Empire Conquest
Chapter 104 - 100 Formal Declaration of War

Chapter 104: Chapter 100 Formal Declaration of War

"Citizens and soldiers of the Empire, good evening, I am Cabinet Chief Xue Yuanzheng.

"Here, I am announcing with an extremely complicated heart, a very heavy, and deeply sorrowful news. This morning, the Navy of the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom launched a surprise attack on the Southern Fleet of our Imperial Navy stationed at Chengjiang Port, without a declaration of war!

"According to the latest news, more than a hundred ships, including twelve main battle ships, have either sunk or been damaged.

"In the shameless attack launched by the enemy, more than three thousand officers and soldiers of the Southern Fleet fulfilled the promise they made to the Empire with their blood and lives.

"Despite suffering heavy losses, the Navy did not slacken or break under the enemy’s surprise attack. In the following battle, the Special Mixed Fleet launched a resolute and decisive reprisal against the Saiyi Fleet that attempted to launch another surprise attack and either sunk or severely damaged several enemy ships.

"Here, I call upon all the citizens and soldiers of the Empire, to stand up and observe a moment of silence for those who died in the enemy’s sneak attack and fell in the battle of reprisal serving their country!"

Without anyone saying, all the staff stood up, those wearing caps even removed their military hats.

Suddenly, the bridge was silent.

Then, the national anthem of the Empire came through the speakers.

After the national anthem finished playing, about three minutes passed.

The three minutes of silence was a privilege of the highest level below the Emperor himself.

"Here, I solemnly declare that today, December 25, is the Empire’s Day of National Humiliation. From now on, every year on this day, flags will be flown at half-mast at 8:30 in the morning, the national anthem will play, and all the citizens and soldiers of the Empire will observe a moment of silence for the martyred soldiers, and forever remember this moment of disgrace!

"Here, I also want to tell all the citizens and soldiers of the Empire. The flames of war have just been ignited, and victory is still very far away. Even if we have to fight to the last person, the Empire will absolutely not repeat the mistakes of the last war. Even if it takes ten years, or even decades, the Empire will never concede to the shameless enemy.

"Here, I want to warn those who are wishfully thinking, those despicable enemies who only know how to daydream, never to underestimate the determination of the Empire, and even less the courage of the citizens and soldiers of the Empire. I cannot predict the outcome of the war, nor do I know how long it will take to achieve victory, but I can tell everyone that at the moment the flames of war are extinguished, only one between the Liangxia Empire and the despicable enemy country will stand tall in the world!"

The last part of the speech was delivered with a noticeably heavier tone, with a clear and powerful voice.

However, it wasn’t over yet.

Bai Zhizhan took a breath and his tense nerves relaxed slightly.

Just as he had anticipated, in the following ten or so minutes, Xue Yuanzheng shifted his tone, emphasizing that the Liangxia Empire values the hard-won peace, has always strived to build a peaceful and stable international order with all countries, even at the sacrifice of the Empire’s core interests, such as the overseas territories that have not yet been reclaimed. However, the citizens and soldiers of the Liangxia Empire have never feared wars imposed by enemies.

In short, he said a lot of things, but there was only one core idea.

The Empire will fight to the death against the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, who initiated the war with a despicable surprise attack, and other countries had better just watch the excitement from the sidelines.

Let alone send troops to war, even supporting the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom is tantamount to declaring war on the Liangxia Empire!

Of course, the most important announcement would definitely come last.

"Here, I officially announce that the Empire is entering a state of war with immediate effect. All active military personnel on leave must return to their units within twenty-four hours, reservists must report to the recruitment stations within three days, and all citizens of the Empire of military age must register with their local governments within a week.

"Here, I officially announce that the Empire is imposing comprehensive sanctions on all citizens and enterprises of the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, and implementing sanctions on all individuals and enterprises that have financial dealings and trade relations with the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom. From the moment this message is announced, any export, transportation, and sale of any goods, commodities, and materials related to war to the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom are restricted, and a full embargo will be imposed on the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom until the end of the war or further notice.

"Here, I officially declare that from today, the 25th of December of the year 99 in the New Calendar, the Liangxia Empire and the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom are officially in a state of war.

""

"Here, I, as the Imperial Chief Minister, solemnly declare to all the military and civilians of our nation and to all the countries of the world, that the Liangxia Empire formally declares war on the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom."

A staff officer raised his hand, ready to shout out a slogan, but was immediately stopped.

The declaration of war broadcast was not over yet!

According to unwritten rules, before the broadcast ends, there would be alert sounds, typically a few beeps.

"Finally, I once more solemnly state, as the Imperial Chief Minister. Whether in the past, present, or future, the military and citizens of the Liangxia Empire cherish peace and the splendid era bought with the blood and lives of countless imperial soldiers. Out of consideration and care for the common interests of human civilization, I am willing to grant one more day. If the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom can recognize its error, hand over the war criminals who launched the sneak attack, disarm all of its armed forces, and unconditionally accept the Empire’s judgement, we may consider offering the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom, and its civilians who have been deceived by wartime criminals, a chance. Remember, you have only twenty-four hours. Tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. is the final deadline!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Zhizhan laughed.

What was the Grand Secretary doing?

Issuing such an ultimatum to the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom in this manner?

Honestly, wasn’t this outright avoiding negotiations and pushing the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom into a corner?

The key point was that these demands were essentially asking the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom to unconditionally surrender and, after the surrender, to let themselves be carved up by the Liangxia Empire.

Given the current situation, those in power in the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom would definitely regard this as an extreme disgrace.

At this moment, the trumpet inside began playing the march that signified the end of the broadcast.

After Li Mingbo nodded, the Communication Advisor turned off the internal broadcast system and picked up the handset, instructing the signalman on the mast to issue commands to the other battleships.

"What do we do now?"

"Let everyone rest, there shouldn’t be anything happening tonight. Keep the normal watch, let the officers and soldiers rest and build up their strength, if all goes as usual, tomorrow we will decide the battle once and for all!"

"Can we be certain?"

Bai Zhizhan just smiled and did not answer this rather naïve question.

Once on the battlefield, nothing was certain!

It was just that, the last words added by Xue Yuanzheng clearly created an opportunity for the Navy, to put it precisely, he was employing the tactic of feigning desire to let down the guard.

What did that mean?

Knowing full well that negotiations were impossible, he deliberately put forth a semblance of willingness to negotiate, a blunder that, if the Saiyi Imperial Kingdom seized it, would lead them to contact the Empire and then feel they could buy some time for the Permanent Fleet to return from the Flame Sea to East Ocean.

The key point was, there were only twelve hours left, not a full day.

Even if the Saiyi Fleet sailed at full speed, they could definitely not pass through the Two-car Strait before 8:30 a.m. tomorrow, they would not even be able to reach the strait.

However, they would surely enter the striking range of the Third Aviation Mixed Fleet.

The key issue would be to see if Takano had the courage, to believe this was an opportunity and then continue sailing at the fastest speed towards the Two-car Strait.

Of course, it also depended on whether the Saiyi authorities would take the bait.

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