92: Conquering a country is easy, ruling it is difficult.

“Everyone, stop arguing. It’s meaningless now.”

He scanned the room, his eyes full of weariness.

“What do we have to fight with? Our main force, the Seventh Division, is already gone.”

“The Free Army is at its peak, with high morale. If we stay in the city, we’ll just be another Victor.”

The Police Chief of the capital nodded in agreement: “My officers are for maintaining public order.”

“They’re not for engaging tanks. I don’t want them to die in vain.”

“Besides, to put it bluntly, who are we even fighting for?”

This question silenced everyone present.

Yes, who are we fighting for?

For a government that’s rotten to its core? For a president who only knows how to exploit the people?

It’s not worth it.

“I agree to surrender.” The Quick Reaction Brigade Commander was the first to state his position.

“I will contact the Free Army to ensure a peaceful handover of the city’s facilities and try to prevent La Paz from falling into war.”

“I agree too.” The Police Chief followed closely.

However, not everyone thought the same way.

“Surrender? Nonsense!”

The Special Operations Brigade Commander slammed his hand on the table, his eyes red as he stood up.

“My own brother died at the hands of the Free Army in a conflict just a few days ago! You want me to surrender to them now? I can’t do it!”

His voice was filled with deep-seated hatred.

On the other side, the 5th Division Commander also spoke with a grim expression.

“We still have troops, why should we give up?”

“Once we surrender, everything we have now—power, status, wealth—will all turn to dust! I’m not reconciled!”

His reasons were more realistic and more selfish.

Four people, two completely different choices.

After a brief standoff, the Special Operations Brigade Commander and the 5th Division Commander exchanged glances and reached a consensus.

“Those who walk different paths cannot plan together,” the Special Operations Brigade Commander said coldly.

“If you want to be spineless, we won’t stop you. But we will fight to the death!”

With that, he and the 5th Division Commander left the command center without looking back.

They planned to gather all the troops willing to follow them, withdraw from the capital, preserve their strength, and plot their resurgence.

Santa Cruz. Free Army High Command.

David calmly looked at all the intelligence summarized on the screen.

The Seventh Division was annihilated.

Victor fled.

The La Paz defenders were internally divided.

Everything was within his expectations.

An operations staff officer walked over quickly.

“Report! The 5th Division and the Special Operations Brigade are gathering troops, it looks like they want to withdraw from La Paz. Do we need to pursue them?”

David’s fingertips tapped lightly on the table, his gaze profound.

“No.”

He uttered two words.

“Do not pursue a cornered enemy. They are like startled birds now; forcing a pursuit will only cause us unnecessary casualties.”

“Our target is not them.”

His finger pointed firmly on the map.

“It’s here.”

La Paz.

“Once we take the capital, this war will be over. As for those remnants, without a foundation, they will slowly rot away on their own.”

David stood up and issued a series of clear instructions.

“Order the 5th Brigade, the 6th Brigade, and the Special Operations Regiment to immediately advance towards La Paz!”

“Order the front-line command to establish contact with the Quick Reaction Brigade and the Capital Police Department, who have decided to surrender, and coordinate actions.”

“Ensure the comprehensive takeover of all military bases, government buildings, transportation hubs, and news media in La Paz with the fastest speed and minimal cost!”

“Yes!”

With the issuance of the orders, the entire Free Army war machine once again operated at high speed.

After handling the military deployment, David fell into a brief contemplation.

It’s easy to conquer an empire, but difficult to rule it.

Military victory was close at hand, but a new, stable government was what Bolivia truly needed.

He needed someone trustworthy and capable to handle these complex government affairs.

San Francisco Plaza, La Paz, Congress Building.

This building, which once symbolized the highest power in Bolivia, was now completely enveloped by formidable barricades.

Five brand new type 15 light tanks were deployed in a combat formation around the perimeter of the plaza.

Their dark muzzles pointed diagonally towards the sky, carrying an undeniable deterrent force.

Dozens of armored personnel carriers, painted with the Free Army star emblem, formed the second line of defense.

Heavily armed soldiers stood by each vehicle, their eyes sharp as eagles, vigilantly scanning everything around them.

The embassy vehicle carrying Chinese Ambassador Yu Tong was only allowed to slowly enter the plaza after undergoing strict checks at three checkpoints.

“Mr. Ambassador, these people… certainly put on quite a show.”

The secretary whispered softly in his ear.

Yu Tong did not speak, merely looking through the car window.

His gaze was solemn as he watched the steel behemoths that should not have appeared on the Bolivian plateau.

The Type 15 Tank, the latest equipment specifically designed for plateau and mountain warfare.

This kind of thing was not something an arms dealer could get their hands on.

A hint of deep thought flashed in Yu Tong's eyes.

It seems that the waters behind this so-called “Free Army” run very deep.

He adjusted his suit and tie, then pushed open the car door.

A Free Army officer wearing the rank of captain immediately came forward, giving a standard military salute.

“Ambassador Yu Tong, welcome. The press conference is about to begin, please follow me.”

The officer's words were clear and precise, and his demeanor was neither humble nor arrogant, completely lacking the rough mannerisms of ordinary rebels.

Yu Tong nodded and followed him into the Congress Building.

The conference hall was already packed with people.

Ambassadors and military attachés from various countries, as well as news reporters who had flocked there, filled the entire hall.

Everyone's face showed complex expressions: curiosity, inquiry, and a hint of undisguised tension.

They were all waiting, waiting to see how this newly emerging force would announce its existence to the world.

Yu Tong sat down in the seat designated for China, subtly observing everyone present.

The Eagleland ambassador's face was ashen, while the John Bull military attaché kept whispering to the person next to him.

Clearly, this sudden turn of events had caught them off guard.

Just then, the doors of the conference hall were pushed open.

A tall officer, wearing the rank of lieutenant general on his shoulder, strode in with powerful steps, surrounded by a group of field-grade officers.

He was Oliver, the Free Army's Military Commander-in-Chief, and one of the core figures of the provisional military government.

All eyes in the room instantly focused on him.

Oliver walked directly to the podium, placed his hands on the surface, and his sharp gaze swept across the room.

The entire hall was silent.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am Oliver, Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivian Free Army.”

His voice was not loud, but it had a metallic quality, clearly reaching everyone's ears.

“From today, all legitimacy of the old government represented by Hernán Siles is abolished.”

“The provisional military government led by my forces will take over all state power until a new democratically elected government is formed.”

As soon as his words fell, there was an uproar in the audience.

Although everyone had anticipated this outcome.

But when it was announced so directly and forcefully, it still caused a huge shock.

Oliver ignored the reactions of the crowd and continued in his emotionless tone:

“I hereby issue an ultimatum to all armed forces and local garrisons across the country that are still resisting.”

“Immediately lay down your weapons and surrender to the nearest National Defense Force units.”