Chapter 1111: The Feng Qi Xing Alliance's Diplomatic Request (1)

Angron said finally.

"Then, the tentative plan. Rest and refit for 48 standard hours. At the same time, report the battle results to Father, and request further instructions and supply reinforcements. After 48 hours, continue the offensive against the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

Sanguinius nodded.

"Agreed. I will have my fleet begin repairs and resupply. Additionally, regarding the governance of the occupied territories..."

"Leave it to the administrative teams of Guilliman and Luojia."

Angron said.

"This is his specialty. We are only responsible for the initial liberation; leave the governance to those who are skilled at it."

The plan was set.

As Sanguinius prepared to leave, Angron called out to him.

"Brother."

Sanguinius turned around.

"Your raid... was brave. But it was also too risky. Next time, at least bring a full assault squad."

Hearing Angron say this, Sanguinius smiled and replied.

"Sometimes, risk is necessary. Besides, I trust my warriors, just as you trust yours."

"I trust plans and preparation, and I also trust warriors. Very well, let the news be sent back to Xiuluo Holy Star. Father is waiting."

Xiuluo Holy Star, Star Alliance Central Command Hall.

Yingzhou stood before the massive Holographic Star Map, listening to the reports of victory from the front lines.

Guilliman stood beside him, holding a Data Pad in his hand, which displayed detailed battle result statistics and casualty reports.

"... In summary, Father, the Triangle Star System on the southern border of the Fengqi Core is completely under control. Our forces suffered minor losses, and the strategic objectives were fully achieved."

Yingzhou's mouth curled upward, and he said with a smile.

"Good. Sanguinius and Angron have done very well.

The coordination between the War Hounds and the Blood Angels, the utilization of the Knight, the tactical execution was nearly perfect."

Guilliman echoed.

"Indeed. Angron and Sanguinius have demonstrated the irreplaceable value of the Primarchs on the battlefield; they are not just powerful warriors, but the core of strategy and tactics."

Yingzhou walked to the star map and swept his hand across the newly occupied regions.

Those three light points changed from the red representing the enemy to the blue of the Star Alliance; although they were merely three insignificant dots in the entire Fengqi Territory, the significance was great.

"We achieved a decisive victory on the opponent's home turf, on the battlefield they prepared.

After the news spreads, other forces watching from the sidelines will re-evaluate our strength."

Guilliman nodded.

"In fact, the Ash Star Alliance and the Canaan Star Alliance, which are at war with the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, have contacted us, expressing a willingness to 'reconsider their relationship with the Star Alliance.'

If we achieve further victories, it may trigger a chain reaction, accelerating the disintegration of the power dynamics around the Feng Qi Xing Alliance."

"Do not be overly optimistic."

Yingzhou reminded Guilliman.

"The Feng Qi Xing Alliance has ruled this region for so long; its foundations are deep. Consecutive failures will damage their morale, but it will also unite them and cause them to commit more resources."

"That is exactly the second matter I wish to report, Father."

Guilliman pulled up another document.

"The Feng Qi Xing Alliance has sent us a request for diplomatic contact through a neutral third party."

Yingzhou raised an eyebrow.

"Diplomacy? At a time like this?"

"Yes. They propose establishing a negotiation site on the border of both sides to discuss a 'peaceful solution.'

The core meaning is: they are willing to acknowledge our control over the occupied regions in exchange for a ceasefire and space for subsequent negotiations."

Yingzhou was in Silence, thinking.

Guilliman waited, knowing Father was weighing the various possibilities.

Yingzhou spoke slowly.

"Delaying tactics. They need time to reorganize their defenses, mobilize reinforcements, and develop new weapons to counter the Primarchs. Diplomatic negotiation is the best way to buy time."

"My analysis is the same. But refusing to negotiate might be disadvantageous for us in terms of public opinion. After all, we have always claimed that the Star Alliance's expansion is for the sake of unification and peace; refusing peace talks would make us appear bellicose."

"Then negotiate. But not a real negotiation; rather, play them at their own game. You are responsible for forming the delegation and proposing conditions they cannot possibly accept: complete disarmament, opening all military facilities for inspection, the Core World to be garrisoned by the Star Alliance, and the Fengqi government to become a subordinate administrative agency of the Star Alliance."

Guilliman's mouth curled upward.

"They will refuse."

"Of course they will refuse. But refusal takes time, arguing takes time, and back-and-forth haggling takes time, and during this time, our fleet will not stop advancing."

Yingzhou walked to the window and looked at the sky of Xiuluo Holy Star.

"The time bought at the negotiation table is enough for us to advance three star systems on the battlefield. By the time they realize the negotiation is a sham, it will be too late."

"Then, I will begin preparations immediately."

Guilliman recorded the order.

"Regarding the members of the delegation, I suggest it be composed of elites from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a Primarch added as an 'observer' to show our 'importance' to the negotiations."

Yingzhou looked at Guilliman.

"Robert, you go."

Guilliman was slightly surprised.

"Me? But Father, the administrative affairs of Xiuluo Holy Star, resource allocation, governance of occupied territories... these all require me to coordinate here."

"Let Luojia take over. He is equally excellent in execution and management."

"More importantly, he is sufficiently loyal and will act strictly in accordance with our policies."

Guilliman thought for a moment and nodded.

"Luojia is indeed suitable. He has performed excellently in the reconstruction work in the Seventh Star Sector recently, and the chaotic administrative systems of every planet after the war have been able to be rebuilt rapidly. If he temporarily takes over my work, I can rest assured."

"Then it is decided."

Yingzhou said.

"You are responsible for forming the delegation and proposing conditions they cannot possibly accept: complete disarmament, opening all military facilities for inspection, Core Worlds garrisoned by the Star Alliance, and the Fengqi government becoming a subordinate administrative agency of the Star Alliance. Buy time at the negotiating table, and continue to advance on the battlefield."

"Then, I will begin preparations immediately."

Guilliman recorded the order.

"Regarding the members of the delegation, I suggest they be composed of elites from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus a few advisors proficient in different fields. I need the support of Magnus; if Fengqi reveals any information about their new weapons during the negotiations, we need to evaluate it immediately."

"Approved. Additionally, have Magnus analyze the energy reaction of the Mirror Rift."

"Father, there is one more thing."

Guilliman pulled up the latest intelligence.

"Our monitoring network has captured some abnormal communications from the Fengqi Core World. Although there is no specific content, the frequency and encryption method indicate that they are preparing some kind of 'special project'."

"It may be related to the Mirror Rift, or it may... be other weapons we do not know about."

Yingzhou's expression turned serious.

"The Mirror Rift... if Fengqi has truly mastered the technology to open a rift in reality, that is more dangerous than any conventional weapon."

"Notify all frontline Commanders to heighten their vigilance and report any abnormal phenomena immediately. Especially Mortarion, how has he recovered?"

"The medical team reports that his physical trauma has basically healed, but there are still 'scars' on the psychic level. Magnus suggests letting him continue to recuperate and not participate in high-intensity combat for at least a month."

"Then let him recuperate. But notify him of the intelligence regarding the Mirror Rift and have him prepare; if Fengqi has truly mastered the technology to open a rift, Mortarion may be the one who understands its dangers best."

Guilliman noted down all the instructions and then asked.

"Father, what are your specific instructions for the next step of the frontline action?"

Yingzhou returned to the star map and spoke.

"Tell Sanguinius and Angron: their plan to attack is approved. But do not be hasty; proceed steadily. Our advantage is quality, not quantity. Additionally..."

Yingzhou pulled up an encrypted file.

"Send this to them. This is the latest Fengqi military communication deciphered by the Intelligence Department, showing that they have assembled a fleet of unprecedented scale, including new types of Capital Ships. Have Sanguinius and Angron prepare to face a bitter battle."

Guilliman received the file and browsed it quickly.

"'Star-Glory Class' Battleship, rumored to be equipped with some kind of new Energy Weapon... do we need to have the Adeptus Mechanicus research countermeasures?"

"I have already put Ferrus in charge of that."

Yingzhou said.

"He and the experts from the Adeptus Mechanicus are analyzing the limited data, trying to find the weaknesses of this type of warship."

"But the battlefield is the final testing ground; tell Angron that if he encounters them, he should collect as much combat data as possible."

All matters were handled.

As Guilliman prepared to leave, Yingzhou called out to him.

"Guilliman."

Guilliman turned around.

"Father?"

"The negotiations will be very delicate."

Yingzhou said.

"You need to appear sincere and constructive, but at the same time, hold firm to our bottom line. Remember, you are not there to reach an agreement; you are there to buy time."

"Every detail discussed, every request for an adjournment, is one more day of preparation time for the warriors on the front line."

"I understand, Father."

Guilliman said solemnly.

"Go. Have Luojia come to see me; I need to hand over your work to him."

"Yes, Father."

After Guilliman left, Yingzhou stood alone before the star map.

He recalled the past, when Xiuluo Holy Star was still just a Gladiator Arena planet. At that time, Humans were used as entertainment tools by the Fengqi, forced to kill each other in the arena to please Alien spectators.

Three and a half years. Only three and a half years, from that humiliating starting point to now, having liberated three border worlds of the Fengqi Core Region.

Yingzhou whispered to himself.

"We will win."

For those compatriots who died in the Gladiator Arena, for the warriors fighting on the battlefield now, and for the future generations of Humans who will live in peace.

Victory is not an option; it is an inevitability.