Chapter 191: High-Spirited and Vigorous, Move Out!

10,000 words every day, five chapters presented. Everyone, please give some encouragement, click to urge for updates; since I am full-time and have no other job, the battle begins, contact is made, let's give the enemy country a big one.

……

"Mingyuan, this time it is all thanks to you. With your equipment, our combat capability will be greatly strengthened."

Li Mingyuan shook his hand in return, "General, I have only fulfilled the duty of a logistics officer. True combat still depends on you warriors on the front line."

Li Yunlong patted his shoulder, "Good! When we return in triumph, we shall have a good drink together!"

After saying this, he put on his military cap and strode toward the command vehicle, "Buck up, everyone! High-spirited and vigorous, move out!"

At the order, the motorcade slowly started.

The All-Terrain Tracked Vehicle moved as if on flat ground over the rugged mountain road, advancing steadily.

Heavy weapons and ammunition were firmly secured on the vehicles, and the troops, like a long steel dragon, wound their way toward the border line.

The horizon gradually turned a fish-belly white. Li Mingyuan stood on the mountain top, watching the backs of the departing motorcade, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

This unit, equipped with the weapons he designed, was about to face one of the most powerful military forces in the world.

A cold wind blew by, and Li Mingyuan shivered.

He shook his head to dispel these thoughts.

Now was not the time for idle thinking; he had more weapons to develop and more equipment to improve.

In the distance, the tracked motorcade had already crossed the mountain ridge and disappeared from view.

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath and turned to walk toward the temporary command post.

The real challenge had only just begun.

On the Taiyang border line, the All-Terrain Tracked Vehicle unit of Li Yunlong's troops crushed over hills and gullies like a Steel Torrent, thrusting directly into Taiyang territory.

The soldiers were high in spirits, gripping their new-style weapons tightly, preparing to meet the hard battle ahead.

……

Star-Spangled Country air base, southern Taiyang.

The morning sun shone on the wide concrete runway. More than a dozen F-86 "Sabre" fighter jets were neatly lined up on the tarmac, and technical personnel were busy performing final checks and refueling.

A relaxed and confident atmosphere permeated the base; almost everyone wore the smile of a victor, as if the war were merely a routine matter.

Inside the command center, Colonel Mike Hamilton was chewing on a cigar, his hands pressed against a massive operational map. On the map, the northern region of Taiyang was already marked with a large area of green—representing the Star-Spangled Country's control zone.

He looked at this map with satisfaction, a smug smile on his face.

"Sir, new intelligence!" A communications officer hurried in, holding a telegram.

"Reconnaissance planes report that a large number of Dragon Country troops have crossed the border and are advancing north!"

Colonel Hamilton raised an eyebrow and blew a smoke ring, his expression disdainful.

"Dragon Country? Finally couldn't sit still?" He chuckled, "How many men? What is their equipment like?"

"Preliminary estimates suggest the scale of a division, equipped with some vehicles we are unfamiliar with; they look like some kind of light tank."

"Light tanks?" Hamilton scoffed, "Nothing but scrap metal. It seems the Dragon Country people want to come and get a piece of the pie."

He turned to the operations staff, "Prepare an air strike. I want to let these ignorant Dragon Country people see what real air power is!"

"Yes, sir!" The staff officer quickly picked up the radio to issue the order.

Hamilton turned to the photos on the wall; those were their "glorious achievements" from the central Taiyang campaign a few months ago: destroyed tanks, towns in ruins, and enemy troops fleeing in panic.

"Who do the Dragon Country people think they are?" he said contemptuously.

"We defeated Sakura on the ocean battlefield, crushed Hans, and now we are sweeping everything before us in Taiyang. These people are nothing but a rabble!"

A burst of approving laughter erupted in the conference room.

"Sir," an Intelligence Officer interjected.

"According to our analysis, the Dragon Country troops have backward equipment and insufficient training; most of their weapons are still World War II leftovers purchased from us. Remember a few years ago? Their opponents were the ones we personally trained and armed, and what was the result? They collapsed at the first touch!"

"That's right," another staff officer also laughed, "Many of these Dragon Country soldiers haven't even seen modern weapons. Their air force? A few dilapidated propeller planes, not even as good as our target drones!"

Hamilton lifted his chin triumphantly, "Gentlemen, today we will teach these Dragon Country people a lesson—never provoke the Star-Spangled Country Air Force!"

In the pilot lounge, the pilots were leisurely drinking coffee, reading magazines, or playing cards. When the mission broadcast sounded, a cheer erupted.

"Attention all pilots! Emergency mission! Dragon Country troops have crossed the border into Taiyang! First and Second Squadrons, prepare for immediate takeoff for aerial interception and bombing!"

"Finally some real work to do!" Lieutenant Jack Wilson threw down his playing cards and jumped up excitedly.

"I've been bored to death these past few weeks besides bombing those Taiyang shacks!"

"Dragon Country people? Isn't that merit delivered to our doorstep?" Captain Steve Morrison smiled and put on his flight cap.

"My father fought on the ocean battlefield and said those Easterners don't understand modern air combat at all."

The pilots scrambled toward the equipment area with child-like excitement on their faces, as if they were about to participate not in a real war, but in some kind of thrilling game.

"Hey, Bill!" Wilson called out to a young pilot, "Want to make a bet? I bet I can shoot down at least three targets today!"

"Three? Too conservative!" Bill laughed, "I bet five! The Dragon Country people don't even have decent Anti-aircraft weapons; this will be as simple as target practice!"

"Gentlemen!" Lieutenant Colonel Billy White, the flight group commander, walked in, and everyone immediately stood at attention.

"Today we have a special mission. The Dragon Country people have foolishly reached their hands into Taiyang, attempting to stop our victorious advance. Headquarters has ordered us to give them a lesson they will never forget!"

He unfolded a map and pointed to several red marks, "Reconnaissance planes have confirmed their location. This is a force of about one division, advancing north along these valleys."

"Do they have air cover, sir?" someone asked.

Lieutenant Colonel Huaite laughed contemptuously, "Air cover? Dragon Country Air Force? Don't make me laugh! Their few broken planes probably can't even take off!" The whole room erupted in laughter.

"Our mission is simple," Huaite continued.

"The First Squadron is responsible for air superiority, though I doubt we will encounter any aerial resistance at all. The Second Squadron is responsible for ground attacks; the target is to destroy their motorcade and heavy weapons. Remember, we are going to give the Dragon Country people a profound lesson and make them understand the price of cross-border invasion!"

"Is there anything special to watch out for, sir?" a pilot raised his hand to ask.

"Watch out?" Huaite smiled, "Probably just watch out not to end the battle too quickly, and leave some fun for everyone!" Another round of laughter followed.

……

Everyone, please click the "urge for more" button; it is truly important to me. Thank you, esteemed readers; your urges for more are the motivation for my writing.