https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-775-Gathering-Light-and-Suppressing-the-Battle/12981371/
Chapter 774: The Storm Passes, and the Calm Returns
Chapter 774: The Storm Passes, and the Calm Returns
Aboard the airship, Xu Chan and his team were in the middle-class cabin, relaxing in soft chairs after consuming the nutrient meal delivered from the ship's kitchen.
Hu Zuo, feeling his stomach about to burst from the satisfying meal and the warmth coursing through his body, remarked, "The food fighters eat is truly exceptional. We've had a taste of it today."
Hai Zuo offered his assessment, "It's just too nutritious. We might not be able to handle such a large quantity."
"This is delicious! I can't stop eating," Hu Zuo patted his belly. "To have a meal like this, it's worth it."
At this moment, Lv Zuo interjected, "It's tasty, but it's also a matter of life and death."
The atmosphere turned somber as those who were previously laughing fell silent. They had already heard that this operation was a setup by their superiors to lure out the War General of the opposing country for an ambush.
Hai Zuo, known for his deep thoughts, remained silent, while Lv Zuo felt a constant thorn in his heart. Hu Zuo, usually the most hot-tempered of the three, brushed it off, saying, "Didn't our brothers make it back alive? Besides, even though someone up there used us as bait, the Handling Bureau and the Defense Department didn't abandon us."
"I'm not talking about myself," Lv Zuo clarified. "I'm concerned about Xu Team." He turned to Xu Chan, seated nearby, and continued, "Xu Team has done so much for the country. Is this how they treat him?"
Xu Chan shook his head and said, "Some things are inevitable on the battlefield. The battles between our country and the Old Imperial Household have been intermittent since our nation's founding, and countless lives have been lost. Aren't those lives just as valuable? If the fighting continues, more people will die. Among them could be our future generations, our nephews, or even our familiar colleagues. If we can resolve this quickly and minimize casualties, the higher-ups will surely make a decision."
"My life is no more precious than those who have already sacrificed or those who might sacrifice in the future. It's not like they're any more noble than us. It could just as easily be me. I was prepared for this when I put on this uniform."
The group fell silent. Understanding was one thing, but their discomfort was another matter, and the two didn't contradict each other.
Lv Zuo raised his head and said, "Xu Team, you might be right, but I'm just a common man. I only know that we made it back alive, and for that, we should thank Chen Director. I don't know anyone else."
The others readily agreed with this statement.
"Yes, that's right!"
"We only acknowledge Chen Director!"
"Chen Director has been nothing but good to us. We owe him our lives."
Indeed, Chen Chuan had genuinely come to support them, and he did so without prior knowledge of the situation, which they could sense. Their gratitude towards him was sincere.
Xu Chan didn't join the discussion. Instead, he took out a business card holder from his pocket, opened it, and gazed at the photo inside—a woman holding a pair of twins, all smiling. A smile also appeared on Xu Chan's face as he looked at their happy faces.
At that very moment, the news of Datong's retrieval of the relic and the subsequent battle between the Defense Department and the Old Imperial Household Army reached the Union delegation.
The delegation immediately convened a meeting. A representative with a stern expression stated, "The Jinbei Dao Army engaged in battle at the Fusion Zone, and they managed to defeat the Old Imperial Household's forces, which is highly unusual. Something out of the ordinary must have happened. What conclusions has the Intelligence Analysis Department reached?"
The intelligence officer stood up and bowed respectfully before speaking, "Representatives, based on our limited intelligence analysis, we believe that it's highly likely that the Old Imperial Household's fighter suffered an unexpected setback. They might have been severely injured or killed during the relic retrieval process, triggering the Jinbei Dao Army's full-scale offensive."
Another representative asked, "Was this a coincidence, or did the Jinbei Dao Central City have prior intentions? Did the intelligence department gather any information?"
The intelligence officer replied, "We've consolidated all the information from our informants and other sources. We can confirm that the Jinbei Dao Defense Department did not make any prior combat preparations, nor were there any early movements of supplies. All orders were issued hastily, and they originated from the Defense Department's command center last night, indicating that this incident was likely spontaneous."
He raised his head and addressed the representatives, "This might have been an accident, but we can't rule out Datong's strategic planning. However, if this escalates to a higher national level, with our limited intelligence resources, we may not be able to provide a timely analysis report."
A representative who rarely participated in affairs spoke up, "What about the active consciousness entities in the Fusion Zone branch? Didn't they take any action?"
The operations officer, standing nearby, answered, "We haven't received any telegrams or messages from there. Due to the agreement's restrictions, the active consciousness entities couldn't be deployed."
One of the representatives calmly concluded, "In the matter of the relic retrieval, we are out of the equation."
The representatives exchanged glances, acknowledging this outcome. In a fight involving fighters, as long as they were in good physical condition, anyone else within their limit would be nothing more than cannon fodder, without a doubt.
There was no need to consider the dispatched teams further. Since Datong had achieved victory, they wouldn't let even one person return, just as they wouldn't have done in the same situation.
Delegate Oberth spoke up, "Let's take a moment to assess the losses from our recent operation. Ladies and gentlemen, we must now submit a report to the Union headquarters. Should we continue to stay in Jiabei Province's fusion zone, or abandon all plans and withdraw from here?"
Oberth continued, "I'd like to remind all representatives that each of your opinions may significantly influence our future actions. Please consider your suggestions carefully."
After some discussion among the representatives, most of them concluded that they couldn't abandon Jiabei Province. Instead, they should support the Municipal Parliament as much as possible.
The Union rose to prominence after the split of the Grand Alliance. It is a coalition of interests formed by global corporations and major companies, and any centralized government is a target of their vigilance. They will do their best to restrict and weaken such governments from all angles, while promoting their own proxies.
Moreover, Datong is a world power with a massive scale. If a government like this were to reclaim and centralize its power, it would not be in their interests.
The location of Jiabei Province is also of great importance. If the Datong government fully regains control here, it could then influence the northern Hedong Province and the southern Huainan Province, both significant central cities of Datong. If these areas were to connect, it would be enough to affect the entire outer ocean, which is not favorable for their global plans.
Melvithers from Deep Sea Spiral Company spoke up, "If the Old Imperial Household in the fusion zone is defeated, the focus will shift internally. We can predict that they will oppress and control the various branches, which is not in our interest. We must find a way to support the Municipal Parliament and maintain the basic balance."
Mr. Chi from Original People Company added, "Before submitting the decision report, we should contact the Municipal Parliament as soon as possible. They understand Datong's situation better than we do, and they should be able to make reasonable responses and arrangements. Additionally, I propose transferring some technology to the Municipal Parliament to strengthen their capabilities."
Chi looked around at the representatives, "Before submitting the report, I hope that our Original People Company can settle in the Central City without any further obstacles. I believe this is the quickest way to stabilize the situation here."
The representatives looked at each other, and one of them spoke up, "I agree."
"Agreed."
"Agreed!"
After each representative expressed their opinion, Delegate Oberth had the meeting minutes and the final report delivered to the headquarters by a designated person.
They were highly efficient, and within just half an hour after the meeting, they dispatched a representative to make contact with the Municipal Parliament.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Parliament felt no joy upon learning that the Defense Department had won the war in the fusion zone. Instead, they sensed a deep crisis.
If the Old Imperial Household forces in the fusion zone were defeated, the external threats to Jiabei Province would essentially disappear. This would then turn the focus inward, and the primary target would undoubtedly be them.
As the congressmen were filled with panic and chaos, the swift arrival of the Union representatives was like a shot of adrenaline.
To their delight, the Union agreed to provide them with technology and cultivate a better active consciousness entity in the Central City to counterbalance the loss of the Old Imperial Household.
Although this entity was nominally under the Municipal Parliament, the actual owner was still the Union. However, at this point, the Municipal Parliament was not concerned about such details.
If the higher-ups could maintain their power, then things could return to the familiar realm of routine interest struggles.
After some internal discussions, many parliamentarians felt they couldn't afford to wait. They needed to take the initiative and create chaos to buy some time. Someone suggested starting with the Handling Bureau.
"Three investigation directors of the Handling Bureau, one is dead, one is in the fusion zone, and Wu Quan's audit ends at the end of the month. Currently, only Han Fu is alive. We can help him clear his name and quickly restore his position, promoting him to take control of the Handling Bureau."
However, another parliamentarian was skeptical, "This is a difficult task. Chen Director publicly judged Han Fu in front of everyone, and Han Fu later confessed. Now everyone knows that Han Fu colluded with external enemies and murdered his colleagues. Even if he is released, it's highly unlikely that anyone will listen to him."
The parliamentarian turned to a security advisor beside him and asked, "Can Chen Director come back alive?"
The advisor replied, "It's hard to say. Normally, fighters' battles don't involve others, but since the Defense Department won, there's a chance he could return alive."
The parliamentarian spoke coldly, "Then let's delay his return to the Central City. And send out Wang Weiguang, isn't he also an executive captain of the Handling Bureau? Let them handle this matter. We gave them pure substance, and now it's time for them to step up."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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