Chapter 317 Either defend or die in battle (Second update, please subscribe)
In October, the Pampas has entered early summer. Although it is summer, the temperature is not high. Compared with the northern hemisphere, even midsummer is just late spring there.
Under the dazzling sunlight, on the green grassland, wild grass half a person high swayed in the wind. This was obviously a piece of grassland that had not been grazed by cattle or sheep, otherwise the grass would not grow so wildly.
Between the grasslands, there is a trench - a trench that stretches to the endless end, extending hundreds of miles from north to south. This trench was specially dug by the Argentines to block the attacks of the Mapuche people. All the soil in the trench was piled on the east side, forming a dam about two meters high.
This trench and this embankment formed a dividing line.
According to the Argentines, this is the "boundary between civilization and barbarism."
The trench and the grassy mound lying across the grassland seem a bit like the "Great Wall" of China, clearly dividing "civilization" from "barbarism" from south to north and from east to west.
This is a "checkpoint", just like the Great Wall. Only a few checkpoints have bridges for people to pass through. At the border checkpoints, there are towering "city walls" - in fact, they are just brick walls and brick "fortresses". Sometimes the city walls may even be made of wood. The guards are some Argentine soldiers and gaucho cavalry. Because of their long-term garrison, these sentinels are extremely vigilant, and even the slightest changes in the grassland can make them sound the alarm.
It was so in the past and it is still so now.
However, for the Argentine soldiers guarding the checkpoint now, they are very clear about what they are going to face?
They were no longer the Mapuche cavalrymen riding horses and wielding spears, but a modern army equipped with sophisticated weapons.
But if this isn’t the forefront of the war, then where is it?
It must be Biedma!
Viedma is the closest Argentine city to Nanhua. It controls the mouth of the Negro River. For many years, Nanhua has regarded this city as a thorn in its side.
The Argentines in Viedma are of course very clear about this.
For this reason, in the past few days, Viedma's defenders and civil defense teams have been strengthening the fortifications outside the city, trying to turn the city into a fortress, if it can be considered a fortress.
"Dig the trenches another 30 centimeters deeper, and make sure the barbed wire is set up properly..."
In front of the fortress, the officers kept shouting loudly. For the Argentine soldiers who had experienced the baptism of the Paraguayan War, they knew the importance of trenches. As for iron wire, it was also extremely important, especially since the firepower of the South China Army was extremely strong. The mortars manufactured by South China left a very deep impression on the world in the American Civil War and the Paraguayan War. Even in the eyes of many pessimistic soldiers, the invention of the mortar completely changed the rules of war.
"Deepen the trenches. If you want to survive under the intensive artillery fire, you must dig the trenches as deep as possible!"
Although they had been preparing for half a month, even evacuating residents from nearby settlements into the city and conscripting all men who could hold guns, Major Philip still seemed a little restless and full of anxiety.
"how so?"
In fact, Philip's feelings towards Nanhua are quite complicated. He almost witnessed the rise of Nanhua with his own eyes. What did Nanhua's rise bring to him?
Money did bring some financial rewards at one time or another, and of course more importantly, promotions in military rank. As Nanhua became stronger, Biedma was transformed from a small border town into an important place, and he was promoted from second lieutenant to major, but this was meaningless.
Because now war is about to break out!
I don’t know if it’s because Philip knows that the other party will definitely capture this place that he feels so uneasy.
"If that guy had known he would be a threat to Argentina when he first came here ten years ago, he should have..."
What should I do?
Killed him with one shot?
Perhaps, however, there is no chance now, and even whether we can survive in future wars is still an unknown.
"War... is such a disgusting thing!"
While muttering to himself, Philip looked towards the South Chinese positions in the distance from time to time - just a few hours ago, the South Chinese army finally appeared in their sight and built a position one kilometer away.
Sometimes, he would look up at the sky, wondering if there would be mortar shells falling. Although he had not participated in the Paraguayan War, people who had participated in that war said that when they heard the whistling sound of shells, the next moment there would be shells raining down. The violent explosion would swallow everything.
In short, mortar bombardment is a nightmare for any army.
Fortunately, they dug trenches.
Just then, Philip saw a few black spots appear at the end of the horizon, and he quickly picked up the telescope to look - the telescope was a Phoenix brand - a Nanhua product.
"It's the South Chinese, everyone be alert!"
Following his order, the soldiers picked up the 0.577 caliber Enfield-Lee valve rifles. The valve of the Lee rifle was invented by an engineer named Li in Nanhua. During the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of modified kits were smuggled into the American South through arms smugglers, making great contributions to the independence of the South. After the Civil War, it spread to all parts of the world with the post-war surplus materials.
During the Paraguayan War, the Argentine army bought tens of thousands of second-hand imitations from the United States, the northern United States. In other words, the Argentine army used "Xibei goods" made by Nanhua, and they were not patented.
A few minutes later, two cavalrymen approached. The one leading them turned out to be an old acquaintance - Mr. Bailey from the American Company. They had not seen each other since Bailey left Viedma five years ago.
"Hello, Major! Long time no see!"
"Yes, long time no see, Mr. Bailey."
Philip asked, looking at Bailey.
"Are you here to persuade me to surrender?"
Bailey said, looking at the citizens behind the Major.
"Given the current situation, I think surrender is the best option for the major and the soldiers and civilians of Viedma!"
Although Bailey's words were not loud, they still reached the ears of many soldiers and civil defense teams. Their expressions seemed to become a little complicated.
Faced with his old friend's persuasion to surrender, Philip was silent for a moment, then said.
"Bailey, my old friend, maybe in your eyes I am a greedy guy, but I am definitely not a coward who is afraid of death..."
Looking back at the soldiers behind him, Philip's eyes became firm.
"Do you know how the Paraguayans responded to the call to surrender in Piribebuy, Paraguay? "We were left behind to defend the city. We must either defend it or die in battle. We will never be traitors!" This is our response!"
Even as an enemy, the courage shown by the Paraguayans during the war shocked everyone. While admiring the courage of the Paraguayans, they also chose the Paraguayans as their role models.
"Well, Philip, my friend, you know what happened to Piribevi!"
(End of this chapter)
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