novelburst
Chapter 405: Choice, Decision
Chapter 405: Choice, Decision
Chapter 405: Choice, Decision
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Xu Qipeng looked at the soldiers standing down there and said, "Starting today, the Juncheng Military Base is officially separating from the central government."
He paused, observed the soldiers for a moment, and then added, "Those who still wish to serve the central government are free to leave. We will provide supplies for your journey to Shoudu City. Those who choose to stay will receive the same treatment as members of the First Army."
Seeing that everyone was silent, he finally said, "That concludes today's meeting. Dismissed."
After delivering the shocking news, Xu Qipeng left the hall with Xu Ruihan. As soon as the doors closed behind them, the soldiers began discussing the announcement among themselves.
One of the captains turned to Li Tianyu and asked, "Captain Li, what will you do now?"
Li Tianyu replied calmly, "My offer still stands. If anyone wishes to join me, meet me in the parking lot in an hour."
With that, Li Tianyu walked out of the training hall. Seeing their captain leave, Li Tianyu's subordinates quickly followed.
An hour later, Li Tianyu stood before four captains and over twenty thousand soldiers in the parking lot. Looking at them, he asked, "Are you sure you won't regret this?"
The captains nodded resolutely. One of them said, "It's better to control our own futures than to let others decide our lives and deaths."
After enduring over a year of natural disasters, the soldiers understood there was no longer a nation to serve. Instead of protecting ungrateful survivors or being used by those power- hungry people, they preferred to choose their own path, even if death was the end.
Seeing their determination, Li Tianyu said, "Good. I will inform Captain Long. Once preparations are complete, we will leave for our new home."
Hearing this, hope lit up the soldiers' faces. In unison, they replied, "Yes, Captain Li!"
After that, everyone dispersed to pack their belongings while Li Tianyu headed to his dormitory. Before leaving the Second Army's barracks, Li Tianyu changed out of his uniform and donned civilian clothes for the first time in many years.
Having completed his retirement process and returned his weapons and uniform, Li Tianyu carried his backpack and went to the parking lot. Seeing that there was still time left, Li Tianyu took out his satellite phone and called Long Yu.
After a few moments, Long Yu's hoarse and sleepy voice came through the satellite phone, "This is Long Yu."
"It seems I have disturbed your sleep, Captain Long," Li Tianyu said teasingly.
In the villa, Long Yu opened his eyes, glanced at the caller ID, and put the phone back to his ear. "You'd better have something important to say," he replied.
Li Tianyu chuckled and then asked, "Have you heard what happened in the Second Army?"
Hearing this, Long Yu's sleepiness vanished. He sat up in bed and asked, "Did Commander Xu do something after Du Zhaoyi left?"
"Yes," Li Tianyu replied calmly. "Commander Xu announced that starting today, the First Army and the Second Army will be disbanded. He also declared that the Juncheng Military Army will officially separate from the central government."
Long Yu was silent for a moment, then asked again, "Commander Xu didn't try to keep you or the other soldiers?"
Li Tianyu sighed at his words and answered, "Of course, he wanted us to stay. But we all know that staying means we won't be serving the country or its people anymore, but we'd be serving the Xu, Mu, and Hua families. Most of the soldiers aren't willing to do that, especially when better options are available."
"Although the Xu family offered tempting conditions and rewards, the majority of my brothers in the Second Army would rather join your team than serve the rich families."
"How many of you are joining us?" Long Yu asked after a moment of silence.
Li Tianyu glanced at the soldiers gathered in the parking lot and said, "About twenty thousand people, including me, will join your team."
Long Yu was surprised by the number when he heard his answer. "That is incredible. Did you call me just to tell me this?"
Li Tianyu chuckled again and replied, "Not entirely. There is one more thing I need to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Long Yu asked curiously.
After a brief pause, Li Tianyu explained, "I'm planning to move to your air raid shelter with the others as soon as possible. However, we need fuel and supplies. I was wondering if your girlfriend could help us out."
Long Yu glanced at Yao Ran, who was still asleep, and replied, "It should be possible. I will ask Brother Yuan to deliver the supplies to you later. Where are you now?"
"I'm waiting with the others in the parking lot of the Second Army's barracks," Li Tianyu replied. "Can Yuan Rihui get the supplies to us within an hour? We need to leave before news of the disbandment spreads."
Thinking of the chaos that would happen when people knew that the two armies were disbanded and a large number of soldiers left the base, Long Yu understood why Li Tianyu wanted to leave as soon as possible.
After a moment of silence, Long Yu agreed, "Alright. We will send the supplies as fast as we can."
"Good."
After he ended the call, Long Yu gently called out, "Ran Ran, wake up."
Yao Ra's eyelids moved slightly before she opened her eyes sleepily. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"Li Tianyu just called," Long Yu explained. "He and about twenty thousand soldiers have retired from the Second Army and want to join us. They plan to leave for our air raid shelter in an hour and need fuel and supplies for the journey. Can you help them prepare the supplies?" Yao Ran blinked for a few seconds and asked, "Why so suddenly? Did something happen in the army?"
Long Yu nodded. "Commander Xu announced the disbandment of the First and Second Armies and the establishment of a new one. He also declared that this base is officially separating from the central government starting today."