The First Order

Chapter 958: The war escalates

“Fatty, why on earth did we come all the way out here to the Central Plains’ battlefield?” Zhou Qi, who was standing next to Luo Lan, complained, “We’ve only been back in the Southwest for two days, but you’re dragging us out again already. Our secret base was just destroyed by the Wang Consortium and the Anjing House, so why are you rushing here to help them?”

“It’s not like I’m here to help the Wang Consortium.” Luo Lan said nonchalantly, “It’s definitely a good thing if the Wang Consortium’s strength is weakened. They actually sent someone to destroy our base while they were facing such a formidable enemy here. Did they have too much free time or what? However, I’m here because of Ren Xiaosu, understand? A friend! That’s what he is!”

Zhou Qi curled his lips. “You’re making it sound like your friendship runs that deep.”

“Of course it’s deep.” Luo Lan said, “Have you forgotten how he saved us back then? I might not have any other strong points, but you can’t question my loyalty. A drop of water should be repaid with a fountain. Ren Xiaosu has saved me on so many occasions. Since I know he’s trapped at Mt. Zuoyun this time, it won’t be right if I don’t help him.”

“You’re already doing a lot by bringing 2,000 nanosoldiers with you.” Zhou Qi said, “The value of a nanosoldier is comparable to a missile. I wonder what you two brothers are thinking. To think that Qing Zhen is putting up with your nonsense as well! Is he really not afraid the Wang Consortium will take this opportunity to capture you?”

Luo Lan said unhappily, “Why do you always have to put a sum on everything? Can friendship be calculated in monetary terms?”

“What should I calculate it with if not monetarily?” Zhou Qi said disdainfully, “In this world, only money will not betray you. But friendship? You care so much about friendship, but let’s see how many people will come and save you when you’re in trouble.”

Luo Lan chuckled and said, “Who cares if they’ll help? It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the importance of friendship, but don’t worry, if you ever get into trouble one day, I’ll definitely save you even if it means risking my life.”

After Luo Lan said that, Zhou Qi fell silent.

This reinforced regiment that had rushed over from the Southwest had been marching for several days. When Luo Lan found out Ren Xiaosu was trapped at Mt. Zuoyun, he immediately organized the troops and set off for the Central Plains.

Fortunately, the Southwest and Northwest were connected by road, and the Northwest also had a highway leading to the Central Plains. This made it easier for their military trucks to rush to the battlefield.

At this moment, they were only about ten kilometers away from the outer perimeter of Mt. Zuoyun. Luo Lan suddenly stopped in his tracks. “We’re nearly there, right? We should be able to contact them! Operator! Where’s the operator? Contact the 6th Combat Brigade of the Northwest Army at Mt. Zuoyun.”

Luo Lan had already contacted Fortress 178 before coming here, so he knew how to contact the troops at Mt. Zuoyun.

Currently, all of the 6th Combat Brigade’s communications equipment were basically no longer in use. However, the basic military radio set was still in working condition to maintain communications with the Wang Consortium.

A radio set like this basically only had a communications range of several dozen kilometers. Therefore, Luo Lan had to get close enough before he could get in touch with the other party.

Luo Lan muttered, “Ren Xiaosu will definitely be very surprised when he finds out that I suddenly came to his rescue!”

When the call went through, Luo Lan immediately shouted, “Where’s Ren Xiaosu? I’m looking for your commander, Ren Xiaosu. Tell him that Luo Lan has come to support you all in battle!”

After a brief silence on the other end of the call, Ren Xiaosu’s puzzled voice said, “Fatty Luo? Why are you here?”

“I’m here to save my friend. Enough with the small talk, I’m leading 2,000 nanosoldiers in preparation to join the battle. Quick, tell me your battle plan so that I can organize an attack,” Luo Lan said excitedly.

Unlike Qing Zhen who did not like waging war, Luo Lan was a war fanatic. In the past, the two Qing Consortium combat brigades he and Qing Zhen led had always been the Qing Consortium’s main armies.

So Luo Lan got excited at the mere mention of war.

Honestly, Luo Lan had been very busy for the past year or so, but it was not because he had participated in a lot of wars. He was basically just busy stirring up trouble everywhere.

It was not that he wanted to be a shit-stirrer, but that the Qing Consortium needed someone like him to do their shady work. Qing Zhen did not have many people he could absolutely trust, so he could only depend on Luo Lan.

At this moment, in the command post, Wang Yun and P5092 looked at each other as they listened to Ren Xiaosu take the call.

They were just talking about how 2,000 barbarians had suddenly appeared in the northwestern direction, and that made them very worried it would affect the battle. In the end, it turned out that reinforcements had arrived!

Xun Yeyu’s mental perception would not be wrong, but P5092 really did not expect it to be reinforcements!

Seeing that the ammunition at the defensive position was about to run out and that the enemy was going to up their troop numbers further, P5092 appeared calm but was actually burning with anxiety.

But all of a sudden, reinforcements had arrived?

Ren Xiaosu glanced at P5092. “How should they coordinate with us? It’s not like we know what the situation outside the expeditionary army’s perimeter is like.”

Luo Lan suddenly said, “Why don’t I probe the barbarians’ strength first?”

P5092 suddenly took the receiver and said calmly, “No, you all can’t join the battle yet. Although we’re very grateful that you rushed to Mt. Zuoyun’s rescue, but based on your strength, it isn’t enough to affect the battle much. So I hope you can go near the Ningzhi River first and wait for the next step of our battle plan.”

It was definitely a good thing to have outside support, and the nanosoldiers were very strong. But if they were to fight the expeditionary army head on, 2,000 nanosoldiers would not be enough to determine the outcome of the battle. Therefore, they still had to wait.

The arrival of the reinforcements at this moment would boost the morale of the troops, but P5092 calmly analyzed the situation and decided to place the Southwestern troops on standby first.

On the other end of the line, Luo Lan chuckled and said, “Alright, we’ll follow your orders. I had a look at the map just now and saw that the Ningzhi River is 11 kilometers south of Mt. Zuoyun. That’s still 16 kilometers from where we are now. My troops are expected to arrive in 40 minutes. We’ll contact you all again after we reach the designated location.”

P5092 said, “Thank you, I’m looking forward to hearing from you.”

“All the best.”

After that, they ended the call. P5092 took a deep breath and said with a smile, “As long as the expeditionary army doesn’t send in any more reinforcements, we still have a glimmer of hope.”

“Only a glimmer of hope?” Xun Yeyu muttered at the side, “Why does it sound like we’re still waiting for our deaths?”

“There’s only a few thousand of us while the expeditionary army has tens of thousands of soldiers. It’s great that we even have a glimmer of hope,” P5092 said with a laugh.

Wang Yun examined P5092’s expression and realized he really looked a little more relaxed this time. It seemed that the arrival of Luo Lan and his troops had boosted P5092’s confidence.

But at this moment, a staff officer suddenly ran in from outside. “Sir, Position 3 was nearly breached by the stealthy elite barbarian. Fortunately, the Great Hoodwinker took care of the situation. Otherwise, it would have been over for us. Position 3 has forced the barbarians back with intense fire, but they’re almost out of ammo. They’re hoping to get more fire support.”