Chapter 1178 Concentrating Resources

The next day, early in the morning.

The atmosphere in Conference Room No. 1 of the Central Plains Theater Command building was solemn and dignified.

After two days of intense discussions and meticulous refinement, the thick cooperation agreement, which concerns the future fate of the four war zones, has been neatly placed in front of each representative at the circular conference table.

Sunlight streamed through the huge bulletproof glass window, falling onto the gleaming tabletop and illuminating the gold-embossed emblem on the document cover, as well as the varied expressions on the faces of everyone present.

Gu Chengyuan sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a crisp dark green general's uniform, the star on his shoulder shining brightly in the morning light.

His face was calm, his eyes deep, as if this historic moment was just a natural move on his grand chessboard.

On his left and right, and opposite him, were representatives of the three major war zones.

General Wu Xianglin, Commander of the Southern Theater Command; General Wei Jingfang, Commander of the Western Theater Command; and Lieutenant General Zhou Wei and Lieutenant General Wang Zhiming, representing the Eastern Theater Command.

There was a brief silence before the ceremony began.

All eyes simultaneously swept over the key clauses of the agreement; these written words would completely change the future of their respective war zones.

For the Eastern Theater Command: The agreement clearly states that the committee will prioritize the allocation of resources to fully guarantee the plan to open up the Yangtze River waterway, and rely on the waterway to maintain a stable and continuous supply of fuel and combat materials to the Eastern Theater Command.

The price is that all remaining army and navy ships, air force aircraft, and major ports in the Eastern Theater Command must, when necessary, obey the unified command and dispatch of the committee!

Meanwhile, all zombie and mutated beast cores collected in the Eastern Theater must be unconditionally handed over to the Central Theater. If anyone wishes to keep them for their own use, they must communicate with the Central Theater (this applies to all military forces within the committee).

For the Southern Theater Command: In addition to providing it with a stable and continuous supply of combat materials, the Commission will also send no less than six combat brigades of ground combat forces to assist it in launching the "Southern Front Dawn" campaign, completely opening up the transportation routes connecting it to the Central Theater Command, and establishing a safe corridor.

Both sides agreed that after the "Southern Front Dawn" campaign, if needed by the Southern Theater Command, the combat group that the Central Theater Command had just moved south would be stationed on-site to assist the Southern Theater Command in consolidating its defenses and relieving the pressure from the zombie horde.

In return, 50% of the output of the Southern Theater Command's military industrial system will be prioritized for unified allocation by the committee.

Meanwhile, the outstanding scientific research forces and equipment of the Southern Theater Command should be concentrated in the Post-Apocalyptic Science Development Institute, which the committee is about to establish. The headquarters of the institute is initially planned to be located in the Night Market. (This applies to all military forces within the committee, aiming to concentrate limited talent, equipment, and research and development resources to accelerate the progress of military technology, biotechnology, etc., in order to better combat the post-apocalyptic disaster.)

For the Western Theater: The committee will provide phased assistance to its two fully equipped divisions with modern equipment (including main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, etc.) and send technical teams to help establish maintenance systems and enhance its ability to cope with large-scale mutant attacks.

The Western theater of operations was required to grant the Committee-led Joint Industrial System the rights to exploit proven oil and other important mineral resources within its territory.

...

These provisions precisely addressed the pain points of each war zone and resolved their most pressing needs, but they also tightly bound their core assets—the military, industry, and resources—to the Committee, or rather, to the Central Continent War Zone.

"If everyone has no objections, we will now begin signing the agreement." Gu Chengyuan's voice broke the silence, calm and unwavering.

“No objection.” Wei Jingfang took a deep breath, picked up the pen first, and signed his name on the document belonging to the Western Theater Command.

The scratching sound of the pen tip gliding across the paper was particularly clear at that moment.

Wu Xianglin followed closely behind, his signature full of force, as if he wanted to imprint some kind of emotion in his heart onto it.

Zhou Wei and Wang Zhiming exchanged a glance, and almost with a reverent air, signed their names on behalf of the Eastern Theater Command.

After all the documents were signed and the texts were exchanged, and the ceremonial staff withdrew, the representatives of the four parties were required to stand up and shake hands, marking the official entry into force of the cooperation agreement and the formal establishment of the 'Zhou Bang End-of-Day Emergency Military Committee'.

Gu Chengyuan calmly stood up.

His first target was Wei Jingfang of the Western Theater Command.

Wei Jingfang immediately stood up straight. This general, known for his composure, had a very complicated look in his eyes at this moment.

He extended his right hand and clasped Gu Chengyuan's hand tightly.

With each touch, he could feel the stability and strength of the other's hand, and also the indescribable turmoil deep within his own heart.

Looking at the face before him that was too young, yet contained astonishing power and will, he couldn't help but recall his military career of most of his life—climbing step by step from a platoon leader to the position of theater commander, experiencing countless storms and hardships.

The apocalypse broke out and the old order collapsed. He thought he had reached the pinnacle of power, but now... he had to bow down to a young man old enough to be his nephew (at least nominally and strategically).

This stark contrast made him feel as if he were in a dream, yet he was forced to soberly realize that times had truly changed.

Power no longer stems solely from seniority and the old order, but from absolute strength and the ability to lead one's people to survival in the apocalypse. His grip tightened slightly, as if confirming this undeniably real reality.

"Chairman Gu, for our common cause." Wei Jingfang's voice remained calm, but upon closer listening, it carried an unusual, almost formulaic respect.

“For our common cause, Commander Wei.” Gu Chengyuan responded with a smile, his handshake firm but brief, carrying an undeniable sense of dominance.

Next was Wu Xianglin from the Southern Theater Command.

Wu Xianglin moved even faster than Wei Jingfang. He gripped Gu Chengyuan's hand tightly, a hearty smile on his face, but the fleeting emotion and caution in the depths of his eyes did not escape the notice of those who were paying attention.

"Chairman Gu! Please take good care of us in the South in the future!" He spoke in a loud voice, trying to use enthusiasm to cover up the complexity in his heart.

He recalled that he was known for his bravery and daring in the army. He had finally reached this position and thought it was the limit of his life. He never expected to meet such a person in the apocalypse.

This young chairman did not rely on any background or qualifications, but on solid, hard power that left no room for resistance.

That "veto power" hangs like the sword of Damocles over everyone's head.

He knew that from the moment he signed his name, many matters in the Southern Theater Command would no longer be under his sole control.

“We will look after each other, Commander Wu. The military industrial potential of the Southern Theater Command is an important cornerstone of the committee.” Gu Chengyuan’s answer was watertight, both affirming and clarifying the position.

......