Chapter 140: Li Yunlong Wants to Go to the Battlefield Again

Lao Zhang smiled confidently: "Please, commanders, designate a target at about 2000 meters."

Li Yunlong thought for a moment and pointed to a prominent rock in the valley in the distance: "That big rock, visually estimated at about 2100 meters."

Lao Zhang communicated the firing target and parameters to Xiao Liu via the walkie-talkie.

Following the instructions, Xiao Liu input the data into the mechanical calculation device, adjusted the angle of the cannon barrel, and then loaded a shell.

"Ready! Fire!" Lao Zhang gave the order.

"Boom!" With a muffled sound, the shell left the barrel, traced a graceful arc, and disappeared into the distant horizon.

Everyone held their breath, staring fixedly at the target area.

A few seconds later, a ball of fire rose up near that big rock, followed by a loud bang.

When the smoke and dust cleared, everyone saw that the giant rock had been blown into fragments!

"My goodness!" Li Yunlong widened his eyes and rubbed them in disbelief, "It really hit? And on the first shot?"

"Not only did it hit, but the power looks even greater than our active-duty 82 mm mortar shells!" an Artillery Company Commander exclaimed.

Xiao Liu was clearly also shocked by his own success and waved his hands excitedly on the mountaintop: "Commander! It really hit! This cannon is too divine!"

Lao Zhang explained calmly: "This is the power of the Ultra-light Mortar. It is not only light and easy to carry, but also highly accurate, and one person can operate it. Combined with the Improved Mortar Shell, the power is 30% higher than traditional mortars, with a maximum range of 4000 meters."

Li Yunlong's expression changed from suspicion to excitement; he strode up to Lao Zhang and grabbed his shoulders:

"Good lad! This cannon really has some skill! Damn it, if we had this earlier, those dog-day enemies would have been beaten by me until they were looking for their teeth all over the mountains!"

Zhao Gang also looked amazed: "If this kind of equipment is issued to the troops in large quantities, our ability to fight in mountainous areas will be qualitatively improved!"

Lao Zhang struck while the iron was hot: "Besides the Ultra-light Mortar, there is also the Bulletproof Warm Clothing, which is also the latest invention of Chief Engineer Li. It can effectively defend against bullets and shrapnel from 100 meters away, while maintaining body temperature in extremely cold environments."

Li Yunlong looked at those seemingly ordinary "padded coats," still half-doubting: "Can this thing really stop a bullet?"

"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth." As Lao Zhang said this, he called for staff to carry over a wooden mannequin, put the Bulletproof Vest on it, and then placed the model on open ground about 100 meters away.

"Please, commanders, designate a sharpshooter to conduct a shooting test with a Rifle," Lao Zhang said confidently.

Li Yunlong immediately pointed to the sharpshooter in the platoon, Xiao Wang: "Xiao Wang, take your Rifle and fire a few rounds!"

Xiao Wang took the order, stepped forward, raised the Rifle, and aimed at the wooden mannequin wearing the "padded coat."

"Aim for the chest, fire five rounds!" Li Yunlong ordered.

"Yes!" Xiao Wang responded and steadily pulled the trigger.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" Five gunshots rang out, and five bullets accurately hit the chest area of the Bulletproof Vest.

After the shooting ended, the staff ran up to check.

To everyone's shock, although there were bullet marks on the surface of the Bulletproof Vest, not a single bullet had penetrated!

The wooden mannequin was completely intact!

"This... this is impossible!" Li Yunlong rushed forward in two or three steps and personally inspected the Bulletproof Vest, "It really didn't penetrate? What material is this? It's not made of iron!"

Lao Zhang carefully took off the Bulletproof Vest and showed the inside to everyone: "Please look, the bullet was slowed down and blocked layer by layer, and finally got stuck in the inner layer. This is a combination of specially treated bamboo fiber and steel wire mesh, lightweight but extremely tough."

Li Yunlong touched the intercepted bullet heads, the expression on his face changing from surprise to ecstasy:

"Good! Good! If this were equipped for the whole company, how many casualties could be reduced!"

He suddenly turned to Zhao Gang and said: "Lao Zhao, I have to wear one of these first; I'll lead the team myself in tomorrow's battle!"

Zhao Gang frowned: "Lao Li, you want to charge at the front again?"

"Of course!" Li Yunlong said righteously, "I am the Commander; I must set an example for the soldiers! Besides, with this Bulletproof Vest for protection, what is there to fear?"

As he spoke, he picked one up from the pile of Bulletproof Vests and couldn't wait to put it on: "Come, help me try if it fits!"

Zhao Gang hurriedly stopped him: "Wait, Lao Li, don't be impulsive. This new equipment has just arrived; we must first familiarize ourselves with it and formulate a suitable usage plan. Moreover, as Commander, your safety is of paramount importance; you cannot take risks."

Li Yunlong disagreed: "What's to fear? We just tested it; it can stop bullets! Wearing this into battle is much better than sitting in the command post looking at maps!"

Zhao Gang looked at him seriously: "Lao Li, I understand your feelings, but please calm down. We are an army; all actions must be carried out according to plan and discipline. New equipment needs to be allocated and used scientifically and reasonably, not rushed into battle."

He turned to Lao Zhang: "Comrade, please introduce in detail the usage methods and precautions for this equipment; we need to formulate training plans and tactical schemes as soon as possible."

Lao Zhang stood at attention and saluted: "Yes, Commander! I have brought the detailed manual written by Chief Engineer Li with me, and we can start training immediately."

Li Yunlong still wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from Zhao Gang.

Zhao Gang was right; as Commander, he could not act on impulse.

"Fine, then let's do the training first!" Li Yunlong said sullenly, but his eyes remained fixed on that Bulletproof Vest, "But I have to try this thing first; how will I know if it's comfortable if I don't wear it?"

Zhao Gang shook his head helplessly, knowing he couldn't persuade this stubborn old comrade-in-arms, so he had to compromise:

"Alright, you can try it on, but only try it on, not for going to the battlefield tomorrow!"

Like a child who had received a new toy, Li Yunlong couldn't wait to put on the Bulletproof Vest and then moved his body to test its flexibility.

"Light! Truly light!" he exclaimed, "Running and climbing mountains in this is not strenuous at all! It's much more comfortable than those thick cotton-padded coats of ours!"

He turned to Lao Zhang, looking excited: "Young man, go back and tell Chief Engineer Li that he has performed a great service!!"

Lao Zhang nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, Commander, I will report it truthfully. Chief Engineer Li cares most about the needs of the frontline officers and soldiers; he has been working hard to develop more practical equipment."

Li Yunlong patted the Bulletproof Vest on his chest and said heroically: "After this battle is over, I will write him a thank-you letter myself! No, writing a thank-you letter is too polite; I want to invite him to drink and have a good chat!"

Seeing Li Yunlong so excited, Zhao Gang knew he couldn't calm down today, so he turned to the other officers:

"Company commanders, pay attention: starting this afternoon, send people in batches to receive training on the new equipment. Give priority to the troops about to go into battle."

Subsequently, he said to Li Yunlong: "Lao Li, let's go back to the command post first and readjust tomorrow's combat plan based on the performance of the new equipment."

Li Yunlong finally nodded in agreement, but before leaving, he insisted on taking the Bulletproof Vest with him: "I'll go back and study it carefully!"

Zhao Gang shook his head helplessly and walked toward the command post with Li Yunlong.

And behind them, the soldiers had already surrounded Lao Zhang, eager to learn more information about this magical equipment.