Chapter 1224: Half a Lifetime of Drifting, Never Meeting a Wise Ruler
However, amidst the envy and jealousy, a feeling of admiration for the high-ranking officials of the Central Plains War Zone, especially for Commander Gu whom he had never met before—no, now he should be called Chairman Gu—rose involuntarily in Gao Zhikai's heart!
'Look, this is true vision! This is a born leader!' Gao Zhikai silently shouted in his heart.
To dedicate such a massive force, such vital strategic passages, and such astonishing autonomy to a subordinate department requires immense courage and trust, as well as profound strategic vision.
Wasn't Chairman Gu afraid of becoming too powerful and uncontrollable? Aren't he afraid of the formation of new factions? Aren't he afraid of losing control?
Conversely, it is precisely this leadership—which dares to delegate authority, trust subordinates, and provide a clear strategic direction—that has created the current powerful and dominant position of the Central Plains Theater!
No wonder that the Central Plains War Zone, which was not even ranked among the top five war zones of Zhou Bang before the apocalypse, can now unite all sides, establish a committee, and reach the pinnacle of power all by itself!
In contrast, the Western Theater Command, and other established theater commands he knew, were riddled with internal factions. The higher-ups were more wary of and suppressed capable generals like him, fearing that they might threaten their positions!
Gao Zhikai believed himself to be quite capable and ambitious, and he wanted to make a name for himself. However, in that environment, he could only devote most of his energy to internal conflicts and power struggles.
This escalated to the point where it led to the current awkward situation with the war zone's high command...
'If...if I had been under such a great ruler from the beginning...'
An idea uncontrollably arose in Gao Zhikai's heart, carrying endless emotions and a trace of indescribable bitterness.
If he had been under Chairman Gu back then, with his abilities and ambitions, perhaps... perhaps his current situation would be completely different?
His achievements, the size and combat power of his army, were definitely far greater than they are now!
I wouldn't dare say that it could reach the "monster" size and self-contained ecosystem of the Railway Command today, but it should at least be half as good as it.
More importantly, he might not have to maintain such a strained relationship with the war zone's top brass, constantly living in suspicion and checks and balances. He could have devoted all his energy to expanding territory and achieving great things, instead of wasting most of his time on internal political infighting and self-preservation.
Thinking about all this, Gao Zhikai's feelings were extremely complicated.
There is a sense of regret that "I was born under a wise ruler," and a sense of dissatisfaction with the wasted years and limited development in the past;
There was an even stronger, almost bursting impulse—to surrender to the Central Plains War Zone and pledge allegiance to Chairman Gu!
This idea, which was originally tinged with some calculation and weighing of options, became incredibly clear and strong after witnessing the terrifying strength of the railway system and understanding the leadership's vision and strategic thinking behind it!
Looking at Wang Xulong's focused and determined profile beside him, at the disciplined and well-equipped soldiers of the Night Orchid Legion on the platform, and then at the tracks where the first train was about to arrive, he had already made his final decision.
The weather in the Northwest is indeed about to change!
Gao Zhikai not only had to adapt to this change, but also actively throw himself into the torrent of this transformation to fight for a future that truly belonged to him and was boundless with possibilities!
This initial friendship with the railway system of the Central Plains Theater must be firmly held, and this is only the first step he has taken towards a new beginning.
Next, he needed to find a more direct and effective way to present his "pledge of allegiance" to the highest levels of the Central Plains War Zone.
However, just as Gao Zhikai was lost in thought, far, far away, at the end of the dark track, a tiny, trembling point of light suddenly appeared!
The light initially resembled fireflies, stubbornly flickering in the boundless darkness.
Then, the second, the third...
The light spots rapidly grew larger and brighter, coalescing into two unwavering, blazing white beams that tore through the night!
"coming!"
Someone whispered something in an extremely suppressed yet still trembling voice.
The sound, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, instantly made everyone's hearts leap into their throats!
Wang Xulong subconsciously straightened his already upright spine, and the flame in his eyes burned to its fullest extent.
Gao Zhikai's pupils contracted slightly, his fingers behind his back twitched almost imperceptibly, and his gaze deepened.
Clang... Clang... Clang...
The heavy, rhythmic sound of steel striking the tracks grew clearer and more powerful as it approached from afar!
The sound was initially muffled, like the heartbeat of the earth, but it quickly turned into a continuous rumble of thunder, sweeping across the wilderness and announcing that a major energy artery running east to west had reached its historic moment of completion!
Waaaaaahh ...
As the whistle sounded, a powerful gust of air, carrying the vibrations of the tracks, arrived at the platform first, fluttering the hems of the generals' robes and stirring the flags in the hearts of everyone present.
Under the gaze of countless excited, awe-inspiring, and complex eyes, the locomotive pulling the first officially connected train, like a steel dragon awakening from the primordial chaos, draped in the last darkness before dawn, and with an unstoppable momentum, roared into Lanzhou Railway Station!
On the front of the truck, the emblem of the Night Orchid Transport Legion gleamed under the headlights!
At this moment, the brightly lit platform and the train that has just broken through the darkness together form a highly symbolic picture—a lifeline that has been entrusted with great hope has finally been fully connected!
Looking at the train that had come to a steady stop, Wang Xulong finally showed a relieved yet extremely solemn expression.
Gao Zhikai, on the other hand, turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over Wang Xulong beside him, and looked at the pale light of dawn on the eastern horizon, his eyes also burning with fire!
With this whistle, the chess game in the Northwest has officially entered a new phase!
