258: Clouds move in all directions

Eastern Military Region

Inside an office at the Eastern Military Region headquarters, permeated with the faint scent of tea and a serious atmosphere.

City Mayor mentioned later put down a report about the blocked technical cooperation with the Red Alert Legion, rubbed his brow, and turned his gaze toward Xiang Wentian, who stood like a spear beside the desk, his face still showing some defiance. His voice was not loud, but it carried a tone of instruction:

"Xiao Tian, last time you acted on your own and caused a scene at the commissioning ceremony in Longxing City, causing the relationship that could have been eased to suddenly become tense. The impact of this matter is far more serious than you think. The anti-virus serum technology in their hands, those advanced pieces of equipment we urgently need... all of them might be shelved because of your impulsive actions." City Mayor mentioned later's eyes were sharp as knives, piercing straight at Xiang Wentian, "This time, you are coming with me. Not to show off your might, but to apologize and mend the relationship. Do you understand?"

Hearing this, the veins on Xiang Wentian's neck throbbed slightly, and his fists instinctively clenched until his knuckles turned white. He opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to defend against Zhang Lei's arrogance that day and his own "grievance," but in the end, he only squeezed out a few words: "Commander Chen, I..."

"No need to say more." City Mayor mentioned later raised his hand to interrupt, his tone brooking no argument, "No one in the military region questions your strength. But as a future leader who needs to stand on his own, brute courage alone is far from enough. A superior needs to have the tolerance to accept others and, more importantly, understand how to assess the situation and weigh the pros and cons. Your temperament needs to be properly tempered."

Beside him, Commander Wang Dingbian also put down the documents he was reviewing. He was burly and possessed a natural aura of authority, his voice deep like a bell: "Old Chen is right. Xiao Tian, you must learn to gather people's hearts and grasp the general trend. You are a descendant of the Hegemon-King of Western Chu; you shouldn't just inherit his pride and bravery, but also learn his magnanimity and strategy—even if you lose in the end, it should be done with dignity. This time, watch more and speak less. Follow Commander Chen and learn well how to deal with people, especially those who are powerful and might become allies."

Feeling the earnestness and majesty in the eyes of the two chiefs, the arrogance in Xiang Wentian's chest was finally suppressed a bit. He took a deep breath, relaxed his fists, let his stiff body loosen slightly, and lowered his eyes: "Yes! I understand. I will follow the arrangements of the two Commanders. This time... I will definitely watch my words and actions."

...Southern Military Region

At the Southern Military Region's Rongcheng Base, the window of Commander Zhou Keming's office was wide open, and a slightly salty sea breeze dispersed some of the smoke in the room. He handed a special-supply cigarette to Yang Zhen across from him, lit one for himself, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled a lingering ring of smoke.

"Old Yang, Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei have been officially commissioned as Major Generals, and the National Government has established the Xiang-Gan-E Joint Military Region. This is clearly intended to set them up as the pillars of the southeast. For both public and private reasons, we should send someone there. It's both a congratulation and a way to consolidate our relationship. During the last Lingnan Campaign, they were a huge help." Commander Zhou Keming looked at Yang Zhen through the smoke.

Yang Zhen took the cigarette, lit it skillfully, and nodded with a sincere smile on his face: "We should go. Without them, we don't know how long we would have had to struggle or how much more blood we would have shed for Mei City, Mei City, and Phoenix City. We must remember this favor and let them know we remember it. I'll make this trip."

"Mhm." Commander Zhou Keming flicked the ash, his eyes shifting slightly, "Let that girl Xiao Yu escort you. She has dealt with Jiang Xin a few times, so she's a familiar face, and it'll be easier for her to talk."

Hearing this, a glint like that of an old fox flashed in Yang Zhen's eyes. He laughed heartily and lowered his voice: "Old Zhou, I think we could... play matchmaker while we're at it? This kid Jiang Xin is young, commands a massive army, and governs a whole region; his future is limitless. If my granddaughters weren't either too young or already... hmph, I'd want to go propose the match myself!"

Commander Zhou Keming was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh as well, pointing at Yang Zhen: "You, Old Yang, always full of 'sly' ideas! However..." He retracted his smile, looking thoughtful, "In this world, strength is respected. Marriage has been one of the most direct ways to consolidate alliances since ancient times. I heard there is a woman named Jiang Feifei by his side, and their relationship is quite close. But with the post-war order being rebuilt and the population structure imbalanced, many bases have adopted a new... flexible understanding of the marriage system to restore the population and reward merit. With Jiang Xin's status and achievements, having a few more confidantes is within the realm of reason."

"Haha, great minds think alike!" Yang Zhen clapped his hands and laughed, "Then this matter... who will break the news to Xiao Yu? That girl has high standards; I'm afraid most people won't be able to persuade her."

Commander Zhou Keming stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray with a playful smile: "Me? I'm not going to court that disaster. Old Zheng's silver tongue can talk the dead back to life; let him go! He's the most suitable for this kind of 'ideological and political work'."

The two looked at each other and laughed knowingly, as if they could already see a beautiful blueprint beneficial to the future of the Southern Military Region... Western Theater Command.

Western Theater Command, the core conference room of the Chengdu Base. Senior military officers with stars on their shoulders and high-ranking civil officials sat on both sides of a long conference table. The atmosphere was serious, carrying a sense of scrutiny and weighing of options.

Theater Command Commander Deng Bangguo spoke first, his voice steady: "Everyone, you all know the latest resolution from the National Government. The Xiang-Gan-E Joint Military Region has been established, with Jiang Xin of the Red Alert Legion as the Commander-in-Chief and Zhang Lei as the Deputy. Let's hear everyone's thoughts on this."

Theater Command Vice Commander Fu Zhengnan adjusted his glasses and said slowly: "The intention is very clear. The vast area of South China and south of Central China has been reshuffled by the apocalypse. Currently, the Red Alert Legion is indeed the one with the most strength and potential to integrate all parties and form an effective governing and counter-offensive force. Establishing a joint military region and granting it the legitimate title of a regional command can greatly reduce internal friction and accelerate the process of reclaiming lost territory in the entire direction south of Central China. From the perspective of the big picture, the National Government has taken a steady and precise step."

The Army Commander of the military region chimed in, his tone carrying a hint of envy and pragmatism: "I see it as going with the flow, plus... wining them over. The batch of tesla tanks and apocalypse tanks we imported have performance far exceeding expectations, greatly enhancing our ability to crack tough positions. Their mechs that they refuse to sell, as well as those aerospace fighters with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities and Plasma Beam Cannons... their technological level is at least an era ahead of our existing system. Befriending such a power brings a hundred benefits and not a single harm."

Governor Wen Changhua, as a second-level official of the National Government, had broader information channels. He added a key piece of information in a deep voice: "I'm afraid it's not just a technological lead. According to reliable sources, Xiang Wentian of the Eastern Military Region—the one known as the 'Hegemon' and a third-stage awakener of the Hegemon-King of Western Chu's heroic spirit—suffered a great loss at the hands of the Red Alert Legion recently. He was publicly taught a lesson by Zhang Lei and reportedly... was defeated quite decisively, with almost no power to fight back. The high-end individual combat strength of this Red Alert Legion is unfathomable."

As soon as these words were spoken, a slight sound of gasping echoed in the conference room. Top Expert of the Western Military Region, who was sitting not far below Wen Changhua—a woman with a beautiful face but a cold temperament—slightly raised her eyes.

"Governor Wen," Top Expert of the Western Military Region's voice was clear as a spring, yet it carried an imperceptible sharp edge, "Is that Zhang Lei really as strong as the rumors say? I have heard of Xiang Wentian's strength."

Wen Changhua looked at her, his tone certain: "A few months ago, Zhang Lei sparred with Lü Yan, the 'reincarnated lu bu' of the Central Military Region, in Kyoto, and it ended in a draw. However, Xiang Wentian's encounter this time was a genuine, crushing defeat. Ziyu, you are the pride of our West; you should know that there is always someone better. You must not follow in his footsteps and act solely on bravado."

Top Expert of the Western Military Region shook her head slightly, a solemn expression on her beautiful face: "Rest assured, Governor Wen, Ziyu is not a person who loves to fight for the sake of it. However, I learned from Nangong Yu of the Southern Military Region that the one who is truly unfathomable in the Red Alert Legion is likely that Commander, Jiang Xin. According to Nangong Yu's description, his strength... is far above hers." She paused, "If that's true, the overall strength level of this Red Alert Legion is staggering."

Deng Bangguo leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples, his tone carrying emotion and a hint of helplessness: "Top-tier personal martial force, group technology beyond the era... How do they seem to have seized all the 'advantages'? Just what is the origin of this Red Alert Legion?"

Wen Changhua made a joke to find joy in the hardship: "It couldn't be like some of the soldiers are blindly spreading, that they picked up an alien base, right? Haha!"

Jokes aside, reality was before them. Deng Bangguo tapped the table and summarized: "In any case, the rise of the Red Alert Legion is a foregone conclusion and unstoppable. Jiang Xin and Zhang Lei, though young, are bound to be major figures governing a region and influencing the nation's fate with such strength and achievements. For this commissioning ceremony, our Western Theater Command must send someone of sufficient weight. It's both a matter of etiquette and an opportunity to observe, contact, and establish a connection. Who do you think is suitable to go?"

Everyone's eyes drifted among several senior generals. At this moment, Top Expert of the Western Military Region spoke again. She stood up, her posture as upright as an orchid, a confident and calm smile blooming on her beautiful face: "Commander Deng, Governor Wen, everyone. Ziyu is very curious about these 'Twin Heroes of the Apocalypse' who rose from insignificance but managed to build such a foundation in the end times. For this ceremony, may I lead the team? It would also allow us to see for ourselves what kind of atmosphere this Red Alert Legion truly possesses."

Deng Bangguo and Wen Changhua exchanged a look, seeing the approval in each other's eyes.

Having Top Expert of the Western Military Region lead the team would show respect and allow for a certain level of exchange; she was indeed the best candidate. Moreover, Top Expert of the Western Military Region had another identity: she was the granddaughter of Qin Guoqiang, China's wartime Commander-in-Chief, and the most outstanding third-generation child of the Qin Family, a top-tier clan in China.

"Good!" Deng Bangguo made the final decision, "Since you have this intention, Ziyu, you will represent our Western Theater Command and head to Hongdu. Watch more, listen more, and make more friends."