Chapter 1174 Chairman Gu!

As Wu Xianglin finished speaking, the successive statements from the commanders of the two theater commands drew everyone's attention to the two representatives from the Eastern Theater Command.

In response, Zhou Wei, director of the Joint Political Work Department of the Eastern Theater Command, and Wang Zhiming, deputy commander, exchanged a glance before Zhou Wei spoke.

His tone was relatively heavy:

"Commander Gu, Commander Wei, Commander Wu, you should all be aware of the situation in the Eastern Theater Command these past few days."

"First of all, we firmly support Commander Gu's decision to establish an emergency military committee!"

As Zhou Wei, director of the Joint Political Work Department of the Eastern Theater Command, finished speaking, everyone present felt a strange unease.

In particular, Wu Xianglin, commander of the Southern Theater Command, and Wei Jingfang, commander of the Western Theater Command.

'Damn it! These two shameless bastards from the Eastern Theater Command, are they trying to overtake us by fawning over us?'

'It's dignified to show some restraint while supporting your own side, but these two guys have actually abandoned all dignity befitting a deputy theater-level official?'

What does it mean to firmly support?

'What the hell does "firmly support" mean? Is that even acceptable language these days??'

'Oh no! I thought my personal attendance would show how important the meeting was and that I'd get more benefits from it, but it's turned out to be a weakness!'

'After all, I'm theoretically on equal footing with Commander Gu. I can't be too obsequious, otherwise he'll look down on me and I won't be able to gain the upper hand!'

'But the two in the Eastern Theater Command don't have this concern. Since it's a subordinate-superior situation, nothing they say is considered too offensive...'

Okay, okay...

.....

While the delegations from various theater commands were lost in their own thoughts, Zhou Wei, director of the Joint Political Work Department of the Eastern Theater Command, continued speaking:

"Establishing an emergency military committee is a crucial step in uniting our forces and overcoming these difficult times together!"

Zhou Wei's voice carried an undeniable firmness. Then, he smoothly shifted his tone, using carefully crafted political rhetoric to express his demands and, more importantly, to state his position:

"Of course, as Commander Wei and Commander Wu said, the effective operation of the committee cannot be separated from a concrete response to the core concerns of all parties."

"Our department's most pressing and core needs right now are undoubtedly fuel and stable logistical support!"

"If the Yangtze River waterway can be opened up, it will not only extend the lifeline of tens of millions of soldiers and civilians in our Eastern Theater Command, but also serve as a strategic artery for our future joint operations and the recovery of lost territories in the east!"

At this point, he slightly adjusted his posture, his gaze fixed intently on Gu Chengyuan in the main seat, his tone heavy yet conveying an almost desperate resolve and a touch of "concern":

"Therefore, on behalf of all officers and soldiers of the Eastern Theater Command and the surviving civilians, I earnestly request Chairman Gu to place the opening up and guarantee of the absolute safety of the Yangtze River waterway in the highest strategic priority in the planning and operation of the committee after its formal establishment!"

Zhou Wei threw out the title "Chairman Gu" in an extremely natural yet earth-shattering way!

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze instantly!

Wei Jingfang and Wu Xianglin's pupils contracted slightly at almost the same time, and their interlaced fingers unconsciously tightened.

They couldn't help but curse inwardly: That Zhou Wei! That Eastern Theater Command! They have absolutely no shame!

The committee is still in the discussion stage, there's not even a shadow of it, and you're already calling yourself the "chairman"?

The Southern Theater Command, which arrived first, hasn't even called out yet, and you're already doing it?? That's utterly unsportsmanlike!

This flattery is so blatant and ahead of its time!

This is to bind himself to the new committee, no, to the Eastern Theater Command and this Commander Gu personally!

At that moment, they instantly understood Zhou Wei's and the Eastern Theater Command's calculations:

The Eastern Theater Command arrived the latest, had the least resources, and faced the most urgent crisis. It could not gain much benefit from conventional "cooperation" negotiations and might even be marginalized because of its relatively low value.

Given this, the Eastern Theater Command chose to completely abandon its reserve and be the first to clearly and unreservedly take sides, attempting to use this almost "supporting" stance to obtain the greatest possible resource allocation and policy support from the future committee!

This is a gamble, a gamble that the rewards of 'helping the dragon' will far outweigh those of a step-by-step collaboration!

Zhou Wei, seemingly oblivious to the complex gazes cast upon him from either side, continued his explanation, closely linking the fate of the Eastern Theater Command with the Committee's grand vision:

"This is not only about the survival of our Eastern Theater Command, but also about whether the committee can effectively integrate the forces in the east and truly extend its influence to the entire eastern coast of Zhou Bang, and even connect with overseas countries!"

"Therefore, all remaining naval and air forces, port facilities, and all officers and soldiers of my Eastern Theater Command are ready to be dispatched by the Committee and Chairman Gu at any time!"

He reiterated the importance of the "Committee" and "Chairman Gu," adopting an extremely humble stance and positioning the Eastern Theater Command as the most loyal and obedient executor within the future Committee system.

This statement is less of a demand and more of a complete political surrender and strategic alliance.

What he gambled on was the future autonomy of the Eastern Theater Command, in exchange for the most urgently needed survival resources and, in the long run, potentially a higher political status.

........

Quiet.....

As Zhou Wei delivered his shocking, blatantly blunt statement, the entire Conference Room 1 fell into a near-vacuum silence...

Everyone present was stunned into silence...

.....

The near-vacuum silence in the conference hall seemed to last an eternity, but in reality, it only lasted a few seconds.

All eyes, including those of Wei Jingfang and Wu Xianglin, whose gazes held a complex mix of astonishment, anger, and a hint of annoyance, were focused on Gu Chengyuan in the main seat, awaiting his reaction.

Instead of the seriousness or refusal that everyone expected, Gu Chengyuan's face slowly revealed a meaningful smile that conveyed a sense of complete control.

He waved his hand gently, as if brushing away the invisible awkwardness and tension in the air, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable weight:

"Comrade Zhou Wei, you're being too kind. The title of 'Chairman' is premature." He first casually put aside the overly advanced title for the time being, but there was no blame in his tone. Instead, it carried a tacit approval of his subordinate's "sensibility".

Then, he changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the room, lingering briefly on Wei Jingfang and Wu Xianglin's faces, his tone becoming solemn and persuasive:

"However, I was deeply moved by Comrade Zhou Wei's and the Eastern Theater Command's firm determination to integrate forces and overcome difficulties together, as well as their unreserved trust in me, and I also felt a great sense of responsibility!"

He cleverly elevated Zhou Wei's almost "flattering" statement to the level of "firm determination" and "trust," thus saving face for the Eastern Theater Command and demonstrating to the other two companies what the "correct attitude" should be.