Chapter 292: New Menglong Enters the Fray

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……

Walking out of the command post, Li Mingyuan was pulled aside by Lao Liu, "Chief Engineer Li, these old soldiers are stubborn and won't give up until they reach the Yellow River."

Li Mingyuan was not in a hurry,

"It's understandable. From their perspective, a 'tank that can shoot down rocket shells' does sound like a fantasy. However..."

He looked toward the distance at the Menglong tanks being integrated into the combat sequence, "Combat capability will be tested very soon."

That afternoon, Tank Company Commander Zheng Hu was introducing this batch of new tanks to the veteran soldiers; the soldiers surrounded the tanks, looking them over and discussing them animatedly.

"Company Commander, this tank looks pretty, but can it really block rocket shells?" An old soldier suspiciously knocked on the interceptor launcher on the tank turret, "Can this little thing block a rocket shell?"

"That's what the higher-ups say," Company Commander Zheng was also half-believing and half-doubting,

"They say this is some kind of 'Active Defense System' that can shoot down a rocket shell before it hits."

"Bragging!" A scarred old soldier scoffed, "A rocket launcher, that speed, it arrives in the blink of an eye; what defense system can react that fast?"

"Exactly, if you ask me, relying on this thick armor is more reliable," another old soldier patted the side of the tank, "It looks much sturdier than the old tanks, maybe it really can take a hit."

Company Commander Zheng looked around to make sure there were no outsiders, and lowered his voice,

"Let me tell you, I heard this tank is equipped with a new gadget called an 'Integrated Circuit' that reacts hundreds of times faster than a human."

"Nonsense!" The old soldiers still didn't believe it, "Can a machine react faster than a human? If it were really that miraculous, we would have driven the enemy into the sea long ago!"

Company Commander Zheng couldn't argue, as he himself was half-believing; "Alright, stop discussing it, hurry up and get familiar with the equipment. We might have a hard clash tomorrow, and we'll know if it's true or false then."

……

At the same time, the enemy's front-line scout squadron was setting up long-range cameras on the hills, filming the movements of the Long Country army.

"Hey, look!" A Scout shouted excitedly, "The Long Country guys brought another batch of new tanks!"

Squadron Leader Johnson quickly leaned in and observed through binoculars,

"The design is a bit new, but it still looks like a remake of those old antiques."

"They probably copied it themselves, right?" Another Scout mocked,

"I heard we cut off their steel supply, and now they can't even build decent armor."

Johnson was unimpressed, "Don't underestimate the Long Country people; their equipment might be crude, but it's very durable. Still, take a few photos to take back for analysis."

The flash went off, dozens of high-definition photos were quickly taken and transmitted back to the rear intelligence center via radio.

At the rear command post, Intelligence Officer Major Smith was reporting to the Armored Division Commander,

"A new type of tank has appeared on the Long Country front. Preliminary judgment is that it is an improved model developed by them, but from the appearance, there are no particularly eye-catching improvements."

"What is the estimated performance?" The Division Commander asked.

Smith flipped through the photos and sneered, "Look at those rough welding seams, and those strange little protrusions... honestly, sir, these are just lumps of iron. In front of our anti-tank rocket launchers, they are no different from targets."

"Very good," the Division Commander nodded with satisfaction, "Order the anti-tank company; in tomorrow's assault, I want to see photos of these new tanks turned into scrap metal."

A burst of laughter erupted in the command post; no one would have thought that these "lumps of iron" they mocked would completely change the battlefield landscape in the near future.

……

The next morning, the darkest moment before dawn.

At Eastern Slope Heights, the combat personnel of the Third Armored Brigade had already entered a state of combat readiness.

Twelve "New Menglong" tanks were deployed at the preset positions according to the orders of Brigade Commander Sun, ready to deal with a possible enemy offensive.

Li Mingyuan stood at the observation point of the command post, his gaze sweeping across the pitch-black valley ahead through night-vision binoculars.

Lao Liu handed over a cup of hot tea, "Chief Engineer Li, do you think this battle will start?"

"It definitely will," Li Mingyuan said with confidence, "The enemy has been conducting aerial reconnaissance on this area for three consecutive days; it's most likely a major move. However, it just happens to give the 'Menglong' a chance to perform."

Just then, a Communication Soldier ran over hurriedly, "Report to Chief Engineer Li, the outpost has discovered that the enemy is gathering; a large number of infantry and armored vehicles are advancing toward us!"

Brigade Commander Sun immediately ordered, "Notify all positions, get ready for battle! Tank company, be careful; the enemy has a large number of anti-tank rocket launchers, be sure to handle it with caution!"

Company Commander Zheng led the Menglong Tank Company into a state of high alert; he climbed into the command tank and issued orders via radio,

"All vehicles, pay attention, activate the Hunter-Killer System, prepare to engage the enemy!"

Inside the tank, the driver, gunner, and loader were nervously checking their equipment.

Although they had undergone training domestically, this first appearance on a real battlefield still made everyone's heart race.

"Lao Liu, what do you think of this Hunter-Killer System?" The gunner Xiao Zhang asked the loader.

"Sounds mysterious, but Chief Engineer Li's stuff is usually not wrong," Lao Liu's tone carried a hint of hesitation,

"But honestly, I still trust our 125 main gun and thick armor more."

Company Commander Zheng spoke through the internal intercom, "Buck up! Never mind the Hunter-Killer or whatever; when the enemy comes later, fire the guns when you should, intercept when you should, just follow the training!"

The sky began to brighten, and thin mist shrouded the valley.

Suddenly, a red signal flare from the front-line position soared into the sky—the main enemy force had appeared!

"Report!" The Communication Soldier shouted loudly, "The enemy has about a Reinforced Battalion's strength, fifteen light armored vehicles, advancing directly toward the first-line position! There are a large number of anti-tank soldiers carrying rocket launchers!"

Brigade Commander Sun quickly made a judgment, "Order the artillery company to provide fire coverage on the enemy's front; Menglong Tank Company, prepare to sortie and support the first-line infantry position!"

Li Mingyuan nodded secretly; this deployment was exactly what he wanted. The Menglong tanks could now demonstrate their power exactly where it was needed most.

At the enemy position, Anti-Tank Company Commander Stevenson was leading his soldiers to advance.

They were carrying the latest M20 Anti-Tank Rocket Launchers; these weapons had already proven their effectiveness against Long Country tanks on the Taiyang battlefield.

"Report immediately upon seeing tanks," Stevenson ordered, "Today we are going to turn those new tanks into scrap metal!"

Suddenly, an observer exclaimed, "Tanks! Long Country tanks have appeared on the right ridge! About twelve of them!"

Stevenson quickly raised his binoculars. Sure enough, a team of Long Country tanks was slowly driving onto the ridge; it was the new model spotted yesterday!

"Attention everyone, prepare for anti-tank combat!" He ordered, his face full of excitement, "Aim at those new tanks and let them see what we're made of!"

At the Long Country tank position, Company Commander Zheng had already seen the dense mass of enemy troops in the valley.

Through the telescope, he could clearly identify those enemy soldiers carrying rocket launchers.

"Attention all vehicles, enemy anti-tank soldiers spotted, distance approximately 800 meters, Hunter-Killer System entering automatic mode!"

Inside the tank, the driver opened the control panel for the Hunter-Killer System, the millimeter-wave Radar began to rotate and scan, and the indicator light above turned from red to green—the system was fully activated!

At the enemy position, dozens of rocket launcher operators were already in place, aiming at the Long Country tanks on the ridge.

"Prepare for a volley!" Stevenson shouted, "Three, two, one, fire!"

In an instant, dozens of Rocket Shells tore through the sky with piercing whistles, heading straight for the Long Country tanks! The valley echoed with the roar of rocket launches, and thick smoke rose everywhere.

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