#216 - Chapter 216 Yan Zhengping was suspended

Southwest Military Region Headquarters.

"Councilman Yan, you've got some nerve! The army isn't your private force. Your unauthorized actions show utter disregard for the council!" Speaker Baili Ji questioned over the phone.

"Baili Ji, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. How have I acted without authorization?" Yan Zhengping retorted, his tone equally harsh.

"Hmph! Shen Tu Zheng Hao has already called me about it. Do you still want to deny it?" Baili Ji didn't dwell on his disrespect and continued his interrogation.

Yan Zhengping frowned. Why would Shen Tu Zheng Hao call Baili Ji? That's strange!

"Oh? What did he say?" Yan Zhengping asked.

"The military deployment along the Yangtze River is something you planned in secret, right? A joint operation involving four military regions, quite the grand scheme! It seems I should hand over my position as Speaker to you!" Baili Ji said sarcastically.

"That's right, I planned it! What do you intend to do about it?" Yan Zhengping simply stopped concealing the truth.

"Good that you admit it! I, in my capacity as Supreme Commander in wartime, hereby announce the temporary revocation of your position as Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Military Region, the removal of all your other council duties, and a suspension for reflection. The documents from the Military Affairs Department will be delivered shortly. Consider yourself warned!" With that, Baili Ji hung up the phone.

Yan Zhengping hung up the phone, sighed, and leaned back in his chair.

At that moment, he felt utterly drained.

The feeling was like a release, yet also like exhaustion.

Liu Feiying from the Military Affairs Department was shocked when he received the Speaker's order.

This was a council member, the Commander-in-Chief of the Southwest Military Region! To dismiss him just like that? Was this a joke?

Soon, he learned the truth.

It turned out that Yan Zhengping had bypassed the council and directly coordinated a joint military operation with the other three military regions. This was a major taboo! What difference was there between this and rebellion?

Suo Tonghua chose to directly ask Zong Zheng Yue for ammunition, but Shen Tu Zheng Hao was stubborn and directly asked the Speaker. This request directly led to Yan Zhengping's dismissal. Shen Tu Zheng Hao wasn't brainless; he simply wasn't afraid. What was there to fear? He was ready to fight if anyone disagreed!

Upon receiving the notification, Liu Feiying immediately called the Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast Military Regions to verify the situation.

Because the Military Affairs Department inherently included the function of military action reporting and approval, routine verification was within his purview.

Suo Tonghua of the Northeast Military Region and Zong Zheng Yue of the Southeast Military Region both denied the existence of such an operation. Only Shen Tu Zheng Hao of the Northwest Military Region didn't beat around the bush.

He not only confirmed the military operation but also demanded that the Military Affairs Department quickly arrange for weapons, ammunition, and aviation fuel.

This made Liu Feiying's head spin.

That blockhead was utterly brainless! What kind of time was this to be asking for supplies!

If everyone had denied it, he could have found a way to delay or mediate the situation.

But now that Yan Zhengping of the Southwest Military Region and Shen Tu Zheng Hao of the Northwest Military Region had both admitted it, he was helpless.

Soon, the document regarding Yan Zhengping's dismissal was sent to all council members.

Everyone was shocked.

Because each military region held a fixed seat, meaning the commander of each military region would concurrently serve as a council member, Yan Zhengping's dismissal meant that a new commander had to be appointed for the Southwest Military Region.

This news quickly spread among the upper circles of Kyoto. In this day and age, the position of military region commander was a lucrative one with real power. Obtaining this position meant that the entire family could survive well in this apocalypse. For a time, everyone's minds became active. The Military Affairs Department was flooded with visitors day and night, and Liu Feiying's head was about to explode.

"Ring, ring ~"

"Hello!"

"Old Yan! That Baili Ji really dared to make a move! What do we do now?" Zong Zheng Yue said on the other end of the phone.

He had received the notification and immediately called Yan Zhengping.

"Continue to defend the Yangtze River line according to the previous plan," Yan Zhengping said calmly.

"This isn't a long-term solution. Without the support of the council, ammunition will be difficult to sustain!" Zong Zheng Yue was very troubled.

Why was only Yan Zhengping dismissed, while the commanders of the Southeast, Northeast, and Northwest Military Regions didn't even receive a punishment?

That was because Yan Zhengping had convened a military conference in private, violating the council's laws, which constituted a serious political problem. The other three military regions had only mobilized subordinate combat units of the headquarters and had not violated any laws. Moreover, they had the right to directly mobilize subordinate combat units without reporting to the Military Affairs Department. Furthermore, given the current situation, excessively broad punishments could negatively impact morale.

Even if the other three military regions continued to patrol the Yangtze River coast, the council wouldn't say anything. As long as this task was treated as an internal affair of each military region, it would be fine. However, in that case, they still wouldn't be able to obtain corresponding ammunition supplies from the Military Affairs Department.

"I'm trying to find a way to get weapons and ammunition. Just hold on for now," Yan Zhengping said.

"Alright then!" Zong Zheng Yue replied.

With Yan Zhengping's words, Zong Zheng Yue felt much more at ease. At least Yan Zhengping hadn't been affected by this.