Chapter 395: Paraguay's Protector (Third update, please subscribe)
Early in the morning, when the people of Corrientes woke up from their sleep, they saw steamboats passing through the city and heading northeast on the Paraná River. Seeing this scene, some patriotic citizens could not help but pray.
"God bless them, let them fight the Brazilians."
A few days ago, the high officials led the officials to surrender to the conquerors from the south. Then, in front of the people, the Argentine flag on the roof was taken down.
From that day on, many patriotic Argentines longed for the day when they could drive these conquerors out of this land.
But what can they do?
Brazil!
The Brazilian troops stationed in Paraguay are composed entirely of demons. They will definitely be able to drive out these demons coming from the south.
Now, seeing the South China Army sailing towards Paraguay, these patriots will of course cheer.
"God bless you, let those devils kill each other."
…
Steamboats broke through the turbid river water and went upstream. To prevent accidents, Zhou Ze and his adjutant had to come to the deck. There was a gentle breeze on the river.
Standing on the deck, Zhou Ze used binoculars to carefully observe the river banks on both sides. The land on both sides of the Paraná River was flat, and the bank height was only about ten meters at most. Looking from the boat, the river bank was a long horizontal line with weeds growing on it. Overhead, an airship was moving slowly forward, and sometimes, it would hover in the sky.
Although the troops had made smooth progress since leaving Buenos Aces, there were still stubborn enemies along the way who put up fierce resistance. On the distant skyline, thick smoke rushed into the sky, and the roar of naval guns could occasionally be heard in the wind.
Soon, Zhou Ze saw a dozen ships anchored upstream, all of them were blue Nanhua gunboats, with Nanhua's Suzaku flag hanging on them and numbers painted on their hulls. These gunboats, weighing about 100 tons, were the main force to cover the army's attack. In addition to the powerful firepower of the Gatling guns, four 150mm mortars were temporarily installed on the front and rear decks, enough to suppress any possible enemies.
The boat Zhou Ze was on dropped anchor in the middle of the group of boats. This was already the border area between Corriente Province and Paraguay. With a telescope on the river bank, one could see the remains of a bunker, which was built by Corriente Province a few years ago to resist the invasion of Paraguay.
"Twenty kilometers ahead is Paraguay's Humaita Fortress. Although it is Paraguayan territory, the people stationed there are Brazilians. The Brazilian fleet is stationed there."
Putting down the telescope, Zhou Ze continued.
"The purpose of our trip is to consolidate the border and prevent Brazil from taking advantage of the opportunity to occupy our land. These places used to be Paraguayan land and were occupied by the Brazilian army during the Paraguayan War..."
Staring into the distance, Zhou Ze pursed his lips.
"Whether we are willing to accept these areas is still a question!"
"Yes, according to intelligence, many local militia majors have submitted letters of surrender to the Brazilian side."
"What else can they do?"
"We've arrived at the battlefield!"
Tian Zhong and his colleagues were keenly aware that they had arrived at the front line, and the relaxed mood they had felt since leaving Buenos Aires became tense again.
Then, the troops were given three days' rations and spent a night on the boat.
"Everyone has one. Everyone should write a letter to their families and hand it to the captain together. This may be the last letter! If we have a conflict with the Brazilians, we will face a group of wolves and tigers!"
Lieutenant Tian Guo's tone was particularly cordial. Although he was from Nanhua, he always cared about his subordinates. Lieutenant Tian Guo, 21 years old this year, was said to be an orphan. When he immigrated to Nanhua on an immigrant ship nine years ago, his parents and sisters died in the war. He grew up in the military academy in Nanhua. From the military academy to the military school, and then to the army, there were many officers like him in Nanhua. For them, the lord was equal to their father, and Nanhua was their home.
On the battlefield, he was a murderous, abusive, but extremely brave squadron leader. But in normal times, he was an officer who valued affection for his subordinates and was as kind and amiable as a family member.
Everyone just laughed at the squadron leader's words. They were soldiers from Nanhua, and they were the real tigers and wolves.
Zhu Pingwei was lying on the bed with his arms as his pillow, when he suddenly began to sing in a low voice:
"We came from the smoke and flames of war. We marched in neat steps toward the battlefield. Soldiers have long been prepared to sacrifice. Pray for death in battle! To be a martyr for the country, to be a heroic ghost, is better than lying stiffly on a deathbed! Pray for death in battle! To be a martyr for the country, to be a heroic ghost, to wipe out all the barbarians on the battlefield!..."
The singing voice floated in the room where the river water could be heard hitting the side of the ship, giving people a strange feeling. After the song, Zhu Pingwei turned his face away, his eyes soaked with tears. These tears were not sadness for going to war, nor were they fear of death. More than 180 soldiers in the cabin were waiting silently to die on the battlefield tomorrow with tragic hearts. No one showed any resistance. This spirit of unity is always very touching.
Listening to the singing in the cabin, Lieutenant Tian Guo looked solemn. He looked at the soldiers. Although these guys were all naturalized citizens, their loyalty to Nanhua was well known.
The next morning, dozens of ships came from nowhere and gathered towards their ship. Some of them were over 100 tons, and some were 300 to 400 tons. They were all requisitioned transport ships. At this time, all the soldiers were carrying backpacks and armed with live ammunition, standing on the side of these ships one after another. At this time, two gunboats appeared from nowhere.
"All troops prepare to land!"
At this moment, a fleet came from upstream in a mighty manner, led by a warship with a displacement of thousands of tons. On the wide Paraná River, this fleet was undoubtedly like a behemoth.
In comparison, Nanhua's side only had a dense crowd of small boats, including several gunboats. When they discovered that a fleet was coming from upstream, they immediately drove the gunboats to meet them.
"It's the Brazilian fleet!"
All of those warships were flying the Brazilian flag, and a few white letters "Amazon" were painted on the side!
"It's the Amazon. The Brazilians have sent their fleet!"
Zhou Ze frowned. The Amazon frigate became famous in the Paraná River. In the "Battle of Rio de Janeiro" a few years ago, the Brazilian fleet commander Admiral Bainacio da Fonseca commanded the flagship Amazon frigate to charge in and out, using its solid hull to hit four ships in a row, turning the tide. Since then, it has completely controlled the control of the Paraná River.
Before that, the Paraguayan army was invincible in the Corrientes Province of Argentina because supplies could be smoothly transported across the Paraná River. After this battle, the Paraguayan army was unable to advance further, and the crisis in northern Argentina was successfully resolved.
Whoever controls the Paraná River will win the war!
Zhou Ze, the commander of the Second Mixed Brigade, was naturally very clear about this, which was why they advanced by water. But now this fleet blocked their way forward.
At this moment, the Brazilian fleet issued a warning flag.
"This is Paraguayan land, please evacuate immediately!"
(End of this chapter)
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