166: Return to Lujiang

After Zhang Lei's debriefing in Kyoto concluded, he did not linger, immediately rushing back to Lujiang City aboard an apollo aerospace fighter.

The fighter jet tore through the sky, carrying the urgency of the future, and landed at the Air Command Center of Lujiang Base.

As soon as the fighter landed, Zhang Lei headed straight for the Commander's residence.

He knew that Jiang Xin would definitely be waiting for him.

Inside the command room, Jiang Xin was standing before a massive electronic tactical map, his brows slightly furrowed as if he were simulating something.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up, saw Zhang Lei, and a smile immediately appeared on his face.

He strode forward to meet him, extending his fist.

"Brother Lei! You've worked hard! How was the trip?"

The two men's fists bumped together in the air with silent understanding, emitting a dull thud. Everything went without saying.

Zhang Lei walked to the side of the tactical map, poured himself a glass of water, and downed it in one go.

Then, with a grave expression, he began: "Kyoto Base has a deep foundation; their strength far exceeds our previous estimates.

Five fully equipped and staffed group armies, over five hundred thousand troops tempered by blood and fire—and that's just their visible strength.

More importantly, they have over four thousand registered Evolvers. Their talent reserves and organizational capabilities truly live up to being the seat of the National Government."

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "Moreover, I had a brief skirmish with their current top expert, an Evolver with Spirit Possession named Lü Yan.

His strength is immense; his strength… is definitely no less than mine."

"Oh? That strong?" Upon hearing this, a trace of genuine surprise crossed Jiang Xin's face, and his fingers tapped unconsciously against the edge of the tactical map.

He knew how terrifying Zhang Lei's strength was; that someone in Kyoto could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him truly exceeded his expectations.

"Yes, he's very strong, and humble in his attitude—he's a man of character," Zhang Lei affirmed.

"I brought back one ton of gold this time as payment for the antiviral serum trade.

As for tanks and equipment, I've also verbally agreed to prioritize supplying them with a batch."

Jiang Xin walked to the window, gazing at the busy scene within the base outside.

After pondering for a moment, he nodded: "Hmm, for the current stage, we'll first sell them some apocalypse tanks and tesla tanks.

This will enhance their ground strength without overly exposing our core power.

When our strength reaches the next level, perhaps we can consider selling apollo fighter jets, but the quantity must be strictly controlled."

His tone was calm yet carried an unquestionable decisiveness.

He held respect for the National Government, but his ambition was by no means to remain under others for long, or to act as a vassal or mere weapons supplier for others.

"Brother Jiang." Zhang Lei walked to his side, his gaze also cast into the distance, his eyes burning.

"We are currently just a local base tucked away in a corner; our strength is still far from enough.

Time waits for no one; we must accelerate our pace of development."

He fully understood and supported his brother's ambition.

Possessing an heaven-defying tool like the red alert system, combined with their own constantly growing super combat power, the future of humanity and the progress of civilization should be led by the two of them.

"Yes, I have already considered it." Jiang Xin turned around, his eyes becoming sharp.

With a wave of his hand, he activated the holographic tactical map on the desktop.

The cursor for Lujiang City shone brightly in the center of Xijiang Province.

"Look, Lujiang is located in the center of the province.

To the northeast is Lingchuan City, with a population of over a million and a decent industrial base; to the south is the more expansive Qianzhou City.

If we take these two populous cities, we can gain a large amount of human resources, restore some industrial production, and more importantly, secure stable grain-producing Regions."

He pointed his finger at the two locations, looking at Zhang Lei with burning intensity: "Brother Lei, my idea is that you and I will each lead an army and, with thunderous momentum, simultaneously march into Lingchuan and Qianzhou to clear out the main threats and establish forward bases at the fastest speed possible!"

"What's the specific plan?" Zhang Lei knew that Jiang Xin must already have a plan in mind.

Jiang Xin drew a circle over the Lingchuan City area with his finger: "Lingchuan University, on the outskirts of Lingchuan City, has spontaneously formed a survivor base of tens of thousands of people.

It has a certain foundation of order and can serve as our entry point.

I plan to go with you tomorrow, first leading an advance team to Lingchuan City to establish a temporary base and produce a battalion of rapid-response troops on-site."

He took a sip of water and detailed the deployment: "We will first take five apollo fighter jets, 10 chinooks, and 10 hind attack helicopters to provide air support.

As for ground forces, I will order Chen Hao to lead a regiment, pass through Yongjiang Base, advance along the provincial road, and enter the Chonggang County area southeast of Lingchuan City, responsible for outer perimeter clearing and survivor search and rescue.

At the same time, have Li Ang lead two elite battalions, equipped with thirty mechs and War Bear units, to charge directly along the Lujiang-Lingchuan expressway, arriving straight at the Lingchuan City center to rendezvous with the main force you are leading!"

"The population in Lingchuan City center is highly concentrated, but the core area isn't large.

As long as we quickly stabilize the city center base, we can use it as a foothold to expand, making subsequent clearing and expansion much easier."

Next, his finger slid toward Qianzhou City: "As for Qianzhou, the situation is more complex; it's a chaotic free-for-all.

I will personally lead Tanya, Li Yi, and Air Wing Vice-Captain Liu Jiang, along with another army, to air-drop directly, establish a base, and use our strongest force to quickly open up the situation and take this strategic location."

"Good!" Zhang Lei slapped the edge of the tactical map hard, fighting spirit rising in his eyes.

"Brother Jiang, since you have arranged everything so meticulously, then there is no time to lose.

How about we set off tomorrow?"

"Haha, that's exactly what I intended! I was planning to set off tomorrow!" Jiang Xin laughed and extended his fist.

The two fists collided heavily once again, filled with the determination to forge the future and the trust of brothers standing side by side.

After chatting a bit more about his experiences in Kyoto and the development of the base, Zhang Lei left the command room and strolled toward the Barracks, preparing to inspect the troops' daily training and get ready for tomorrow's operation.

However, as soon as he approached the Barracks area, he sensed something wrong.

The Training Ground, which should have been filled with thunderous shouts and intense activity at this time of day, appeared unusually deserted.

Only a few scattered soldiers were running around, and most of the units were nowhere to be found.

Zhang Lei frowned and called out to a Red Alert guard on duty: "What's going on? Where are the troops? Why isn't there any training at this hour?"

His voice carried a trace of unquestionable authority.

The guard saw that it was Zhang Lei, immediately straightened his body to salute, and a trace of embarrassment and nervousness appeared on his face: "Report, sir! The troops... most of the troops have gone to the Training Ground!"

"Gone to the Training Ground? Is there group combat training?" Zhang Lei pressed.

The guard swallowed hard and reported in a low voice: "No, sir... it's... it's Major Natasha and Major Tanya.

They had a bit of a disagreement, and now they are on the Training Ground... having a public duel! Everyone ran over to watch..."

"Hmm? The two of them again?" After hearing this, Zhang Lei shook his head helplessly.

These two rivals from different camps really couldn't have a moment of peace.

"Take me to see." He signaled for the guard to lead the way; he actually wanted to see what kind of commotion they could stir up.