Chapter 465

Looking at the silent, head-down Wangjiang Military Region commander Gao Wang, everyone's thoughts began to diverge.

Gao Wang originally had no qualification to attend this meeting, but his subordinate Wangjiang Military Region reported news of Lin An, and had even tracked him nearby not long ago.

That is why he now has the qualification to attend this meeting.

Or rather, an interrogation.

"Comrade Gao Wang, has the Wangjiang Military Region not sent back any news yet?"

"Isn't your efficiency too slow?"

"Or perhaps..."

With a hostile tone, Luofeng swept past Lin Zhan and fixed a fierce stare on Gao Wang sitting in the corner.

He could do nothing about Nie Ping, but that doesn't mean he can't handle Gao Wang.

What's wrong with the commander?

A commander of a remote region, with no military authority, no backing, and even the superiors intend to send someone to replace him.

Therefore, Luofeng also doesn't care about his tone.

After the Wangjiang Military Region reported news of Lin An, they immediately ordered Gao Wang to command a full-scale search.

But as of now, no news has come back.

The situation is pressing.

Gao Wang forced himself to stay calm, lifted his head indifferently and looked at Luofeng:

"The Wangjiang Military Region has limited forces; the scout team we sent out, tracking the zombie horde's movements— that is, the horde suspected of attacking Long'an Base— encountered an accident."

"So far, the scout team has not sent back any information, but I have already ordered Wang Meng to dispatch additional personnel to continue the search."

"As soon as we receive any news of Lin An, the Wangjiang Military Region will immediately relay it."

His voice was calm, as if the facts were exactly as he said.

As a veteran oil-slick who has been through the military for many years, his basic psychological quality remains.

For a moment, Luofeng could not tell whether Gao Wang's words were true or false.

In the brief silence, Gao Wang's heart was far from as calm as he appeared.

First, the Wangjiang Military Region had already sent back news, and had even seen Lin An himself.

Second...

Chu An!

When Chu An contacted him, he decisively revealed his identity.

General Chu An! A hidden giant of the military!

As a military officer Gao Wang, he could naturally tell that Chu An's identity was genuine, and he vaguely knew that the military indeed had the Huaxia-An plan in existence.

Therefore, after reading Chu An's returned message, he chose to temporarily conceal Lin An's information.

The reason is simple.

It was only because of that chilling sentence in Chu An's message.

(You... aren't you somewhat doubtful, wondering why the Capital Military Region would convene a military region meeting in advance before the Apocalypse outbreak, effectively detaining you in the capital?)

That's right...

These days, Gao Wang has privately met many commanders from other military regions.

Everyone carries the same question: why did the Capital Military Region suddenly convene a military region meeting half a year early, and forcibly demand all commanders to rush to the capital?

In the past, when some regions were remote or military affairs were busy, they could still send representatives to attend.

But this time, they cannot!

Across the entire Huaxia theater, all sixty-four major military regions and twelve reserve military region commanders are present; even sending deputies is not allowed.

If the Apocalypse had not broken out, they would not feel there is a problem, at most feeling some suspicion.

But as some news has spread, they cannot help but think of certain things.

The Capital Military Region's conduct is truly too bizarre.

No matter how you look at it, it seems like...

Gathering power, exerting control, preventing military regions from becoming independent!

Even... purging!

After the news of the Capital Military Region replacing a certain military region commander was subtly released, everyone felt uneasy.

It is absurd, yet realistic.

Where there are people, there will be struggle, and there will be factions.

Under the Apocalypse, guns and troops are the capital for survival.

The Capital Military Region wants to survive, and so do the other military regions.

If it were not for the Capital side occupying the moral high ground, plus the inertia of obedience before the Apocalypse, it is hard to say how many military regions would be willing to offer suicidal assistance.

Neutral faction, military faction, political faction.

The three major factions are opposed to each other, and within each faction there are many independent lineages.

Under the surging undercurrents, someone like him—a commander of a remote region with no backing—found everyone feeling insecure for a time.

It is not that they think of splitting or are unwilling to contribute to the country.

The problem lies in... who counts as that... state?

You count the four major military regions as Huaxia's military, but do my other military regions not count?

You ask me to sacrifice my troops, to block the zombies for you, to look after the greater good.

Then am I not part of the greater good?

We are all Huaxia's children; why should I be the one to die? Why should the millions, even tens of millions of survivors under my protection, deserve to die?

Under such covert struggle, the Capital Military Region's approach was also extremely decisive.

Gaowang glanced at Lin Zhan on the main seat, his heart heavy.

A week ago, a Military Region defied orders.

It couldn't be called rebellion; one could only say that Military Region simply couldn't mobilize Awakened Ones for support.

But.

The ending is chilling.

The Capital Military Region spared no expense, forcibly deploying the Aerospace Forces, parachuting in commanders, and replacing personnel on the spot.

Troops were purged, and high-level officials were newly installed to control the Military Region.

To the point that he dared not believe that news...

The original commander's family and direct lineage... all vanished...

In the rumors, behind the Military Region commander who defied orders lies a high-level figure from one of the three major factions, but the order to replace personnel came from another high-level figure.

The struggle behind it is chilling.

Although Gaowang could understand the meaning behind the Capital's actions.

It is nothing more than the Capital not allowing any accidents to occur, nor allowing morale to be shaken.

Even if such thunderbolt measures, like something out of a fantasy before the Apocalypse, must be taken to deter other Military Regions and prevent any other thoughts from arising.

If it were him, perhaps he would do the same.

But, if it were done to himself, he would not accept it in ten thousand ways.

I, Gaowang, can die, can sacrifice myself for the country!

But I don't want to die in factional strife, becoming a sacrificial pawn!

On the main seat, Lin Zhan waved his hand, signaling Luofeng to sit down, then fixed his gaze on Gaowang and spoke in a low voice:

«Comrade Gaowang. »

«Lin An is of great importance; I hope you can truly give it your all. »

«I can speak plainly. »

«Even if the Wangjiang Military Region is wiped out, I want you to find Lin An's exact location. »

«I believe you also saw the public opinion in the chat channel. »

«The evaluation of Lin An is improving, after all, with two consecutive global announcements, and even succeeding in building a city ahead of us. »

«There are many caring people, and many people with ideas. »

«As long as he doesn't show up or take any action, it's fine... but once he harbors ulterior motives.. »

«No! This person definitely has ulterior motives! »

«Have you considered the consequences? »

A naked threat and counterquestion.

Nie Ping is a high-level figure among the neutral faction who rarely has objections to Lin An.

Whatever Nie Ping's words just now, whether they were a veiled jab at Luofeng or not, he definitely said something to Gaowang.

Thus, Lin Zhan naturally has reason to suspect, to suspect that Gaowang is hiding something.

If it weren't for the Lingjiang Military Region near Long'an Base mysteriously losing contact, and only the Wangjiang Military Region having the capability to find Lin An, he would have already issued a compulsory order to Gaowang, even stripping him of military authority.

Gaowang's heart tightened, and he could only force himself to stay calm.

He understood the meaning behind Lin Zhan's words.

Recently, the high level explained their reluctance to use the Aerospace Forces, fearing that monsters in the corpse tide would pose too great a threat to them.

That statement is half true, half false.

But Gaowang has no doubt; the most important point is...

The Aerospace Forces controlled by the Capital are an important trump card for them to dominate other Military Regions!