Taxes are only within machine gun range!

Chapter 299 "The Grand Military Parade"

While the Northern Group coalition forces were frantically retreating north and urgently constructing defensive fortifications along the river, Guatemala City remained peaceful and harmonious. Apart from the razed "Joint Command Post," there was no sign of an impending war.

The slight increase in price levels, regardless of the source of the news, is reassuring.

Even with the war so intense, the government forces are still deploying considerable resources to protect the passage from Guatemala City to the port.

San José, the largest port city in Guatemala, bar none.

The city has two ports, which can provide a steady stream of supplies to Guatemala City via various cargo ships. As long as this lifeline of port-Escuintla-Guatemala City remains unbroken, Guatemala City will never have logistical problems. The Alzu government uses almost the same amount of resources to protect this lifeline as it does to protect Guatemala City.

Similarly, this is why, after Milton made a stunning infiltration and wiped out the Monte family's private army, the Allied forces were shocked, but not too worried about Milton taking the opportunity to attack Escuintla.

Milton needed his main force, equipped with the best equipment, to launch a fierce attack on Guatemala City at any cost. The army that only had some light equipment and relied on crossing mountains and valleys to appear in such a small gap to carry out the surprise attack on the Monte family was absolutely no match for Escuintla and San José.

Just as the now-decapitated "Joint Command" had guessed, "Hell Tax Collector's" goal was to annihilate the Allied forces' main force and he was not in a hurry to take over the land. After eliminating the enemy, "Hell Tax Collector" led his troops back to Solora.

As long as San Jose remains, and as long as there is no negative news from the port of San Jose, Guatemala City will not fall.

What's more, there's another line of defense waiting ahead...

Even if they really can't hold on, many wealthy people, elites and officials have their own private planes or private helicopters. If things go wrong, they can immediately escape abroad or to a safer city further back, where they can take an international flight or leave the country and then plan their trip at their own pace.

Many people have already obtained their visas, so they can leave immediately if things don't go well, without any worries.

Moreover, the Arsu government is said to have defeated Milton's attacks several times, and several high-ranking officials, including President Arsu, have given speeches, using the "Battle of Moscow" as an example, which has excited many people who believe that a major counter-offensive is imminent.

If this is the case in Guatemala City, where education levels are relatively high, it goes without saying what the people and officials in other regions with even scarcer educational resources think.

At this moment, many people are waiting for the "grand military parade".

It was as if after the parade, the army would be able to completely defeat Milton and begin the process of counterattack.

Moreover, many wealthy individuals and elites gathered in the city took leave, dressed smartly, and rode in luxury cars to the vicinity of the government building.

Just to watch the upcoming pre-war military parade.

Boom boom boom...

In front of the government building, a temporary platform stood, with several high-ranking officials sitting scattered around it, protected by thick bulletproof glass. Each person even had a special escape route behind them. Even if the troops participating in the parade only received the news a few hours before the parade, there was still a possibility of internal traitors "betraying the country." Milton, upon receiving the news, might very well arrange another beheading.

Even with a large amount of air defense equipment deployed, even if an F-5 squadron couldn't clear it all in one go and eliminate the threat to the Su-25, these officials were still prepared to flee quickly.

Arsu himself did not make a public appearance for fear of being beheaded.

A luxury car pulled up in the central parking lot. A couple dressed in understated luxury, wearing sweaters, stepped out of the car with their child and headed for the best viewing seats.

They were local fruit suppliers, and they had a large monopoly on bananas, which were a staple food during special times, making them very wealthy.

In order to support the Alsu government, the couple even used their connections to obtain a batch of equipment for the Alsu government forces in Honduras.

They even searched for PMC companies and various mercenaries worldwide to purchase equipment to support the government forces.

He can be described as a long-tested reactionary, a steadfast exploiter, the sharpest sword of the old forces, and a person who has lost touch with high tastes.

"Dad, Mom! Where are we going?"

The man laughed heartily: "Of course, it's to celebrate victory, watch the parade, and admire our great army... Remember, these soldiers will be here to protect you in the future too."

They woke up at six in the morning to watch the parade.

The streets around the parade ground were already crowded with people, most of whom, like the couple, were high-ranking officials and dignitaries.

Of course, there were also curious people who came, but they had no seats and were separated by various cordons, so they could only squeeze in the square near the back.

After taking their seats, looking towards the podium, they could see officials standing on it, making final adjustments to their microphones.

The grand military parade is about to begin.

The ceremony, touted as Central America's "Red Square parade," is about to begin!

Around 7:30, the sound of a truck engine could be heard in the distance. It wasn't the usual sputtering old truck, but a deeper roar. The crowd pushed to the sides and soldiers could be seen jumping off the trucks. Their movements weren't very fast, but the overall formation was still quite neat and compact.

"Yes, such organizational discipline is enough to show that these are elites."

The man gave a satisfied comment, and as soon as he finished speaking, a slight cough came from the podium.

The noisy scene quieted down for a short while.

Arsu's voice came through the loudspeaker.

"Citizens of Guatemala! Loyal fighters! In this time of national trial, when rebels are rampant and even systematically murdering our hardworking officials, we still have so many fighters and so many supporters!"

"They are not afraid of those so-called cowards from hell, and they do not believe the rumors broadcast on radio and television..."

"As president, I will not shy away from the fact that our nation is standing at its most difficult juncture. The eastern front is still fiercely contested, and the western towns are still shrouded in smoke. Last night, villagers were still carrying their packs to move to the rear, and young soldiers were still in the trenches, biting into frozen rations and waiting for dawn. I know that some of you have fallen to the enemy, some of your brothers are bleeding on the front lines, and some of your hands are blistered from carrying ammunition and repairing fortifications. They are all great, they are all heroes, and they will be treated like heroes!"

At this point, even the most staunch reactionary fighters showed a hint of embarrassment on the couple's faces.

Because not far away, disabled veterans and families of fallen soldiers were holding signs and marching in the adjacent street, demanding that the government pay the promised pensions or compensation.

Police officers are dispersing and even arresting these soldiers on charges of inciting civil unrest...

The man coughed twice, tugged at his child, and gestured for him to look at the soldiers preparing for inspection in the distance, in an attempt to ease the awkward atmosphere.

The child suddenly spoke up: "Dad, apart from the people playing the drums in front, the people behind aren't walking in unison..."

"Don't talk nonsense! These are warriors about to go to the battlefield!" the man shouted.

But he couldn't help but mutter to himself that this was indeed quite different from the magnificent "Red Square Parade" he had imagined—the reviewing formations were really quite ordinary, and apart from the absence of the ridiculous scene of marching in unison, everything else was not as good as he had imagined.

"Never mind..." Arsu's voice continued to come from the speaker.

"The enemy says they have more advanced weapons and a larger army, and that our resistance won't last long. But they forget... that decades ago, when the invincible, undefeated German army, so similar to Milton's army today, marched to the outskirts of Moscow, no one thought they would fail."

"Today is so similar to that day!"

"Our supplies are pouring in from the port of San Jose, and the invincible Milton army is being repeatedly repelled at the capital's defenses..."

As Arsu told his story, many people, especially the elites, who felt that the parade formations lacked the fighting spirit they had imagined, gradually became engrossed in it.

They wanted to keep listening, waiting for more stories and "facts" to sustain their fight and convince themselves to continue giving the government money.

Successful people don't want to leave Guatemala City, and many speculators are also looking forward to the opportunity to increase their assets after Milton is eliminated.

However, at that moment, Arsu suddenly changed the subject.

"The honor guard has departed, and next up is our light infantry contingent... Thank you to 'Premium Fruits' for their sponsorship. They are patriots, their company is a patriotic company, and they have continued to provide a steady stream of fresh fruit to the people even during the war..."

"They transported a considerable amount of supplies to the front lines... Every soldier participating in the parade was given fruit to eat..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the entire government building fell silent.

This sudden, interrupted "advertisement," which was even read aloud by the president himself, shocked the vast majority of people!

Damn it, this is a pre-war military parade!

There's even product placement?!
This is an unprecedented spectacle in the entire history of the world!
If this happened during a peacetime military parade, it would be one thing... but this is an army that's about to be deployed to fight Milton!

Under Milton's frenzied propaganda offensive, many of the people in the Alsu government have become seriously shaken. Some have even begun to refuse to cooperate with government officials, further exacerbating the already crumbling administrative system.

The worse ones have already started selling intelligence to Milton's side, or even directly donating money and holding demonstrations!

Those who came to watch the military parade were the core supporters who still believed in the Arsu government, believed that Milton was a reactionary, that Milton was disrupting the peace, and that life would be worse after Milton's arrival.

These people are arguably the most steadfast supporters of the Arsu government; some are even prepared to go to the battlefield themselves, or even bring their children with them…

However, this product placement has raised a question in the minds of many people.

Who are they fighting for?
Arsu said it was for the country, for freedom, for a whole bunch of high-sounding things... But at this time, as president, he actually thanked a company first?
Upon hearing this, the boy's eyes widened immediately: "Dad, this is our family company!"

"Yes." The man frowned, watching the somewhat disorganized parade formation pass by. "I gave them plenty of fruit, so why are these soldiers... perhaps they're too tired?"

The woman chimed in, "Anyway, it's not our fault."

"..."

The parade continued, and Arsu inspected every formation, from the honor guard to the infantry and armored units—with commercials inserted every time the formations were switched.

"I won't say empty words like 'victory is easy,' because I know the days ahead will be harder, and there will be sacrifices..."

"..."

At this moment, in the shadows.

Arsu watched the marching formation pass by through the various cameras, and a slight emotion stirred on his own face.

He spoke at length and with great passion.

The military parade is also drawing to a close.

He was about to read the most stirring concluding words—an order for the troops to immediately rush to the front lines, a final emotional outpouring of high spirits, tragedy, and grand narratives.

"After the parade, most of you will turn around and head to the front lines. You may not have time to say goodbye to your families, you may have to spend the night eating hard bread in the snow, you may have to..."

As he spoke, the soldiers began to advance westward, towards Solora...

Suddenly, a very high-ranking intelligence officer ran over at top speed, his face filled with fear, and came straight to Arsu.

Before he could finish speaking, Arsu immediately warned the official with his fiercest gaze.

But he wasn't scared. Instead, he shook his head vigorously and gestured for Arsu to turn off his microphone.

Arsu remained unmoved and insisted on reading the last few sentences: "But please remember: you are not alone. Workers are bringing supplies to the port; allies upholding justice and friendly neighboring countries are on their way; nurses are tending to the wounded in the hospitals; teachers are teaching children to write 'loyalty,' 'justice,' and 'courage' in schools—the whole country is fighting alongside you!"

After speaking, Arsu turned off his microphone and looked at the intelligence officer with great rudeness.

"What's up?!"

"Your Excellency, the Supreme Military Council of the Northern Group is looking for you... and the Honduran military is also looking for you. They have important intelligence and a request."

Arsu frowned: "Speak."

"They demand that you immediately rebuild the 'Joint Command'..."

"Why? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Because... Milton has launched a full-scale offensive against the Northern Group and the Honduran mercenaries, and their location is behind Guatemala City. They say that if the 'Joint Command' were still in place, this situation would never have occurred."

Arsu's expression finally changed: "What?! Where is Milton?! Behind us?"

If the Northern Group's main force is eliminated, Guatemala City is doomed!

Joint Command...

The intelligence officer, watching the marching troops disappear into the distance, took a deep breath and said, "Your Excellency... immediately order your troops to turn around; they're going the wrong way."

(End of this chapter)