164: Report Meeting (2)

His tone became heavy once again: "We have never stopped the rescue efforts within the core area of the capital, but it has been an uphill battle."

Currently, a massive number of Second-Tier Zombie have appeared within the city, making it difficult for ordinary rescue units to penetrate deep inside.

"According to the estimations of our top team of scholars," he said, almost enunciating every word, "within the core circle of the capital, it is highly likely that three to four Third-Tier Corpse King have already appeared!"

A collective gasp of cold air rose from the audience. Many present had either witnessed with their own eyes or heard of the terror of a Third-Tier Corpse King.

"As for why they have not yet triggered a large-scale Zombie Tide like in Luocheng or Lujiang, the reason remains unknown for now."

Li Bingyi's voice choked up slightly: "The population of the capital is too dense, and we are afraid of causing collateral damage, so many high-powered weapons cannot be used... The difficulty of rescuing survivors is simply hellish... Besides, four months have already passed; how many compatriots can still be waiting for us inside..."

He lowered his head and adjusted his glasses to hide his reddened eyes, and the atmosphere in the venue became suffocatingly oppressive for a moment.

Immediately after, following the order, representatives from the major military regions began to take the stage one by one.

The representative from the Northern Military Region - Shengjing Base was a general with stars on his shoulders and a tough demeanor. He walked to the front of the stage, saluted, and spoke in a voice as loud as a bell: "Fellow chiefs, fellow colleagues!"

"My Shengjing Base has now completely recovered the entire Liaoyang City! We have safely transferred some residents to surrounding towns, and under the close protection of the garrison, we have begun large-scale agricultural production!"

"Currently, our base has accommodated 2.3 million civilians and 400,000 troops, reorganized into four group armies! The main force of our military region has begun to advance toward other cities outside of Shengjing, and we will do our utmost to rescue every single survivor!"

His report was concise and powerful, full of a soldier's decisiveness: "Currently, our military region has 2,800 Evolver, including 650 First-Tier and 16 Second-Tier! Third-Tier... none for now." He felt a hint of regret, but his eyes remained firm.

When it was the turn of the Eastern Military Region representative, a middle-aged official wearing glasses with a weary but intelligent look took the stage. His tone was significantly heavier: "Fellow colleagues, the situation in my Eastern Military Region... is not optimistic."

"As the second most populous province in our country, the Suzhou area is extremely densely populated. Furthermore, the entire province is located on a plain with no natural barriers to defend, resulting in immense defensive pressure. Fortunately, our military region's strategic food reserves are still sufficient and can last for a long time."

He switched the images on the screen, showing casualty statistics and scenes of rescue efforts being obstructed. "Currently, our military region has only entered the final stages of recovering a few county-level cities. Our main forces have continuously attempted to penetrate deep into densely populated urban areas like Jinling for rescue, but... the results have been minimal, and casualties are immense."

His voice carried deep pain: "We have currently rescued 2.7 million civilians. We have 3,000 Evolver, including 800 First-Tier and 19 Second-Tier. There are over 400,000 troops and four group armies."

Suddenly, the screen switched, and some blurry satellite footage appeared along with several horrifying on-site photos—a massive, dragon-like creature wreathed in water vapor, its scales reflecting a cyan light in the sunlight, was churning up the river and sea!

A gasp of shock immediately echoed through the venue!

The Eastern representative pointed to the screen, his voice dry: "Previously, this unknown creature with powerful water-element abilities attacked an important rescue fleet of our military region. Its strength... is terrifying! Preliminary predictions suggest it is at least Third-Tier! Perhaps even higher! It is currently entrenched in the Yangtze River estuary, seriously threatening the safety of our water routes and coastal bases. We have tentatively designated its codename as—East Sea Azure Dragon!" This news hung over everyone's hearts like a heavy dark cloud.

The report from the Southern Military Region representative was similarly not optimistic, facing dilemmas similar to the Eastern Military Region, with main efforts focused on accommodating survivors and arduously clearing county-level areas. They have 2.8 million civilians, 400,000 troops, 3,100 Evolver, 800 First-Tier, and 20 Second-Tier.

The representative from the Western Military Region - Chengdu Base brought a glimmer of relief. A loud-voiced general from Sichuan reported optimistically: "The situation in our military region is slightly more optimistic! The western region is vast and sparsely populated, with the main population concentrated in Chengdu. Currently, our army has taken most of the Anning Plain and has stationed troops to defend it, establishing a relatively stable safe zone. We have over 2.4 million civilians, 400,000 troops, 3,000 Evolver, 700 First-Tier, and 19 Second-Tier."

Subsequently, the representatives from the bases established based on the two major border defense garrisons took the stage.

The representative of the Tibet Holy City Base, dressed in military uniforms characteristic of the plateau with red-flushed cheeks, spoke in a resonant voice: "Fellow colleagues! My Tibet Province is vast and sparsely populated, with a population in the Holy City of no more than 2 million. Through the self-sacrificing, all-out offensive of all the officers and soldiers of our Tibet Border Defense Force, the Holy City has now been completely recovered! The Holy City Base now accommodates over 600,000 survivors, has 120,000 troops, 1,200 Evolver, 280 First-Tier, and 5 Second-Tier!" This achievement, under such difficult circumstances, seemed particularly precious and won warm applause.

The representative from the Anxi Base in Tianshan took the stage last, his tone filled with pride: "Our Anxi border defense garrison has currently completely controlled the main urban areas of several counties around Tianshan, with a safe activity range exceeding 50,000 square kilometers! The grain yield in the basin at the foot of Tianshan is quite high, and our army has organized the sowing of grain, striving for self-sufficiency! Currently, our army has 140,000 troops, 1,600 Evolver, 400 First-Tier, and 6 Second-Tier. We have accommodated 700,000 survivors."

The seven major bases finished their reports one after another. Zhang Lei sat in the audience, listening with extreme focus, his brows furrowing and relaxing from time to time. He firmly memorized the data and difficulties faced by each location.

Looking at the overall situation, only the two major border defense bases of Tianshan and the Holy City had relatively good situations; the Shengjing and Chengdu bases were commendable, relying on geographical advantages; while the other three major military regions were all in difficult situations, with every step taken with extreme hardship.

Finally, Chief of Government Affairs Li Bingyi once again walked to the podium with heavy steps. He looked around at every weather-beaten yet resolute face in the audience, his gaze sweeping over every figure fighting for the survival of humanity.

His voice was slightly hoarse from excitement, yet it rang out like a great bell, striking the deepest parts of everyone's souls:

"Comrades! Comrades-in-arms!" he shouted the words, "With the national crisis at hand, the mountains and rivers are weeping blood! But we, the sons and daughters of China, never yield! We are gathered here today not to complain, and certainly not to despair! But to clarify our responsibilities and strengthen our convictions!"

He waved his arms, his voice deafening and full of unquestionable power and determination: "The road ahead is filled with thorns, and the darkness is far deeper than we imagined! But this precisely means that you and I must work together even more closely and forge ahead! For the hundreds of millions of common people behind us, for the continuation of civilization, for the sake of taking back our lost homeland—"

He paused for a moment, and with all his might, issued the call: "Face the national crisis together, and never waver until death!"

"Whoosh—!" The entire briefing hall was instantly drowned in thunderous, persistent applause! Everyone stood up involuntarily, clapping forcefully, their eyes burning with the flames of unyielding spirit and the determination to face death!