Iron Dynasty Chapter 1088

“Commander Lei, the British have surrendered!”

Liu Chen announced this from the ironclad, pointing towards the British soldiers emerging from their trenches, their hands raised high and white flags visible.

Lei Ming observed the scene, a smile spreading across his face. While combat was a soldier's duty, the sight of fallen comrades was never welcomed.

“All thanks to His Majesty. Without this half-year blockade, we wouldn't have conquered India with such minimal casualties,” Lei Ming exclaimed, his expression filled with excitement.

He clapped Liu Chen heavily on the arm. “Let’s disembark. We're going to accept the surrender of the European allied forces.”

With that, he let out a hearty laugh.

Liu Chen's eyes also held a smile. India had been the most formidable British stronghold in Southeast Asia. Its capture signified that the entirety of Southeast Asia was now incorporated into the Empire, destined to become its tranquil backyard.

He signaled the first mate, and the warship proceeded towards the port of Calcutta amidst the sound of a whistle.

Within the trenches of the allied forces, Chang Yuzhu vigilantly watched as British soldiers emerged one by one.

The British surrender had caught him somewhat by surprise; he had anticipated a fierce battle for the trenches. Yet, it was evident he had overestimated the British resolve in such dire circumstances.

Confronted with a war they were destined to lose, the Europeans had opted for surrender.

Cautiously overseeing the surrendering British, Chang Yuzhu directed his soldiers to separate and guard the captives, ensuring officers were kept apart from the common soldiers.

This measure aimed to prevent any potential unification among enemy officers and avert unnecessary chaos.

While his men were occupied, Lei Ming and Liu Chen, having just landed at the pier, made their way swiftly to the front lines. Chang Yuzhu approached, saluted, and reported, “Commander, all allied soldiers have surrendered. Excluding the fallen, a total of forty-one thousand individuals have laid down their arms.”

Lei Ming returned the salute. “Your performance has been exemplary. I will recommend you for a reward from His Majesty. Where is the supreme commander of the allied forces now?”

“They’ve been held separately. I will bring them to you immediately,” Chang Yuzhu replied, signaling nearby soldiers to retrieve the officers.

Shortly after, the officers from five nations, including Butler, were escorted before Lei Ming.

“Commander, this is Butler, the commander of the allied forces. The others are the highest-ranking officers from their respective countries,” Chang Yuzhu stated, indicating the dejected Butler.

Lei Ming's eyebrows rose. There was a time when they felt helpless against British provocations, but now, these same British officers could only bow their heads subserviently.

“Commander Butler, you must now comprehend the folly of opposing the Empire. Had Calcutta been handed over earlier, we would have avoided this unpleasant confrontation,” Lei Ming declared calmly.

The interpreter conveyed his words to Butler.

“Those politicians were indeed foolish, but I will not concede this as a defeat for us soldiers. Had we possessed your weaponry, the outcome of the battle remains uncertain,” Butler retorted, his reluctance to surrender palpable. This defeat would forever remain an indelible scar on his military career, even if he managed to return to Europe.

Lei Ming laughed heartily at his words. “You fail to grasp a crucial point: technological superiority defines a nation's combat capability. Did you conquer America wielding fire-hardened sticks? You only lament that the tables have now turned.”

Butler fell silent. After a prolonged pause, he sighed, “I hope you will honor your promise and permit our return to Europe.”

“That is a given. The soldiers of our Empire always uphold their word. However, this will have to wait until the second round of negotiations concludes,” Lei Ming stated.

With thousands of European soldiers captured in the Battle of India and all their interests in Southeast Asia lost, the Europeans would undoubtedly return to the negotiating table. This would be the opportune moment to redefine global spheres of influence.

Butler's heart was heavy with shame. He understood that the exchange of interests was an inevitable consequence of war.

After instructing soldiers to escort the officers away, Lei Ming gazed at the distant cityscape of Calcutta, a city on Indian soil that bore a distinct European architectural style.

Henceforth, the city would officially belong to the Empire. With Butler's announcement of surrender, the British soldiers stationed in Calcutta also laid down their arms.

Following an inspection of the battlefield, Lei Ming and Liu Chen entered Calcutta. By this time, the British troops present had already been supplanted by imperial forces.

Due to the British decision to surrender, the city itself was spared from significant destruction, presenting an appearance as if it had never known the ravages of war.

Notably, the prominent white tower at the heart of Calcutta remained entirely unscathed. This edifice served as the British Governor's Office.

Constructed entirely in white, the tower featured a central dome and was encircled by a hexagonal white city wall, each corner adorned with a spire. Legend had it that the British erected this white tower shortly after solidifying their presence in India, initially employing it as a defensive stronghold.

"The fruits of the British's many years of labor now rest entirely within the Empire's grasp. Their Queen must be incandescent with rage," Lei Ming remarked, his spirits soaring as he ambled along the thoroughfare paved with green stone slabs.

"Indeed. This Indian subcontinent, boasting a population exceeding one hundred million, represents a colossal market. More crucially, its vast expanses of fertile land promise abundant grain yields. The loss of this territory will undoubtedly cripple Britain's vitality. For the Empire, we gain not only a lucrative market for our wares but also a vital source of grain, sufficient to elevate the living standards of our people to unprecedented heights," Liu Chen declared, his heart brimming with elation. His initial motivation for joining the military had been straightforward: to secure a prosperous life.

That desire persisted, yet he now understood that for the Empire to achieve the affluence of current European powers, self-sufficiency in food production alone was insufficient; it necessitated colonies to supply essential resources.

Only with an abundance of resources could they definitively cast off the shackles of past poverty.

As their conversation continued, the two men proceeded into the Governor's Office.

The premises had already been tidied by the soldiers. Nicholas, the Governor of Calcutta, was now among their captives. This structure had been repurposed as their temporary administrative center. Occupying the former governor's chambers, Lei Ming's expression was alight with triumphant satisfaction.

However, his smile abruptly faltered as he recalled intelligence furnished by the secret guards. Turning to Chang Yuzhu, who accompanied him, Lei Ming instructed, "Cao Kun has fled to Burma, but there may yet be lingering traitors within Calcutta. Dispatch soldiers to apprehend them. It is time to settle accounts with these betrayers."

"Understood, Commander," Chang Yuzhu acknowledged, promptly dispatching soldiers to conduct a thorough search of the city. Their orders were to detain and interrogate any individuals associated with the remnants of the Merchant Parliament.