Munitions Empire

These infantry regiments had 10 more advanced 75-mm caliber howitzers. Although the caliber remained the same, they had been upgraded from recoilless guns to the more modern recoil guns.

Similarly, the new-style recoil guns that also used breech loading had a faster rate of fire, were more accurate, held more ammunition, and had a more terrifying range.

At the same time, the soldiers in these infantry regiments had also learned from the security troops of the Great Tang Group, equipping themselves with M35 steel helmets and adopting the same military uniform style. Thus, compared to the brightly dressed militaries of other kingdoms of the same era, this troop had better concealment.

The soldiers were equipped with the K3 rifle, the same model used by the Tang Group's security troops. This rifle, utilizing advanced brass-cased ammunition, was much more advanced than the needle guns used by both sides on the battlefield.

Even more frightening was the fact that each infantry company had two Maxim G1 machine guns. Together with the machine gun units directly under the regimental headquarters, this firepower was not something the Leite Kingdom's troops could compare with.

After reorganization, a Northern Ridge infantry regiment was composed of three battalions, and each battalion had three companies. Messily combined, a company had around 200 people, totaling up to an impressive 2,000 people for the entire regiment.

Each regiment was equipped with 20 heavy machine guns, almost equaling the total number of heavy machine guns purchased by the entire Leite Kingdom...

Not to exaggerate, but this was absolutely the equipment level of Cashin's direct troops from the year 1940. Dominating these rookies with military technology levels not advanced past the Qing era, it was definitely overkill.

In fact, Northern Ridge only had five infantry regiments, and the remaining one... was the world's history first formally organized artillery regiment!

This regiment was equipped with 20 75-mm caliber howitzers and another 20 larger 105-mm caliber new artillery pieces. This kind of artillery was modeled after the German L16 type produced during World War I.

The trajectory of these big guns was excellent, and they had a very long range, with a weight that was also moderate, making them highly suitable for the troops of this era.

After all, most of the time they needed to be hauled by horses, so lighter weight was definitely an eye-catching parameter.

As for the recoilless guns, the Northern Ridge's military had already phased them out completely. These second-hand artillery pieces weren't wasted at all; they were directly resold to the Songmu Kingdom after marking up the price...

Of course, putting aside these advanced weapons, just the fearsome reputation of the Northern Ridge Legion alone was enough to send chills down one's spine.

This troop had been known for its well-trained and formidable combat strength under Earl Fisheo, often achieving victory despite being outnumbered.

However, because the Leite Kingdom had not used the Northern Ridge's military in its external expansions over the past year or so, people gradually forgot that there was still a strong army on the piece of land sandwiched between Suthers and Leite.

After all, other forces of the Leite Kingdom were also performing well, absorbing neighbors' battles and attracting too much attention, so much so that everyone had forgotten that the Leite Kingdom's strongest forces had not been mobilized at all!

Regrettably, now, this troop... they had moved!

However, due to the length of the logistic supply routes and the large amount of heavy weaponry, the Northern Ridge's force was not fully mobilized.

In fact, the Northern Ridge troops approaching the battle zone did not deploy the heavy artillery, and most of the 75-mm howitzers did not follow through.

Nevertheless, to deal with any defenses that the enemy might adopt, the Northern Ridge's troops still brought 10 105-mm howitzers for heavy fire support.

The total number of Northern Ridge troops arriving at the battlefield was not particularly large; in fact, it was only 2 infantry regiments and two artillery companies to reinforce them.

Now, the troops of the Kingdom of Germelin invading the territory of Leite found themselves in a complex situation.

To their north were the recently arrived Northern Ridge troops, whose numbers they still didn't know. Even by the most optimistic estimates, they were up against an army of 3,000.

On their other side was the force led by King Leite VII, numbering over 5,000 and known for their formidable combat strength.

From any direction, it was clear that in this upcoming battle, the forces of the Kingdom of Germelin were at an absolute disadvantage.

Previously, the Germelin forces had already lost a vast number of troops while attacking the border guard of the Leite Kingdom.

The reinforcements that followed were mostly poorly trained militia, including a rabble of freebooters led by Qiumuluo.

Even including the private military forces helped by Shireck, the commanders of the Kingdom of Germelin had more than 8,000 troops at hand, but it was clear that their combat effectiveness was uneven.

The bigger problem, however, lay in logistics. As the Germelin Kingdom's forces advanced, they moved further and further away from their supply depots.

Ammunition replenishment couldn't keep up with consumption, and the army's provisions were becoming ever more scarce. What they were just discussing was ways to improve the transport conditions.

But now, it was clear that the Leite Kingdom had no intention of giving them time to improve their logistics.

After many changes in expression, the General of the Kingdom of Germelin looked towards the Shireck Consortium representative standing nearby and asked, "What do we do? We are already struggling against the main forces of the Leite Kingdom head-on!"

The person in charge of Shireck's face looked grim, but still, he spoke up to reassure the other party, "Don't worry! They're just bluffing!"

He hadn't expected that the Leite Kingdom would tolerate the Northern Ridge Troops leaving their territory, nor had he expected that this force would appear here at this time.

A General from the Kingdom of Germelin sneered dismissively, "Bluffing? I'm afraid by the time we achieve victory on the other fronts, Germelin here might be finished first!"

The enemy had nearly 10,000 men, while his own side only had 18,000. Without an advantage, the Germelin side truly dared not engage in battle recklessly.

"Rest assured! Soon, their disadvantages in other areas will cause them to retreat!" Without a better solution, the person in charge of the Shireck Consortium could only emphasize the entanglements on other fronts.

...

On the streets of Brunas, an old lady selling newspapers waved the papers in her hand, unabashedly shouting, "Extra! Extra! Great victory in the Southern Seas! Great victory in the Southern Seas!"

Not far from her, another old lady was also peddling the newspapers she held, "Come and see! Come and see! Great Tang Group warships capture 30 enemy vessels! Victory after victory!"

Helplessly, the children in Brunas all had to attend school, so the sight of newsboys selling newspapers had never occurred in Brunas.

When newspapers were first introduced, it was the elderly who were relied upon to sell them, which provided many jobless elderly people with a precious opportunity to earn money.

It can be said that in Brunas, this magical city, as long as you want to work, you can definitely find a job.

The atmosphere, originally heavy due to the war, became much livelier with the publication of this great victory in the newspaper.

Everyone likes to hear good news, so when the workers heard that the Great Tang Group had won a glorious victory in a far-off place, smiles appeared on their faces.

It seemed as though the war would soon pass, good days would continue, everyone's lives would return to normal, and everything would revert to the way it was before the outbreak of the war.

No, perhaps, things would get even better!

Inside the factory, a worker sorting parts on the conveyor belt before him remarked, "Captured thirty transport ships? Hey! Sunk 70 enemy ships?"

His companion nodded in agreement, "Exactly!"

The newspaper reported the confirmed results of the battle at Hotwind Port. The Great Tang Group's fleet had sailed south to Taren and achieved an unprecedented victory at Hotwind Port.

Commander Bernard annihilated the enemy fleet advancing northwards in provocative action, achieving such splendid results that they were hard to believe.

His dispatched warships chasing the fleeing enemy discovered the enemy's transport convoy, and after sinking all the escort warships, the enemy surrendered quite willingly.

Thus, the troops, food, and supplies carried by the thirty transport ships all became Bernard's spoils of war.

"Out of humanitarian considerations, they rescued over 1,500 drowning enemy soldiers!" In this busy workshop, where workers were taking turns resting, one was holding the newspaper, with a cup of water still on the machine beside him.

The worker closed the newspaper and spoke disdainfully, "If you ask me, those drowning men should have just been left to drown in the sea!"

"Right! Waste of food! They should've just drowned!" A working colleague, full of shared indignation, joined in the outcry.

"Didn't the newspaper say…" the workers putting the polished parts into a basket spoke without looking up, "…that all these prisoners of war must serve 10 years, working in the harshest mines to pay off their debts. Heh heh."

Many of the workers in this factory were once slaves themselves; they knew all too well what kind of life a slave faced.

"They got off lightly! Being slaves here is happier than being free people elsewhere!" Another worker passed by and commented.

His words immediately met with a chorus of approval, for many had seen slaves purchased by the Great Tang Group, and knew their treatment was far better than that of slaves elsewhere.

...

"The counterattack is set for the east of Leite! We'll take care of the Kingdom of Germelin first! After that, everything else will fall into place!" Tang Mo tapped on the map and said to his subordinates, "Redman is already heading to the war zone. He will take command of the troops from Northern Ridge and pincer the Germelin forces!"

"Furthermore, after stabilizing the situation in Dorne, the Navy fleet will head south! Whether it's Taren Kingdom or Xilun Kingdom... none of them will escape!" After finishing his words, Tang Mo sneered, "Think they can drag me into a quagmire of resource exhaustion? I'll strike for a swift victory instead!"

"Mobilize all production capacity! Once we've pummeled our enemies, we'll recoup the profits delayed by the war!" Lastly, Tang Mo commanded.

"Yes, Master!" All the attendees at the meeting stood up, responding to Tang Mo with their chins held high.