Munitions Empire-Chapter 1218 - 1138 Orcs’ Tactics
A modified high-speed version of the H-6 reconnaissance aircraft soared through the clear skies. Yesterday, Mirage Country’s four islands experienced rain, so today presented excellent weather.
Due to slow repair progress at the New Island airport, Tang Nation Air Force temporarily couldn’t deploy short-range reconnaissance J-6 planes. However, the long-range H-6 reconnaissance aircraft could take off from the South Island airport and cover the entirety of Ben Island.
The advanced photography equipment on the aircraft provided crystal-clear images for comparison and, with technological advancements, it also offered stable dynamic footage.
The benefit of such an aircraft lies in its closer proximity compared to satellites, capturing images that are five or even ten times clearer; in the sharpest detail, it could even vaguely discern what people on the ground were doing.
Some technologies initially appear civilian in nature but are deeply intertwined with military applications. Television signals may broadcast TV programs, yet further development naturally allows satellite signals to be transmitted to the ground.
Color TV signals can transfer colorful pictures and dynamic videos, transmitting more complex and comprehensive information more efficiently.
Imagine the past: a spy satellite needed to return to ground and hand off its film for intelligence personnel to analyze. Now, transferring a 4K-resolution photo merely requires devices the size of two mobile phones: though a relay station is needed, irrespective of the requirements, satellites transmitting files to Earth have become reliable technology.
The Great Tang Empire is constructing its own Big Dipper System for this world. Even if Tang Mo wanted to use GPS technology, he would never call it GPS.
Clearly, Tang Mo preferred the name Big Dipper. Given the later emergence of its principles and technology, the system was even more advanced than GPS.
Beyond this, Tang Country is continually launching numerous spy reconnaissance satellites. As technology progresses, both large and small satellites sent into space carry increasingly sophisticated equipment.
Since Satellite 1099, the Great Tang Empire has implemented large-scale usage of non-return ground transmission technology. Subsequent satellites are even capable of providing real-time imagery. For the Great Tang Empire, the planet’s secrets are becoming fewer and fewer.
The sprawling intelligence department of the Great Tang Empire employs wiretapping, surveillance, and tracking, employing unimaginable methods to gather intelligence. They eavesdrop on every embassy, monitor their calls, and plant bugs in their homes…
With the introduction of computers, Tang Country’s intelligence department cracked codes at astonishing speeds. Even though nations frequently changed their encryption, most communications remained transparent to Tang Country.
The high-speed H-6 flew through the skies, and Mirage Country’s anti-aircraft guns, already sparse, didn’t bother firing to intercept a lone aircraft. Most existing guns couldn’t reach an altitude of 8,000 meters; firing would only waste ammunition…
Zero Fighter jets patrolling the skies gave a symbolic chase but quickly gave up upon realizing they couldn’t catch up. They were all too familiar with this type of plane. Accompanied by a dragon-like roar, no propeller aircraft could match its speed.
For key surveillance regions, the Great Tang Empire’s intelligence work was exceptionally thorough. Mirage Country’s countermeasures were essentially laid bare on the General Staff Department’s desk.
Clearly, Mirage Country was no longer intent on contesting Tang Army—or Orc forces—along the coastline.
They understood that with a significant firepower disadvantage and no naval or air superiority, stopping Tang Army’s landing was impossible.
Rather than squandering their elite troops along the shores, they opted to retreat into mountain passes and hold their ground, aiming for one-to-one or even one-to-two exchanges. Relying on extensive attrition, they hoped to compel Tang Country to abandon its offensive plans.
This seemed like a good strategy, but Tang Country wasn’t without countermeasures. Not only did Tang Country rapidly acquire Mirage Country intelligence, but it also promptly adjusted its strategy.
"That’s the situation. Mirage Country’s troops have abandoned the coastline, so it seems your forces can land relatively easily," said General Feng Kezhi after briefing Tang Army on the situation, turning toward Shan Lu.
Shan Lu didn’t think Mirage Army abandoning the coastline would have much impact on his forces because they were never as elite as Tang Army.
In fact, Shan Lu was most worried about his troops underperforming on the beach, failing their landing operation, suffering heavy losses, and wasting the Tang naval fleet’s support.
After all, following a landing operation, Tang Army’s fleet would retreat for a period of recuperation. Squandering one chance meant waiting another month or two.
If this attack failed, the Orc forces would need to wait additional months, perhaps longer. Once winter arrived, landing operations would become inherently more challenging. The monsoon would bring adverse weather conditions, with rain and snow following in succession. After months, Mirage Country’s forces would only be better prepared.
Upon hearing that Mirage Country troops voluntarily abandoned the beach defenses, making it easier to land, Shan Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
"What I’m truly worried about is my troops being unfit for landing operations… Now they’re letting us onshore. It seems the situation might benefit us more," Shan Lu said, picking up a photo of Mirage Country mobilizing civilians to dig into the mountains and marveling inwardly at the Great Tang Empire’s advanced intelligence technology.
What was intelligence like in the past? Someone stood in front of you, confidently claiming to have heard from their uncle’s brother’s cousin’s fourth daughter’s son that the enemy troops likely, maybe, possibly gathered somewhere between two places about three days ago…
Now, the Great Tang Empire laid an accurate image before you, informing you that about two hours ago, they were cooking at precise coordinates capable of directing bombers to drop payloads, with even the cooks counted: 1,028 people in total.
Maps used to mark a mountain with just the word "mountain," drawing a line meant a river; as for precision, that was wishful thinking—if it aligned vaguely with the wind and water flow, it was considered decent.
Now, Tang Country’s military maps displayed contour lines, road conditions, and exact urban locations clearly. Most of the time, the enemy’s positions were already marked as well!
Shan Lu sometimes wondered, if even with such tools they couldn’t win, how incompetent would the commanders need to be?
"I think so too. You might even bring fewer troops ashore and prioritize sending construction workers in first," General Feng Kezhi boldly suggested. "Just do what they’re doing, and you’ll be fine."
"Are you saying…" Shan Lu couldn’t quite grasp Feng Kezhi’s idea, or perhaps his Orc mindset simply couldn’t fathom the Great Tang Empire commanders’ tactics.
The technological gap was too vast; the tactics were incomprehensible.
"We’ll pick a suitable landing site. You land and build a port, then wait for Mirage Country to become impatient and confront you directly. What do you think?" Feng Kezhi proposed a daring plan.
Shan Lu was dumbfounded. He entirely failed to understand what "building a port at the landing site" involved.
Seeing Shan Lu’s astonished expression, Feng Kezhi chuckled, "Of course, regular Tang Empire forces can’t use this tactic because heavy equipment and logistical supplies are too vast. But your forces are different. Building a small port with sufficient capacity might actually work."
No joke, the Great Tang Empire’s regular troops operated with fully automated weapons. A single company could expend ammunition in one second equal to past battalion or brigade consumption volumes. Tanks needed fuel; artillery consumed shells. Without proper large port support, logistics could not keep pace.
Orc forces, however, were an exception. Their weaponry was undoubtedly outdated, with few artillery and tanks, minimal food and water demands. Given the Orcs’ honed construction abilities, building a port behind their lines… this might indeed be feasible.
"Then, wait for the enemy to attack you, or gather sufficient troops to advance further… The odds of victory increase," Feng Kezhi explained and painted a promising picture.
He truly didn’t believe that, with the Great Tang Empire Navy fleet backing them, 200,000 Orc troops could be easily pushed back into the sea.
"But this tactic may pose some challenges…" Seeing Shan Lu’s growing interest, Feng Kezhi added with caution: "You’ll need to hold out on Ben Island throughout the winter. During those months, with high winds and rough seas, our fleet and air force might struggle to support you extensively."
Upon hearing this, Shan Lu grew conflicted. He had completely overlooked the scenario of fighting solo on Ben Island because… he simply forgot!
After seeing Tang Army swiftly secure South Island within one to two months, then New Island in another month or two, he instinctively overlooked that Ben Island was larger than both combined and Mirage Country’s forces were more substantial.
Under such conditions, even Tang Army couldn’t guarantee capturing Ben Island in a month or two; let alone Shan Lu’s Orc forces.
The Orcs weren’t just facing Mirage Army’s tens of thousands; there were also millions of Goblin civilians! Remember, they were there to take land from the Goblins! Their plan revolved around exterminating the Goblin population entirely.
With these thoughts, Shan Lu hesitated to say, "General, I’ll take your suggestion back and discuss it with the elders…"
"No rush! New Island’s airport isn’t repaired yet, and the fleet hasn’t returned. You have plenty of time!" Feng Kezhi reassured. "The Orc forces haven’t arrived either, so you can deliberate freely."
Relieved, Shan Lu exhaled. He intended to bring back the news of Mirage Country’s coastal abandonment and, along with it, Feng Kezhi’s suggestion.
This was about the Orcs’ future homeland. They had to seize this opportunity! No matter what, they must!
