Back when they were still fighting the Zong Consortium, Zhang Xiaoman had seen the steam locomotive. At that time, they were even being pursued by the Zong Consortium’s armored brigade.
Therefore, when the iconic whistle of the steam locomotive suddenly bellowed in the desolate wilderness, Zhang Xiaoman’s first thought was that the future commander was here!
As there were no railroad tracks in the vicinity of Mt. Youyu, there was no other explanation for this sound other than Ren Xiaosu’s steam locomotive.
As the black steam locomotive appeared over the mountains with black smoke billowing from its smokestack, Wang Yun and the others could clearly see Ren Xiaosu’s figure through the windows.
Wang Yun said to Zhang Xiaoman in a startled manner, “Did someone perform blessings on your tongue?”
Zhang Xiaoman wondered, “Why does it sound like you’re scolding me?”
But no one had time to care about this right now as they were all concerned about something else. Why had Ren Xiaosu suddenly appeared here? Wasn’t that too much of a coincidence?
After the steam locomotive came to a stop at the entrance of the base, it dissipated. Zhang Xiaoman walked up excitedly. “Future Commander, I finally get to see you again. After we parted ways that day—”
“Hold it right there.” Ren Xiaosu could not stand it anymore. “What’s with you? You didn’t act like this the last time we saw each other.”
“You weren’t our future commander then, were you?” Zhang Xiaoman chuckled.
“Is that what you should be saying?!”
“Why have you suddenly come here?” Zhang Xiaoman asked.
“I read in Hope Media’s newspapers that y’all were coming to Mt. Youyu. So after doing the Pyro Company a small favor, I came looking for y’all,” Ren Xiaosu explained.
Yang Xiaojin, who was beside them, rolled her eyes at him. You call killing several thousand barbarians a small favor? Then what would be considered a big favor? Wiping out the expeditionary army?
Ren Xiaosu pulled P5092 to the front. “Let me introduce you. This is the Pyro Company’s P5 commander. He’s also joined the Northwest now, the Prosperous Northwest!”
P5092 had a look of conflict on his face, but he did not reject it in the end.
But Wang Yun was shocked by the sight of this. He used to be a member of the Kong Consortium and was very experienced when it came to dealing with the Pyro Company.
As a matter of fact, it was simply too difficult to pry any information out of a Pyro Company spy.
Therefore, the Kong Consortium would just routinely interrogate the Pyro Company spies they had captured since they already knew they would not talk.
But Ren Xiaosu was different. This guy actually poached a P5 division commander of the Pyro Company?
Wang Yun looked at P5092 as he had seen him in a photo before. But he still found this unbelievable, so he confirmed with him, “Pardon me, what’s your serial number?”
P5092 answered, “P5092.”
Wang Yun gasped. He could remember the information of every high-ranking P5 commander, and P5092 had always been the most difficult to deal with among the Pyro Company members. If a commander of the Kong Consortium’s frontline troops heard their opponent was P5092’s 3rd Division, they would act extremely cautiously.
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Many of the Kong Consortium’s officers were even said to admit defeat in advance once they heard they were going up against P5092’s troops.
Someone within the Kong Consortium had suggested assassinating P5092 on multiple occasions. That was because he was the most likely candidate to take over the position of commander-in-chief of the military corps in recent years.
And such an important figure like him… had also joined the Prosperous Northwest?!
This Prosperous Northwest thing was this fucking irresistible?!
P5092 looked at Wang Yun and asked, “You know me?”
“Yes, I know you very well.” Wang Yun said, “You’re 29 this year, and you like eating apples. When your troops are reorganizing, you enjoy being alone. You live at 278 Guangxing Road in Stronghold 24, and you’re the only one in your family.”
P5092 was stunned. “Since you know me so well, might you be from the Kong Consortium? Wait a minute, you’re that guy with the excellent memory from the Kong Consortium, right? I remember you. So were you all planning to poison me after finding out my address and favorite food?”
“That’s right,” Wang Yun admitted frankly. “But now I’m no longer working for the Kong Consortium, so I don’t have to think about how to assassinate you anymore.”
P5092 wondered, “You’ve joined the Prosperous Northwest as well?”
“Yes, I’ve joined the Prosperous Northwest as well.”
These past enemies had suddenly joined the Prosperous Northwest, and it made for an exceptionally hilarious scene.
Ren Xiaosu chuckled and said, “See, the Northwest is really one big, happy family. We recruit talent and find common ground while putting aside differences! Look at us, doesn’t this feel like a fairy tale to you? The witch originally wanted to kill Snow White with a poisoned apple, but after being inspired by the Northwest, they put aside their grudges and devoted themselves to the building up of the Northwest!”
P5092 and Wang Yun’s faces darkened.
Then P5092 looked over to the military base and was stunned by what he saw. “Who’s the commander of these troops? Why are they such a mess? The soldiers and officers here have nothing to do at all. Wait, are those two men at the entrance regimental officers? Why are they arguing….”
Zhang Xiaoman said in embarrassment, “I’m the commander of the Northwest’s 6th Combat Brigade….”
P5092 deliberated for a moment and said less harshly, “You should get these troops in order.”
In just an instant, P5092’s professionalism was triggered. He could not bear to see military management being handled so chaotically. How could an army like this possibly have any combat strength?
P5092 looked at Ren Xiaosu. “Fortress 178 troops have always been well-known for their strict discipline and high combat effectiveness. But why do I feel like it’s different from what I imagined?”
Zhang Xiaoman quickly explained, “Well, it’s like this. A year ago, I was still just a company commander. But after the Zong Consortium’s territory was folded in, our military expanded, and I was promoted three ranks. As I’m still learning the ropes, I’m not a competent brigade commander yet. This time, I’m actually only leading the troops here for Future Commander. He’ll be the one leading them and deciding how we’re going to fight this war.”
P5092 thought for a moment and said, “Then learn from me.”
With that, he walked straight towards the command post without regard for anyone. Zhang Xiaoman looked at Ren Xiaosu from the back and thought, ‘That guy is so rude. Who the hell does he think he is? He’s even telling me to learn from him?‘
Ren Xiaosu whispered to him, “P5092 is indeed outstanding at leading troops into battle. You should watch and learn—”
But before Ren Xiaosu could finish speaking, P5092 turned around and looked at Zhang Xiaoman. “What are you still standing there for? Gather all the commanders and staff officers for a meeting. I want to be brought up to date about the troop situation and status within half an hour. We have to fully reorganize the troops today and see results within three days.”
When P5092 assumed the position of the commander, his aura was completely different from usual. He had the demeanor of the highest-ranking officer in the military and sounded extremely decisive.
P5092 looked at Ren Xiaosu and said calmly, “You don’t think that I’m trying to seize power, do you?”
Ren Xiaosu chuckled, “No, it’s up to you to decide how to lead the troops. You are now the highest-ranking commander of these troops and can freely move around the base.”
This corresponded with the treatment Ren Xiaosu received back at the Pyro Company.
P5092 nodded and said calmly, “This was your purpose for making me join the Prosperous Northwest. In that case, I shall not stand on ceremony. Those who disobey my orders will be court martialed.”