Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 980: Chapter 23 Today, We Drink in Celebration of Our Success_2

Wang Zhong: “Mike, we are still part of the Allied Forces. We need to work together to carry out the landing operation on the homeland of the Empire of Fusang. There’s no need to say things that could undermine our unity, right?”

“You’re right, I understand.” Mike said with a smile.

————

In the early hours of December 14th, Leonard, the wartime Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, was awakened by the sound of a ringing telephone.

He grumbled as he picked up the receiver: “Who is this? Whoever you are, you better have a good reason for interrupting my dream.”

The person on the other end of the line replied: “Prime Minister, Marshal Rocossov has executed the Plathen Emperor. Now, the Prosen troops within Plowsonia have started laying down their arms and accepting reorganization.”

“What?” Leonard’s voice rose several octaves, becoming as sharp as a soprano.

But he quickly calmed himself: “Immediately convene an emergency cabinet meeting. Also, inquire with the generals—are the Prosen troops still resisting on the Western Front? Could it be that they’re now under Rocossov’s command, planning to hinder us from occupying more Prosen territory?”

“If resistance is happening along the Rhine River, that would be terrifying! The entire Europa would be trembling under Ante’s iron heel!”

At this point, Leonard still believed Ante would annex both Prosen and Melania.

After hanging up the phone, Leonard turned to his butler, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion: “Prepare the car immediately; I need to meet with the cabinet members.”

“Yes, sir.”

————

More than an hour later, Leonard was staring at the assembled cabinet members and generals, and he sneered: “When the Prosens refused to surrender to us, I already felt that something was amiss!”

Marshal Margo: “Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly. From the news I’ve received, some Prosen units have already started surrendering. Perhaps Rocossov isn’t as evil as you imagine.”

“They are Anteans!” Leonard slammed his hand on the desk forcefully, “All of Europa has been trembling before Ante’s bulldozer for centuries!”

Marshal Margo shook his head and said nothing further.

At this moment, Leonard’s chief secretary entered the room and said: “There’s bad news—the opposition party seems to have gotten wind of this somehow. They’re now mobilizing to demand the termination of wartime status and push for a re-election of the Prime Minister.”

Leonard: “What? I led them through the war, and now they can’t wait to force me out! Those damned opposition parties, they’re no longer ordinary opposition—they must be dealt with harshly!”

Marshal Margo: “Are you planning to deploy troops to surround Parliament and crown yourself the next Protector? But the Army is no longer interested in hanging another King.”

Leonard glared at Marshal Margo: “You…”

Margo: “The Army executed one king and therefore lacks the Royal designation to this day. We don’t want to execute another one, which could cause units within the Army that already hold the Royal designation to lose it too.”

Leonard: “You schemer! Don’t think I’m oblivious—you’re hoping to wield the Imperial Sword at the victory celebration!”

The act of carrying the Imperial Sword is a United Kingdom ceremony; at the end of a war, the general with the most substantial achievements is granted the honor of bearing the sword before the Royal Family, maintaining salute throughout their speech before the monarchy.

Marshal Margo had long yearned for this accolade.

Just as Leonard finished speaking, the chief secretary entered the room again: “President Teddy’s transatlantic call has been patched through to the phone here.”

Leonard immediately picked up the receiver: “Teddy (President’s nickname), Rocossov may very well keep Prosen troops resisting the Allied Forces. He plans to go it alone and swallow most of Prosen into Ante! This way, Ante will have enough technology and production capability to contend with the entire Western world!”

President Teddy responded slowly: “If that’s your concern, why not discuss it directly with Marshal Rocossov?”

“Directly?” Leonard was momentarily taken aback.

Teddy: “Yes, we’re preparing for a meeting at the Palace of Carefree in the outskirts of Plowsonia, to discuss the landing operation on the Empire of Fusang and the formation of the United Nations. We’ll likely issue a joint announcement to demand unconditional surrender from the Empire of Fusang.”

Leonard: “Let’s hope they comply; then the Federation would have the exclusive right to occupy the Empire of Fusang.”

President Teddy laughed heartily: “That would be difficult. The Empire of Fusang is now advocating for ‘one billion shattered jade.’ They seem to believe that if their resistance is rigorous enough, they can gain a favorable position postwar. Perhaps that Emperor is even considering a conventional armistice agreement with us.”

“So the landing operation on the Empire of Fusang is essentially a foregone conclusion.”

“Let’s not dwell on this anymore. I’m about to set out for the Palace of Carefree. It’s said that the Plathen Emperor who built the palace had a strong affection for Ceres culture. I’ve long wanted to visit.”

“Will you come, my old friend?”

Leonard paused for a few seconds and replied: “Of course I’ll come. I hope to bring General de Gaulle of Free Carolingian as well.”

“Certainly, he’ll be there too.”

“Then, see you at the Palace of Carefree.”

Leonard set down the phone and glanced at the cabinet members and generals: “I’m going to the Palace of Carefree to fight for the Empire’s interests, while those damned opposition parties are trying to oust me! Those treacherous wolves!”

Royal Navy Admiral Cunningham remarked: “Those people even propose cutting military funding and reducing the fleet size of the Royal Navy—it’s absurd!”

Leonard: “Don’t worry. The electorate will see the contributions we made during the war. To ensure my re-election, I must secure sufficient benefits for the Empire at the meeting in the Palace of Carefree!”

————

December 20th, Goron, a city in southern Prosen.

A massive convoy composed of Allied Pershing Tanks, Jackson Tank Destroyers, and numerous M3 half-track vehicles was advancing along the highway.

Suddenly, the lead Pershing Tank came to a screeching halt.

The tank’s commander peered through binoculars toward the northeast. Soon, he spotted a tank with a rounded turret coming into view.

The tank didn’t have the standard Prosen camouflage paint, nor did it feature the striped anti-magnetic coating.

Its hull was crowded with soldiers wearing cloaks—the attire of Ante’s Imperial Guard.

The commander picked up his radio: “Lead vehicle calling the Admiral, it appears we’ve encountered Ante troops.”

A four-star Jeep dashed to the front of the convoy, and a four-star Admiral, General Little John, stepped out of the vehicle, standing in the middle of the road to confront the Ante tank.

The Ante tank’s gun barrel was much thicker than the Pershing’s, and its armor design was evidently superior. Its appearance alone revealed its exceptional defensive capabilities.

Admiral Little John muttered: “No wonder Prosen’s armored troops have tanks of higher quality than ours—they’ve been contending with monsters like this.”

The soldier-carrying Ante tank finally came to a halt before the Admiral.

An Ante Colonel climbed out of the turret, parted the “human meat reactive armor” on the tank, leaped to the ground, and strode boldly toward the Admiral, speaking in Anglo-Saxon: “We’ve finally found you, Davarish!”

Admiral Little John: “We weren’t looking forward to meeting you so soon. Your pace is too quick.”

Colonel: “We used Prosen’s railway system. Soon, Prosen will become a secular nation. General Davarish, in moments like these, we Anteans often enjoy a fine drink! What is your opinion?”

The Colonel’s Deputy Officer had already brought out bottles and glasses.

Admiral Little John: “A coincidence—we’ve brought fine liquor as well. Let us celebrate this glorious moment with drinks! Boys, the war is over!”

The Federation’s soldiers seemed to have been waiting for this moment. They cheered and jumped off half-track vehicles and tanks, rushing toward the Ante soldiers.

The Anteans responded warmly, jumping off their tanks and embracing the Allied soldiers in the snow.

The Colonel raised his glass to Admiral Little John: “Cheers!”

“Cheers!”

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