Chapter 731, The Gate of Triumph
On the sacred 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 at the triumphant return ceremony.
He had been in Holy Terra for eight days, but had not yet gone to Earth. Instead, he was first taken to the Moon, Holy Terra's natural satellite, for a visit, and then waited.
Here, Gu Hang met many of his former comrades-in-arms.
Both the western and northern routes are included.
Space Marines, Navy, Starforce, Inquisition... all are present.
Marshal Leruwa, who has already entered the Dreadnought Mech—oh, he has now relinquished his title as Marshal of the Second Fleet of the Black Cross Army; the current Marshal of the Second Fleet is Marshal Sirius.
Xi Rui's Fourth Fleet was entirely merged into the Second Fleet.
It is said that both fleets were decimated in the last war, with even Leroy being put into the Dreadnought Iron Coffin. The Second Fleet was already a mere shell of its former self, with only a handful of soldiers remaining.
The Fourth Fleet is in a slightly better position.
Since that's the case, keeping two separate units wouldn't make much sense. They should be merged together, and their battle histories should also be combined. Marshal Xi Rui, who should have received commendation but whose battle record had some flaws, should be promoted two ranks to lead the Second Fleet.
Even after the merger, the new Second Fleet is still not at full strength.
However, the Black Cross Legion replenished its forces remarkably quickly. They soon had enough troops to fill the Second Fleet, bringing its strength and fleet to full capacity. Simultaneously, a new Fourth Fleet was established.
Su Lie from the Phoenix Squad was also there.
The communication within the Space Marines has been completed, and he has basically confirmed that he will succeed Organron of the Death Angels Chapter as the new Space Marine representative. This will help him secure resources from the Imperium and restore the Phoenix Force to its former glory more quickly.
Lou Salis of the Ordovician Chapter was also there, along with several Astral Army generals and admirals who participated in the battle, admirals and admirals of the Navy, Martian sages, and the battle nuns and judges of the Inquisition.
Many people were present, some having arrived months earlier, others having just arrived.
But no matter who it is, there is only one person to wait for: Mr. Gu Hang, the undisputed commander-in-chief, the number one contributor, and the leader of the Alliance in the Ironclad Wars and the Zerg Wars.
On Gu Hang's side, it wasn't just him and his wife's family, but also the two battle leaders, Phoenix and Blood Shark.
Needless to say, Martins was also quite excited, especially the Blood Shark Chapter Master, Alma Ewing.
In the past, the Bloodsharks were a warband that walked in the shadows, unknown and disdaining to be known. But now that he was determined to change the warband's status quo and return to the glory of the Empire, this was the occasion he had always dreamed of.
The Warband made a name for itself, and with the Alliance as a very good partner, it is now able to play a part on the most honorable and glorious stage of the Holy Terra Triumph.
He's not the main character, but he still plays a significant role.
How could he not be excited?
This triumphal procession was held for them, to celebrate the victory in the Ironclad Wars.
It's a bit embarrassing to say, but even though news of the victory in the Iron Armor War has been back for two years, the triumphant ceremony has been delayed until now.
But there was nothing we could do.
There was no set date for the triumphal ceremony. In fact, after news of the earlier victory reached the court, the lords of Holy Terra were initially reluctant to hold it.
Organizing such a grand ceremony would cost a lot of money. Moreover, when a victorious army returns to the imperial capital for a triumphant ceremony, the central government can't just leave without any recognition or celebration.
Although the original intention was to provide sufficient rewards, including personnel replenishment and equipment replenishment for various units, promotions, resettlement of retired soldiers, and additional rewards for active-duty soldiers...
However, if these troops are not sent to Holy Terra and are allowed to return to their respective homes, then the arrival of these rewards, reinforcements, supplies, and funding will be uncertain.
I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you!
The central government is indeed facing difficulties right now, so let's wait and see. Things will get better soon.
Delaying war rewards, especially when finances are tight, is perfectly normal.
However, the gentlemen on Holy Terra still have some sense of shame. They can't just come to Holy Terra for a triumphant ceremony without paying, can they?
These were the reasons why I hesitated between doing it or not.
Later, didn't they discuss a new tax plan with the Alliance? It was expected to generate a considerable amount of revenue. In addition, with the war over and a year or two of respite, the Empire's central finances had also begun to recover somewhat.
My mind started to wander.
The establishment of headquarters for both the Navy and the Star Forces is something they are eager to do.
The Ministry of Military Affairs also wanted to do it.
Space Marines also wanted to do it.
Secondly, they also want to set up courts, Mars, and so on.
Those who directly fought the war, made huge sacrifices, and won the battle, always have to show their faces.
This kind of thing is inherently a way to accumulate political capital and expand influence. Moreover, it also helps to use the triumphant ceremony to approve subsequent budgets.
They were naturally very enthusiastic.
The Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Taxation, the Ministry of Justice, the National Religion, and the Assassin's Court are not too concerned, and some even oppose it.
After all, these things have little to do with them, but they cost a lot of money.
The attitude of Qi Bodu, who acts as the impartial arbitrator, is of utmost importance.
For the Prime Minister, holding a grand victory ceremony would be quite appealing. After all, he was, in a sense, the one who spearheaded this war, and he even defied public opinion to commit a significant portion of the forces in the Solar System, centered on Holy Terra, to the expeditionary campaign.
At that time, in order to gain support for the war, he made it clear to people of all levels in Holy Terra that this war was not a distant matter that did not concern them; it was not only part of the Empire, but also concerned the safety of Holy Terra itself.
If left unchecked, the enemy could potentially fight their way from the east all the way to Holy Terra.
The people of Holy Terra were initially skeptical, but the threat seemed to become more tangible after the first collapse of the Western Front Legion.
The person who quickly led the reconstruction of the Second Western Army and ultimately won the war, Prime Minister Qi Bodu, could have further consolidated his ruling position and strengthened his authority by demonstrating his wise leadership in this victory.
He was motivated to hold this triumphant ceremony.
Especially when the budget allows.
In addition, he needed to meet with Gu Hang to see whether this actual battlefield hero, the 'big shot' of the rise of the empire in the east, was a 'hero' who could be used by him, or a treacherous and disloyal tyrant.
And so, the triumphant return ceremony was decided.
But problems arose even after the order was placed.
The preparation for the triumphant return ceremony takes a long time and costs a lot of money.
Meanwhile, as the main characters to be welcomed at the triumphant ceremony, many of them hadn't received any news of their attendance at the beginning. Many had spent several more months fighting the final battles in the Spiderweb Sector, while others had returned to their hometowns. Now, this group would all have to regroup and return to Holy Terra, which would undoubtedly be a lot of trouble and take a considerable amount of time.
For example, Gu Hang spent almost a year just traveling here.
There are others who have gone even further; they will set off even earlier than Gu Hang.
However, in general, most people are still willing to participate, even if it takes a long time to travel.
Putting aside all practical benefits, the sense of honor alone is enough to motivate the soldiers to make the trip.
This is an honor they earned with their own hands, brought about by the sacrifice of countless comrades. They must make a trip there, passing through the most famous triumphal arch on Holy Terra, the one that the emperor's expeditionary force passed through ten thousand years ago. Only then will their life of military service be worthwhile.
As a result, the soldiers who responded enthusiastically all arrived at the location before the scheduled time.
Of course, not all the troops that participated in the victory ceremony could attend.
Otherwise, would the Allied Army send billions of dollars and hundreds of warships?
How much money will be spent on the road? And who will defend the alliance's territory?
Even disregarding all that, would Holy Terra agree? Would the Imperial Guards responsible for security in the palace agree?
Gu Hang's family came, Martins came, Ewing came, along with some Allied army and navy generals, and some troops who had made outstanding contributions during the war. In total, they numbered no more than 50,000.
For example, the Allied Army can only send one representative per division.
The same principle applies to other military units.
Only the Second Western Front Legion, which was already in the Solar Starfield, had a larger number of soldiers.
There will be approximately 300,000 people attending the triumphant ceremony. Half of them will be locals from the Solar System.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, former comrades-in-arms raised their glasses in celebration.
Gu Hang is undoubtedly the main character.
After reconnecting with these people, the grand triumphant ceremony officially began.
On the long red carpet, under the watchful eyes of countless cameras, with the Lunar Defense Force standing on both sides, Gu Hang rode in a chariot, revealing half of his body, as the vanguard of the 300,000 expeditionary force representatives being reviewed, slowly moving forward.
He kept waving to the crowds on both sides, and every time he passed a spot, the soldiers in the two formations would put down their weapons and stand at attention to salute.
Those who could only see Gu Hang's silhouette in the distance, or whose images were only visible on the large screen broadcasting the event, cheered.
Inside the life-sustaining shield that covers the entire moon, the sound waves are even more deafening than on a normal planet.
And so, Gu Hang, as the lead vehicle, entered the lunar orbital elevator, entered the lunar starport, and boarded an Emperor-class battleship that had been assigned to him as his personal vehicle.
The battleships sailed out of the lunar starport, and then more delegates boarded subsequent warships. They circled humanity's homeworld, Holy Terra, again and again, each circle bringing them closer.
In this image, numerous warships of the Solar Fleet stand like guards on both sides of the navigation path, their bows facing the reviewing fleet led by Gu Hang, showing boundless respect.
Whenever a ship passed by, the cannon fire went up and down, creating spectacular fireworks in space.
The fireworks were so dazzling that when people on the other side of the night looked up, the sky seemed to become a kaleidoscope of colors.
As Gu Hang's Emperor-class battleship gradually approached near-Earth orbit, a magnificent triumphal arch came into view.
It is like a huge metal behemoth lying across the universe, made of a special alloy that shimmers with brilliant golden light, and is full of glorious power under its endless radiance.
At the top of the Triumphal Arch, a huge energy crystal shines brightly, guiding the returning heroes like a lighthouse.
The sides of the door are covered with reliefs depicting humanity's glorious journey in interstellar conquest, from the initial arduous war for the unification of Terra to the Emperor-led Great Crusade, where they fought bloody battles against various alien races; and later, some of the most significant battles are also depicted. Each relief is lifelike, telling a magnificent story.
It was a colossal building constructed at the end of the Great Expedition for the Founding of the Nation, personally led by the Emperor.
This is the Triumph Gate of Holy Terra, a massive satellite-level defense platform on the island. Its circular shape allows even the largest Glory Queen-class warships to pass through, so victorious armies pass through it during triumphant returns.
This became the highest honor for soldiers of the Empire.
And if there is anything more glorious than passing through this triumphal gate, it is to have one's own glorious deeds engraved on it as well.
The Ironclad Wars have this honor.
Although it's just an 80-meter by 30-meter relief, not particularly eye-catching on the entire Arc de Triomphe, at this moment, this 2,400-square-meter relief shines with the brightest light.
As the battleship slowly passed through the Triumph Gate, Gu Hang stood at the bow, gazing at the increasingly awe-inspiring building as it drew closer. Even he couldn't help but feel a surge of passionate excitement.
This is not just a magnificent building, but also a testament to human glory.
Not only him, but every victor of the Ironclad Wars who followed him and approached from behind would be awestruck and feel immensely honored.
To die for the empire, to die for humanity, is a worthy death!
As the fleet continued its journey, it finally arrived at the starport of Holy Terra. The vast starport was filled with all kinds of warships, like a steel forest. After Gu Hang's ship came to a smooth stop at the designated berth, the representatives of the 300,000-strong expeditionary force quickly and orderly began to organize their ranks. The soldiers were dressed in brand-new uniforms, their armor gleaming coldly under the starport lights. They stood in neat rows, their footsteps echoing in the empty starport.
Gu Hang disembarked from the warship and stepped onto the passageway leading to land. Behind him, an army of 300,000 men, like a giant steel dragon, slowly marched along the red carpet. On both sides of the red carpet stood officials and representatives of the people who had come to greet him, holding flowers and flags, their faces beaming with respect and joy.
From the Starport, take the space elevator to the land of Sacred Terra, where a red carpet stretches for 5,000 kilometers all the way to Terra Palace.
Under Gu Hang's leadership, 300,000 people will travel by vehicle, covering a distance of about one-eighth the circumference of Sacred Terra, in about a month, to reach Sacred Terra.
It won't be traveling day and night, and the speed won't be particularly fast.
They will pass through countless regions of Holy Terra, receiving the enthusiasm and cheers of the widest range of people on Holy Terra.