The USS Stennis aircraft carrier battle group moved to the Western Pacific of Xin. F35 fighters frequently took off and landed on the deck and increased their surveillance of the high seas of the Western Pacific. At the same time, a B52 bomber was deployed at the Guam military base.
The two "Ocean Fortresses" approached Xin's territorial waters in a pincer motion, but Jiang Chen was relieved.
They adopted an offensive stance, which meant they didn't plan to fight. Otherwise, they wouldn't have deployed the aircraft carrier battle group and the B52 bomber, but the cruise missiles deployed on the "Virginia" -class nuclear-powered attack submarine.
Jiang Chen knew very well that only two Guardian-class fighters equipped with electromagnetic pulse cannons and high-speed cruising Aurora-20 couldn't help Celestial Trade defeat one of the top five forces. At most, it would make them hesitate. Technology was always only one of the components of war and not the only thing that determined the outcome of the war, unless technology was powerful enough to change the structure of the war.
An Aurora-20 could face five FA-50s and 50 Mustang fighters at the same time, but it would be difficult to face three F35s at the same time. Just like when the Axis ME262 jet faced the propeller fighters of the Allies, although it caused a lot of trouble for the Allies, it didn't fundamentally change the direction of the war.
Since both sides didn't want to fight, the only option left was to negotiate.
…
City K Airport. Jiang Chen arrived at MLL Island on the An-12 transport plane.
Ivan was in charge of picking him up. He was now the chief commander of the MLL Island battlefield.
The An-12 was still a Russian product, and the two were sold for a total of 50 million US Dollar. Recently, it had been used by Celestial Trade to transport humanitarian relief supplies to MLL Island and maintain humanitarian arms. Among the five hooligans, the only one willing to sell arms to Celestial Trade was Russia, which didn't care about the UA's attitude.
On the edge of the airport, there were four captured OV-10 "Mustang" attack planes and a Boeing commercial plane that had been idle for a long time. Under the suppression of the Aurora-20, the four planes didn't even have a chance to take off before they were disarmed by the Moro guerrillas.
Santos readily offered to give Jiang Chen two. After all, they were prisoners of both sides, but Jiang Chen politely declined.
This kind of antique + second-hand product that participated in the Vietnam War in the 1960s, Jiang Chen wasn't even interested in modifying it.
Sitting in the green jeep, Jiang Chen asked Ivan about the war.
"The airstrike consumed more than 60,000 rounds of aviation bullets, 37 aviation bombs, 15 medium-range air-to-ground missiles, and 17 short-range air-to-air missiles …"
"Close to 100 million USD? War really burns money. "Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes as he looked at the desolate street outside the window.
This was just the air strikes. The cost of this war was far more than 100 million USD. But when Jiang Chen thought about how his Celestial Trade only used five days to cripple Country F's army, navy, and air force with an annual military expenditure of 500 million, he was relieved.
What's more, Moro, which completed its long-cherished wish of independence, would use the rich resources of MLL Island to pay for Celestial Trade's military expenses.
"Casualties?"
"Only 11 people died. The heavily injured soldiers have been transported to Coro Island for treatment. That smart medical pod is a great thing."
"It is a product of Future after all. Also, take care of the families of the fallen soldiers. Don't mistreat our warriors, "Jiang Chen ordered.
"Yes!" Ivan nodded.
The jeep drove into City K. The blinding sunlight didn't make the atmosphere of the apocalypse feel at all. The main traffic arteries had been controlled by Moro guerrillas. The protective clothing and gas masks they wore were all provided by Celestial Trade. They were holding onto their rifles as they watched the lifeless and bloodstained faces outside the barbed wire.
The safe zone was currently controlled by Celestial Trade. The soldiers in kinetic skeletons checked Ivan's identity, saluted, and allowed the vehicle to pass.
The jeep passed through the safe zone. With the welcome of the survivors, Jiang Chen and Ivan arrived at the port of City K. There, they met the delegation sent by the Aquino government. Unable to withstand the anti-war cries in the country and the protests of the families of the prisoners of war, the Aquino government was forced to give up its tough stance and sent a delegation to discuss the redemption of the prisoners of war.
Seeing that Jiang Chen didn't look like he was "heavily injured", Country F's Ambassador Tate's eyes turned gloomy. He felt he and his government were fooled.
"Oh, Mr. Jiang is in good health."
Faced with Tate's unfriendly gaze, Jiang Chen shook his hand nonchalantly.
"Thank you for your concern. Say hello to your president for me. He definitely hasn't been sleeping well these past few days. Also, I saw that you guys have been preparing for a celebration ceremony, but it seems like they won't be used now. "
When Tate read the sarcasm in Jiang Chen's tone, his expression turned ugly as if he just swallowed a fly. With the frigate's cannon pointed at the capital, no one in City M could sleep well.
"This is?" Jiang Chen let go of Tate's hand and looked at the two people standing next to him.
One of them was a man with white sideburns who was wearing a suit, and the other man who looked strong and powerful was wearing a US Navy uniform. Jiang Chen noticed that the UA man's rank was Lieutenant Colonel.
"Eric, United Nations observer." The man with white sideburns shook Jiang Chen's hand and introduced the person next to him. "This is Lieutenant Colonel Reston, the mediator from the UA."
Jiang Chen's eyes paused on Lieutenant Colonel Reston for a moment.
He knew that this man was the one in charge of the negotiation.
After some small talk, Jiang Chen and Ivan brought the two back to the safe zone and met Santos who just arrived from Port D.
The relevant personnel had all arrived. After more than half a year, Country F's government and the guerrillas resumed the negotiation.
"Let's be brief. I hope both sides can put down their weapons and return to the negotiation table to resolve their differences." Sitting at the negotiation table, Eric went straight to the point. "This conversation should have started a long time ago, so first of all-"
"We won't give in to territorial integrity," Tate interrupted Eric and looked at Santos coldly. Di Tate interrupted Eric, looked at Santos and said coldly, "But I brought Mr. Aquino's merciful decision. Moro will exist as an autonomous region as long as you're willing to put down your weapons and release all the illegally detained Country F soldiers. "
The atmosphere at the negotiation table instantly turned cold.
Jiang Chen narrowed his eyes and stared into Tate's eyes. This Country F didn't have the attitude to negotiate from the beginning.
"Looks like we can only talk in City M," Santos shrugged and opened his hands.
"We won't let this happen." Lieutenant Colonel Reston, who hadn't said a word, suddenly opened his mouth. He raised his hooked nose and stared at Santos' face. "The Stennis aircraft carrier battle group won't allow it. If you step out of MLL Island, then we have to conclude that the situation has deteriorated to the point where we have to intervene. We promise our soldiers won't stay on the deck of the aircraft carrier forever. "
As he spoke, Reston gave Jiang Chen a warning look.
Since he was born a bandit, Santos sneered and said in disdain, "Then my guerrillas will make MLL Island the second Vietnam."
The negotiation reached a stalemate right from the beginning. Jiang Chen's eyes shifted between the smiling UN observer, the gloomy Tate, and the poker face Reston.
Just as the two sides were about to part on bad terms, Jiang Chen suddenly coughed and took out a fingernail-sized bottle from his pocket. He gently placed it on the table.
The bottle was stuffed with a pocket-sized cork, and inside the bottle was a sparkling and translucent liquid. Under the sunlight outside the window, the liquid emitted a faint oily sheen.
"What's this?" Ditek glanced at the bottle and reached out to pick it up. He brought it close to his nose and examined it.
"Something to bring us back to the negotiation table."
As he spoke, Jiang Chen placed his phone on the table and smiled at Reston.
…
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