Chapter 1139 Meeting 5

After this brief moment of surprise, what came to my heart was greater relief and surprise!

I'm not afraid that the other party wants it, I'm just afraid that the other party doesn't want it!

Since the Zhongzhou War Zone has clearly put forward its demands, it means that the door to cooperation has been completely opened!

As for what the other party wants so many crystal cores for, that is not important, and it is not a problem that the Eastern Theater should consider at the moment!

The important thing is that this is the thing that the Eastern Theater lacks the least!

Thinking of this, both the endless zombies on land and the endless mutated sea beasts in the sea instantly became cute.

BulingBuling!!!

It's just sparkling!!!

"No problem! Absolutely no problem!" Zhou Wei agreed almost impatiently, his face filled with uncontrollable excitement:

"Commander Gu, as long as you are willing to provide supplies, we in the Eastern Theater will do our utmost to collect the crystal cores and guarantee full payment!"

"Yes! There isn't much else along our coast, but there are a lot of sea beasts! We can have as many crystal cores as you want!" Wang Zhiming added excitedly, as if he had already seen the fleet refueling and the gun barrels refilling with ammunition.

Gu Chengyuan nodded slightly at the Eastern Theater's straightforward attitude, and then raised the second, more strategically significant aspect of the cooperation:

"Furthermore, in order to more effectively deal with the complex situation along the eastern coast and maximize the strength of both sides, I propose that, if necessary, the troops dispatched by the Central Plains Theater to the eastern coastal region should have the right to 'act at their own discretion' in that region."

"That is, under the premise of meeting common strategic goals, we can make independent decisions and launch military operations based on actual circumstances. Of course, we will fully consult with you before any major operations. At the same time, your forces must actively cooperate in joint operations."

This proposal is essentially an attempt to seize the Eastern Theater's military dominance on the eastern coast, which would be almost unimaginable in peacetime.

Of course, with the strength of the Zhongzhou War Zone, it can currently go wherever it wants on the eastern coast.

But that is what bandits do. Gu Chengyuan and the entire Zhongzhou war zone are now determined to win justice, so they naturally have to abide by the rules when doing things.

Whose rules are we following?

It’s not the Zhou State, but the rules of the Zhongzhou war zone!

The problem is that the butt determines the head. When the Central Plains War Zone is currently capable of standing at the top of the rules, maintaining the rules naturally becomes maintaining its own interests.

If the big brother takes the lead in breaking the rules, how can he expect the younger brothers to abide by his own rules?

Therefore, Gu Chengyuan’s request at this moment is not unnecessary, but is to set rules for his future younger brothers!

In this regard, the representatives of the Eastern Theater, who had long been infected by the urgency of survival and the "righteousness" shown by Gu Chengyuan before, naturally all agreed!

The biggest purpose of this trip has been achieved. As for the representatives of the Eastern Theater, as long as it does not involve giving up their own theater, everything else can be agreed to!

Zhou Wei and Wang Zhiming exchanged a quick glance, both seeing the same determination in each other's eyes.

Faced with such a crisis, when the family can hardly hold on, what is the point of clinging to the so-called "territorial consciousness" and "dominance"?

That's just ridiculous pretense and pointless reserve! The Zhongzhou War Zone is willing to come and share the pressure, jointly resisting the threat of sea beasts and corpse tides. They couldn't ask for more!

We are all brothers, why differentiate between you and me??!

What's more, Commander Gu's words just now were so passionate and grand. If I am still fussing over these trivial details at this moment, wouldn't it seem too petty and without any vision?

This is absolutely not beneficial for the subsequent in-depth cooperation!

"As it should be!"

Zhou Wei, representing the Eastern Theater Command, responded decisively, without the slightest hesitation in his tone:

"Commander Gu has considered this very carefully! The situation along the eastern coast is complex. If your troops come to support us, you must have the authority to make decisions on the spot, so as to seize the opportunity and effectively annihilate the enemy! All forces in our Eastern Theater Command will fully cooperate, without hesitation!"

"Everyone in my department will definitely give your full support and work closely together!" Wang Zhiming also expressed his opinion immediately.

Gu Chengyuan was not surprised by the Eastern Theater's ready concession on military dominance. This was within his expectations.

He nodded slightly in agreement, and then brought up the third key topic of the meeting, which was related to the long-term strategic layout.

"General Zhou, General Wang, the foundation for cooperation has been laid. Next, we will discuss a 'main artery' that will connect us more closely and completely revitalize the situation in the east."

As he spoke, Gu Chengyuan cast his gaze towards the huge map of Zhou State on the wall of the conference room, and pointed his finger at the winding blue dragon - the Yangtze River!

"The Yangtze River, the golden waterway. It connects the heart of our Zhongzhou war zone (Yucheng) with the eastern seaport."

"If we can open up and ensure the safety and smooth flow of this waterway, the fuel, heavy equipment, and bulk ammunition you urgently need will no longer be limited by strategic air transport. Instead, they can be continuously delivered directly to you via the lowest-cost, highest-capacity water transport."

"This will fundamentally solve your logistical difficulties!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wei and Wang Zhiming's eyes lit up instantly and their breathing quickened.

They knew too well what this channel meant! It would be a true lifeline, more important than any single weapon aid!

"But," Gu Chengyuan changed the subject and put the reality before him:

"In our Zhongzhou Theater, the army is decent, and the air force has made some progress, but the navy...is weak, practically a blank."

"We lack sufficient understanding and control over the complex hydrology and potential threats of the Yangtze River waterway, especially in the middle and lower reaches and at the estuary."

He looked at the generals in the Eastern Theater with a frank look:

"Therefore, regarding the opening of the Yangtze River waterway and the daily escort and defense work, we need to rely on your professional strength and rich experience to assume the main responsibility."

"We can provide land-based firepower support along the way, as well as necessary engineering and technical support, but I'm afraid you'll have to trouble us with the water defense."

This request is reasonable and can even be said to be giving them the most critical task that is most in line with the core interests of the Eastern Theater.

Zhou Wei made the decision without hesitation:

"Commander Gu, rest assured! The Yangtze River waterway is crucial to the survival of our Eastern Theater Command, and it is also the lifeline of our cooperation!"

"Both public and private, we have an obligation to defend this waterway!"

"On behalf of the Eastern Theater Command, I guarantee that we will do our utmost to clear the key nodes as quickly as possible and organize an effective escort force to ensure the absolute safety of this lifeline!"

He agreed so readily, on the one hand because it was directly related to whether they could obtain stable supplies, and he cared more about it than they did;

On the other hand, taking on the responsibility of waterway defense also means, to some extent, that they have regained partial control over this important waterway.

Although this control is more symbolic in the face of the absolute strength of the Zhongzhou War Zone, it at least looks much better on the surface and appears more like a party in equal cooperation rather than a pure "beggar".

This undoubtedly made them feel much better psychologically.