Chapter 511: with translation of chapter title

Inside the Huanjiang Military Region.

The regiment commander who had just rushed back from outside the front line hurried straight to the command room, filled with shock and anger.

He had no time for military courtesy.

He snatched off his cap and rushed up to the commander:

"Absurd!"

"Commander! Are the higher-ups crazy!?"

"Putting us under Lin An's command!? What kind of joke is this!!"

Furious beyond restraint.

After receiving such news, he rushed back in utter haste, racking his brains but still unable to figure out what was going on.

Just a few minutes ago the capital was issuing orders to annihilate Long An, and the next second it was a "commendation".

Letting a private force command all of Huanjiang's three provinces?

This is truly preposterous.

Nothing like this has ever happened since the founding of the nation!

"Watch your language!"

"Zhao Jun!"

"What the higher-ups decide is not for you and me to say!"

Inside the command room, the white-uniformed staff officer's face darkened, looking somewhat displeased at the regiment commander who had burst in.

That is, out of consideration for Zhao Jun's anxious state of mind; otherwise, based solely on the words he blurted out, the Military Region could have punished him.

He performed a stiff salute, Zhao Jun stared fixedly at his superior, hoping to get an explanation.

The commander named Zhou Tianming, seeing the mud still on his body, realized that this regiment commander of his had probably just rushed back from the "Modern Safe Zone".

He sighed inwardly, inevitably recalling what the old chief had told him an hour earlier.

Indeed, just like Wang Meng, he is also an acting commander.

The original chief of the Huanjiang Military Region also remained in the capital and cannot return.

He harbored the same doubt, even more agitated than Zhao Jun at this moment, and "questioned" the old chief: what exactly do the higher-ups mean?

This is no longer merely bowing to Lin An; it's practically being slapped on the left cheek and then offered the right.

Putting it seriously, this is practically a loss of sovereignty and national humiliation.

They had painstakingly built up the Modern Safe Zone they supported, which is now gone—not to mention the two props serving as their trump cards, which Lin An took away after the battle.

The losses are severe.

Between the two sides, let alone any official-surface hatred.

Just this matter alone makes him grit his teeth in hatred whenever he thinks of it.

Lin An, too ruthless!

But the old chief, hearing his questioning, merely remained silent for a moment, then gave a vague reply:

" (The orders from above, you must not question.)"

" (If we had a way, we would not be willing to make such a decision.)"

" (From today on, you must not only accept Long An's command, but also fully cooperate with them...)"

Finally, the old chief gave a desolate, bitter laugh, his words seemingly carrying another meaning:

" (We are many; sometimes it may not be Lin An "commanding" you...)"

After the call ended, up to now he has been completely in the dark.

In the back of his mind, he also roughly guessed what had happened on the capital's side...

Lin An...

He must have used some means to threaten the capital, such that the higher-ups could only choose this way to salvage the situation.

Just as when Pan Zhen carved out a fiefdom in history, the central empire, to maintain the appearance of its system, could only hold its nose and accept the "rebels".

At least, saying it out loud sounds somewhat better.

As for the old chief's later remarks, perhaps he hopes that we will infiltrate the enemy's interior?

But...

He let out a deep sigh.

Lin An's methods are truly ruthless.

Even the nominal command authority was "commended" to him; anyone with half a brain knows he will surely throw the entire Huanjiang three provinces' forces into chaos, making control easier.

By then, who knows whether the Huanjiang Military Region will still be able to maintain its intact organization.

After a long silence, Acting Commander Zhou Tianming slowly exhaled:

"Orders are orders."

"Soldiers... to obey orders is their heavenly duty!"

"This matter, there's no need to argue further!"

Inside the command room, everyone's eyes showed sorrow and indignation.

At this moment, they felt as if they had been abandoned, like that pawn discarded by the capital.

Long An Base, soldiers arranged in ten rows stood neatly on the drill field.

Awaiting orders.

A cold wind drifted lightly.

Lin An looked somewhat surprised at the chat channel, which was again flooded with explosive messages.

He turned his head toward Colonel Chu, unable to help asking softly:

What exactly did you say to the capital side?

If you don't give us three provinces' command authority, we'll perish together, directly activate the meme?

Such a crazy thing, Colonel Chu could pull it off.

No.

I'm not that stupid yet.

Chu An calmly glanced at the frenzied look, stared at Lin An's base members, and lightly replied:

I just sent over a few more props.

I just had Li Xingwen forge 10 broadcast permits.

Lin An, upon hearing that, was stunned and couldn't help but find it funny.

No wonder.

10 broadcast permits mean 10 disaster weapons; no wonder the capital side reacted so quickly.

It seems they were genuinely frightened.

However.

Lin An sighed, slightly furrowed his brows:

The capital, under the guise of a reward, giving us three provinces' command authority is not a good thing.

These clever people, their methods are quite clever.

A hot potato...

Gao Tian, standing aside, hadn't yet recovered from the 'reward', looking at Lin An with astonishment.

"Lin Dui? What does that mean?"

Giving us three provinces' command authority, isn't that a good thing? Doesn't it indicate the capital has completely abandoned the Three Rivers Provinces and chosen compromise?

With an official title, subduing other forces will be too easy!

He was somewhat excited.

He, Gao Tian, never imagined that one day he could reach this position.

Barring surprises, from today onward, Long'an Base outwardly appears to have an official status comparable to that of the four major military regions!

As one of its members, and having earned Lin An's deep trust, this translates to...

If it were before the apocalypse, he would practically be a commander of a force, and a high-ranking one at that.

Now in the chat channel, many Awakened Ones skilled at flattery, trying to curry favor with Lin An, call him Commander of the Three Armies, Governor of the Three Rivers!

Although it's the apocalypse, these titles are empty, but they're indeed impressive!

Consequently, Gao Tian even finds the capital side more pleasing to the eye.

Lin An laughed and shook his head, he could feel everyone's excitement.

It's not that simple.

First, the command authority over the Three Rivers Provinces sounds like a reward, but in reality?

The Linjiang Military Region has disappeared; I suspect they were attacked by at least a third-rank mutant, or a meme, or a special event.

This means the command authority of the Linjiang Military Region simply doesn't exist.

Second, the Wangjiang Military Region is already in our pocket; the capital side, hostile to our faction, also knows which way the Three Rivers Military Region leans.

Even if he doesn't give it to me, I will take the Wangjiang Military Region.

So, this basically amounts to not giving it.

And as for the Three Rivers Military Region...

Lin An's eyes showed thought as he glanced at Chu An.

Colonel Chu recently briefly told him the information he knew.

The Three Rivers Military Region itself already has trouble.

They have encountered an extremely troublesome supernatural incident...