I built an armada.

"Agree? How can they agree? A public apology? Huge reparations? Severe punishment of war criminals? Any one of those would be enough to give them a run for their money."

"I guess they'll eventually back down, but they might try some tricks, like playing word games, or trying to get the Eagle Tribe involved to mediate."

"The Eagle Tribe? They've already been called out by us for their own petty actions in the Eastern Continent waters, and they still dare to openly take sides?"

"No matter what tricks they play, we must make them pay a heavy price this time! We must defeat them so badly that they won't dare to covet our waters for at least ten years!"

The forum was rife with speculation and analysis, brimming with optimism and confidence.

No one doubts that Longxia possesses the ability and determination to deliver on its promises.

This national confidence, stemming from increased strength, contrasted sharply with the desperate cries of despair on the Eastern Wilderness Tribe's online platform, creating a stark contrast between the two sides of the Eastern Continent's sea area on this morning.

The will of the people and the rise and fall of a nation are already clearly visible in this invisible cyberspace and in the tangible diplomatic game.

With the final deadline set by Long Xia fast approaching, time was ticking away second by second.

Inside the East Wilderness Cabinet meeting room, the debate continued.

On Longxia's Tiexue Forum, jubilation and anticipation are converging into a powerful torrent of public opinion.

The popularity of the Longxia Tribe and Tiexue Forum servers continued to soar, almost causing a system crash.

Against the backdrop of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' strongly worded announcement, the discussion about the possible surrender of the Eastern Wilderness Tribe was no longer a serious strategic analysis, but rather evolved into a farcical feast and a rehearsal for victory, with the participation of the entire population.

"Brothers, history always repeats itself! I used a VPN to check out the forums on the Eastern Wilderness side, and everyone there looks like they've lost their parents. Looks like they're remembering the 'wonderful memories' of surrendering last time!"

This highlighted comment attracted numerous replies.

"Last time? That was a written surrender document, along with astronomical sums of reparations! I heard it took several months just to count the gold and silver in reparations!"

"Shouldn't we change the compensation method this time? 'Cash and silver' is real, but it doesn't feel substantial enough. If you ask me, we should make them pay their debts with resources—oil, minerals, high-end components! We should strangle them and prevent them from developing!"

"The people upstairs are too lenient! If we're going to compensate them, we have to make it so painful, so that they'll remember this lesson for generations to come! It has to be 'real money,' making them tighten their belts and pay off the debt for a hundred years! That's what true shame is!"

Discussions about reparations are raging, while many netizens are engrossed in imagining the details of the surrender ceremony.

"Remember last time? Our diplomatic interpreter slammed his hand on the old chieftain's desk in front of the world's media. The sound was crisp and satisfying! Apparently, it scared the old man half to death!"

"Haha, classics never die! I wonder which brave soul will slam the table this year? I can't wait!"

“I’m a little worried. The new chieftain of the Eastern Wilderness has only been in power for a short time and is still very young. Will he dare to show his face? It would be no fun if he were scared into wetting his pants.”

"If he doesn't step forward, who will? The head of the cabinet? Not enough weight! In such a 'glorious' moment, of course their nominal supreme leader has to 'take the blame'!"

"Just imagine that scene: the new chief signing the document with trembling hands, our representative glaring at him, slamming his hand on the table... Tsk tsk, I'm already laughing!"

The forum was filled with a cheerful atmosphere, with various emoji and graphic design experts coming out to vividly depict imagined surrender scenes and make the most of their comedic talents.

This optimism and confidence permeating cyberspace is underpinned by the national pride supported by Longxia's growing national strength.

For the vast majority of Longxia people, the surrender of the Eastern Wilderness tribes seemed to be a foregone conclusion; the only suspense lay in the process and the cost.

Unlike the jubilant and playful atmosphere in Longxia's cyberspace, the atmosphere inside the Eagle Tribe's black palace was much more somber and calculating.

In a conference room decorated with eagle emblems and the American flag, the deputy chief had just concluded preliminary talks with high-level representatives from the Niying tribe, the Philippine tribe, the Thousand Buddha tribe, and Singapore.

Despite both sides appearing smiling and claiming to have engaged in "constructive" and "frank" exchanges and reached a good preliminary agreement.

Of course, the Eagle Tribe would never forget their high-pressure tactics and their ability to deceive people.

However, specific details, such as the scope of base expansion, the size of the garrison, cost sharing, and the definition of authority, still require a lot of further wrangling and negotiation.

The deputy chief came to the chief's oval office for a private report.

"The initial response is in line with expectations."

The deputy chief succinctly stated, "These countries fear both Longxia's retaliation and their desire for the security guarantees and economic aid we provide. By exploiting this contradiction, we can gradually advance the forward deployment of 'Project Dark Night'."

The chieftain sat behind his large desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface.

His previous direct military defeat in the waters off Dongzhou taught him a lesson, and he no longer rushed things, but instead preferred to take a steady and methodical approach.

"Very good. Maintain pressure, but avoid over-provoking Longxia, especially during this sensitive period. You can make appropriate concessions on details, but you must firmly grasp the core right to military access."

"clear."

The deputy chief nodded, then changed the subject and raised the practical difficulties, "However, Chief, to realize the planned base expansion and enhanced presence, we initially estimate that we will need to deploy an additional 70,000 to 100,000 soldiers in the Eastern Sea Area, and the related weapons, equipment and logistical support systems will also need to be upgraded simultaneously."

"This will be a huge and ongoing military expenditure. The gentlemen in Congress... are likely to face a tough battle."

He paused, his tone growing heavier, "More importantly, our naval forces are currently stretched thin. The USS Condor was damaged in the previous standoff and will require at least six months of repairs and maintenance."

"The Enterprise is in a more troublesome situation. Its nuclear power system is aging more than expected. Initial assessments suggest that a complete replacement of core components and testing may take two to three years, and repairs will take even longer."

"This means that our available carrier strike groups in the Asia-Pacific region will be insufficient for a long time to come."

The chieftain frowned deeply. Money and the army were the foundation of his hegemony, but also the biggest obstacle to his strategy.

"As for the money, I'll deal with those old men on Capitol Hill. Naval power... is indeed a problem. It seems we need to rely more on our allies' naval forces, as well as our forward-deployed air force and land-based missiles."

He rubbed his temples. "We'll hold a special National Security Council meeting later to discuss troop deployment and military budget in detail. That's all for today; I need to prepare for tomorrow's economic agenda."

Just then, a senior aide strode in, his face showing a hint of urgency.

"Great Chief, the Foreign Affairs Department of the Longxia Tribe has just released an important announcement."

The staff placed a document on the table. "They issued an ultimatum to the Eastern Wilderness tribe, demanding that they provide an explanation for the previous naval battle by midnight today, or they will make strategic adjustments."

The Grand Chieftain quickly skimmed through the announcement, a complex look flashing in his eyes. "Long Xia has finally freed up his resources to completely resolve this troublesome situation in the Eastern Wilderness. Good, the early resolution of the Eastern Wilderness incident, with this uncertainty removed, will be more conducive to the subsequent progress of our 'Dark Night Project'..."

However, his aide's next words caused his expression to change slightly: "Great Chieftain, at the end of the announcement, Longxia specifically emphasized that he hoped the nations of the Eastern Seas would 'not engage in any underhanded tactics.' We just secretly convened high-ranking officials from multiple countries, and they issued this warning at this very moment... This is very likely not a coincidence."

"They have most likely already noticed our actions. This is a warning to those countries and also a way of putting us down."

The chieftain's face instantly darkened: "How was the information leaked?!"

The aide shrugged helplessly: "Summoning high-ranking officials from so many countries at the same time is too much of a commotion, and it's hard to keep it completely secret. Longxia's intelligence network has been operating in the waters of Dongzhou for a long time, so it's not surprising that they've noticed something."

A brief silence fell over the office, broken only by the whistling of the wind.

The Great Chieftain stood up, walked to the world map, and stared at the Eastern Sea, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

After a long silence, he snorted coldly: "So what if they know? The trend is inevitable. Do they think Longxia can stand against the combined will of us and so many other countries by themselves? The plan remains unchanged, continue to move forward!"

He turned around, his eyes sharp: "However, we must be more careful with the details, think them through carefully, and absolutely not give Long Xia any opportunity to take advantage of the situation or even turn the tables!"

“Especially agreements with those countries, should be made more covert, and the terms should be more ‘smart’.”

"Yes, Great Chief, we will take note."

The staff and the deputy chief responded in unison.

The power struggle in the shadows seems to have become more subtle and intense because of Long Xia's announcement.

In the Eastern Wilderness Tribe, in the capital city, deep within the imperial palace.

The atmosphere inside the traditional Japanese-style room was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

The elderly chief and the newly enthroned chief, Kumamoto Akira, knelt facing each other on prayer mats.

The air was filled with the strong scent of incense, but it could not soothe the deep sorrow between the two men.

The old chief was dressed in a dark kimono, his hair neatly combed, but the age spots and deep wrinkles on his face were particularly striking in the dim light.

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse and weary: "You know the situation outside. Long Xia's ultimatum is nearing its deadline."

The new chief, a young man with a still somewhat immature face, pursed his lips, placed his hands on his knees, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Kumamoto Akiaki nodded without saying a word.

"The situation leaves us no time to think about it."

The old chief continued, his gaze seemingly unfocused as he looked out the window at the dry landscape garden, "The cabinet has been arguing all day without a result. The cabinet head... is under a lot of pressure. This time, he should be the one to represent the tribe..."

The old chief paused here, raised his eyelids, and looked deeply at the new chief.

The unfinished words contained endless helplessness and a subtle, almost imperceptible hint.

At such a humiliating moment concerning the national character and destined to be recorded in history, the mere appearance of the head of the cabinet may not carry enough weight, and the Longxia side may not be satisfied.

The one who truly needs to bear eternal infamy is likely a higher-ranking figure—namely, him, the nominal symbol of the nation.

The new chief trembled slightly as he understood the deeper meaning behind his father's words.

A flicker of fear and resentment crossed his young face, but it eventually faded into a deathly stillness.

Kumamoto Akira took a deep breath, bowed, and gently touched the cold tatami mat with his forehead.

"I understand."

Kumamoto Akiaki's voice was soft, yet carried a resolute air of resignation: "If... if this is for the survival of the tribe, I will step in if necessary."

The old chief watched his son's bowed back, a complex expression flashing in his eyes—pain, guilt, and a sense of relief.

He opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing, only letting out a long and heavy sigh.

The Longxia tribe only issued an ultimatum, without specifying any concrete demands.

This in itself is a more sophisticated form of pressure, forcing the Eastern Wilderness tribes to guess the other party's bottom line, make the worst-case scenario plan, and be prepared to pay the highest price. This uncertainty exacerbates the pain of decision-making and the inner torment.

Moreover, the situation within the Eastern Wilderness tribes had deteriorated to the point where it could not be delayed any longer.

Since the defeat in the naval battle, the economy of the Eastern Wilderness tribe has continued to shrink, the stock market has crashed multiple times, the financial market has been turbulent, panic has spread among the people, and dissatisfaction with the cabinet and the royal family has been growing in the shadows.

If this continues, the Eastern Wilderness Tribe may collapse from within without Long Xia even having to lift a finger.

Longxia Tribe Time: 23:45 PM

With only fifteen minutes remaining until the deadline set by the Longxia Foreign Affairs Department, the entire world, especially those forces focused on the situation in the Eastern Continent's waters, seemed to hold their breath, awaiting the Eastern Wilderness Tribe's final response.

In the midst of this suffocating silence, the official website of the Eastern Wilderness Tribe's Foreign Affairs Department and the emergency release channels of major news organizations updated a brief announcement almost simultaneously.

There was no warning, and no prior preparation.

The announcement's title was exceptionally jarring, and its content sent shockwaves through all observers—

"Statement from the Eastern Wilderness Tribe regarding the unilateral termination of the dispute and seeking peace from the Longxia Tribe."

This is not a reply at all; it is a carefully worded but obviously blatant declaration of unilateral surrender!

In the announcement, the Donghuang tribe changed its previous stance of trying to defend itself.

The statement vaguely acknowledged "the uncontrollable incident that occurred in the sea," expressed "deep reflection on the impact on the Longxia tribe," and "unilaterally decided to terminate all actions that could lead to miscalculation." (End of Chapter)