Chapter 200 - 139: The Food Problem, Returning to State Capital Jin City
Chapter 200: Chapter 139: The Food Problem, Returning to State Capital Jin City
Just as the old Division Commander had said, a simultaneous rout of 15,000 people was not only dangerous due to the Zerg Race’s pursuit and interception, but the mere cost of maintaining such an organization was substantial.
In peacetime, or even during a conventional war, none of this would have been an issue.
But this was the apocalypse, a full-scale invasion by alien creatures. Survivors in every country and region were already struggling just to fend for themselves.
The ability to supply front-line operations from the rear was entirely dependent on the advanced transportation network the Federation had once established. But now, as the front lines contracted and retreated, the expanded Thirteenth Division, still at the front, was on the verge of running out of food and ammunition.
But if they were to abandon these soldiers or disband them on the spot, it would deal a heavy blow to the stability of the rear and the Federation’s future resistance forces.
The old Division Commander naturally didn’t want to waste these precious soldiers, either.
Even though they had only enlisted half a month ago and had spent only a few days on the battlefield, they were at least more combat-capable than fleeing civilians.
A structured command system had already been established within their ranks. This level of organization enabled the soldiers to follow and execute orders without question.
It prevented them from degenerating into a disorderly mob or falling into chaos during battle like gangs or bandits.
Now that the Thirteenth Division’s high command had retreated with the Awakeners, the large number of Enhanced People and Early Stage Awakeners left behind were in even greater need of a strong, capable leader.
Someone to lead their continued growth and forge them into the backbone of the resistance against the Zerg Race invasion.
The young man before him could ward off danger and provide weapons. He only needed to solve the food problem, and he could easily take command of this unit on the brink of being disbanded.
Lin Feng was well aware of this.
And he deeply admired the composure of the old man before him.
’He had originally thought the man had come personally to recruit him, or to offer a trade for his services.’
’For instance, capturing live Tier Two Zerg, trading for Tier Two Zerg Eggs to help the Thirteenth Division’s leadership smoothly advance to Tier Two, or even hiring him to fend off the Mother Empress and defend the next key city...’
But to Lin Feng’s surprise, all the man asked was for him to take over the Thirteenth Division. To preserve this unit, to ensure these soldiers wouldn’t be left displaced and homeless, and to prevent this valuable manpower in the fight against the Zerg Race from being wasted.
Lin Feng was in complete agreement on this point.
However, the issue of food supply was just as thorny.
With Hu Fei and Han Yuxin’s help, Lin Feng could manage to feed a few hundred people, perhaps even up to a thousand. But 15,000 soldiers meant 15,000 mouths to feed. Merely keeping them alive would require 1.5 tons of grain each day.
And if they were sent into combat on the front lines, their food consumption would be even higher!
Besides, a diet of only staple foods like rice wouldn’t provide much Power. Meat, rich in fat and protein, was also desperately needed.
Maintaining an infantry division of 15,000 was far more difficult than just feeding 15,000 survivors.
The latter only needed their bellies full, while the former needed to be combat-ready.
Most of these soldiers defending the city had already experienced defensive battles against the Swarm, so their combat ability wasn’t an issue. The key was logistics.
’He could manage weapons and equipment with Replicas, but food couldn’t be Copied.’
’So, until he had a solution, Lin Feng knew he couldn’t just rashly agree.’
’Otherwise, when the time came to face 15,000 hungry mouths, the chaos and distortion of human nature brought on by starvation...’
’...would be more terrifying than defeat itself!’
The old Division Commander was now offering his general’s insignia. The two silver stars represented supreme power in this apocalypse, but they also signified a heavy responsibility.
Normally, a division commander only holds the rank of Major General—a one-star brigadier general at most. But the old Division Commander’s combat record was illustrious. Under his command, the Thirteenth Division had become one of the Federation’s ace units, which was why he had been unconventionally promoted to Two-Star Lieutenant General.
’But Lin Feng didn’t care about the rank itself.’
’With the Awakening and enhancement of individual abilities, without a corresponding Level of actual power, even someone on the presidential throne would eventually become a puppet for a powerful Awakener.’
’Until the food supply was completely resolved, Lin Feng wouldn’t even consider such trivial formalities.’
He took out his phone and saw that, at last, three bars of signal had appeared in the top-right corner of the screen.
The first counterattack, which lasted from afternoon to evening, had successfully pushed the Zerg Race’s area of activity back beyond the first line of defense. With the death of so many new Tier Two Zerg Race members, especially the Pulse War Scorpions, the Hai City Mother Empress had likely fled back to her rear lines overnight.
As a result, the Electromagnetic interference from the Zerg Race Nest had also weakened considerably with the Mother Empress’s retreat.
So Lin Feng raised his phone and said:
"Let me make a call first..."
The old Division Commander nodded. He wasn’t displeased by Lin Feng’s hesitation; in fact, the young man’s cautious nature brought him a sense of relief.
’Thinking deeply and acting only after careful planning—these are essential qualities for a leader.’
’If Lin Feng had been like other young men who had a meteoric rise, coveting the power and status that came with 15,000 soldiers and agreeing instantly, the old commander would have had to re-evaluate his suitability. He would have even put certain hidden measures in place beforehand.’
Lin Feng first called Hu Fei.
A full half-minute passed before the call connected.
Hu Fei was already back in the rear safe zone at Hulao Pass. He had already made contact with the Federation’s high command and was tapping into his high-level network.
Through their conversation, Lin Feng learned that Hu Fei could exchange live members of the Zerg Race for large quantities of food...