Chapter 1128: The Shock of the 2nd Army

After leaving Longbao Air Force Base, the convoy drove smoothly towards the creek area along the dedicated highway lane that was put under martial law in advance.

Outside the window, the city's outline quickly receded under the night sky. Most areas were still immersed in darkness and silence, but on the road leading to the creek area, the traffic of military vehicles became noticeably more frequent.

As the convoy gradually approached the stream area, a heavier and more oppressive atmosphere, completely different from the "busyness" of the Longbao base, began to fill the air.

At first they just felt that the number of military vehicles had increased, but soon Zhou Wei, Wang Zhiming and others noticed something unusual.

On both sides of the road, the areas that should have been urban suburbs or farmland are now replaced by a steel jungle!

Through the car window, you can see that on the vast flat ground that has been cleared specially, on the open space in the abandoned factory area, and even under some reinforced overpasses... all kinds of armored vehicles are densely parked!

Moreover, unlike the weathered and even rusty wartime equipment in their impression, most of the tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery... in front of them were painted with brand new desert camouflage paint, and reflected a cold and uniform luster under the sweep of the convoy's lights.

The huge vehicles have tough lines and sharp gun barrels, like giant steel beasts lurking in the darkness, ready to pounce and devour people at any time.

"Is that... a main battle tank?" Deputy Commander Wang Zhiming practically pressed his lips against the car window, his eyes fixed on a formation of dozens of tanks in the distance. His voice was incredibly dry.

"This model... I've never seen it before! Looking at the turret and hull outline, its protection and firepower are probably far superior to anything we currently have!"

Director Zhou Wei did not answer, his eyes were also fixed on the scene passing by outside the window.

He saw a team of 04A infantry fighting vehicles maneuvering, their movements were swift and coordinated. In the distance, he saw rows of PHL-191 long-range rocket launchers that looked like steel hedgehogs. The sturdy launch tube clusters silently spoke of devastating covering firepower.

He also saw a large number of soldiers conducting night operations or taking short breaks next to their equipment. They were all dressed in the unfamiliar starry sky camouflage, equipped with new assault rifles and individual equipment. They had sharp eyes and strict discipline, and their actions revealed the calmness and ferocity that only elite soldiers who had experienced many battles could have.

What is being demonstrated now is not just a few pieces of advanced equipment, but a huge army cluster that is well-organized, fully equipped and staffed, and whose equipment level has surpassed at least one era!

Artillery units, mechanized infantry units, long-range rocket artillery units, logistics units...

hiss--

"Commander Chen...this...this is..." Zhou Wei, director of the Joint Political Department of the Eastern Theater Command, felt his throat tighten. He turned to Chen Haitao, who was still calm and composed, and even forgot to use honorifics. His tone was full of extreme shock and inquiry.

Chen Haitao followed his gaze out the window, as if he had just noticed the steel forest. His tone was as flat as if he was introducing the roadside scenery:

"Oh, this is the 2nd Army Group of our theater army. They are assembling for combat readiness and are about to head to the designated combat area."

The 2nd Army of the Zhongzhou Theater?!

Gathering for battle?! Heading to the designated combat area?!

These words exploded like thunder in the ears of the members of the Eastern Theater Command delegation!

At this point in time, the Zhongzhou Theater Command mobilized a heavy army of such a scale and such advanced equipment. Where was it planning to launch a strategic strike?

What is so worthy of the other party making such a big fuss?

Judging from the limited space, such a large-scale military operation requires extremely difficult logistical support!

Just the "gas guzzlers" all over the streets consume a huge amount of fuel every moment!

To be honest, the Eastern Theater could certainly put together such an armored group if it wanted to, it would just be a little behind, but being able to put it together and being able to use it are two completely different concepts.

Since the end of the world, production and transportation have suffered devastating blows, resulting in the complete cutting off of resource supply in the Eastern War Zone!

Several super-large fuel storage depots are basically only for outflow but not inflow. To this day, even for war zone leaders to travel, human assistance is often recommended while ensuring safety.

For example, riding a bicycle can save fuel and exercise your body.

Regardless of whether it is a political statement of leading by example or whether it is really that difficult, it shows that the resource scarcity in the Eastern Theater has reached a considerable level.

So now, looking at the armored torrent roaring on the road, the representatives of the Eastern Theater not only saw the advanced equipment on the surface, but also saw the unparalleled logistical support capabilities of the Central Plains Theater.

This is really rich!!

There are still so many resources to support heavy mechanized troops in the end times!

...

The convoy continued to move deeper into the stream area. The military atmosphere along the way became increasingly strong. They even saw a main road that had been temporarily requisitioned, which had now completely become a channel for the armored torrent.

One after another, 99A main battle tanks, 04A infantry fighting vehicles, and heavy truck guns formed a long steel dragon that stretched as far as the eye could see, rumbling forward in a certain direction.

The heavy tracks and wheels rolled over the road, making a dull and rhythmic noise. Even the well-insulated minibus they were in could feel the clear vibration.

Countless car lights converged into strips of light, rushing through the night, giving everything along the way a cold metallic luster.

This scene was even more visually impactful and oppressive than the aerial force seen at Dragon Fort Base! This was a truly steel torrent capable of crushing all obstacles and determining victory or defeat on land!

In this situation, Zhou Wei, Wang Zhiming and others were completely silent.

They leaned back in their chairs, looking out the window at the seemingly endless war machines. The professional smiles they had when they first got off the plane were no longer on their faces. All that was left was huge shock, a trace of indescribable awe, and an increasingly strong desire deep in their hearts.

They finally realized intuitively that what the Zhongzhou War Zone possessed was not just a few new aircraft, but a complete, powerful war system that was operating and expanding at a high speed!

Cooperating with such a force may really solve the current difficulties faced by the Eastern Theater.

But at the same time, they were also clearly aware that in the face of such a behemoth, the Eastern Theater's naval and air forces and the so-called "strategic position" were probably much less bargaining chips than they had previously estimated.

As time passed, the convoy finally drove into a relatively quiet area with a higher level of security, and stopped in front of the "Xishui Guest House", which had a solemn appearance and was obviously converted from a high-end reception venue before the end of the world.

But at this moment, the hearts of the members of the Eastern Theater delegation were already filled with the iron army that was ready to go on the way.

Tonight, no one is destined to sleep well.

They need to re-evaluate everything, make the best preparations for tomorrow's talks, and also adjust their mindset to be realistic.