Dual wielding volcanoes, killing through the west

"I see..." Zhang Renfeng sighed with emotion, then smiled sheepishly, "You truly are worthy of being my senior brother."

"In this respect, I am far inferior to him."

This was not flattery, but Zhang Renfeng's heartfelt words. Over the past fourteen years, he had gradually come to realize that he did indeed possess some talent in martial arts. However, the Zhang Lujiu and Zhang Honglu he had trained were far inferior to Zhang Fulin, who was trained by Zhu Kuilong.

When they first disembarked, Zhang Honglu and Zhang Fulin had a sparring match, which Zhang Renfeng did not witness the entire time. However, judging from Lang's later description, the gap between the two was actually much greater than it appeared; they were simply not in the same league.

It can only be said that talent in martial arts cannot be directly converted into teaching experience.

"..."

Zhang Renfeng's gaze shifted from the double-edged dagger to his eldest son, his expression becoming somewhat complicated.

“Fulin… I’m sorry, this is not what I intended. I originally… wanted you to stay here for a while, to learn some knowledge, and to broaden your horizons.” He sighed and said in a deep voice, “But you’ve been dragged into this mess.”

"Dad, don't say that. You can't predict the future, how could you know these things in advance?"

Zhang Fulin lightly tossed the double-edged dagger between his index fingers, and it danced nimbly before he sheathed it. He smiled and said, "As the ancients said, 'Like father, like son.' Wu Sheng, Lv Jiu, and Hong Lu are all my younger brothers, and they are all fighting in the army. How can I, the eldest brother, lag behind?"

"To say something a little out of place, I've actually been quite happy these past few days."

"Are you happy?" Zhang Renfeng asked in surprise.

"Yes." Zhang Fulin nodded earnestly, "At least, the skills I've learned can finally help Father."

"I just don't know when Father will be able to use me."

……

Zhang Fulin's presence brought Zhang Renfeng's Southern Army a unique air superiority.

Of course, this doesn't mean he can launch cross-visual-range strikes like an airplane. Rather, in this era, he can bypass heavily fortified enemy positions and reach deep into the rear.

Zhang Fulin was known for his light-footed skills, and infiltration and assassination were his forte. However, because he did not understand English, he was slightly less adept at gathering specific intelligence.

Even so, his strategic value remains irreplaceable. This is one of the reasons why Zhang Renfeng, after much deliberation, still agreed to let him come along.

"Don't worry, Fulin. I didn't bring you along on a whim."

He patted Zhang Fulin on the shoulder and said solemnly, "Today's battle was just an appetizer. The enemy was completely unprepared for our tactics. Bal Sishui was the first person in the Northern Federation army to fight against us, and he suffered from a lack of intelligence."

"But in this country, there are things called 'telegraph' and 'telephone.' They will soon know what is happening thousands of miles away... including the whole picture of this war. Information cannot be hidden; it will reach the federal army sooner or later."

"Our strategic objective is to penetrate Washington, D.C., and reach the Capitol Building in the shortest possible time. Our enemies will do everything in their power to stop us, and after that... the intensity of the war will inevitably escalate. They will study our combat habits, find our weaknesses, and set up even more formidable positions."

"Now, Fulin, it's your turn to shine."

During those few words, Zhang Fulin's expression became somewhat moved.

Everyone needs to be recognized; it's an indispensable source of spiritual nourishment in life. Being entrusted with important responsibilities by his superiors and being trusted by his father—these two feelings of affirmation and recognition came at the same time, filling him with strength.

"Don't worry, Father!" Zhang Fulin nodded emphatically and said in a deep voice, "I won't let you down."

"..."

Seeing how much he took his words to heart, Zhang Renfeng felt a little uneasy.

To this day, we are separated by a sea, and I can only spare a little time each year to cross the sea and visit him.

In Zhang Fulin's life, the time that I, as his "father," actually occupied was probably less than a tenth. Yet, my every word and action could so easily affect his emotions.

He wanted to say something more, but seeing the sincerity in his son's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to speak.

After much hesitation, she simply nodded and whispered, "Me too."

"I won't let you down."

Chapter 984: Take Chicago within a month and a half!

"Divide the troops?!"

The wolf thought he had misheard, and after a long pause, he looked somewhat bewildered. "Now? Senior brother, are you serious?"

……

The Lamon raiders, led by Zhang Renfeng, breached the first fortress defense line set up by the Northern Federation in less than an hour.

They directly seized the Federal Army's position, inventoried the usable military supplies such as firearms, ammunition, and artillery, and also did some cleaning up of the corpses. Ironically, these miscellaneous tasks after breaking through the defenses took up more time.

The fortified positions here, which originally stored enough rations to supply ten thousand soldiers, are now useless and have naturally fallen into the hands of the Lamon raiders. They have finally done something befitting of the name "raiders."

During this period, Zhang Renfeng did not issue any clear instructions. Some people saw him pacing around the military tent, as if he was thinking about something.

Regardless, after the initial victory, morale in the army soared to near-fanatical levels.

In the past fourteen years, Zhang Renfeng has rarely displayed his martial arts skills. Whenever he encounters a problem, he always adheres to the principle of "harmony brings wealth" and settles the matter with money. The extent of his martial arts prowess can only be glimpsed from his sons and disciples, Zhang Lüjiu and Zhang Honglu.

But no one can say for sure what exactly happened.

Now, having witnessed firsthand his solo breakthrough on the battlefield, I'm naturally greatly encouraged—I knew he was strong, but I didn't know he was this ridiculously strong! He's practically a character from mythology, straight out of a storybook!

After this great victory, they were no longer just Zhang Renfeng's warriors, but his followers. Whichever direction his long sword pointed, they would charge forward without hesitation.

Because they all knew that this supreme commander would not only charge alongside them, but would also be much faster than them. By the time they reached the front line, the enemy might have already been scattered, and they would only need to mop up the remnants.

As for Zhang Renfeng's entourage, such as Wolf, Silver Frost, and Meteora, they were not surprised by the outcome. Rather, Zhang Renfeng's choice to personally lead the troops and charge into battle was precisely to demonstrate such terrifying deterrent power; everything was going according to plan.

Until just now.

In the pre-battle meeting held in the military tent, attended by the highest-ranking personnel, Zhang Renfeng put forward his strategic plan, which surprised everyone.

----

“That’s right.” Zhang Renfeng nodded and said calmly, “Divide the troops, and prioritize sending out our best rangers.”

"But...but we only have about 4000 people to begin with, right? That number is already very small compared to previous civil wars." Wolf's tone was somewhat worried. "If we divide them up further, won't our own forces be too thin on the main battlefield?"

“Yes,” Silverfrost nodded in agreement, “To be honest, in today’s battle, the enemy’s numbers are already twice ours. And if we continue like this…”

"Indeed, there will be such difficulties."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Renfeng did not try to cover it up or say anything nice. Instead, he directly admitted to the question raised by the wolf.

"However, you might as well think about it from another angle. Directly competing in terms of military strength has never been our advantage. The Northern Federal Government is, after all, still the only legitimate government in this country. As long as this doesn't change, we can never be their match when it comes to conscripting troops from the grassroots."

"If that's the case, why use your weaknesses to attack their strengths?"

This point had been discussed very clearly between Igor and Zhang Renfeng long before the expedition even began.

Regardless of the actual situation, Sanyuan Group is, after all, just a "group," a capital complex formed by the union of multiple industrial companies, and does not possess the conditions or capabilities for conscription. The fact that they were able to organize a fighting force like the "Lamoin Raiders" is already an exception.

Of course, it's not impossible to raise tens or hundreds of thousands of troops like in the north. However, if you start like that from the beginning, there will inevitably be voices of resistance from below.

After all, nominally, these sixteen southern states are still under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Directly helping Zhang Renfeng send troops would be no different from treason, and would undoubtedly further escalate the already tense situation.

They maintained a relatively neutral, wait-and-see stance, ignoring federal government orders and refraining from deploying the National Guard to "suppress the bandits." They even allowed the Triumph Group to transport supplies and soldiers to the front lines through a network of railway tracks, which they considered a significant help.

not to mention……

The current situation is far from reaching the planned stage.

When the time truly comes to vote with their feet, they will naturally know whose side to stand on.

……

"Our strengths lie in our mobility, flexibility, and freedom; we are not bound by a massive administrative system. There are no complicated pre-war meetings or approval processes; we can fight wherever we want."

"On the other hand, if we were to deploy our forces in formation on the front lines, the enemy would have superior numbers and firepower compared to us, and our advantage might not be as great as it is now."

"Only by fully utilizing our strengths and maneuvering the enemy, leaving them unable to attend to their own needs and exhausted from their retreat..."

"Light cavalry charge in, head straight for the Capitol!"

Zhang Renfeng's finger touched the location of Washington, D.C. on the map and drew a semi-circle to the left.

"This is..." Zhang Honglu's expression showed surprise, but also a hint of the excitement of a child finding a new toy.

“Before we set off, Igo and I discussed the general strategic direction of this battle. However, before we actually engaged in combat, I wasn’t quite sure what the strength of the Federation army was, so I didn’t tell you the strategic plan in detail. As for now… I have a general idea.”

"Green wine, red stove."

Zhang Renfeng's gaze swept around the room, finally settling on the two brothers.

"After dinner, you two don't need to linger. Lead your troops and set off immediately. About two thousand rangers will accompany you. Take all the military rations you can from here. Meteora will be with you. He has far more experience than you, so you should listen to his advice on marching and guerrilla warfare."

“Understood, Father!” Zhang Lüjiu said in a deep voice.

“I understand.” Zhang Honglu took a deep breath, his fists clenched so tightly with excitement that they cracked.

"Similarly, Meteora, when it comes to the actual clash between the two armies, you can also refer to their opinions on how to fight."

"I understand." Meteora nodded, as composed as ever.

"Your objective is to lead your army through the Buckeye State and Indiana to the Prairie State."

"Do everything in your power to take Chicago within a month and a half!"

Chapter 985: Let's go to Washington for some fun!

Chicago?!

An unexpected turning point occurred on the very first day of the operation.

Using the blade of his giant axe as a bottle opener, Zhang Honglu sliced ​​open a can of beef with a clang. As he chewed, he said, “Great, Father. I’ve long heard that Chicago is the largest and most prosperous city in the Prairie State. It’s wonderful here and there, but I’ve never had the chance to visit.”

"When our horseshoes reach that city, the brothers will be able to witness it with their own eyes!"

"……Father."

Zhang Lüjiu was relatively more composed. He had already vaguely guessed what was going on, so he asked, "Are you trying to cut off their supply lines?"

"It's not just about grain transport; Chicago is one of the core cities of the North. With its financial, cultural, and commercial strengths, as well as its advantageous geographical location, it's no exaggeration to call it the hub of the American Midwest. The construction of canals, railways, and industrial development there has been quite rapid, the most famous of which is the 'American Atlantic Railroad'."

"That railway carried almost half of the material transportation tasks during the war. Rails from all directions converged in that city, and that is its value."

“By cutting off that area, the Northern Federation will be unable to coordinate its efforts from east to west. Supplies, ammunition, firearms, artillery... will be unable to be transported to the front lines in Pennsylvania by rail. This will be a huge blow to their logistics.”

"In short, Chicago is not just a transportation hub; it holds a very important position in terms of economy, commerce, and culture. It is a city that the North cannot afford to abandon."

"In the eyes of the Sisley family, we were heading straight for Washington, D.C., and they would reinforce all their defenses in Pennsylvania and the old front states in an attempt to stop us. At this time, we did not play by the rules and sent troops to attack Chicago. That's what you call surprise."

Zhang Renfeng curled his fingers and tapped the table lightly. His gaze swept over the two men again. "In this operation, you are essentially the surprise troops we have dispatched. Your responsibilities are undoubtedly heavy."

"Are you capable of doing the job?"

"Father, don't worry."

Zhang Lvjiu's answer was always so calm and composed. His performance might not have been outstanding, but his strength lay in his stability. On such a battlefield, a steady and resilient mind is always the most important thing. "With Honglu and Mr. Meteora's support, there will definitely be no problem. Within a month and a half, we will take Chicago according to plan."

"it is good."

Seeing his fourteen-year-old son display such remarkable composure in the face of such a major event, Zhang Renfeng nodded with considerable satisfaction.

“This morning, I spoke with the mayor of this Moroccan city. We will have a team stationed here to take over their train station.”

"Midday student."

His gaze swept over them, and he said in a deep voice, "You and Silverfrost stay here. We'll allocate about three hundred more men to set up camp near the city and ensure that the railway tracks in Morocco are always ready for use. Afterwards, if there are any supply needs at the front, they will be sent out from this city."

"In case of any unforeseen circumstances, our people can withdraw from the front, so we'll have a base to settle down in."

"..."

Zhang Wusheng's pupils widened slightly, and his expression shifted from astonishment to dejection.

He could naturally tell that the last sentence was mostly meant to comfort him.

In a massive power structure, once the leader rolls up his sleeves and personally takes to the field, there is no choice but an overwhelming victory. Victory is the only option; defeat would have an irreparable impact on the very foundation of confidence in that power. This system is incredibly difficult to build, but dismantling it is all too easy.

Now that the leaders of the Sanyuan Group have donned their armor and are charging at the forefront, there is no reason for them to fail.

Talking about retreat and establishing a foothold is just self-comfort.

But he didn't want to dwell on the truth, because the truth was too obvious and easy to understand. Everyone present understood it, but no one was willing to point it out.

A person with mobility issues and congenital asthma cannot continue to keep up with the team and participate in the intense, demanding battle; they would become a burden. Managing wartime logistics from the rear is their limit.

……

"Wu Sheng." Zhang Renfeng seemed to sense his emotional fluctuations and spoke directly, "The army's logistics and supplies are also a very important part. An army cannot move without provisions. Your father and mother are somewhat capable fighters, but no matter how capable they are, we are still human beings and need to eat."

"The city's train tracks lead directly to the Pennsylvania front, with stations in various towns along the way. This is why Jik Sisley was able to mobilize manpower and resources to build ten forts in such a short time."

"If things really get to a critical point, the lives of the more than a thousand people on the front lines will be in your hands. Remember, this matter is of utmost importance. Even if you're just staying behind, you cannot be negligent!"