Chapter 135 Northern Border Crisis

The team attracted the attention of many veteran officers as it passed through the cadre compound.

Everyone was guessing their intentions.

When they saw the team heading straight for Chen Qiong and Zhang Shoucheng, some even suspected that the federal high-level officials felt the previous punishment for the two was not enough. They thought "retirement" was too light and now wanted to increase the penalty, throwing them into prison!

"What's going on?"

"I don't know! This team... they aren't duty personnel, they're a combat team!"

"The nameplates on their chests seem to indicate they belong to the United Front Work Department!"

A group of elderly retired cadres, with an average age of over seventy-five and snow-white hair, followed the team's movements with their eyes!

Chen Qiong and Zhang Shoucheng, seeing the team approaching from afar, had serious and solemn expressions.

Unlike the other retired cadres, they sensed a tragic and urgent emotion from the team. Coupled with the ongoing war, a very strong ominous premonition surged into their hearts.

Thump, thump, thump!

The middle-aged general at the front led the team and stopped three steps in front of Chen Qiong and Zhang Shoucheng. His lips trembled, his eyes were red, and after giving a standard military salute, he almost cried out:

"The Northern Border Legion is in danger! The majority of our forces have been wiped out!"

"Supreme Commander Li Zhi deserted his post and his whereabouts are currently unknown!"

"The T-119 defense line is on the verge of collapse!"

"Please, General Chen Qiong, immediately go to the battlefield and take charge of the overall situation!"

Chen Qiong and Zhang Shoucheng were stunned.

Three seconds later, Chen Qiong's lips trembled. His face was as pale as paper, and his breathing was rapid and heavy. He felt a blockage in his chest, his vision went dark, and his body slumped backward.

"Old Chen!"

"General!"

Disordered and noisy shouts rang in Chen Qiong's ears, but he felt the sound getting further and further away.

The Northern Border Military Region was one of the four major military regions established after the Federation's founding war. It could be regarded as a pillar of the entire Federation. Among the four major military regions, the Northern Border Military Region's battle record was not the strongest or most dazzling, but it was definitely the most stable!

Whether it was the internal turmoil in the early days of the founding or resisting foreign invasions, the Northern Border Military Region's tactics had always been to advance steadily and defend its positions as solid as a rock, without any omissions. It was the most adept at defense and the most reliable unit!

"The best at defense hides under the nine layers of earth, making it impossible to uproot!"

This was the evaluation of the Northern Border Military Region by several former Federation Heads of State!

Even during the most difficult and fiercest war periods in the Federation's history, the Northern Border Military Region had never suffered such huge casualties.

It was precisely because of the Northern Border Military Region's tactical characteristics that the Federation Head of State entrusted Li Zhi with the important task of defending the line!

Everything the Northern Border Military Region now possessed – weapons, soldiers, high-precision tactics, foundation, history, and glory – had been accumulated through the bloody battles of countless officers and soldiers of the Northern Border Military Region over generations. But now, almost all of it had been lost in one fell swoop!

Watching the legacy of several generations being squandered so easily by a stupid guy, this feeling was more painful for Chen Qiong than killing him directly.

His body itself had suffered from many hidden illnesses and injuries during decades of warfare. At this moment, under the stimulation of emotions, Chen Qiong's body could no longer bear it, and he directly fainted and lost consciousness.

"Quick! Quick... go get the Ancient-Grade Fruit, go get the Transformation Fruit!"

The middle-aged general who was leading the team had quick eyes and hands. He grabbed the falling Chen Qiong, gently placed him on the sofa, and shouted urgently.

This middle-aged general also came from the Northern Border Military Region. Although he had been transferred to the United Front Work Department several times later, he still respected the old Commander Chen Qiong very much. Seeing Chen Qiong in trouble at this time, he immediately became anxious.

Although this was a retirement cadre compound, it was, after all, "retirement." And in the current tragic world situation, these third-line "logistical residences" did not store precious Ancient-Grade Fruits.

Ninety-nine point nine-nine percent of the Ancient-Grade Fruits and Transformation Fruits possessed within the Federation had been transported to the battlefields and into the troops!

Therefore, faced with Chen Qiong's sudden fainting, everyone panicked for a moment.

"The nearest camp will take at least twenty minutes to deliver the Ancient-Grade Fruit. Now the border defense line is in urgent need... every minute of delay will result in more losses. We can't wait. Just carry the General onto the plane. We can stop at the combat camp on the way to get the Ancient-Grade Fruit!" The middle-aged general's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he directed the others to carry Chen Qiong away.

"Wait!" Zhang Shoucheng stepped forward to stop the middle-aged general, frowning and saying, "You haven't figured out Old Chen's physical condition yet. Will moving him without authorization worsen his symptoms? If you forcibly carry him onto the plane, what if he can't make it to the next combat camp?"

"What will you do if he dies on the way!" Zhang Shoucheng's voice was dignified as he sternly questioned the other party.

The middle-aged general tightly gripped Chen Qiong's arm, and hot tears rolled down from his eyes. He shouted with some uncontrollable emotion, "The Northern Border Military Region is about to be wiped out. Those are our comrades and brothers! General Chen has fallen down now, what should we do? You tell me! Tell me!"

The middle-aged general's shouts attracted a group of old cadres. They came to the door and silently watched Zhang Shoucheng.

"Immediately send Old Chen to the hospital and have the nearby camp send medicine over!" Zhang Shoucheng looked around and then fixed his gaze on the middle-aged general's face: "Then... I'll go with you! I'll go to the border defense line with you!"

"You?" The middle-aged general asked in reply.

Although Zhang Shoucheng and Chen Qiong had both been military region commanders, Zhang Shoucheng managed the Western Frontier, and his tactical command style was completely different from that of the Northern Border Legion. Could he replace Chen Qiong at this time?

"The Western Frontier Theater has conducted countless military exercises with the Northern Border Theater. I know the Northern Border Military Region's commanders at all levels and Chen Qiong's tactical style like the back of my hand," Zhang Shoucheng said in a very urgent tone. "I can fight with the Northern Border Legion, and I can command them!"

There has always been a saying in the world that the person who knows you best is not yourself, but your enemy.

Zhang Shoucheng and Chen Qiong were old comrades-in-arms and old partners for life, and they could also be considered "enemies" in a certain sense. Both sides understood each other too deeply!

The solution proposed by Zhang Shoucheng at this time might really be feasible!

The middle-aged general pondered for two seconds, gave Zhang Shoucheng a standard salute, and handed over the military appointment letter: "Please immediately take over the position of Commander of the Northern Border and rush to the defense line!"

Zhang Shoucheng took the letter of appointment and strode out.

The middle-aged general looked at his back with tears in his eyes: "Please, save the Northern Border Theater!"

"Please, save our soldiers!"

Zhang Shoucheng didn't look back and said loudly:

"Prepare for boarding immediately!"

"Connect me to the Allied Joint Command. I want to talk to Li Tianran!"