Zhang Xiaoqiang didn't expect that Chen Guandong, the director of the Mineral Department that he had personally appointed out of interest, would give him such a big surprise. He had thought that Chen Guandong, as a layman, would only think of restoring the production of various dilapidated industrial and mining enterprises to a certain extent, then slowly increase the production, and finally form a large-scale production with the help of manpower.
However, Chen Guandong was a stubborn person. When Zhang Xiaoqiang appointed him as the director of the Mineral Department, he believed that he needed to know all the mining resources in Inner Mongolia. Under the dual responsibilities of the ammunition factory and mining output, he went to the Bureau of Geology and sorted out all kinds of resources. He made a summary according to Zhang Xiaoqiang's sphere of influence, distance, and difficulty. Finally, he divided them according to urgent need, needed, and temporarily not needed. Finally, he found some raw materials that they needed urgently.
Coincidentally, Ordos, the third largest city in Inner Mongolia to the east of Shizuishan City, had what they needed through the highway.
There was not only oil, but also coal, natural alkali, salt, sulfur, peat, associated potassium salt, magnesium salt, phosphate rock, and so on. All kinds of rich chemical resources were exactly the military raw materials that Zhang Xiaoqiang needed. With these things, the problem of raw materials that hindered the production of gunpowder would no longer exist.
In addition, there was another advantage that Zhang Xiaoqiang had set his eyes on this city. Ordos was also a sparsely populated city. Not all of the two million people were concentrated in the city. Many of them were scattered across the 80,000 square kilometers of plains, which was very suitable for mobile encirclement and suppression. Just like the encirclement and suppression of the zombies in Silver Stream, they would lead the zombies into the wild step by step, and then use the infantry to line up and attack.
Therefore, Zhang Xiaoqiang made up his mind and brought it up for the first time in this battle meeting. The strategy he proposed caught Ishihara off guard. He didn't think about agreeing or opposing it, but instead, he thought about how this battle would affect the Battle of Baotou and the Battle of Hohhot.
Seeing the frown on Ishihara's face, Zhang Xiaoqiang knew what he was thinking. He couldn't help but say,
"Don't worry about the ammo, the ammo we have stored is to deal with the two million zombies upstream. Now that we have the Yellow River Antenna, we don't need so much ammo. To clear out the zombies, I plan to send all of the Blood Wolf Brigade, all of the three garrisons, and all of the death-seeking group, a total of 10,000 people.
These three units will be merged into the Southern Front Detachment under Zhao Jun's command. Try to reduce the consumption of ammunition and restock the rear with crossbow bolts and stab resistant suits, as well as helmets. Let the soldiers get used to hand-to-hand combat and learn from the Suicide Squad … "
When Zhao Jun heard this, he immediately got up and nodded heavily without saying anything. There was still some joy in his heart. Zhang Xiaoqiang did not forget about him. Commanding tens of thousands of people at the southern line alone was unimaginable before the apocalypse.
"In addition, send out all of the Hunter Cavalry, the Destroyer Division, the Fourth Battalion of the Second Field Division, and the Second Supply Division, a total of 5,500 people to form a northward detachment under the command of Shi Yuanye. Clear out the zombies along the lower reaches of the Yellow River, recapture Dengkou County, and open up the highway to Bayannaoer City. This is to lay the foundation for the upcoming battle. Just like the southern detachment, try to conserve bullets and use cold weapons …"
"Swoosh …"
Shi Yuanye suddenly stood up and saluted to Zhang Xiaoqiang, then returned to his seat. He knew that Zhang Xiaoqiang was preparing to end all the troops' training and begin the peak of an all-out counterattack. Perhaps in the future, every unit would have their own battle mission. The soldiers would only fight, the officers would be in charge of commanding, and the rear would be in charge of logistics. Zhang Xiaoqiang's tank had already started warming up. Once it started, it would not stop …
"Other than the northern and southern detachments, the newly formed Fourth and Fifth Garrison Regiments will stay in Wuhai City and Yinchuan City, ready to support the frontline at any time. In addition, transfer veterans and sergeants to form a teaching brigade to train the new recruits. It is estimated that they will recruit 3,000 to 5,000 people. As I mentioned earlier, I will leave this to Zhou Jie. Let him set up a conscription office to be responsible for the recruitment and selection of new recruits …"
The conscription office mentioned by Zhang Xiaoqiang would be transferred to the Administrative Department from now on. In the future, all the soldiers and supplies of the army would be transported by the rear. The army would also have to report to the Administrative Department for approval when recruiting new recruits. This truly separated the army and the government.
"As for the Eastern Front Operations Department, I will set up the first division's first regiment, three battalions of the second regiment, the armored regiment, two regiments of the garrison division, the first division's supply regiment, the Bloody Battle regiment, and the other regiments' attached troops. A total of 10,000 people will follow me to attack Ordos City …"
After the meeting ended, Zhao Jun and Ishihara Ye walked out of the door. Zhang Xiao Qiang had decided on a three-pronged attack plan. The total number of troops that would be mobilized would be more than 28,000. Including the transport personnel, it would probably reach 40,000. This was a large-scale battle, and it would only be more complicated than the previous one. Hence, the two branch commanders were busy preparing and coordinating the troops that would be assigned to them.
Zhao Jun walked out of the door and looked at the countless tall buildings in the distance. He sighed in his heart. This huge city would be their new home and a new starting point. In the future, there would be endless combat missions. Maybe they would spend more days fighting outside than staying in the city.
Zhao Jun, who was behind Shi Yuanye, suddenly panicked when he thought of Zhang Xiaoqiang's anger at him. He quickly caught up to Shi Yuanye, grabbed Shi Yuanye's arm, and asked in a low voice, "Chief of staff, I still don't understand why Zhang Xiaoqiang was angry at me just now.
You are a smart man. Please give me some advice, lest I lose my position as a division commander … "
Shi Yuanye stared at the anxious Zhao Jun. He suddenly looked around and saw that there was no one else around. He pulled Zhao Jun's sleeve and gave him a look. Zhao Jun immediately let go, nodded, and followed behind Shi Yuanye.
The two of them arrived at an empty street. There were all kinds of shops on the street, and all kinds of nameplates could be seen everywhere. Shi Yuanye led Zhao Jun through the rust and rubbish on the street, walking into a Lee shop. The goods inside had long been moved away by the city's guards and logistics team, but the tables and chairs were left untouched.
He found a pair of jeans that had fallen in a corner, and wiped two chairs. Shi Yuanye didn't say anything, but took out a cigarette and lit one for each of them.
Zhao Jun was almost anxious to death by Shi Yuanye's slow movements. Was there a need to be in such a hurry with just a few words?
After all, the southern line was still waiting for him to make arrangements, and he didn't have the time to waste with Shi Yuanye. But after all, he had a favor to ask from Shi Yuanye, and Shi Yuanye was so formal. He couldn't put down his pride and just waited for Shi Yuanye to speak.
Shi Yuanye took a drag of his cigarette and slowly blew out the smoke. He squinted at the gray sky outside the window and said, "Division Commander Zhao, the two of us have been through thick and thin together. There are some things that I have to remind you of. You are not right now …"
When Zhao Jun heard this, he immediately felt conflicted. The cigarette holder in his hand was clamped too hard by his fingers, and it sunk in. He couldn't help but sit up straight and asked softly, "What did you say?"
Seeing the conflict on Zhao Jun's face, Shi Yuanye pursed his lips and smiled. He shook his head and seemed a little emotional.
"Let's not talk about other things. Let me talk about your Helan Mountain clean-up. You received the order to clear out zombies, and you were given a division and a brigade. You even had the Blood Battle Group cooperate with you. What did you do in the end?"
When Zhao Jun heard this, he defended himself.
"I didn't want the Garrison Division to practice with zombies and gain some combat experience. You know, many soldiers get into trouble because they don't understand zombies …"
"It's true that you want to practice, but have you ever thought about what your order was?
It was to clear out zombies. Why did Zhang Xiaoqiang ask you to clear out the zombies in Helan Mountain?
It's because if the zombies in Helan Mountain aren't cleared out, the operation in the southern line upstream of the Yellow River will be dragged down, and it will also cause the future strategic plan to deviate. So, what Zhang Xiaoqiang needs is not to practice, but to get rid of the zombies as soon as possible and prepare for the war later … "
"This …"
Zhao Jun was speechless. He remembered that Shi Yuanye had sent him a private message before, asking him to speed up the encirclement, and indirectly saying that Zhang Xiaoqiang was not satisfied with his progress. He couldn't help but sweat.