198: Chapter 198 Keyboard Missiles: All Can Destroy the Enemy

Naypyidaw, Cyber Warfare Command Center.

Zhang Cheng looked at the real-time scrolling public opinion analysis data on the screen, as well as the scenes of arguments gradually spiraling out of control within India, and took a light sip of his coffee.

“Sovereign, the first stage of the public opinion counterattack has yielded significant results,” reported the Death Soldier in charge of the matter. “Public trust in the government within India has seen a significant decline, and their military's reputation has been severely damaged. International onlookers generally lean towards believing that our side holds the moral and factual advantage. As for the USA, aside from the routine calls for restraint, there have been no signs of organized intervention.”

“Hmm.” Zhang Cheng nodded. “Military action is the continuation of politics, and public opinion is the precursor to war. Stripping them down and hanging their dirty laundry in front of the whole world is sometimes more effective than fighting a local conflict. Of course...”

His gaze turned once again toward the Sam Region in the north, his eyes turning cold:

“This doesn’t mean that the 48-hour ultimatum was just talk. Winning the war on the keyboard is to gain more initiative and moral support for actions in reality.”

“Notify Zhao Yuxun, Gao Yunfei, Hai Long, and Wang Yuanshan to move into their designated deployment positions according to the second plan. I want those big shots in New Delhi to understand clearly—”

“My gun, Zhang Cheng's gun, can strike with a keyboard and it can strike with a missile. It just depends on how they choose.”

New Delhi, Ministry of Defense Building.

Lieutenant General Rajesh Singh had locked himself in his office for two full hours. His heavy solid wood desk was scattered with various reports from the eastern border, satellite photos, and the network heat analysis of that 'Video of Captain Varun Weeping' that made his blood pressure soar.

He had the windows shut tight and the blinds drawn, but he still felt like every staff officer and civil servant passing by outside was looking at him with needles in their eyes.

“Useless! A bunch of useless trash!” He suddenly swept a stack of reports onto the floor, his chest heaving violently. His nephew's pathetic display in the video had already become a global laughingstock, and it had even caused him, the uncle, to be mockingly ridiculed by several old rivals during the Army's internal meetings.

What he found even more unacceptable was the detailed report of the “five-minute battle” sent back from the front lines.

Three cutting-edge T-90S main battle tanks were pierced head-on within visual range by the opponent's “suspected American-made M1A2” tanks! The opponent had only deployed one platoon (four tanks)! Yet, his own reinforced company (twelve tanks plus infantry support) had actually collapsed, and more than twenty people were taken prisoner!

“M1A2? The Americans sold active-duty main battle tanks to that warlord? That's impossible!” Rajesh Singh clutched his remaining hair and growled at the pale-faced Military Intelligence Bureau special envoy standing with his hands down in front of the desk. “Investigate! Find out for me! Where did those tanks come from? Are they models? Or were they refurbished junk smuggled from some graveyard?”

“General... preliminary analysis...” The envoy wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. “From the penetration effect and the external features of the tanks, it's very likely... they are genuine M1A2 SEP V3 models, or even a newer version. Moreover, according to descriptions from the released soldiers, the tactical movements of those tank crews were extremely professional and their coordination was seamless. They didn't... didn't seem like local Myanmar forces.”

“Could it be that the Americans have personally entered the fray?” A terrifying thought flashed through Rajesh Singh's mind, but he immediately dismissed it. The Americans had no reason to do so; it didn't align with their strategic interests.

“It's the Dragon Kingdom!” His eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had caught a lifesaver. “It must be the people from the Dragon Kingdom! They provided the equipment, and might have even sent 'advisors' wearing Myanmar Army uniforms! Yes! It must be so! Only this can explain why those 'Myanmar monkeys' suddenly became so capable in combat!”

This thought made him both angry and faintly relieved. Angry at the Dragon Kingdom's “shameless interference,” and relieved because—the failure wasn't because the Indian army was incompetent, but because the opponent had “cheated”!

“Immediately report our assessment to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs!” Rajesh Singh regained his momentum and slapped the table. “This is a blatant military provocation against our country by the Dragon Kingdom using a Myanmar proxy! We must provide the strongest response, otherwise the Sick Man of East Asia will be riding over the heads of us, the world's fifth-largest power!”

He walked to the massive theater map on the wall and jabbed his finger hard at the eastern section of the Myanmar-India border: “Orders! The main force of the 33rd Mountain Corps in Tezpur is to enter a state of first-level combat readiness immediately! The 57th Mountain Division and the 71st Mountain Division are to advance to their pre-designated forward positions! The entire 21st 'Black Panther' Armored Regiment is to push forward!”

“Tell the frontline commanders I’m giving them one week!” A dangerous light flickered in Rajesh Singh's eyes. “Within a week, I want to see our military flag planted on the high ground at least fifty kilometers deep on the other side! I want Zhang Cheng to come to New Delhi personally to atone for his 'provocation' and 'harboring of traitors'!”

“If the people from the Dragon Kingdom dare to intervene personally...” He snorted coldly. “Then it’s just as well. Let the world see who is the true hegemon of Asia!”

Orders were like mountains; the suppressed yet fanatical war machine began to accelerate.

...

The eastern section of the Myanmar-India border, the area under Myanmar’s actual control, the front of the Menggong River Valley.

The terrain here was more open than the nameless valley where the previous friction had occurred, with undulating hills and dense jungle, and several muddy dirt roads winding through. Originally, there were only a few observation posts and patrols from the Myanmar Army border defense units, but now, it was completely different.

Inside a semi-underground forward command post secretly built into the mountainside, Zhao Yuxun, wearing the rank of Major General (his latest promotion), stood before a massive tactical display screen. On the screen was the border situation map transmitted in real-time by drones and reconnaissance units; red arrows representing the Indian army were densely flooding toward the border line, with troop identifiers constantly being updated.

“The 33rd Mountain Corps, an elite unit.” Zhao Yuxun licked his somewhat dry lips. There was no fear in his eyes; instead, a fierce fire of war was burning. “The Boss put the toughest bone of the 'Titan' division on this front line because he trusts old Zhao.”

He turned back to look at the group of officers in the command post, all with equally resolute faces and sharp gazes. Among these people were old brothers who had fought their way out of the bloody battles of Kokang Old Street with him, as well as 'professional Death Soldiers' summoned by the system who were proficient in combined-arms armored warfare.

“Listen up, everyone!” Zhao Yuxun's voice was resonant. “The Indians' faces have been slapped swollen by the Sovereign, and they're in a hurry to settle the score. They have the numbers, and their equipment isn't bad; the T-90S is world-class.”

He paused and grinned, revealing a row of white teeth. “But who are we? 'Titan'! The Iron Fist forged by the Boss with gold and silver... uh, with his heart's blood! Our M1A2s are system-modified! In terms of penetration, fire control, and informatization, we completely crush their 'monkey version' T-90s!”

“Every battalion and company, move into concealed positions according to the prearranged plan! Reverse slopes, forest cover, camouflage nets—make sure they're all solid! Without my order, no one is fucking allowed to fire first. But if anyone dares to expose our 'babies' early, I'll have their skin!”

“Yes, Division Commander!” The officers responded with a roar and quickly dispersed to relay the orders.