Chapter 1028 Yelan Transport Corps
"Misunderstanding?" Gao Zhikai repeated the word softly, as if savoring something, then shook his head, his voice still steady.
"Deputy Commander Zou is overthinking it. Even if I, Gao Zhikai, don't know the rules, I won't cause trouble in such a major strategic operation in the theater."
He changed the subject, finally revealing a hint of his true purpose, but it was still shrouded in layers of mystery:
"I came here to observe and learn, to see what true grandeur and high efficiency look like. My 76th Corps is located in a remote area, and many aspects need to keep up with the times."
His words were half true and half false, and he put himself in the humble position of a "learner", which made Zhang Zhang and the others even more unpredictable.
"Secondly," Gao Zhikai's gaze returned to Zhang Shouzheng and Zou Yuan's faces, a sharp light flashing in his eagle eyes:
"I heard you two brought back not only supplies, but also grand plans for in-depth cooperation with the Zhongzhou Theater. Our troops are stationed at a strategic point in the northwest. In the future, whether it's supply transfers, channel security, or...responding to possible regional friction, they will be crucial."
"Come here in advance to understand the overall layout so that we can make early preparations for cooperation, so as not to delay important events in the war zone and Zhongzhou."
His words were flawless and high-sounding, showing an attitude of considering the overall situation, actively cooperating and preparing for a rainy day!
It was as if Gao Zhikai had become the most loyal and sensible general in the war zone overnight!
But this sudden "change", this overly "sensible" behavior, combined with his past dark history and tough style, sounded even more frightening to Zhang Shouzheng and Zou Yuan than a direct threat!
This made Zhang Shouzheng's heart alarm bells ring: "Cooperation? How does he want to cooperate? Does he want to interfere with the distribution of supplies? Or does he want to take advantage of the opportunity to control the transportation lines? Or... has he heard some rumors and wants to get a piece of the pie from the Zhongzhou War Zone? Or even... bypass the war zone and contact Zhongzhou directly?! "
Countless dangerous thoughts flashed through Zhang Shouzheng's mind. He suppressed his fear and suspicion, his smile remained unchanged, but his tone became more cautious:
"Commander Gao is very understanding and considerate of the overall situation. On behalf of the Standing Committee of the Theater Command, I would like to express my gratitude. The Theater Command will make unified arrangements for the specific cooperation details and defense arrangements in the future, and will certainly take the actual situation of the 76th Corps into consideration. At that time, I would like to ask for Commander Gao's full support."
His words were equivalent to kicking the ball back to the war zone level, implying that Gao Zhikai should not try to intervene or inquire about the details now.
Gao Zhikai was such a man, how could he not hear the evasion and caution in these words? But he didn't seem to care. Instead, he nodded slightly as the conversation went on:
"Of course. Everything will be subject to the theater's arrangements. My 76th Regiment is at your disposal at any time."
After saying this, he said no more and nodded slightly to Zhang Shouzheng and Zou Yuan as a farewell.
Then, under the gazes of the two men who were still full of confusion and vigilance, he turned around decisively and walked towards his infantry fighting vehicles that exuded a murderous aura, leading those sturdy guards.
He arrived suddenly and left just as abruptly, without nagging, without asking questions, and without revealing any dissatisfaction or ambition.
However, this extreme "normality" and "cooperation" was like a heavy cloud hanging over the hearts of the Western Theater delegation, which had just landed and had not yet had time to enjoy the joy of the results.
Gao Zhikai sat in the speeding infantry fighting vehicle, looking through the rear window at the gradually shrinking lights of the airport in the distance, and the corners of his mouth finally curled up into a cold, everything-under-control arc.
The seeds have been planted.
His appearance here today is in itself the most powerful signal - for the Western Theater Command to see, and even more so for... the upcoming Central Plains Theater Command to see!
Next, he only needs to wait for a suitable opportunity to hand his carefully prepared "letter of surrender" to the person who can truly make the decision.
The chess game in the northwest has just begun.
...
At dawn the next day, we went to the night market.
At dawn after the apocalypse, the sky was a duck egg blue mixed with grayish white, and the cold was biting.
Inside the Xishui Railway Freight Station, the huge freight marshalling yard lies quietly in the morning mist and the night that has not yet completely dissipated, like a dormant steel python.
The air was filled with the smell of rust, cooled coal dust, and a hint of cool dampness.
However, this former logistics hub is now shrouded in a completely different, cold and solemn atmosphere.
Woo——! ! !
Suddenly, an extremely powerful and deep train whistle blew, piercing the dawn sky!
The sound was not like the roar of a diesel locomotive, but more like the heavy and powerful roar of a steel behemoth awakened from ancient times!
Then came the second, the third... More and more whistle sounds came from far away, echoing each other, converging into a soul-stirring steel overture, instantly dispelling all the silence and chill!
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
————
As the rushing trains stopped at the station one after another, as far as the eye could see, the densely packed rails of Xishui Station were filled with rows of military trains emitting a faint heat and moisture.
At this moment, on every platform, teams of officers and soldiers of the "Ye Lan Transport Corps" were already standing solemnly, ready to board the train and set off!
The entire Zhongzhou War Zone Railway Command has been working like an overloaded precision clock in the past few days, day and night, just to open up this energy lifeline that is related to the fate of the war zone as soon as possible!
Therefore, this army of nearly 50,000 people is by no means made up of new recruits as stated in the report, but rather the best and brightest who were urgently transferred from various railway lines!
Energy is of utmost importance in war zones, and energy security is paramount!
Every soldier here, no matter in terms of professional skills, psychological quality or fighting will, is one in ten in the entire theater railway force!
According to their respective tasks, they wore uniforms specifically suited for railway operations, repairs, and security. They carried not only rifles but also tool kits, signal flags, precision maintenance instruments, and communications equipment. Each wore a brand-new "Ye Lan Transport Corps" armband, symbolizing their mission and honor.
They were organized in rows, riveted to the platform like steel nails, with no slack on their faces, eyes as sharp as eagles, and extremely strict discipline. They silently waited for the final order, like a group of steel components waiting to be injected with souls and then thrown into a furnace.
Officers, wearing silver whistles on their chests and holding tactical tablets and loudspeakers, patrolled the front of the team. Low, short commands rang out from time to time, piercing the cold air:
"First Company! Check your equipment and prepare to board the vehicle!"
"Maintenance team, final check on the tool list!"
"Air defense team, take up positions in designated carriages!"
"Power group, start the auxiliary power supply in advance!"
...
As brief commands were issued, the corresponding teams immediately took action, with quick, precise and orderly movements!
The heavy anti-smash combat boots stepped on the gravel roadbed, making a dense clattering sound. They walked along the temporary metal gangway and poured into each carriage quickly and silently.
As everyone boarded the train, the heavy iron doors of each carriage were closed one by one from the inside, making a dull "clang! clang!" sound of metal collision, as if firmly fastening the last scales of armor to this giant steel python that was about to go into battle!
And at this final moment of preparation, a subtle but eye-catching commotion occurred on Core Platform No. 1.
"Hello, Chief!"
"Hello, Chief!"
"Hello, Chief!"
...
The guards on both sides straightened their backs instantly, saluted with their guns, and their voices were full of awe.
I saw Lieutenant General Zhang Zhenguo, commander of the railway troops of the Zhongzhou Theater Command and member of the Theater Command Standing Committee, wearing a neat general's uniform, and the stars on his epaulettes flickering in the dawn light.
He walked with the gait of a dragon and a tiger, his face stern, his eyes scanning the platform and the train sharply, and with an aura of majesty without even being angry, he walked straight towards the carriage where the legion commander was.
At this moment, a middle-aged general with the rank of major general, also wearing the training uniform of the railway troops, heard the news and shouted excitedly and concernedly from a distance:
"Commander! Why did you come here in person? You stayed up so late last night handling the war preparation meeting. How could your body bear it?"
"Hahahaha——" Zhang Zhenguo laughed heartily and carefreely upon hearing this. He patted the major general's shoulder vigorously.
"Xulong, what's that? When I was young, I led an advance team, stayed awake for days and nights, marched hundreds of kilometers and stabbed the enemy in the ass, and I survived! One or two nights without sleep is no big deal!"
His laughter faded, and his gaze instantly became like a drawn sword, staring intently at the Major General in front of him—Wang Xulong, Deputy Commander of the Railway Corps and Commander of the Yelan Transport Corps.
"It's you! This time, I'm appointing you as the commander and entrusting you with the heavy responsibility of developing the 'Ye Lan Line'. Xulong, you should know better than anyone what this line means to our war zone!"
At this point, Zhang Zhenguo's face was as solemn as iron, and his voice was lowered even lower, but it carried a cold, suffocating smell of blood:
"Our energy reserves are almost depleted. The front lines, the rear, civilian life, the military...every aspect depends on this blood vessel! So, you know what to do this time, right?"
Hearing this, Major General Wang Xulong's heart trembled, as if he had been hit by an invisible hammer. He immediately straightened his chest, his eyes burning with determination, and his voice was sonorous and powerful:
"Report to the commander! I understand! At all costs, open up an energy channel for the war zone in the shortest possible time!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Zhang Zhenguo said three good words in a row, and each word seemed to hit the ground:
"Remember, at all costs! Time is life! Besides that, everything else can be sacrificed! Including your life and mine! Do you understand?!"
This instruction, which carried a strong smell of rust and blood, made Wang Xulong feel as if the weight on his shoulders had increased several times.
But without any hesitation, he suddenly raised his hand and saluted the old leader and superior he respected with an extremely solemn military salute:
"Please rest assured, Commander! The Ye Lan Transport Corps will ensure the completion of the mission! The 'Ye Lan Line' will be fully connected within a month at the latest! If you don't get the blood, I will be beheaded!"
Zhang Zhenguo looked at him deeply and returned a heavy military salute, saying everything.
Woo——! ! !
At this moment, the departure whistle sounded again, even more urgent than before!
Zhang Zhenguo said no more and waved his hand vigorously.
Major General Wang Xulong turned around and quickly boarded the command carriage.
Clang!
The car door slammed shut.
Bang... Bang... Bang... Bang...
The giant steel python began to wriggle slowly, faster and faster, and finally with unparalleled momentum, it broke through the last darkness before dawn and rushed towards the southwest, towards the wilderness full of unknowns and dangers!
Zhang Zhenguo stood there, staring at the direction where the train disappeared for a long time, like a cold iron statue...
