Counterfeit Hero

Just now, he had met eyes with the other party several times. Although it was their first meeting, there was no politeness in their gazes. He knew that this fatty was obviously preparing to confront here.

He turned his head and exchanged a meaningful glance with the Vice President of Chuckna, Madhuwan, who was among the Chuckna officials there to welcome him.

At this welcoming ceremony specially held for the Feiyang troops, there were not only a few generals from the Chuckna military but also Vice President Madhuwan. He was an old friend of his. At this moment, neither Madhuwan nor the generals looked happy. This fatty had already caused an uproar in Chuckna before even showing his face. Now that he appeared, it seemed he presented them with another dilemma.

Behind him, the crowd of onlookers obviously noticed that something was off. The noise gradually grew louder.

”What’s that fatty up to over there?”

”A group of mixed soldiers, just let them leave quickly.”

”Exactly, I really don’t understand how this fatty could have such thick skin.”

Listening to the voices behind him, Faset stood with a smile, hands behind his back. Now, he had all the time to outlast that fatty. He has seen many oblivious people, but he had never encountered someone as oblivious as this.

”General, should we...” a staff officer softly inquired.

Before the staff officer could finish speaking, Faset waved his hand: ”It’s not us who are being scolded now, let’s see how long they can endure. I really want to see them leave here in disgrace.”

”But,” the staff officer said cautiously, ”if Chuckna welcomes them at this ceremony....”

Faset glanced at the staff officer dismissively: ”Did you hear the voices from behind?”

The staff officer nodded: ”I heard them.”

”Do you think, for someone who surrendered on live broadcast, the public would have a favorable impression?” Faset said contemptuously, ”Moreover, what Chuckna officials need to consider first is the diplomatic consequences of their actions. Do you think they would turn the ceremony to welcome the Feiyang Army into a ceremony to welcome the bandit army, while leaving the Feiyang Alliance Army aside?”

Just as Faset finished speaking, a Chuckna official came trotting over.

”Admiral Faset, the ceremony is about to begin, please come with me...”

”Your Excellency Vice President,” General Feng Zhi of Chuckna saw Faset being led towards the reviewing stand of the honor guard, and angrily looked at Madhuwan. They had just had a fierce debate, but this nearly sixty-year-old Vice President, known as the old fox of the Chuckna political arena, seemed determined to embarrass the bandit army.

Looking at Feng Zhi’s angry gaze, the short and stout Vice President Madhuwan coldly smiled and said: ”Execute the original plan. We have no need to offend the Feiyang Republic!”

”I don’t want to offend the Feiyang Alliance Army,” Feng Zhi shouted, ”but we could easily think of a win-win solution.....”

”Just because of this group of mixed soldiers and that general who surrendered?” Madhuwan said without any courtesy.

Feng Zhi clutched his fists tightly. This Vice President, had always had close ties with Leefer, and this was no secret. Meanwhile, within Chuckna, he, along with the Defense Minister, held a firm grip on national defense and security affairs. The previous war strategies of Chuckna, those from the national security advisors, could not be separated from him.

Marshal Li Cunxin’s report had long been sent back to the Military Department, except for the surrender matter, which due to Hastings’ orders, was reported only to the President. He was well aware of what the bandit army and General Tian did in the Longbow Star System, and on Canglang Star for this country. But no one expected, at this time, he wanted to embarrass the bandit army. Just because of his relationship with Leefer, and because President Hill was no longer buying into his ways and started to shake him off on all fronts?!

”That’s what they asked for,” seemingly oblivious to Feng Zhi’s anger, Madhuwan squinted his eyes slightly: ”This ceremony is primarily for the Feiyang people. They insisted on barging in at this time; it’s their own humiliating act. It has nothing to do with us. By any means, adhering to the original plan is correct!”

While saying this, Madhuwan glanced at the crowd behind him: ”Besides, it seems like the bandit army isn’t particularly welcomed; listen carefully to the public’s voices.”

Seeing Faset already standing with a smile on the temporarily set up review stand, Madhuwan glanced at Feng Zhi and said: ”The die is cast; we are past the point of no return. I believe you wouldn’t want to chill the hearts of our Feiyang Alliance Army warriors. As the highest-ranking admiral here, you should have hosted the review, but if you are unwilling, I can do it on your behalf.”

Seeing the high-ranking officer of the honor guard looking more anxious as he looked over, and with Feng Zhi silent for a long time, Madhuwan squinted his eyes, with a sharp glint like needles in his narrow slits: ”Why? Is there a problem.”

Behind him, the crowd noise grew louder. The public had no fondness for that Leray fatty and his bandit army. Some of the impatient ones nearly resorted to outright cursing.

Feng Zhi silently stepped aside, clearing the way. Madhuwan coldly chuckled, heading towards the reviewing stand.

The entire dock became silent. Seeing Madhuwan ascend the reviewing stand, shaking hands with a few Feiyang generals and sharing a smile with Faset, standing side by side. Watching as the ceremony officer gripped the Long Blade at his waist, ready to step forward.

Suddenly, everyone saw four Chuckna generals, led by Feng Zhi, stepping out from the crowd and heading towards Fatty.

What’s going on, the crowd became agitated.

Everyone watched dumbfounded as these high-level officers, who were usually unseen, marched with a goose step like ordinary soldiers, standing upright in front of Fatty, listening dumbfoundedly to the seemingly gentle-looking Admiral Feng Zhi use a booming voice to declare: ”Admiral of Chuckna, Feng Zhi...”

”Admiral of Chuckna, Zhao Pingshan.”

”Vice Admiral of Chuckna, John Williams.”

”Vice Admiral of Chuckna, Sunx Nanxi.”

”Vice Admiral of Chuckna, Bernie Lackliff.”

Together, the generals saluted, and Admiral Feng Zhi’s voice echoed throughout the port: ”In salute to the hero who once saved our Twelfth Group Fleet, defeated Binart Hanfry, and has ever since held fast in the Longbow Star System, campaigned on Canglang Star, leading our 13th Armored Division, 51st Mechanized Infantry Division to break through Hot Spring Town, blockade Beiguan City, delayed Jiepeng 2nd Armored Division, and ultimately led the Allies to win the Canglang Star landing battle, General Tian Xingjian.”

Saying this, Feng Zhi stepped forward and gave Fatty a big hug: ”General Tian, welcome to your distinguished presence. Your visit brings light to Chuckna.”

Everyone was stunned by the scene that had just unfolded.

Just as they were at a loss, suddenly, a few Feiyang officers came forward from the Feiyang Thirty-Ninth Army’s formation.

What are the six division commanders of the Thirty-Ninth Army planning to do?

In full view, five major generals and one vice admiral strode up to Fatty, saluted one by one, and embraced him warmly.

In the utter silence, the lead division commander of the Thirty-Fifth Division said to Fatty: ”General, didn’t expect to meet you here again. Back in Gazalin, if you hadn’t defeated Reinhardt’s Mythical Army and shot Stephen, we would have been doomed in Jiacuo. As General Douglas once said, today, I will say it again......”

Saying this, the vice admiral stepped back and loudly declared: ”The Feiyang Space Marine Corps’s Thirty-Fifth Ace Division....”

As soon as the vice admiral had finished, another major general stood at attention and said: ”The Feiyang Republic Army’s 86th Armored Division....”

”102nd Armored Division.....”

”117th Armored Division.....”

”210 Armored Division......”

”66th Armored Division.....”

The voices of the six Feiyang generals resounded throughout the port, igniting a fiery enthusiasm: ”Deeply grateful for the great virtue; entrusted with a task, we will not refrain from death!”

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

Tens of thousands of people stood gaping, staring blankly at that unassuming fatty.

A complete dead silence.

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.This chapter originally involved an intense combat conflict, but as I was writing it, I realized the setting and timing didn’t fit the logic. Thus, it took quite an effort to climb out of this pit. Holding in my frustration, I’m preparing for the ensuing brawl. Of course, it’s not war; it’s a damned fight. It’s the end of the month, so I’m asking for monthly votes!

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.(To be continued, to find out what happens next, please log on to www.qidian.com, with more chapters available, support the authors, and legal reading!)