Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

A slight commotion arose at the entrance to the valley, followed by the guard's clear and loud report.

His voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn to it. Several dust-covered jeeps drove into the restricted area and stopped.

A commander with a lean and wiry build, dressed in an ordinary gray military uniform, stepped out of the lead vehicle.

He wasn't tall, but standing there, he was like a sharp sword sheathed in its sheath.

His gaze swept across the valley, and the moment he saw the steel forest, his pupils contracted almost imperceptibly before returning to calm.

The visitor was none other than the Deputy Commander of the East China Field Army, the actual commander of the campaign, Deputy Commander Su of the 502nd Division.

Zhao Pingan and Xu Yuanshan were startled. They immediately stopped explaining, quickly stepped forward, stood at attention, and saluted: "Commander!"

Su Yu raised his hand in return, his movements clean and efficient.

His gaze lingered on Zhao Ping'an's face for a moment, then he nodded slightly and walked straight toward the tanks without exchanging any pleasantries.

His steps were not large, but extremely steady and fast, and he arrived directly in front of a modified Type 59.

He didn't look at the menacing cannon barrel first. Instead, he extended his right hand and gently tapped the sloped armor at the front of the tank with his knuckles, producing a clear, metallic clang. The sound was dull and solid. He then crouched down to examine the rubber coating on the tracks and the arrangement of the road wheels, before standing up and looking up at the turret and the 100mm cannon barrel. Throughout the entire process, his brow was slightly furrowed, his eyes focused as if he were analyzing a precise battle map. There was no surprise or exaggerated expression, only pure, extremely calm observation and assessment.

"What system? What is its origin?" Su Yu asked, his voice low, with a clear Hunan accent, and his pace slow.

Zhao Pingan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and answered using the pre-arranged script with Xu Yuanshan:

"Reporting to the commander, this is a comprehensively improved medium tank obtained through special channels. We'll temporarily call it the 'Type 59' internally."

Its main features are relatively simple structure, robustness and durability, low cost, and a 100mm main gun.

The frontal armor provides good protection against common direct-fire weapons. It can reach speeds of 45 to 50 kilometers per hour on roads and 35 to 40 kilometers per hour off-road. The requirements for logistical support have also been simplified.

Meanwhile, its 100mm frontal armor could withstand direct fire from all armored tanks and anti-tank guns of Chiang Kai-shek's forces.

He deliberately omitted specific nationalities and out-of-date details, emphasizing "practicality" and "reliability".

After listening, Su Yu neither confirmed nor denied it, but simply pointed to the tank and asked, "Can we go inside and take a look?"

"Yes, sir, please." Zhao Ping'an quickly gestured to the soldier next to him to lower the running board on the side of the vehicle. Su Yuli stepped onto the running board and leaned into the driver's cabin.

He stayed inside for about two or three minutes, carefully examining the control stick, instrument panel, and the somewhat rudimentary but functionally clear layout of the turret, before nimbly crawling out and dusting the putty off his hands.

Instead of commenting on the tanks themselves, he turned and looked at the 260 heavy artillery pieces densely packed together on the other side of the valley.

The 122mm and 152mm gun barrels gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the setting sun, their silent muzzles pointing towards the sky, exuding a chilling aura of intimidation.

With his hands behind his back, Su Yu walked slowly past the rows of gun emplacements, his gaze sweeping over the gun barrel nameplates, spades, and ammunition boxes.

His steps were slow, as if he were silently calculating something in his mind, or as if he were comparing these steel behemoths with every fortress and trench in Jinan's defenses in his mind.

The entire valley was extremely quiet, with only the sound of the wind and the faint chirping of insects in the distance.

Everyone held their breath, watching the commander, known for his deep thinking and meticulous calculations.

His face remained expressionless, but his long-time subordinates might have noticed that his slightly pursed lips and increasingly deep eyes revealed a turbulent inner world.

Finally, he stopped in the center of the artillery position, turned around, and faced Zhao Ping'an, Xu Yuanshan, and several core cadres who had gathered around him. The afterglow of the setting sun gilded his thin figure.

He spoke, his voice still not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a resolute and unquestionable power:

"A cannon, a good cannon."

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, sweeping across the crowd:

"A tank, a good tank."

His tone suddenly rose, carrying the tenacity and decisiveness characteristic of people from Hunan:

"With these, we can take Jinan and break through Wang Yaowu's turtle shell, making our fist even stronger!"

We must have enough shells, until the city's defenses collapse!

These tanks must be immediately equipped with the most reliable comrades, who must learn to drive, fire, and coordinate as quickly as possible! They must be formed into an impregnable force for assault as soon as possible!

His gaze finally settled on Zhao Ping'an, a gaze filled with trust, scrutiny, and a barely perceptible inquiry into the "miracle" itself.

"Comrade Zhao Ping'an, Comrade Xu Yuanshan, East China Field Army, thank you for this generous gift!"

"The specific tactical configuration, personnel organization, and training plans will be jointly formulated by the forward command staff and you immediately. You..." He paused slightly, then asked a crucial question.

"What specific suggestions do you have for the deployment of these new machines? Also, can the follow-up support, especially ammunition and maintenance, keep up?"

Zhao Pingan felt a sense of pressure, but even more so, he felt exhilarated by the trust placed in him.

He exchanged a glance with Xu Yuanshan, who nodded in acknowledgment. Zhao Ping'an stepped forward and calmly replied:

"Reporting to the commander, we have two initial plans. First, these tanks can be used in a concentrated manner to form an assault group. After the artillery has concentrated on breaking through the breach, they can be used to tear through the enemy's deep defenses and strike fortified positions and counter-attacking forces."

Second, disperse them, forming an armored company of 6 or 12 vehicles for attacking special firepower points.

At the same time, we brought a batch of simplified operation manuals and maintenance guidelines, and arranged for some colleagues with a basic understanding of the machinery to study them first, which can assist in the training.

We have established supply channels to ensure the continuous supply of ammunition, fuel, and basic maintenance parts, as long as the transportation lines remain open.

In addition, we have prepared a batch of special assault munitions—high-explosive shells—for the Jinan city walls and barricades.

Su Yu listened attentively, nodding slightly as he listened. When he heard "continuous supply" and "special ammunition," a glint flashed in his eyes.

"Okay!" 502 said the word heavily, sounding crisp and decisive.

"Time is of the essence, there's no need to return to headquarters. Set up a temporary command group on the spot. You two, along with the heads of operations, artillery, and armored forces, will work together right here tonight to come up with a preliminary plan! Staff officer, immediately notify the relevant comrades to come over!"