Chapter 190: The Polar Bears Backtrack

After the meeting ended, Li Yunlong pulled Li Mingyuan into his command tent and poured two cups of strong liquor.

"Come, Mingyuan, let us two brothers have a drink." He handed a cup to Li Mingyuan, "We head to the battlefield tomorrow; who knows what will happen. Let's drink heartily tonight!"

Li Mingyuan took the wine cup and clinked it with Li Yunlong's.

The liquor went down his throat, and a fiery sensation rushed straight to his head.

He was not a heavy drinker, but at this moment, he felt a surge of heroic spirit rising in his heart.

"Lao Li, we set out tomorrow. Do you have any tactical arrangements?"

Li Yunlong spread out a map and pointed to several key locations in the northern part of Taiyang.

"According to intelligence, the main force of the Star-Spangled Country is currently concentrated in these few areas. Their advantages are mainly air power and mechanized units. Our plan is to use the new All-Terrain Tracked Vehicles to insert into these mountainous areas, establish anti-aircraft fire points, and cut off their supply lines."

His finger drew several lines on the map.

"We will divide into three combat groups: the first combat group is responsible for attracting fire from the front, the second combat group will flank from the sides, and the third combat group will penetrate deep behind enemy lines to attack their command headquarters and supply bases. If everything goes smoothly, we can establish a defensive line within three days to stop the Star-Spangled Country from advancing north."

Li Mingyuan listened intently, nodding from time to time.

"The plan is excellent, but the biggest threat remains their air superiority. I suggest deploying 'Feilong-1' anti-aircraft rockets and the Tianluo Air Defense System at these few commanding heights to form a three-dimensional air defense network."

He picked up a pen and marked several points on the map.

"These points have wide fields of vision and can effectively monitor the air situation. We also need to establish an early warning system to detect approaching enemy aircraft in advance."

Li Yunlong's eyes lit up, "Good idea! I knew you had plenty of tricks up your sleeve! Come, let's have another drink!"

The two toasted each other, chatting from tactical deployment to equipment characteristics, and from the situation on the front line to the weaknesses of the Star-Spangled Country.

After three rounds of drinks, Li Yunlong's face was flushed red, but his eyes remained clear.

"Mingyuan, to be honest, can this war be won?" He suddenly lowered his voice, his tone becoming uncharacteristically serious.

Li Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly.

"We can win, and we must win. I have seen the mobilization of the entire country in the rear; from factory workers to farmers, everyone is contributing to the front line. We have determination, we have courage, and now we have advanced equipment. Although the Star-Spangled Country has a technological lead, they are fighting far from their homeland, their supply lines are long, and they are arrogant and complacent. Wars in history have never been decided by weapons alone."

Li Yunlong stared at Li Mingyuan for a long while, as if trying to discern the truth in his eyes, and finally laughed heartily.

"Well said! I like this spirit of yours! Come, bottoms up!"

Just as the two were drinking happily, a Communication Soldier ran into the tent in a hurry, "Report to the commander, just received an urgent telegram!"

Li Yunlong took the telegram, his expression changing abruptly, "Damn it! Those cunning guys, the Polar Bears!"

"What happened?" Li Mingyuan asked.

Li Yunlong slammed the telegram onto the table, gritting his teeth.

"The Polar Bears have decided not to provide air support! Saying something about the international situation being complex and that it's inappropriate to intervene directly in the conflict! Isn't this just playing us for fools!"

Li Mingyuan picked up the telegram and scanned it quickly.

Sure enough, the content of the telegram clearly stated that after "careful consideration," the Polar Bear side decided to temporarily not send air force support, providing only some ground equipment and technical advisors.

"Damn Russians!" Li Yunlong hammered the table hard, "They turn their backs faster than flipping a book!"

Li Mingyuan frowned in thought; this turn of events had indeed come to pass.

Without the Polar Bears' air support, the Long Country army would face the Star-Spangled Country's air superiority directly, and the pressure would be much greater.

"Lao Li, this is indeed bad news, but we still have our own Anti-aircraft System. Using the 'Feilong-1' and the Tianluo System together is enough to pose a serious threat to the Star-Spangled Country's air force. The key is proper deployment to form an air defense network."

Li Yunlong was silent for a while, then nodded, "You're right; rather than counting on others, it's better to rely on ourselves. Pass the order down: prioritize the deployment of all Anti-aircraft weapons, and every company must be equipped with 'Feilong-1' anti-aircraft rockets to establish independent air defense capabilities!"

The Communication Soldier took the order and left, and the atmosphere in the tent became somewhat heavy.

"The Russians are truly unreliable!" Li Yunlong gulped down a mouthful of wine, "If a real fight breaks out one day, who knows if they'll run away in the face of battle again!"

Li Mingyuan understood Li Yunlong's anger, but he knew that the most important thing now was to adjust the tactical plan to adapt to the new situation.

"Lao Li, I have a suggestion. Since the Polar Bears won't provide air support, we need to leverage our ground advantages even more. The mobility of the All-Terrain Tracked Vehicles is crucial in mountain warfare; we can use them to move quickly, avoid enemy aircraft searches, and then strike the enemy's weak points by surprise at critical moments."

Li Yunlong's eyes lit up, "Right! Guerrilla warfare! This is our specialty!"

He stood up and paced in the tent, thinking, "Mountain guerrilla warfare, hit and run. The Star-Spangled Country's heavy equipment will be unable to move an inch in the mountains, and their advantages will be greatly diminished. Meanwhile, our light weapons and All-Terrain Tracked Vehicles will be even more flexible in complex terrain!"

Li Mingyuan nodded in agreement, "There is one more point: although the Star-Spangled Country's air force is powerful, they cannot cover the battlefield 24 hours a day. We can use the night and bad weather to move and avoid their aerial reconnaissance."

"Brilliant!" Li Yunlong slapped the table in admiration, "I knew you had plenty of tricks! Come, have another drink!"

The two continued to discuss tactical adjustments and equipment deployment in depth until late at night.

On the eve of the expedition, the entire military camp was brightly lit, and the soldiers were nervously making final preparations.

The new equipment had been distributed to every squad, and everyone was carefully checking their weapons and familiarizing themselves with the operating procedures.

Li Mingyuan was in the equipment area, instructing technicians on how to calibrate the Tianluo System and Radar equipment.

Although this set of equipment could not compare to those of later generations, it was already considered a quite advanced air defense network for this era.

"Remember, the Radar must be placed on a commanding height to maintain a 360-degree unobstructed view. Once enemy aircraft are discovered, report the coordinates and altitude immediately, and the anti-aircraft rocket teams should prepare to intercept."

The technicians recorded every detail earnestly, asking questions from time to time.

Li Mingyuan answered patiently, ensuring that everyone fully understood the operating procedures.

Time passed second by second; at four in the morning, the horizon was still pitch black.

"Time is up, everyone on alert!" Li Yunlong's order spread throughout the camp via the intercom.

The soldiers assembled quickly and boarded their respective vehicles according to their groups.

The All-Terrain Tracked Vehicles lined up in neat rows in the night, the roar of the Engines echoing in the valley.

Li Yunlong walked up to Li Mingyuan and gripped his hand tightly.