181: Chapter 181 A Million Points to Build a National Defense Force, Southeast Asia Tremble!

"We have a navy now, and the air force cannot be left behind."

Zhang Cheng cast his gaze toward the sky.

Although the previous "Natural Disaster" Brigade was powerful, it mainly consisted of helicopters.

To truly compete for air superiority, one still had to rely on jet fighters.

"Redeem! Two squadrons of J-10 soaring dragon stealth fighters (system-modified version, compatible with American ammunition)! A total of 24 aircraft! Unit price 10,000 points, total cost 240,000!"

"Add a regiment of H-6K long-range bombers! I want our deterrent power to cover a radius of two thousand kilometers! Cost 100,000!"

With this shopping spree, one million points were spent like water.

Zhang Cheng kept the remaining less than two million for a major purpose—the true "nation-protecting divine artifacts."

"Redeem! Rocket Force package!"

Zhang Cheng's eyes became incredibly sharp.

"Give me 20 DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile launchers! Let's see who dares to bring an aircraft carrier to my doorstep to throw their weight around in the future!"

"Give me 20 DF-17 hypersonic missile launchers! Specifically designed to cure any air defense systems that refuse to submit!"

Another several hundred thousand points were spent.

Looking at the remaining two million or so in his balance, Zhang Cheng let out a long sigh of relief.

Although he was back to pre-liberation levels overnight, the feeling—was truly satisfying!

"Master, where should these pieces of equipment... be deployed?"

Old K's voice remained calm, seemingly long accustomed to the Master's "extravagant" behavior.

"All naval equipment is to be deployed at the secret base in Kyaukpyu Port and the Mergui Archipelago.

I have already had the engineering battalion clear it out in advance; to the outside world, we will say it is a deep-water port project aided by the Dragon Kingdom."

Zhang Cheng walked to the map and pointed his finger heavily at the coastline.

"The air force will be dispersed and deployed at the three major air bases in Mandalay, Naypyidaw, and Yangon.

As for the Rocket Force..." A trace of craftiness flashed in Zhang Cheng's eyes, "Hide them in the underground fortifications of the Bago Mountains.

That is our final trump card; we will not unsheathe our swords unless absolutely necessary.

But once we do, heads will roll!"

"Yes!" Old K acknowledged the order and was about to withdraw.

"Wait." Zhang Cheng called him back, "There is one more thing."

"Please instruct me."

"At tomorrow's meeting, bring along those 'people' who were just redeemed."

Zhang Cheng's mouth curved slightly upward, "Equipment is inanimate, but people are living.

We need not only ships and cannons, but also generals capable of commanding these steel beasts!"

"System, summon!"

Following Zhang Cheng's final thought, the remaining points jumped again.

[Consumed 500,000 points, summoned 500 senior naval commanders and technical personnel!]

[Consumed 500,000 points, summoned 500 senior air force pilots and ground crew teams!]

[Consumed 200,000 points, summoned 200 missile technical experts and operators!]

The light faded.

Zhang Cheng looked at the rising sun outside the window, an unprecedented sense of heroic pride surging in his heart.

Now, what he held in his hands was no longer a guerrilla force, nor was it the private army of a warlord, but the true Defense Forces of a sovereign state!

This force was enough to make Southeast Asia tremble, make the USA look on with respect, and make the Dragon Kingdom... completely at ease.

"Min Aung Hlaing, Bao Youxiang, watch closely from the underground."

Zhang Cheng sneered into the void, "Everything you dreamed of having, I have obtained overnight!"

...

The next day, Naypyidaw.

The original Parliament Building had now been converted into the Ministry of Defense building.

Early in the morning, the area around the building was heavily guarded, with guards stationed every three steps and sentries every five.

Passersby felt an unusual and murderous aura.

Off-road vehicles with black military license plates roared in one after another; those who stepped out were all big shots with general's stars on their shoulders.

Zhao Yuxun, Lei Zhen, Lin Xiao, Gao Zhengxiong, Wang Yuanshan, Night Owl... these veteran generals who had followed Zhang Cheng through battles north and south were all in high spirits and glowing with health.

But when they walked into the conference room and saw the few unfamiliar faces sitting on Zhang Cheng's left, they were stunned.

Those people were wearing navy white uniforms and air force blue uniforms that they had never seen before.

Although they didn't speak, the arrogance and professional demeanor that permeated from their very bones made this bunch of army bumpkins instinctively feel—the newcomers were not to be trifled with; these were all ruthless characters!

Zhang Cheng sat in the main seat, watching the group of arrogant and fierce generals staring at each other, and tapped on the table.

"Sit down, all of you! Why are you staring with your eyes so wide? Haven't you seen a handsome man before?"

The room burst into laughter.

The atmosphere eased slightly.

Zhang Cheng put away his smile, his expression turning serious: "I called everyone here today for one thing—to divide the family property! Oh no, it's reorganization!"

"Our territory is larger now, and the previous guerrilla-style fighting methods won't work anymore.

We must establish a regular, modern Defense Forces capable of fighting world-class wars!"

"Now I order!"

Everyone stood up, the sound of boots clicking together in perfect unison.

"Establish the 'Federation of Myanmar Defense Forces'! I, Zhang Cheng, assume the position of Supreme Commander of the Navy, Army, Air Force, and Rocket Force!"

"Under my command are four major military branches!"

Zhang Cheng's voice was like a great bell, ringing so loudly that everyone's eardrums were buzzing.

"First, the Army!"

In the conference room, the air seemed to solidify; only Zhang Cheng's voice echoed, every word nailing itself into everyone's hearts.

"The Army is our starting capital and also the anchor that stabilizes this land!"

Zhang Cheng's eyes were like torches as he looked at Zhao Yuxun.

"Zhao Yuxun!"

"Present!" Zhao Yuxun snapped to attention, his body standing as straight as a javelin.

"I appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, with the rank of General!

The previous 'Titan' Division, 'Lightning' Brigade, and 'Hurricane' Brigade are all to be broken up and reorganized!

We are not short of people or guns now; expand the force for me!"

Zhang Cheng pointed to the big screen behind him, which displayed the new organizational chart of the Army.

"The Army will have five group armies, each stationed in the five major war zones of East, West, South, North, and Central!

The First Group Army, which is our ace Imperial Guard, will be stationed in Naypyidaw and Mandalay, equipped with the finest M1A2 tanks and heavy infantry fighting vehicles, and you will concurrently serve as the Corps Commander!

I want to forge it into an Iron Fist; whoever dares to wield a knife at our heart, you are to smash their hand!"

"The Second and Third Group Armies will be stationed at the Shan State Plateau and the Salween River defense line, respectively, focusing on mountain infantry and rapid reaction forces, equipped with 'stryker' and helicopters.

Guard the eastern gate and the northern gate for me!"

"The Fourth and Fifth Group Armies will be stationed in Yangon and the southern coast, responsible for beachhead defense and urban stability.

The total strength of the Army will be expanded to 300,000!"

"300,000?!"

The generals below gasped.

One had to know that at Min Aung Hlaing's peak, he claimed to have an army of 500,000, but in reality, only about 100,000 were combat-capable, with the rest just collecting paychecks.

Zhang Cheng's 300,000 were real, solid, elite Death Soldiers plus local troops baptized by the flames of war!

"What? You think it's too many?" Zhang Cheng raised an eyebrow, "Our territory borders the Dragon Kingdom to the north, India to the west, Thailand and Laos to the east, and the sea to the south.

Without this many people, how can we hold down the fort?"

"Not many! Not many! Just right!" Zhao Yuxun was so excited his face turned red.

The command of a 300,000-strong army—this was worth a lifetime!

"Sit down!" Zhang Cheng waved his hand and turned his gaze to the few unfamiliar faces wearing blue uniforms.

"Next, the Air Force!"

A tall, thin middle-aged man with eyes as sharp as an eagle's stood up.

His name was Gao Yunfei, the ace Air Force commander whom Zhang Cheng had just redeemed with 500,000 points.