Chapter 1054 Tough

"Based on our current contact with the other party, this matter is confirmed without a doubt!"

Before Qin Yue, the commander of the New Province Construction Corps, could react, Wei Jingfang's confirmation was like a blockbuster bomb, silently exploding in Qin Yue's heart!

Not only that, Wei Jingfang quickly dropped another bomb:

"At the same time, our high-level delegation reported after their visit that the Zhongzhou Theater Command's air force not only possesses fourth-generation fighter jets, but also boasts a full fleet of strategic transport aircraft and bomber aircraft capable of reaching a range of over 10,000 kilometers!"

???

Strategic transport aircraft? Strategic bomber?

Really, if the person sitting opposite him in the video at this moment wasn't the commander of the Western Theater Command, it would be confirmed that Qin Yue, the head of the New Province Construction Corps, really wanted to kick him out! !

Are you kidding me? I came to this meeting with a pragmatic and responsible attitude, not to listen to irresponsible science fiction stories!

What are strategic bombers and strategic transport aircraft, and what strategic significance do they contain? These are things that ordinary people can explain, let alone him, a general at the theater level?

Yes, the construction corps he was in charge of was indeed more production-oriented in nature, but this did not mean that he, a general, was a production team leader!

Wei Jingfang saw Qin Yue's disbelief clearly. He knew that simply piling up information was not enough to gain his trust. He had to present the other party with the cold reality and an irresistible choice.

He leaned forward again, his hands on the table, his gaze piercing the screen like a substance, his tone firm and unquestionable:

"Captain Qin, I know this sounds unbelievable. But this is the new reality we must face!"

"Cooperation is not a request, but an inevitable choice based on common interests and the current balance of power!" Wei Jingfang's voice suddenly rose, with an unquestionable determination:

"The Central Plains Theater needs stable energy, and our Western Theater needs the supplies they provide for survival and development! This is a tightly linked strategic chain that cannot be hindered by anyone or in any way!"

He changed the subject and went straight to the point, his tone as firm as iron:

"The several major oil fields controlled by your new provincial construction corps are at the key nodes of this strategic chain. The previous loose cooperation model can no longer meet the current urgent needs!"

"On behalf of the Western Theater Command, I now formally demand that you immediately and unconditionally release full control of the oil fields. A joint energy support force consisting of us and the Central Plains Theater will be stationed and take over to ensure increased production capacity and absolute safety!"

"Unconditional? Take over?" Qin Yue's face turned extremely ugly in an instant. This was almost equivalent to depriving him of his lifeline.

"Commander Wei! You are robbing and plundering! You are a bandit! Is this what the soldiers of Zhou Bang would do?! I have hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the Construction Corps..."

"It's precisely because of the consideration for the future of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in your corps!" Wei Jingfang interrupted him without hesitation, his voice cold and sharp, as if it could pierce through any luck:

"Do you think you can rest easy just by holding onto a small piece of land?! In the end times, possessing a treasure is a crime!"

At this point, the commander of the Western Theater Command, Wei Jingfang, seemed to realize that he had gone too far. He subconsciously paused and said in a slightly slower tone:

"By cooperating with us and the Zhongzhou Theater, you will receive output far exceeding that of a few oil wells—medicines and ammunition are all negotiable. This can be considered as compensation for your Construction Corps!"

"This is not just a deal, it's also a chance for you to integrate into the new order and gain asylum!"

...

At this moment, Wei Jingfang's words sounded extremely domineering and lawless in Qin Yue's ears. Not only did he openly threaten and rob the assets of a provincial and ministerial unit, he even did it with an attitude of charity and for your own good!

It’s so deceiving! !

But Qin Yue, whose face turned red with anger, finally chose not to turn hostile immediately. Perhaps it was because of some considerations, or perhaps it was because of the strong threat of force in the other party's words just now. So even though Qin Yue was so angry that his hands were shaking slightly, he still chose to control his emotions.

He knew that people at their level would carefully consider and deliberate every word they said...

So, does this mean that the other party has made relevant preparations?

Thinking of this, Qin Yue was no longer calm, but became a little panicked. The huge pressure came through the screen as if it were real.

He stared at Wei Jingfang, trying to find any trace of acting, but to his horror, he only saw absolute firmness and unquestionable determination.

The conference room fell silent again, and everyone's eyes were focused on the face on the other side of the screen, waiting for his response.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time had passed, Qin Yue suddenly felt relaxed, like a huge mountain collapsing, and his energy and spirit instantly withered.

"Commander Wei, the involvement of the Central Plains Theater is indeed... unexpected. The issues you raise are of great importance."

He did not agree immediately, nor did he reject it outright. Instead, he adopted an extremely cautious attitude:

"This matter is of great importance, involving the future strategic direction of the XPCC and the interests of hundreds of thousands of XPCC officers, soldiers, employees, and their families. I need time to convene a XPCC Standing Committee for a detailed discussion and to assess our production capacity limits and needs."

"But," he changed the subject and looked back at Wei Jingfang with the same sharp eyes:

"I can clearly inform you, Commander Wei, that the New Province Construction Corps...is open to large-scale, long-term energy cooperation."

“Three days!” Qin Yue gave a clear time point:

"In three days, regardless of the outcome of our internal discussions, I will personally give you a preliminary and responsible response."

"Okay!" Wei Jingfang agreed without hesitation: "Three days! I'll wait for your news."

He did not push any harder, and the promises of "keeping an open mind" and "replying in three days" he received were already the best interim results that could be achieved in this emergency meeting, and were far more reliable than a direct and hasty promise.

What's more, as both are senior military officials of Zhou Bang, Wei Jingfang is unwilling to completely break off relations and make things extremely ugly unless necessary.

Soon, the video conference ended in a solemn atmosphere and the screen went dark.

In the conference room, Wei Jingfang slowly leaned back in his chair and let out a long, silent sigh.

Zhou Yifeng, Dong Ping and others also relaxed their tense nerves a little and exchanged glances with each other, which showed both anticipation and uneasiness about the next three days.

The chessboard of the game has been laid out, and the first move has been made!

What is needed now is patience and full preparation to face the outcome in three days that will truly determine the direction of the energy lifeline of the Northwest.

"Where are the various border defense regiments currently?"

Just when everyone present thought they could breathe a sigh of relief, Wei Jingfang's faint voice suddenly rang out.