Chapter 2521 Martial Law
The entire meeting fell silent for a moment, with only the gazes and shallow breathing of each person remaining on the channel.
Zhang Yi spoke, his tone indifferent.
"Let me make this clear from the outset. As long as Tianhai City is not under direct threat, and as long as I can mobilize personnel and fleets, I will do my best to provide support to any region that needs it. And it will be the kind of support that can solve the problem, not just for show."
A circle of people on the screen nodded in unison, and praise followed.
"With you here, I feel at ease."
"Huaxu Kingdom was able to survive this crisis because of you."
"The title 'backbone' is not given lightly."
Everyone's faces were filled with relaxed smiles. Being able to cling to Zhang Yi's powerful backing made them feel much more at ease.
Upon closer reflection, in the five years following the apocalypse, ever since Zhang Yi rose to power, it was he who had been supporting the Huaxu Kingdom's progress.
Hou Tu cannot leave her homeland, and the top experts in other regions are not up to par. Every time, she has to rely on Zhang Yi.
Zhang Yi laughed and narrowed his eyes: "Alright, but from now on you'll have to listen to me completely."
The air in the room paused for a moment. Several channels went silent simultaneously, eyes met, and hesitation was written on every face.
Zhang Yi didn't press the issue, but instead adopted a reasonable tone: "I won't take your positions, nor will I concern myself with your livelihoods or taxes. What I want is a unified wartime command chain—intelligence received from the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Sky and Sea, combat orders reorganized and broken up according to war zones, and emergency plans executed with a single click."
"You can retain your civil administration, economic rights, and independent training rights. But once wartime response begins, if I say east, don't go west."
If it weren't for the fact that they belong to the same country and that Zhang Yi needed their contributions when necessary, he wouldn't bother with them at all.
Most of these guys are just holding him back.
It's laughable that someone would still expect to enjoy his protection without giving anything in return.
At the very least, one must offer their loyalty and act as a good subordinate.
Zhang Yi leaned back on the sofa and made his point clear.
"If you want my help, you must follow the same orders. Huaxu has been divided into six regions for too long, each with its own agenda, which is dangerous in the current situation."
"I'm not forcing you; I'll give you time to respond."
The subtext is that if you don't want to follow my orders, then there's no need for me to support you.
After all, things are different now. Zhang Yi no longer needs anything from the six regions; instead, the six regions are eager to get closer to him.
No one responded. The senior officials of the six regions looked very hesitant, as if they found it hard to accept losing their supreme power.
Zhang Yi didn't take it seriously and said indifferently, "That's all for now, meeting adjourned."
One by one, the lights on the screens went out, and the city lights and night once again filled the glass edges of the conference room.
……
The Shengjing Regional Command Center was brightly lit, the light reflecting on everyone's faces. Meng Yuanjun, Houtu, Shang Daowen, and several senior staff officers had shifting expressions.
Meng Yuanjun placed his military cap on the corner of the table and turned to Houtu and Shang Daowen: "What are your opinions on what Chaos said?"
Houtu replied without hesitation, "I agree with his proposal. A unified command during wartime will save time spent probing each other. Our city defense network and underground network can serve as a model for joint operations."
"But we need to clearly define the boundaries—if he mobilizes troops, we will cooperate; if he mobilizes grain, we will verify it; but if he tries to manipulate public sentiment, that won't work, the Shengjing region will still be under our control."
Houtu no longer felt any jealousy towards Zhang Yi, because ever since she learned that Zhang Yi had advanced to the rank of knight, she understood that there was an insurmountable chasm between them.
Instead of secretly competing with him, it's better to enjoy the protection he provides.
Immediately, a staff officer pulled out a stack of papers, tapped his knuckles on the cover, and said solemnly:
"I also think we can agree to his conditions, but there must be legal basis and credibility. The wartime mandate should specify: 1. Under what circumstances will it be triggered; 2. Under what circumstances will it be revoked; 3. Who will supervise it. We should also add a loss mitigation clause, which stipulates that if the Joint Chiefs of Staff makes a mistake in judgment and causes significant losses, there will be an independent assessment and accountability process."
Houtu and the monk Daowen both looked at the old man as if he were an idiot.
Although the other party holds a high position of power, it does not mean that he is very smart.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?"
The old man said with great displeasure.
"Do you want to hear what you're saying? Negotiating a contract with a knight-level expert, someone powerful enough to single-handedly support an entire nation?"
Houtu scoffed.
"Contracts are meant to bind others, but we have no power to control chaos. So even if you sign one, it's just a piece of waste paper."
The old man looked embarrassed, yet he had no way to refute her words.
After discussion, it was finally decided to agree to Zhang Yi's request and from now on, they would follow Zhang Yi's command in major matters.
……
In the Northeast region, the fire flickered in the command post below the snow line.
Ji Changhai, wrapped in a military overcoat, said, "I have no objections. If a real battle breaks out, one bugle call and one line are more effective than ten command groups. There's only one condition—the right to resettle the border residents is mine. I know where everyone's livestock is and which river they can cross."
Han Shanzuo nodded: "There's one more thing. The Joint Chiefs of Staff's intelligence must be transparent to us. We can't let the lower-level officers carry out their tasks in the dark."
"Alright." Ji Changhai instructed the clerk to record his order: "We'll tell Chaos that the Northeast Region has no objection to this matter and fully supports him as the person in charge! However, there are two conditions for implementation."
……
The border guards of the northern country cast long shadows on the ice with their night patrol lights.
Chen Xuanba stood in the wind, his hat brim pulled low: "Soldiers need a single command, and I know that better than anyone. But I need clear and unambiguous rules of engagement."
"What constitutes crossing the line, what constitutes accidental injury, and what constitutes 'no pursuit'? If you write it all down unclearly, and something happens to our brothers, who will explain it to their mothers?"
"Now that Chaos has the strength to protect the Huaxu Kingdom, as long as it doesn't violate basic principles, what's wrong with me obeying your orders?"
……
In the Northwest region, sandstorms lashed against window frames.
Xiao Lie stood in front of the map, silent for a long time: "You know what I'm most afraid of. I'm afraid the Northwest will become someone else's logistical tail."
He turned to several officers, “But today is not the time to talk about pride. Li Changgong is gone, and we can’t keep gritting our teeth and bearing this humiliation.”
Earth War God Qi Yukun said in a low voice, "Let's stick together and get through the winter first, and talk about ideals again in the spring."
Xiao Lie nodded and gave a wry smile: "Alright, report it as approved. P.S.: The authority to handle special cases in the Northwest is partially retained. Don't let them tell us to fill the gaps with a simple 'Charge forward'."
-
In the Southwest region, a cold current of heavy snow fell outside the window.
Jueguo lit a lamp on the table: "Giving away power without winning people's hearts is giving away the handle of a knife. Winning people's hearts depends on being able to save them."
Luo Zhuo clasped his hands together: "Such is the law of cause and effect. If we can use his power to protect our people, then power is but a wisp of smoke."
Jueguo said, "Then we support Lord Zhang Yi's decision. Pack the disciples' belongings; if things get really chaotic, send the elderly and weak away first."
