vstars Chapter 279 Li Zhen's Navy Achieves a Great Victory
Chapter 279 Li Zhen's Navy Achieves a Great Victory
Despite its short history, Li Zhen's elite naval force, with its generous financial and material support, has undergone a remarkable transformation from fishing boats and cargo ships to maritime powerhouses. These vessels, which once leisurely fished on the blue waves or transported goods across the rivers, have now become imposing steel warships traversing the waters.
Leaving aside its sturdy hull and agile maneuverability, the machine gun emplacements prominently displayed at the bow alone were enough to instill fear in any enemy on the water; their firepower was overwhelming, capable of sweeping away any obstacle. If the machine guns were already a testament to their power, then the cleverly deployed mortars on the cargo ship pushed this game of strength to a new level. Like a rain of fire from the sky, they gave the enemy a profound understanding of the true meaning of "firepower"—a devastating attack that transcended dimensions, inspiring awe and leaving them powerless to resist.
With such equipment, Li Jiajun's waterborne strength is no longer comparable to what it used to be, and it is writing its own legendary chapter in the water with a force to be reckoned with.
In order to test the prowess and strength of their navy, they meticulously planned an operation, intending to catch the Jurchen fleet carrying supplies off guard on the Bibo Lake adjacent to Dong'e County.
As winter arrives, the Yellow River sheds its summer wildness and enters its tranquil period. The river narrows, and the current becomes languid and slow, providing rare convenience for navigation. In this peaceful yet subtly treacherous season, a fleet of over ten medium-sized ships, like a giant dragon, proudly sails against the current of the Yellow River. A north wind howls, carrying the chill of winter, billowing the sails as if by a gift from nature, allowing the young and strong sailors, who have been rowing vigorously in the lower cabins, a moment's respite. With a firm grip on the helm, they can ride the wind and cut through the waves.
Just as they were about to cross the narrow river, they saw more than twenty boats rushing down from upstream. Since they were going downstream, these boats did not have sails.
"Clang clang clang... clang clang clang..."
"Enemy attack! There are enemies on the river."
With a sharp, urgent alarm bell ringing, accompanied by tense and powerful shouts, the Jin soldiers in the cabin seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, quickly and orderly returning to their respective combat positions on the ship. They gripped their sharp weapons tightly, their eyes resolute, standing in formation, like an impregnable wall of steel ready to be unleashed.
In this tense atmosphere where you could almost hear your heart pounding, the Jin general in charge of this important transport mission stood tall at the bow of the ship, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, piercing through layers of fog and fixed on the approaching ship in the distance.
Every detail, every movement, did not escape his weathered eyes. He secretly plotted, trying to discern from the outlines of the ships, their flags, and even their manner of travel who these uninvited guests belonged to, whether they were friend or foe. The unspoken contest was quietly unfolding.
As they drew closer, they finally discovered that the other ship was displaying the words "Li Family Army".
The Jin general shouted, "Attention everyone! The ships opposite belong to Li's army. Once they are within range of our arrows, everyone attack immediately!"
Before he could finish speaking, a loud explosion was heard from ahead; it was Li Jiajun's mortars firing.
A ship laden with provisions met its demise on calm waters. A mortar shell, like the kiss of death, precisely sealed its fate. Instantly, a deafening explosion erupted, flames shot skyward, tearing the surrounding air to shreds. The provisions on board, like leaves swept by a gale, fell into the water, creating ripples of despair.
This scene was like a bolt from the blue for the Jin soldiers. Their eyes widened in terror as they gazed at the distant shore, their hearts filled with bewilderment and confusion. How could the enemy's artillery fire, at this seemingly insurmountable distance, penetrate the barrier of space with such precision, delivering a fatal blow?
After two rounds of shelling, Li's army's machine gun positions seemed like awakened beasts, roaring and spewing endless tongues of fire. Bullets rained down like a dense storm, turning the sky a deathly gray. The wooden hulls of the ships became fragile and vulnerable under this relentless onslaught, splinters flying like autumn leaves, falling helplessly.
On deck, Jin soldiers were riddled with bullets, their bodies riddled with holes. Cries of agony and groans rose and fell, weaving a tragic symphony of death. On these waters, life and death, glory and despair, were engaged in a silent struggle.
Not only were the Jin army dumbfounded, but even the soldiers of Li's army who launched the attack were stunned: this was not a battle, but a one-sided massacre.
100 meters, 50 meters, 30 meters, until only 10 meters remained.
The distance between the two ships rapidly decreased, like a taut string about to snap. The warriors of Li's army, nimble and agile, used the ship's thick ropes to leap onto the Jin army's gunwale like knights who could scale walls. They raised their sharp weapons, gleaming coldly, and charged directly at the Jin soldiers whose will to fight had long been extinguished by the flames of war.
The battle, fought on the surging waves of the Yellow River, was as fierce and brief as a sudden storm. In less than an hour, this decisive clash had come to an end.
The Jin army's fleet, once a mighty force, was now mostly destroyed; nearly half of its dozen or so warships sank into the surging Yellow River. The remaining Jin soldiers, witnessing the carnage of their comrades, lost all morale and mostly laid down their weapons, surrendering. The Jin general's fate was even more tragic; he had hoped to display his might on the Yellow River, but instead, he was mowed down by the machine guns of Li's army, instantly riddled with bullet holes, his body shattered like a leaf caught in a whirlwind.
Li Jiajun's navy won a great victory in this battle. Their cheers mingled with the sound of the Yellow River's waves, as if nature itself was applauding their bravery.
Just as Li Zhen was overjoyed at the naval victory, a military officer guarding the city gate rushed into the hall, his expression a mixture of urgency and bewilderment. He reported that another group of rebel soldiers, resembling beggars, had gathered beneath the city gates of Dong'e. Their clothes were tattered, and their steps were unsteady; they had clearly traveled a long distance from the neighboring county of Qihe to the east. In recent days, Li Zhen had taken in several similar groups of refugee soldiers.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the hall before finally settling on Du Jie. He slowly said, "Let them enter the city. However, to ensure peace within the city, all their weapons must be confiscated and temporarily kept by us. Settle them in the military camp in the west of the city. Once the situation stabilizes, we will carefully screen and reorganize them." As he finished speaking, a hint of helplessness and resolve flickered in Li Zhen's eyes, as if he were striving to maintain a balance of order and compassion amidst the chaos of the world.
Du Jie cupped his hands and suggested, "My lord, our army is currently well-trained, well-supplied, and in high spirits. Why not strike while the iron is hot and capture Qihe County in one fell swoop?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen shook his head slightly, a hint of worry showing between his brows: "General Du, you are unaware that Qihe County has a flat, boundless terrain, which is ideal for the enemy to maneuver. Although my Li family army has sharp weapons and is good at both offense and defense, it still has a weakness in cavalry. If we rashly advance into Qihe now, Jinan Prefecture on the other side will certainly not sit idly by and will send troops to reinforce us. Not to mention that the strength of the Jinan Prefecture's garrison is not to be underestimated, the Jin army's iron cavalry alone are worth ten men each and are exceptionally brave. I really cannot bear to see my men suffer unnecessary casualties because of momentary bravery."