You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you brought out a Tiger tank?

"No rush."

Lin Feng shook his head, his tone calm:

"Let the bullets fly a little longer."

He put down his pencil and braced his hands on the edge of the table:

"Once all the Japanese soldiers have moved into position and gathered together, we can wipe them out in one go."

If we charge out now, at best we'll only manage a rout.

Once the Japanese troops are attacked, they will scatter and flee. The terrain in Jiangnan is complex and has a dense network of waterways, so our tanks won't be able to catch up with them.

What I want is not just a defeat, but complete annihilation.

Zhao Dashan opened his mouth, but then hesitated and stopped.

Lin Feng glanced at him:

"Speak your mind."

"Commander, the Japanese have heavy artillery."

Zhao Dashan finally voiced his concerns:

"According to intelligence, the Kunisaki Detachment was assigned a field heavy artillery battalion, equipped with 150mm howitzers."

"If we wait any longer, and the Japanese heavy artillery is deployed, I'm afraid the brothers of the Provisional 50th Division... won't be able to hold out."

His concerns were not unfounded.

The 150mm howitzer was a true weapon of mass destruction for the army in this era.

A single shell can create a crater nearly ten meters in diameter.

The shockwave can kill all living things within a range of tens of meters.

Even the strongest fortifications will collapse halfway if hit by a single bullet.

Although the 50th Provisional Division's defensive line had been reinforced with steel plates, it was not a permanent fortification. It was hard to say how long it could withstand heavy artillery of this caliber.

Lin Feng remained silent for a few seconds.

He certainly knew the power of heavy artillery.

But he knew even better that for an army to grow and transform, it must undergo the test of blood and fire.

"If Kunisaki Noboru wants to blast through our defenses with heavy artillery, then let him blast."

He turned around and looked at Zhao Dashan:

"A fine sword is forged through tempering, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from bitter cold."

Without experiencing real bloody battles and enduring heavy artillery bombardment, a truly elite force can never be trained.

Brothers of the Provisional 50th Division, now that you've donned this uniform and chosen to fight the Japanese alongside me, Lin Feng, you must pass this test.

After all, if they only follow behind his main force and act as his assistants, then no matter how many weapons he equips the Provisional 50th Division with, this unit will not be able to grow.

Zhao Dashan wanted to say something, but Lin Feng stopped him by raising his hand.

"Of course, we can't just take the beating for nothing."

Lin Feng walked to the map and slowly moved his finger along the course of the Yangtze River:

"Look, this open area west of Huangtian Port is flat and has a wide view."

It is indeed suitable for deploying artillery positions, but it also lacks cover.

Once the Japanese heavy artillery is deployed, it will be completely exposed in open terrain.

His finger finally stopped at a spot downstream of Huangtian Port:

"And our inland river fleet has been hidden in the reeds here."

The straight-line distance to the potential Japanese artillery positions was less than six or seven kilometers.

Zhao Dashan's eyes lit up instantly:

"Commander, you mean...?"

"Once the Japanese heavy artillery began firing, their precise location was exposed."

"Our fleet can then approach and fire along the Yangtze River."

Use naval guns to knock out their ground artillery.

He paused, a hint of mockery in his voice:

"Doesn't Kunisaki Noboru like artillery battles?"

Let's play a game with him then.

Let him taste what it's like to be covered in fire from the river.

Zhao Dashan was so excited that he couldn't help but slap his thigh.

Just thinking about that scene is exciting.

"I'll go and inform the fleet right away and tell them to get ready."

Zhao Dashan turned to leave.

"etc."

Lin Feng called out to him:

"In addition, send a telegram to Zhang Wenzhong."

Tell him that the Japanese heavy artillery is coming soon, and that he should prepare for artillery fire.

Those who need to go into the artillery bunkers should go into the artillery bunkers, and those who need to evacuate should evacuate.

Only necessary observation posts were left at the front line.

Tell the brothers not to panic when they are being hit by cannon fire, but to grit their teeth and hold on.

"Once our naval guns fire, it'll be our turn to laugh at the Japanese."

"Yes."

Zhao Dashan saluted and strode out.

Lin Feng returned to the map, his gaze falling on the open area of ​​Huangtian Port.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

The curtain has risen on this drama.

The actors took their places one after another.

Now, we're just waiting for Kunisaki Noboru, the "protagonist," to bring all his belongings onto the stage.

At that time, he will present this "Steel Army" brigade commander with an unforgettable gift.

"Report."

Another staff officer walked in:

"Commander, the advance troops of the Provisional 51st Division are 40 kilometers away from Dingzhuang and are expected to arrive tomorrow."

"it is good."

Lin Feng nodded:

"Tell all units to take the time to rest and replenish ammunition."

The great battle is about to begin.

The staff officer accepted the order and left.

Silence returned to the command center.

Only the beeping of the radio and the hushed conversations of the staff echoed in the air.

-----

At the same time, east of Huangtian Port.

The atmosphere was heavy on the positions of the Provisional 50th Division.

Division Commander Zhang Wenzhong had just received a telegram from Lin Feng.

He took the telegram, read it over and over again, and then silently handed it to the chief of staff beside him.

"Commander, this..."

After reading the telegram, the chief of staff's expression turned somewhat grim.

"The Japanese have 150mm heavy artillery... Can our fortifications withstand it?"

"Even if you can't bear it, you have to bear it."

Zhang Wenzhong's voice was calm, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner tension.

"The commander said this is a test for us."

Whether our Provisional 50th Division can truly gain a foothold within the Provisional 8th Army depends on this battle.

He took a deep breath, turned around, and roared at the messenger behind him:

"Pass down the order."

On the front lines, only observation posts and necessary firing positions are left.

The rest of the personnel entered the artillery shelters and hiding places.

Move all the ammunition, food, and water to a safe place.

Tell the brothers that the Japanese cannons are coming.

"Hold on tight, all of you! Anyone who dares to desert will be the first to be shot."

"yes!"

The order was quickly relayed to every corner of the position.

The soldiers silently packed their belongings, carried ammunition boxes, and crawled into the anti-artillery bunkers reinforced with steel plates, logs, and sandbags.

Somber expressions were etched on everyone's face.

They knew that what awaited them was a hellish baptism of gunfire.

But they did not back down.

Because their division commander was still on the front lines.

Because their commander had already prepared a sharp sword for their counterattack.

They only need to do one thing—hold on.

Until the moment the counterattack horn sounds.

Night had completely fallen.

The battlefield was deathly silent.

Only the cold wind howled past, stirring up the withered grass and dust on the ground.

Further away, on the Japanese positions, the faint sounds of mules and horses neighing and soldiers shouting could be heard.

Those were Japanese heavy artillerymen, rushing through the night to reach their positions.

War is imminent.