Chapter 1581
Chapter 1581 - 1577: Adhesive
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8 min read
The interweaving of timelines and world lines always brings about some changes that seem familiar yet different.
At the beginning of the new century, regardless of the world line, the Eastern Country’s navy is not strong... and on this world line, it is even weak enough to be negligible.
This is mainly because the current world’s military force system is too distorted. Rather than relying on sturdy ships and powerful guns, it is actually better to get a speedboat equipped with a few Quasi-Gods... The high cost of sturdy ships and powerful guns is just too low in cost-effectiveness in this Extraordinary World.
Especially since the political and geographical situation of this world is also quite delicate, Huaqi has not invested the power to reach the First Island Chain, which relieves the Eastern Country of the necessity to confront them.
Due to the relatively relaxed relations between countries, and also due to the high cost of marine transport, there’s no need to maintain a vast navy... Although the cost of land transport is also terrifyingly high, it is much safer than facing the unknown Giant Beasts and Exotic Realm life forms of the sea.
The Eastern Country’s real core strategic area is the vast railway network that runs through Eurasia, this centralized mode of transport also facilitates defense.
With such a political and geographical status quo, it is only natural that the Eastern Country has always maintained a terrifyingly large army on land, and at the same time, there is also a massive Air Force of floating airships.
But now, a navy must be assembled.
"A new appointment? Regional Military Commander? Me? You’ve got to be joking?!"
Just having arrived back home, having not rested for two days in the Ancient City, a paper appointment almost bewildered Lu Ping’an.
"It’s an honorary position... It requires Advanced Combat Power to hold the title, and at the same time, it’s to spread some of the blame around. The real deployment and command are not expected to fall on someone non-academic like you."
Having returned to the Ancient City, Lu Ping’an was planning to inquire about the situation, at least to communicate with Lin Nu’s Church to see how they planned to respond.
But as soon as he got home, many parties sought him out at once, fearing that he was not clear about the situation and brought him a pile of documents.
Lu Ping’an frowned, reviewed the appointment and job responsibilities, made a phone call, discussed with the leaders of the Ancient City (his Official allies at that level), and then settled down.
Faced with the increasingly dangerous ocean situation, there is definitely a need for intervention; merely relying on coastal cities and states to defend themselves would lead to continuous tragedies.
Re-establishing a navy, or at least organizing a mobile Ocean Legion, is the only solution.
Even if attacks are still inevitable, as long as reinforcements arrive quickly enough, the losses can at least be reduced... Typically, most civilian casualties occur after a city falls to looting and slaughter.
"The planned Third Legion, in terms of establishment, will be police because that’s convenient for drafting the budget, and we don’t need a national conference for military reorganization; upgrading to an army is just a formality to be completed next year... But this year, these new departments also have to prove their value."
The Eastern Country has too long a coastline, and it’s impossible to hold off with just one or two Legions. The emergency plan from Wanjing suggests setting up more than six military regions along the coastline and deploying mobile units.
If an area is attacked, there will be corresponding responsible units ready to act immediately, and other redundant Legions will be able to support one step later.
"Why me? There must be many who are qualified to be Commanders."
Such forces need Top Combat Power for defense; it has become a tradition. While Lu Ping’an’s power is good, it is still inferior to the seasoned eighth-tiers, not to mention Quasi-Gods.
"Because of your unique identity..."
Firstly, with his continuous "meritorious service," Lu Ping’an holds a recently promoted Vice Admiral Military Rank, and at the same time, Official inside assessments also regard him as above eighth-tier, which is sufficient to lead troops.
Furthermore, the backbone of these Legions will definitely be drawn from Extraordinary combat power hired from the Ocean World, and the Third Legion under Lu Ping’an’s command is mainly composed of Mercury 42 forces.
The Long Hand Clan and Free Fish People are indispensable, Lu Ping’an’s reputation is placed there, allowing him to maximize their Power.
Of course, what’s most important is the location for which the Third Legion (squad) is responsible.
"Areas surrounding Wailong State?"
Now, Lu Ping’an fully understood and thus ceased to push back any further.
Considering his relationship with the southern faction of Lin Nu, this area was indeed most suitable for him to oversee.
As for leading troops... Advanced Combat Power is the figurehead, and the actual person in charge is internally appointed by Official standards; it’s a traditional practice. Lu Ping’an just needs to make an appearance when necessary; getting involved in the details would not be a good thing.
"Just do well as a high-tier combatant... ha, just really, it’s a simple task."
Lu Ping’an was quite open-minded, and he also noticed that the edge of his defense line was the mouth of the Yangtze River. If handled well, the cities along the river would be much safer, including his own Ancient City.
Lu Ping’an also knew that he was just holding a title; truly having him command large-scale Legion combat was not his forte... at least, it wasn’t on paper.
Of course, there are some matters that everyone knows in their hearts but can’t publicly acknowledge.
If Legions are led by an Extraordinary ’Warlord’, their combat power would be markedly increased, and Lu Ping’an truly was a rare high-tier Warlord... And his traits from the direction of the Black Knight are also the reason he can’t be publicly promoted but still serve as a trump card when necessary.
In the next three days, Lu Ping’an took part in a series of video conferences... judging from the results, he was quite satisfied.
On the one hand, all parties truly valued the effort and didn’t just pay lip service; they had actually sent their elite and strong forces. Most importantly, he didn’t have much responsibility and rather served more as an adhesive for various forces (Official, military, Linnu Force, Mercury 42 forces); after doing his job as a "figurehead" and "signboard," he had enough autonomy.
The team’s vacation time was quite short this time, giving the members a few days to handle their own affairs.
Whether it was purchasing military supplies or going home to see their loved ones, they had to finish their tasks and report back promptly, after all, they might soon be dispatched to the front line.
Lu Ping’an wasn’t in a hurry; he let his personnel spread out and make their own decisions.
Whether to continue doing business or to consider going to the front line, both were acceptable... A Chamber of Commerce is a Chamber of Commerce, an army is an army; in this regard, Lu Ping’an had no need nor the ability to compel them.
He also got busy, first communicating with the Ancient City and Changping State to learn about the situation back home.
"Just hold the exit of the Yangtze River, and moreover, since the Ancient City is midstream on the Yangtze, there’s really little pressure."
As an inland city within the interior, the Ancient City lacks opportunities for development but, at the same time, is indeed relatively safe.
On the other hand, his main job involved various meet-and-greets and receptions.
Most were old acquaintances from Mercury 42... Lu Ping’an’s "old face" allowed them to quickly adapt to the current situation and become members of the Third Legion.
Among them, Lu Ping’an encountered an old friend who was unexpected, yet made perfect sense.
"Brother Guan, what brings you here... Weren’t you just one step away from Ascension? If you leave, what will happen to your Ascension?!"
The "Redemption Quasi-God" smiled at his old brother and gave his shoulder a pat.
"If I didn’t come, what would be the point of Ascension?"
— End of Chapter 1581 —