Leaving Some Dignity for His Majesty the Tsar

Lucas's breath hitched.

"You mean..."

"We have to make a trip to Kanto."

Manstein stood up and said decisively.

"If that Huaxia General truly possesses more advanced weaponry, we aren't going to observe, we're going to procure!"

"I want to see with my own eyes what kind of power it is that can bring the White Bear to its knees."

Meanwhile, on the land of Huaxia.

After the initial disbelief, the citizens who confirmed the news were completely ecstatic.

The suppressed humiliation and indignation of so long erupted at this moment.

Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou...

Frenzied shouts echoed through the streets of countless cities.

"Extra! Extra!"

"Great victory at Fengtian! Brigadier General Zhang annihilated the White Bear's Far East Army!"

"White Bear Country bows its head in submission! Cedes territory and pays reparations!"

Newsboys waved the freshly printed newspapers, shouting themselves hoarse, their voices choked with tears.

People poured out of shops and homes onto the streets, scrambling to buy newspapers, hugging each other, weeping with joy.

Firecrackers crackled incessantly in every city, deafening, as if it were New Year's.

Students held banners proclaiming "Marshal Xue is mighty" and took to the streets to march.

A nation weakened for a hundred years desperately needed a victory this exhilarating to boost morale.

Kulun.

The vanguard of the Feng Army's boots trod upon this land, ravaged by war.

Sandstorms carried the faint scent of gunpowder, announcing the brutal battle that had just taken place.

Sun Lichen, dust-covered, jumped down from the armored command vehicle and quickly entered the makeshift command post.

He immediately spotted a young figure facing the map.

Upright.

Calm.

"Brigade Commander!"

Sun Lichen's voice was filled with suppressed excitement.

Zhang Xueming turned around, a smile appearing on his face as he saw the newcomer.

"Uncle Sun, you're here."

He pointed to the map, within White Bear Country's territory.

"Relay my order: all artillery units are to immediately cease extended shelling of targets within White Bear Country."

"Leave His Majesty the Tsar some dignity."

The order was quickly conveyed.

Sun Lichen strode to Zhang Xueming's side, extended his large, fan-like hand, and patted his shoulder heavily, his eyes full of admiration and relief.

"Xue Ming, you kid... you've truly brought honor to the Zhang family, to the entire Feng Army!"

"Annihilating the White Bear's Far East Army, forcing that Tsar Old Maozi to beg for mercy on his knees, something I, Sun Lichen, who fought alongside the Marshal for half my life, never even dreamed of!"

He grinned widely, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.

"Everyone's going crazy back home! They say you're the living embodiment of the Worship Star!"

"Your two fathers-in-law, the Yu Family and the Gu Family, are grinning from ear to ear. Their newspapers are running at full capacity, giving away papers for free, printing them everywhere about you being a godsend, a protector of the nation! These titles, tsk tsk, they're even more resounding than the Marshal's title of King of Kanto!"

Sun Lichen's tone was filled with pride as if it were his own accomplishment.

This was a child he had watched grow up.

Zhang Xueming listened calmly, the weariness of war not yet fully faded from his brow.

The clamor and praise from the outside world were far less important to him than one person's attitude.

"My father..."

He paused, then corrected himself.

"What did the Marshal say?"

Mentioning Zhang Yuting, Sun Lichen's expression immediately turned serious.

He leaned closer and lowered his voice.

"The Marshal's telegram had only eight characters."

"The subsequent matters are entirely in your hands."

Zhang Xueming's eyebrows twitched.

Sun Lichen continued, "The Marshal wants you to handle everything here, including the negotiation details with White Bear Country, properly. Then, return to Fengtian immediately."

"The Marshal said you're of great use!"

"Great use?"

Zhang Xueming's eyes deepened.

Sun Lichen sighed, lowering his voice further, so only the two of them could hear.

"Xue Ming, Uncle Sun wants to have a heart-to-heart with you."

"You fought brilliantly this time, your prestige is unmatched. The Marshal... he's likely thinking of entering the pass again."

"With the Feng Army's momentum, plus your title as 'Marshal Xue,' the Marshal believes this is a heaven-sent opportunity."

Meanwhile.

In Shanghai, a thousand miles away.

In a meticulously decorated Western-style study, the atmosphere was completely different from the north.

Chiang Kai-shek paced back and forth, holding a decoded telegram, unable to hide his excitement.

"Good! Well done, Zhang Xueming! What a great victory in Fengtian!"

He slammed the telegram onto the desk with a sharp crack.

"Heaven truly helps me!"

Song Meiling, seated on the sofa, gracefully held a cup of black tea. Upon hearing his words, she gently placed her teacup down, the clink of porcelain against saucer a pleasant sound.

"Zhongzheng, you seem very happy."

Her voice was calm, with a unique rhythm.

"Are you planning to change the previous plan?"

"Of course, we must change it!"

Chiang Kai-shek walked over to a large map of the country, his finger pressing heavily on the location of Beiping.

"Times have changed! Before, I was troubled about how to deal with Old Duan in the north. Now, the opportunity has arrived!"

A light called ambition flickered in his eyes.

"I will immediately contact Zhang Yuting in the name of the National Government! We'll attack him from both north and south, and topple President Duan from his seat!"

Song Meiling stood up and elegantly walked to his side, looking at the clearly demarcated factions on the map.