Chapter 731, Arch of Triumph
On Holy Terra, a grand triumphal ceremony is unfolding.
This ceremony was not simply to welcome Gu Hang, but Gu Hang was definitely the most important guest in the triumphal ceremony.
It has been eight days since he arrived in Holy Terra, but he has never gone to the ground. Instead, he was first arranged to go to the moon, the natural satellite of Holy Terra, to visit and wait.
Here, Gu Hang met many comrades he had separated from before.
There are both those on the western front and those on the northern front.
Space Marines, Navy, Astra Militarum, Inquisition... all present.
Marshal Leroy, who has entered the Dreadnought Mecha - oh, he has now removed his title as Marshal of the Second Fleet of the Black Cross. The current Marshal of the Second Fleet is Marshal Xi Rui.
Xi Rui's fourth fleet was all merged into the second fleet.
It is said that both fleets were crippled in the last war. Even Leroy was put into the Dreadnought Iron Coffin. The second fleet existed in name only, with only three or two kittens left.
The Fourth Fleet is slightly better.
In this case, it doesn't make much sense to keep two establishments. The battle histories were merged together, and Marshal Xi Rui, who should have received a commendation but had some flaws in his record, was moved up two ranks to lead the Second Fleet.
Even after the merger, the new Second Fleet is actually not full.
However, the Black Crusade Chapter replenished its members very quickly. They will immediately have enough troops to supplement the second fleet, with full strength and full fleet. At the same time, a new Fourth Fleet was also established.
Su Lie from the Phoenix Chapter is also there.
The communication within the Space Marines has been completed. He has basically confirmed that he will succeed Organglong of the Death Angel Chapter and become the new representative of the Space Marines. This will help him obtain resources from the empire and restore the Phoenix's vitality faster.
Lou Salius of the Otaupis Chapter was also there, as well as several Astra Militarum generals and admirals who participated in the battle, the admirals and admirals of the navy, the sages of Mars, the battle sisters and presiding judges of the Inquisition. , are also there.
There were many people waiting, some of whom had been here for months, and some who had just arrived.
But no matter who it is, there is only one person who has to wait: the undisputed commander-in-chief, number one hero, and alliance leader of the Iron Armor War and Insect Swarm War, Mr. Gu Hang.
Gu Hang's side included not only him and his wife's family, but also the two chapter leaders of Phoenix and Blood Shark.
Not to mention Martins, the leader of the blood sharks, Alma Ewing, was very excited.
In the past, they, the Blood Sharks, were a warband that walked in the darkness, unknown and unwilling to be known. But since he is determined to change the status quo of the Chapter and return to the glory of the Empire, then the current situation is what he has dreamed of.
The war group instantly became famous, and with the Alliance as a very good partner, they are now able to play a role on the most upright and glorious triumphal stage of Holy Terra.
Of course he's not the protagonist, but he's no less important.
How could this make him not excited?
This triumphal ceremony was held for them, to celebrate the victory of the Iron Armor War.
It's a bit embarrassing to say that it has been two years since the news of the victory in the Iron Armor War came back, but the triumphal ceremony has to be postponed until now.
But there is no way.
There is no defined time for holding a triumphal ceremony. Even after the news of the victory in the earlier war came back, the gentlemen on Holy Terra did not want to do it for a while.
It costs a lot of money to hold such a grand ceremony. Moreover, if the army that has achieved great feats has to come to the capital of the empire for a triumphal ceremony, it cannot return home with great honors and at the same time, the central government should not say anything, right?
Although it is originally necessary to give sufficient rewards, the recruitment of personnel and equipment for each unit, promotions, placement of retired soldiers, and additional rewards for active soldiers...
However, if we don't come to Holy Terra and let these troops go back to their respective homes, it remains to be seen when these rewards, reinforcements, supplies, allocations... will be received.
I didn’t say I wouldn’t give it!
It is indeed very difficult for the central government even now. Just wait, wait and see.
Delaying war rewards, especially in times of financial difficulty, is all too normal.
However, the gentlemen on Holy Terra still have some respect. If you come to Holy Terra to hold a triumphal ceremony, you can't give up the money, right?
It was with these considerations in mind that I hesitated between doing it or not.
Later, didn’t they discuss a new tax plan with the alliance? It is expected that there will be a considerable amount of income. In addition, the war is over and there has been a reprieve for a year and a half. The central finances of the empire have also recovered a little.
My mind became more active.
The headquarters of the two major armies of the Navy and the Astra Militarum are urgently wanted.
The Ministry of Military Affairs also wants to do it.
The Space Marines wanted to do it too.
Secondly, we also want to do things like the Inquisition and Mars.
Those who fought directly and won with great sacrifices always have to show their faces.
This kind of thing is inherently a way of accumulating political capital and expanding influence. What's more, it will also help to use the triumphal ceremony to approve the subsequent budget.
They are naturally very active.
The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of Justice, the State Church, and the Assassin's Court didn't mind too much, and even had some objections.
After all, these things have little to do with them, but cost a lot of money.
Qi Bodu, who is in the middle of the ruling, has the most important attitude.
For the Prime Minister, holding a grand triumphal ceremony is also quite attractive. After all, in a sense, he was the one who led this war. He even went against all opinions and invested a considerable part of the power of the Sun Star Territory with Holy Terra as the center to conduct expeditionary operations.
At that time, in order to gain support for the war, he clearly gave it to Holy Terra. People from all walks of life said that this war was not a distant place that had nothing to do with him. It was not only a part of the empire, but also a place that concerned everyone. Holy Terra's own safety.
If left unchecked, the enemy would be able to penetrate all the way from the east and reach Holy Terra.
Originally, the people on Holy Terra were doubtful about this, but when the Western Front Army collapsed for the first time, this threat seemed to have become more substantial.
The person who quickly led the reconstruction of the Second Western Front Army and ultimately won the war, Prime Minister Qi Bodu, could have led this victory as a wise leader, further consolidating his dominance and strengthening his authority.
He was motivated to hold this triumphal ceremony. Especially if finances allow.
In addition, he needed to meet with Gu Hang to see whether this actual battlefield hero and the rising 'big man' in the east of the empire was a 'hero' who could be used for his own purposes, or whether he was a tyrant with two intentions.
So, the matter of the triumphal ceremony was decided.
But there were problems after the decision was made.
The overall preparation time for the triumphal ceremony takes a long time and costs a lot of money.
At the same time, as the protagonists of the triumphal ceremony, they did not get the news that they would come to participate in the triumphal ceremony at the beginning. Many people fought in the spider web domain for a few more months, and some returned to their hometowns. Now, this group of people have to regroup back to Holy Terra, which will definitely be very difficult and take a lot of time.
Like Gu Hang, it has been almost a year since he came here.
There are others who are farther away, and they will set off earlier than Gu Hang.
However, in general, most people are still willing to participate, even if they have to spend a long time on the road.
Putting aside all practical benefits, the mere sense of honor is enough to drive the soldiers to make a trip.
This is the honor they won with their own hands and was brought about by the sacrifices of countless comrades. They have to go there, from the most famous Arch of Triumph on Holy Terra, where the expedition led by the Emperor thousands of years ago passed through. If you pass it once, then your military life will not be in vain.
Because of this, the soldiers who responded proactively arrived at the location before the scheduled time.
Of course, it is impossible for all participating troops to participate in the triumphal ceremony.
Otherwise, will all the alliance's army of more than one billion and hundreds of warships come here?
How much does it cost to travel? Who will defend the alliance's territory?
Even if you don't consider these things, will Holy Terra agree? Will the imperial guards responsible for security in the palace agree?
Gu Hang's family is here, Martins is here, Ewing is here, plus some army generals and navy generals from the alliance, and some troops who have made outstanding contributions during the war. More than 50,000 people.
Like the Alliance Army, each division can only send one representative.
The same goes for other troops.
Only the Second Western Front Legion, which was originally in the Sun Star Territory, had more people.
A total of about 300,000 people will participate in the triumphal ceremony. Half of them are locals from the Sun Star Territory.
During the few days waiting for the ceremony to begin, the comrades who had fought side by side toasted together to celebrate.
Gu Hang is the absolute protagonist.
After reconnecting with these people, the grand triumphal ceremony officially began.
On the long red carpet, under countless cameras, with the Lunar Defense Force standing on both sides, Gu Hang was riding in a chariot, half of his body exposed, as a representative of the 300,000-strong expeditionary force being inspected. The first group drove forward slowly.
He kept waving to the crowds on both sides. Every time he passed, the soldiers on both sides would put down their weapons on duty and stand at attention to salute.
The crowd further away, where only Gu Hang's figure could be seen, and the clearer picture, which required a large screen to be broadcast, let out bursts of cheers.
Within the life-support shield that covers the entire moon, the sound waves are even more deafening than on a normal planet.
In this way, Gu Hang, as the lead vehicle, entered the lunar orbit elevator, entered the lunar star port, and boarded an Emperor-class battleship that was assigned as a ride.
The battleship sailed out from the Moon Star Port, and then more representatives boarded the subsequent battleships. They circled the human home planet of Holy Terra, circle after circle, getting closer with each circle.
In this picture, many battleships of the Sun Fleet stood like guards on both sides of the sailing track. The bows of the ships showed boundless respect to the reviewing fleet led by Gu Hang.
Each time a ship passed them, the bombardment shot up and down, setting off a grand display of fireworks in space.
The fireworks were so conspicuous that when people on the night side looked up, they felt that the sky became colorful.
As the Emperor-class battleship Gu Hang was riding gradually approached the low-Earth orbit, a magnificent Arc de Triomphe came into view.
It is like a huge metal beast that stretches across the universe. It is made of a special alloy that shines with brilliant golden light. Under the endless light, it is full of glorious power.
At the top of the Arch of Triumph, a huge energy crystal exudes dazzling light. This light is like a beacon, guiding the returning heroes.
Both sides of the door are covered with reliefs, depicting the glorious history of mankind in interstellar conquests, from the initial difficult war to unify Terra, to the Founding Crusade led by the Emperor, to bloody battles with various alien races; In the future, some of the most significant battles were represented in it. Each relief is lifelike and tells those magnificent stories.
It was a massive structure built at the conclusion of the Great Founding Crusade led by the Emperor himself.
This is the [Arch of Triumph] of Holy Terra, and it is also a huge satellite-level defense platform on Holy Terra. Because it is in the shape of a ring, the middle can accommodate even the largest Glory Queen-class battleships, so on the occasion of victory, the victorious team will pass through it.
This has become the highest honor for imperial soldiers.
And if there is anything more glorious than walking through this triumphal door, it is to have your glorious deeds engraved on it.
Iron Armor War has this honor.
Although it is only an 80-meter by 30-meter relief, it is not conspicuous in the entire Arc de Triomphe. But at this moment, the two thousand four hundred square meters of reliefs shine with the brightest light.
The battleship slowly sailed past the Arc de Triomphe. Gu Hang stood on the bow, looking at the building that was getting closer and more impressive. Even he could not help but feel a rush of blood in his heart.
This is not only a magnificent building, but also a witness to the glory of mankind.
Not only him, but every victor in the Iron Armor War who follows him and approaches from the rear will be shocked by it and feel great glory.
Die for the Empire, die for humanity, die well!
As the fleet continued to move forward, it finally arrived at the star port of Holy Terra. The huge star port is filled with various warships, like a steel forest. After Gu Hang's car docked firmly at the designated berth, representatives of the 300,000 expeditionary force quickly and orderly began to organize the team. The warrior representatives wore brand-new uniforms, and their armor shone coldly under the lights of the starport. They lined up neatly, and their footsteps echoed in the empty starport.
Gu Hang stepped off the battleship and stepped onto the passage leading to land. Behind him, an army of 300,000 people was like a giant steel dragon, slowly moving along the red carpet. On both sides of the red carpet were officials and public representatives from all parties who came to greet the event. They held flowers and flags, and their faces were filled with reverence and joy.
Taking the space elevator from the star port to the land of sacred Terra, the red carpet was laid all the way for a distance of 5,000 kilometers until the Royal Palace of Terra.
Under the leadership of Gu Hang, 300,000 people will take vehicles and reach Holy Terra across a distance of one-eighth of the circumference of Holy Terra in about a month.
It won’t be day and night, and it won’t be particularly fast.
Along the way, they will pass through countless areas on Holy Terra and receive the enthusiasm and cheers of the broadest people on Holy Terra.
(End of chapter)