148: Return to base (2)

Following closely behind the apocalypse tanks were the tesla tanks, painted in a mysterious blue-purple camouflage. Their design was even more peculiar; the traditional gun barrel was replaced by a massive Tesla coil jumping with eerie blue electrical arcs and an electromagnetic acceleration track, filled with a subversive sci-fi flair, as if they were creations not of this era.

Behind these two land overlords were ten military jeeps with uniform paint and rugged designs, as well as a clearly customized extended black bulletproof executive sedan.

Most shocking was that on both sides of the convoy, twelve three-and-a-half-meter-tall sci-fi mechs were running in synchronization as escorts! Six were entirely yellowish-brown, carrying massive flamethrowers (blaze); the other six were blue-purple, armed with strangely shaped electromagnetic weapons (thunderbolt). Their movements were coordinated and smooth as they ran, their heavy mechanical feet striking the ground with a rhythmic and oppressive roar, filled with the beauty of combined power and technology!

This over-the-top welcome convoy, composed of future tanks, sci-fi combat vehicles, and humanoid mechs, brought an unparalleled visual impact and psychological shock!

Everyone in the Honors Conferment Group, including Li Xian, who had previously wet his pants in fear, felt flattered at this moment. They subconsciously straightened their backs and quickly tidied their somewhat disheveled military appearance, their faces filled with awe and nervousness.

Li Xian had already changed into a clean military uniform on the plane. He stood at the very front of the group, trying to put on his most solemn expression. The last traces of arrogance on his face had long since been cast to the winds, leaving only cautiousness.

The convoy came to a steady halt in front of them. The twelve mechs also stopped simultaneously with a metallic "clank," standing solemnly on both sides. Their crimson or eerie blue electronic eyes scanned the surroundings, projecting a silent deterrence.

The door of the extended executive sedan opened, and a capable and steady middle-aged man wearing a crisp Red Alert military uniform with major's rank insignia stepped down. It was the Chief of General Staff of the Red Alert Legion—Zhang Long.

As soon as Zhang Long got out of the car, before he could even stand firm, Li Xian rushed forward with a near-fawning smile. He extended both hands from a distance: "Oh! Major, comrade, thank you for your hard work! I'm truly unworthy of your army going to such great lengths to welcome us outside the city! I am Li Xian, the person in charge of the National Government's Honors Conferment Group!" His posture was extremely low, and his tone was incredibly respectful.

Zhang Long was stunned by this sudden enthusiasm, wondering why this colonel was being so polite. Keeping his expression neutral, he reached out to shake hands with Li Xian and then gave a standard military salute: "Colonel Li, thank you for the hard journey! I am the Chief of General Staff of the Red Alert Legion, Zhang Long."

Seeing this, Li Xian quickly let go and returned the salute even more formally, his movements meticulous.

"Colonel Li must have been startled on this trip. Is everyone alright?" Zhang Long asked with concern.

"No, no! Thanks to Chief of Staff Zhang's blessings, though there were some twists and turns, everything is fine!" Li Xian shook his head like a rattle, his tone sincere. "It's all thanks to your army's Officer Zhang Lei appearing like a god from heaven to rescue us in time that we were able to turn danger into safety! Your army's combat power and reaction speed are truly breathtaking! My gratitude is beyond words!" He spoke beautifully, praising Zhang Lei and the Lujiang Base while cleverly downplaying his own embarrassment, showing the smooth sophistication of a noble descendant when needed.

After witnessing Zhang Lei's divine prowess and the terrifying military presence of Lujiang Base, how could he dare to act out in the slightest?

At this moment, Zhang Lei also walked over with Ye Anhe. Zhang Long immediately straightened up, faced Zhang Lei, and gave an even more forceful military salute, his voice booming: "Officer! Thank you for your hard work!"

Zhang Lei returned the salute and then stepped aside to introduce: "Brother Long, this is Lieutenant Colonel Ye Anhe, also one of the leaders of this Honors Conferment Group."

Ye Anhe immediately took a step forward, saluted Zhang Long gracefully, and extended her hand: "Chief of Staff Zhang, hello! I am Ye Anhe, I've heard much about you!"

Zhang Long returned the salute and shook her hand lightly: "Lieutenant Colonel Ye, welcome to Lujiang Base! It's been a long journey; please follow us into the city to rest first!" He didn't engage in more small talk, gesturing for everyone to get into the vehicles.

Li Xian, Ye Anhe, Zhang Long, and Zhang Lei rode together in the extended sedan, while the other members of the Honors Conferment Group boarded the military jeeps. The convoy started again, driving toward the massive alloy city gates under the protection of the mechs.

Passing through the thick city wall passage, they first entered a heavily guarded city defense area, where elite soldiers on patrol and fixed firing positions could be seen everywhere. Next was the production area, where rows of sci-fi-styled factories with smooth lines were neatly arranged. Massive pipes and cables intertwined in the air, and automated mechanical arms were busy operating within. Almost no workers were visible, yet it was filled with an efficient and futuristic atmosphere, providing a powerful visual impact.

Further back was the neatly planned residential area shaded by green trees, with clean and tidy roads and even parks and fitness facilities. Even more unbelievable was that they actually saw signs for leisure commercial streets and entertainment centers!

Some elderly people sat on benches leisurely soaking up the sun, and occasionally, children in school uniforms ran past laughing!

These scenes left the members of the Honors Conferment Group dumbfounded, their envy almost rendering them speechless!

The food problem had always been the heaviest boulder weighing on the hearts of the National Government's major bases! Except for the Tibet Holy City Base, which was located on a plateau with a relatively sparse population and claimed to have basically solved it.

And the Anxi Tianshan Base with its vast, sparsely populated land, and the Liaodong Shengjing Base with its fertile black soil, which were gradually recovering, the other four major bases—including Kyoto Base, Yangtai, Rongcheng, and Chengdu—were still worrying about food!

In terms of territory, except for the Liaodong Shengjing Base, which had recovered several surrounding grain-producing counties, and Tibet, which had liberated more than half of Shigatse, including the main grain-producing areas, the other major bases had recovered very little lost land. The situation for provincial-level bases was even more distressed.

Yet Lujiang Base had not only completely solved the food problem but its industrial production was also so advanced and developed, and order had been restored! The surviving elderly could enjoy their later years, and children could go to school normally... On this hopeless post-apocalyptic wasteland, this was simply an unimaginable paradise! The strong contrast and impact left these officers from Kyoto with mixed feelings, feeling both incredibly shocked and filled with deep envy and a hint of... longing.

The convoy finally stopped in front of a brand-new building on the edge of the military district—the Lujiang Guest Hotel. It was an eight-story building with a simple and grand appearance, carrying a clear post-apocalyptic utilitarian style without losing a modern feel. It was specifically ordered to be built by Jiang Xin to receive outside guests.

Zhang Long got out of the car and politely welcomed everyone into the lobby. The interior decoration was simple and comfortable, with soft lighting and complete facilities. While not extremely luxurious, it definitely reached the level of a medium-to-high-end hotel before the apocalypse, which was beyond imagination in this era.

"Everyone, the base has just been established, and the conditions are simple. Please forgive us for any lack of hospitality," Zhang Long said politely.

Li Xian quickly waved his hand, his tone incredibly sincere: "Chief of Staff Zhang, you are too modest! These conditions... this treatment is already better than we imagined! To be honest, the accommodation conditions in our Kyoto Base are far inferior to this! Your base's recovery and development speed are truly breathtaking!" His attitude now was humble to the point of being lowly.

"I'm glad Colonel Li is satisfied. When would it be convenient for everyone? Our Commander Jiang Xin has prepared a dinner in the reception hall of the Administrative Hall and will personally welcome you all tonight." Zhang Long smiled as he conveyed the arrangements.

"Everything is according to your base's arrangements! We are ready anytime!" Li Xian immediately stated, keeping his posture very low.

"Good. In that case, please rest for a bit to relieve the fatigue of the journey. If you need anything, just call the guards outside your room or the front desk staff. We'll see you tonight." After Zhang Long finished speaking, he saluted again and then left with Zhang Lei and the others.

Leaving the group from the Honors Conferment Group standing in the spacious and clean hotel lobby, looking at the orderly scene of the base outside the window, feeling as if they were in another world.