243 Mooching (1/2)
”Xiaosu, is it really OK to do that?” Li Qingzheng asked flusteredly in a low voice.
Ren Xiaosu led the way as they walked off into the wilderness. They had already changed into the uniform of the Divine Arms Battalion while the nanosoldiers had already left the campsite for some time. Only five of the nanosoldiers stayed behind to supervise the private troops to ensure they reach the front line at Mt Fengyi on time.
All of the private troops had changed into the uniform of the Divine Arms Battalion. However, the five nanosoldiers put on the maintenance uniform of the private troops and blended into the group. These uniforms were originally made for mechanics and were also standard issue for every formation of the private troops of the organization.
The wages of the maintenance personnel had always been relatively higher, and since some soldiers within the troops were also slightly skilled in repairing vehicles, Liu Taiyu chose to direct the salary for this job into his own pockets. As the uniforms were issued by the organization, there was no need to pay for them. But if they were sold separately, Liu Taiyu would probably embezzle the soldiers' allowance for it as well.
The private soldiers had already accumulated a lot of resentment for Liu Taiyu. After all, they could not even afford to eat enough to fill their stomachs. Back when the soldiers were still at the outposts, wasn't it Liu Taiyu who ordered his subordinates to mix sand into the bags of rice?
As Ren Xiaosu led Li Qingzheng and the others to the forward operating base, he said, ”What are you afraid of?”
”We still have those Divine Arms soldiers back at the campsite. What if they find out that we left the place without permission?” Li Qingzheng said in a halting fashion.
”What's there to be afraid of?” Ren Xiaosu said totally unafraid. ”How do you expect five people to watch over nearly a thousand people? It's only possible if we're in a dream. Since they still can't recognize everyone at the moment, it's a good opportunity for us to move around on our own. Once they understand the private troops' situation better after some time, it won't be that easy to move around on our own.”
Li Qingzheng realized that Ren Xiaosu was really ballsy. But Ren Xiaosu's analysis was quite reasonable.
Ren Xiaosu continued, ”And think about it, we're just going for a meal. Since there's no rations back at our campsite, why aren't we allowed to find food for ourselves? We're helping the officers relieve their burden!”
”That's true.” Li Qingzheng echoed, ”But what if the people at the FOB discover our identities?”
”We'll be fine. Don't say anything later and just let me handle them.” Ren Xiaosu said calmly.
All of his teammates next to him looked at Ren Xiaosu in silence and remembered that they had really never seen him afraid of any situation before...
The private troops' campsite was only several kilometers away from the FOB. They had encountered the Divine Arms Battalion not long after they left the FOB. If it weren't for the close distance, Ren Xiaosu would not have decided to take them there for a free meal.
When Ren Xiaosu's group arrived at the FOB, the person at the sentry post immediately stopped them. Just as Li Qingzheng was about to step forward to negotiate peacefully, he watched Ren Xiaosu go up to him and kick him aside. ”How dare you stop the Divine Arms Battalion? Getting ballsy, eh?”
Earlier in the afternoon, they had also thought of eating at the FOB. However, they ended up getting mocked by the FOB's staff who said that refugees were not fit to eat here.
Now that Ren Xiaosu had the opportunity to return the favor, he would not pull any punches.
When the soldier at the sentry post saw the Divine Arms Battalion's shoulder patch on Ren Xiaosu's arm, he didn't even dare to lodge a protest. Ren Xiaosu swaggered straight into the base.
Li Qingzheng and the others were still a little afraid at the beginning. But as they walked in, they also started swaggering like Ren Xiaosu.