Wasteland Commander-Chapter 422 - 113: Young Marshal

Above the Celestial River.

Jiangzhou’s three aircraft carrier battle groups, over thirty warships, are forging ahead through the waves.

The once-destroyed First Fleet by the Dawn Army has now completely restored its strength, even more powerful than before it was annihilated.

A nuclear-powered carrier from the White Eagle Country has given this fleet capabilities stronger than before the apocalypse.

To acquire this carrier, Zheng Jinnan not only gave White Eagle Country countless treasures but also signed numerous treaties to obtain the ship.

According to people from White Eagle Country, this is the world’s first nuclear-powered carrier after the apocalypse. If it weren’t for Zheng Jinnan’s urgent need, they would absolutely not have sold it.

This carrier can carry over eighty aircraft, and these eighty aircraft also come from White Eagle Country, including thirty fifth-generation jets and fifty fourth-and-a-half generation fighter jets.

The remaining radar systems and even satellite positioning are included, as the White Eagle Country launched satellites after the apocalypse.

In short, this ship is very advanced and powerful, and the accompanying ships are also complete, including cruisers, frigates, supply ships, etc.

Besides this nuclear-powered carrier, there are also two conventional-powered carriers belonging to the Second Fleet and Third Fleet.

However, compared to the First Fleet, they are still far inferior. Zheng Jinnan is determined to rebuild the First Fleet, which is what Commander Chu Yuan is most delighted about.

Chu Yuan is now not only the commander of the First Fleet but also the commander-in-chief of this eastward advance.

In Jiangzhou City now, he is known as the Young Marshal, and Zheng Jinnan is almost grooming him as his successor.

Standing in front of the carrier’s control station, he gazes forward, his heart turbulent.

No one can understand his feelings at this moment, he has waited too long for this day.

The last time he was ambushed by the Dawn Army, he thought it was because he was careless at the time.

In that battle, he was very dissatisfied with his loss, having watched Ye Fan establish and expand his power on Dawn Island for such a long time, his frustration was indescribable.

He hopes and longs for the day when he can directly confront Ye Fan again.

He wants to personally defeat the Dawn Army and wash away the shame of his previous defeat.

He wants to prove to his adoptive father Zheng Jinnan that his choice wasn’t wrong, and also prove to the old guys in Jiangzhou that he is fully capable of succeeding Zheng Jinnan, shouldering the responsibilities of Jiangzhou, and even the entire Empire.

"Failure is the mother of success... who understands the dreams swallowed up in my heart.... After a hundred battles in the yellow sands, break Gold’s armor, and not return until Dawn is broken... Ye Fan, the one who laughs last, laughs best. You wouldn’t have thought, that I, Chu Yuan, am back again!"

With a tiger hidden in his heart and heroic ambitions soaring, Chu Yuan glances at the majestic fleet beside him, at the endless troops on the shore highway, feeling an urge to shout to the sky.

"How far are we from Dawn Island?"

"Reporting, Young Marshal, 270 kilometers away."

"What’s the situation on Chang Liu’s side?"

"According to reconnaissance, we’ve learned that Chang Liu’s battle isn’t particularly smooth. Initially, he had the upper hand, but the Dawn Army quickly stabilized and counterattacked using Mushroom Bombs. Now, Chang Liu’s 1.5 million armed zombies have dwindled to less than 400,000."

"Hmph! What a waste, spending so much of the Duke’s funds to create over a million undead troops, only to have just a quarter remain after barely three hours of fighting. Such a person simply doesn’t deserve to live in this world!"

Chu Yuan has always looked down on Liu Chang.

He never believed that simply relying on controlling zombies could determine anything; the power of this world lies in technology and civilization.

Especially now, with the military industry recovering rapidly, it’s only a matter of time before the zombies are wiped out. Creating armed zombies is just a waste of resources.

The real solution to Ye Fan must rely on himself.

"Inform Liu Chang to hold on for another two hours. We’ll reach the designated location in an hour and a half, and launch a full assault in two hours. If he can’t hold on for two hours, he should prepare to meet his end."

"Understood!"

"Additionally, notify Mountain River Base and Huaihai Base to march quickly forward, reaching the position in an hour and launching a full-scale attack in an hour and a half."

"Young Marshal, aren’t we attacking in two hours?"

"What do you know about warfare, real and fake scenes? Let Mountain River Base take the lead and draw Dawn Army’s firepower. At that time, the armed zombies and Mountain River Huaihai Alliance Army will attack simultaneously, and Ye Fan will be overwhelmed. Then, our main forces will launch a fierce attack, and perhaps we can capture Dawn Island in one stroke! Follow my instructions; if no firing is seen within an hour and a half, military law will be enforced!"

"Understood!"

"And for the people at Crescent Island, I originally didn’t expect them to achieve anything significant, but to ensure their dedication, some incentives are necessary. Tell Crescent Island’s people that if they put in full effort this time, they can manage Dawn Island after the war, as they’ve been eager to gain territory at Qin Han. I’m giving them this chance."

The messenger’s eyes lit up, "Young Marshal is wise. They were a bit hesitant before, but with such great benefits, they’ll definitely tear into the Dawn Army like mad dogs. This time, Ye Fan is in trouble."

"Hehehe! That’s human nature. Give them benefits, and naturally, they’ll do what I want. Just follow my instructions."

"Rest assured, Young Marshal! Orders will be carried out clearly!"

The communicator left to deliver the orders, and Chu Yuan opened the map to examine it.

It’s only more than 200 kilometers away from Dawn Island, and this distance is actually already within the range of the rocket artillery.

But he won’t yet launch an attack. A simple rocket artillery attack is merely harassment. Taking advantage now that the Dawn Army is being harassed by armed zombies and is unprepared, closing in and pushing forward with formidable strength is the true strategy.

"Ye Fan! A headless fly! Like an ostrich in a sandpit, worrying about the head but not the rear, only knows how to deal with zombies, doesn’t even react to our arrival. You really disappoint me."

"Alas! Other than the revenge that interests me a bit, this will be a tedious journey."

......

Chu Yuan’s orders were quickly communicated.

Over at Mountain River Base and Huaihai Base, they immediately took action according to his orders.

"Quick, quick, quick! Full speed ahead!"

"We must reach the predetermined position within an hour. Right now, the Dawn Army is engaging in battle with armed zombies, and they are already overstretched."

"This is our opportunity. Among the major base cities, only our two have suffered significant damage. If we can’t make a mark in this battle, if the Duke becomes the Emperor later, our days will not be easy."

"Indeed, the battle to conquer Dawn Island is the juncture for the Empire’s future direction. As long as Ye Fan falls, Su Qiao’s troops over there won’t be able to hold on by themselves, and defeat is inevitable. The Duke’s ascension to Emperor is virtually assured."

"So the two of us brothers mustn’t lag behind; whether we become founding fathers depends on this time."

The leaders of these two bases aren’t very capable, relatively mediocre. Coupled with being continually struck by the Dawn Army, their strength is quite weak, losing all ambition to dominate, willing to become Zheng Jinnan’s lackeys.

......

Located on the southeastern sea of Dawn Island, the fleet from Crescent Island includes a conventionally powered aircraft carrier accompanied by a dozen warships and numerous cargo ships.

Crescent Island’s Commander Liao Jinhua received instructions from Chu Yuan and became excited.

"Did you hear, brothers! If we wholeheartedly help Jiangzhou win this war, Dawn Island will be ours in the future!"

There was an uproar around: "Really? Will Chu Yuan keep his promise?"

"Don’t worry, Zheng Jinnan has already stated that he will pass on the family assets to Chu Yuan in the future. As long as we win this battle, he will most likely be the future Emperor, and his word is definitely reliable."

"Since that’s the case, we must go all out. Dawn Island is a feng shui treasure; later we can collect taxes here, enjoying excess every day."

"Finally, a chance to leave Crescent Island. We must seize this opportunity this time!"

"We have to give it our all, Chief Liao. This time we should make a grand play."

Listening to the officers’ statements, Liao Jinhua smiled: "Don’t worry. This time I give you freedom. Once on Dawn Island, do whatever you wish, otherwise how can we show our all-out effort?"

Upon hearing Liao Jinhua’s words, these officers from Crescent Island showed sinister smiles. This time, they are set to be merciless invaders.

As Ye Fan, who can’t see the situation clearly and goes against the tide, can only play the victim.

.....

On Dawn Island, Liu Chang also received instructions from Chu Yuan.

Regarding Chu Yuan’s orders, he was somewhat dismissive.

Chu Yuan’s command to him was to hold on for two hours no matter what.

This was simply belittling him. Although in mid-battle he encountered some setbacks, he wouldn’t now.

With the remaining 400,000 zombies, Liu Chang believed he could stall with Ye Fan for three days without any problem.

As long as he doesn’t rush greedily for success, fighting a war of attrition, he even felt he could possibly drag down the Dawn Army.

Of course, launching a full attack is not feasible; the power of the Mushroom Bomb left a deep impression on him.

He knew Chu Yuan somewhat underestimated his armed zombies. At first, only he understood how strong these armed zombies were.

Just the intensity of the recent battle, he dared to say, letting Chu Yuan lead his troops to fight would likely have collapsed by now.

Liu Chang and Chu Yuan are both adopted sons of Zheng Jinnan, mutually disdainful of each other.

In Liu Chang’s view, Chu Yuan is merely a defeated playboy, yet can still be designated as the successor by Zheng Jinnan. It was fundamentally unfair.

These matters, he had no companions to confide in, only able to mutter a few words to the Corpse King beside him.

"Fatty, you better perform outstandingly. We not only need to hold for two hours but even persist till the end of the war. Maybe then, my adoptive father will value the power of armed zombies more, perhaps even give the successor’s position to me."

While Liu Chang muttered, the Corpse King suddenly moved.

Always lazily lying in the marsupial bag, commanding the zombie horde in battle through mind and spiritual power, it suddenly jumped up like a dog whose tail had been stepped on!

From its throat came the zombies’ unique low growl, looking fierce, scarlet eyes fixed on the top of one Dawn Army city wall.