It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 94 | The Lonely Mr. Shang

Hungary has a considerable grain production. Sitting on a large plain, Hungary exports grain to Walland every year and is an undoubted granary in Central Europe.

In Veronica's eyes, Hunricane is a strategic target that must be captured, but there is no rush for the time being.

For many years she had been thinking over the situation of that day. What exactly was the "fairness" that the gods were talking about?
She believed that repayment should be equal - after thirteen consecutive years of bumper harvests, Ivan Ross's native agriculture would face a series of poor harvests.

For this reason, before the deadline arrives, Ivan Rus should end the war and seize the main grain-producing areas to ensure basic people's livelihood.

Initially, Veronica's opinion was to give priority to defeating Vallander. As for Hungary, the forbidden territory of the Grand Federation, there was no rush to seize it. It would not be too late to wait for two more years. After all, it was the meat at hand that she could eat whenever she wanted.

It would be unprofitable to break off relations with the Khitans in the East too early, as the gains would outweigh the losses.

However, the progress made in the two weeks since the start of the war has been beyond imagination, which has greatly increased the confidence of the upper echelons of Ivan Ross.

Some hawkish generals strongly suggested launching an attack immediately. They were confident that they could quickly eliminate Huns. After all, if Valland was so vulnerable, what could the little Huns be?

Many politicians also support this because once Varland is defeated, all of Europe will surrender - Ivan Ross can obtain countless wealth, talents, and machinery and equipment, so why should he be afraid of the Grand Federation?
On September 9, Veronika Alexandrovna approved the military action plan, determined to force the Hungarian side to surrender by force.

On September 9, the Ivan Rus Empire Air Force paratroopers assembled in Lviv by train and then moved to the southwestern town of Hussite.

On September 9, the Hungarian government received an ultimatum from the Ivan Rus's legation.

The day.

It was supposed to be a sunny day, but Budapest was shrouded in solemnity and anxiety, as if a dark cloud was covering the city.

The Prime Minister's residence is heavily guarded, and the Royal Guard has taken over the protection of the residence.

A round table meeting was taking place here, where the Queen and several core leaders discussed the final decision.

Prime Minister Laszlo Baanfi told the Grand Coordination Federation ambassador: "The Ivan Rus' people demand that we allow their troops to pass through our borders and provide logistical support. In addition to this, they demand that we sign a unilateral grain export agreement. If we agree to these terms, they promise to guarantee our independence."

The ambassador pushed up his glasses and said calmly, "I don't think I need to say anything more."

The Hungarian Chief of the General Staff, Ovary Miklos, nodded and said firmly: "From the time of István to today, we Hungarians have never been foolish or naive enough to leave our fate to others."

This statement was a very firm one. On the one hand, it meant that Ivan Ross's ultimatum would not be agreed to. On the other hand, it was a subtle expression of dissatisfaction with the Grand Federation.

"We need a commitment," the Prime Minister said.

"The Volunteer Air Force will set off immediately and will arrive around the beginning of October. Ladies and gentlemen, our country will provide all possible support, except for directly participating in the war. I hope you understand our country's difficulties." The ambassador replied.

"But how do your planes get here?" the Chief of General Staff asked in confusion.

"A batch of fighter jets ordered from us by the Republic of Marianna has been assembled and delivered for use. We have negotiated with them and these fighter jets will be temporarily leased to our volunteer air force for use." The ambassador said concisely.

Several people knew that this was the greatest sincerity, and the Grand Federation would never send an expeditionary force across half the world to help at this critical juncture.

Throughout the whole process, Sigrid remained silent like a nobody, acting as a patient listener.

Before the round table meeting ended, the ambassador suddenly warned her, "Your Majesty, are you prepared to be in the midst of war?"

Sigrid was startled for a moment, then nodded and said, "I was ready when I left Stockholm."

"Very good. As the ruler of a country, the monarch must fulfill his duties." "Thank you, Mr. Ambassador, for the reminder. I will work hard."

If Ivan Rus's invasion of Varland was a carefully disguised surprise attack, then the current military action against Hunsted was open and aboveboard.

Romania also began mobilizing for war a week ago, and the signs are already very obvious.

After firmly rejecting Ivan Ross's ultimatum, the latter stated that the two sides were already in a state of war.

In response to this, the hearts of the upper echelons of the Huns were like a huge stone falling to the ground, and then they were lifted up again.

Things have come to this point, there is no room for maneuver.

At about the same time, Shang Ke, who was in the General Staff Headquarters, felt a little lonely.

"Everyone has gone to the front line, and I'm the only one staying here." He complained to Anna.

"Wouldn't it be better to stay in Budapest? The front line is very dangerous." Anna stirred the coffee in the cup.

The Grand Control Federation Military and Technical Advisory Group received the latest order that except for those who have already set off, the rest are stopped from returning to the country.

Most of the military advisers had been dispersed and sent to the Tisza River defense line to the front line.

Considered from another perspective, they will soon acquire valuable first-hand information—real combat experience—tempered by blood and fire.

However, Shang did not receive any assignment, and the regiment commander asked him to stay in the General Staff Headquarters on standby, which made him a little unhappy.

To be precise, it’s not unhappiness, but a kind of disappointment of being out of the picture.

"Mr. Consultant, I only put two ice cubes in your coffee as you requested." Anna handed the coffee to Shang Ke.

"Thank you."

It was already late at night, but everyone had to stay on duty all night because the enemy invasion was imminent.

In the second half of the night, everyone was drowsy and some people were already dozing off.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came from the next room.

A captain rushed out, shouting nervously, "Emergency report from the Skivada Radio Monitoring Station! We've noticed a surge in radio traffic from the Ivan Rus troops along the border! We've detected several new numbers!"

For a moment, the hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

After more than half a year, Shang Ke had learned some Hungarian. He said calmly, "It's time to start."

9月21日凌晨5时23分，匈尔瑞王家空军的防空警戒哨听到了天空中传来的引擎声，随后目视确认大批SB-2Bis轰炸机已经越境。

Seven minutes later, dazzling muzzle flames flashed one after another, and thousands of shells of different calibers fell into Hungary and exploded.

On the more than 300-kilometer-long border line in the northeast and east, Ivan Rus and Romania, with a total of one million troops, launched a full-scale attack on Hungary!

Operation codename: Jupiter.

(End of this chapter)