CHAPTER 188: CHAPTER 188: COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, HEADING SOUTH

Sometimes, a person’s thoughts can fall into a peculiar loop.

They become trapped by time and space, making it hard to break free.

However, sometimes, enlightenment comes in an instant.

Clearly, the television program just now was not from the Divine Dragon Province’s network.

It wasn’t from the Dawn Army nor the Liberation Army, since the environment there was obviously much warmer than here.

But it was definitely somewhere in Qin Han, probably further south.

Unfortunately, the beautiful woman’s words weren’t finished, and Ye Fan still didn’t know where exactly it was.

However, her actions provided Ye Fan with great inspiration.

Why was he limiting his gaze to this part of the Divine Dragon Province?

This is almost the coldest part of Qin Han. If he leaves here and goes further south, the climate would be much warmer, making his movements easier.

Moreover, now that he has an airplane, going out isn’t very difficult. As long as he heads a little south, he could easily adopt an airdrop method to go out and search for suitable jewelry stores.

Some jewelry stores are located on the streets, which he can’t handle, but those inside buildings, as long as the aircraft can land on the roof, he might be able to manage.

This blizzard has given the Dawn Army a respite. For at least over a month, the zombie horde in Crane City won’t move, and there are no other zombie hordes around the Dawn Army.

In other words, for forty days, the Dawn Army can rest easy.

But the north is no longer suitable for army actions. He can only stay here for forty or fifty days without any income, which is unacceptable.

Therefore, Ye Fan thought he should take this time to go out, swiftly accumulate a large sum of money, and then return to Dawn City to face the impending severe challenges.

The more he thought about it, the more he was tempted, so Ye Fan immediately gathered his main subordinates to discuss this matter.

His main subordinates included Zhongjing, Zhang Kunlin, Liu Chengjun, Mo Yue, Zhuo Yichen, and a few heroic units.

Ye Fan’s proposal was supported by his subordinates.

"Sir, this is a good idea. Since we have airplanes, we shouldn’t wait here for funds but should actively go out to look for money."

"We can look at the map, assess the flight distance of our aircraft, and then find a clear target before taking action."

"Yes, but I think we should at least fly out of the Divine Dragon Province, and try to go further south, because this blizzard not only swept through the Divine Dragon Province but the two provinces further south might be in a similar situation."

The subordinates provided Ye Fan with ideas one after another, which also made Ye Fan’s thoughts clearer.

"Zhongjing, what do you think is the best aircraft for me to use when going out?"

The Dawn Army currently has several aircraft models, including the Female Deer helicopter, combat helicopters, the Y-8 transport aircraft, and the newly acquired gunship.

There is also a civilian helicopter captured from Coal City at Daqing Mountain, but its performance is poor and cannot support long-distance flights.

Zhongjing calculated: "Sir, if you are going out personally, I suggest you use a combat helicopter."

"Because this aircraft is convenient for takeoff and landing, flexible, not like the transport and gunship which require runways to start, which is its greatest advantage."

At this time, the armored unit’s Liu Chengjun said, "I think there may be some problems, sir. If you’re going south, but our Qin Han region is vast, just the territory span of our Divine Dragon Province is three thousand kilometers. Can the combat helicopter support such a long journey?"

Zhongjing smiled: "This problem isn’t hard to solve. First of all, sir has the commander’s satchel, which can store hundreds of barrels of fuel, enough to support the helicopter for a long distance, and they can also find fuel replenishment on the way."

"Secondly, I suggest that, sir, you best upgrade the combat helicopter to a heroic unit. With the vehicle upgrade, the crew also becomes heroic units, and the hero-level helicopter will have performance far superior to ordinary helicopters, supporting your long-distance flight, even ensuring your safety isn’t a problem."

After listening to Zhongjing, the others nodded one after another.

This indeed is a great plan. A hero-level helicopter will be a powerful flying tool, enough to ensure Ye Fan’s smooth journey south.

After hearing this, Ye Fan’s worries were also resolved.

The Air Force Heroic Battalion still has several slots available, and the combat helicopter, due to its high cost, requires three hundred thousand funding to upgrade to a heroic level, which Ye Fan had been hesitant to commit to.

But for the sake of going out to make money, this expenditure had to be made, and spending it was worth the value.

"Okay, let’s do as you suggested, upgrade Tang Yafei’s Three-Star combat helicopter to a hero-level helicopter, and take me south."

Ye Fan gave the order, and Tang Yafei led the helicopter into the Heroic Battalion.

Accompanied by him were a co-pilot and two machine gunners.

Once the combat helicopter upgrades, they will also become heroic units, but occupy only one heroic unit slot.

Confirming the helicopter upgrade, thirty thousand gold was deducted.

Out of the two hundred fifty thousand funds, only one hundred and eight thousand remain, including the mining income from these past days.

If no funds are secured, when the zombie army from Crane City arrives, it will definitely be a severe crisis.

About three hours later, the combat helicopter upgrade was complete.

When the combat helicopter emerged from the Air Force Heroic Battalion, Ye Fan was stunned.

The WZ-9 normally belongs to the army aviation force.

This is a modified version of a transport helicopter, characterized by its high machine gun mounts and strong carrying capacity.

When it comes to advanced firepower and outstanding performance, it’s obviously no match for the WZ-9 and WZ-10.

So upgrading it to a heroic unit, Ye Fan did not dare to hope too much.

But now, seeing the brand new WZ-9, Ye Fan felt the money was well spent.

The original dark green outer armor color has turned into a glossy black color, full of futuristic technological sense.

It’s not just the color that has changed; the protection has also been enhanced.

An additional layer of composite armor has been added internally, giving this aircraft rather exceptional defense capabilities, even able to withstand anti-aircraft machine guns and man-portable rocket launchers.

The aircraft’s external two high-caliber machine guns have been replaced with two 20mm autocannons, and the two 7.62mm machine guns have been upgraded to 12.7mm machine guns.

The aircraft is equipped with rocket pods and eight tactical missiles.

The maximum passenger capacity has increased from 26 to 40 people, a massive boost.

The aircraft has replaced its engine and rotor, with the most noticeable changes being in flight speed and endurance.

The maximum flight speed is 500 kilometers per hour, something almost no helicopter can achieve.

The endurance is an unprecedented 3,500 kilometers.

Without refueling, making a single flight out of Divine Dragon Province is no problem.

Moreover, Dawn City is not even at the northernmost part of Divine Dragon Province; crossing two provinces in one go is achievable.

And Tang Yafei and the other four crew members have become Hero-level Flying Soldiers, achieving the highest possible standards in piloting, shooting, and other skills.

After Tang Yafei reported all this to Ye Fan, he was very satisfied.

With a Hero-level combat helicopter, his travels could be scheduled any time.

Of course, Ye Fan’s departure wasn’t that easy. He had to arrange things at home first.

He stayed home for another five days, setting up all the buildings before he felt somewhat at ease.

With twelve barracks and four tank factories, Ye Fan now had a basic foundation for rapid troop production.

However, Dawn City was not in any danger at the moment; there would be no threat for at least a month, making rapid troop production seem pointless.

He set up all the buildings in the core area and then produced a small number of additional soldiers.

First, he increased the total number of the Dawn Army to 3,800 people.

He also produced some backup ammunition in the armory, costing 200,000 gold, to be kept in stock.

With the ten-meter ice wall around the Dawn Army, alongside these over 3,000 elite soldiers and backup ammunition, even if Crane City’s zombie army attacked, they would not take Dawn City in one or two days.

Ye Fan also left behind the walkie-talkie; if anything happened, he could be called back any time via it, and he could fly back on the helicopter at any moment.

Heroic-level helicopter, 3,000 kilometers are just a six-hour trip.

He checked the base once more and fed Xiaoba thoroughly.

Initially, he thought this big guy might feel wronged being cooped up in the pond, but seeing the military dogs and war bears continually feeding it from the shore, Ye Fan felt it wasn’t that mistreated.

However, this trip couldn’t take it; if it squeezed into the combat helicopter, the aircraft might not even take off.

This time, Ye Fan’s travel companions were already set.

Besides Tang Yafei and the other four crew members, Ye Fan also brought Hero-level Scout Zhuge Yunxue and Hero-level Magnetic Storm Infantry Udyr.

Hero-level Sniper Zhao Ming and Hero-level Medic Xiao Jing.

Heroic-level Warhawk Dark Cloud and Hero-level Military Dog Xiaotian.

Also, Paratrooper Leader Mo Yue, with ten Three-Star Paratroopers.

Special Forces Captain Zhuo Yichen, with ten Three-Star Special Forces soldiers.

Rocket Launcher Warrior Su Mo and Flamethrower Warrior Wang Aiyu.

Additionally, there were two accompanying cooks for the troops.

That’s basically everyone.

Including Ye Fan, it’s thirty-three people, one warhawk, and one military dog.

The war bear wouldn’t be coming; it’s too heavy.

The luggage was filled with Mutant Beast Meat and fuel, with the meat for eating on the road, and the fuel for aircraft use, enough for two full refuels for the helicopter.

On the eighteenth of January, Ye Fan bid farewell to the people of the Dawn Army.

His parents and sister knew he was leaving but didn’t ask much, as Ye Fan was always rather elusive.

At this moment, there were no Mutated Birds in the sky anymore, and the helicopter rotors were spinning.

Ye Fan watched his parents and sister standing on the ground watching him leave, feeling a slight tinge of sadness.

Then Guard Company Commander Shen Ruihui quickly ran over and said to his parents, "You two can head back, I’ll take good care of the Commander-in-Chief and ensure his safe return."

His parents smiled understandingly.

Shen Ruihui boarded the helicopter, brushing off snowflakes: "Ah, the elderly always worry too much. With such a big group of us around, what could possibly go wrong? Right, Commander?"

Ye Fan watched the cabin door close and glared at this unexpected stowaway.

Somehow, he had snuck aboard without them noticing.

Ye Fan felt a bad premonition.