311: Chapter 311 Gunboat Diplomacy

He knew this meant humiliation. But compared to the total collapse of the country and the potential for an even greater disaster, humiliation seemed to be the only choice.

Naypyidaw, Presidential Palace.

Zhang Cheng received the "urgent ceasefire appeal" from the Thai government, submitted by Li Lanzhi and forwarded through a third party.

He stood before the strategic map, looking at the blue control line that had already pushed significantly eastward.

"Tell the Thais," Zhang Cheng's voice was calm and steady, "a ceasefire is possible. But on these conditions:"

"First, the Thai government must issue a formal, public written apology to the Federation of Myanmar for this act of unprovoked aggression."

"Second, the planners and primary executors of this war of aggression must be severely punished; the list will be provided by our side."

"Third, compensate the Federation of Myanmar for all losses in this war, including military, economic, and civilian casualties. As for the preliminary amount, let them weigh it themselves."

"Fourth, until the final peace agreement is signed, our military's right to station troops on the current actual control line, as well as the corresponding management rights of the security zones, must be guaranteed."

"Let them think it through before replying." Zhang Cheng turned around. "Additionally, order the frontline troops to consolidate existing positions, heighten vigilance, and guard against any counterattacks or sneak attacks before receiving official orders. Meanwhile, increase propaganda in the occupied areas; tell the local Thai people that we are only targeting the military forces that started the war and will protect civilian safety. What we want is to make them admit defeat completely from within."

The wheels of war, having crushed the aggressor's ambitions, began to roll toward a negotiating table dominated by the will of the victor. Meanwhile, the skies over Thailand were already filled with the dark clouds of defeat and the thunder of domestic internal strife.

The Gulf of Thailand, dawn.

The sea was dyed with a faint golden-red hue, as calm as a vast sheet of silk. However, beneath this tranquility, steel and lethal intent were silently assembling.

In international waters approximately 120 nautical miles southeast of Rayong Province, Thailand, three streamlined, sharp-looking giant ships—resembling fortresses on the sea—were cruising slowly in a neat formation. The deep gray stealth coating of the hulls glinted coldly in the morning light, and the integrated masts were densely packed with phased-array radar panels like the alert eyes of a giant beast.

This was the backbone force making its first public appearance since the establishment of the Federation of Myanmar Navy—Type 055 ten-thousand-ton destroyers exchanged from the system, hull numbers 101 'Federal Glory', 102 'Naypyidaw', and 103 'Salween River'. Each destroyer was equipped with 112 universal vertical launch cells, capable of carrying a mix of 'HHQ-9B' long-range surface-to-air missiles, 'YJ-18A' sub-supersonic anti-ship missiles, 'CJ-10' land-attack cruise missiles, and the latest 'HQ-19' sea-based anti-ballistic missile interceptors (Exchange Version). Their dual-band active phased-array radars (S+X band) and integrated radio frequency systems represented the pinnacle of electronic warfare for surface vessels on Planet Blue.

On the periphery of the formation, several Type 039B AIP conventional-powered submarines (Exchange Version) cruised silently underwater like assassins in the shadows, forming an undersea deterrent.

On the bridge of the 'Federal Glory', Captain Colonel Wu Min lowered his binoculars, his gaze steady. The large screen of the integrated command system in front of him clearly displayed the surrounding maritime and aerial situation: about 90 nautical miles to the northeast, a mixed formation composed of Royal Thai Navy 'Naresuan'-class frigates, 'Pattani'-class offshore patrol vessels, and auxiliary ships was conducting seemingly routine maneuvers within its 'traditional training zone'. That was the symbol of the Thai Navy's power in the Gulf of Thailand.

"Target formation heading 220, speed 12 knots, continuously conducting anti-submarine and air defense drills," the radar officer reported. "The MW-08 sea search radar of their 'Naresuan' frigate is intermittently active; the fire control radar is not activated."

A faint, almost imperceptible twitch appeared at the corner of Wu Min's mouth. "Order: our formation turn to heading 045, speed 18 knots. Maintain current distance and shadow them in parallel."

"Yes, sir!"

The three Type 055 giants turned in synchronization, their massive hulls cutting through the sea in a unified motion that demonstrated a high level of training. They began to advance parallel to the Thai Navy formation, maintaining a distance that was not close enough to trigger a direct conflict, yet extremely oppressive.

This distance was exactly at the edge of the effective range for most of the Thai naval vessels' shipborne weapons, yet completely within the 'death zone' of the Type 055s' over-the-horizon strike weapons.

Exactly 9:00 AM.

On the bridge of the 'Federal Glory', orders were issued once more.

"Commence exercise. Phase one: long-range sea search and target identification drill. Activate the S-band long-range warning radar to perform a full-situational scan of the 'target formation'. Activate the X-band fire control radar to perform intermittent 'locking illumination' simulations on the frigate 'Naresuan'. Note: only perform radar lock simulations; do not perform final weapon system unlocking."

"Understood!"

Instantly, on the integrated masts of the Type 055s, the four massive S-band phased-array radar panels lit up with a faint glow, performing omnidirectional scans at dozens of revolutions per minute. More lethally, the four small X-band phased-array radars, like precise scalpels, 'pointed' across the void at the 'Naresuan', Thailand's most advanced frigate, 90 nautical miles away.

Despite being nearly a hundred kilometers away, the piercing Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) alarms on the 'Naresuan' instantly shrieked throughout the entire ship!

"Warning! Warning! Locked by fire control radar! High-intensity X-band! From the southwest!" The radar operator's voice cracked.

The captain rushed into the Combat Information Center (CIC), his face turning pale as he looked at the clear, stable, and oppressive radar lock signal source parameters on the screen. "Distance to source?"

"Ex... exceeding 90 nautical miles! Signal strength... unprecedented! Our radar simply cannot obtain such clear lock quality at this distance!" the electronic warfare officer's voice trembled.

This meant the opponent's fire control radar performance far exceeded their own, capable of completing a lethal lock at a distance where they were completely unable to fight back effectively.

"Identity of the opponent?!" the captain roared.

"Signal characteristic comparison... does not match the radar characteristics of any known capital ships of neighboring countries... but, but based on previous intelligence briefings, it is highly likely to be the... ten-thousand-ton destroyers newly acquired by the Myanmar Navy!" the intelligence officer said with difficulty.

"What do they want?!" The captain felt a chill down his spine. Being locked meant that in actual combat, one could be pierced by supersonic anti-ship missiles in the next instant. Although the other side made no further moves, this naked display of 'I am the butcher and you are the meat' was more humiliating and terrifying than direct fire.

"Report! The opponent... the opponent is sending an open transmission via the International Maritime VHF Channel 16." The signalman looked up with a strange expression.

"Read it!"

The signalman swallowed hard. "'This is the Federation of Myanmar Navy ship Federal Glory. Our vessel is conducting routine radar and communication equipment test drills in international waters. This notice is issued to avoid misunderstanding. We wish you a pleasant voyage.'"