I built an armada.

Chapter 974 The oppressive feeling from the Dragon Xia Navy: The Empire is powerless to reverse its fate.
"Britain really went all out this time, even deploying an aircraft carrier for escort?"

"Face? I bet they're more worried about the substance! Look at the contrast between those warships, they must be feeling incredibly aggrieved!"

"It was indeed a last resort. Our fleet was already at their doorstep. How could they pretend not to see us? Sending out an aircraft carrier was both a courtesy and probably an attempt to bolster our strength. Unfortunately... the contrast was rather stark."

"Putting aside the size difference, just in terms of spirit and energy, our fleet feels more formidable and has a stronger killing intent!"

Netizens praised the navy for truly "bringing honor" to the country this time. Beyond the excitement, even greater expectations began to emerge.

"That's so inspiring! I hope that in the near future, our naval fleet can also regularly appear on the west coast and take a stroll around the Eagle Tribe's doorstep!"

"This suggestion is excellent, and it aligns perfectly with my thoughts. Now that our navy is powerful, it should be able to roam the world."

"Yes, yes, yes! I strongly support it! We must conduct a 'freedom of navigation' operation on their west coast! This is called reciprocity! Let them experience what it means to have 'scenery on their doorstep'!"

"As the saying goes, it is impolite not to reciprocate. Why should they keep coming and loitering around our doorstep? Now that we are strong and powerful, it is time for us to come to the Eagle Tribe's doorstep!"

"We eagerly await that day! The Longxia Navy, marching towards the deep blue! Aiming for the ocean! Our goal is the stars and the sea!"

This inspiring slogan immediately garnered a massive response and support, pushing the forum's atmosphere to another climax.

This scene, forged by both cold steel and burning passion, was instantly transmitted to every household in Longxia through invisible radio waves, stirring the deepest echoes in the hearts of a nation.

The image of the Longxia naval formation and the British aircraft carrier fleet "sailing side by side" in the North Atlantic is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Its ripples spread at an astonishing speed to every corner of the globe, causing a violent and far-reaching upheaval in the political, military, and civilian spheres of various countries on Earth.

This shockwave first triggered an unprecedented collective psychological shift within the Longxia tribe, the impact of which far exceeded that of a simple military operation.

Once upon a time, the name "Eagle Tribe" was a symbol of comprehensive technological, military, and economic leadership in the hearts of countless people in Longxia, representing a superpower that was unattainable and seemed to exist in another dimension.

That sense of disparity has permeated the memories of several generations, carrying with it a touch of helplessness and the hardship of catching up.

From the initial Silver Ship Incident to the grief and indignation over the bombing of the embassy, ​​a series of events have left a deep imprint of "backwardness invites aggression" in the hearts of the people, inspiring them to strive for self-improvement, but also inadvertently shaping a mentality of forbearance and catching up.

However, this trip to the European seas, especially the direct "side-by-side" encounter with the long-established maritime hegemon, the British tribes, shattered this preconceived notion in a very direct, even somewhat brutally contrasting way.

It's not just a comparison of the number of ships, but a comprehensive display of technological gaps, design concepts, and spirit.

On the Tiexue forum, the pride that almost overflowed the screen quickly transformed into a deeper and more solid national self-confidence.

The posts were refreshed at an astonishing speed, each one brimming with excitement and pride.

"When I read history books before, I always felt that the fleets of the great powers were invincible. Now look at our 10,000-ton destroyers, with their streamlined stealth design and densely packed vertical launch cells, their looks are both beautiful and powerful!"

"Standing next to that somewhat cumbersome British aircraft carrier, his aura was completely overwhelming!"

"I used to think that the Eagle Tribe was unapproachable, and that their aircraft carrier battle groups could sail to any corner of the world. Now look, our navy can also sail thousands of miles and receive this kind of 'treatment' right on the doorstep of those old powers!"

"This is not just a welcome, it's an acknowledgment of our strength!"

"What is arm wrestling? This is it! We have the strength to stand in any sea area of ​​Earth and have an equal dialogue with any so-called powerful nation!"

"In the past, we protested against others' 'freedom of navigation' right on our doorstep; now, it's our turn to conduct 'friendly visits' to their core waters!"

"The technological gap is narrowing, and we've even taken the lead in some areas! Just look at how busy their electronic reconnaissance aircraft are; you can tell how much of a 'surprise' our fleet has given them! This feeling is incredibly inspiring!"

Some observant netizens pointed out from the details that the Longxia Fleet's journey was marked by unusually frequent reconnaissance aircraft activity from neighboring countries, which in itself speaks volumes.

This confidence is not blind arrogance, but rather based on a real demonstration of strength.

It originates from the imposing, austere lines of the 10,000-ton destroyer, from the simple yet technologically advanced superstructure of the stealth destroyer, from the upright posture and confident gaze of the Longxia sailors in the photo, and even more so from what this fleet represents: a powerful motherland that is independent, technologically advanced, and thriving.

The people of Longxia began to truly shed their psychological image as "followers" and tear off the label of "weaklings." With a more equal, composed, and even somewhat advantageous mindset, they began to examine other powerful nations on Earth, including that once unattainable eagle.

This shift in collective psychology is like the movement of tectonic plates deep within the earth's crust. On the surface, it appears calm, but in reality, it possesses immense power. Its significance far surpasses that of the commissioning of one or two new weapons. It constitutes the deepest and most resilient social foundation and popular support for the rise of Longxia.

In stark contrast to the exuberant atmosphere within Longxia, the cyberspace of the Eastern Wilderness tribes, separated by the sea, was a different story.

Photos of the majestic Longha naval fleet, contrasting sharply with the British aircraft carriers, and videos of the jubilant Longha residents at the port, circulated through various channels.

Although some of it was deliberately filtered by the authorities, it still could not be completely stopped. When it reached the social media platforms and forums of the Eastern Wilderness tribe, it triggered a wave of suppressed anger, powerless curses, and pervasive despair.

On the largest anonymous forum in the Eastern Wilderness, posts on related topics quickly filled up, but the atmosphere inside was unusually gloomy.

"Baka! It's them again! They're like ghosts that won't leave!"

"What about our navy? Where is the glory of the 'Eight-Eight Fleet'? Once hailed as one of the world's leading navies, is it now too afraid to even leave port? Is it just going to cower in its shell like a turtle?"

"Look at their brand-new, imposing warships, and then think about our own 'Kongo' and 'Aito' ships sunk to the bottom of the sea... Humiliation! Utter disgrace! What are the higher-ups doing?!"

"They can actually sail alongside the Royal Navy... while we are driven away or even... sigh."

Countless netizens in the Eastern Wilderness were grinding their teeth in frustration, a sense of helplessness and being abandoned by the times enveloping the internet.

Although a few extremists and right-wing netizens still tried to cheer each other on in the corners of the forum, clamoring for "enduring hardship and biding their time," "vigorously developing anti-ship missiles," and "one day they will avenge themselves," these voices sounded particularly jarring and hollow amidst the general low spirits, and received very few responses.

Most ordinary people in the Eastern Wilderness suffered devastating defeats in numerous naval conflicts, leaving their national treasury empty and their military equipment outdated.

And now, seeing their rival rise to power and even stand on equal footing with their former suzerain state, they feel unprecedentedly pessimistic about the prospects of the Eastern Wilderness Navy returning to glory and defeating the Dragon Summer Navy.

Technological gaps, disparities in national strength, and changes in the international environment—each one weighs heavily on our minds. "The gap is widening... How can we catch up? What can we use to catch up? Even the warships we bought from the Eagle Tribe seem outdated compared to them."

"Do we really have a future? Will we live in the shadow of this neighbor forever?"

"Perhaps... the choice I made back then was wrong..."

Such questions, lamentations, and reflections, like ghosts, linger in the cyberspace of the Eastern Wilderness, reflecting the general confusion and lack of confidence in the future of the entire society.

For Donghuang, this voyage by the Longxia Navy was nothing short of a psychological blow, accelerating the social and psychological divisions within the region and fostering a pessimistic outlook on the future.

The ambitions of the past are gradually fading in the face of cold reality, replaced by a deep-seated anxiety and uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the vast number of countries on Earth, especially those small and medium-sized countries with coastlines and a strong interest in maritime rights, were deeply shocked and prompted to reflect profoundly after witnessing the comparison between the British aircraft carrier and the Longxia naval fleet.

Previously, when the Eagle Tribe attacked the Kei Tribe, although they also demonstrated strong naval power, it was more of a systemic crushing and asymmetric warfare, and the direct comparison of the main naval vessels of the two sides was not obvious.

This time, however, it's completely different!

The Longxia Navy, as a dignified force, engaged in close "competition" with the active aircraft carrier battle groups of established naval powers on the high seas.

The advantage in size and the significant difference in modernization are factors that no military expert can ignore.

The naval chief of staff of a small country in the East Asian waters gasped as he looked at the comparative analysis report sent by the intelligence department.

"So... the navy of Longxia has developed to this extent?"

He said with an extremely serious expression, "We had previously considered buying their decommissioned second-hand frigates from Britain, but now it seems that those old relics are probably no match for Longxia's new and advanced destroyers..."

This realization has frustrated many countries that had hoped to improve their naval strength by purchasing retired Western warships, but it has also opened a new door.

They realized that the widening gap between the Longxia Navy and other traditional naval powers might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.

"Longxia's warships are indeed far more advanced than expected... but aren't they sold abroad? Like that Type 052C..."

"If we could directly purchase the latest destroyers from Longxia, wouldn't that be a one-stop solution with a much better cost-performance ratio than buying secondhand ones from the West?"

"Moreover, the Longxia tribe has always claimed to be non-aligned and neutral. Building good relations with them and introducing their equipment may allow us to gain more strategic space and autonomy in the great power game."

The mindset of the leaders of various countries has undergone an extremely subtle yet crucial change.

The initial wariness and unease about the rise of the Longxia Navy gradually transformed into a pragmatic, interest-based consideration.

Cultivating good relations with the Longxia tribe and acquiring their advanced military technology and equipment to enhance their own strength and strategic position has become a new direction that many countries are secretly considering.

This seemingly subtle psychological shift, like a butterfly flapping its wings, could potentially trigger a massive transformation in the strategic landscape of Earth in the future, and even begin to shake the foundations of the global order built by the Eagle Tribe and its traditional allies.

While the nations of Blue Star were in turmoil, the atmosphere inside the oval office of the Eagle Tribe's black palace was somewhat somber and weary.

The president leaned back in his large office chair, his eyes filled with heavy bags, and his face looked more haggard than ever before.

Domestic political struggles and economic problems have already overwhelmed him, and in his strategic containment and suppression of the Longxia tribe, he has gained almost no substantial advantage. Instead, he has watched helplessly as the other side's influence expands day by day.

"Has the Longxia Navy arrived in Britain?"

He listened to his staff's report, then waved his hand dismissively, "They've arrived, so be it. It's just picking up a few people, a bit of a show."

In his view, this was more of a show than a direct military threat.

However, when the aide added in a low voice, mentioning that the countries in the European maritime region seemed reluctant to accept this, the aide added that...

When the commander-in-chief tried to salvage some face by creating minor troubles for the Longxia Navy in some insignificant procedures, reception levels, or public opinion, a faint glimmer of light barely appeared in his dim eyes.

"Oh? They actually have this idea?"

He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile that was hard to describe, almost mocking. "Let them do what they want. These are trivial actions that won't change anything."

He stood up, rubbed his temples vigorously, and looked listless. "You can keep an eye on things afterward. There's no need to report back to me in detail. I'm going to rest."

After saying that, he turned and walked into the inner room, temporarily putting the complicated international chess game out of his mind.

A sense of exhaustion and powerlessness seems to indicate that the Eagle Tribe's control over certain regional affairs is quietly loosening.

Thousands of miles away, in the Longxia tribe, in the imperial capital.

Inside the Naval Headquarters military base command center, the atmosphere was calm and composed.

The location of the expeditionary fleet was clearly marked on the huge electronic situation map—it had safely arrived outside the designated port of Britain.

The leaders have just received a detailed report.

"The journey was smooth and we encountered no unexpected situations," Zhang Zhaoxin, who was in charge of intelligence gathering, reported truthfully.

"Britain's dispatch of its aircraft carrier fleet to accompany the mission is more of a routine matter and a gesture. The core purpose is to ensure the smooth completion of the 'release' process and avoid any unforeseen complications."

Qian Wenbing spoke first, saying, "It can be understood as a normal behavior that one has no choice but to do in the face of power."

(End of this chapter)