above the galaxy

Chapter 609 Naval Martial Arts Tournament!

At this stage of the competition, the Phoenix Empire has achieved a complete victory.

Byron persisted only because he adhered to the doctrine that "a soldier should never leave the battlefield unless he is killed."

Those were deserters.

The drinking contest was very simple: each side found a big guy and they started drinking one cup at a time.

"I can still drink."

"I can too."

"I'll have a glass of 42-proof whiskey."

"I'll drink a bottle of 53-proof Moutai."

"Then I'll have a bottle too."
-
You drink one, I drink one.

You chug a bottle, I chug a bottle too.

They glanced at each other one last time, and each of them would spit out a huge mouthful of water.
Tang Fei felt disgusted and said to Byron, "How about we call it a draw?"

“Okay,” Byron readily agreed.

He couldn't stand it any longer; if they drank any more, they were afraid they'd both end up making a huge 'car crash' scene.

Moreover, a draw is advantageous for their Poseidon fleet; at least they won't lose all three matches.
"Then let's end it here," Tang Fei said.

Then someone ran over and pulled the two apart.

Tang Fei looked around and said, "Two wins and one draw, the North Sea Fleet has won. Does anyone have any objections?"

No one has an opinion.

After all, all three battles took place right under everyone's noses.

Whether it was fighting, shooting, or the final drinking contest, everyone participated in a fair and just manner.

At least that's what it seems on the surface.

Now that the results are in, they're refusing to acknowledge them.
The Poseidon fleet can't afford to lose face like that.

"Is there anything else you want to say?"

“We lost this time, but we will definitely win next time,” Byron said through gritted teeth.

He lost, but that doesn't mean the entire Poseidon fleet lost.

They'll always have a chance to get their revenge.

Tang Fei was not at all surprised that the Poseidon Fleet had such an idea.

He looked at Byron and the others and said in a deep voice, "Soldiers should make merit on the battlefield and compete with enemy leaders."

"Where is this place? Is it a battlefield?"

"What is your relationship? Are you enemies?"

"We are comrades-in-arms, partners. The Os Empire is a great nation, and your Prince Philip is my best friend."

"You two are fighting so fiercely down there, how are we supposed to stand up for ourselves? How can we maintain this sincere and passionate friendship?"

"We're all soldiers, we all have a certain fighting spirit in our bones, I understand that and I admire it very much. What kind of soldier would you call someone without that fighting spirit?"

"However, you shouldn't use your skills against your own people, nor should you use them in a place like a bar."

"This is a place to drink, pick up girls, make friends, and relax."

"If you want to win and get your revenge, I can give you that chance."

"However, if any private brawls are discovered again, don't blame the military for being ruthless."

After Tang Fei finished speaking, he turned and walked outside without waiting for anyone else to react.

"Send all the injured to get treatment."

Chen Binghan gave a word of advice and quickly followed.

"Help me arrange a meeting with Commander Antonio of the North Sea Fleet," Tang Fei said.

The shooting competition and close-quarters combat were meant to demonstrate the true strength of the North Sea Fleet to the soldiers of the Ottoman Empire, reminding them not to underestimate or humiliate their warriors. The North Sea Fleet's collective surrender was not a defeat in battle.
After all, there were hardly any combat scenes.

Similarly, these two fierce battles also allowed the soldiers on both sides to release their pent-up anger through drinking.
What we're drinking isn't alcohol, but rather a lubricant.

A good drink can actually lead to a true friendship.

These three matches were intentionally orchestrated by Tang Fei; everything was under his control.

However, this does not solve the fundamental problem.

The root of the problem lies at the top, so he wants to talk to Antonio to address the issue of hostility and fighting between the soldiers on both sides at its source.

"Yes," Chen Binghan replied.

Antonio is the supreme commander of the Poseidon Fleet. He was appointed by Prince Philip to stay here and assist the North Sea Fleet in guarding Carp Harbour and protecting the strategic gains.

Moreover, if the Tang bandits were to launch an attack on the Phoenix Empire, they would be able to participate in the attack and share in the spoils of victory.

Tang Fei led Chen Binghan and other high-ranking officers of the North Sea Fleet to Carp Lane, and he received the report immediately.

I really want to go and see him, but I don't know what his intentions are.

After all, although we are partners, we belong to two different countries and two different camps.

Each serves their own master, and each has their own ulterior motives.

Moreover, when Prince Philip left, he instructed me to take care of some personal matters.
The results are remarkable.

Several high-ranking officers in the North Sea Fleet pledged to side with the Ottoman Empire at a critical moment.

So he waited patiently.

He knew that soldiers from the Poseidon Fleet and the North Sea Fleet were frequently fighting each other, and he was quite troubled by it.

It's true that they're trying to undermine the North Sea Fleet, and it's also true that they want to cooperate closely.

By choosing to cooperate with the Tang bandits, Prince Philip was essentially gambling with everything.

I heard that after he returned, he was severely reprimanded by the Lionheart and is still in solitary confinement.

If problems arise on our side of the cooperation, then...
All their efforts were in vain, weren't they?

What is the picture?

They are Prince Philip's representatives on the outside, and they must also carry out Prince Philip's strategic plans.

The future belongs to Prince Philip, and also to the Os Empire.

He also knew about the three matches; they lost two and drew one.
Well, the Tang bandits didn't make things too ugly.

It's already quite ugly.

Just as he was hesitating whether to go over and reassure the soldiers of the Poseidon Fleet so that they wouldn't have too much psychological burden, his confidential secretary, dressed in a white naval uniform and with a curvaceous figure, strode over, saluted, and said crisply, "Reporting to the commander, Commander Chen Binghan of the North Sea Fleet requests to speak with you."

"Take it."

Antonio answered the phone with a smile and said, "Commander Chen, this is Antonio."

“Mr. Antonio, our lord Tang Fei wishes to speak with you.”

"It's my pleasure."

Soon, Tang Fei's voice came over: "Mr. Antonio, the night is long, how about we drink and admire the moon together?"

Antonio glanced at the cold moon hanging high above the sea and thought to himself, "Even if we're going to drink and admire the moon, it should be with my little secretary."
Of course, he couldn't refuse Tang Fei's request.

"Mr. Tang Fei, it is my honor."

“Okay, I will visit Mr. Antonio in ten minutes.”
-
ten minutes later.

Antonio, holding his wine glass, asked with a surprised look, "A naval tournament?"

“Yes,” Tang Fei said with a smile, “Since they want to compete for victory, then we will provide them with a fair and square battlefield. If they win, they will be promoted and ennobled; if they lose, it means they are not skilled enough and they should go back and continue to train hard.”

"In this way, we can release their pent-up anger, motivate them to train, and discover talent for both fleets—a win-win situation. What do you think, Mr. Antonio?"

(End of this chapter)