Chapter 88: The Heavenly Net System

Three days later, at dawn.

At the Frontline Command, Li Yunlong was dozing in his tent when he was suddenly shaken awake by a messenger.

"Commander! Commander! Big news!"

Li Yunlong sat up with a start, his face still showing the displeasure of not having slept enough: "What's all the fuss about? Did we win another battle?"

"It's the Anti-aircraft weapon!" the messenger said, so excited he was incoherent, "The Anti-aircraft weapon sent from Jingcheng has arrived! It's a whole convoy!"

Li Yunlong was stunned for a moment, then scrambled up, not even bothering to put on his military cap, and rushed outside: "Where is it? Quickly, take me to see it!"

In the open space of the camp, over a dozen trucks were lined up, their tarpaulins already removed to reveal the weapons inside.

Li Yunlong was instantly drawn to the massive "Heavenly Net" Anti-aircraft System—sixteen thick launch tubes arranged in a fan shape, all pointing toward the sky, like a giant umbrella.

"This... is this the Anti-aircraft weapon?" Li Yunlong walked forward, carefully stroking the launch tubes, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

The transport captain handed him a document: "This is the operation manual, and there is also a personal letter from Chief Engineer Li."

Li Yunlong hurriedly took it and saw the letter read:

"Comrade Yunlong:

This batch of Anti-aircraft weapons is named 'Heavenly Net', designed specifically to counter enemy aircraft. For usage instructions, see the manual; the key lies in predicting the enemy aircraft's flight path and deploying an 'Airborne Fire Wall' in advance. According to intelligence, the enemy will launch a large-scale air raid on coastal cities tomorrow, and your unit is responsible for defending key targets. I believe that with your command talent, you will surely make the enemy pay a heavy price.

Wishing you a triumphant return!

Li Mingyuan"

After reading the letter, Li Yunlong's hands were shaking. He looked up at the Anti-aircraft weapon before him, feeling his throat tighten, unable to speak for a moment.

After a long while, he regained his composure, his eyes flashing with excitement: "Good! Good! I've been waiting and hoping for this treasure, and it's finally here!"

He turned to the surrounding soldiers and announced loudly: "Comrades, from today on, we no longer fear the enemy's planes! This is our own Anti-aircraft weapon. Tomorrow, let those enemy planes know that my sky is not a place they can come and go as they please!"

The soldiers erupted in cheers, jumping and dancing around the Anti-aircraft weapon.

Li Yunlong rubbed his hands together like a child who had received a new toy: "Pass the order down immediately, all battalion and company cadres assemble at once; I will personally explain how to use this treasure. Also, form an Anti-aircraft special team immediately, and pick the most elite soldiers!"

He looked at the sky and muttered to himself: "Come on, you bastards, I'm waiting for you to come and die!"

The next morning, while it was still dim, the Frontline Command was already a scene of chaotic activity.

Li Yunlong had not slept all night, taking a group of Technical Backbone to study the operation manual of the "Heavenly Net" Anti-aircraft System over and over again.

At this moment, with dark circles under his eyes, he was directing the deployment in front of a map.

"Listen, according to intelligence, the enemy is preparing to dispatch a large-scale Bomber fleet, targeting our positions and the rear cities."

Li Yunlong drew a few lines on the map, "The expected attack route is like this; they will enter our Anti-aircraft System zone from these three directions."

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head, looking suspicious: "Commander, can these broken iron pipes really shoot down planes? It looks like setting off fireworks in the sky to me."

The soldiers also looked at each other and began to whisper.

Although they had witnessed the power of the Rocket Launcher, most of them still had no confidence in using it against high-speed enemy aircraft.

"You don't know a damn thing!" Li Yunlong slapped the back of Zhang Dabiao's head, "This is a treasure designed by Chief Engineer Li himself, even more wicked than our 107 Rocket Launcher!"

Li Yunlong turned to face the crowd, his voice raised an octave: "Let me tell you, this thing is called 'Heavenly Net and Earthly Trap'! Whatever flies in the sky, we can handle it!"

Although Li Yunlong spoke with absolute certainty, many soldiers still had doubts in their eyes.

After all, in their understanding, shooting down planes required professional Anti-aircraft Machine Guns, not things that looked like firework tubes.

"Don't believe it, right?" Li Yunlong sneered, "Just wait and see! Today, I'll let you see what a real Anti-aircraft weapon is!"

He returned to the map and continued the deployment:

"'Heavenly Net' Anti-aircraft System is deployed in three groups: the first group on the eastern heights, the second group on the western ridge, and the third group near the central command post. 14.5 Anti-aircraft Machine Guns are dispersed at key points to form crossfire."

Li Yunlong's finger moved rapidly across the map: "This way, no matter which direction the enemy planes enter from, they will run into our 'Steel Bead Fire Wall'!"

Just as he reached the critical point of the deployment, an alarm sounded suddenly.

"Enemy planes! Enemy planes!" the observation post reported urgently, "A large number of enemy planes are approaching from the southeast, about thirty kilometers from our position, at an altitude of 3000 meters!"

Li Yunlong's eyes lit up: "Right on time! Everyone, take your positions immediately! Deploy according to the predetermined plan!"

The soldiers moved quickly, pushing the "Heavenly Net" Anti-aircraft System toward their respective positions.

Although many were still skeptical, military orders were like mountains, and no one dared to be negligent.

Li Yunlong climbed to the command height and raised his binoculars.

In the distant sky, dozens of black dots were gradually enlarging—that was the enemy Bomber formation, vast and menacing.

"One, two, three..." Li Yunlong counted silently, "At least thirty! These sons of bitches want to flatten us all at once."

Zhao Gang ran over in a hurry: "Lao Li, there are too many enemy planes; can our few Anti-aircraft weapons handle it?"

Li Yunlong, however, showed a rare, confident smile:

"Don't worry, today I'll let these bastards know that our sky is not a place they can come and go as they please!"

At the Anti-aircraft position, the soldiers nervously adjusted the angles of the "Heavenly Net," calculating the launch parameters according to the instructions in the manual.

Many had sweaty palms; after all, this was their first time operating this kind of weapon, and they were facing real enemy planes.

"Listen," an Anti-aircraft squad leader shouted to boost morale, "Everyone who has fought with Chief Engineer Li's weapons knows they are true killing machines! Today, we will make the enemy's planes fall like dumplings!"

The enemy formation was getting closer, and the roar was already clearly audible.

The main force was B-24 "Liberator" Bombers, escorted by several fighter planes.

They flew in a neat formation, like a group of arrogant Falcons, preparing to dive and hunt.

Li Yunlong raised his walkie-talkie: "Attention all positions, the enemy planes are about to enter range. Remember what the manual says: don't wait until they are overhead to fire; calculate the trajectory in advance and form a 'Steel Bead Fire Wall' on their path!"

He stared fixedly at the enemy planes in the sky, calculating the distance and time.

When the enemy planes were about 5000 meters away, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Eastern position, prepare!"