Chapter 262: and ===GLOSSARY===

Inside the massive concrete fortifications of the "Angry Wave No. 1" main gun emplacement.

General Melton led Lin Yu, walking and explaining in detail this defense system that embodied technology beyond its era. His voice was calm and professional, full of confidence in this powerful weapons system.

"Commander, the entire Coastal Defense Giant Shield system has twelve such 'Angry Wave' twin-mounted 380mm main gun emplacements as its core backbone." General Melton pointed at the turret crouching like a beast, his eyes showing a hint of awe, "This main gun is imitation and optimization of the German Navy's top-tier battleship main gun; a single shell (armor-piercing) weighs **800 kilograms**, uses advanced rifled barrel and propellant, maximum effective range over 36 kilometers! Enough to cover most key waterways outside Shen City harbor. Its equipped heavy armor-piercing shells, at this range, can pierce the main belt of any battleship in the world today!"

He paused, then added: "Each twin-mounted turret's theoretical rate of fire can reach **2-3 rounds per minute**; with all twelve turrets firing together, a salvo can unleash twenty-four devastating shells at once!"

"Besides the main guns, the system also includes 48 'Ripper' single-mounted 150mm coastal defense secondary gun emplacements." General Melton pointed to some relatively small but carefully camouflaged emplacements along the distant coastline, "These secondary guns have a higher rate of fire, mainly used to strike enemy cruisers, destroyers, and other medium-light vessels, or to suppress landing forces attempting to approach the coast, with an effective range of about **22 kilometers**."

"Finally, there are 144 'Falcon' 88mm dual-purpose rapid-fire guns, evenly distributed across all emplacements and key nodes." He continued introducing, "These rapid-fire guns not only form a dense anti-aircraft fire net with a maximum ceiling of nearly ten thousand meters, effectively intercepting enemy bombers and reconnaissance aircraft, but can also fire horizontally to strike small, high-speed targets near the shore, such as torpedo boats or landing craft, creating a tight, three-layered, long-medium-short-range fire network."

Lin Yu listened while occasionally nodding, his sharp gaze sweeping over the massive guns and surrounding facilities. He could imagine what an earth-shaking spectacle it would be when over a hundred guns of various calibers roared simultaneously.

General Melton led Lin Yu into a similarly sturdy, semi-underground auxiliary observation post or command room beside the main gun emplacement, equipped with precise instruments and communications gear.

"Commander, the greatest strength of this system lies not only in the guns themselves, but in its advanced command and control system." General Melton pointed to the huge plotting board on the wall and several complex devices that looked full of mechanical beauty (mechanical firing parameter calculators), "We have an 'Eagle Eye' long-range optical observation network covering the entire coastline; the raw data—target distance, bearing, speed—gathered at each observation point is transmitted via encrypted wired and wireless communications in real time to the 'hub' firepower calculation and command center here."

"These mechanical calculators, though not the electronic computers of later eras, have internal precision gears and cam structures that can, in an extremely short time, automatically compute precise firing parameters—including lead, azimuth, and elevation—based on input target dynamic data and our own gun position parameters. Their speed and accuracy far surpass those of any nation's coastal artillery in this era that relies on manual plotting and hand calculations."

"The firing orders computed can be rapidly dispatched via the command center's switch system to the designated gun batteries, whether concentrating fire on a single high-value target or dispersing fire to suppress multiple targets, enabling swift response and precise execution. Even partial turret operations, such as roughly adjusting azimuth and elevation according to the calculation results, can be semi-automatically performed, greatly improving reaction speed and hit rate."

Lin Yu carefully observed the metallic, gleaming calculators and the plotting board covered in scales, then looked at the turret's interior, where despite its size the mechanical structure was orderly; his eyes flashed with satisfaction. Having previously only learned of the system's strength from the introduction, now through General Melton's detailed explanation and on-site observation, he gained a more intuitive and profound understanding of the power of the "Coastal Defense Giant Shield".

This is not merely a simple pile of big guns stacked together; it is a truly meaningful system possessing early automation and informatization features, a highly integrated modern defense system! Its combat effectiveness absolutely surpasses the imagination of anyone in this era.

"Excellent!" Lin Yu patted General Melton's shoulder again, his tone full of affirmation, "With this steel Great Wall, Shen City's coastline is as solid as gold and boiling water!"

After General Melton finished introducing the sea and air firepower configuration, he specifically pointed to another land map beside the sea chart table, covered with a transparent protective film and with a larger scale, which marked the detailed terrain of Shen City and its surrounding areas.

"Commander, there is still something that needs special reporting to you," General Melton's tone carried a hint of barely noticeable pride, "The firepower of this 'Coastal Defense Giant Shield' system is not limited to seaward. Our 'Angry Wave' 380mm main guns and 'Ripper' 150mm secondary guns can adjust their elevation to precisely strike deep land targets!"

He picked up a ruler and traced on the land map: "Taking the 'Angry Wave' main gun as an example, although its maximum range against land targets is slightly reduced due to ballistics and terrain, it can still cover an area with a radius of about **30 kilometers**! Enough to deliver devastating long-range artillery support or strikes against enemy ground forces possibly assembling or advancing in the distant suburbs, important transportation hubs, or even command centers—high-value targets."

"As for the 150mm secondary guns, their effective range against land targets can reach about **18-20 kilometers**, providing more flexible and concentrated fire support for our near-coastal defense units, or suppressing enemy forward artillery positions they might establish."

"In other words," General Melton concluded, "this system is not merely a defensive shield; when needed, it can also become an offensive iron fist, providing strong firepower backing for our army on the land battlefield!"

Lin Yu's eyes flashed upon hearing this. This was undoubtedly another great surprise! Having thought it was merely a simple coastal defense system, he hadn't expected it to also possess such powerful land-strike capability, greatly broadening its tactical value and strategic significance.

"As for the personnel," General Melton straightened his chest and said confidently, "All six thousand officers and men of the brigade, since the system's deployment, have undergone day-and-night high-intensity simulation training and live drills. They have fully mastered the operation of this complex system, from target observation and data calculation to gun loading and firing; every step has become muscle memory. I guarantee that as soon as an order is given, we can unleash the most violent barrage on any designated target in the shortest time! We can go into battle at any moment!"

After listening to General Melton's entire briefing, Lin Yu slowly turned around and once again directed his gaze toward the massive turret lying still in the morning light outside the window, and the distant, sparkling sea.

On Lin Yu's face appeared an unprecedented, supremely confident smile. That smile bore the composure of mastering everything and the fearlessness toward future challenges.

Yes, fearless!

Possessing a far-ocean strike fleet like the "Sea Eagle Special Task Force," whose combat power far exceeds the era, enabling active hunting of any strong enemy on the high seas; and also possessing the "Coastal Defense Giant Shield," an integrated super-defense system that combines detection, command, long-medium-short-range, and sea-land-air multilayered firepower, firmly guarding his core base.

Shen City has truly become an impregnable fortress!

Whether it is the seemingly powerful Japanese fleet returning for another attack, or any other Great Powers attempting intimidation through gunboat diplomacy, or even the worst-case scenario—the enemy launching a large-scale landing operation regardless of cost—they will all smash headfirst into the double barrier formed by the German fleet's far-sea interception and the Coastal Defense Giant Shield's near-shore strangulation, ending up battered and paying a price they cannot afford.

From now on, any threat coming from the sea is no longer a deadly weakness for Lin Yu. He can finally straighten his back and devote more energy to land expansion and internal consolidation.

"General Melton," Lin Yu's voice full of strength and confidence, "I believe you and your coastal defense brigade will become the most reliable steel shield guarding Shen City's coastline!"

General Melton saluted again: "I will sacrifice my life to complete the mission, commander!"