskly and soon entered the solemn and mysterious military camp to meet the renowned general. After a sincere and in-depth conversation, their opinions quickly converged into a clear consensus—an agreement was thus quietly reached in tacit understanding.
Li Zhen made an extraordinary move this time, not only securing the goods at a price far below market value, but also purchasing three times the quantity of his previous purchases. In addition to the in-demand firearms and ammunition, the transaction list included a noteworthy new item—a batch of carefully selected second-hand military vehicles, weathered by time yet still exuding a formidable and powerful presence.
Once the matter was settled, Li Zhen did not linger on Mao's soil, leaving only a faint trace, like a fleeting breeze. At dawn the next day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Tovalev, like a loyal guide, led Li Zhen across the border and safely brought him into the embrace of China.
Li Zhen was preoccupied with buying a plane ticket home as soon as possible, and hurried toward the customs checkpoint. Just as he was about to cross the boundary separating the two places, an officer in a Chinese military uniform sharply glanced at his identification, then looked up and carefully compared the photo on the identification with Li Zhen in front of him.
"Mr. Li Zhen, please come to my office. There are some matters I need to discuss with you in person." The officer's words were concise and forceful, leaving no room for argument.
A sense of inexplicable confusion welled up in Li Zhen's heart, but he could only obediently follow the armed police officers to an office. The officer who had spoken earlier quickly picked up the phone on the table, briefly dialed a number, and then gently handed the receiver to Li Zhen, as if every action exuded an undeniable authority and formality.
Li Zhen answered the phone, and immediately heard a familiar yet slightly teasing voice in his ear.
"Hey, Li, you're really not being fair. You went off to Mao's country to buy those old relics without a word. What, are my new gadgets not as good as their pile of junk?"
Li Zhen's heart tightened suddenly, realizing his whereabouts had been exposed to their eyes and ears. He quickly gripped the phone, his voice filled with urgency and apology, a torrent of profuse apologies pouring out. He tried to sound sincere and humble, explaining that he had only casually purchased some small items, with no intention of concealing anything, and repeatedly assured them that his first priority upon returning would be to go to their location and explain everything. His words carried an urgency to make amends...
In truth, Li Zhen wasn't entirely opposed to purchasing from China; it was just that a deep-seated anxiety about official scrutiny lingered in his mind like a persistent gloom. Once he was being watched by those invisible eyes, no matter how cautious he acted, he would inevitably feel constrained and burdened with countless troubles.
However, this time the situation was different. The words of that high-ranking official were like a sudden ray of dawn, piercing through the gloom in Li Zhen's heart. He secretly pondered, why not take advantage of this opportunity to make a large-scale purchase to solve the immediate crisis? After all, although Li Zhen had never personally experienced Chinese-made weapons and equipment before, the international praise for Chinese weapons had already poured in like a tidal wave, and their power should not be underestimated.