Fangzhou Xier, starting with failing the art exam

This news caused a huge uproar in various countries of Terra.

The Dukes of Victoria smashed their glasses, having anticipated a protracted guerrilla war, a street battle, a quagmire that would ensnare Letania.

Madame Sicily's defection completely thwarted their plans.

Colombian arms dealers, disappointed, cancelled their next batch of orders destined for the black markets around Syracuse.

No one expected that Lacey would not only conquer a country by force in a single day, but also win the hearts of the people living on this land without shedding a drop of blood in the following days.

……

Holy Leitanian Empire: Chapter 110: Leitania Will Attack Kazimir? How Could That Be?

Letania launched a blitzkrieg against Syracuse, taking its capital in a single day.

Syracuse itself is of little international importance; it is merely an autonomous territory that has been separated from its suzerain state for decades, and in the eyes of many great powers, it is nothing more than a useless pawn on the edge of the chessboard.

However, the way Letania crushed it was unexpected.

……

Victoria, Duchy of Wellington.

Inside the Duke of Wellington’s mansion, the fire in the fireplace was burning brightly.

He held an urgent report from MI6 in his hand, the edges of the paper unconsciously fuzzing from his caresses.

The report is titled: "An Analysis of a New Paradigm of Warfare".

"one day."

The Duke of Wellington said solemnly, “From the declaration of war to the raising of the red flag in Montlupe, it took only one day.”

“Our observers haven’t even had time to evacuate from the border cities.”

Across from him, the head of MI6, head bowed, answered:

"Your Grace, according to our current intelligence, the Leitanians have deployed at least two full-strength armored divisions, as well as a so-called bomber wing with an unidentified designation."

"Their war machines called tanks... our standard armor-piercing rounds cannot effectively penetrate them from the front in simulated tests."

“It’s that traitor Drummond’s alloy again.” Duke Wellington slammed the report on the table.

"I've said it before: short-sightedness in scientific research will cost us!"

"Now, that Leitanian emperor has created an army capable of tearing apart any defense line using technology we disdain!"

“What’s even more frightening is their ability to coordinate operations, Your Grace,” the official added.

"The air force can precisely destroy command nodes and logistics hubs, while the armored forces that follow can quickly penetrate through the gaps, completely ignoring sporadic resistance on the flanks."

"The army in Syracuse, cobbled together from family private soldiers, was like paper in front of them."

The Duke of Wellington remained silent.

He thought of these grand dukes, still vying for power in the wake of the king's death.

It reminded me of the endless bickering in parliament.

While Victoria, the sleeping lion, was still troubled by the lice on her body, a newborn tiger had already sharpened its claws and teeth.

"Raise the threat level for Letania," he finally ordered.

"Give me a detailed report. I need to know how many troops we have capable of dealing with this...special tactic."

"Also, have someone from the Rothschild family come over; we need to discuss our financial strategy for Letania."

…Flowing Art Paint One P II Ba Shi Shrimp…

Casimir, Grand Knight.

Inside the meeting room of the Supervisory Council.

Grand Knight Commander Ioleta Russell looked very displeased: "I have already warned you that Lacey's ambitions extend far beyond Syracuse."

The president of the business federation, Ciarne, appeared much more relaxed, leaning back in his chair with an expensive cigar between his fingers.

"Mr. Russell, calm down."

"Syracusa was originally the legal territory of Letania. It only became independent during the time of the Witch King. Now that they have set things right and reclaimed their homeland, what reason do we have to interfere?"

"Besides, Madame Sicily herself signed the honorary retirement agreement and became an honorary citizen of Letania. Why is our emperor not worried, but the eunuchs are?"

Russell countered, "They reached Montelupe in just one day. Can our knights stop tank shells with their lances?"

“You’re worrying too much, sir,” Charné said, spreading his hands and smiling.

He didn't think Letania would have any designs on Kazimierz; the Kazimierz's knights were not to be trifled with.

Instead of dwelling on such vague and unrealistic things, we should think about other, more important matters.

"On the contrary, the faster the war ends, the better it will be for us."

"Now that Syracuse has been incorporated into Letania and become a unified market, do you know what that means?"

"Our business cooperation agreement with Letania has expanded to cover the entire Syracuse region! More minerals will be developed, and more goods can be dumped there."

“This is all money, Mr. Russell, real money!”

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Moreover, Emperor Lexi's Minister of Economy, Mekron, has extended a new invitation to us, hoping that the Business Federation can participate in the post-war reconstruction of Syracuse. This is a huge opportunity."

Russell stared at Charné's greedy face, speechless.

She cannot mobilize sufficient military funds unless the business federation agrees.

The knights of Kazimierz were ultimately bound hand and foot.

……

Ursus, Fort Saint.

Deep within the palace, the young Emperor Fyodor Vladimirovich listened with great interest to the report from the military observer.

"...In conclusion, Your Majesty, the fighting strength of the new Letanian army far exceeds our expectations."

"Their Tiger I tanks are commendable in terms of both protection and firepower."

"Their bombers, compared to our Artillery Vanguard, have a significant advantage in maneuverability and are more efficient at destroying high-value targets."

"Compared to our conventional airborne breakthrough tactics, their air-ground coordination tactics are more efficient."

Grand Duke Baikal, a conservative minister, frowned and said, "Your Majesty, we should be wary. The rise of Letania is not in the interest of the Empire."

“A powerful Leitania will block our path south.”

A bearded general laughed loudly, "Your Excellency, I think you've gone senile! Do you really think Letania dares to fight us?"

"It would be best if they fought with Victoria, then we would have enough time to deal with the troubles at home."

“I would rather they get bogged down in Syracuse,” another staff officer added.

“Syracuse has deeply entrenched family power and a fierce local culture, making it not so easy to govern.”

Most people didn't take Letania's military reforms to heart.

In the eyes of Ursus military personnel, the tanks of Letania were nothing but toys in the face of the hundreds of thousands of heavily armored troops of the Empire.

Can they withstand the impact of the shield guard formation?

……

Just as the political leaders of various countries on the continent of Terra were experiencing surprise, fear, or joy, an unexpected guest arrived in Trilintelme.

A silver-white land vehicle arrived at the central station of Triinttelme.

The man who stepped out of the car was named Brandon Hawke.

He is the chief science and technology advisor to the Colombian president and a director of Blacksteel International, Colombia's largest private military company.

Lacey received him on the top floor of the Twin Towers.

Mecklen and Serafina accompanied him.

"Your Majesty, please allow me, on behalf of the United States of Colombia, to extend my warmest congratulations to you and your great nation on your remarkable achievements," Hawke said with a smile.

Lacey smiled and gestured for him to sit down: "Mr. Hawke, you flatter me."

“No, no, Your Majesty, you are too modest.” Hawke waved his hand.

“We Colombians respect strength the most, and what your country has shown is the strength that we admire and aspire to possess.”

He paused, leaned forward slightly, and got to the point.

"Columbia possesses Terra's most advanced military technology, materials science, and financial capital."

"But we lack one thing—a matching international standing and military prestige!"

"We are like a craftsman who has forged a divine weapon, but we don't know how to use it."

"And Letania, Your Majesty, you and your army have shown us the way."

“But if I may be frank, you are still lagging behind in some aspects,” Hawke said candidly.

"For example, your fire control system, your communication equipment, your computer technology... are all still stuck in the last era."

Lacey raised an eyebrow, but did not deny it.

This is indeed Letania's current weakness, although they are already focusing on developing it.

“So, I’ve brought our president’s proposal.” Hawke took out a document from his briefcase.

"We hope to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Holy Third Reich of Leitania."

“A completely new axis.” Hawke’s voice was seductive.

“A new era axis with Trinity and Max Columbia as its two poles.”

Mecklen, standing nearby, began to breathe more rapidly.

Hawke elaborated on the details of the collaboration:

Colombia will fully open its military technology to Letania and provide interest-free loans and technical assistance to help Letania build its own high-end industrial system.

In return, Colombia wanted to acquire the production lines for Tiger I tanks and Stuka bombers, and send military personnel to study Letania's advanced combat doctrines.

"besides."

Hawke added, "We note that your country still retains some historical colonial interests in the Bolívar."

"The situation there is very complicated, with the Singas government, the coalition government, and those guerrillas..."

"If needed, Colombia is willing to provide assistance in protecting your country's legitimate rights and interests in the region."

The subtext of these words is self-evident: Colombia is willing to help Letania consolidate its enclave in the northwest continent in exchange for Letania standing on the same side as Colombia in future geopolitical games.

After Hawke left, a brief silence fell over the office.

"Your Majesty! This is a golden opportunity!" Mecklen was the first to break the silence, his face flushed with excitement.

"God is sending us money and technology!"

"I object."

Lenia walked in at some point and had obviously overheard the conversation.

"There is no such thing as a free lunch. Colombian capitalists are even more greedy than the Victorian conglomerate."

"Their technical assistance will leave us vulnerable in core areas."

“As for Bolivar,” Lenia pushed up her glasses.

"Frankly speaking, given our current strength, that means we will be dragged into a quagmire with no end in sight, and we will be pulling chestnuts out of the fire for Colombia's regional hegemony."

“This is short-sighted!” Mecklen retorted.

"We cannot give up opportunities because we are afraid of risks! This is the only shortcut for us to achieve a technological leap!"

“Any shortcut that requires selling out sovereignty will ultimately lead to a precipice!” Lenia stood firm.

"Alright," Lacey said, and the argument stopped abruptly.

He turned around and glanced at the two ministers who were arguing.

"Our principle is: cooperation, but within limits."

“We can license the technology to them, but the core ‘Drummond I Alloy’ and engine technology must be kept in our own hands.”

"Introducing Colombia's cutting-edge technology is one aspect, but we must establish our own R&D and production system, rather than simply becoming a contract manufacturer."