Video Editor

The fall of Jining and the retreat of the Red Flag Army into the Yimeng Mountains was like a slap in the face to the Qing government in Shandong, finally putting aside the internal strife of the chaotic Jinan governor's office and the garrison generals.

A massive punitive force, consisting of elite Green Standard Army troops, some Eight Banners cavalry, and local militias from various regions, totaling over ten thousand but claiming to number thirty thousand, was launched under the strict orders of Shandong Governor Tan Wuliang. The force split into two routes and charged forward with great momentum.

One force, led by Lieutenant General Ma Debiao, marched straight towards Jining, which was now an empty city, with the intention of "recovering lost territory" and deploying defenses along the canal.

The other main force was personally commanded by General Baturu Hartai. This Manchu general, known for his bravery, had great disdain for the "Red Turban bandits" who lurked in the mountains. He led 8,000 elite troops, carrying heavy weapons such as mountain-splitting cannons and muskets, and marched in a mighty force towards the Yimeng Mountains, vowing to "plow the court and sweep away the dens, and wipe out all the ugly creatures."

The Red Flag Army Headquarters in the Yimeng Mountains.

Su Ning looked at the intelligence sent back by the scouts, a cold smile curving his lips.

This was exactly the opportunity he had been waiting for...

A decisive battle that shook the world and established the Red Flag Army's formidable reputation.

"Notify all regiments to proceed to defensive position number one according to the pre-arranged plan. Remember our principle: attack at close range, and send these Tartars to meet their Nurhaci with steel and fire!"

……

On the outskirts of Mengyin, lies Heifengyu.

This was the only way for the Qing army to enter the heart of the mountains, with steep mountain ridges and narrow valleys on both sides.

General Hartai, riding a tall horse, looked at the silent valley before him with his thick brows furrowed.

"Have the scouts returned? Where are the bandits?" His voice boomed.

"Reporting back to the camp, the scouts report that no large band of bandits were seen in the valley ahead, only scattered scouts who retreated at the first sign of trouble, seemingly intending to lure the enemy," the lieutenant replied cautiously.

"Luring the enemy?" Hartai scoffed. "What use are tricks in the face of absolute strength? Order the vanguard to enter the valley, the central army to follow in turn, and the artillery to bring up the rear! I want to see what tricks these cowardly rats can pull!"

The Qing army, like a long snake, slowly entered Black Wind Valley.

The valley was unusually quiet, with only the sound of the wind and the noise of the army marching.

An uneasy atmosphere spread among some veterans.

Meanwhile, inside the reverse slope fortifications on both sides of the mountain ridge, the Red Flag Army soldiers silently inspected their weapons...

Instead of cold weapons, they are all classic World War II equipment from Suning Space World.

German-made Mauser 98K rifles, Degtyarev light machine guns (DP-28), Maxim heavy machine guns, as well as mortars, 75mm mountain guns, and even several powerful 105mm howitzers hidden under camouflage nets!
The soldiers stroked the cold steel gun barrels, their eyes filled with awe and fervor for the "divine weapon" bestowed upon them by "Commander Su".

As the Qing army's vanguard fully entered the ambush zone and the rearguard began to advance into the valley, Su Ning, speaking coldly into the walkie-talkie in the command post, uttered a single word: "Attack!"

In an instant, the color of the world changed!

"Whoosh—boom! Whoosh—boom! Whoosh—boom!" The first to speak was the mortar group positioned on the flank high ground!

The dense barrage of shells crashed into the Qing army's marching ranks like hailstones, instantly sending flames soaring into the sky, filling the air with smoke, and sending limbs and debris flying everywhere along with dirt and gravel!

"What's going on?! Where did this cannon come from?!" Hartai was stunned by the sudden and fierce artillery fire. The rate of fire and the power far exceeded any artillery he knew!

Before the Qing troops could react to the shelling, an even more terrifying tearing sound enveloped the valley!

"Da da da da da-"

"Dong dong dong dong dong——"

Dozens of light and heavy machine guns opened fire simultaneously!
The resulting crossfire was like the Grim Reaper's scythe, ruthlessly reaping lives!

Bullets rained down like a storm, and the Qing soldiers in the valley fell in droves like felled wheat.

No matter whether you wear cotton armor or iron armor, you're as fragile as paper in the face of modern metal bullets!
"Sorcery! This is sorcery!" The Qing army completely collapsed.

They simply cannot comprehend this kind of beyond-visual-range, high-density, and continuous firepower.

The horses were startled and ran wildly in all directions, scattering the formation.

The soldiers cried out for their fathers and mothers, abandoning their armor and weapons, wanting nothing more than to escape this land of death.

"Don't retreat! Hold on! Charge forward!" Hartai's eyes were bloodshot as he brandished his sword in an attempt to suppress the attack, but his voice was quickly drowned out by even more intense artillery fire.

"Target: enemy rear artillery unit, fire cover!" Su Ning calmly ordered.

"Boom—!" The 105mm howitzer roared deafeningly, and a huge fireball rose up on the Qing army's cumbersome mountain-splitting artillery position, hurling wood chips, copper pieces, and human bodies into the air...

The Qing army's only long-range counterattack capability was wiped out in an instant.

The battle turned into a one-sided massacre.

Despite having a numerical advantage, the Qing army suffered heavy losses and bloodshed in the modern steel storm before even seeing the Red Flag Army.

Just an hour later, the sounds of gunfire gradually subsided.

The valley was littered with corpses and filled with the acrid smell of gunpowder. The Qing soldiers who had survived knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly and crying out, "Gods, spare our lives!"

General Hartai was wounded at close range by a mortar shell and was captured after his body was charred black.

When he saw the excessively young Su Ning approaching, and the strangely shaped "fire sticks" in the hands of the Red Flag Army soldiers, his eyes were filled with endless fear and bewilderment.

"Who...who exactly are you?" he asked with difficulty.

Looking down at the once arrogant Manchu general, Su Ning said calmly, "We are the future of China. As for you... you are the dust of the past."

In the Battle of Heifengyu, almost the entire main force of the Qing army of eight thousand was wiped out.

When the news spread, the other Qing army that was heading to Jining was terrified and collapsed without a fight!

The entire Shandong province, and indeed the entire country, was utterly shocked by this incomprehensible and devastating victory!

The names "Shandong Red Flag Army" and "Marshal Su" were no longer merely symbols of anti-Qing sentiment; they were shrouded in a mysterious and terrifying aura...

They wield power akin to divine punishment!

After this battle, the Red Flag Army's base in the Yimeng Mountains was firmly established, and a new round of rapid expansion began.

A brand new era is rapidly approaching amidst the roar of gunfire.

……

In the Battle of Heifengyu, the Red Flag Army annihilated 8,000 Qing troops with almost zero casualties, and General Hartai was captured. This earth-shattering news was no longer a vague rumor, but rather, accompanied by the terrified descriptions of the fleeing soldiers and merchants, it swept across the land like a tsunami!

The unheard-of "thunderous firearms" and the devastating combat methods completely overturned the world's understanding of war.

The world was shaken, and all forces turned their attention to Shandong, this suddenly rising red land.

Kunming, the Prince of Pingxi's Mansion.

Wu Sangui stroked his chin, his eyes flickering: "Su Ning... Red Flag Army... such powerful firearms! If we can form an alliance with them, we might be able to use their strength to restrain the Qing invaders north of the Yangtze River."

He immediately dispatched his eloquent and trusted advisor, carrying lavish gifts, to secretly travel north.

Nanjing, the former capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Some gentry who still cherished the memory of the Ming Dynasty and some of the hidden core members of the Heaven and Earth Society were extremely excited: "Could it be that Heaven is truly blessing the Ming Dynasty and sending down such divine soldiers?"

They also began to try to contact the Red Flag Army through various channels.

Even Hong Antong from outside the Great Wall and Zheng Jing from Taiwan became very interested in this suddenly emerging powerful force and sent out spies.

For a time, "envoys" of all kinds came and went on the path leading to the Yimeng Mountains.

However, Suning, located at the center of the storm, remained unusually calm.

After all, a temporary technological advantage, if it cannot be transformed into a stable territory and strategic initiative, will ultimately be nothing but a mirage.

……

The headquarters of the Red Flag Army, formerly the main hall of the Mengyin County Government, has been completely renovated.

A huge military map of Shandong and the surrounding area hangs on the wall, densely marked with enemy and friendly positions, transportation routes and strategic points.

The arrows and circles drawn with charcoal silently foreshadow the impending storm.

Suning stood tall and straight in front of the map.

Behind him were more than ten core generals and staff officers.

Most of these people had solemn expressions, and their eyes showed both the sharpness forged in blood and fire, and an almost blind faith in the young commander on the stage.

They uniformly use numerical codes, which is concise and efficient.

Suning's code name is naturally 001, which is also for the purpose of secrecy.

"Gentlemen," Su Ning's voice broke the silence, resounding clearly and powerfully throughout the hall, "the Battle of Black Wind Valley has terrified the Tartars and drawn the attention of the entire world! However, this is not the time for us to sit and celebrate our victory! Although the Qing Dynasty is in chaos, it has not yet fallen. The Three Feudatories are eyeing us covetously, and powerful figures from all directions are watching with bated breath. If our Red Flag Army is to achieve great things, we must press our advantage and expand our base!"

He picked up his baton and slammed it down on the map.

"The reason I have summoned you all here today is to determine our army's next strategy—to divide our forces into three routes and open up the situation!"

The baton first pointed southwest, outlining a clear arrow along the canal.

"First Route, Western Front Corps, codename—'Chain'!" Su Ning's gaze shifted to a burly, rugged-looking general. "011!"

"Here!" 011 stood up abruptly, his voice booming.

Originally a leader of refugees, he distinguished himself in battles through his bravery and loyalty, and was promoted to regimental commander on the spot.

"I order you to lead the First Regiment of this unit, reinforced with an artillery company, southward along the Grand Canal!" The command baton pointed precisely at the section between Taierzhuang and Hanzhuang Sluice Gate. "Your mission is to completely control this crucial waterway!"

The Chief of Staff 002 (AI) explained via its interface: "011, this section of the canal is the choke point of north-south water transport, a necessary route for grain transport ships. Controlling this area has three strategic implications:"

"First, it can continue to cut off the Qing government's economic lifeline, making its food and supplies in the capital and the front lines even more strained."

"Secondly, this section of the canal can serve as a natural barrier, allowing for the construction of a solid defensive line to effectively resist any potential counterattacks from the Qing army that may come from Xuzhou or the Central Plains in the future."

"Third, it will advance our army's western defense front by dozens of miles, giving our Yimeng core area valuable strategic depth and early warning time."

011 stared intently at the map, then clasped his hands in a deep fist salute: "Understood! Rest assured, Commander Su! My 'Chain' Legion will lock this canal tightly and will not allow a single Tartar to cross it!"

……

Suning then moved the baton in his hand southward, with the arrow pointing towards Peixian County, Xuzhou.

"Second route, Southern Task Force, codename—'Net Weaving'!" Su Ning looked at a middle-aged man with a capable demeanor and sharp eyes, "051!"

"Here!" Intelligence Chief 051 stood up, his figure as straight as a pine tree.

"You will personally lead the team, selecting the most capable scouts and propaganda experts, and carrying the necessary equipment and funds, to infiltrate the Pei County area of ​​Xuzhou," Su Ning ordered.

Chief of Staff 002 added: "Pei County, formerly known as Pei Prefecture, is the place where Emperor Gaozu of Han rose to power. The people have always been fierce and resistant to foreign rule. There are not only scattered anti-Qing rebels and remnants of the Nian Rebellion, but also many local powerful families who are dissatisfied with the Qing government's exploitation. Your unit's mission is not to conquer cities and territories, but to make contacts, spread propaganda, and build a network."

"To demonstrate our army's formidable military might and the proposition of 'expelling the Manchus and rebuilding China,' we secretly colluded and sowed the seeds of revolution. We planted spies in the heart of the Qing court's Jiangnan region, preventing it from focusing its full attention on the north. This was a long-term strategy, laying the foundation for our army's future southward advance."

Su Ning emphasized with a serious look: "051, remember, the key to this mission is secrecy and wisdom. Show them power, win them over with benefits, and appeal to their emotions. Avoid conflict with the main Qing army unless absolutely necessary. Do not risk losing more than you gain by prematurely exposing yourself and triggering the Qing court's alert to the Xuzhou direction and a large-scale encirclement and suppression."

051 bowed slightly, his tone calm and firm: "Your subordinate understands! We will act with caution and weave this invisible net into the heart of the Tartars!"

Finally, with resolute force, the baton was swung sharply eastward, pointing directly at Linyi, a major city in southern Shandong!
"The third route, the main force on the eastern front, codenamed 'Iron Fist'!" Su Ning's voice suddenly rose, carrying unparalleled sharpness, "I will personally command this route!"

His gaze swept over all the generals present: "Deploy the entire main force of the Second and Third Regiments, as well as most of the division's artillery battalion! There is only one objective—to capture Linyi!"

Chief of Staff 002's tone also took on a hint of grimness: "Linyi, formerly known as Langya, is the gateway to the Yimeng Mountains and an absolute transportation hub and military stronghold in southern Shandong! Its status, population, and resources are far superior to Mengyin!"

"By capturing Linyi, our army will gain an extremely solid forward base and regional center. To the east, we can keep a watchful eye on the entire southern Shandong region and deter Qingzhou and Jiaodong; to the south, our forces can directly target the Huaihai region in northern Jiangsu; even if we temporarily adopt a defensive posture, we can rely on the vast Yimeng Mountains for support, making our defenses impregnable. The manpower and resources available here will greatly enhance our army's war potential!"

Su Ning lightly punched the spot where Linyi was located, his eyes flashing like lightning: "This battle is about whether our army can truly break out of the mountains and step onto the vast stage of vying for supremacy! What I want is not to defeat, but to occupy! Not a stalemate, but a swift victory! We must use overwhelming force to shake the world again, and let all those who are still watching see clearly who will dominate Shandong, and even the world!"

"Gentlemen!" Su Ning surveyed the entire audience, his voice ringing out, "Three arrows fired simultaneously, locking down the southwest, weaving a southern net, and unleashing an iron fist from the east! I urge you all to unite as one, raise the might of our Red Flag Army, and create a new era for China!"

"Expel the Tartars! Rebuild China! We swear to follow Commander Su to the death!" All the generals stood up solemnly, their deep roars echoing in the command post, filled with unwavering belief in victory and soaring fighting spirit.

After the meeting, the generals received their orders and left, and the massive war machine was once again running efficiently.

Three decisive arrows are about to draw a new pattern on the land of Qilu.

...(End of chapter)