Chapter 610: The Strongest Support

The Land of White Nights, an empire stretching across vast frozen lands, has been renowned for its iron fist and ferocity since ancient times.
Its territory is as vast as the starry sky, its history filled with chapters of crushing invaders to dust.
Its military might was once considered the only force capable of rivaling the United States, which constantly proclaimed "freedom and democracy" yet stirred up trouble everywhere.
This behemoth of steel and iron was once a VIP member of the club of the strongest military forces on Earth.
But who could have imagined that this invincible war machine would fall into an unexpected stalemate?
This bizarre turn of events exceeded the expectations of all strategists.
In the empire's presidential office, the lights blazed through the night. The empire's highest decision-maker stood alone before a massive strategic map, lost in thought.
This war, destined for a swift victory, should have been the perfect trophy for the grand finale of his political career, the most dazzling medal of honor as his glorious exit.
But the script went awry from the very beginning.
The opponent, who should have been easily defeated, displayed astonishing resilience, stubbornly withstanding the empire's thunderous attack.
What should have been a swift and decisive battle turned into a mentally exhausting, agonizing wrestling match!
"It doesn't matter, it's ultimately a futile effort."
The Imperial President scoffed inwardly.
Let it drag on, as long as the overall situation remains under control.
He knew perfectly well that the small country's so-called allies on the world stage were nothing more than a bunch of empty talkers.
What "God is with you," what "Justice will prevail"...
Their slogans were loud and clear, but while they spoke of morality, their hearts were filled with self-interest.
Actual aid was like squeezing toothpaste—it was impossible to get even a tiny amount out.
Therefore, whether it was peace negotiations or international mediation, everyone maintained a deadpan attitude, as if saying, "I'm busy, I've tried my best, but there's just no progress."
The Imperial President was confident; he wasn't afraid of this dragging on. Time was the Empire's best friend.
Give it enough time, and the opponent's internal contradictions and fragile external aid chains would eventually cause it to collapse on its own.
"As we expected, Mr. President. The goal of dismantling this small nation from within has, in fact, been remarkably effective."
A trusted aide bowed to the President, a hint of barely perceptible smugness in his voice.
"Internal discontent is brewing.
Under the mandatory conscription order, countless civilians have been pushed onto the battlefield, becoming cannon fodder.
Meanwhile, the wealthy and powerful sons of noble families easily evade military service thanks to their fathers' influence.
This public resentment is about to ignite the powder keg of the entire nation!
Mr. President, just a little more patience.
This overripe, rotten apple is about to fall from the tree on its own!"
On the front lines, ordinary citizens of the small nation are herded into battle like livestock, their flesh and blood used to fill trenches, becoming just numbers on cold battle reports;
Meanwhile, in the rear, the sons of the powerful and the elite indulge in nightly revelry, their decadent lives fueled by champagne at lavish parties.
Even a few celebrities who play football or sing folk songs can be exempted from military service under the guise of "winning glory for the country."
This is practically etching the word "injustice" onto the foreheads of every poor person.
However, the president's patience was being ruthlessly eroded by reality.
The stalemate in the war led to a full-scale encirclement by the Western world.
Wielding the moral high ground, they launched a war without gunfire against the empire—economic strangulation.
Overseas assets were frozen, the lifeline of import and export trade was ruthlessly severed, and the entire nation's economic lifeline seemed to be strangled by an invisible hand.
"Our only physical lifeline is selling natural gas and oil to a few partners through some roundabout channels, but this path is becoming increasingly narrow," an aide reported worriedly.
"Traditional financial channels are almost completely blocked; we are being jointly blockaded by the global economic system!"
In this desperate situation, the great power had no choice but to rely on a more secretive and special lifeline.
This lifeline comes from North Korea, an East Asian country similarly isolated from the world.
"In finance, when the door to SWIFT closed to us, it was North Korea who opened the back door to the crypto world for us."
An intelligence official whispered,
"Their world-class hacking team has become our best 'digital financial advisor.'"
The assets of the oligarchs and our department's secret funds are laundered into untraceable Bitcoin through their complex network, flowing freely globally.
Bei Gaoli is our "Swiss bank" in the digital world, our "cryptocurrency laundering center"!
And on the battlefield, they are our most crucial support!
They supplied us with massive amounts of artillery ammunition and sent tens of thousands of soldiers who performed heroically on the front lines.
"With North Korea as our 'arsenal' and 'source of manpower,' we can remain invincible in this bloody war of attrition!"
The Empire's strategists were like a group of experienced hunters.
They not only laid a trap but also found the "ultimate support," capable of providing both money and weapons.
Then they lay in wait, patiently watching their prey crumble.
However, the most frustrating thing about life is that you never know which will come first, tomorrow or an accident.
They calculated everything, but overlooked one thing.
The strongest fortresses are often breached from within.
And this time, it was their own backyard that caught fire!
One day, a general rushed in with a report:
"Something terrible has happened, Mr. President! The smaller country hasn't even made a move yet, and North Korea has already exploded!"
Yes, North Korea, which had gained invaluable combat experience, advanced technology, and massive resources through deep involvement in the war...
collapsed with the speed of an avalanche in a sudden internal storm!
"Mr. President, the collapse of North Korea means that the 'Two-Country Mutual Assistance Agreement' we secretly signed with them has become a dead letter!
Our more than 10,000 North Korean troops deployed on the front lines are now in disarray, and could mutini or desert at any moment!"
A military advisor's voice trembled.
"Not to mention, the supply line that was just continuously delivering artillery shells and missiles... has been completely severed!"
Small countries are seizing this window of opportunity to launch a fierce counterattack, and our firepower and troop strength advantages are being rapidly lost simultaneously!