Chapter 234: Gentlemen, Target Wuhan!

Xu Guozhang's scrutinizing look gradually faded; after all, the young man before him, Jiang Anguo, was so young that Xu Guozhang was not optimistic about him.

What replaced it on Xu Guozhang's face was a heartfelt recognition and admiration.

He forced the last piece of meat in the bowl into his mouth, and putting it down was truly reluctant.

"Good! That's got guts! Not like some spineless shrimp who only know how to stay at the stall and take hits!" Xu Guozhang set the bowl aside and brushed the oil off his hand.

He leaned in a step, his voice lowered even further, audible to only the two of them: "Tomorrow… will there be any movement?"

Jiang Anguo nodded, then shook his head.

"There will be movement, and it will be huge."

Jiang Anguo stopped beating around the bush; he glanced at William, who was checking an aircraft not far away, then turned back, his eyes blazing at Xu Guozhang.

"Did you see that foreigner? Tomorrow he will lead our fighters to bomb Wuhan Airport."

The foreigner, that is William, a foreigner who speaks very well.

In fact, he is the pilot Jiang Anguo exchanged for in the system!

"Wuhan Airport?!" Xu Guozhang inhaled a cold gasp, his heart feeling like a massive stone dropped in, stirring countless waves.

Good fellow, this isn't just big movement; it's practically copying the Japanese's home base! Wuhan is the Japanese Army's main stronghold in Central China, and its airport defenses are extremely strict, needn't be said.

After a brief shock, Xu Guozhang's face showed not fear but a near‑fanatical excitement.

"Good! Little brother, your courage far exceeds big brother's!" He slapped Jiang Anguo on the back with such force that Jiang staggered, "Just tell me how you want big brother to cooperate! The brain‑splitting job counts as one for our 150th Division!"

Jiang Anguo steadied himself, his expression still calm: "Commander Xu, tonight's expansion has been hard on the brothers. After it's done, I need you to immediately dispatch troops to seal off the entire airport perimeter, within five li, no one may approach."

"Oh? What's the reason for that?" Xu Guozhang was a bit puzzled.

"Because we have a secret weapon that will be shipped in from Myanmar tomorrow," Jiang Anguo said half‑seriously.

Xu Guozhang immediately grasped the seriousness. He was not a talkative person; a soldier's duty is obedience.

Although the Japanese Army had not captured Changsha, the nearest city to Changsha and Changde, Yueyang, was also in Japanese hands, so at this time Japanese spies might move southward and eastward.

Jiang Anguo didn't have much time left. If you land the plane today—not even tonight—by tomorrow the Japanese Army's Central China commander's office and Ichiro's desk could already have the intelligence "Nationalist aircraft landing at Changde!" Therefore Jiang Anguo's speed must be faster than the Japanese's.

"I understand, no need to ask what shouldn't be asked." Xu Guozhang nodded heavily, "Little brother, rest assured, I'll pull all the 150th Division's men over, encircle you so tightly that even a single fly can't get in!"

With Xu Guozhang's guarantee, the last stone in Jiang Anguo's heart finally settled.

At night, as the bustle at Changde Airport gradually subsided, the 150th Division's Sichuan Army soldiers withdrew from the runway. Xu Guozhang personally, armed with a submachine gun, led troops to guard the airport perimeter, showing he kept his word.

Japanese bomber raids on Sichuan had been horrific, tens of thousands perished under Japanese aircraft. As a Sichuan Army commander, Xu Guozhang had long desired revenge.

But it truly was out of reach.

A low, continuous engine roar ripped through the night's silence.

Eight C‑47 transport planes, guided by navigation lights, landed one after another safely on the runway that had just been hurriedly leveled and reinforced.

There was no grand welcome ceremony, only efficient, silent unloading.

All who streamed from the planes were pilots and ground crew dressed in Flight Jackets; without ground crew it wouldn't work—having pilots just hang orders and refuel would be a huge waste of time.

You can't just fly once and then discard the fighter; Jiang Anguo will exchange for a new fighter.

Of course, there's also Jiang Anguo's Guard Company, not many, just two squads.

As soon as the plane landed, this Guard Platoon came to Jiang Anguo's side; Jiang Anguo immediately had Xiao Si distribute weapons and equipment, as he had long prepared.

Each person received an MP40 submachine gun; what's needed now is ample firepower, and whether any special situation arises can be dealt with later.

Thus a simple guard unit was formed.

William immediately gathered the newly landed pilots, assembling them in a temporarily erected large Tent. Under the lights, everyone's faces were filled with tension and anticipation.

"All right, gentlemen, quiet!" William stood before a huge tactical map, his voice loud and powerful, "Welcome to Changde! Now, I will announce tomorrow's operation plan!"

Everyone held their breath.

"Tomorrow at four a. m., we will launch a devastating raid on Wuhan's Wangjiadun Airport!"

A chorus of sharp inhales echoed in the Tent.

"Total deployment: 18 P‑40E 'War Axe' fighters, 22 B‑25C 'Mitchell' medium bombers!"

Deploying forty fighters and bombers directly is a large‑scale raid even by Japanese standards; meanwhile, the Nationalist side, after receiving increasing American aid, has grown its aircraft numbers but still focuses on defense.

As for aircraft, Jiang Anguo no longer cared for the earlier fighters outside; they had been more or less damaged in previous battles with the Japanese.

Thus he exchanged in the system for P‑40 fighters and B‑25 bombers.

Fighters cost 250 points each, large bombers 500 points each, while Stukas are much cheaper at only 250 points per aircraft. Since this is a Tier‑3 system, all aircraft prices have been reduced.

The most critical factor is fuel, which is why Jiang Anguo ultimately chose Changde instead of Chongqing.

If the mission were carried out from Chongqing, Jiang Anguo would be swamped; all his weapons and equipment would have to be moved from Lashu to Chongqing, consuming massive manpower and resources.

Changde is different; now the 150th Division is on the outskirts, and it's unclear what's happening inside.

William seemed to see through their doubts; the baton in his hand traced a circle before pointing at Wuhan, a confident smile curling his lips.

His voice was infectious: "Yes, you heard correctly! We're going to bomb Wuhan Airport, and you have only a few hours! So now, immediately, right away, return to your own Tent and rest! Tomorrow, we'll make the entire Japanese Army Air Service remember the name Changde!"

After a brief silence in the Tent, a thunderous shout erupted.

Hundreds of pilots and technicians, long suppressed, had blazing fire in their eyes.

Air raid on Wuhan Airport!

That night, Changde Airport was destined to be sleepless.

War cannot be purely defensive; Jiang Anguo previously lacked the strength and, with an unclear situation, had retreated to Lashu. Now it's different—he has enough points and enough troops to carry out this strike against the Japanese.