At that moment, Jiang Chen was at the military base in New Moon Island where he stood with the officers of the Celestial Trade Armed Forces. He stared at the forty arrows representing the battleships on the holographic screen, and the area of the map was marked with a red cross.

Everyone held their breath.

“It seems like they’re not going to retreat.” Ivan had a stern expression.

After all, the UA was a superpower in the world not just because of the media, but because of their aircrafts and cannons. Even if their political parties fought inside the Capitol relentlessly, even if the ruling party was berated by anti-war activists, they never held back when they needed to fight.

The UA Navy always forced other fleets to make way. How could a small country set a border and ask the superpower to make a detour?

If the hundreds-of-square-kilometers military restricted zones were drawn before the military exercise, the two sides could still both take a step back. If Xin really compromised, the Pacific would still be the peaceful Pacific, except the Global Grid Plan would likely falter.

However, Xin chose to go head-to-head against the hegemony. They didn’t take a step back but rather, advanced forward. They pulled out their sword and drew a line as the boundary, asking: Do you dare to go further?

The reaction of UA was also expected by everyone. They not only took a step forward, but they also asked: I’m going to take a step further. What are you going to do about it?

There was no retreat in the assertion of hegemony!

After all, the UA wasn’t Country F. While Celestial Trade Marines bulldozed through City M, the officers present remained calm. The Orbital Airborne Troops might have strength equivalent to ten soldiers, but counting on the power armor brigade, only four brigades served the country. They wouldn’t even cause a splash in the vast UA.

Ivan didn’t show any sign of fear. Since Jiang Chen pulled him out of the mud pile in Eastern Europe and gave him this responsibility, he swore his allegiance to Jiang Chen. However, even if he wasn’t afraid, his palms were still sweating.

He wasn’t afraid to fight.

Celestial Trade was even less afraid of fighting a war.

It was just that no one could bear the consequences of this war.

If the dozens of submarine missiles took off under the sea, the EMP weapons would send the entire UA back to the Stone Age.

But after this, Xin would cease to exist.

After all, technology wasn’t magic, and even in the distant 22nd century, there was no cheaper and more convenient killing tool than nuclear weapons. The UA had never claimed to not be the first one to use nuclear weapons. The dozen-plus aircraft carrier battle groups and the North Atlantic Treaty definitely didn’t just exist for looks. Once the Pandora Box was open, no country could survive.

Like a curse, a terrifying word surfaced in every officer’s head.

The Third World War…

The officers whispered to each other.

“Only diplomatic meanscan solve this problem.”

“We can’t fight this war…”

“The next step forward is the next world war…”

Just then, there was scorn in the command center and all the whispers ceased.

All the officers’ eyes centered onto Jiang Chen as they waited for the commander’s decision.

Jiang Chen’s expression has never been calmer, but the scorn in his eyes showed a tyrannous vibe. From his deep pupils, Ivan saw a lot, but he couldn’t see the word retreat.

“Coincidently, we aren’t going to retreat.”

His words were like hammer strikes, slamming into every officer’s mind.

Ivan let out a sigh in his mind. The thing he worried about the most still happened. But he didn’t have any regret, nor did he want to persuade Jiang Chen otherwise. Even if Jiang Chen chose to press the button to open the Pandora Box, he would follow Jiang Chen’s will without hesitation and execute his orders until the last moment.

As for the looks of the other officers, Jiang Chen also took everything under his pupils.

He also understood he shouldn’t fight this war.

But he was never more awake, and this time, there was no retreat.

The UA realized the threat of Xin and no longer regraded this small country as a stepping stone—it was an actual opponent.

This military exercise was only the beginning of a signal to other countries. In the future, it would be diplomatic pressure or economic sanctions. Xin could use its technological advantage to expand new markets, but other countries could work together to demand a high price.

Taking two steps to stand in front of the officers, Jiang Chen looked at all of them at eye-level and swept through the faces of every officer. He said in a peaceful but loud tone, “Everyone here is the mainstay of Celestial Trade. When did you start to worry about performing the jobs of diplomats?”

As soon as this was said, the officer who had previously whispered suddenly felt embarrassed.

Without paying attention to the shame on the officer’s face, Jiang Chen turned his gaze to the holographic screen.

“They dared to display their arrogance at our doorstep.”

An understatement rang in the hearts of all officers.

Just as everyone was processing his words, his calm face suddenly smiled, and his words shifted.

“Celestial Trade is strong and powerful. Our warships are guarding our territory. Country F provoked us, and I ordered our navy to turn their ships into scraps. The war ended up with more than 10,000 casualties, and in the end, they surrendered to us. I’d like to ask: if we can fight Country F, why can’t we fight the UA? Are you all bullies?”

The officers who had previously showed fear all showed embarrassment.

The smile faded, and Jiang Chen’s expression turned stern and he shouted, “You’re the soldiers of Xin. Your backbone is the backbone of the country. Your chest is the frontier of Xin.”

“Their warships have already arrived at our doorstep, and now, they’re prepared to run over your chests and destroy the sovereignty we defended with guns!”

“This war has nothing to do with hegemony; it’s about the future of our country and it’s about the dignity of our nation! The entire country can fear, but only you can’t fear. The entire country can choose to back down, but only you can’t choose to back down!”

Only you can’t choose to back down!

His assertive words echoed in every officer’s mind.

Yes, they were soldiers, not politicians nor diplomats. They only thought about war, and they could only think about the war! Even if the next step was down into the abyss, they must take this step forward!

Their shame faded, and everyone raised their heads and lifted their chests. There was not a single trace of fear in their eyes.

Only the courage for war!

“Ivan!” Jiang Chen shouted.

“Roger!” The veteran straightened his back, and his wrinkled face was cold as the winter breeze.

“With ‘Conquer’ as the flagship, all ships are to join the Pacific Fleet. Captain Lei Zhengjun is to be promoted to Major Admiral, temporarily acting as the fleet commander. The fleet will take enemies head-on!”

“Roger! Ivan shouted.

A powerful shout rang in everyone’s ears. Jiang Chen looked at the officers and used the greatest force of his life to place the order.

“All officers, listen to my orders. Immediately activate level-one combat readiness alert! All fighters take off! All Marines board the planes! All battleships set sail! All fighting units to their battle posts! If the enemy dares to cross into our territory, they won’t return in one piece!”