Chapter 76 Actually, I'm an arms dealer (revised)...

"What did you say?!"

Yan Zhengchuan almost jumped up in his office.

Active duty! Main battle! Tank!

Each word, taken individually, resonated deeply within him, let alone the world's most advanced third-generation tank!

The Type 88 tank currently in service in China is only the second generation, and only a handful of developed countries worldwide have deployed third-generation tanks. Even when these countries sell military equipment abroad, they are only willing to sell "monkey version" tanks, that is, low-configuration and simplified versions.

Even after the collapse of the Union, the former member states began to export large quantities of Soviet-style equipment. The tanks exported were the T-72, an ape-like version, whose armor, artillery, and other configurations were far inferior to the "human version" T-80 tank.

Therefore, the value of a fully equipped, unsimplified third-generation tank is self-evident, no less than its weight in gold.

Yan Zhengchuan yelled, and everyone in the office looked over. He waved to them, picked up the telephone, and walked out, leaving a long cord trailing behind him.

He stood in the corridor, covered the microphone, and whispered, "You still say you're not an arms dealer!"

On the other end of the international call, He Changyi's voice sounded relaxed and cheerful, seemingly oblivious to the shock she was causing others.

"If that's what you think, there's nothing I can do. I can't exactly tell everyone I collect scrap metal in Oros. Anyway, I've bought the T-80. Do you want it? If not, I'll dismantle it and use it as scrap steel."

That's obvious!

As a son of a military family, Yan Zhengchuan understands the importance of third-generation tanks better than anyone else, and longs for the country to have a real third-generation tank more than anyone else.

Leaving aside distant examples, just look at the Gulf War not long ago. The American M1 tanks easily defeated the Iraqi T-72 tanks, even though both were third-generation tanks. The difference in combat effectiveness was so huge, let alone when the tanks were a whole generation apart.

If we could bring back a third-generation tank to China and have military experts disassemble and reverse engineer it, we could avoid so many detours!

Yan Zhengchuan said decisively, "Yes! Of course I want it!"

On the other end of the microphone, He Changyi seemed to be smiling.

"You said it yourself. I'll be responsible for transporting it back to China, and you'll be responsible for explaining to Dad. Whether the tank can get into the house smoothly depends entirely on you, Second Brother."

Yan Zhengchuan: "...Wait, what do you mean?"

He Changyi said confidently, "Even if I can handle the Russian customs, I can't handle the domestic customs. Besides, you can't expect me to deliver tanks with big red flowers tied to them to the military region gate with fanfare."

Yan Zhengchuan imagined the scene and couldn't help but complain, "What kind of scene is that? It's not like they're sending pigs as a New Year's greeting."

He Changyi said, "It's about the same. Anyway, we're all here to comfort the troops. Steel pigs are pigs too."

Yan Zhengchuan sighed and said, "Alright, I understand. I'll talk to Dad for you."

He paused, then asked suspiciously, "You bought this tank through legal channels, right?"

He Changyi didn't answer, leaving a meaningful silence before slowly saying, "Guess?"

Yan Zhengchuan: ...What the hell is he guessing!

Even if the tanks were purchased illegally, would he really be willing to refuse them?!

Impossible, absolutely impossible. Even if the Russians came knocking, they would only be able to take back a bunch of parts.

As for how the perfectly good tanks were dismantled into pieces, don't ask. Even if you do, I won't say. If you keep asking, I'll just say that the tanks came into the country in a scattered state...

After hanging up the phone, Yan Zhengchuan couldn't stay in the office for even a second longer, so he asked for leave and left.

He knew things might change if he waited too long, so he had to tell his strict father the good news as soon as possible.

As for Yan Zhengshan—forget it, he's just a junior lieutenant colonel, not high enough rank, so we won't include him in such important matters.

When Yan Zhengchuan's father learned that He Changyi had bought a T-80 tank, he calmed himself down, took out a cigarette, then a match, and tried to light it several times but failed. Finally, with the cigarette still in his mouth, he asked Yan Zhengchuan incredulously:

"You're telling me, what she was doing abroad during the first month of the lunar year wasn't really an arms deal?"

Yan Zhengchuan took the matches and lit the fire for his father.

"I was certain at first, but now I'm not so sure. But whatever kind of business she's in, it's a T-80!"

The stern father took a drag of his cigarette, exhaled a long puff of smoke, and spoke again.

"Do you think it's possible that what you found wasn't the first month of the lunar calendar, but a spy from another country? That this tank was a trap?"

Yan Zhengchuan: "I watched her draw blood with my own eyes and personally delivered the blood sample to the research institute. The DNA test also showed that she is indeed related to her mother. It is impossible that she is not the mother of the first month of the lunar calendar."

The stern father pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked a stupid question: "But I haven't done a DNA test with her, so how can you be 100% sure that she is my January?"

Yan Zhengchuan: ...

He made a move to stand up, saying, "You have to talk to my mom about this."

Only then did Yan's father realize what was happening. He hurriedly threw away his cigarette and reached out to pull Yan Zhengchuan down, saying, "Sit down, sit down. What kind of behavior is this, jumping around like this?"

Yan Zhengchuan said, "Don't take yourself too seriously. She's not rushing to find relatives. If I hadn't made a special trip to Eros, she wouldn't have even planned to look for relatives in January. She's doing just fine on her own; she's even chosen a few reserve men as sons-in-law..."

The stern father immediately interrupted him, pressing him repeatedly: "What son-in-law? What reserve? Have you met them? What do the young men look like? Where are they from? Are they Chinese or foreigners? What stage are we at? Are we getting married? Then we need to start preparing the dowry. The groom's parents also need to meet them. We can't let them think that the bride's family won't be home during the first month of the lunar year. You and your brother, along with a few cousins, the whole family will go."

Yan Zhengchuan: "...Dad, let's talk about tanks instead."

After repeated doubts and self-doubt, the strict father finally accepted that the daughter he recognized was indeed such a formidable person who could bring back the third-generation tank.

However, this matter needs to be kept secret until the tanks arrive at the port, in order to prevent any incidents from occurring en route.

Yan Zhengchuan, the father, sent two military experts specializing in tanks to Vladimir to inspect the T-80 tank in person, confirm its authenticity, and assess its condition.

Besides a phone call from overseas, he needed a more detailed report to submit to the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission.

When Yan Zhengchuan and the military experts boarded the plane to Moscow, He Changyi also arrived in Moscow after receiving a phone call.

Mosk's weather is always gloomy; the summer sun is fleeting, leaving behind long periods of cold and dampness.

The roads along the banks of the Mosk River were wet, and the river water didn't smell pleasant, probably because it had buried too many unwilling souls.

He Changyi stood by the river, feeling a bit cold, and stamped her feet.

Someone approached from behind. He Changyi turned around sharply, one hand in his pocket, a position that would make it easy to draw a gun or a knife.

The person who came was neither a thief nor a beggar, but Andrei, wearing a black trench coat, with soft blond hair falling down the sides of his face.

He was always expressionless, but for some reason, he could make people feel calm and relaxed, probably because his eyes curved when he saw He Changyi, and his blue eyes seemed to sparkle.

He Changyi was about to greet him when Andrei handed her the paper bag first; it felt a little hot to the touch.

"What's this?"

He Changyi asked curiously, and casually opened the paper bag, inside were freshly baked donuts.

"Try it," Andrei said. "This is the most authentic Mosk donut."

While wondering what constitutes an authentic or inauthentic donut, He Changyi unceremoniously took out a donut and happily took a bite.

Hmm, high-calorie sugar and oil mixtures are indeed an irresistible delicacy in human genes.

The fried dough rings were sprinkled with fine powdered sugar, and were slightly hot to the touch. After eating them, I felt warm all over.

The two walked slowly along the riverbank. Andrei didn't speak, and He Changyi didn't speak either.

The sky was gray, the river was black, there was a faint mist, and the riverbank was empty. Only Andrei's blond hair shone brightly.

In an overly desolate environment, people can't always maintain a proper distance from each other. They get closer and closer until their bodies touch, and then they pretend to be nonchalant and pull away.

He Changyi was pretending.

Unbeknownst to her, she and Andrei were standing too close together, their clothes rubbing against each other, making a soft sound that was unusually loud on the quiet riverbank.

Andrei suddenly said, "I want to introduce you to someone."

He Changyi turned to look at him: "Who?"

Andrei did not answer, but abruptly brought up another matter.

"You hired some bodyguards, why didn't you bring them with you?"

He Changyi didn't know how he found out, but she hadn't brought any bodyguards with her to Moscow this time. Thinking about it, it was probably because the people in Fudan were too attentive, or perhaps he was just too concerned.

He always cares too much.

He Changyi said, "I've come to see you, and I believe you can guarantee my safety."

Andrei gave a very brief smile, which He Changyi stared at with some curiosity. He was not a person who smiled often. He rarely smiled when he was a patrolling policeman, and after becoming a police officer, he seemed to have forgotten how to smile.

Andrei asked in a low voice, "What are you looking at?"

He Changyi reached out and touched his cheek, saying directly, "You really should smile more."

Andrei then smiled again, looking somewhat gentle and somewhat unfamiliar.

"I've found you a bodyguard who's even more useful than a retired soldier."

Andrei said, "He brought a gift, which was about the thief from last time."

He Changyi asked, "Did someone tell the thief about the color TV? Who was it?"

She knew it! Without inside information, how could these thieves have so accurately chosen a small, then-unknown shop in the vast city of Vladimir, and specifically when the color TVs were being stored?

It's important to know that the cardboard boxes used to pack color TVs look exactly the same as boxes used to pack miscellaneous items. Neither the text nor the pictures give any indication that they are actually color TVs.

The thieves, having failed in their first attempt, didn't try to find an easier target. Instead, they seemed determined to pick a fight with her, not only keeping a close eye on her warehouse but also chasing her to her rented apartment after clearing out her warehouse during a big sale.

Even if there aren't many Chinese speculators in Fuzhou, they wouldn't necessarily target her, would they?

He Changyi's attire in Fu City has always been rugged and simple. He often wears clothes that would look perfectly natural even if he were tightening screws in a factory. Even the most imaginative customers would never guess that the person carrying the box in front of them is a nouveau riche with a net worth of tens of millions.

So, who exactly revealed her financial situation? And who attracted the thief?

He Changyi looked at Andrei, as if he knew what she was going to ask.

"Sorry, this is probably related to me."

He Changyi said, "But you've never even been to Vladimir before."

Andrei, however, said, "There's no need for him to appear."

He Changyi raised an eyebrow in confusion. Andrei didn't explain much, only saying, "You'll understand when you see him."

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Author's note: - Good news: It's not a cold.

-Bad news: It's mycoplasma pneumonia.

Good news: I didn't finish the medicine from last time.

-Bad news: The drug's side effects are worse.

In short, everyone should take care of their health! [crying emoji]

And, Happy National Day!

By the way, I won't abandon the story; I'll try my best to update daily until it's finished. Love you!