Nanyang Storm 1864

Some people can't help but wonder, didn't the Great Chu Empire possess a fairly powerful tank and armored force?
In such large-scale offensive operations, why would you rather use traditional skirmish lines and suffer heavy casualties than deploy tanks and armored vehicles?
It should be understood that tanks are very expensive main battle armored weapons of the army. The purchase price is high and the operating cost is also high. They are not cheap war consumables.

Take the Bison medium tank as an example.
Its purchase cost was as high as 86,000 silver dollars, which was equivalent to the price of 12 ordinary five-seater BMW cars, compared to the price of 6720 silver dollars for a regular five-seater BMW.

Given the current average annual income of 532 silver dollars for ordinary workers in the Great Chu Empire, it would take approximately 13 years of income to buy an entry-level BMW sedan, demonstrating its exorbitant value.

During combat training, the Bison medium tank consumed an average of 21.64 silver dollars per motor hour. This included the fuel required, the salaries of officers and soldiers, and other equipment costs, such as maintenance parts and maintenance personnel expenses.

However, such a Bison medium tank could not withstand the numerous 36mm to 45mm caliber American anti-tank guns on the battlefield, and was nothing more than a sitting duck.

With the industrial standards of the United States
It was indeed a tall order to expect that an American-made tank, comparable to the Chu state's Bison medium tank, could be developed and put into mass production within the short span of two years of war.

It would not be difficult to develop American-made anti-tank guns capable of destroying Chu tanks and to equip them on a large scale.

This type of mobile and flexible small-caliber field anti-tank gun greatly limits the application scenarios of the Chu tank forces, and can basically not play a significant role in current offensive operations.

It is often said that war is a catalyst for the development of military equipment, and this was clearly demonstrated in the Chu-Mei War.

The Great Chu Empire's new generation of Tiger-type heavy tanks has already developed more than 20 prototypes, which are being sent to the front lines in Chicago for combat testing.

Subsequent production batches are being produced day and night, and mass production will begin next month. The initial batch will consist of approximately 80 vehicles, which will be delivered to the North American battlefield in June.

Production capacity will continue to increase, becoming a key weapon for attacking Kree in the North American battlefield.

The Tiger tank, reportedly equipped with heavy armor, featured a steeply angled turret, weighed 36 tons, used tracked 5 pairs of road wheels, had a mature 76mm main gun design, and its frontal armor could withstand direct fire from 45mm shells.

Its side armor can withstand 14.5mm anti-tank guns. If it could be equipped by front-line troops, it would be a nightmare for the US military.

The U.S. military is equally impressive, having already begun trial production of the M2 light tank. The newly introduced M2A2 model features a twin-turret structure, is equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun, and is known as the "May West." It has already entered mass production and appeared on the front lines of the Chicago battlefield.

This M2 light tank is equipped with two machine gun turrets, each with a 7.62 mm machine gun, posing a considerable threat to light infantry.

It is said that there is also a model equipped with a 37mm cannon, but it has not been seen on the Chicago front so far. Presumably, it will be introduced soon, and the Chu army has made full preparations for it.

The outbreak of this unprecedented North American war greatly spurred a surge in weapon technology for both sides, resulting in a large number of new weapons and equipment emerging in various fields, including tanks, aircraft, submarines, and ships.

But that wasn't what Prince Chu-Zheng Yan was concerned about. He was currently focused on breaking through the defenses along the Dixo-Fairview line and advancing the main force of the Southern Army to Nashville, a major transportation hub in the south.

Once the Chu army arrives, they will be able to cut off the city's railway transportation lines, besiege Nashville from three directions, and achieve the strategic objective of supporting the Northern Army.

Both Chu and Mei understood this.

Therefore, the southern army of Chu launched a fierce attack at all costs, mobilizing a large number of bombers to carry out aerial bombing, dropping tens of thousands of tons of bombs, which almost blew the defensive line in front of them to smithereens.

This severely weakened the combat capability of the Dixo-Fervue defensive line; two of the four defensive lines had already been breached, and the third line was in grave danger.

Meanwhile, the US military was also sending reinforcements to the front lines at all costs, suffering heavy casualties from Chu bombers along the way. Many US soldiers fell on the road to reinforcements, and a large amount of supplies were destroyed.

The U.S. military used the night to repair roads, rush supplies and personnel forward, and even launched a resolute counterattack at night, fighting bloody battles to recapture positions lost during the day.

The two sides fought repeatedly on the front lines, and the battle became increasingly intense.

Given the limited battlefield space, the Great Chu Empire's expeditionary force cannot commit more troops, which greatly angered Prince Chu-Zheng Yan, who has issued a death order to break through within a limited time.

Sure enough, shortly after Major General Zheng Bao, commander of the 61st Division, left, the sound of intense artillery fire came from the front line again, and the battle situation quickly escalated.

On the front lines

Major General Zheng Bao personally supervised the battle, and even the Imperial soldiers, who were rarely used in previous assaults, launched wave after wave of attacks on the enemy positions under the command of battalion and regimental commanders.

Ground artillery and aerial bombardments erupted in a frenzied barrage, with bombers strafing from within a hundred meters of the ground, in conjunction with the ground offensive.

The Chu expeditionary force suddenly increased its offensive intensity, catching the already exhausted American defenders off guard and leaving them struggling to cope.

A hard battle lasting more than an hour
The 206th Regiment of the Chu Expeditionary Force on the left wing took the lead in making a breakthrough. When the tide of imperial soldiers reached the front line of the battlefield, they immediately threw grenades and lay down in the pile of corpses.

A dense hail of bullets exploded in the trenches, sending blood and flesh flying everywhere, creating a scene of despair and misery. Immediately, the Chu soldiers scrambled to their feet and rushed into the trenches, engaging the American soldiers in close combat.

This made Major General Zheng Bao, commander of the 61st Division, excitedly pump his fist and wave his hand, ordering the reserve team to follow up and make sure to withstand the enemy's counterattack.

At this moment, on the last line of defense for the US military, a large number of US soldiers launched a resolute counterattack along the trenches and positions. The US soldiers, like a tide, densely covered the ground between the third and fourth lines of positions, creating a spectacular scene.

Immediately, these American soldiers who retaliated were subjected to heavy artillery fire.

The Chu bombers, like vultures that have smelled carrion, ravaged the sky, dropping a dense barrage of bombs as they flew overhead and strafing the area with their machine guns until they ran out of ammunition.

At this moment, the front line between Dixo and Fairview became a bloody death mill, with both sides committing heavy troops regardless of the cost, and engaging in a frenzied battle on this battlefield.

The US commanders went crazy. They could not afford to lose the third line of defense, so they launched a counterattack of 10,000 men, deploying an entire infantry division at once.

Seeing the American troops' frenzy, Major General Zheng Bao, commander of the 61st Division, revealed a bloodthirsty look in his eyes. He ripped off his cap and threw it on the table, roaring, "I'm done for! Order the tank battalion assigned to my division to attack! You must hold the captured positions and repel the American counterattack! Brothers of the guard battalion and the supply regiment, take up your weapons and follow me to the front lines!"

With that, he grabbed a submachine gun and led the officers of the command post away from the artillery shelter to organize the soldiers into the fierce battle.

at this time

The power of words is weak and pale; both sides in the war are fighting to the bitter end with their indomitable will, leaving no room for retreat.

A few hours later

As evening fell, the battlefield, spanning hundreds of kilometers, was littered with corpses. The American forces, having suffered heavy casualties, had lost as many as 3.17 bodies in the day's fierce fighting.

The 61st Division, which was also decimated, has been relieved by neighboring units and withdrawn for reorganization and replenishment.

And in the evening
The Great Chu Empire's army launched a night offensive, which was completely unexpected by the American forces and had a surprising effect.

Through resolute offensive, the 20th Division broke through the four lines of American positions around 6 p.m. and held firm until dawn, making the collapse of the American front inevitable. After being blocked for six days, the main force of the Southern Army broke through the Dixon-Fairview line and advanced rapidly northeast, inevitably causing widespread panic among the American troops.

Losing the Dixso-Fairview line was not just a matter of the southern transportation hub being completely cut off and Nasville being surrounded by the Chu army.

This means that the situation in the South is completely out of control, Tennessee is in grave danger, and it is very likely to be completely occupied by Eastern troops.

This has affected the southern states of Mississippi and Alabama, which are now surrounded on two sides by the Chu army, with their western and northern parts entirely under the control of the eastern army.

The Gulf of Mexico lies to the south of the two states mentioned above, which means that only Georgia, which borders the southern United States to the east, is protected.

This situation

This could very well lead to the two southern states seceding from the federal government and splitting apart with the support of the Chu state, thus creating a chain reaction in the American South that could quickly spiral out of control.

Americans are not afraid of losing one or two battles, or even eight or ten, because they can afford to lose and have enough geographical depth to contend with powerful enemies.

Americans are afraid of division, afraid of the independence of the Southern states. This would be like cutting flesh off the United States, which is terrifying.

Manila, Summer Palace on the shores of the sacred lake

When Emperor Taizu Zheng Guohui received the good news from the front lines, a relieved smile appeared on his face, and he was in an exceptionally happy mood.

He offered a few words of encouragement to the emperor, prime minister, and other important cabinet ministers who came to pay their respects;

"Good news keeps coming from the front lines. Imperial soldiers are fighting bravely and displaying their might in foreign lands, enhancing the prestige of our nation and our army."

I am very pleased. I request Your Majesty and all officials to immediately issue an edict to commend him.

The southern states of the United States should hurry up and start negotiating their independence with the support of the empire.

It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a good situation.

The Emperor and his officials must have seen that a large number of small European countries have gained independence in post-World War I Europe, which seems to be a good strategy for achieving lasting peace.

These major European powers are all ambitious and warlike, constantly stirring up trouble in Europe, launching one war after another, and poisoning society and the people.

The situation in North America is similar. If a group of small countries could emerge in the southern part of North America, numbering five, six, seven, eight, or even more, it would effectively counterbalance the ambitions of the United States.

The United States' dominance over North America is by no means in the interests of the empire.

Therefore, the Prime Minister's Office, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should conduct an in-depth study on the future landscape of North America.

Taking advantage of the current favorable situation, we should proactively participate in the evolution of the new North American order and play a positive role in promoting lasting peace and tranquility in North America.

This is a daunting task, posing new challenges to the Imperial Cabinet's Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

I hope

As the new格局 gradually takes shape, the Empire's Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Propaganda, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Transportation, and other departments must formulate a complete plan to expand their influence, proactively infiltrate these small North American countries, and continuously exert influence sufficient to sway the political situation.

For example, the Ministry of Education can quickly formulate educational exchange plans, such as establishing Chinese schools in these newly established North American countries and accepting the children of politicians and high-ranking officials from those countries to study at Imperial Schools.

The task of promoting Chinese language is arduous and has a long way to go!

Being able to communicate fluently in a language is a very important prerequisite.

The Imperial Propaganda Department should also take the initiative to control the media and news agencies of these small North American countries through the power of capital, and gain enough shares to influence the narrative, speaking with the power of capital.

There are many approaches and methods. One approach is to mobilize the initiative and enthusiasm of officials in various government departments to offer suggestions and advice for this new situation and to make targeted overall plans.

As a new landscape gradually unfolds in North America, we must seize this historical opportunity and transform it into the soft power of our empire, thereby exerting a powerful influence over all North American countries.

In the long term

These small North American countries, supported by the empire, will be important bargaining chips for the empire and the United States in their struggle for discourse power in North America, and an essential way to expand its influence.

From this perspective, using multiple channels such as military occupation, cultural infiltration, and propaganda to support politicians close to the empire is a powerful means of winning this battle for regional influence.

You must understand that military occupation is not the only way.

This far-sighted imperial edict impressed the emperor and his ministers so much that they could only bow in submission.

Having an old man in the family is like having a treasure.

For the Great Chu Empire, the Holy Emperor Taizu was the pillar of stability, always able to make wise decisions about the future direction of the empire and guide the imperial ship to the shore of victory.

The Imperial Government's ability to act was also impressive. Its diplomatic department had long-standing close ties with the separatist forces in the southern states, and it also had a considerable number of infiltrators.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, they immediately took action.

1933st January 4

The Southern Army of the Great Chu Empire marched north to Nashville, completely surrounding this key southern city and severing its railway transportation hub, thus creating a relatively advantageous military situation.

As a result, Chicago, located at the center of the storm, was left with only three main railroad lines on the East Road to maintain the transport of large quantities of supplies and troops, reducing its transport capacity by more than 70%.

These three railway lines were also frequently disrupted by bombing raids by the Chu state, which made the US military in Chicago even more dependent on road transport, putting them in a very difficult situation.

The operation of a large-scale military operation involving millions of troops relies on only a dozen or so main highways, which is far from meeting the logistical needs and presents a huge transportation bottleneck.

Even with the most intensive efforts to supply the front lines, the amount was less than a third of what was needed, severely impacting the ability to support U.S. frontline operations. (End of Chapter)