127: Chapter 127 If we're going to fight, let's fight big!

The Chief of Staff's words made everyone present light up with excitement!

This basin between the Taihang Mountains and the Taiyue Mountains is truly tempting!

The Brigade Commander added excitedly, "The Chief of Staff is right! Heading south to City Name might not seem as 'shocking' as heading north to attack Jinan and threatening Taiyuan, but the benefits are more solid, and the risks are more controllable."

"We don't need to hurt the devils so much that they go crazy all at once; instead, we should advance steadily, fatten ourselves up first, and plant our roots deep!"

"With a base area that connects the Taihang Mountains and the Taiyue Mountains, plus the new equipment in our hands, the room for future development... is limitless!"

"That's right!" another Leader agreed, clapping his hands. "You have to eat your food one bite at a time, and fight your battles one by one!"

"Heading south to City Name is a brilliant move that can train the troops, break in our equipment, and secure huge practical benefits! This move is steady and far-sighted!"

Shen Wang listened from the side. Although he wasn't as familiar with the specific terrain and enemy situation as the Leaders, he was still filled with excitement.

This was no longer a simple question of "where to fight," but a strategic layout in the true sense!

From opening up base areas and connecting mountain ranges to securing populations and granaries and expanding space... every step showed deep foresight.

What is strategic planning? This is strategic planning!

The other Leaders also joined in the eager discussion, analyzing various possibilities.

In the end, everyone reached a consensus.

"Good! Then we head south to City Name!" the Chief of Staff declared decisively.

With the strategic direction set, the next step was to select specific operational targets!

Everyone's eyes focused on the map again.

The Chief of Staff's pencil started from He County and pointed south one by one:

"The first battle, Liao County!"

"This place is located directly south of He County. It is the throat that shields He County and connects the north and south. We must remove it first to ensure the safety of our army's southward route and establish an advance pivot point!"

"After taking Liao County, we will split our forces into two routes!"

"The western route will take Du County and Wu County, clear out the enemies at the eastern foothills of the Taiyue Mountains, and consolidate the western flank;"

"The eastern route will take Qin County and Li County, eliminate the threat on the western side of the Taihang Mountains, and ensure the safety of the eastern route!"

Finally, the pencil landed heavily on the center of the map, on the city marked with a larger circle—

"The final target, City Name!"

"After taking the five surrounding counties, we will concentrate our main force, leverage the momentum of our great victory, and with the force of Mount Tai pressing down, completely connect the Taihang Mountains and the Taiyue Mountains!"

Liao County, Du County, Wu County, Qin County, Li County, City Name!

Five counties and one city, progressing layer by layer, advancing step by step.

"That's it!" The Chief of Staff straightened up, his gaze sweeping over everyone with immense determination.

"Head south! Liberate Southeast Shanxi!"

After determining the targets, the next step was the specific operational plan.

The Division Commander turned to the Brigade Commander, his eyes burning: "I don't think the operational plan needs to be too complicated! We'll fight this just like we fought in He County!"

"Old Chen, tell everyone about your experience of taking He County in ten minutes again!"

The Brigade Commander was stunned by the question and instinctively scratched his head. It was only a ten-minute battle; what kind of experience was there to talk about?

"Division Commander, that's not quite right... That battle in He County, when it comes down to it, it's just two words—night raid!"

"We crept over under the cover of night, relying on the 99A's night vision capabilities. The devils were still dreaming when their headquarters, barracks, and watchtowers were picked off by 125mm shells."

"The follow-up troops then mopped up the remaining enemies. That's it. The process... was that simple."

He walked to the map and gestured: "As for experience, first, intelligence must be solid! We must have a crystal-clear understanding of the devils' garrison maps, headquarters locations, barracks distribution, and firepower points!"

"Second, the timing must be precise! Pick the second half of the night, when people are most tired and vigilance is at its lowest!"

"Third, the attack must be ruthless! Don't spare the ammunition, cripple the devils directly, and don't give them a chance to counterattack!"

The Brigade Commander recounted the process of attacking He County and also had Li Yunlong provide a detailed report.

Although the big bosses had long since read the battle report for He County, listening to the Brigade Commander personally describe that clean, swift, and almost crushing surprise attack now, the Chief of Staff, the Division Commander, and the others still felt their hearts surging, their eyes flashing with brilliance.

"Good!" The Chief of Staff clapped his hands.

"A perfect 'steady, precise, and ruthless'!"

"Then this time, we'll fight the same way! And besides, we have far more hardware in our hands now than we did when we fought in He County!"

"In addition to the 14 99As, we have a full 80 Type 59 tanks!"

To be honest, with so many tanks, the Chief of Staff and the others would feel restless if they didn't go out and fight.

At this moment, the Division Commander suddenly asked: "Mr. Shen, do the Type 59 tanks... also have night vision capabilities?"

Shen Wang nodded: "That's right, the Type 59 tanks also have night vision capabilities. Although they might not see as far or as clearly as the 99As, it's enough!"

"Good!" the Division Commander replied, his tone decisive.

"Then the operational principle is set: all attacking units must complete meticulous reconnaissance of their targets before the battle and figure everything out!"

"The attack launch time will be unified for the second half of the night! With tanks as the assault vanguard, we will use our night vision advantage to strike directly at the enemy's core vital points, such as headquarters, barracks, radio stations, and artillery!"

"We must destroy their brains and spines in the shortest possible time! Follow-up infantry will quickly follow to expand the results and mop up the remaining enemies!"

The core framework of the plan quickly took shape. It was still the same simple, brutal, yet extremely effective "night raid and decapitation" model, only the scale had changed from attacking one county to potentially attacking six!

At this moment, a Leader in charge of political work raised a concern: "The plan is a good one, but there is a problem."

"When we fought in He County, it was a surprise attack, and we took it in one battle."

"But if we attack Liao County, Du County, and so on in succession... once the news spreads, the devils in City Name and even further away will inevitably be alerted, strengthen their defenses, or even mobilize reinforcements. If we fight then, I'm afraid it won't be so easy."

Once these words were spoken, several Leaders frowned slightly.

Indeed, the essence of blitzkrieg lies in speed and surprise. Once the enemy reacts, establishes a defensive line, or receives reinforcements, the difficulty of the attack and the casualties will increase significantly.

At this moment, Shen Wang chuckled softly.

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on him.

"Mr. Shen, do you have any brilliant ideas?" the Chief of Staff asked immediately.

Shen Wang walked to the map, measured the straight-line distance from He County to City Name with his finger, and then said:

"The Leaders have considered this thoroughly! However, why must we give the devils time to react?"

Hmm?

The Leaders were even more puzzled and didn't quite understand what Shen Wang meant.

Shen Wang continued: "The furthest city, City Name, is only a little over a hundred kilometers from He County. At the speed of the Type 59 tanks, if they drive at full speed, two hours or so is enough!"

"After taking the nearest, Liao County, we can completely... split our forces into multiple routes and strike simultaneously!"

"Strike simultaneously?"

The Leaders were startled at first, and then their eyes widened sharply!

This...

This...

This...