Cell number one houses Chen Binghan, the highest commanding officer of the captured Beihai Fleet.

You see, once you become a high-ranking official, even as a prisoner...

The cell number is relatively at the front.

Tang Fei sat down in front of Chen Binghan and asked with a smile, "Commander Chen, did you want to have a chat with me?"

Chen Binghan still wore the white officer's uniform of the Beihai Fleet, maintaining his dignity and authority.

Tang Fei did not have Bai Wuxin and the others strip these high-ranking officers of their uniforms and put on prison garb, although this could help them clearly recognize reality, benefiting his negotiation and recruitment.

However, this sense of humiliation could easily create a rift in their hearts, making it impossible for them to be fully loyal afterward.

Soldiers have a certain bloodiness and pride ingrained in their bones.

Looking at this overly young enemy general in front of him, Chen Binghan dared not hold any contempt in his heart.

Even Shen Wuxiang had suffered losses at his hands; not only did he occupy the vast desert area north of Dushan, but also the three great cities of Gold, Red Moon, and Feng City, and now even Liyu Port had fallen into their hands.

The Military Minister was at a loss, which showed how formidable this person was.

"Am I the first one to come to you?" Chen Binghan asked.

Tang Fei nodded and said, "Commander Chen's actions are a tad faster than the others."

Chen Binghan's expression was serious, unbothered by the sarcasm in Tang Fei's words: "The reason I'm the first to come to you is that I know what you want to do."

"Oh?" Tang Fei examined Chen Binghan with interest, asking, "What do you think I want to do?"

"You want to divide and recruit us."

"That's not hard to guess." Tang Fei shrugged.

He's using a 'transparent plot' within a conspiracy; everyone knows what you want to do, but it's hard to break.

Because everyone has self-interest, greed.

I hold on while you surrender, I get killed while you survive.

Even if I'm a bit late, you rise to become my leader...

The old master Gu Long said it well, where there are people, there are disputes.

The human heart is unpredictable!

"I admit, this move is powerful. Among my friends, colleagues, comrades... someone will certainly come forward. Even if I'm not the first, someone among them will be."

"So?"

Tang Fei asked leisurely, wanting to see what new tricks this guy might pull out.

Does he intend to persuade him to stop using tricks against his friends and comrades?

That's impossible.

What he prides himself on is being clever and astute.

"Sowing discord, betrayal, mutual betrayal... some will fall into your embrace, some will be killed by you."

"I know, these will likely be the outcomes. You want to use the people from the Beihai Fleet but are worried that they aren't loyal enough..."

"Indeed." Tang Fei nodded, smiling at Chen Binghan, asking, "Do you have a better solution?"

He enjoys dealing with smart people because smart people don't say foolish things or do stupid things.

Often, stupidity is the biggest crime.

Chen Binghan knew that his topic had piqued Tang Fei's interest, and he spoke earnestly: "To be honest, we don't mind serving anyone... whether it's Shen Wuxiang or you... it makes no difference to us."

"We are soldiers, soldiers of the Empire. Our duty is to defend our homeland and resist all invaders."

"We were loyal to the country, to the Royal Family... but with the collapse of the Royal Family, the Zhong Royal Family has fallen apart, and Zhong Tianque is just a puppet kept by the Shen Family."

"Once the Shen Family stabilizes the situation and unites the Empire, Zhong Tianque will be swept into the trash heap of history."

"You've seen it quite accurately," Tang Fei praised.

"It's well-known."

"We are all gamblers; we used to think Shen Wuxiang had a better chance, so we bet our lives on him."

"Now that we're captured by you, naturally, we have to reconsider our stance..."

"But, everyone's wives, children, relatives, and friends are all in Phoenix City, all under the control of Shen Wuxiang."

"So, we face a dilemma. If we continue to be loyal to Shen Wuxiang, you certainly won't be pleased."

"Indeed." Tang Fei nodded seriously, admitting, "I would be unhappy, and might even kill a few to make a statement."

Chen Binghan looked at Tang Fei in surprise, thinking, this is truly a straightforward person...

"If we switch allegiances, Shen Wuxiang will surely retaliate... our families and friends will probably lose their lives."

"Look..." Tang Fei sighed lightly and said, "Life is really difficult."

"..."

What are you lamenting about?

This has nothing to do with you, right?

It's easy to talk while standing?

Tang Fei noticed Chen Binghan's strange look and said, "Go on."

"That's the situation, and I want to discuss with you... can we find a compromise solution?"

"Sure." Tang Fei readily agreed, asking, "What's the compromise?"

"For example, our staff can help you train naval officers, and our technical team can help you cultivate naval talent..."

"But this can only be done in secret, and formally... we are still loyal to the Empire."

"In this way, we can provide you with services while staying within the tolerance range of Shen Wuxiang... even if he suspects we've defected, there's no actual evidence."

"If he wants to kill in anger, he has to consider the impact and the backlash from the military... we can live, and so can our families."

"If you can accept this condition, I can help persuade them... I can give you a complete, united, and efficient team."

"What do you think?"

Tang Fei didn't immediately answer the question but looked at Chen Binghan and asked, "Who do you think, between me and Shen Wuxiang, will have the last laugh?"

Chen Binghan pondered for a moment and still answered truthfully, "At the moment... Shen Wuxiang seems to have the upper hand."

"Then do you dare to take a gamble with me?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you." Tang Fei said with a smile, "Regardless of how your comrades choose... do you dare to take a gamble? Bet on me winning?"

"Why?" Chen Binghan asked in a deep voice, "I've already agreed to provide you with everything you want, whether it's naval battle experience or navigation technology..."

"I can agree to your terms right now," Tang Fei said, "Your proposal is excellent, and I can accept it all."

"However, I need a Naval Commander... so, I want to ask, are you willing to take a gamble?"

Chen Binghan's heart was pounding fiercely.

Naval Commander?

This was a position he dared not even dream of.

The reason he wanted to cling tightly to the Crown Prince was just to become the Commander of the Beihai Fleet...

And the Imperial Navy has four major fleets, deployed in the four major war zones of the East, South, West, and North.

Naval Commander, what an illustrious position that is?

"You should know, under Shen Wuxiang, you don't have any opportunity."

"Not to mention the issue of seniority, just the fact that you were captured by me... even if Shen Wuxiang doesn't give you trouble or hold you accountable for your failures, your career is likely to end here."

"..."

Chen Binghan was left speechless.

The Beihai Fleet suffered a major defeat, and Liyu Port was lost. Someone had to stand up and take responsibility.

The main responsibility, of course, would be Shen Xinglan, but Shen Shenglan was the Crown Prince carefully nurtured by the Shen Family...

How could the heavy hammer possibly fall on his head?

So, no matter which way you look at it, I seem to be the scapegoat.

After all, I'm the chief commander in the Liyu Port area of the Beihai Fleet.

Even though I never actually received command powers.

Even if I forcefully stayed, I would only face dismissal, losing authority, and a trial by the military court.

"It's different here. We didn't have a navy before, nor a formal naval structure. Everything starts from zero."

"But the advantage is... there's no hierarchy of distinguished navy veterans to hold you back, and your friends and comrades can maximize their capabilities and career prospects..."

"Based on the Beihai Fleet we currently control, building a naval system that radiates globally..."

"At that time, what prestigious position will you hold? Our new Imperial Navy was founded by your hands..."

"How will future generations praise your achievements? They will record it in the annals, calling you the esteemed 'Father of the Navy'..."

Father of the Navy?

Chen Binghan struggled to control his emotions, but he was very aware that the muscles on his face would twitch slightly.

The taste of this is too intense, a bit overwhelming.

The title of Father of the Navy, what glory and fame would that bring?

Thump, thump, thump...

Chen Binghan's heart beat fiercely.

Tang Fei was not in a hurry nor urging.

Instead, he sat there quietly waiting for a while until Chen Binghan's emotions calmed down, then spoke earnestly, "Brother Binghan, you should feel my sincerity... So, what is your choice?"

"I gamble," Chen Binghan said through clenched teeth, "I bet on you winning."

Tang Fei's smile was as bright as golden light on the sea surface.

"No, we both win."

He extended his hand to Chen Binghan and said, "Brother Binghan, welcome aboard."

Chen Binghan extended his hand and tightly grasped Tang Fei's.

He knew that from this moment forward, his fate was tied with Tang Fei's.

Anxiety, nervousness, excitement, and an indescribable expectation.

He awaited such a glorious future.

Upon leaving the number one cell, Bai Wuxin, who was accompanying, asked, "Do you trust him?"

Tang Fei shook his head and said, "I don't trust him. It's our first meeting, and you've met him more times than I have... What trust is there?"

"Then you promised him a Naval Commander?"

"Do we have a navy?"

"Not yet."

"If he's exceptionally capable and helps me establish the navy, why shouldn't I promise him the Naval Commander?"

"Of course, if Chen Binghan turns out to be incompetent, or if their luck is poor... not only will the navy not be established, but even they might be wiped out, then what's the point of a Naval Commander existing?"

"So you're saying... you wrote a blank check and tricked Chen Binghan into working hard for you?"

"How can you say that?" Tang Fei said angrily, "He was merely an employee, but I now made him a shareholder... The enthusiasm for work is different."

"Do you believe me? If I say now that the navy project is canceled, he'll be the first to protest?"

"I believe it."

Bai Wuxin replied expressionlessly.

Thinking, Father of the Navy, once that title is out...

Chen Binghan's eyes are about to catch fire.

He, being an Assassin, is best at capturing others' emotional highs and changes in expression.

He knew that from that moment, Chen Binghan had boarded Tang Fei's pirate ship.

This guy is truly a master at playing with people's hearts.

"Hmm?" Tang Fei asked Bai Wuxin in confusion, "Why aren't you refuting me?"

"Because I know it's the truth."

"Your reaction is making me a bit uncomfortable."

Bai Wuxin ignored Tang Fei's tease and reported voluntarily, "A few more people just pressed the cell bell, wanting to meet and talk with you..."

"No need." Tang Fei waved it off, smiling as he said, "Leave these matters to Chen Binghan, he knows better than I do who can be used and who cannot... who can live, who must die."

"Understood." Bai Wuxin replied calmly.

He wasn't interested in these matters, whatever Tang Fei entrusted him to deal with, he did so.

He only cared about killing.

"Making new friends, never forgetting old ones." Tang Fei softly sang and, smiling, said, "Let's go, meet my old friends."

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