9: Chapter 9 System Lottery Again

After the successful anti-bandit operation, Li Ling's life entered a relatively calm phase.

The training of the three thousand elite troops continued, but the content had upgraded from basic training to tactical training.

Squad, platoon, and company-level tactics, urban warfare, mountain warfare, ambushes, and counter-ambushes—Li Ling combined the modern military theories from his past life with the actual conditions of this era to compile a training manual, which he had the officers follow strictly.

Fritz's Artillery Company had also expanded to three hundred men, equipped with sixteen 75mm Field Guns and eight 120mm Howitzers.

According to Fritz, in terms of firepower, this Artillery Company had already surpassed the Artillery Battalion of a standard German Infantry Division.

"Young General, if you give me one more month of training time, I can train this Artillery Company into the strongest artillery unit in all of Asia." Fritz promised, patting his chest.

"Don't brag; lay the foundation first." Although Li Ling said this, he was actually quite satisfied inside.

Meanwhile, the Hand grenade and landmine Production Base at the warehouse in the west of the city had also begun operating at full capacity.

With a daily output of 1,000 Hand grenades and 200 landmines, Li Ling's arsenal was soon filled with various explosives.

"System, can these Hand grenades and landmines be converted into Mortar shells?"

"You need to unlock Mortar technology. The Host has previously drawn the blueprints for the Mortar and can produce the technology. However, the production of Mortars requires specialized equipment and a production line, which neither of the current Production Bases possesses."

"Then just draw another Production Base."

"Host, the draw is random; it is not based on what you want."

"Then raise the probability a bit for me; we have such a good relationship."

"The System does not have the concept of a 'relationship'."

"Tch, stingy."

Li Ling complained verbally, but he understood in his heart that the System had already taken good care of him.

Two Production Bases—one for manufacturing guns and one for Hand grenades and landmines—plus the artillery production line, meant his arms production capacity had already surpassed the arsenals of the vast majority of countries in this era.

It had taken less than two months.

This was the terrifying aspect of the System.

But this was not enough.

Li Ling knew deeply that to establish a foothold in this era, having an Army alone was not enough.

Qingxia Kingdom possessed a long coastline, and the warships of the great powers could sail to his doorstep at any time.

Without a powerful navy, even if he trained the Army to be as strong as possible, he would still be in a position of passive defense.

"System, when can I unlock naval technology?"

"The Host needs to achieve greater accomplishments, such as defeating the Japan fleet at sea or building the first Dreadnought."

"So that's still a long way off."

"Yes. But the Host can start with preparatory work, such as cultivating naval talent, collecting shipbuilding technical data, and searching for suitable naval ports."

Li Ling nodded.

These were all things that could be done in advance.

He summoned several trusted officers and had them search for suitable deep-water ports in coastal areas, preparing them to serve as bases for the future navy.

At the same time, through his father's network, he recruited a group of fishermen and sailors with sailing experience from various places to begin basic naval training.

Of course, none of this attracted the attention of the great powers.

Under Li Ling's deliberate low profile, the outside world only knew that the Governor's playboy son had organized a New Army, wiped out a group of bandits, and done a few good deeds.

As for what weapons the New Army was equipped with or how strong its combat effectiveness was, the outside world knew nothing.

But this calm did not last long.

A month later, the System suddenly sounded a notification.

"Ding! The Host has completed multiple tasks in the past month: training three thousand elite troops, wiping out the Nanshan bandits, establishing two Production Bases, building relationships with the gentry, and cultivating naval talent. A total of five minor achievements have been reached, rewarding one draw opportunity."

"Draw!" Li Ling did not hesitate.

"Drawing... Congratulations to the Host for obtaining: Modern Mortar technology (capable of producing 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm caliber Mortars, as well as supporting ammunition)."

Li Ling nearly jumped up.

A Mortar!

He had finally waited for this day!

In modern warfare, the Mortar is one of the most important support weapons for infantry.

It is lightweight, has a high rate of fire, and has a curved trajectory, allowing it to strike enemies hiding behind bunkers.

In complex terrains such as mountains, urban warfare, and jungles, the function of a Mortar even exceeds that of artillery.

"System, can the Mortar be produced in the existing Production Base?"

"Yes. But the Production Base needs to undergo simple modifications to add a Mortar production line. The modification will take three days."

"Modify it! Modify it now!"

Three days later, the Mortar production line modification was complete.

Li Ling stood in the Production Base, watching the first 60mm Mortar come off the production line, his face beaming with joy.

This Mortar had a barrel length of 80 centimeters and weighed only 15 kilograms, allowing one person to carry it on their back.

It had a maximum range of two thousand meters, a minimum range of one hundred meters, and a rate of fire of twenty rounds per minute.

For the armies of 1898, this thing was simply black technology.

"Fritz, come over and take a look at this." Li Ling called over the German artillery instructor.

Fritz looked at the Mortar, his eyes wide with surprise.

"This is... what is this?"

"A Mortar, a new type of weapon. You haven't seen it before."

Fritz circled the Mortar several times, becoming more shocked the more he looked at it.

"Young General, is the trajectory of this thing curved?"

"Yes, it can hit targets behind bunkers."

"What about the rate of fire?"

"Theoretically, twenty rounds per minute."

"My God!" Fritz made the sign of the cross on his chest. "If this thing were taken to the battlefield, the enemy infantry wouldn't even dare to lift their heads!"

"That is why I want to equip it as soon as possible." Li Ling patted the Mortar. "You study how to use it first, and give me a training plan within three days."

"No problem!"

After Fritz left, Li Ling chatted with the System in his mind.

"System, are the things you give me a bit unfair to others in this era?"

"Host, technological superiority is itself a strategic advantage. When the great powers used their strong ships and powerful guns to bully Qingxia Kingdom, they didn't think they were bullying anyone."

"You are right." Li Ling smiled. "Then let us also experience the feeling of bullying others."