Chapter 755: Chapter 751: Dragon Group Disbanded
Although the majority of reasons for the mission’s failure had been basically identified, Ye Fan was truly brought before the military court three months later.
In the meantime, the military had gone through a series of debates.
After all, as the youngest major general in the military to date, Ye Fan led Dragon Team to many meritorious services to the nation, and although the mission was largely a failure, the merits could not be erased:
First, he had completely destroyed the Kumogou underground biochemical research facility. Although the state did not obtain all the data from the Kumogou underground biochemical research facility, the enemy also essentially lost all the related research achievements, which was a draw;
Second, Ye Fan had effectively preserved the entire Dragon Team, an elite of the elite in the military, with no fewer than eleven members holding the title of King of Soldiers.
Besides, Ye Fan was born into the Ye family, whose influence in the military was substantial, so of course they would speak on Ye Fan’s behalf.
When he stood trial before the military court, Ye Fan certainly wouldn’t foolishly admit that he had intended to blow up the Kumogou underground biochemical research facility from the start.
His defense was that the reason he prepared the suitcase nuke in the first place was merely as a contingency in case the mission failed, and that the reason for detonating the suitcase nuke was because Dragon Team truly could not conquer the Kumogou underground biochemical research facility, and it was set off after Dragon Team had issued an order to retreat.
Ye Fan appeared before the military court a total of three times, the trials lasting nearly a month, and at the last hearing, the military court acquitted him.
As he walked out of the military court, all members of Dragon Team stood neatly outside.
“Chief!” all members of Dragon Team called out excitedly.
Ye Fan calmly nodded and said, “Everyone, you’ve worked hard.”
Then, the members of Dragon Team gathered around Ye Fan and left, finding a place to reminisce.
During the reunion, Leopard knelt in front of Ye Fan with a “plop,” his eyes red as he said, “Chief, I’m sorry.”
After speaking, he started banging his head hard, producing “bang bang” sounds. In no time, his forehead was bloodied, blood streaming down.
Ye Fan wanted to lift Leopard up, but Leopard insisted on kneeling.
“What on earth is it?” Ye Fan had no choice but to delay lifting Leopard up.
Crying incoherently, Leopard said, “Chief, I couldn’t keep Dragon Team together. Dragon Team has been disbanded… The brothers have all been scattered across various military districts…”
Even with prior mental preparation, Ye Fan couldn’t help but feel a twinge in his nose upon hearing this news.
Not a member of Dragon Team standing before him could restrain their sobs, each shedding unchecked tears.
“Alas—” Ye Fan sighed deeply, suppressing his sadness, and said, “You can’t be blamed. Even I would have been powerless to change this.”
Saying this, he bent down to help Leopard up again.
After lifting Leopard, Ye Fan addressed all members of Dragon Team, “Brothers, Dragon Team has been disbanded, and it’s hard for all of us, including myself. But please do not forget that we are first and foremost soldiers of the people, and only then are we members of Dragon Team. From the very first day Dragon Team was formed, its mission was to maintain our country’s overseas interests.”
“I, Ye Fan, am honored to have shed blood and battled alongside you all overseas. Over the years, we have sacrificed many brothers, and many have been injured or even disabled, but we’re proud and without regret because Dragon Team has fulfilled our mission!”
“Now, as our country grows stronger by the day, we can gradually send troops openly to maintain national interests. The escort missions in the Aden Gulf send a clear signal, and I am sure everyone is also aware of the military base in Djibouti,”
“Therefore, our Dragon Group has essentially fulfilled the historical mission bestowed upon us by the nation. Since the mission is complete, there indeed is no further need for the existence of the Dragon Group.”
“Today, we disband with honor, and we should be glad.”
“Moreover, we all know that the Dragon Group cannot be exposed to the limelight. Over the years, although many have sacrificed, we could not be honored before the people, not even letting our close family members know. Whenever a brother fell, his soul departed in a foreign land, my heart was particularly heavy. Not because a brother fell, but because he gave his life and yet could not receive the recognition he deserved. Of course, we hold no resentment because dying for our country was our willing choice, our own decision.”
“Now, we can finally return to the sunlight. Every member of the Dragon Group is the elite of the elites; being dispersed into major military districts, with everyone’s loyalty to the nation and our outstanding abilities, I am quite certain that each of us will make great achievements in the future!”
“So, brothers, let go of your tears, let us move forward fearlessly, and welcome a bright future!” Ye Fan said at last.
“Yes, sir!” all the Dragon Group members yelled out loud.
In fact, Ye Fan was right, as almost all members of the Dragon Group rose rapidly in rank in the future, occupying many important positions in the military and forming a power that could not be ignored.
And they always regarded Ye Fan as their leader.
The next day, in the morning, Ye Fan dressed in casual clothes and walked out of the military district.
At the gate of the military district, Qiao Feixuan waited eagerly for a long time, excitedly rushed forward, hugged Ye Fan, and burst into tears.
A parent’s heart is always poignant. Since learning that Ye Fan was placed under house arrest and brought to military court for trial, Qiao Feixuan had not slept well for a day, worried day and night, and had lost over ten pounds.
After Ye Fan consoled her for a while, Qiao Feixuan finally stopped crying, let go of Ye Fan, and turned her back to wipe away her tears.
“Zhao Jun.” Ye Fan turned to Li Zhaojun who stood beside him and called out with a smile.
After several months, upon seeing Li Zhaojun again, she no longer seemed as cold. However, Ye Fan sensed that compared to before, Li Zhaojun was even more detached and merciless. This coldness was not directed at him, but towards everyone, the entire world.
Li Zhaojun called out indifferently:”Ye Fan.”
After a while, Ye Fan, Li Zhaojun, and Qiao Feixuan left the military district gate together and drove back home.
His house arrest and trial were state secrets, so only Ye Fan’s family knew about it, others like Lu Xiaoman, Tantai Wanrong, and the like, had no way of knowing. To them, Ye Fan had suddenly disappeared for several months.
As for Ye Guohua, due to work reasons, he did not come to pick up Ye Fan either.
In the car on the way home, Qiao Feixuan suddenly sighed with regret: “It’s all because of that mission. Now that it’s past May, we’ve missed your wedding date.”
“Haha, Mom, it’s okay. If we missed the date in May, we can find another suitable day for the wedding.” Ye Fan reassured Qiao Feixuan, “Zhao Jun, right?”
To be honest, if the wedding had been in May, he would have felt awkward, since his relationship with Li Zhaojun had severely deteriorated.
Li Zhaojun said with a light voice: “Indeed.”
Qiao Feixuan, unaware of the changes between Ye Fan and Li Zhaojun, said in a gloomy tone: “It’s not so easy to pick a suitable date. We might have to wait until the end of the year. I’ve been looking forward to holding my grandson.”
Ye Fan chuckled and promptly found another topic to shift the conversation away from marriage and children.