Chapter 231: Rushing Toward the Clouds

A C-47 transport sits in the center, surrounded by seven P-40 "War Axe" fighters. The shark‑mouth paint, under the searchlight, looks fierce and domineering, as if ready to lunge and bite its prey.

Jiang Anguo was puzzled, "William, when was this shark‑mouth painted on?"

He remembered clearly that the P-40 he bought through the WarSystem was not a shark‑mouth.

William hurried over.

"Hehe, Commander, doesn't this look even more imposing!" William said with a smile.

Jiang Anguo nodded; indeed it was so, and it did have a hint of the Flying Tigers.

Ground crew were attaching ammunition belts to the P-40's wing guns, the brass casings flashing coldly in the light.

William saluted Jiang Anguo.

"Commander, everything is ready; we can take off!"

Jiang Anguo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the small yet battle‑changing aerial formation.

He boarded the transport and sat in the cabin; Xiao Si followed Jiang Anguo, a bit nervous.

In truth Jiang Anguo was also slightly nervous, even thinking, "This time, let's not run into the Little Devil's aircraft."

On the ground he dared to gunfight the Little Devil, but in the air he could only rely on William and his men.

"Xiao Si, are you scared?" Jiang Anguo thought, speaking to ease the tension.

Xiao Si shook his head, then nodded, "Young Master, a little scared."

"It's fine, just look at me; I'm not afraid."

"Young Master, your legs are shaking."

Jiang Anguo looked down and indeed both his legs were trembling; he slapped his thighs hard, yet the shaking wouldn't stop.

What's happening, why won't it obey!

"Nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night," Jiang Anguo shouted loudly.

As the engine's roar shifted from low to deafening, the plane began to taxi, then suddenly lifted its nose, tearing the dawn's silence and soaring into the sunrise‑filled sky.

One transport and seven P-40 fighters formed a tight "V" formation, encircling Jiang Anguo's transport in the middle, heading southeast toward Changde.

Amid the plane's roar, Jiang Anguo's thoughts were unusually clear. He recalled the first thing he did right after leaving the Principal's villa last night.

He had Xiao Si send, with the highest encryption level, a Radio Order to Lin Yi, who was far away in Lashu, Myanmar.

The order was simple yet unquestionable: immediately dispatch all transport aircraft at the Lashu base to Changde Airport!

In fact Lashu had few transports; when Jiang Anguo was there, ten transports had been stationed, and he felt they crowded the space, hindering fighters and bombers from taking off.

Since the airports in Northern Myanmar are merely transit fields and not large, Lashu Airport—after Jiang Anguo had long "occupied" it and expanded it—was still surrounded by mountains, truly unsuitable for takeoffs and landings, especially now in the rainy season.

At Lashu Airport, two C-47s had already been flown back to Chongqing by him and Dai Anlan; the remaining eight sat in the hangar, of little use, as the Expeditionary Force had withdrawn to Northern Myanmar.

Now it's good; finally there's a chance to use them.

Not only were the planes brought back, but they also carried two hundred pilots and ground crew, and all the extra seats were given to Jiang Anguo's Guard Company; with no one beside him, Jiang Anguo felt uneasy!

Hmm, not many—just two Platoon's worth—but still better than the current dozen‑plus pilots!

The strongest escort Jiang Anguo now has is Xiao Si; Xiao Si's loyalty is unquestionable, yet Jiang Anguo truly worries about being plotted against in Chongqing.

The Japanese Army bombers were so precise, indicating a spy in Chongqing—this is well known—but Chongqing is so vast that rooting out the spy isn't easy.

Aircraft, not taken!

Jiang Anguo has a system.

Weapons, hindrance, not taken!

Jiang Anguo has a system.

Everything will be dealt with once they reach Changde; it's uncertain whether Changde's airport is usable. The only certainty is that Changde's airport won't be large, so landing so many transports will require hurried repairs.

The biggest problem remains that back then Jiang Anguo exhausted all his own personnel, which now means that returning home to launch an operation requires moving troops from Lashu.

Before landing at Changde Airport, Jiang Anguo had the transport circle a few times: first to locate the field, second to make the city's garrison see them. Fortunately, the soldiers defending Changde recognized them as friendly aircraft—the flag under the wings was correct, and no bombs were dropped on Changde.

At least there's no worry of friendly fire.

The plane pierced the thick clouds; below, the rolling green hills gave way to patchwork rice fields and crisscrossing rivers. Changde, the ancient city on the western shore of Dongting Lake, was now in clear view.

Jiang Anguo looked out the window; this ancient city would soon see a bloody battle, and he wondered whether his arrival could change things. He intended to make Changde the center of a great undertaking.

Wushan Dam Airport served as the rear base with relatively complete facilities, whereas Changde's front‑line airport was a completely different scene.

As the C-47 lowered its altitude, Jiang Anguo saw a solidly compacted earthen runway, flanked by sparse grass and a few crude hangars.

The whole airport seemed somewhat desolate, with only a few soldiers in gray uniforms lazily patrolling the runway; their gear was varied, mostly old Han Yang-made rifles.

One could even see soldiers carrying large swords on their backs.

After a violent jolt, the transport's tires finally touched the ground, skidding and kicking up clouds of dust, eventually stopping at the runway's end.

The engine's roar gradually faded, leaving only the propeller's "whoosh" wind sound.

Jiang Anguo opened the hatch, and a gust of air mixed with mud, fresh grass, and gunpowder smell hit his face.

He had just jumped down when the engine's roar grew louder overhead.

It was the seven P-40s, circling and waiting to land.

"A few soldiers, help push the transport away!" Jiang Anguo shouted loudly.

Good fellows, it won't do not to push it away. Most domestic airports now have only a single main runway; his transport was the first to land, blocking the runway, so the following fighters couldn't land at all.

The few Sichuan Army soldiers at the airport were clearly stunned by the sudden formation, standing dumbfounded, at a loss.

"What are you standing there for! There are fighters behind that need to land, hurry over and help!" Jiang Anguo roared again, his voice bearing unquestionable authority.

Perhaps it was the scolding that jolted them awake.

Jiang Anguo had even forgotten how he trained troops in Chanda!

Sometimes speaking nicely makes you seem easier to bully, and they won't listen to you.