242: Hongdu Independent Division - Divine Sword Brigade

Not long after the Lingnan Campaign concluded, the comprehensive re-equipment and reorganization of Yao Ke and Huangfu Yao's "Divine Sword Brigade," as well as the "Hongdu Independent Division" formed from the original Hongdu Military Region troops, were finally declared complete.

The "Hongdu Independent Division" was organized into three main brigades and two directly subordinate regiments, with a total strength of twenty-two thousand men. The specific composition was: the 1st Heavy Armored Brigade, the 2nd Combined Arms Brigade, the 3rd Combined Arms Brigade, as well as the Army Aviation Regiment and the Special Ops/Guard Regiment.

Regarding equipment, a thorough modernization was carried out. All old and damaged tanks were completely phased out, replaced by standard-issue equipment provided by the Red Alert Legion:

· The 1st Heavy Armored Brigade, serving as the absolute main force, was equipped with 70 Grizzly Light Tanks, 30 rhino heavy tanks, as well as 5 tesla tanks and 5 apocalypse tanks.

· The 2nd Combined Arms Brigade and the 3rd Combined Arms Brigade were each equipped with 20 Grizzly Light Tanks and 10 rhino heavy tanks, while retaining some old tanks that were in acceptable condition and met firepower standards as supplements.

· Additionally, all three brigades were standardly assigned a sufficient number of armored personnel carriers, ifvs, v3 rocket launcher vehicles, armored minelayers, and military trucks, forming a complete system of mobility, strike, and support. Various types of light and heavy weapons, mortars, and heavy artillery were also fully provided.

· The Army Aviation Regiment, on the basis of integrating over seventy existing helicopters of various types, was reinforced with 10 hind attack helicopters and 3 chinook armed transport helicopters, significantly enhancing its aerial assault and transport capabilities.

· The Special Ops/Guard Regiment concentrated all the Evolver forces of the entire division, as well as special detachments for guards, reconnaissance, and Sappers, becoming the spear and shield of the division headquarters.

In terms of personnel arrangements, Lu Qinian served as the Division Commander, while Governor Wu Changming concurrently served as the Political Commissar to show respect and provide reassurance to the original Hongdu high-level leadership.

Positions such as Deputy Division Commander and Division Chief of Staff were filled by officers dispatched from the Red Alert Legion.

Eighty percent of the commanding officers at all levels in the 1st Heavy Armored Brigade were replaced by Red Alert officers, and a certain number of Red Alert Soldiers were incorporated as the backbone.

Fifty percent of the grassroots officers in the 2nd and 3rd Combined Arms Brigades were also replaced.

Only the Army Aviation Regiment and the Special Ops/Guard Regiment remained temporarily under the control of the original Hongdu high-level leadership, but their independence had been greatly weakened. Through this series of precise arrangements, although the "Hongdu Independent Division" retained its designation and some of its original leaders, its soul and command center were firmly held by the Red Alert Legion.

For the "Divine Sword Brigade," Yao Ke served as the Brigade Commander and Huangfu Yao as the Deputy Brigade Commander. Its Political Commissar and Brigade Chief of Staff were also dispatched by the Red Alert Legion. The brigade was organized into four regiments, totaling eight thousand men.

Original specialized branches, such as the Cavalry Unit, the Heavy Armored Infantry Unit, and especially that powerful Mutated Beast Legion, were unified into the Special Ops Regiment, becoming a surprise force.

Other soldiers from the original Rifle Units were completely disbanded and, after re-screening, were mixed with a large number of Red Alert Legion soldiers, grassroots officers, and reservists.

Due to the poor military foundation of the personnel from the West Suburb Base and the insufficient reservists in the Red Alert Legion, it only reached a full complement of five thousand men for the time being. In terms of equipment, it was outfitted with 30 grizzly tanks, 15 rhino tanks, 2 apocalypse tanks, 2 tesla tanks, as well as 8 hinds and 2 chinooks, along with corresponding support vehicles and artillery. While retaining its own characteristics, this unit was also deeply branded with the mark of Red Alert.

After the "Divine Sword Brigade" and the "Hongdu Independent Division" completed their re-equipment and initially formed combat effectiveness, the original Hongdu high-level leaders like Lu Qinian and Governor Wu Changming, as well as the various leaders of the West Suburb Base like Yao Ke and Huangfu Yao, were all invited to the core station of the Red Alert Legion—Longxing City. Jiang Xin, the Commander-in-Chief of the Red Alert Legion, would receive them in person.

Before this summons, Jiang Xin had already officially reported the incorporation of the Xijiang Province Military Region to the National Government via radio communication. As for the nominal superior of Xijiang Province—the Eastern Military Region—Jiang Xin hadn't even sent a formal report. In his heart, the Red Alert Legion was now a massive power equivalent to a Great Military Region; except for the National Government, no one could stand above it. Even as its strength continued to swell, in the future... After a brief consultation, the National Government "gladly" agreed to Jiang Xin's "request." In fact, facing the Red Alert Legion, which had become a colossus, and the serum technology against the zombie virus and high-tech equipment it possessed, the National Government had little choice but to agree. Subsequently, the National Government and the Supreme United Front Work Department notified the Commander of the Eastern Military Region, General Wang Dingbian, and Chen Shutong, the former Mayor of Magic City and a Second-level Official of the National Government.

These two powerful regional officials, who dominated the East, had different reactions upon hearing the news.

Inside an office of the Eastern Military Region.

"Bang!"

A dull, loud thud echoed as the thick rosewood desk was struck, trembling violently. General Wang Dingbian, Commander of the Eastern Military Region, stared with wide, fierce eyes, his face flushed with anger. "What does this Red Alert Legion mean?! They incorporate a military region under my command without even saying a word?! Do they still have any respect for me as the Commander?! For the Eastern Military Region?!" His voice was like thunder, echoing in the office.

Sitting on the sofa opposite him, Chen Shutong appeared much calmer compared to Wang Dingbian's outburst. He gently set down his teacup and gave his old friend a look that said "you should have expected this," his tone peaceful yet tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Old Wang, calm down. The situation is stronger than the person. They now possess tens of thousands of elite troops, have liberated most of Xijiang Province, and achieved great military honors in the Lingnan Campaign, all while holding the high-tech technology we desperately need... Even Jingdu has acquiesced; what's the use of us losing our tempers here?"

"Hmph!" Wang Dingbian's anger had not subsided, his clenched right fist showing white knuckles. As a titan governing the military regions of several eastern provinces, being so ignored by a "local armed force" deeply stung his dignity and authority.

"General!" A young man standing nearby suddenly stepped forward, his voice as loud as a bell. "Should I go there and teach them a lesson, to let them know who the master of the East is!" This person was named Xiang Wentian, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with an extremely burly build and broad shoulders; just standing there, he gave off a mountain-like sense of pressure. His bone structure was extraordinary, but most striking were his eyes, which shone like lightning—they were the rare Double Pupils! As the possessor of the Heroic Spirit of the Overlord Xiang Yu, he ranked third among the National Government's experts, second only to Lü Yan and Zhang Lei. He had long wanted to meet the world-renowned "ice fire divine lord."

"Don't be reckless!" Although Wang Dingbian was furious, he remained rational. He waved his hand, forcing down his anger. "The Red Alert Legion holds the anti-virus serum and has many cutting-edge weapons we lack. They will certainly be an important strategic partner in the future, even... our reliance. This matter... let's just let it pass." He spoke those last few words with great difficulty.

A cold light flickered in Xiang Wentian's eyes, and a murderous aura from the battlefield involuntarily radiated from his body, making the temperature in the office seem to drop a few degrees. "They are so arrogant, trampling on the dignity of our military region. If we don't make a statement, won't we be mocked by the whole world?"

"Xiao Tian," Chen Shutong spoke at the right moment, his voice steady, carrying the wisdom unique to an elder. "Political maneuvering doesn't rely entirely on fists. You must learn to assess the situation and have patience and wisdom." He gently waved his hand, signaling Xiang Wentian to pull back his aura.

Just then, the red secure telephone on Wang Dingbian's desk rang abruptly, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room.

Wang Dingbian frowned deeply, took a deep breath, and picked up the receiver, his voice returning to its usual dignity and steadiness: "This is Wang Dingbian, who is this?"

From the other end of the line came a young and confident male voice, with a faint smile: "General Wang, I have long heard of your great name!"

Wang Dingbian's gaze narrowed. He had a guess in his heart but still asked: "And you are...?"

"I am Jiang Xin." The other party reported his name frankly and then smiled, "I am calling today to formally invite your military to send a representative to my Longxing City for a talk."

"So it's Jiang Xin... my young friend," Wang Dingbian paused slightly on the words "young friend," his voice betraying no emotion, fully displaying the depth of a high-ranking official. "I, Wang, have also heard much of Commander-in-Chief Jiang's great name! I wonder what advice my young friend has for this invitation?" He deliberately used the word "advice," carrying a hint of subtle sarcasm.

Jiang Xin seemed not to notice the underlying meaning in the other's words and directly stated his intention, his tone peaceful yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness: "General Wang, I wouldn't dare offer advice. The incorporation of the Hongdu Military Region's forces is, after all, a major matter involving your former military sequence. I am inviting your military to send a representative to observe the ceremony, also hoping this matter can have a more satisfactory conclusion. I would appreciate it if your military could send a representative to bear witness." His words were clear: I've already done it; I'm just notifying you and asking you to be a witness. As for whether you agree, it's not under consideration.

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, with only the sound of Wang Dingbian's slightly heavy breathing audible. A few seconds later, Wang Dingbian's voice sounded again, devoid of emotion: "Fine! Since Commander-in-Chief Jiang has extended such a cordial invitation, I... will definitely send someone!"

"Then I, Jiang, shall await your arrival in Longxing City." After speaking, Jiang Xin hung up the phone decisively, without any further pleasantries.

"Clack!" Wang Dingbian slammed the receiver back onto the phone, his face so dark it looked like it could drip ink. He looked at Chen Shutong and Xiang Wentian and squeezed the words through his teeth: "Did you hear that, Old Chen? How is that an invitation? That was clearly a notification! An announcement!"

Chen Shutong shook his head with a bitter smile: "What else? Did you expect him to come to you for a report or instructions? Old Wang, wake up. Do we... still have that kind of status now?"

"Official Chen! General Wang!" Xiang Wentian again spoke, the fighting spirit burning in his Double Pupils. "I'll go this time! I want to see if this Longxing City is truly a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, and if that Zhang Lei really has three heads and six arms!"

"You..." Wang Dingbian looked at the eager Xiang Wentian and pondered for a moment. Sending Xiang Wentian would show the strength of the Eastern Military Region and perhaps provide an opportunity to test the depths of the Red Alert Legion and the true attitude of that Commander Jiang Xin.

"Very well!" Wang Dingbian finally made a decision and solemnly instructed, "You shall represent my Eastern Military Region. Remember, this trip is primarily for observing the ceremony and exchange. Mind your manners! Above all, consider the big picture!"

"Yes! Wentian understands!" Xiang Wentian cupped his fists in acceptance, the flame of challenge already burning in those Double Pupils. The trip to Longxing City was destined not to be peaceful.