28: Chapter 28 Attack on the Airport
In just a moment, they found a stack of telegram documents.
Through these documents, they learned a few things.
"There's a newspaper here, look at the report on it." Old Kui brought over a newspaper and glanced at the date; it was July 8th.
On it was a large headline, clearly about the July 7th Incident.
"July 7th Incident: The Japanese Army Deliberately Provokes, Our Army Rises to Resist!"
"The sound of gunfire last night is another naked act of aggression by imperialism against North China! They use the disappearance of a soldier as an excuse, but in reality, they wish to repeat the old tricks of the 'September 18th Incident'..."
"Our 29th Army soldiers defend the motherland with their flesh and blood; their loyalty and courage bring tears to one's eyes. Regarding today's events, there is no way back; all fellow countrymen must rise together to face this national crisis!"
"..."
"According to reports from the front line, the enemy used armored vehicles and field artillery to attack Wancheng. Many civilian houses in the city were destroyed, and the people are displaced. Our defending troops used a broadsword unit to launch a night raid on enemy positions, recapturing the railway bridge and killing dozens of the enemy."
Spreading out the newspaper, Wang Ye and the others looked at the news recorded on it.
Within the livestream rooms of several streamers, hundreds of thousands of viewers also saw the clear text.
"Is this the report on the July 7th Incident?"
"Looking at it this way, Japan is truly going too far with their bullying."
"There's no helping it. According to the game's introduction, China at this time is an agricultural nation. Facing an industrial nation like Japan, their equipment and weapons are far too backward. But even so, the sons and daughters of China do not fear sacrifice; defending the land and the country is everyone's duty."
"This game is made so meticulously; they even created newspapers."
"This way of uncovering the game's background within the game is quite good."
After reading the newspaper, Brigade Commander Li Zheng's brows furrowed.
Seeing this newspaper, he had a feeling that this event had actually happened in reality.
It was his first time playing this game, but he had watched the livestreams of these streamers before.
Seeing the Chinese army in the livestream facing Japan, and because of the equipment gap, having to fill the front lines with human lives, a fire of anger ignited in his heart.
Just then, the door to the meeting room was knocked on.
"Come in," Brigade Commander Li Zheng said.
A messenger soldier ran over.
"Brigade Commander, an urgent telegram from the 87th Division requires us to set off immediately and attack the flank of Hongkou Park under the cover of night in two hours."
Hearing this, Brigade Commander Li Zheng's expression turned solemn. He immediately stood up and glanced at the time on his pocket watch.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon, but he didn't know what date it was.
"Since that's the case, let's set off."
Wang Ye and the others nodded seriously upon hearing this.
Afterward, the players present walked out of the meeting room.
Brigade Commander Li Zheng immediately ordered all soldiers to assemble.
At this moment, these player soldiers did not yet know that most of the soldiers in their entire brigade were players, and only a small portion were NPCs.
Among them, even the high-ranking officials of the Brigade Command were players.
"I didn't expect the Brigade Command to actually have a vehicle; it's rare," Brigade Commander Li Zheng said, looking at the military green truck in front of him, unable to help but exclaim.
Just a moment ago, he learned about the entire brigade's weapons and equipment: there were 2,000 rifles, 100 light machine guns, 40 heavy machine guns, 15 82mm mortars, and 30 60mm mortars.
And that was it.
It was a pure infantry brigade.
Moreover, the ammunition was not plentiful; once the fighting became intense, it wouldn't be enough at all.
He also went to look at the equipped firearms, which were very old.
Brigade Commander Li Zheng suspected that these guns might jam after every single shot.
He couldn't tell much from watching other people's livestreams before, but now that he had his hands on them, these guns felt like a piece of junk.
Using these guns to fight the Little Devils? If they failed at a critical moment, wouldn't he just be waiting for death?
But there was no choice; their weapons and equipment were only these, so they would have to make do.
...
Zhou Xiaoyi stood there, watching the new players around her looking around curiously.
As an old player from the closed beta, she was very calm.
"Brothers, look at how inexperienced they look. When the fighting starts later, won't they be scared out of their wits?"
While standing calmly, Zhou Xiaoyi chatted with the friends in her livestream room.
"Sister Yi, why are you putting on airs? I remember you weren't like this during the closed beta."
"Hahaha, Sister Yi, don't be the first to die again later."
"How is that possible? I'm a Medic and don't need to charge; are you cursing me?" Zhou Xiaoyi said indignantly.
"No, no, we definitely hope that you, Sister Yi, can survive until the end."
The friends in the livestream room quickly denied it.
At this time, the Platoon Leader of the Medical Platoon walked over.
"Everyone assemble, get ready to move out."
Zhou Xiaoyi quickly followed.
In just a few minutes, the troops set off.
Thousands of people marched imposingly toward Hongkou Airport.
On the road, an airplane suddenly flew overhead.
"Pay attention to concealment; do not let the enemy aircraft discover us."
Fortunately, the weather was overcast, and in the dim visibility, it was not easy for the aircraft in the sky to see the people on the ground with the naked eye.
As long as they stopped moving, the aircraft would find it hard to spot them.
After the aircraft flew past, the soldiers continued to move.
As they entered the battlefield, the sound of artillery fire in the distance gradually became clearer.
Most of these players were playing this game for the first time.
And they had just finished the newbie tasks before arriving in such a battle.
"Damn, this environment is too realistic," a Medic next to Zhou Xiaoyi exclaimed.
Zhou Xiaoyi glanced at the sky, where a drizzle was falling and dark clouds were gathering.
As they continued to advance, the dark clouds became thicker, and the surroundings grew dim.
The feeling of 'dark clouds pressing down on the city, threatening to crush it' came rushing toward her.
A thunderous roar rang in her ears, making it hard for her to distinguish whether it was the sound of artillery shells exploding or thunder in the sky.
Under such an atmosphere, the entire troop gradually stopped making any unnecessary sounds.
Up ahead, the vanguard troops had already arrived at the perimeter of the Airport.
At the Command Post in the rear, after Brigade Commander Li Zheng received the news from the messenger soldier at the front.
He immediately had someone send a telegram to the friendly forces, informing them that the Independent Brigade had arrived at the designated location.
In just a moment, the friendly forces sent a telegram back.
"Your unit's mission: at all costs, storm into the Airport and eliminate the enemy's effective strength."
Seeing this mission, Brigade Commander Li Zheng had no choice but to summon Wang Ye and the others to begin discussing how to storm the Airport.
Inside the temporary Command Post, the dim candlelight shone on their faces.
In front of them, several maps were hanging.
These maps were the current city map of Shanghai, the topographical map, and the distribution map of both enemy and our forces.
"First, send people to scout out the firepower points and guard posts near the Airport, then we can make plans," Old Kui said.
He had some understanding of military affairs; although not much, it was better than none at all.
"That works."
"Besides that, we also need to gather all the mortars and heavy machine guns of the entire brigade. While we attack, we need the fire suppression from these heavy weapons, otherwise we might not be able to storm in."
"Also, the front line should not be stretched too long. It's best to select one point, have thousands of people charge in, and the speed must be fast."
"Otherwise, once the Little Devils react, the longer it drags on, the more dangerous it will be for us."
"The Little Devils' naval guns and aircraft are not just for show."
Brigade Commander Li Zheng nodded upon hearing Old Kui's words.
"By the way, I found something." Wang Ye suddenly took out something that looked like a map.
He spread this thing out on the table.
"A Sewer distribution map? What use is this?" Old Kui frowned.
"I discovered that one section of this Sewer leads directly to the Airport. We might be able to send a squad of people to sneak into the Airport through the Sewer and launch a surprise attack on them," Wang Ye said, stating his suggestion.
"Do you have a specific plan?" Brigade Commander Li Zheng asked with a slight frown.
"Yes, I just researched it with someone else." Wang Ye nodded with a smile.
In the livestream room, the viewers were roasting Wang Ye for taking the viewers' suggestions and using them directly.
"Alright, since that's the case, this mission is handed to you."
"Old Kui, you be responsible for the ground assault mission."
"Do you have any problems with this division of labor? If not, then we'll proceed directly. If you do, speak up now."
"None."
Wang Ye and Old Kui shook their heads.
Afterward, the two of them left separately.
On the other side, Old Kui's 246th Regiment was the vanguard unit.
After receiving the order, he immediately rushed to the front line.
Just after arriving at the front line, he immediately sent people to scout the situation near the Airport.