Chapter 652: Luo Yue Offending Everyone

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

They hadn’t started fighting yet, but requests for assistance poured in. The President felt helpless; Indonesia was too weak. Even if Luo Yue declared war, as long as they could stall Luo Yue for two days, they would lose. Luo Yue lacked the resources to sustain a prolonged war. If stalled, the World Union army would soon arrive in the Indian Ocean. But seeing the requests, the President knew his idea was unrealistic, and Luo Yue seemed to know it too. Hence, war was declared, and the fighting began.

…

Huang Yinian led Luo Yue’s fleet into the Indian Ocean unimpeded.

The U.S. wanted to retaliate immediately, but couldn't. Even if they could, Union approval was needed. Although Luo Yue’s declaration of war violated the peace accord, they had reasons—however ridiculous.

How could the U.S. justify sending troops? Finding an excuse would take days, and in that time, Bali would be conquered.

The moment Luo Yue started the war, the U.S. President urged the Union to act. He knew the U.S. also had to join the war, for various reasons.

If Luo Yue truly seized Bali, most Southeast Asian countries would fall within range of Luo Yue’s cannons. With Luo Yue’s reckless nature, they might attack other countries, potentially triggering World War III. The consequences might not be catastrophic, but who knew if Luo Yue would try to control the Indian Ocean?

If the Southeast Asian alliance intervened, Luo Yue might seize the Strait of Malacca, connecting the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Many U.S. interests were there.

The U.S. had to control that area. If it fell to Southeast Asian countries, the U.S. could still exert influence. However, if it fell to Luo Yue, recapture would be impossible.

Luo Yue controlling that area would only boost their power. How could the U.S. allow that? Its strategic importance to the U.S. was immense. Controlling the Strait of Malacca would:

First, force the Russian navy to abandon its North Vietnam Bay base. Second, its proximity to China—China’s southern gateway and a crucial energy route—would allow the U.S. to curb China’s growth. Third, a U.S. presence there could stop Luo Yue from expanding into India or the Pacific.

The U.S. President most feared Luo Yue ceding control of the Strait to China. If China gained control of the Strait—

The President dared not continue the thought. But Luo Yue was no Iraq; they were far stronger.

…

While the Union held an emergency meeting, Luo Yue’s forces easily seized Bali Island. The Indonesian fleet attempting to stop them never got close.

Planes swarmed the area, but Indonesia couldn’t prevent the bombing runs. Almost every two bombs sank a ship.

Watching the old ships sink, Huang Yinian felt satisfied. He didn’t need those outdated vessels; Ye Mo had already seized Indonesia’s high-quality ships in a previous battle.

It was a lopsided battle. Luo Yue held a clear advantage in quality and quantity. Indonesia had almost no air power.

After the battle, Huang Yinian realized Ye Xing’s overwhelming power. Had Ye Xing continuously worked for Northern Sand, World War III would have been imminent.

The U.S. feared Luo Yue starting World War III, but Huang Yinian knew it would be Northern Sand.

Despite the Indonesian fleet’s aggressive stance, Huang Yinian saw they couldn’t even aim properly—thanks to the interference machine.

The battle was swift. Under Huang Yinian’s leadership, Luo Yue’s fleet sank various ships. They captured two large ships, two patrol boats, three light ships, and 5,000 soldiers, all taken back to Luo Yue for construction.

The entire battle lasted less than an hour; most of the time was spent accepting surrenders.

Southeast Asia’s strongest fleet couldn’t resist Luo Yue’s attack. Indonesia wouldn't recover from its losses for decades.

Ironically, their ships never even reached the bay—partially due to Huang Yinian’s naval warfare experience.

Without the Indonesian navy’s resistance, Luo Yue’s fleet quickly destroyed Bali’s military facilities and occupied the island.

As Yu Miaodan suggested, Huang Yinian secured the airport first, then repatriated tourists and eliminated Indonesian agents among them.

Luo Yue’s power and decisiveness shook Southeast Asia. Even the Indonesian navy couldn’t resist. Afterward, no Southeast Asian countries wanted to support Indonesia.

…

The moment Luo Yue declared war, the Union immediately reprimanded them and held a special meeting.

But before the meeting concluded, news of Luo Yue’s victory and occupation of Bali spread. Luo Yue had sent away the tourists and appeared poised to attack Java.

Indonesia was terrified. Java was unlike Bali; it housed Indonesia’s capital—its political, economic, and cultural center. It was also the gateway to the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Losing Java would cripple Indonesia. But now, all naval power belonged to Luo Yue, and other Southeast Asian countries were withdrawing their fleets, unwilling to intervene.

This time, not only was the U.S. angered, but many Union members sided with them. Taking Bali was barely acceptable, but invading Java would be a breach of world peace.