Chapter 1063
Su Dingping Displays His Heroic Spirit at the Victory Banquet, Becoming a Great Hero
"You little rascal, making excuses again."
Xue Shuai shook his head and finally replied helplessly, "Fine, then you do your best. I won't force you. You can handle your girlfriend situation yourself."
In fact, he was well aware that the current scientific research tasks were very heavy, and many projects required Su Dingping to take charge.
Even though neither Deng Zhenhua of the Army nor Ma Zhengbang of the Air Force had contacted him, he could tell that both of them were very anxious.
Especially after Su Dingping developed the "Dark Sword No. 1" high-altitude high-speed reconnaissance aircraft and its high-power turbofan engine, the Air Force was on the verge of rising, and the Army became even more anxious.
In fact, he had always known that Deng Zhenhua was anxious and had approached Su Dingping several times.
Unfortunately, the entire army only had this one top talent, the next generation's standard-bearer in the military industry, so Su Dingping's personal life was put on hold.
"Thank you for your understanding, sir." Su Dingping immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
At this point, the commendation ceremony officially came to a close, and Su Dingping became the ultimate winner of this event.
Xu Dongguo smiled, but felt somewhat dazed.
He remembered clearly his first encounter with Su Dingping three years ago. At that time, Su Dingping was in the final sprint stage of transforming the 956E engine, while Su Dingping was just a senior student at Harbin Institute of Technology who was about to graduate.
He was brought here by his mentor, Professor Zhang Gongnong. Many people were not optimistic about this 19-year-old young man. His age became his biggest weakness, and he became the target of everyone's doubts.
However, as time went by, Su Dingping's abilities became increasingly terrifying, silencing all those who had doubts.
Back then, he would never have imagined that Su Dingping would progress so quickly, and that in a short time he would almost catch up with him.
When Xu Dongguo thought about how this young man called him Old Wang, he felt it was a bit unreal, a bit surreal!
Who could have imagined that the young man who was just starting out would rise to such a high position today with his outstanding talent?
As Su Dingping's status and treatment improved, the navy's strength also increased steadily, from the initial import of the most powerful Type 956 destroyer to now possessing 32 Type 052D destroyers, 9 10,000-ton destroyers, and one more under construction.
In terms of tonnage, the Longxia Navy has firmly secured its position as the second largest navy on Earth.
Within the Dongzhou sea area, he is absolutely the number one, and any petty thief in the surrounding area has to look him in the eye!
As for the future, Xu Dongguo has reason to believe that the navy's command will become increasingly powerful and will steadfastly continue to implement the three-step naval strategy formulated by Su Dingping.
After all, the navy's development has not yet encountered a bottleneck, and it will not be short of money like before!
It can be said that the navy now has both manpower and funds, and there is no reason for it to stagnate. It is estimated that the navy will be able to achieve the goal of long-range escort in a short period of time.
“Dingping, you’re making more and more contributions these days. You have several certificates of honor, and you can’t even wear all the medals on your chest.”
Qian Wenbing said cheerfully, "So, how are you feeling?"
"Reporting to the commander, I feel alright. I can still hang more," Su Dingping replied with a grin, looking completely relaxed.
In front of these naval bigwigs, Su Dingping was no longer as reserved as before.
In his view, these bigwigs were like benevolent leaders of the three fleets. The more he interacted with them, the more he felt that they had good judgment and were more principled!
"Haha, who was it that told Xue Shuai earlier that they didn't need to give you so many medals? Now their true colors are showing, aren't they?"
Qian Wenbing replied with a smile, "Looks like I have to urge you to find a partner, otherwise you'll get too cocky again."
At this point, he glanced at Liu Huaming, Xu Dongguo, and the others.
"Commander, what do you think about giving our Comrade Dingping a few days off? Let him go see Guo Xueyun and have the two of them develop their relationship properly. I estimate it won't take long."
Xu Dongguo was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded and said, "I agree with that. In the future, it is necessary to give Dingping a few days off specifically for dating."
"Yes, it is necessary."
Xiao Chongjun and others also expressed their agreement, which directly made Su Dingping withdraw into himself.
He never imagined that so many powerful figures would be so interested in his personal affairs, and keep making fun of him. This teasing will probably only stop once his personal problems are resolved.
However, speaking of Guo Xueyun, she has been working very hard recently and has also started working at the Navy's integrated military factory.
Presumably, she was working so hard because she wanted to get closer to him, but he knew very well that anyone who wanted to get closer to him was working their butt off.
To be honest, he was quite moved in that respect.
I've just been too busy lately and haven't had time to think about my personal life with my children. I hope I'll have more time in the future.
"Alright, stop teasing Dingping."
Seeing that Su Dingping was acting awkwardly, Commander Xue knew when to stop and naturally instructed the other leaders to drop the topic as well.
"Dingping, regarding your proposal to establish a separate Rocket Force, I have discussed this with the higher-ups and decided to establish it together with the Strategic Support Force."
"However, the mission of the Strategic Support Force is still being refined."
Xue Shuai glanced at everyone and then added, "As frontline commanders, you need to come up with more ideas. This is a joint operation involving the three services. Don't just focus on the navy's little corner and ignore everything else, understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
Liu Huaming immediately straightened his chest and responded very decisively.
I had heard of the Strategic Support Force as early as the tri-service leaders' meeting, and it was referred to as the Fifth Army.
This demonstrates its strategic importance and its crucial role as a vital strategic support point for the modernization and systematization of the three armed forces. Naturally, it requires joint planning from all three branches of the armed forces, rather than just top-level theoretical design.
In any case, the Strategic Support Force needs to be deployed to actual combat and undergo the test of real combat!
After a brief chat, Xue Shuai boarded a special car and left the naval headquarters military base.
"Let's go, Dingping, the victory celebration banquet is about to begin."
After seeing Xue Shuai off, Liu Huaming and the others pulled Su Dingping directly towards the banquet hall.
Su Dingping originally planned to fly back directly after the commendation ceremony, but he was surrounded by several top naval officers, leaving him nowhere to escape.
He realized that Liu Huaming, Xu Dongguo, and the others were all wary of him, fearing that he would leave without saying goodbye.
In this war that took place in the waters of Dongzhou, the navy took the lead and stole the show, surpassing the combined might of the army and air force. Naturally, the sailors were extremely happy.
Whether they were sailors stationed at the three major fleets or on duty at the naval headquarters, everyone had a bright smile on their face.
This is the first time in decades that the navy has been in such a prominent position.
In recent years, the Navy has become increasingly prominent, and its prowess has grown with each passing year, even showing signs of surpassing the Army and Air Force!
About half an hour later, the group was seated in the banquet hall.
The banquet hall was not large, so only those of colonel rank or above could share the hall with Liu Huaming and his entourage.
However, as important figures in the navy, they would still occasionally visit other banquet halls during the meal to enjoy the festivities with the sailors, naturally ensuring that the other sailors wouldn't be neglected. The fact that this conflict resulted in such a significant victory was undoubtedly due to the efforts of sailors of different ranks.
Without their participation, this battle would not have been fought so smoothly, nor would it have achieved such unprecedented results.
Liu Huaming was exceptionally happy today. He stood up first, holding a wine glass in his hand, and gestured to everyone.
"Gentlemen, today is a great day for our navy."
Let us all raise our glasses.
Everyone immediately stood up, raised their glasses, and looked at Liu Huaming, the naval commander.
"This first toast is to our navy, and to our predecessors!"
After saying that, Liu Huaming tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, without changing his expression or skipping a beat.
"Respect to the Navy, respect to our predecessors!"
Everyone raised their glasses, shouted a command, and then tilted their heads back and drank it all in one gulp.
Su Dingping did the same, and even sat at the same table as Liu Huaming, making it so that Liu Huaming had to drink even if he didn't want to.
Next, Liu Huaming picked up his wine glass again, which he had refilled.
"This second glass is a toast to our sailors who bravely fought on the battlefield!"
Liu Huaming said loudly, "A salute to our sailor brothers who are not afraid of death and keep the enemy out of our country's borders!"
"Serve the people!"
Zhou Qinglei and the others responded in unison, their voices powerful and resonant!
"You are heroes, I toast you with this glass!" Liu Huaming tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.
After saying that, he poured himself another glass of wine.
Next, everyone saw Liu Huaming shift his gaze to Su Dingping.
"This third glass of wine is to Su Dingping, Colonel Su!"
Liu Huaming said very generously, "The reason why our navy has achieved what it has today and won several great victories is inseparable from the silent dedication of military science and technology personnel led by Senior Colonel Su Dingping."
"It is thanks to their dedication that our navy has been able to build one advanced warship after another, giving our navy the confidence to challenge powerful enemies!"
At this point, he looked at everyone and said, "Let us raise this glass together to Su Dingping!"
Everyone raised their glasses and gestured to Su Dingping across the room.
"Respectfully, Dingping!"
Zhou Qinglei and the others shouted in unison.
I toast to everyone!
Su Dingping naturally wouldn't hesitate. After pouring himself a drink, he gestured to Zhou Qinglei and the others, "A toast to our heroic naval officers and soldiers!"
After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the entire glass of wine in one gulp.
"Gurgle!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment, then they also tilted their heads back and drank it down.
By this point, the three drinks that marked the start of the victory celebration had all been finished.
"Alright, everyone, please sit down."
Liu Huaming put down his wine glass and gestured for everyone to begin the banquet. "The celebration banquet is officially starting. Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content."
As the head of the navy, he was genuinely happy—happy that the navy was becoming stronger and stronger, and happy for these brave commanders and soldiers.
After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,
The atmosphere at the celebration banquet grew increasingly lively, and everyone was very happy.
At this moment, Cao Youren, the frontline commander of the battle in the Eastern Seas, walked up to Su Dingping with a wine glass in his hand.
"Dingping, thank you so much. You gave us the chance to avenge what happened back then."
Cao Youren stared intently at Su Dingping, "I toast you, I'll drink first!"
Su Dingping was slightly taken aback, then remembered the grudge Cao Youren mentioned from back then, which was the incident of being blocked at his doorstep by the Seventh Fleet of the Eagle Tribe.
This time, however, the Seventh Fleet's core aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, was severely damaged, and its auxiliary ships were scrapped. It can be said that if it does not return to the shipyard for major repairs, the Seventh Fleet will face the embarrassing situation of having no ships available.
The newly developed "Yunfan" series of anti-ship ballistic missiles were used to cripple it. Once the aircraft carrier, a core warship, was taken out, the remaining warships would be no match for the 10,000-ton destroyer.
Having avenged their great grudge, Cao Youren and the other veteran naval officers were naturally overjoyed, their tiger-like eyes gleaming with a bright light.
Not only him, but all the other naval officers and soldiers had a flushed face.
They all knew very well that it was impossible to complete the mission of attacking the Eagle Tribe's Seventh Fleet using only surface ships, and they only learned about this after returning to port.
"It's all thanks to you guys; I just played a supporting role."
Su Dingping stood up with his wine in hand, clinked glasses with Cao Youren, and responded very modestly.
He then tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass. Everything was in that wine!
Just as Cao Youren left, Zhou Qinglei and several other captains who had participated in the battle came over. They were all people who had made great contributions and were awarded medals.
In total, there were nearly twenty captains, even more vice-captains, and even several representatives from the naval integrated military factory stood up.
They were lining up to pay their respects to Su Dingping, a sight that truly startled him.
If he drinks that, he'll definitely have to be carried home today, and he can forget about doing anything tomorrow.
Even though Cao Youren just said, "I'll drink it all, you can do whatever you want," if you actually take a small sip, the total amount would be quite frightening.
The wine in the glass isn't fruit wine, but genuine baijiu (Chinese white liquor), a special internal supply. Anyone who's tasted it knows exactly what its purity is.
Having already drunk several cups, Su Dingping felt he was almost at his limit. What would happen if he kept drinking? (End of Chapter)