Chapter 444: Failure of the Plan

Noon the next day.

Zhan Guo sat in his marshal's position, his face as gloomy as a cumulus cloud.

His back looked particularly depressing in the huge office.

The sunlight shone through the window onto the ground, but it seemed unable to illuminate his mood.

Recalling the conversation in Marijoa, he couldn't help but feel frustrated and powerless.

He failed.

The Five Elders' answer was still cold and firm. They reasoned that the world was now on the brink of war and resources must be used first for war preparations, so they rejected Sengoku's proposal.

What's worse is that they did not give the navy any room for easing, and even made it clear that the navy participating in this war would not receive any form of compensation, and everything would be borne by the navy headquarters itself.

This news was like dropping another bombshell in Zhan Guo's heart.

The navy's already stretched budget not only has not been relieved, but now has to bear all the war expenses.

Zhan Guo felt a surge of anger rising from his chest and rushing to his head.

He stared at the table in front of him, his fists clenched tightly.

"boom!"

With a dull thud, Zhan Guo slammed his fist on the table.

Although he tried hard to control his anger, the vibration of his fist still caused the papers on the table to shake and the teacup almost fell over.

The table was not broken and Zhan Guo was still able to control himself, but the feeling of powerlessness and anger was like a huge wave that almost drowned him.

"asshole……"

He gritted his teeth, cursed under his breath, and his eyes burned with anger.

Crane, who was sitting nearby, watched all this quietly and sighed softly.

She knew how much pressure Sengoku was under, and she also understood what this decision of the World Government meant to the Navy.

As the world changes constantly, the navy not only has to face high-intensity combat on the front lines, but also has to bear the financial burden, which is almost like being roasted on the fire.

"Zhan Guo, calm down."

He's voice was gentle, but also mixed with a hint of fatigue.

As a staff officer of the Naval Headquarters, he was also powerless and could not understand the decision of the World Government.

But they had no choice.

It was the World Government that started the war, but the Navy had to bear the most serious consequences.

She gently pushed the documents on the table and continued, "We have long known that the World Government will not easily give any compensation. They have always used the army as a tool. It's just that this time... the situation is worse than we expected."

Zhan Guo remained silent, took a deep breath, and tried to calm himself down.

There were piles of documents on the table, all of which were requests for post-war compensation, pensions, and follow-up supplies, but at the moment he could do nothing.

The resources of the Navy Headquarters are almost exhausted, and even the capital for fighting another tough battle is almost exhausted.

He lowered his head, supported his hands on the edge of the table, and the muscles in his back were tense.

The faces of the soldiers who were about to go into battle kept flashing through Zhan Guo’s mind. How many casualties would the war bring, and how many families would be broken up because of it?

But he was powerless to fight for even a little compensation.

"We, the navy, are fighting for the benefit of the World Government after all," he whispered, his tone filled with deep resignation and sadness.

He looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

She stood up, walked over to Zhan Guo, and patted his shoulder gently.

"All we can do is minimize the losses," she whispered, "and don't let these soldiers die in vain."

Zhan Guo smiled bitterly, with a hint of bitterness in his eyes, "It's easy to say... But now, we don't even have enough resources, how can we reduce the losses?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the room fell into silence.

He did not answer immediately because she knew that in this situation, any words of comfort would seem pale and powerless.

But she still said calmly: "No matter what, we have to hold on. This is our responsibility as a navy."

Zhan Guo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and finally nodded.

He knew he had no choice.

Since the World Government has thrown all the responsibilities on them, the only thing he can do as the marshal is to try his best to keep this navy going, even if every step is extremely difficult.

"..."

"Dong dong dong..."

A gentle but forceful knock on the door broke the silence in the office, and the sound echoed in the silent space.

Zhan Guo raised his head slightly, frowning, his thoughts still immersed in the frustrating negotiation results.

The door opened and Jin An walked in with his usual calm look on his face.

"Do you need me to go to the front line?" Jin An went straight to the point, without much emotion in his voice.

Although he was not interested in this war, he did not want to watch those innocent navy soldiers die. After all, it was very likely that some navy soldiers would join their ranks to resist the World Government in the future.

Zhan Guo looked up at Jin An, with mixed emotions in his eyes.

Jinan is one of the strongest fighters in their navy, and his ability is enough to greatly change the situation.

However, Zhan Guo knew in his heart that Jin An was not only a naval admiral, but also a chess piece that the top leaders wanted to control tightly.

In fact, the World Government has already made a condition that is almost impossible for Sengoku to refuse - as long as Jin'an stays in Marijoa and becomes a "holy land guardian" like Kong Kong for the rest of his life, they are willing to bear all the expenses of the navy for this war.

But Zhan Guo rejected this condition without hesitation.

Jinan is the next marshal of the navy recognized by all of them. Even if the navy wants nothing, they will never hand Jinan over.

Jin'an's eyes swept across the subtle changes on Zhan Guo's face, as if he could see through his thoughts.

"You don't want me to go to the front line because you're afraid that I'll fall into the trap of the World Government?" He smiled faintly, as if he had guessed something.

Zhan Guo nodded solemnly, feeling a dull pain in his heart.

The Jin An in front of him, young and strong, should have been galloping freely on the sea, instead of being bound in the holy land and becoming a soulless fighting machine.

He said in a deep voice: "No need to go to the front line. If even you are sent out, then there will be no one available in this headquarters."

Zhan Guo's tone was somewhat tired and helpless.

He understood that Borsalino and Sakaski had been sent to the battlefield, and Jin'an was the only one left among the navy's strongest fighters.

If he left again, the Admiralty Headquarters would be in an extremely vulnerable state.

Jin An was silent for a moment, with his hands in his pockets, looking out the window into the distance.

The smoke of the battlefield seemed to appear in his eyes one by one, but he did not rush to answer, but just whispered: "You rejected the conditions of the World Government, right?"

Sengoku's body trembled slightly, then he smiled bitterly, "Yes, I refused. I can't let you become their tool, like Mr. Kong, trapped in Marijoa and lose all your freedom."

The corners of Jinan's mouth slightly raised, with a hint of teasing and helplessness.

"You still care about me, Marshal."

He turned around and looked directly into Zhan Guo's eyes, his sharp pupils gleaming with tenacity.

"But you don't have to worry about me. I won't be trapped that easily."

Zhan Guo looked at Jin An's expression, and the complex emotions in his heart became stronger.

He knew that Jin'an was no ordinary naval admiral. His strength, thoughts and will had long surpassed most people, even surpassing the shackles imposed on him by the world.

But because of this, Zhan Guo was even more reluctant to let him be involved in the vortex of power.

"Jin'an, you must remember, no matter which side you stand on, the navy will always be your home." Zhan Guo's voice was low, but it carried a power that could not be ignored.

He knew he couldn't stop Jin An, but at least he could give him some advice and hope.

Jin An chuckled, with a hint of teasing in his tone: "Don't worry, I'm not planning on leaving you old guys yet."

After the two looked at each other briefly, Jin An slowly walked out the door, his back still as calm and unhurried.

However, Zhan Guo knew that this young general was carrying much more in his heart than he showed.

Just as Jin'an's hand touched the door handle, Zhan Guo suddenly spoke: "Jin'an."

Jinan stopped and tilted his head slightly.

"Thank you." Zhan Guo whispered, with a rare look of gratitude and helplessness in his eyes.

He knew that Jin An understood him and even took on many things for him that he shouldn't have to bear.

Jin An waved his hand gently as a response, then disappeared out the door.

Zhan Guo stared at the closed door, and the suppressed emotions in his heart gradually surged up.

The situation became increasingly complicated, and as a marshal, his decisions and choices were increasingly constrained by various powers.

Whether it is the World Government or the Five Elders, the gears of war have begun to turn. All he can do is to try his best to protect this increasingly fragile navy.

He sighed, feeling bitter.

The position of marshal has never been an easy job.

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