Chinese martial arts! Grandmaster

Chapter 192: Artillery Fires! The Earth Shakes

The battle horn sounds!
Outside the Dagukou Fortress, a great battle is about to begin.

The north wind is howling and the weather is freezing cold!
During this cold winter season, Western warships on the sea continuously transported various military supplies to the Bian Du Concession.

A solemn and murderous atmosphere permeated between heaven and earth.

This is a fateful battle between the East and the West, a fierce collision between two great civilizations.

Fight to the end!
One of the parties traveled thousands of miles, sailing warships, to the East in a mighty force, with the purpose of occupying this land and turning it into a Western colony.

This mysterious oriental country has been passed down for thousands of years and possesses endless wealth and resources.

If we can occupy this place, it will at least ensure that the West will have inexhaustible wealth for decades.

On the other hand, for the sake of the dignity of survival, they will never give in, even at the cost of their lives.

no way,
The warships of the Western Allied Forces have already reached their doorsteps and there is no place to retreat!

Only by fighting to the death can you create a future!
Chen Jie stood at the highest point of Tanggu Port and looked at the Western Allied Forces ten kilometers away with a military telescope.

At this moment, his expression was extremely serious.

I didn't expect that in just over ten days, I would see the Hunter coalition again.

Last time,
Simon Hall seized the initiative and covered Alande with long-range artillery fire, catching him off guard in the shortest possible time.

Then,

Ximen Hall launched a surprise attack, leaving the other side unaware of the details, and launched a fierce bombardment.

At last,
Hunter's coalition forces were defeated and suffered heavy casualties.

But the situation this time is completely different from last time.

Ximen Tang changed from a reinforcement force to the main combat force stationed at Tanggu Port.

Both sides took up their battle formations, ready for a head-on fight.

Among Hunter's 30,000 coalition forces, 20,000 were colonial troops from South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and other countries, which served as cannon fodder.

These colonial troops are not very powerful in combat, but they can attract the firepower of the Daqian Dynasty.

The ones who truly possess powerful attack power and are well-equipped are the 10,000 elite Western troops.

Among them are the Italian, American, French and other teams.

They were equipped with the British Empire's new generation of muskets and artillery, even including the Maxim heavy machine gun, which had extremely powerful firepower.

Chen Jie stood on the highest observation tower at Tanggu Port. Through the telescope, he could clearly see the heavy firepower equipped by the Hunter coalition.

In particular, the two heavy firepower, the 'Krupp Infantry Gun' and the 'Maxim Heavy Machine Gun', were heavily protected by the Western elite.

It seems that Hunter is determined to take over the Tanggu Port in one fell swoop and has invested a lot of money.

Chen Jie turned his head to look at the 12 Weiyuan cannons and 120MM mortars at the Tanggu Port and secretly calculated the distance.

The effective range of these two heavy artillery pieces is about seven kilometers.

unfortunately,

Hunter was a smart old man. He stationed his troops 10 kilometers away from the Tanggu Port.

The range of both types of heavy artillery is not enough to reach their garrisons.

The best artillery distance is only when the Hunter coalition forces enter the five-kilometer range.

if not,

If Hunter's coalition forces retreat in time when they encounter artillery fire, the damage caused by the artillery fire will be very limited.

Chen Jie put down the telescope in his hand, and the passion in his heart was ignited.

come on!

Let you Westerners feel the fear of super-strong firepower suppression.

Judging from the trend of Hunter's coalition forces stationed ten kilometers away, it is unlikely that they will launch an attack today.

They had just set up camp, and Hunter needed to adjust the deployment and attack in several locations.

He had suffered a great loss at the Tanggu Port, so he would naturally not act rashly.

Perhaps early tonight or tomorrow morning, the Hunter coalition will launch an attack.

The narrow roads outside the entire Tanggu Port will be filled with corpses and rivers of blood tomorrow.

unfortunately,

The number of people in Ximen Hall is too small, and even with the newly expanded reserve forces, there are only about two thousand people.

If there are enough people, they can launch a counterattack at night and directly attack the place where Hunter's coalition forces are stationed, which will definitely catch the enemy off guard.

However, the difference in personnel is too great, and Ximen Hall cannot be allowed to split its forces easily.

otherwise,

Once the retreat is cut off, the enemy will defeat them one by one, which is very risky.

Hunter's coalition forces had more than 30,000 troops stationed over a stretch of several kilometers, covering a very large area.

Therefore,
By relying on the terrain of Tanggu Port for defense and forcing the enemy to take the initiative to attack, we can ensure the strongest combat effectiveness with the least number of people.

"Yan Kuangtu!"

"exist!"

"Your 'War Department' will be responsible for the frontal attack. As for the defensive fortifications, as long as the Hunter coalition enters the optimal attack range of four kilometers, we will bombard them head-on to form absolute fire suppression! Can I distribute two hundred 60mm mortars to your 'War Department' to complete the task?" Chen Jie ordered in a cold voice.

Yan Kuangtu's "combat unit" is the elite of the entire Ximen Hall.

Therefore,
The most difficult frontal battle needs to be completed by the combat department.

Many of the personnel in the War Department were Yan Kuangtu’s old subordinates in Shandong, and they had experienced the baptism of bloody battles.

After this period of training, the combat unit had 300 elite soldiers and 900 reserve soldiers, a total of 1,200 people.

Fighting a tough battle requires not only courage but also efficient coordination.

Therefore, Chen Jie naturally needed to let Yan Kuangtu complete the arduous task of frontal combat.

"Don't worry, sir. My 'War Department' guarantees to complete the mission and minimize the losses."

Yan Kuangtu replied loudly: "We will not let the Hunter coalition enter within four kilometers of Tanggu Port!"

Four-kilometer cordon!

This is the safe distance set by Chen Jie.

Because the "Krupp Infantry Gun" equipped by the Western Allied Forces has an effective range of about 4 kilometers.

Therefore,
Keeping the enemy 4 kilometers away is the best distance to ensure the safety of all defensive fortifications at Tanggu Port.

"Zhang Changfeng! Your 'Eagle Troops' are on both wings, ready to attack at any time. I will assign you 80 60MM mortars!"

Chen Jie continued to order: "You must block the Hunter coalition's two wings and interrupt the Hunter coalition's offensive rhythm at any time."

"Yes! We will ensure that the mission is completed!" Zhang Changfeng issued a military order.

Next,
Chen Jie turned his gaze towards Xue Qian.

In terms of martial arts, Xue Qian is at the bottom of the core group of the entire Ximen Hall.

He is only at the initial stage of Bronze Skin Ming Jin.

but,

Xue Qian was the earliest brother to follow Chen Jie and was a backbone of the former Ximen Car Dealership.

What’s more, Chen Jie first started practicing the “Bible Spiritual Cultivation Technique” with Xue Qian.

Therefore,
Although Xue Qian's martial arts skills are not very high, he is deeply trusted by Chen Jie.

Chen Jie appointed Xue Qian to be in charge of Ximentang Special Operations Team.

Thirty "imitation AK47 assault rifles" were equipped to Xue Qian's special forces team.

There are not many people in the special forces team, only a hundred in total.

but,

These one hundred people are the most elite personnel in the entire Ximen Hall.

They are armed to the teeth and have the most ferocious fighting power.

"Xue Qian! Your 'special forces' are on standby at all times. Your goal is to destroy the enemy's 'artillery' and 'heavy machine guns'!"

"I will equip you with 5 120MM mortars and 20 60MM mortars!"

"You are equipped with 30 automatic rifles, which are enough to ensure that you can get close to the Hunter coalition forces outside the fortifications, aim at close range, and bomb their heavy machine guns."

"Can you complete the mission?!"

Chen Jie ordered in a cold voice.

"Young Master! Special Forces, ensure that the mission is accomplished!" Xue Qian said solemnly.

After arranging the battle arrangements, Chen Jie looked at all the backbone members of Ximen Hall with a serious face.

He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice:
"Brothers, the next battle will be the most brutal one since the founding of Ximen Hall!"

"We are a 'righteous group', not the regular army of the Ministry of War!"

"We have to bear all the losses ourselves. We have to rely on ourselves for everything. We have no reinforcements!"

"Everyone must remember that any action that causes too much damage must be abandoned. We cannot afford to lose!"

"This is the first battle that concerns the survival of our Ximen Hall!"

"In this battle, we must not only defeat the Western coalition forces externally, but internally, we must also capture the Dagukou Fortress."

"Did everyone understand?!"

For a while,
In the entire conference hall, all the backbones said in unison:
"understand!"

-

The east is turning white!

Tianjin City, Tanggu Port!

Sleepless night!
When the morning sun shone on the earth, everyone in the military camp took their positions.

As the drums and horns sounded, the rotating guards stepped back and began to prepare.

next moment,
Ximen Hall's 'War Department', 'Eagle Department', and the special operations team all gathered in the military camp.

In less than two minutes, all the elite troops and their reserves were ready.

The artillery was ready, and the angle and distance were adjusted.

The shells had already been pulled into the fortifications.

On the outskirts of the fortifications, Xue Qian and the special forces had already made a detour and advanced from the side towards the Western coalition forces.

Three lines of defense were set up outside the Tanggu Port.

Seven kilometers, five kilometers, three kilometers!
These are the three lines of death that Simon Hall set up for the Hunter coalition.

A distance of seven kilometers is within the range of fire coverage.

The distance of five kilometers is the range of firing.

The distance of three kilometers is the blocking line and also the red line. The Hunter coalition forces cannot be allowed to enter the three-kilometer range.

Even if the Hunter coalition forces break through the last 3 kilometers of defense line, their artillery must be destroyed!

Eight kilometers outside the defense line of Tanggu Port.

Hunter's coalition forces suddenly stopped advancing. In the middle of the team, Hunter, riding on a warhorse, held a monocular telescope in his hand and observed the Tanggu Port for a moment.

Beside him were Freke and Alande, the first warriors of France.

Poor Alande, he was almost killed by artillery fire last time.

But in the end he survived and followed Hunter to attack the Tanggu Port again.

Originally, Alande was scheduled to recuperate and was not allowed to fight with the coalition forces.

but,

In order to avenge his previous humiliation, Alande begged Freke to take him with him.

"General Hunter, it seems that the Ximentang Yituan stationed at Tanggu Port is very well prepared."

"According to the intelligence investigation during this period, the Weiyuan Cannon in Tanggu Port has been repaired and poses the greatest threat to us!"

"The Ximentang's fighting style is different from all the armies of the Daqian Dynasty."

"They like to use our Western coalition's offensive methods, and are good at using artillery to cover and bombard from a long distance."

"We have been investigating their artillery purchase channels, but unfortunately we have not found any results."

"On the outskirts of Xicheng District in the capital, Ximen Hall has an arsenal, but their management is very perfect and heavily guarded. We can't let the surrendered Daqian forces infiltrate it."

Next to Hunter, a middle-aged man reported.

After hearing what the middle-aged man said, Alande gritted his teeth and said:
"Ximen Hall is just a gangster organization. They only know how to launch sneak attacks."

"This time we are attacking head-on. We have sufficient artillery shells. As long as we use the Krupp infantry guns, we can completely destroy their Weiyuan cannons!"

"Next, our 30,000-strong army will take over the Tanggu Port without any effort!"

Hearing this, Hunter frowned slightly and snorted coldly:

"Alande, have you forgotten the lesson from the past few days? Two thousand elite soldiers were in your hands, but they were wiped out by this underworld organization in just a few minutes!"

"The fighting style of this Jianghu Yituan organization is different from any Daqian Dynasty army we have encountered before!"

"They have super firepower. Although they are few in number, their combat effectiveness is ridiculously strong!"

Alande blushed and argued:
"The last time I was attacked by their artillery, it was an accident. I was not prepared at all!"

"This time, I will definitely kill them!"

Hunter narrowed his eyes and shouted, "Shut up! If you continue to be so arrogant, get out of here and go back to Biandu. You will kill many people!"

Aland lowered his head, and after being scolded by Hunter, he dared not speak again.

"General Hunter, I have a bad feeling!"

Freke is worthy of being a top silver knight, possessing a super sixth sense of crisis.

He seemed to sense a hint of something unusual.

"If we continue to move forward, we will enter the attack range of the Weiyuan cannon at the Tanggu Port!"

"The entire Dagukou Fortress purchased a total of 100 Weiyuan cannons from West Germany, 12 of which are located at the Tanggu Port."

"As long as we get within range, many people will die. Our Krupp infantry guns have a maximum range of 5 kilometers, but the actual effective range is only 4 kilometers."

"If you want to destroy the Weiyuan Cannon, you must march 4 kilometers!"

Freke used a monocular telescope to observe the direction of Tanggu Port for a while and looked worried.

Hunter took a deep breath and nodded.

"That's right! If we want to destroy the Weiyuan Cannon, we must rush to a distance of about 4 kilometers from the fortifications."

"We will use our shield army to block the enemy's muskets and attack from the flanks!"

"Charge head-on. Let the Laotian and South Vietnamese troops attack first. General Freke, send someone to calculate the landing point of the Weiyuan cannon."

"Our elite troops will avoid the impact point of the Weiyuan cannon's shells."

"Divide the troops into three groups and prepare for battle! Artillery fire from the flanks and blow up all the obstacles they set up on their way."

Hunter ordered.

"Yes! General Hunter!"

Several generals received the order and turned to walk towards their own troops.

This time the Western coalition forces attacked the Tanggu port, and the colonial army attracted the firepower of the defenders.

The real main fighters were the elite of the Western Allied Forces.

As long as he entered the coverage range of Krupp's infantry guns, Hunter was absolutely sure to destroy all the defensive fortifications at the Tanggu Port.

in addition,

With the Maxim heavy machine gun, the Hunter coalition forces did not have to worry about the Daqian people's charge at all.

soon--!
Hunter's coalition forces were divided into three groups, stretching over a few kilometers, and marched towards the Tanggu Port.

Next,
This surprised Hunter and Fraker.

When they entered the 7-kilometer coverage range of the Weiyuan cannon in the Tanggu Port fortifications, they were not blocked?
Half an hour later,

The three groups of troops entered within six kilometers of the fortifications.

The Krupp infantry gun had a fixed barrel on two wheels, a thickened iron plate in the middle, and was pulled forward by war horses.

Five artillerymen can hide behind the iron plate of the gun carriage to resist musket attacks.

As long as the effective range can reach 4 kilometers, no, even as long as it can reach 5 kilometers, the entire Tanggu Port can definitely be flattened.

Hunter took one look at the march of 30,000 troops and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

When entering the distance of five kilometers
Hunter ordered: "Charge--!"

Give an order.

The Western coalition forces began to charge, and the artillery on both wings fired towards the intersection of Tanggu Port, flattening all obstacles.

The colonial troops charged in the middle, drawing the firepower of the defenders.

For a while,
The earth shook and the battle officially began.

Yan Kuangtu's troops remained motionless.

On the two wings of the Tanggu Port defense, Zhang Changfeng's artillery began to fire continuously, driving the two wings of the Western coalition forces towards the center.

at this time,

Xue Qian's special forces had already gone around to the rear of the Western coalition forces, occupied the high ground, and began to lock onto the positions of the enemy's artillery and heavy machine guns.

Chen Jie stood on the highest observation tower at Tanggu Port, holding a telescope and constantly calculating the distance.

Five kilometers range!
Getting closer——!
We are almost within full fire coverage.

We saw that many defensive obstacles set up in front of the Tanggu Port were flattened by the artillery of the Western Allied Forces.

There was no expression on Chen Jie's face.

Those defensive barriers were originally built to block the attack speed of Hunter's coalition forces.

but,

The opponents have entered the four-kilometer range, and it's time to make them bleed.

“Fire—!”

Following Chen Jie's roar, the entire Ximentang military camp roared like a beast out of a cage.

Artillery fire!

The Weiyuan cannon and 120mm mortars blocked the retreat of the Western coalition forces.

200 60mm mortars on the front formed a fire coverage.
Simultaneously,

The eighty artillery pieces on both wings also suppressed the troops on both wings of Hunter's coalition forces towards the middle at this moment.

Even more terrifying is,
In the rear of the Western Allied Forces, the special forces carried out targeted elimination, using artillery sights to directly bombard the enemy's Krupp infantry guns!
The 120mm caliber mortar has extremely powerful and terrifying explosive power.

The shock wave range is over thirty meters, it is simply crazy and devastating.

The 4-kilometer range is the effective range of a 60mm mortar. Once full coverage is achieved, the firepower is extremely fierce.

The area within a radius of several kilometers has become a purgatory.

The most terrifying thing about mortars, besides shrapnel, is the shock wave.

Especially with continuous bombing, the shock wave can overturn everything around.

Even the heavily armored Western soldiers would quickly lose their combat effectiveness if knocked over by the shock waves of artillery fire.

If you are unlucky, shrapnel may hit vital parts of the body and kill you instantly.

and,

Since the distance of the mortar is calculated, the landing point of each shell will be superimposed with the shock waves of other shells.

Therefore,
Once the firepower covers the entire area, it will form a purgatory mode like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves, and almost no one will be able to stand.

The only drawback is that the ground in front of the Tanggu Port fortifications is hilly, not a plain.

Therefore,
Due to the influence of the terrain, the lethality of the artillery fire was greatly reduced, and many people were able to escape the disaster by lying down.

But even so,

After the first wave of firepower, Hunter's coalition forces were completely disrupted and suffered more than one-third of their casualties.

(End of this chapter)