Chapter 287: Ambush in the Minefield

He Yuzhu's gaze pressed against the sniper scope, skimming over the steel tracks of the lead tank and sweeping across the soldiers marching in formation through the snow, finally locking firmly onto the military Jeep in the center of the column—the person sitting inside was undoubtedly the commander of this unit. His fingertip hovered over the trigger, patiently waiting for the best moment.

The roar of the tanks echoed through the valley, shaking the snow on the mountainside until it tumbled down, while the tracks crushed the accumulated snow, kicking up a white mist.

A group of United States soldiers walking in front of the tanks suddenly stopped, and one soldier shouted, "Mark, look!"

Lieutenant Mark walked forward and discovered fresh footprints all over the mountains and plains; his expression immediately grew increasingly grave.

Mark walked against the flow, passing tank after tank until he reached a Jeep. He trotted alongside the vehicle and said, "Report, Colonel. A large number of footprints have been discovered on the road ahead, all leading to the mountaintop. I suspect there may be an ambush. Please advise, should we continue to advance?"

Colonel Xien stroked his chin, thought for a moment, and asked, "Besides the footprints, are there any signs of heavy weaponry?"

"None at all," Mark shook his head. "They are all disorganized footprints; it looks very panicked."

Xien smiled arrogantly: "I understand. The China army must have seen our torrent of tanks and been scared into hiding on the mountain. Hahaha!"

As a loyal supporter of Mike'a'se, Xien also firmly believed that the war would end and they would be home before Christmas.

He shouted at his Adjutant: "Convey my order: aim the cannons at the mountain and be ready to fire at any moment!"

The messenger immediately used the Walkie-talkie to relay the order.

The tanks emitted a deafening roar and continued to push forward.

He Yuzhu watched through the scope as the tanks gradually approached the Landmine field; he locked the crosshairs firmly on the officer sitting in the Jeep and pulled the trigger.

A crisp gunshot shook the snow on the trees beside He Yuzhu, causing it to fall with a rustle.

A bloody hole suddenly appeared on Colonel Xien's forehead; his head tilted, and he collapsed against the car window, leaving behind several thin red streaks.

Almost at the same time, the lead tank rolled over an Anti-tank Mine.

The front of the tank jolted violently upward, then slammed heavily back onto the ground.

A section of the track was thrown far away like a dead snake, smashing heavily into a soldier, who died on the spot.

The tank driver's head slammed hard against the dashboard, and he fainted instantly.

The shell rack inside the turret rattled from the impact, and shells rolled all over the floor, making a "clanging" sound as they hit the steel plating.

This type of Landmine had immense power; it was something He Yuzhu and Liu Xiaohua had put a great deal of effort into developing, and it certainly did not disappoint.

The first tank was scrapped just like that, and it also blocked the path for the vehicles behind it.

But this was only the beginning; the true tragedy had just raised its curtain.

Boom, boom, boom!

The Second Platoon led by Xu Jian began firing Rockets.

Twenty Rockets trailed long tails of fire, whistling as they flew toward these Iron Turtles.

Rumbling! The sounds of explosions followed one after another, echoing through the valley.

These tanks could not move and became sitting ducks.

Over a dozen tanks were immediately pierced by Armor-piercing Shells; the warheads ricocheted repeatedly inside the tanks, and almost no one inside survived.

Several other tanks suffered secondary explosions, sending up massive fireballs, and the surrounding soldiers were almost none spared.

For a time, screams rang out incessantly around the tanks, turning the place into a living hell.

The Battalion Commander was dead, over a dozen tanks were blown up, and this once-arrogant Cavalry Division Tank Battalion fell into total chaos.

Just then, He Yuzhu also opened fire.

The Anti-aircraft Machine Gun spat tongues of fire, and bullets whistled into the crowd.

Any soldier hit was instantly severed in two.

Over a hundred United States soldiers died on the spot just like that.

A Black Deputy Battalion Commander lay behind a tank and shouted hoarsely: "I am Major Leon! Xien is dead, and I am now in command! Listen up, stay calm! I am calling for air support immediately! Everyone find cover and fire at the opposite side!"

The panicked United States soldiers calmed down slightly and began to return fire toward the mountain and He Yuzhu's position.

Some Volunteer Army soldiers who were not well-hidden were hit one after another and fell into the snow.

The tanks behind were all blocked and stopped advancing.

Boom, boom, boom! The Third Platoon led by Shi Lei also began to fire.

Another dozen or so tanks were blown up.

Leon grew anxious and shouted the order: "All tanks turn around, retreat ten miles!"

The messenger used the Walkie-talkie to loudly relay the order.

Leon then grabbed the messenger's radio and shouted in despair: "Command Center, this is Major Leon, First Battalion, Cavalry Division Tank Battalion, emergency distress call! We have encountered a devastating ambush... the enemy has a regiment, no, a division..."

"This is the Air Force Command Center, please report your position, over."

"NK, over!"

"NK, coordinates confirmed, over."

"You must be quick, I... my battalion cannot hold on anymore..."

Before he could finish his sentence, dozens of Anti-aircraft Gun shells came whistling in.

Boom, boom, boom!

The telecommunications vehicle was hit directly by a shell and burst into flames.

The signalman's body was blown in two, with the communication backpack still hanging on his upper torso.

Leon was lucky and wasn't hit; terrified, he quickly threw himself onto the ground and shouted hoarsely: "Retreat! Everyone retreat from the position!"

However, three tanks did not follow his order; the drivers drove the tanks charging forward, firing their cannons in retaliation from time to time.

Seeing a few who didn't fear death, He Yuzhu quickly shouldered a Bazooka and rushed up the hillside, firing a round at the first tank.

Boom! With a loud explosion, the first tank was blown up.

Just then, a shell flew directly toward He Yuzhu's position.

He Yuzhu immediately dodged behind a large rock and then slipped into his Personal Space.

The shell hit the rock accurately, shattering it into pieces.

Ershuan had been staring fixedly at He Yuzhu, and seeing him suddenly disappear, he assumed he had been blown away by a shell, so he immediately shouted and rushed forward.

Just at this moment, He Yuzhu emerged from the space, happening to see Ershuan rushing over with red eyes.

He Yuzhu grabbed him and pulled him to the ground: "Didn't you see the enemy is still shelling?"

Ershuan said with a sobbing tone: "I thought you were dead!"

"I'm not that easy to kill," He Yuzhu said.

Just as the second and third Tank fired their guns, the Anti-tank Mine on the ground suddenly exploded.

The two Tank immediately went silent.

At this time, several soldiers excitedly ran over, wanting to check the situation.

He Yuzhu hurriedly shouted: "Everyone get down!"

Although the few soldiers did not understand why, they quickly got down after hearing the order.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A survivor inside a Tank fired outward with a Pistol.

He Yuzhu quickly ran over, took out a Smoke Grenade, and placed it near the ventilation hole of the Tank.

Very quickly, thick smoke filled the cabin, and the people inside could not stay any longer, one after another pushing open the hatch and crawling out.

He Yuzhu raised his hand and fired a few shots, killing them all.

He Yuzhu knew the enemy planes would arrive soon, so he hurriedly blew his whistle to gather his men.

Second Platoon and Third Platoon quickly retreated to He Yuzhu's side.

"The enemy planes are coming soon, everyone get ready and fight this battle well!" He Yuzhu said.

Ten minutes later, three small bright spots appeared on the Radar screen.

He Yuzhu immediately gave the order: "Anti-aircraft Machine Gun and Anti-aircraft Gun, prepare!"

The roar of the planes grew louder and louder, and their massive shadows were cast by the sunlight onto this vast snowy expanse, like an aerial ghost, pressing down on every Volunteer Army soldier on the ground.

"It's a B-29, an Air Fortress! They really think highly of me..." He Yuzhu muttered.

Ershuan looked bewildered, not knowing what He Yuzhu was talking about.