Chapter 946: The 77th Legion is coming???

Just as the war zone leaders were looking at each other in confusion, Commander Wei Jingfang's next sentence was like a ray of light, and everyone suddenly realized what was going on!

"In view of the difficulty of the battle to recapture Lanzhou, I think we should send 7 more border defense regiments, reorganize them into the Lanzhou Corps, and reinforce them to the front line!"

"On the one hand, this move can help the 76th Corps speed up the recovery process; on the other hand, after Lanzhou is recovered, the Corps can immediately be converted into a garrison force on the spot!"

"The strategic value of Lanzhou is self-evident - it has four core industries: petrochemicals, equipment manufacturing, metallurgy, and biomedicine, each of which precisely meets the reconstruction and development needs of our theater!"

"Relying on these four pillars, Lanzhou City will surely become an irreplaceable core industrial base in our Western Theater! Therefore, it is imperative to deploy heavy troops to ensure its absolute safety!"

...

After Wei Jingfang finished speaking, the members of the War Zone Standing Committee in the conference room fell silent.

Is it the commander alone who is worried that the 76th Corps might take the opportunity to establish a separatist regime in Lan City?

All those who can sit here are experienced people. No one pointed it out before, firstly because it was just private speculation without any evidence, and secondly because the 76th Army is currently at its peak and powerful.

Once such heart-piercing remarks are uttered, if one is not careful, he will be regarded as a "contemporary Qin Hui" who shakes the morale of the army and frames heroes on the front line!

After all, the 76th Corps is now just like Yue's army in the Northern Expedition, fighting bloody battles on the front line to recapture Lanzhou. To question its loyalty at this time is tantamount to destroying the Great Wall!

If the 76th Legion spreads such remarks within the army, under the high morale pressure at the front, whoever said this will surely be ruined!

However, Wei Jingfang's words at this moment were like a huge rock thrown into still water, causing some of the Standing Committee members present to immediately realize that the commander had the same concerns as them!

Therefore, Lieutenant General Zou Yuan, Deputy Commander of the Theater, was the first to break the silence and speak out:

"The commander's consideration is very thoughtful. I fully agree with it!"

Immediately afterwards, Deputy Commander Zhou Yifeng, who was in charge of joint logistics support, followed up immediately:

"I second the motion!"

Zhang Shouzheng, director of the Political Department, was a little slow to react, but he also immediately expressed his opinion:

"I agree too!"

Finally, only Chief of Staff Dong Ping remained unsaid. Facing everyone's focused gaze, Dong Ping raised his concerns in a serious tone:

"Commander, fellow comrades, this plan itself is very well-conceived, and I personally agree with it. But if this is done, the total number of troops on the front line of Lan City will exceed 100,000!"

"It's not just a matter of transferring seven border defense regiments, which may weaken defense in other directions. More importantly, our current logistical transportation capabilities may not be able to support such a large frontline cluster!"

"In terms of combat capability alone, I think the current 76th Corps is more than enough to complete the task of retaking Lanzhou. As for post-war garrison rotation, the border defense regiment can be arranged to move in after the battle is over."

"This will not only preserve more strategic reserves in the theater, but also effectively ease the pressure on logistics. What do you and your comrades think?"

As soon as Dong Ping finished speaking, Deputy Commander Zhou Yifeng, who was sitting on the left side of the metal conference table, immediately interrupted with a firm tone:

"Chief of Staff Dong, don't worry! Joint logistics support is exactly within my scope of responsibility. I hereby issue a military order to everyone: with the existing transportation capacity, under normal circumstances, let alone guaranteeing the safety of 100,000 people in Lan City, even 150,000 people, I can also provide!"

"As for logistical pressure, taking Lanzhou as soon as possible and opening up the transportation lifeline is the real solution to reduce our logistical burden!"

"Chief of Staff Dong, can you rest assured now?"

"..."

Zhou Yifeng's resounding assurance left Dong Ping speechless for a moment. Although he still had doubts on his face, under the pressure of everyone's gaze, he finally nodded:

"Since Deputy Commander Zhou, the 'logistics chief', has given his word, I naturally have no doubts. In principle, I agree to send seven additional border defense regiments to form the Lanzhou Corps."

"it is good!"

Seeing that the plan was passed almost unanimously, Commander Wei Jingfang nodded with satisfaction and turned his sharp eyes to Zou Yuan:

"Then how about this newly formed Lanzhou Army Corps be led by Deputy Commander Zou Yuan himself?"

"As the deputy commander in charge of combat training in the theater, you must be well aware of the combat capabilities and characteristics of the border defense regiment. Now that the military situation on the front line is urgent, how about asking Deputy Commander Zou to go to the front line in person to take command?"

Wei Jingfang thought: Zou Yuan, like him, had just been transferred from another theater. Although his main intention was to seek promotion to deputy theater level, unlike him, he had no special mission, but compared with the local forces in the theater, Zou Yuan's foundation was still shallow and his interests were the least involved. He was undoubtedly the most reliable candidate at the moment.

This Lanzhou Corps is of vital importance, and he must be extremely careful about who he entrusts it to, otherwise the so-called "checks and balances" may very likely become "aiding the enemy"!

Faced with Wei Jingfang's almost direct appointment, the standing committee members present had different expressions. There was no eye contact between them, and they all remained silent tacitly.

"Yes! We will ensure that the mission is completed!" Deputy Commander Zou Yuan naturally did not hesitate at all for such a good thing. He stood up suddenly and responded with his chest puffed out.

"Okay! Now that the matter has been finalized, let's end today's meeting here. Adjourn!"

"By the way, please ask Director Zhang Shouzheng and Deputy Commander Zou to stay after the meeting. We need to further refine the tasks assigned at the meeting!"

"Yes!"

After the words fell, the members of the war zone standing committee present all stood up, those who should stay stayed, and those who should leave left.

Since then, the Western theater, which had been oppressed by external conflicts for more than half a year, has begun to see the wind blow.

.....

At the same time, the 76th Corps' front-line command post far away in Lanzhou City.

Corps commander Gao Zhikai, who had just fallen asleep, was so startled by the sudden news that he sat up directly from his camp bed, completely losing all desire to sleep!

"What?! You said there is a group of survivors claiming to be veterans of the 77th Legion??"

Gao Zhikai's voice was filled with incredible shock. This news exploded in his mind like a thunderbolt, instantly arousing countless questions and speculations.

"Reporting to the corps commander, it is absolutely true!" The major staff officer who came to report said in a hurried tone, "The identities have been preliminarily verified. Everyone has a military ID card and is equipped with our army's standard weapons. The leader is a captain!"

"How come the people from the 77th Legion are here?" Gao Zhikai's eyes were as sharp as a knife. "Are they deserters? Or... did something happen to the 77th Legion?!"

The major staff officer was embarrassed and said, "Reporting to the corps commander, the situation is urgent. The enemy has just been taken to the outer edge of the safe zone. I haven't had time to ask for more detailed information yet. I immediately came to report to you!"

"Bring the person here immediately! I want to interrogate him personally!" Gao Zhikai ordered in a firm tone.

"Yes!" The major staff officer saluted and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Gao Zhikai suddenly stopped him, his voice low and serious, "How many people know about this matter now?"

Although the staff officer was a little surprised by this question, he still answered quickly: "Reporting to the corps commander, it is too late now. No one knows except the guards on duty at the entrance of the safety zone and the several officers on duty who are responsible for receiving and reporting information."

"Very good!" Gao Zhikai stared into the staff officer's eyes, his tone unquestionable:

"Notify all insiders immediately. This matter is classified as top secret! Anyone who dares to leak even a word will be punished for 'shaking the morale of the army and leaking military secrets'! Do you understand?"

Feeling the unprecedented solemnity and murderous aura of his own army commander, the major staff officer was startled. He immediately straightened his back and promised loudly: "Understood! I promise to keep it a secret!"

...

Watching the staff officer disappear in the darkness outside the command post, Gao Zhikai frowned and slowly sat back on the bed. The dim emergency light cast a deep shadow on his resolute face.

The 77th Legion....survivors...appeared at this critical moment....

He fell into deep thought.