Chapter 63: Talks Are Useful, But Not with Dogs

On the afternoon of December 31st, President Fred of the United States quelled the riots in Washington and extended an olive branch, expressing his desire for peace talks as soon as possible.

The location chosen for the peace talks was Tokyo, Japan.

The United States would dispatch Secretary of Defense Vanno in person, alongside Defense Minister Lei Yunshan of the Great Eastern Nation.

To this, the Great Eastern Nation readily accepted.

After all, no matter what, the United States was still a nuclear superpower; driving them out of East Asia was enough.

As the saying goes, do not pursue a desperate foe, for a cornered dog will jump over a wall.

The United States could not be pushed too far; securing sufficient benefits and knowing when to stop was the more pragmatic approach.

The peace talks were scheduled for January 1st, the very first day of the year 2024!

This day was destined to be remembered by history.

Because East Asia was once again welcoming back its rightful "Emperor"!

"According to reports from the Ministry of Defense, communications in Tokyo, Japan, have been urgently restored. Tomorrow, the defense ministers of the two nations will hold peace negotiations at the Japanese National Diet Building."

An overseas correspondent stood on a street in Tokyo, holding a microphone, introducing the building behind him with an excited expression on his face.

"This peace talk is not only to discuss the armistice, but more importantly, our nation's minister will renegotiate the legality of the Treaty of San Francisco with the American representative!"

"That treaty was unilaterally signed by the United States with the defeated nation of Japan, completely disregarding our country's status as a victorious nation in World War II."

"Our government categorically refuses to recognize it!"

The overseas correspondent had obtained some internal information, and his tone was thrilled and inspiring!

In fact, judging by the legal framework following the end of World War II, if the Great Eastern Nation chose to pursue the matter, Japan was not even a sovereign state at present.

Because China had never recognized the Treaty of San Francisco!

The Treaty of San Francisco contained many provisions, of which two deserved the most attention: first, the United States trusteeship over Japan; second, the issue of military stationed in Okinawa.

Of these, the first point could be negotiated, but the second point had to be resolved!

This was non-negotiable!

According to the Cairo Conference and the Potsdam Declaration, the issue of the Southeast Ryukyu Islands had to be resolved.

As one of the victorious powers of World War II, what the United States managed, China managed as well!

Moreover, even if the first point were to be agreed upon, the Great Eastern Nation had conditions.

That was, China must enjoy the exact same rights as the United States to station troops in Japan and delineate airspace!

In fact, up until now, the United States still held airspace sovereignty over Tokyo.

Even during the Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese government had to submit multiple requests to the US side before securing permission for commercial airliners to fly through the airspace controlled by the US military over Tokyo.

Since the United States could do it, China could do it too.

To put it simply.

The United States should abide by United Nations agreements, while the Great Eastern Nation demanded the restoration of the right to station troops in Japan granted by the United Nations!

This was the baseline requirement for the negotiations!

Seeing the news about the renegotiation of the San Francisco Peace Treaty, the domestic populace was instantly invigorated.

In the past, our strength was insufficient, so we left everything for the US to manage; now, what the invaders could do, we could do as well!

We too shall claim our rightful place in Japan.

The news quickly climbed to the trending searches on Weibo, sparking massive discussions.

"We must break through the First Island Chain!"

"Once past the First Island Chain, the United States will be completely driven out of East Asia!"

"Hahaha, this way, we will no longer have any shackles!"

"The core focus of this negotiation must be right here!"

"What if the United States disagrees?"

"Yeah, what if Japan disagrees?"

"The two above are overthinking. Would the United States dare to disagree? They lost so miserably on the battlefield; if they disagree, we will beat them until they agree! As for Japan, who the hell cares about their opinion? When major powers fight, small nations should just squat in the corner—no, that's an insult to small nations, dogs are not allowed at the table!"

"Hahaha, the user above has such a venomous tongue. Dogs are not allowed at the table—in a word, brilliant!"

"Awesome, there really are so many talented people on the internet!"

"..."

Furthermore, with the announcement of peace talks between the Great Eastern Nation and the United States, across the entire world, all anti-hegemony battlefields went quiet.

In the Middle East, the Axis of Resistance—including the Hezbollah, Syrian militias, Yemeni armed forces, Iraq, and even the minor nation bullied by the Hexagram—instantly ceased their attacks.

In South America, Venezuela also lowered its banners and quietly waited.

The fires of war across the entire world came to a sudden halt.

The world seemed to have returned to a state of harmony, calm, and tranquility.

However, everyone knew that everyone was waiting for the final outcome.

Waiting for the results of the peace talks!

Whether this world would continue toward war or maintain peace depended entirely on the Tokyo peace talks on January 1st!

The eyes of the world were focused right here.

...

January 1st, Tokyo, Japanese National Diet Building.

Vanno arrived by car. He looked up at the Great Eastern Nation's drones constantly circling in the sky, feeling somewhat puzzled:

"What are those drones for?"

His deputy immediately whispered in reply:

"Minister, China launched an electromagnetic pulse missile in Tokyo, paralyzing the entire city. These are communication drones urgently deployed by the other side for the peace talks."

"Electromagnetic pulse missiles!"

At the mention of this name, Vanno's face turned somewhat pale, and a trace of resentment filled his heart.

If not for this weapon, he might have been able to arrive in China's capital with his head held high during these negotiations!

Instead of coming to Japan in such a disgraced state like today.

"Damn it!"

Pounding heavily on the armrest, Vanno took a deep breath.

He constantly consoled himself.

He must endure, he must endure.

Circumstances dictate compliance; the United States still held technological advantages, and the United States still possessed six aircraft carriers. As long as they found a way to crack that electromagnetic pulse weapon, they would be able to make a comeback!

Clinging to this hope, the motorcade arrived at the Japanese National Diet Building.

This was a closed-door meeting, and reporters were not permitted to enter.

Vanno stepped into the negotiation conference room and immediately caught sight of Lei Yunshan sitting upright and stern.

A negotiation table had been set up in the room.

The table had three sides. Lei Yunshan sat squarely on one side, directly facing the US delegation's seats.

Worth mentioning was that the Prime Minister of Japan was sitting nervously on the third side, positioned right between China and the United States.

"General Vanno, welcome your arrival!"

Lei Yunshan said these words of welcome with a blank expression.

Clearly, it was just polite pleasantries, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"..."

Lei Yunshan's remark left Vanno utterly speechless.

Damn it.

Aren't we warring parties?

What is this supposed to be? Am I here to attend a tea party with you?

However, circumstances dictate compliance. Though speechless, Vanno had to force a smile in return, then took his seat.

All three parties were present.

Wait a minute.

Weren't there four belligerent nations?

Oh, South Korea's capital had already been breached, leaving them in dire peril.

So they could be ignored.

The peace talks that had captured the world's attention officially began!