A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

Song Hongfei knew that two years ago, the Chinese government sent a transportation and military inspection team to Europe and the United States for similar purposes and tasks.

What he didn't know was that, due to the remarkable success of the inspection tour two years ago, the Chinese government organized another inspection tour two years later.

Upon seeing Song Hongfei, Yu Dawei was overjoyed. He gave Song Hongfei a hug that almost suffocated him, excitedly shouting, "Welcome, welcome! Dr. Song! It's been years! You've done a great job, kid!"

Yu Dawei is a true man of character; his joy was evident in his words.

Before Song Hongfei could speak, Yu Dawei said, "Come, come, let me introduce you to the members of the inspection team!"

After saying this, he introduced Song Hongfei to each member of the inspection team. Everyone warmly welcomed Song Hongfei and congratulated him on his academic achievements.

Kong Yongzhi, Yu Feipeng, Xu Tingyao, Xu Peigen... each one a renowned figure in the history of China, now standing vividly before him, and he was to work with them on a major national mission. Song Hongfei was somewhat taken aback and suddenly felt a little overwhelmed with gratitude.

On behalf of the delegation, Kong Yongzhi welcomed Song Hongfei and briefed him on the delegation's situation, mission, achievements, and the next phase of work.

Next was a welcome dinner for Song Hongfei.

After the banquet, Song Hongfei returned to his room and was thinking about how to proceed with the work and what preparations to make.

There was a sudden knock on the door. When he opened it, Xu Tingyao was the first person to come to him.

Xu Tingyao was extremely enthusiastic. He got straight to the point, saying that he had come to visit Song Hongfei to learn about and discuss mechanized troops.

Xu Tingyao, the "father of armored forces," came to seek his advice? Song Hongfei was a little flustered and quickly said: I am not knowledgeable enough and dare not make a fool of myself!

Xu Tingyao was kind and approachable, without any airs. She smiled and said, "Hongfei, I have carefully read your several great works, such as 'Mobility, Firepower, Protection, and Communication - Mechanized Warfare' and 'Small Group Multi-Way Attack by Infantry Units.' They are truly amazing."

Xu Tingyao added, "I can't believe you have such unique and insightful research and understanding of armored and mechanized forces."

Song Hongfei was also taken aback, and said, "Commander Xu, you flatter me. My little skills are nothing compared to your expertise."

Xu Tingyao said earnestly, "No! Your viewpoint on mechanized warfare is truly insightful and to the point! After careful study, all the instructors and staff officers of the Transportation and Logistics School and the Armored Corps were ashamed of their own inferiority and unanimously agreed that it has great strategic and tactical guiding significance!"

Xu Tingyao continued, "Armored forces and mechanized infantry are brand new concepts. Countries are still figuring out how to establish them, let alone researching tactics and methods. I never imagined that you would have already carried out a brilliant armored unit attack. It's unbelievable!"

Song Hongfei scratched his head and said, "To be honest, it was forced upon us. It was just a small experiment, a company-level mobile assault."

Song Hongfei recounted in detail to Xu Tingyao the "armored force" mobile assault during the West Point "Sandhurst" red-blue confrontation. They then laid out a battlefield situation map on the floor using items such as pencils, erasers, cups, ashtrays, matchboxes, belts, and shoes, and discussed it carefully.

Song Hongfei suddenly realized that several years had passed, and now, looking back and discussing it again, he had gained some new understanding and insights.

He thought to himself: Perhaps this is what growing up is all about.

Xu Tingyao listened attentively, occasionally asking Song Hongfei detailed questions about the situation, leaving no stone unturned.

The more Xu Tingyao listened, the stronger his shock and admiration became. Several years ago, when he saw Song Hongfei's published articles, he was greatly amazed. He studied them carefully and even organized a special team to research them. Now, having a detailed conversation with Song Hongfei face to face, Song Hongfei's military expertise far exceeded his expectations, and the shock he felt was beyond measure.

Xu Tingyao thought to himself, this young man, not yet 25, possesses an astonishingly profound understanding of military theory. His ideas are novel and unique, well-reasoned and supported by evidence, with clear and logical thinking and rigorous and thorough analysis. What's especially amazing is that he has successfully conducted a live-fire exercise with armored forces! He's definitely not just a theorist who talks big but is ultimately just a figurehead!

"What a military genius!" Xu Tingyao thought to herself, already completely convinced.

His mind raced as he realized that Song Hongfei was not only a military genius and a martial arts prodigy, but also a light weapons designer, a ballistics expert, a computer expert, and a PhD in electrical engineering! Could one person truly be involved in so many seemingly unrelated fields?!

Xu Tingyao suddenly realized that she could only feel amazed and could not find the right words to describe it.

"Hongfei, come join my armored corps!" Xu Tingyao said earnestly and eagerly.

Perhaps that's exactly why he came tonight.

Song Hongfei was genuinely surprised. After a moment's thought, he politely declined, saying, "Commander Xu, to be honest, I haven't thought about my future plans yet. Please forgive me, but please allow me to consider them first."

Xu Tingyao was a little disappointed. He was indeed eager to find such talented armored soldiers. But he couldn't force someone to do something they didn't want to do. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Hongfei, the armored corps welcomes you anytime!"

Song Hongfei replied earnestly, "Commander Xu, I will think it over carefully!"

Xu Tingyao nodded somewhat disappointedly and went out.

To Xu Tingyao's surprise, he almost bumped into someone as soon as he stepped out the door. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was Yu Dawei, the director of the Ordnance Department.

Yu Dawei glanced at Xu Tingyao expressionlessly.

Actually, Yu Dawei also came to find Song Hongfei after the banquet tonight, but Xu Tingyao had already beaten him to it. He had been pacing back and forth in the corridor for a long time.

Xu Tingyao noticed that Yu Dawei seemed a little unhappy, and secretly thought that Yu Dawei must have known what she was thinking. Feeling a little guilty, she pretended to be nonchalant and quickly left.

Yu Dawei entered, saying sullenly, "Ha, I didn't expect someone to beat me to it. He's here to poach people, isn't he? Hongfei, don't listen to him, his armored forces are in dire straits! Come to my Ordnance Department!"

Yu Dawei also looked incredibly enthusiastic.

This left Song Hongfei somewhat at a loss for words, so he quickly repeated the same explanation he had given to Xu Tingyao to Yu Dawei.

Yu Dawei laughed and said, "Well, you should think it over carefully before coming to my Ordnance Department!"

Yu Dawei continued, "Your research and design are at a crucial stage right now, how can they be done without you, the master chef!"

Song Hongfei could only smile and reply, "Commander Yu, you flatter me, you flatter me."

Seeing this, Yu Dawei understood their meaning and laughed, "The Hans are very interested in your semi-automatic rifle. To tell you the truth, we used some of your designs to make a deal with them and sold them for a good price!"

He continued, "After the troops tested the new gun, they gave it very high praise! The industrial production experts were also very impressed. Basically, it could be finalized and mass-produced without any further modifications, and it was also very convenient to produce! To be honest, even I, the director of the Ordnance Department, admire you!"

Song Hongfei was also very happy and said, "Everyone has put a lot of effort into this gun, and all our efforts have finally paid off!"

Yu Dawei laughed heartily and said, "The key is still your contribution as the designer! One move affects the whole situation. Right now, various industrial supporting projects are in full swing. Some are being installed and debugged, and some are already in production. As the director of the Ordnance Department, I've really benefited from your efforts!"

Song Hongfei said, "I am willing to fight for my country!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Dawei nodded with a smile.

Yu Dawei added, “The Hans are still very arrogant. They think their MG34 machine gun is the best and question whether we can develop a better machine gun than theirs! Our general-purpose machine gun is still in the trial stage in the troops. Their recoil-operated and our gas-operated systems are also different in principle. That’s perfect, so we haven’t brought out this coded weapon.”

Yu Dawei said, "Even the Hans didn't expect that our rifles and machine guns use the same gas piston principle and are structurally identical! Your 'gun family' design ideas are truly amazing, so ingenious!"

"However, the semi-automatic rifle has already won over the Han people. They are full of praise for it!" Yu Dawei added, "This time, we'll have you, the designer, come in person to explain some of the design principles to them and give them a shooting demonstration so they can see the superior performance of our rifle and broaden their horizons! We'll probably schedule it for the next few days."

Song Hongfei was very excited, his face beaming with smiles.

Yu Dawei added, "During today's negotiations, the German high command hinted that their leader, Hitler, might also come to watch this shooting demonstration."

Is Hitler coming?

This was quite unexpected for Song Hongfei, and he was quite surprised.

As someone who traveled from the future, he was familiar with history and naturally knew this almost legendary figure who rose from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of power, turned the entire world upside down in the coming years, stirred up a bloody storm, and triggered World War II, a war in which dozens of countries fought each other and caused more than 1 million casualties.

But face to face with Hitler himself?

No matter how imaginative Song Hongfei's thinking and associative abilities were, he couldn't fathom what the scenario would be like.

"It's still uncertain whether Hitler will come, but we need to be prepared." Yu Dawei patted Song Hongfei on the shoulder and said, "It's up to you. Let the Hans see what's what and take away their arrogance!"

Song Hongfei said confidently, "I will broaden their horizons!"