The standoff lasted for over twenty Galaxy Days, drawing media from neighboring countries and becoming the most talked-about topic in both the Internet spheres of the Wind Empire and the Nonar United Kingdom.

The Wind Empire Fleet, holding the advantage, did not take the initiative to attack, and the Nonar United Kingdom fleet dared not make a rash move.

Meanwhile, the Wind Empire's envoy had already met with the high-level delegation from the Nonar United Kingdom, and it seemed both sides could engage in peace talks. The Nonar United Kingdom laid down a series of harsh demands, including but not limited to joint development of the T204 Resource Star.

The Wind envoy naturally refused to comply, but orders came from Edwan back home.

They could agree to all conditions except for the joint development.

This was a reluctant choice made by Edwan, as he saw the shadow of the Empire behind the unusual actions of the Nonar United Kingdom.

Edwan's bottom line was that not an inch of national territory could be conceded.

Allowing a distant country to participate in the joint development of a Resource Star within one's own borders was the greatest insult.

Over the next half month, there was a border standoff, diplomatic confrontation, and a messy public opinion war, as citizens of both countries, guided by their respective officials, grew impatient and felt victimized by the other side.

A subtle event occurred at this time—the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nonar United Kingdom visited the New Federation.

And after a standoff of forty Galaxy Days, a fierce air battle erupted over the T204 planet.

The objective fact was: the Nonar United Kingdom suddenly dispatched a second combat fleet, with both fleets forming a pincer attack on the Wind Empire Fleet, which decisively fought back and won a substantial victory.

However, news in the Nonar United Kingdom exclusively reported that it was an assault by the Wind Fleet.

This T204 battle was a direct confrontation between two medium-sized countries in the region.

The Nonar United Kingdom sacrificed 120,000 troops and lost more than twenty ships; the Wind, under Lyu's covert command, also lost 40,000 troops and seven ships.

Public opinion in both countries surged, and the flames of war burned ever brighter in this part of the starry sky.

At this point, a certain disagreement arose between Yang Ming and Edwan.

Edwan advocated for making peace and signaled surrender to the Sherman Empire, actively attempting to bribe officials of the Sherman Empire.

Yang Ming, however, insistently demanded to fight.

In the letter sent via Lyu to Edwan, a few sentences were clearly written.

[The national will of the Sherman Empire has already landed, something that cannot be reversed by a few corrupt officials.]

[The Wind Alliance aims to advance, and this battle is inevitable, the only difference being sooner or later.]

[To be reborn, one must first pass through the fire. Only by defeating the much stronger Nonar United Kingdom can the Wind gain the qualification to negotiate with the Sherman Empire.]

Edwan pondered for two whole nights and ultimately heaved a long sigh and gave Yang Ming a simple reply.

[Please ensure that Wind casualties are minimized as much as possible within the realm of capability.]

Yang Ming did not directly respond.

War is brutal; no one can ensure a certain victory.

Wind began actively preparing for war, while the Nonar United Kingdom announced the mobilization of the entire naval fleet, accumulating warships along the border line, soon exceeding five hundred ships.

What Yang Ming found most ridiculous was that this war was depicted on the interstellar stage as a proxy war controlled by the New Federation.

...

In January of Imperial New Calendar 732, the second military conflict between the Wind Empire and the Nonar United Kingdom officially broke out.

The nominal strength of the parties involved in the war was not equal.

The Nonar United Kingdom amassed its elite fleet, with an astounding number of 62 medium and light battleships, 173 star patrol ships, and over 200 gunboats and firepower supply ships, presenting a crushing force against the Wind Empire.

The Wind Empire only deployed its First and Third Defense Fleets, totaling two small aircraft carriers, 48 medium and light battlecruisers, 125 star patrol ships, 17 medium and large shield ships, and 139 comprehensive supply ships.

When the two armies confronted each other, it practically turned into an exhibition of the Sherman Empire's retired warships.

However, this was merely nominal strength.

Having operated in the Wind Empire for many years, Yang Ming's loyal forces were the four major defense fleets of Wind. After Wind purchased the production line for medium-sized ships, Yang Ming instructed Lyu to comprehensively upgrade the main battleships of Wind.

On the surface, Wind's ships still looked the same, but inside they had undergone software and hardware upgrades.

They now had a longer detection range, a more powerful fire control system, and better attack intervals.

Most importantly, however, the apparent commander on the Wind side was General Leon (Dabiji), while the true command was under the Mechanical Thought Body Lyu.

Yang Ming planned to participate in this war, as it was a pivotal battle for the rise of the Wind Empire.

But Lyu insisted on having Yang Ming continue assimilation experiments on Saka Star.

She was confident in breaking the legs of the Nonar United Kingdom.

Yang Ming hesitated for a moment but chose to trust his Little Lyu.

Previously, he merely shouted to fire; this kind of large-scale campaign depended on the national defense strength and the reaction of the command system.

The battle erupted in full at the beginning of February.

The eyes of half the Galaxy watched over here, and the names of the Wind Empire and the Nonar United Kingdom resounded throughout the Milky Way.

However, just a few Galaxy Times later, the reputations of both saw starkly different trajectories.

The commander of the winning side in this battle was hailed as 'the most outstanding general in five thousand years of the Milky Way'.

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