Chapter 452: Tiger of the Iron Belt

The Dark Mechanicus fleet fled in panic from the Iron Belt.

The inherent limitations and risks of the existing warp navigation technology of the human empire have already determined that the basic rules of the space naval battle are as follows: once a ship enters the warp, there is no way to continue tracking it. Once a ship enters the warp, it is considered to have successfully evacuated.

Unless some off-board tricks are used.

For example, the Tuchucha Engine, a subspace artifact once used by the Dark Angels.

At this point, the Battle of the Iron Belt officially ended. The war was called by the historians of the Empire:

The second steel disaster.

Since the Second Iron Calamity Campaign had a strong sense of economic plunder: it did not attack cities and plunder, nor did it seek decisive battles, but plundered everywhere, avoiding war and seeking wealth. Therefore, it was also called "Warhammer 40K's Oil Man's Grass Valley" by Qingshan Khan.

The outbreak of the Second Iron Calamity Battle was almost inevitable. Because the first Iron Calamity Battle ended with the loyalist and rebellious parties not completely winning. The traitor Titan Legion and the Dark Mechanicus used the warp portal to leave the Iron Belt, and their overall strength did not lose much. These traitors still had the strength to fight, and the seeds of conflict and chaos they had sown before leaving meant that if they wanted to return to the Iron Belt, they could return almost anytime. There were many guides and dissidents in the Iron Belt.

But at the same time, a super melee is breaking out in the Eye of Terror, and the nine traitor legions are reshuffling, dividing their spheres of influence, and laying the foundation for their rule.

A force called "Black Legion" is slowly rising. With one black expedition after another, it eventually becomes the biggest representative of the chaotic forces in the entire galaxy. Its influence and popularity far exceed those of other chaotic forces.

Compared with the super mixed operation of the Eye of Terror, the Second Battle of Iron Disaster, in which the main forces involved were the Titan Legion, even seemed a minor skirmish not worth mentioning.

Fu Qinghai knew very well that the Black Legion was rising, but he had no way to stop it. Even in the era after Robert Guilliman's awakening, the Imperium of Man had still not entered the Eye of Terror. As for the Abyss Expedition in 321.M37, more than thirty loyal Astartes were required to march towards the Eye of Terror. It was more of a suicide mission than an expedition. They did not weaken any Chaos Space Marine Legion. On the contrary, they sent tens of thousands of loyal Space Marines and pure gene-seed to the Eye of Terror, which was the greatest act of aiding the enemy in the history of the Imperium of Man. The Chaos Four Gods were fed in one go. The Imperial Church should bear full responsibility for this.

For Fu Qinghai.

He had done his best to cut off the Chaos Warmaster's left and right arms.

I really can't participate in the major plot events in the Eye of Terror.

But history has changed.

The Demon Inquisitor suddenly had an idea and dispatched the Iron Pagoda Regiment to join the battle. A mere White Scar Regiment might not be able to change the outcome of the war, but the four-armed Titans and atomic dinosaurs that Fu Qinghai assimilated from the Pacific Rim universe and the Monster Movie Universe became the key to this Iron Ring Battle. Many battles were changed because of the existence of the two, and these battles became dominoes that affected the final outcome of the entire Iron Disaster Battle.

It's like Li Yunlong's attack on Ping'an County was the real turning point of World War II... It's like the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of El Alamein and the Battle of Midway were the three major turning points of World War II, and "Pojun Jinjia" and Planet Godzilla were the key turning points of the Second Iron Disaster. The Black Oiler and the Iron Warriors did not achieve their original strategic goal - plundering enough resources to feed the Forge World in the Eye of Terror. Instead, they abandoned their armor and left behind a large number of warships, and the butterfly effect caused will inevitably affect the future direction of history.

In the captain's room of the Supremacy.

The Chapter Master repeated the details of the battle.

The narrator recorded it.

Zofia was amazed by this scene:

"Does your regiment have a historian?"

Fu Qinghai pinched Zofia's face and pulled her over, squinting his eyes at the girl and said:

"What do you mean by 'your chapter'? Aren't you a member of our chapter, Captain?"

Zofia pouted and whispered:

"I'm yours."

Only then did Fu Qinghai let her go with satisfaction.

The historian buried his head in taking notes, pretending not to hear.

Among the mortal servants of the Astartes, historians are a common position. Their role is like that of the recorder of the Great Crusade, and they are responsible for compiling the history of the chapter. Especially for those old chapters with a long history that have existed from the Second Founding to the 42K era, historians are indispensable. Because 10,000 years is too long, and the death rate of Space Marines is very high, naturally many mortal historians are needed to record the history of the chapter so that it will not be forgotten by future generations.

For example, after Robert Guilliman awakened, the Ultramarines Chapter was always surrounded and followed by a group of mortal historians, recording what the Primarch said and did every day, how many meals he ate, how many times he defecated... no matter how big or small the matter was, which made Guilliman very annoyed.

"The Diary of the Regent" belongs to this.

Although the Iron Pagoda Corps was not as exaggerated as the Smurfs, every major battle the Corps had experienced must still be recorded. Forgetting history is a crime. Qingshan Khan's attitude towards this matter is still very serious. He neither exaggerates nor deliberately modestly seeks truth from facts, is objective and fair, and tells the story of how the battle was fought.

But sometimes the truth is hard to believe. In this record, the Iron Pagoda's achievements are too exaggerated, and strange battle loss ratios appear frequently. If someone is lucky enough to read this internal information of the regiment, it is hard not to doubt whether Qingshan Khan is exaggerating? Is this regiment really that powerful? In any case, the truth is there.

"It says here 'Qingshan Khan is an army all by himself'."

Watching the historian writing furiously.

Zofia suddenly raised an objection:

"'Po Jun Jin Jia' is obviously driven by the two of us together, why is it written as 'One Man Becomes an Army'?"

"One Man Army, that's pretty rigorous."

Fu Qinghai explained without changing his expression:

"You are a woman."

Zofia was so angry that she rushed over and bit him.

…

After the Iron Belt War was basically over.

Fu Qinghai just received the news:

The ruling sage was assassinated.

According to Sid Nora, the specific time of death of the Sage-Ruler was actually slightly earlier than the end of the war. The Mechanicus deliberately concealed his death, one to prevent the military from being shaken, and the other to secretly investigate the murderer.

But nothing was found.

The Assassin's Court acted decisively and efficiently.

As someone who knew the inside story, Fu Qinghai became even more wary of this mysterious imperial organization.

"Imperial Tactics" is a military textbook collected and sorted by the Military Affairs Department's Document Library and distributed to officers above the rank of platoon leader of the Imperial Guard. There is a famous quote in it that goes like this:

"Don't ask who they're looking for, lest it be you."

For the special agencies such as the Inquisition and the Assassin's Court.

There was no one in the empire who was not afraid of them.

"Qingshan."

After talking about the ruling sage.

The Grand Inquisitor formally expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you for your anti-subspace tactical team. I am very impressed by their outstanding performance. Although I can feel that they lack experience in dealing with psychic phenomena, I have to say that their tactical skills are extremely good and have provided me with great help. Thank you for your support."

"You are welcome."

Fu Qinghai said calmly.

The Imperial Army fought desperately in the front, and the Grand Inquisitor was also busy in the rear. Some time ago, Sid Nora led the Anti-Warp Tactical Team to visit several Forge Worlds one by one. Some local Mechanicus sects in these Forge Worlds secretly colluded with Chaos and studied heretical technology. Sid Nora had evidence and led the tactical team to eliminate them. These oilers who embraced the Warp often had some psychic means to assist the Grand Inquisitor in dealing with these heretics and traitors hiding in the dark. The Anti-Warp Tactical Team was also trained and had more experience in how to deal with psychic issues.

"Also, I have good news for you."

Sid Nora looked up and whispered:

"Your batch of Swordtail-class interceptors has arrived at the airport not long ago. It is at berth 76, a Kertaax-class transport ship. You can receive it."

"Um?"

Fu Qinghai showed surprise on his face.

I wondered how you knew that?

"Haha."

Sid Nora smiled proudly,

"The Inquisition is not as incompetent as you think, Qingshan. My agents are always secretly monitoring the Mechanical Ark at the airport, and I actually have spies inside the Mechanical Ark. What, do you think your actions are very covert?"

The Grand Inquisitor then changed the subject:

"However, since you lent me the Anti-Subspace Tactical Team, I will not pursue this matter. Those fighter planes are yours. Having said that, you are really bad, Qingshan. You tricked the Sage Ruler before he died. I have never seen such a Chapter Master."

Sid Nora said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

"Well now you've seen it."

Fu Qinghai snorted and said unhappily.

My little trick was actually discovered by this woman.

Sid Nora must have been very beautiful when she was young, and now she is still a charming old lady. After the close cooperation with the Iron Ring, the relationship between the two has become closer, and they know some of each other's little secrets. It is generally a good thing to be able to have a good relationship with the Holy Hammer Order.

Fu Qinghai thought about it silently in his mind.

In the Military Affairs Department, there is Lieutenant General Elijah Lavallee, in the Inquisition, there is Grand Inquisitor Sid Nora, in the Ministry of Justice, there is Lin Yu's cheap father, the Minister of Justice... With this calculation, the Iron Pagoda Legion actually has quite a few connections in Terra. Fu Qinghai had no intention of getting involved in the political whirlpool of Terra, but he had unknowingly developed some connections. With a little bit of operation, he could be called the 31K version of the Minotaur Legion.

After thinking about it, I decided to forget it. It's not necessary.

The Primarchs are still there.

Why bother to flatter the high lord's stinky feet.

"When can your equipment be mass-produced?"

Sid Nora posed another question.

"Um, Master Forge?"

The Grand Inquisitor asked, tilting his head.

What I'm asking about are the three special equipments against psychic power: the proton gun, the umbra mirror and the subspace barrier.

"I will entrust Phaeton Foundry World to manufacture it, but it will take time. You have to wait for a while."

Fu Qinghai explained.

Let me equip myself first.

"OK."

Sid Nora nodded and said,

"The Holy Hammer Order will place orders directly with the Phaeton Forge World. But I must remind you that once you become a supplier to the Inquisition, you must keep it strictly confidential and not reveal the source of the Inquisition's equipment to anyone. Do you understand?"

Fu Qinghai shrugged:

"Don't tell me. I'm not the foundry director of Phaeton Foundry World. Go talk to Master Quinto."

"Humph, still pretending."

Sid Nora took her clipper ship, left the Forge World of Atar Median, left the Iron Ring, and returned to Holy Terra to report. Fu Qinghai bid farewell to this radical Inquisitor, and at the same time prepared for the return of the Chapter Fleet.

In addition to the Grey Knights and Exorcists, some Astartes Chapters also cooperated with the Inquisition for a long time. For example, the Red Hunters Chapter has the Inquisition logo on its emblem. However, cooperating with the Inquisition is not a good thing. Every time a battle involving psychic power and demons is over, the Red Hunters Space Marines must undergo a memory erasure ritual to prevent them from being corrupted by Chaos - this is considered extremely merciful. You have to know that if the Imperial Guard and the Imperial Navy witness the demon invasion of reality, even if they fight bravely, they will still be executed by the Inquisitors afterwards, and they will not have a chance to be brainwashed.

For Fu Qinghai.

If you dare to brainwash my soldiers.

I'll tear your head off.

I don't know if it was because Sid Nora was too radical or she was more able to see the situation clearly, but the Grand Inquisitor never mentioned the memory erasure to Qingshan Khan.

Although it sounds very cruel (and it is cruel in fact), many cases in later generations have proved that memory erasure rituals are sometimes necessary. Since the Chapter is unwilling to perform memory erasure rituals, how to prevent the anti-subspace tactical team from planting the seeds of corruption in their hearts because of witnessing demons?

At this time, the chief priest comes in handy. The hermit Tristan will bless each warrior with holy light, using the baptism of holy light to eliminate the possibility of potential chaos corruption. In addition, as a last resort, the commander Fu Qinghai has one last insurance measure - every new and all-different space warrior has the desperate virus implanted in his body, and the overall control of the desperate virus is in Fu Qinghai's hands. As long as he wants, he can immediately execute any of his space warriors!

The Iron Pagoda has many little secrets.

But there will be no traitors in Iron Pagoda.

…

The Iron Belt War is over.

The fleet returned with a full load.

The Chapter Master and the Acolytes began their routine inventory.

In addition to numerous STCs and technological relics.

The biggest gain is undoubtedly the naval warships.

In the two space naval battles, no battleship has been successfully captured. The battleship's close-in defense weapon array is too large. Several enemy battleships either crashed into the planet's surface or directly disintegrated in the void. None of them was captured.

But the wreckage was salvaged by the Iron Pagoda.

Protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility.

But there are seven more cruisers!

The Iron Pagoda Regiment originally only had one battle barge and four strike cruisers. This fleet configuration was pretty good for a sub-regiment. But now it has more than doubled, and its scale is comparable to that of the Navy's star sector fleet.

The combat methods of Chaos Space Marines and Loyalist Space Marines are similar. Chaos Strike Cruisers are naturally also Strike Cruisers. They have all the necessary facilities and functions, but their appearances are slightly different. The Iron Pagoda Chapter currently has eleven companies, and now has exactly eleven strike cruisers. One company is equipped with a strike cruiser and a battle barge. The Chapter Fleet can be said to be more than enough.

In addition, four escort ships were captured.

Escort ships are similar to frigates and destroyers, with smaller sizes and no strike cruisers that are specially prepared for space marines. In addition, they are seriously damaged, so Fu Qinghai doesn't want them very much and plans to sell them. If Yolanda Altaira's Ronin Merchant Family can take them, then sell them all to them. If they can't take them, then sell them to the neighboring Calixis Sector Navy Fleet.

An Astartes Chapter usually only has two types of warships: Battle Barges and Strike Cruisers, but there are exceptions. The Ultramarines and their sub-regiments are equipped with frigates and destroyers, such as Nova-class frigates. First, they are rich, and second, the Ultramarines need to guard the entire Ultramar 500 worlds, so they need some small warships to be responsible for anti-theft, anti-smuggling, and patrol. The Marx King Star Region is sparsely populated, with a total of four imperial worlds, and there is no such security demand. Maintaining a frigate fleet is too expensive and unnecessary.

Frigates are more defensive in nature.

Strike cruisers are offensive oriented.

Two major functions: boarding and orbital bombing.

In the real world, countries with weak maritime power build near-shore defense fleets and circle around islands and reefs; countries with strong maritime power build ocean-going attack fleets and proudly head into the deep blue.

The Iron Pagoda Fleet is an offensive navy.

The army has been filled with murderous intent since its inception.

The Chapter Master and the Aide-de-camp finished discussing the fleet arrangements.

Call the Chief Pharmacist to the Captain's Room.

"Director Ka, have you finished counting the gene seeds?"

"The statistics are complete, Khan."

Chief Potion Master Kamil immediately began to report:

"A total of seventy-three gene-seeds were harvested from this battle, of which fifty-six were from the Iron Warriors, ten were from the Sons of Horus, three were from the Night Lords, three were from the World Eaters, and one was from the Thousand Sons. That's all, Khan."

"Not bad."

Fu Qinghai nodded and said,

"I have good news for you. The Adeptus Mechanicus has exempted us from gene-seed taxes for the next three years. We don't have to hand in gene-seeds for three years. With the more than seventy gene-seeds we have seized, we can add another company."

Adding a company is just a best estimate.

In fact, this batch of gene seeds must be deeply tested by Master Quinto to screen out a batch of possible mutations. In addition, although the success rate of the Iron Pagoda Corps' transformation surgery is very high, it is not 100% successful. There must be many failure cases during the operation. If the Space Marine transformation surgery fails, the recipient may survive, but the gene seeds will definitely be gone, and there is no way to reuse it.

Although the harvest of genetic seeds will be discounted.

But it did not prevent the members of the regiment from celebrating their victory.

…

In the banquet hall of the Supremacy.

The Space Marines toasted each other and chatted with each other.

On the walls around the banquet hall, there are huge battle flags hanging. The patterns on the flags tell about the battles fought since the founding of the chapter. It can be seen that this is a young chapter and it does not have many great achievements to narrate.

The banquet hall is divided into several areas.

Different companies were seated in different places.

Today, except for the necessary personnel on duty, all Space Marines and Chapter servants will participate in this celebration banquet. There will be plenty of wine and drinks, plenty of meat, and delicacies from different worlds for people to taste.

Captain Zofia Tan Drakonis and her mother, Lady Janiko, the head of the Drakonis family, had the honor of sitting next to Qingshan Khan. Zofia was not dressed up today, but wore a Titan captain uniform. A black leather coat with gray trousers and boots, gorgeous tassels under the golden epaulettes, and a close-fitting breastplate that outlined her curvy figure. The front of the breastplate was inlaid with a golden double-headed eagle nameplate.

It smells like the Gestapo.

Fu Qinghai couldn't help but take a few more glances.

"Try this."

Fu Qinghai brought a plate of food to Zofia.

"This is the Agas fish. It is said that the belly of this fish is particularly delicious. And this, the apple peach. This alien fruit is very delicate. Its temperature must be maintained at exactly 18.5 degrees, otherwise it will rot within minutes. These foods were given to me by the Governor of the Calixis Star Region."

"Uh-huh."

Zofia was very happy.

The giant long dining table was filled with all kinds of strange food. Many of the foods were not only new to Zofia, but also new to Lady Janiko, who came from a knight family.

"What is that?"

Zofia pointed at a cheese-like food and asked Fu Qinghai, which had a strong odor from a distance.

"This is called 'churned milk stomach'. It is made by filling the stomach of an animal with milk, sewing it up, and throwing it to the side of the beast to let it slowly solidify."

This food is full of grassland characteristics and was given to Fu Qinghai by Attila's Barbarian Cavalry Colonel Tarjiha. In Attila's feudal world, there is a native beast called "Ovega", a huge and thickly haired herbivore with black blood. This creature is the main grazing target of Attila's nomads, and the milk-stirring stomach is made from Ovega's milk.

After hearing this, Zofia didn't want to eat anymore.

"What's that?"

Pointing to a giant creature in the middle of the table, which was roasted whole and took up one-third of the table.

"Roasted Howling Bull and Fenris Mead. Don't eat them. They are food prepared for Space Marines."

Fu Qinghai explained patiently.

Howling Bull and Honey Wine, the special food of Space Wolves, were given to Fu Qinghai by Saroyan Skarsson. Mortals who tasted this kind of food and wine might suffer from indigestion and nerve poisoning, so only Space Marines could enjoy it.

Zofia just felt very curious.

Mrs. Janiko next to her didn't say anything.

Just a table of food.

She had heard from three sources.

Governor of the Caliss Sector.

Attila's Barbarian Cavalry Regiment.

Space Wolves Space Marines.

The influence of Tiefutu, or rather the personal influence of Qingshan Khan, was greater than she had imagined.

Xia Long, the Star Language Supervisor, sat opposite, cutting a piece of Grox steak with a knife and fork while glancing at Fu Qinghai and Zofia. She was indignant: Why can this woman sit next to Khan? She is the captain in charge, and I am the Star Language Supervisor. Who is lower than who? It's really annoying.

He even picked up food for her!

…

An hour ago.

Conquest-class star-faring ship, Emperor's Coin.

A luxurious and beautifully decorated Captain's Suite.

Yolanda Artela reached out and stroked her hair, which was piled high and elegant in the court of Terra—but it was hard to appreciate it in this remote frontier. Her fingers gently traced over her flawless, smooth face, her light olive skin a perfect combination of family wealth, aristocratic blood, and plastic surgery.

The face was of noble character and style, with a chin that showed the aloofness of the time. Tall and striking, she sat at an oak desk that her father had proudly said was a gift from Roboute Guilliman to his great-great-grandmother in memory of the great oath of Macragge.

"Master, the banquet is about to begin."

A servant came into the room and said.

"Ask Stacy to come in. I want to pick out a dress."

The female captain ordered.

The assistant was busy trying on many dresses for her.

While constantly changing clothes and trying them on, she complained quietly:

"Miss, I don't think Qingshan Khan will care about these things. He may not even notice them."

"You don't understand."

Yolanda looked into the floor-length mirror and said calmly,

"He may not care, but we have to care. This is a kind of respect and necessary etiquette."

"But you haven't had that before..."

The assistant was about to retort.

"It's different now."

Yolanda interrupted with a wave of her hand.

The female captain turned to look at her assistant:

"The news of the war in the Iron Ring has spread to the Five Hundred Worlds. Many people are talking about it. I have heard of his name in Macragge. Haven't you heard of it?"

"No, miss."

The young assistant lowered his head in shame.

Yolanda turned back and said,

"I'll tell you something you can understand. In the last battle of the Iron Ring, on the Forge World of Al-Yes, Qingshan Khan's flagship had just appeared when it scared away the Dark Mechanicus fleet! When those technological heretics saw his flagship, they chose to evacuate without caring about the surface troops. I have confirmed with people in the Iron Ring that this really happened and it is not an exaggeration."

The female captain turned to look at the assistant:

"Do you know how powerful this is?"

The young assistant was speechless and couldn't respond.

Yolanda continued trying on evening gowns:

"In the entire Iron Ring, whenever he participated in a battle, the Dark Mechanicus and the Chaos Space Marines would inevitably suffer a great defeat. Not only that, it is said that his losses were minimal. One Titan could kill a Titan Legion, and one Kaiju could kill a Titan Legion..."

"There are so many rumors about him that I can no longer tell which are true or false, but the only thing I can be sure of is that his name has spread throughout the Iron Belt. Qingshan Khan, the Tiger of the Iron Belt, the Forge Master of Red Mars, the Hunting Master of the White Scars, a single chapter fought against two Titan Legions and a Chaos Fleet and won a great victory. He annihilated the Iron Warriors and made the technological heretics flee."

Yolanda Atela wore a fitted emerald green dress with silver and topaz ornaments hanging at the hem, a low-cut, backless scarlet corset that cinched her waist and highlighted her breasts, and a modest clutch with gold and leather detailing.

"No, this set is a bit frivolous."

The female captain turned around and denied it.

The Rogue Trader ultimately chose an elegant and demure outfit - a creamy white dress with an ivory corset that accentuated her breasts, and a rose gold mesh necklace that snaked up her neck and over her forehead in a rain of white pearls and sapphires. She eschewed the Terran custom of heavy makeup, only darkening her eyeliner and applying a colorful lipstick.

Yolanda Atera is from Macragge, but she went to Terra with her father when she was very young, and she is very familiar with the trendy aesthetic style of the throne world there.

"This is perfect, miss."

The assistant exclaimed.

"Of course, everything has to be perfect. He is a hero. Opening up the Phaeton trade route has made me shine in the family. The Altera family must deepen its ties with the Iron Pagoda to consolidate my position. I don't want to cause him to be offended because of some clothing details..."

Yolanda Atella muttered to herself.

"Okay, let's go."

......

Extreme star field, Yashan star region.

A high-speed fleet of White Scars is underway.

Having just finished a pursuit of the Dark Eldar, Jagatai Khan strode across the bridge and returned to his throne. The Primarch exuded the smell of gunpowder and blood, and had obviously been to the battle site in person. As he walked, he said,

"Shiban, pass on my order to execute all the Dark Eldar. We don't want any prisoners. Stick all these pointy-eared heads on the walls of the Quanzhou Monastery. For every Chogoris who is abused and tortured, there will be a Dark Eldar buried with him! Where is Ogedei? Let him come over."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Shiban Khan took the order and left.

At this time, the Star Language Supervisor came over, handed over a scroll with both hands, bowed his head and said respectfully:

"Khan, there's a letter from Terra, it's from Sizu."

Elijah Lavallee?

Chagatai took the parchment and unfolded it.

The Star Language message contained a lot of content and was written densely.

The Primarch looked at it and suddenly chuckled:

"Tsk... Iron-Belt Tiger, quite interesting."

......

　Thanks to King Marquez, Ao Ao Xiaohao Ao, the Supreme Angel, and three book friends, thank you!

　　 1. Let's talk about something off topic. There are many "XX Tigers" in the history of war. I think the most famous but also the most worthless one is "Malay Tiger" Yamashita Tomoyuki. The whole world knows what the British were like during World War II. They were just a bunch of useless people. What's there to be proud of for beating the British? The bicycle jungle warfare was just bragging and never came true. Yamashita Tomoyuki was just a gigolo who relied on his father-in-law to get to the top. He massacred overseas Chinese in Singapore. He had neither ability nor martial virtue. The funniest thing is that in order to cover up their failure, the British followed the Japanese to brag about "Malay Tiger". This shameless spirit is also eye-opening.

(End of this chapter)