April 1, 1941
Red Alert Base
Office
Lin Zheng's gaze was fixed on the report in his hand.
A latest report on military development.
Lin Zheng's eyes were no longer calm, but rippled with excitement.
“The total number of army groups has surpassed fourteen, with the force officially breaking through 1.7 million.”
“The army has over 4000 tanks, including the Grizzly Tank, Rhino Tank, Apocalypse Tank, and Tank Destroyers, forming a tank group.”
“The navy includes seven aircraft carriers from Australia, Qin Australia, and Hua Australia, with seven new carriers scheduled to be launched from shipyards.”
“Eight Hurricane-class nuclear-powered submarines have been commissioned, 21 Aegis-class large cruisers have been commissioned, and the number of destroyers and smaller vessels exceeds 200!”
Lin Zheng admired the incredible capabilities of the Red Alert Base. With enough minerals, electricity, and funds, they could transcend the inevitable centuries-long development of a navy, launching naval vessels like dumplings.
From 1939 to now, 1941, Lin Zheng had built a blue-water navy in just two years. His naval strength had already extended to the open seas and the deep ocean.
Lin Zheng's report also detailed the development of the air force.
The air force had grown to ten air divisions, with a total of over 1000 Black Hawk fourth-generation fighter jets, over 300 Harrier fighter jets, over 200 Peacekeeping heavy bombers, and an undisclosed number of intercontinental bombers.
Lin Zheng’s sphere of influence, encompassing Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and most of East Asia, had already integrated the world's colonial and semi-colonial regions, completely breaking with the Western powers.
Lin Zheng made a firm decision, “We will completely destroy the Empire of Japan! Once our hands are free, we will deal with the Western world!”
…
Lin Zheng's Red Alert army, a force of 720,000, had begun to quickly wipe out the Japanese forces.
The Japanese forces in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, Fujian province, Jiangxi province, and Guizhou province were all annihilated.
Lin Zheng’s victories in the south had brought him closer to the Yangtze River.
On the wide surface of the Yangtze River, a vast fleet of Japanese warships sailed proudly.
The warships on the Yangtze River were typically gunboats, with limited tonnage. Yet, these ships, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand tons, armed with cannons no larger than 203mm, could still suppress the National Army.
The Yangtze Fleet was also known as the First Expeditionary Fleet. It comprised numerous escort ships like the Seta, Uji, and Ataka, along with several 3,000-ton destroyers and a 5,526-ton cruiser.
In the fleet command center, Oono Ichiro's fierce eyes were sharp, “The Empire of Japan will triumph!”
Oono Ichiro had great confidence in his Yangtze Fleet.
…
A formation of over 270 Black Hawk fighter jets soared through the sky.
The Black Hawk pilots looked down at the vast Japanese fleet on the river.
“We have spotted the Japanese Yangtze Fleet...”
“There are over 200 combat vessels.”
“Additionally, there are over 50 troop transports.”
The pilots licked their lips, this was a feast, a fight to relish.
Boom boom boom...
500kg and 750kg bombs loaded with high-explosive charges rained down on the Japanese warships, striking with concentrated force.
The Japanese gunboats, including the Seta and many others under a thousand tons, were instantly torn apart.
Japanese destroyers, caught in the blasts, were split in two, their sailors staring in disbelief.
The Japanese 5,000-ton cruiser, subjected to the most intense bombing, was hit by over ten bombs that burrowed into its hull and exploded, leaving it paralyzed on the river surface.
A massacre!
The Yangtze Fleet, with over 200 ships, suffered a brutal slaughter, leaving the fifty transport ships behind them in a state of shock.
Those fifty transport ships carried the Japanese Sixth Division.
The Sixth Division was one of the regular main divisions, numbering around 16,000 men. Its commander was Tani Suzuo, who participated in the infamous Battle of Shanghai and Battle of Nanjing, committing horrific atrocities against civilians.
Tani Suzuo was stunned... “The Japanese fleet was massacred, it’s too brutal! Is Red Alert really as invincible as the rumors say?”
Tani Suzuo felt his worldview shattering. For a moment, he failed to issue orders.
Tani Suzuo’s eyes were glazed over as he watched the slaughter of the fleet, then turned to their transport ships, the new target of the attack.
Boom boom boom...
A series of explosions and flashes illuminated the scene. The transport ships, with their thin hulls and lack of armor, were vulnerable to the bombs. They were also massacred, bombarded and then raked by machine-gun fire from the planes.
…
Southwest Region
Chongqing
The residence of the Chairman
At the desk, Chiang Kai-shek's expression was complex.
“Chairman, the Japanese Yangtze Fleet has always been rampant in the Yangtze River, forcing us to scuttle our own ships at Jiangyin, leaving us no choice but to lay mines as a defense.”
“The Japanese Yangtze Fleet is now history... over 200 ships are sunk in the river!”
“The transport ships behind them, carrying the Sixth Division, the infamous Kumamoto Division, have also been sent to the bottom!”
Chiang Kai-shek listened, his eyes complicated.
He couldn't help but force a rather ugly smile.
“Rain Nong, I know all this, but the question is, what will the people think? The destruction of the Yangtze Fleet and the Sixth Division will bolster Lin Zheng’s reputation, undermining my own!”
Dai Li, the head of the secret service, rolled his eyes discreetly!
What reputation do you, Chairman Chiang, even have?
How could this possibly affect your reputation?
Chiang Kai-shek seemed to be aware of some of his own shortcomings and sighed, “Alas, Lin Zheng has gained so much... victories, commanders, public support!”