210: Chapter 210 Humiliating Treaties and Declarations of Victory

"Second, the Indian government shall compensate the Federation of Myanmar for all direct and indirect losses resulting from this conflict, including military expenditures, damage to border facilities, refugee resettlement, and pension costs, totaling 10 billion USD. Given India's current foreign exchange reserve situation, our side accepts installment payments in the form of equivalent strategic mineral resources such as iron ore and rare earth ores, with prices set at 15% below current international market rates." This clause almost made the Indian Foreign Minister jump up on the spot.

"Third, a demilitarized corridor with a width of no less than ten kilometers shall be immediately established near the conflict line in the Sam Region. Supplies and medical personnel from Myanmar and international humanitarian organizations shall have free passage through this corridor to provide aid to the affected people of the Sam Region. Indian military and paramilitary forces must immediately cease all military suppression actions in the Sam Region and accept supervision by a joint observation group."

"Fourth, Indian troops must unilaterally withdraw at least twenty kilometers from the current actual line of contact between the two sides. The withdrawal process and the subsequent border situation will be supervised and verified by the Dragon-Myanmar Joint Military Observation Group."

"Fifth," Li Lanzhi paused, her sharp gaze fixing on the Indian General, "hand over the primary planners and commanders of this border provocation and subsequent military actions, including but not limited to Lieutenant General Rajesh Singh and others, to be extradited to Myanmar to face judicial trial under international observation."

Five conditions, each like a blade, hacking away at India's remaining shreds of dignity.

The Indian Foreign Minister's face turned ashen as he suppressed his rage: "Prime Minister Li, these conditions... are too harsh! These are terms for a defeated nation! India is a major sovereign power, we..."

"A major sovereign power?" Zhao Yuxun interjected coldly, his voice carrying the scent of gunpowder from the battlefield. "Mr. Minister, are you referring to the 'major sovereign power' whose five divisions were crushed within half an hour, and whose soldiers surrendered while waving their underwear? If you find the conditions harsh, we can continue the discussion on the battlefield. My 'Titan Division' would be very happy to engage in more in-depth 'exchanges'."

A naked threat, completely undisguised.

The Dragon Kingdom's Foreign Minister coughed softly to smooth things over: "All parties need to remain calm. Negotiations are meant to avoid more bloodshed. The Indian side may present its opinions."

The Indian delegation argued in low, hurried whispers. They had indeed received bottom-line instructions before coming to "achieve a ceasefire as quickly as possible at all costs," but they hadn't expected the opponent's "price" to be so high. Apologies, reparations, withdrawal, extradition... every single one touched their most sensitive nerves.

However, they had no choice.

At home, opposition party attacks and street protests were already in full swing; military morale had collapsed, making it impossible to organize an effective defense in the short term; internationally, although Eagle Sauce and Polar Bear had stepped in to mediate, their attitudes were ambiguous, clearly not wanting to get directly involved and even hinting that India should "settle the matter quickly"; meanwhile, the Dragon Kingdom was openly supporting Myanmar.

The stalemate lasted for two full days. The Indian side tried to bargain over the amount of reparations, the withdrawal distance, and the scope of personnel to be extradited.

But standing behind Li Lanzhi was Zhang Cheng, and Zhang Cheng's patience was limited.

On the morning of the third day, when the Indian side once again tried to blur the extradition terms, Li Lanzhi received an encrypted message from Naypyidaw. After reading it, she calmly announced: "Given the Indian side's lack of sincerity, negotiations are suspended. Our military will resume military operations at 2:00 PM local time today. The objective: to clear all Indian military presence within twenty kilometers of the border."

An ultimatum!

The Indian delegation panicked completely. They had no doubt the other side would do as they said; with the current state of collapse on the front lines, it would likely be easier for the opponent to advance twenty kilometers than to conduct a training exercise.

Under the Dragon Kingdom's final mediation (or rather, application of pressure), the Indian delegation eventually gritted their teeth and humiliatingly signed their names to the treaty after minor modifications—mainly a slight extension of the reparation payment period and a small reduction in the extradition list, though the core figure, Rajesh Singh, remained on it.

When the news reached India, the whole country was in an uproar. Unprecedented protests and demonstrations broke out in the capital, New Delhi, with the spearhead aimed directly at the current government and the incompetent military. The Prime Minister's approval rating plummeted, and the political crisis was unprecedented.

Meanwhile, in Naypyidaw, the victory celebration had only just begun.

...

Naypyidaw, Federation Square.

The area was a sea of people with flags fluttering everywhere. Huge screens played a montage of footage showing the surrender at the front lines, tank parades, and the signing ceremony in Kunnan.

Zhang Cheng stood on the balcony of the Presidential Palace, looking down at the boiling masses below. He wore a crisp, military-style formal suit without too many medals, but his aura of natural authority caused the entire square to gradually fall silent.

Loudspeakers carried his voice to every corner:

"Citizens of the Federation! Soldiers! Friends!"

"On this very day, we have used iron and fire, wisdom and courage, to defend our national dignity and earn the right to peace!"

"We tell those who once looked down on us with arrogant eyes: Myanmar is no longer that fragmented, weak nation that anyone can bully! The ethnicities living on this land are no longer lambs in their eyes to be slaughtered at will!"

"We have proven with facts that when the will of a united people is combined with advanced military force, any injustice forced upon us will be utterly crushed! Any enemy who attempts to point guns and cannons at our heads must be prepared—to have their teeth knocked out!"

"This victory belongs to every hardworking citizen, to everyone who has contributed silently in the fields, in the factories, and in the laboratories! And it belongs even more to those heroic officers and soldiers who put life and death aside to defend our home!"

"But this is not the end!"

Zhang Cheng's voice suddenly rose, filled with penetrating power:

"This is only a beginning! A beginning that heralds our rise! From this day forward, the Greater Myanmar Federation will stand tall in Southeast Asia and in the East of the world with unprecedented confidence and strength!"

"We will build a stronger nation! Create a better life! And win even more sublime respect!"

"Long live the victory! Long live the Federation!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!!"

The mountain-shaking, sea-tsunami-like cheers resounded through the clouds and echoed for a long time. Countless faces were streaming with tears of excitement; it was a sense of pride never felt before, belonging to victors and masters of their own nation.

In the crowd, Li Lanzhi looked up at the figure on the balcony, her eyes full of admiration and resolve.

At the edge of the square, Special Envoy Zhao Gang stood with members of the Dragon Kingdom delegation, clapping softly.

"Envoy Zhao, this battle was fought beautifully," a military attaché beside him whispered with a smile. "The southwest barrier is now as stable as Mount Tai. There are no more worries about the energy corridor."

Zhao Gang raised a glass filled with clear water and gestured slightly toward the balcony: "This glass is a toast to our 'good brother'. This battle was worth it. Not only did it knock down India's arrogance, but it also established our absolute right to speak in this region. Next... it's time to properly manage this 'back garden'."

His gaze passed over the celebrating crowd and turned toward the south, toward that busy ocean.