Spy Shadow: Command & Conquer

Chapter 1953, It's all over...

Night falls.

It was pitch black outside Luzhou City.

The clouds were very low, obscuring the sun.

There was almost no light. The Japanese invaders implemented strict light control.

The Nationalist officers at the front could barely see any trace of Japanese activity through their binoculars. The surroundings were unusually quiet.

It's as if the Japanese positions didn't exist at all. Of course they did.

"Hoo ho!"

"Hoo ho!"

However, things were relatively lively on the Nationalist Army's side.

There was no other way; those French-made 105mm heavy cannons had to be moved to the front.

It required a large number of people, like boatmen, more than fifty people, divided into two ropes, to finally drag the heavy artillery up.

The previous torrential rains had softened the ground, making it very difficult to move heavy artillery.

Fortunately, there were many people.

Two infantry regiments helped with the hard labor.

Only after much difficulty were the eighteen heavy cannons successfully maneuvered into their designated positions.

Finally, it's done.

Start arranging them in rows.

Horizontal proofreading.

Sec-level proofreading.

It was busy again.

It wasn't until midnight that it was finally finished.

Without enough professional talent, Zhang Yong had to guide them in everything.

If the 10th Artillery Regiment were here, it certainly wouldn't be this difficult.

it's fine.

Consider it as imparting knowledge and skills.

This battle will surely cultivate some talented individuals.

Even if it's a half-finished product, or someone with only a superficial understanding, they must still know the basic operation and routine maintenance of large-caliber artillery.

Take a deep breath.

Shake off your spirits.

Prepare to fire.

"Report! Commissioner, Commander Li is here."

"what?"

Zhang Yong was somewhat surprised.

I never expected Commander Li to arrive at this time.

It seems the Fifth War Zone is indeed providing substantial support. They've brought in everything they could.

It was because I said I didn't need so many troops that some were transferred back. Now, Commander Li has even come in person. It truly makes me feel gratified.

Although rationally it is clear that the Guangxi clique is actually trying to win him over, hoping to gain benefits from him.

However, this is only human nature. There's nothing to criticize about it.

It's those kinds of people who want their own benefits while secretly harboring suspicions about you that are truly annoying.

So, for now, the bald guy won't get any benefits. He can go play somewhere else.

"We have them all!"

"Mi 20-40!"

"Distance 19800!"

Zhang Yong issued the firing parameters.

This is the maximum range of the French-made 105mm heavy cannon.

This would perfectly cover the furthest Japanese heavy cannons. Continuous firing. Wipe them out in one fell swoop.

"Number One, all right!"

"Number Two, all right!"

"Number three..."

Each cannon reported its position in turn.

Zhang Yong ordered continuous firing.

It wasn't specified how many rapid-fire shots would be fired. The firing continued until the target was completely destroyed.

"Tom!"

"Tom!"

Shells were fired one after another.

There was a flash of light from the cannon muzzle. But not from the sky.

Ordinary artillery shells, not rockets, do not produce a tail flame.

Once the shells are fired, the gunners can't see them. Only Zhang Yong can control them through the map.

Air Command maps are not as accurate as radar maps. They can only mark approximate locations. Therefore, a large number of maps are needed to cover a wide area.

In theory, as long as there are enough shells, the target will definitely be hit.

"boom……"

"boom……"

Shells began to fall on the Japanese artillery positions.

Clusters of fire erupted, accompanied by deafening roars.

The silence was immediately shattered. The Japanese artillerymen were taken aback, their minds going blank.

what happened?

How could shells be falling?

Where did the shell come from? Who did it?
Damn!

The artillery positions have been exposed.

The Chinese used long-range artillery for coverage.

"boom……"

"boom……"

More shells fell.

The continuous explosions severely damaged the Japanese artillery positions.

The heavy cannons have not yet been destroyed. However, the vehicles, ammunition, and other supplies have been severely damaged.

"Rumble..."

"Rumble..."

Especially those trucks. One shot, one kill.

If a shell explodes nearby, the truck will be overturned and severely damaged.

"quick!"

"Drive the truck away!"

"quick!"

The Japanese artillery regimental commander hurriedly gave the order.

If all the trucks are destroyed, it will be absolutely impossible to move the artillery.

The problem is that moving the trucks now means the artillery can't be moved in the short term. It will just have to endure the bombing.

You can't have your cake and eat it too. You have to choose one.

hateful……

How did the other party know?
How can the shells be fired so accurately? Because of the complete coverage!
"idiot!"

"quick!"

"Fight back!"

"Fight back!"

The Japanese artillery regimental commander's face contorted in pain.

The situation is very bad. All the heavy cannons are deployed.

If we want to move to a different location, we must first pack up. This conversion process takes more than an hour.

In other words, they were to be bombarded by Chinese artillery fire for an hour.

Even an idiot knows that after an hour of bombing, there probably won't be any crumbs left.

How to do?
Only a counterattack. A fight for survival.

Hopefully, we can find the source of the shells. Then we'll fight to the death.

The issue is……

How did they determine the artillery positions of the Chinese?

It can only determine a relatively general direction. However, it cannot effectively infer the distance.

"idiot!
"Maximum range!"

"Tie!"

The Japanese artillery regiment commander issued the order.

The remaining Japanese artillery immediately sprang into action, rapidly adjusting their cannons.

If Zhang Yong saw this, he would definitely be extremely envious.

The Japanese artillerymen were incredibly skilled at operating their artillery!

The movements were accurate, precise, swift, and decisive.

It is clear that the usual training is extremely rigorous.

If his artillery had that level of technology, he'd be laughing in his sleep.

Luckily I didn't see it. So I'm not upset anymore.

"Tom!"

"Tom!"

Soon, the Japanese heavy cannons began firing continuously.

One after another, shells pierced the darkness and landed in front of Zhang Yong. The distance was about one kilometer.

This was the maximum range of the Japanese heavy cannons. It was also calculated by Zhang Yong.

It could be a difference of one thousand meters, or even just five hundred meters.

You just can't hit me.

But I can beat you!
"boom……"

"boom……"

Zhang Yong watched the flashes from the exploding Japanese artillery shells.

The fireworks were spectacular. They brought a unique touch to this dark night.

The shells we fired ourselves didn't produce any explosions or flashes. But we could see the Japanese invaders. It was a kind of indirect appreciation, too.

"continue!"

He waved his hand, signaling to continue firing.

We can simply watch the Japanese artillery shells; but our hands must not stop.

We must hurry and destroy the Japanese heavy cannons.

This was the greatest threat posed by the Japanese invaders in the entire Luzhou battlefield.

what?
airplane?

The Japanese invaders dared not make a move.

If it were to be deployed, the airport would be bombed immediately.

You bomb Luzhou, I'll bomb your airfield. An eye for an eye.

Besides, it's nighttime now. Your presence won't make a difference.

By tomorrow during the day, you will naturally be greeted by a large number of Soluton machine guns.

Moreover, the fighter planes that took off from Luoyang Airport appeared just after the Japanese fighter planes had run out of ammunition.

Beat a dog when it's down.

This tactic is easy, enjoyable, and consistently effective.

"Japanese artillery fire..."

"Just a little bit..."

"The Commissioner's calculations were incredibly accurate..."

"Yes, Commissioner, you're too comprehensive..."

"Knows everything..."

The Nationalist officers at the front held up binoculars, as if they were watching the Japanese invaders' fireworks display.

There are still several hundred meters to go, so there's absolutely no need to worry about being blown up.

Especially for those at the company commander level, they had just received brand-new binoculars and were still very excited about them!
The telescopes were all provided by Zhang Yong. They were cheap. Based on modern prices, a single telescope would cost about one silver dollar today.

affordable.

So I bought a lot.

They were directly assigned to the 22nd Group Army at the company level.

Such treatment was previously only available to the troops he supervised.

"boom……"

"boom……"

The howitzers continued firing.

The heavy cannons bombarded the rear of the Japanese invaders.

The howitzers were bombarding the Japanese front lines.

A two-pronged approach.

There are also rocket launchers that have not yet been put into use.

At the same time, some American-made 75mm howitzers were also deployed to the troops.

Compared to Italian artillery, this hunchbacked American-made howitzer was actually quite effective. Its trajectory was more curved, making it more adaptable.

It is designed for the mixed use of multiple artillery types.

Directly control an area with a radius of 20 kilometers.

This is attacking from the front.

"Boom boom boom..."

"Boom boom boom..."

Under intense artillery bombardment, the Japanese front-line positions collapsed one after another.

The Japanese soldiers inside were either killed by the bomb or stunned by the shockwave. Basically, none of them were conscious.

"on!"

"on!"

The Nationalist Army infantry began clearing the area.

The Japanese heavy artillery fired at the rear of the Nationalist infantry, but the fire was ignored.

The commissioner will handle it. They don't need to worry about it.

"report!"

An officer arrived in a hurry.

It's Commander Li who has arrived. He's traveling light and simply, on horseback.

Both of the bigwigs from the Guangxi clique are quite good at horseback riding.

"Keep firing!"

Zhang Yong gave the instructions. Then he went to see Commander Li.

Commander Li looked travel-worn and exhausted.

Traveling on horseback is indeed quite arduous. But you have to get used to it. That's just how the conditions are.

"Commander Li!"

"Shaolong, I've brought you some good things."

"Oh? What good stuff?"

"Rice, noodles."

"Really?" "Not much. About five thousand catties."

"Thank you!"

Zhang Yong has already seen it.

People followed behind on mules and horses.

They were all packed in burlap sacks. Each sack weighed about fifty pounds. There were over a hundred sacks!

White rice and white flour were considered luxuries at the time. Ordinary people couldn't afford them, and neither could the military.

Some movies and TV dramas depict the daily meals of the Nationalist army as plain porridge with pickled vegetables. This is actually a misconception.

Ordinary Nationalist army troops couldn't afford to eat plain rice porridge.

Pickled vegetables were not as common as they are in later generations.

Our daily diet mainly consists of cornbread or mixed grains, such as sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes.

The main principle is to eat whatever is available. If there's nothing, then you'll go hungry.

Even Wang Yaowu had to find ways to earn extra money to subsidize the expenses of the 74th Army, so you can imagine how it was for other units.

Especially for units like the 22nd Group Army, which are inherently disadvantaged.

I subconsciously checked the system store.

Huh?
There will be an unexpected surprise.

Commodity prices have declined.

The price of fifty kilograms of rice has been reduced to five silver dollars.

The price of fifty catties of flour is also...

but……

Still very expensive.

It is more than double the market price.

In Changsha's black market, five silver dollars can buy more than 100 kilograms of rice.

Flour is a bit more expensive, but you can still buy about 100 jin (50 kg).

and so……

It's still not worth it.

The more you buy, the more you lose.

But then again——

The system can be delivered directly to the battlefield, and even though the price is twice as high, it seems acceptable.

If transported from the rear, the costs and expenses along the way would be extremely high. Given the Nationalist Army's transportation efficiency, the cost would likely be more than double.

"Tum..."

"Tum..."

Lost in thought, the cannons continued firing.

As the gunners became more skilled, the rate at which they fired shells increased.

The originally chaotic scene gradually became smooth and organized.

More and more shells landed on the Japanese artillery positions. Finally, it began to have an effect.

16...

14...

The number of artillery markings used by the Japanese invaders gradually decreased.

"idiot!"

"Report to the division headquarters and request emergency tactical guidance."

"quick!"

The Japanese artillery regimental commander finally couldn't take it anymore.

Shells rained down relentlessly from afar. Its artillery corps was already in grave danger, on the verge of collapse.

Not only did the personnel suffer heavy casualties, but the heavy cannons were also damaged to varying degrees.

Part of it is completely damaged and can no longer be used.

It no longer has the ability to change.

You want to run, but you can't.

I want to fight, but I can't.

It's like a wounded wild animal, left only to wait for death...

"boom……"

"puff……"

A heavy cannon fell to the ground, crooked and askew.

It finally gave out and became the first cannon to fall completely.

However, this is just the beginning. There's more to come.

The entire independent heavy artillery regiment in the field, with its eighteen 105mm heavy cannons, will eventually end up like this.

"boom……"

"puff……"

Sure enough, the second heavy cannon fell.

Then came the third door...

The fourth gate...

The Japanese artillery regimental commander slowly drew his sword.

Frustrated...

despair……

Perhaps, only seppuku is the most dignified end...

"Woooooooo..."

"Woooooooo..."

Some Japanese artillerymen cried out.

They were so emotionally devastated by the bombing that they were out of control.

A Japanese artillery officer stood dumbfounded in the open space. He looked utterly lost, a walking corpse, muttering to himself.

They themselves don't even know what they are doing.

Perhaps he was determined to die?
I hope this is all an illusion. After I die, I can return to the beginning.

but.

instead--

"boom……"

"boom……"

The shells fell, shattering them into pieces. Completely vanished.

The other Japanese troops gradually gave up resistance. They stood there in despair, waiting for the falling shells to take them away.

There was nothing we could do; we simply couldn't retaliate.

We couldn't see where the enemy was at all.

They had absolutely no idea where the shells came from.

However, the Chinese artillery fire landed precisely on the Japanese artillery positions.

The density of the shells falling is extremely high, exceeding eighty rounds per minute. They have been firing continuously for over twenty minutes now.

In total, nearly two thousand shells fell. One can imagine how devastated the Japanese artillery positions were.

However, that's not the point. The point is that there's absolutely no sign of it stopping.

The Chinese continued their shelling.

They were still pouring ammunition down, as if trying to completely flatten the artillery position.

perhaps……

It really will be wiped out...

"quick!"

"Report to Army Headquarters! Report to General Staff! Requesting urgent tactical guidance!"

"quick……"

The Japanese artillery regimental commander let out a hysterical roar.

It was injured by a falling shell. Shrapnel severed half of its leg. It was paralyzed on the ground.

Dying.

on one's last legs.

"boom……"

"boom……"

More shells landed nearby.

More shrapnel hit the Japanese artillery regimental commander and those around him.

finally……

"boom……"

A single shell hit them directly.

So, after the explosion, everything disappeared. Only a low-lying area remained on the ground.

"Nani?"

"Heavy artillery regiment attacked?"

"idiot!"

Upon hearing this, the commander of the Japanese 34th Division, Seki Kameji, became anxious.

Isn't this fatal?

The Chinese have actually fought their way to the heavy artillery positions.
hateful……

How can we fight this?

No need to fight at all.

Once the field independent heavy artillery regiment is destroyed, the 34th Division will be nothing more than lambs to the slaughter!

"How could this be?"

"How could this be?"

Guan Guizhi looked at his chief of staff.

As a result, the chief of staff lowered his head and remained silent, looking bewildered and at a loss.

He knows nothing.

Really.

He never imagined that the independent field heavy artillery regiment would be attacked.

No matter how I think about it, it seems impossible.

Who exactly is so capable of bombarding the heavy artillery regiment's positions from a distance?

How could the Chinese have cannons with such a long range...?

The intelligence didn't mention it at all.

Intelligence from higher command said that as long as a few shots were fired at the Nationalist army, the Nationalist army would collapse.

As a result, the Nationalist army not only did not collapse, but also launched a fierce attack on the Japanese army. A face-to-face, uncompromising, and forceful attack.

Heavy artillery clears the way.

The artillery fire was deafening.

The 34th Division's forward positions were in complete disarray.

We have already lost a lot of ground.

The Japanese troops defending the position have been completely wiped out.

Now, something even worse has happened: the heavy artillery regiment has been attacked.

How is this played?
No need to fight at all.

That independent field heavy artillery regiment was specially assigned to the 34th Division by General Staff.

Such treatment is rare. Some standing divisions are not even equipped with heavy cannons! This shows the importance and high expectations placed on the 34th Division.

The original hope was that they could severely damage the Nationalist army in front of them and annihilate the Nationalist Fifth War Zone.

As a result, now, it's all over.

The defensive line was breached by the Chinese. The heavy artillery regiment was also wiped out.

The division chief of staff felt that he and Seki Kameji should probably clean their swords and prepare to commit seppuku with dignity.

"chief of staff."

"exist."

"You need to think of something quickly..."

"..."

The chief of staff remained silent.

Think of ways to?
What can you think of?
Can I fly?
Can I magically transfer all the heavy cannons out of thin air?
Unless it's Amaterasu Omikami coming...

At this point, any advice is useless.

The heavy artillery regiment was doomed.

With the loss of its heavy artillery regiment, the 34th Division was doomed.

"idiot!"

"Report to the military headquarters immediately!"

"Report to headquarters immediately!"

"Requesting urgent tactical guidance! Requesting urgent tactical guidance!"

"quick!"

Sekiji's face contorted.

He couldn't just sit and wait to die. He had to do something.

The feeling of falling from heaven to hell is just too, too tragic.

He couldn't accept it.

"Report……"

An advisor appeared cautiously.

They dared not speak loudly, fearing they would be slapped by their angry superior.

Because all the reports that came in were bad news.

The division commander and chief of staff looked like they wanted to devour someone. It was terrifying.

"Give me."

The chief of staff reached out and took the telegram.

The staff officer, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly turned and left, running as fast as he could.

The chief of staff glanced down, his face expressionless.

Then he put the telegram aside.

Actually, you don't need to look at it.

All reports were of lost positions.

There's no need to hold anyone accountable.

Because all the defenders had perished.

A squad, a company, or a battalion—all perished.

The attacking Nationalist troops were rapidly swallowing up the Japanese defensive positions. They were advancing hundreds of meters at a time, an unstoppable force.

No matter what methods the Japanese army used, they could not stop the enemy's advance.

"boom……"

"boom……"

The faint sound of cannon fire could be heard from ahead.

This indicates that the Nationalist army is getting closer and closer to Luzhou. Perhaps, in less than three days, Luzhou will fall.

By the time……

They all have to undergo cesarean section!

How to do?
How to do?
[To be continued]

(End of this chapter)