81: The great leader of the Anti-Japanese War Army has arrived at his desired destination!

The global audience watching the Anti-War Army's massive relocation generally did not believe the Anti-War Army would move south, and there were logical reasons for this.

After relocating, the Anti-War Army would inevitably need to find an optimal new stronghold to prepare for a potential second attack by the U.S. Military in three months.

This stronghold would need to consider long-term viability and convenience.

Living in a climatically suitable zone is always preferable, and being near the sea, even with various blockades by the U.S. and Australia, would still offer opportunities for external supplies and aid to enter.

Therefore, the Kimberley Plateau to the west, Arnhem Land to the east, and Barkly Tableland to the southeast were all prime choices for the Anti-War Army's new stronghold.

But what would be south?

Thousands of kilometers of desolate desert and Gobi, uninhabited, completely unsuitable for living.

Are the Anti-War Army's high-ranking officials insane?

Did they intentionally choose a high-difficulty relocation site?

In Long Country Chess Master's live stream, netizens also raised this question.

Recently, Qi Ge proposed a new 'dual-horse carriage' theory and was very interested in the Anti-War Army, so he was naturally watching the Anti-War Army's relocation live stream.

Qi Ge had his own understanding regarding the netizens' doubts.

"Brothers, you must understand that what is easily recognizable to you is also easily recognizable to the American military."

"You immediately thought of the Kimberley Plateau, Arnhem Land, and Barkly Tableland; wouldn't the U.S. Military think of them immediately too?"

"With all due respect, none of these three regions are suitable as new strongholds."

"They are near the sea but are not true natural strongholds or defensive terrains. Although still habitable, there are few decent cities; Darwin City itself is the largest, perhaps even the only, city in the north."

"Even if the Anti-War Army reached those places, constructing a stronghold suitable for over ten thousand people to live, defend, and survive within three months would not be easy, as they lack the corresponding engineering capabilities."

"But moving south is different. The millions of square kilometers of desert and Gobi, if nothing else, at least offer immense strategic depth."

"Desert and Gobi areas are suitable for surprise attacks, concealment, and guerrilla warfare tactics, not for large-scale, long-distance advances by major forces."

"Imagine, once the three-month deadline is up and the U.S. Military attacks again, how much time would be spent on land marches alone, and how long would it take to transport the supplies needed for these desert marches?"

"So I must say, the leader of the Anti-War Army is far-sighted, choosing the most suitable route for long-term resistance!"

"Do you remember my previous 'dual-horse carriage' theory? The Anti-War Army, as one of the warhorses pulling the carriage, can only generate its due strategic value by engaging in long-term combat with the U.S. Military."

"The U.S. Military will suffer greatly later due to the Anti-War Army's strategy, haha."

However, some netizens were puzzled: "That's true, but no matter what tactics the Anti-War Army adopts later, it always needs a main stronghold, or a base camp, right? They can't just live as nomads in a vast, open desert, can they? If the American military fighter jets bomb them, wouldn't it all be over?"

"If they move south, where will they establish a stronghold?"

Qi Ge spread his hands: "Don't ask me that; ask the Anti-War Army themselves... I can only say that I have a location option in mind, but it's not appropriate to state it directly."

Subsequently, everyone became engrossed in watching this grand march of tens of thousands of people.

Heading south from Darwin City, the entire route followed a dilapidated main road, flanked by endless stretches of desert.

Although there were only a little over ten thousand people, with all the military equipment and supplies, the convoy stretched for several kilometers, a truly spectacular sight.

Many netizens felt that simply following the Anti-War Army's perspective and enjoying the natural scenery along the way was well worth the 'ticket price.'

Thus, the main force of the Anti-War Army spent four or five days, traveling over a thousand kilometers, and finally, for the first time, abruptly stopped before their scheduled rest time.

Clearly, they had reached their destination.

And upon seeing that location, Long Country Chess Master burst into laughter in his live stream.

"It really is the place I guessed!"

"Alice Springs—"

Alice Springs is almost the most central town in Australia, its location akin to a navel.

It is also the largest human settlement within the millions of square kilometers of desert.

Although this place has no springs and its climate conditions are not as naturally superior as the Kimberley Plateau and Arnhem Land, it is nonetheless a tourist destination, developed by people over a long period.

Alice Springs has a permanent population of over twenty thousand, and with tourists, it reaches only thirty thousand.

If the Anti-War Army were indeed to occupy this place, it would truly be a good choice.

However, the Anti-War Army's stop in front of Alice Springs was not directly because they intended to make it their new stronghold.

Instead, several rows of local residents appeared on the exit road of Alice Springs.

These residents used vehicles as roadblocks, obstructing the Anti-War Army's path. There were men and women, about a thousand of them, all armed, with their guns pointed at the main force, their intentions quite clear.

This formation, in the eyes of the Anti-War Army, who had just endured fierce battles with the U.S. Military and were now fully equipped, was quite childish and posed no threat.

Nevertheless, Fang Le dispatched a military vehicle to the front of this defensive line, requesting to speak with the person in charge, and then brought him back to the Anti-War Army.

Fang Le met the leader, a man with a handlebar mustache who introduced himself as the mayor of Alice Springs.

The man was clearly somewhat afraid, trembling, but forcing himself to maintain composure.

"Respected Commander-in-Chief of the Anti-War Army, I am Mayor Spring of Alice Springs. May I ask what your army's intentions are in coming here?"

Fang Le chuckled.

"Mayor Spring, don't worry, we mean no harm. We merely need to pass through your town, using the road in your town center. We will not linger, and have no other intentions."

Ah?

Mayor Spring was stunned.

He had originally thought that the Anti-War Army's ultimate destination would definitely be Alice Springs.

After all, it was the only decent human settlement in Australia's millions of square kilometers of desert and Gobi.

But now, the other party was saying they just wanted to pass through?

Mayor Spring stammered, repeatedly asking in disbelief:

"Your army, your army really isn't going to occupy Alice Springs? Just, just passing through?"

Fang Le explained with a smile: "The Anti-War Army isn't bandits; how could we occupy someone else's town without permission? We are truly just passing through and hope your town will allow us to proceed so that we can reach our desired destination before dark."

Upon receiving reassurance, Mayor Spring breathed a sigh of relief.

He had to believe Fang Le, because not believing would be useless.

He had only about a thousand people, primarily armed with hunting rifles and pistols; how could he resist over ten thousand regular troops with tanks, artillery, and machine guns?

They had, after all, fiercely battled the U.S. Military's main forces.

Ultimately, Mayor Spring yielded. After persuading his residents, he had them collectively move to both sides, nervously watching the passing large force.

The tanks, artillery, and heavy machine guns in the convoy astonished them.

Most surprisingly, there were at least four or five thousand prisoners in the convoy, dressed in U.S. Military uniforms.

No wonder this force dared to march openly on the roads for several days; with these prisoners, even if the U.S. wanted to bomb or ambush them, they wouldn't dare.

While passing through Alice Springs, Fang Le also observed the town's appearance up close.

By Long Country standards, the town's overall size was small, with few buildings exceeding four stories, similar to a remote rural town in Long Country.

However, its terrain was quite good; from a distance, one could see a ring of hills rising above the ground, making Alice Springs seem protected by mountains.

The convoy, several kilometers long, took over half an hour to completely pass through Alice Springs.

As they bid farewell, Fang Le pointedly remarked to Mayor Spring:

"Mayor Spring, we might become neighbors in the future. I hope we can live in harmony."

Mayor Spring was taken aback.

This entire region only had Alice Springs, which had been developed for a long time and was suitable for living.

What did Fang Le mean by "being neighbors"?

Did they still intend to settle in the Alice Springs area?

But if they left the town, how would they live?

They couldn't possibly build a new town, could they?

After passing through Alice Springs, Fang Le's main force moved slightly west and entered a rugged canyon area.

Both sides here were reddish, bare rock.

This was Fang Le's final marching destination.

—MacDonnell Ranges!