Chapter 76: Sudden Upheaval at the Base

As the group entered the signal range, Wang Ji was the first to receive a notification on his portable tablet. Instantly, he was greeted by a mountain of messages. One message in particular, bold and marked in red, sent by Chen Lin, caught his eye.

“Report on Urgent Elders’ Council Agenda: Decision to Resist the Hostile Takeover Attempt by Zhang Tingfang, the New Base Leader, with Armed Force.”

This message had been sent ten days ago. Wang Ji skimmed through it, his heart tightening with unease. He immediately activated his headset to connect directly with the communications center.

The newly promoted communications director, Xie Zihao, had previously been a private detective—a somewhat eccentric profession in peacetime. However, due to his meticulous mind and relevant experience, Chen Lin had recommended him, and not long after, Li Qing entrusted him with this crucial position. As Li Qing’s most trusted aide, Xie Zihao had been working diligently, pulling night shifts for over ten days.

That very morning, just as he was about to hand over his shift, Xie Zihao’s drowsy eyes suddenly brightened. A huge red exclamation mark flashed on the communications control panel in front of him. Well-versed in communications protocols, he knew this indicated the highest-level request within the base.

He coughed, nudging his dozing colleague awake, and pressed the communications button.

“Zzt... This is Wang Ji... Headquarters, please respond.”

Upon hearing that it was the Independent Company’s commanding officer, everyone froze for a moment. Xie Zihao barked, “Go notify Director Li Qing immediately!”

After such a long wait, Captain Wang’s communication had finally come through!

Remembering Li Qing’s instructions, Xie Zihao quickly picked up the microphone and responded, “Hello, Captain Wang! This is Communications Director Xie Zihao.”

“Good, I’ve received your message. What’s the current situation with the Independent Company?”

Faced with this question, Xie Zihao hesitated for a few seconds before gritting his teeth and answering, “Captain Wang! Everything is going smoothly for the Independent Company...”

On the other end, Wang Ji exchanged a wry smile with Long Qianwen, unsure how to comment on such a vague reply. Still, he was relieved to know the company was intact.

“All right, notify Li Qing and call a high-level online meeting for the Independent Company.” Wang Ji, accompanied by Long Qianwen and Rocky, moved off to the edge of a nearby grove, informing them he needed to handle some matters.

Before long, a visibly exhausted Li Qing rushed in from outside.

“Captain! You’ve finally replied to us!”

Wang Ji let out a hearty laugh. “What’s the matter? From what I’ve read in the reports, it seems the Elders’ Council has handled things quite well. What’s the current situation at the base?”

Li Qing managed a pained smile. “Captain, as you instructed, I’ve asked the others to prepare for a video conference. Overall, the camp base is now under our company’s control. Zhang Tingfang acted recklessly, sent her subordinates to snatch away Cao Muhua, and even attacked our training camp without cause. The Elders’ Council resolved to resist with force.”

“Seven days ago, we ambushed Zhang Tingfang’s main force outside the base, defeated more than five hundred of her troops. Cao Muhua was wounded while covering Zhang Tingfang’s retreat back to Jiangbei Base. During the battle, Liu Tao from the base’s First Company, having been brainwashed by Zhang Tingfang, openly attacked the unit led by Chief Chen Yukai. After we assisted Chief Chen in driving them off, he officially handed control of the camp base over to us.”

“These past few days, everyone’s been run off their feet, handling all sorts of transition matters. Meanwhile, the Elders’ Council has passed a resolution to integrate and expand the army.”

Wang Ji blinked in surprise at Li Qing’s words, not expecting the Independent Company to have accomplished so much. When he’d set up the council, it was meant to empower them to deliberate and act in his absence, particularly when facing formidable threats or major decisions. He hadn’t imagined they’d exceed his expectations.

“Excellent! You haven’t let me down,” Wang Ji praised, delighted.

Li Qing smiled as well. “It was all thanks to your arrangements, Captain. Let’s discuss further during the video conference in five minutes.”

Wang Ji ended the call. Long Qianwen, who’d overheard the base’s situation, was happy for him but also worried. “Brother Wang Ji, this Zhang Tingfang you mentioned, is she from the Zhang family in F City?”

Wang Ji looked at Long Qianwen in surprise, then laughed. “Yes, she is. I didn’t realize she was so well-known.”

Long Qianwen shot him a reproachful look. “It’s not her reputation that’s notable, but the family behind her. Zhang Zhenbei is a household name in the south—an influential figure. You mustn’t take them lightly.”

Wang Ji replied confidently, “Don’t worry. The forces I command are far from simple. Besides, I doubt anyone in the Zhang family could be a match for either of us.”

Reassured by his words, Long Qianwen relaxed. Rocky and his apprentice both smiled as well, silently congratulating themselves for having chosen the right leader.

Li Qing was swift. Within five minutes, Wang Ji placed his tablet before him and activated the projection. Using the signal from the communications tower, his upper body appeared as a three-dimensional hologram in the center of the conference room.

“Good morning, everyone.” Wang Ji cheerfully greeted the core members and the circle of senior officers assembled.

“Good morning, Commander!” The Independent Company’s senior staff, led by Mouse, replied in unison.

Wang Ji looked a little embarrassed. “No need to rush to call me commander. Let’s hear about the situation. Li Qing just gave me a brief report.”

Mouse, the chief elder, sported heavy dark circles under his eyes, but his gaze was bright. He glanced at his own tablet and grinned. “Boss, we’ve taken the camp base.”

“After you left, this Zhang Tingfang showed up, wasted no time in snatching Cao Muhua. Turns out they were old flames. Together, they rallied some former subordinates, turned Liu Tao from First Company, and tried seizing control of the base. But with Chief Chen’s help, we drove them out.”

Mouse vividly recounted the recent battles and changes at the base, speaking non-stop for half an hour. By the end, Wang Ji had a thorough understanding of everything that had transpired.

“Chen Lin, could you summarize the current status of the Independent Company?” Wang Ji asked.

Chen Lin, her tone serious, delivered the figures from memory.

“The current registered strength of the Independent Company is 5,632 personnel: 3,240 in the infantry, 1,020 in the artillery, and 1,372 in reconnaissance and logistics. All units are fully equipped, with 50% of the army’s total equipment stockpiled.”

“There are four supply shops at the base, earning around 3,000 crystal cores daily. The company now holds 23,000 level-one crystal cores, food reserves of 1.2 million tons, and other daily supplies valued at 50,000 crystal cores.”

“Of these, Chief Chen Yukai’s directly subordinate company of 734 personnel is now under our management. We’re providing them with daily ammunition and supplies, but their specific deployment awaits your decision.”

After her report, Chen Lin returned to her seat and glanced at the image of Wang Ji projected before them—dusty, a trace of stubble on his face, his unruly yet steady demeanor making her heart race.

“Excellent work, all of you. The Independent Company’s success is thanks to your dedication. Today, I hereby announce the official establishment of the Independent Legion, with the camp base as our headquarters—renamed Hope Base.”

“Yes, Commander!” The group’s faces lit up with excitement. With the naming of Hope Base, their status and efforts were now fully recognized.

“With our current military organization, step up your training. Though Zhang Tingfang has left, I doubt she’s finished with us. We must be ready for whatever comes next.”

“As for Chief Chen’s troops, supply them with a year’s worth of ammunition and provisions. As long as the base remains stable, we won’t interfere with their operations or management.”

Mouse immediately agreed, “No problem, Boss. I’ll see to it right away.”

Wang Ji nodded. “Just as well, I have a plan to distribute to all seats of the Elders’ Council.”

This plan was a detailed execution scheme Wang Ji had devised after obtaining the Star Fortress blueprints. The first part, which he now sent to them, included construction diagrams for the fortress’s five bastions.

He projected a rendering into the center of the conference room: five towers, each resembling a magical spire, forming a ring around the heart of Hope Base. These were the most crucial structures of the Star Fortress’s perimeter: the multifunctional artillery arrays.

Each twenty-story tower covered five hundred square meters, their defensive weaponry capable of shifting modes to counter various threats—ground, air, or long-range support—technologies more than a century ahead of anything currently available.

As Wang Ji elaborated on the designs, the conference room’s occupants gazed at the blueprints with feverish excitement. With such formidable defenses, their base would be as immovable as a mountain.

“To sum up, Xiaoliuzi and Old Liang, you’re to immediately organize personnel and materials for this phase of construction. Break ground as soon as possible; our defense system must be up and running without delay.”

Wang Ji’s gaze grew serious as he looked at the two men. Liang Jingyang, after recent trials, had proven his logistical prowess, providing the steady supplies that had ensured the company’s combat effectiveness in the fight against Zhang Tingfang.

Xiaoliuzi, too, answered with a grave nod. Though still youthful in appearance, he now radiated steadiness and eagerness to rise to the challenge.

“Rest assured, Boss. We’ll complete all five artillery arrays within three months!” Xiaoliuzi’s eyes gleamed with determination and zeal.

Wang Ji believed that behind his promise lay the tireless efforts of thousands, day and night.

“Very well, I trust you’ll achieve it! With that, I think our meeting can conclude. Chen Lin, please arrange a bonus—one month’s extra pay for all, two months for platoon leaders and above—in recognition of your meritorious service.”

“Thank you, Commander!”

“Keep up the good work. I’ll return to the base soon.” With a wave, Wang Ji ended the projection.