Darkstone Code

After the first-hand information from the battlefield was fed back to the factory by the observers from the tank factory, the designers suddenly realized that self-propelled artillery actually had no meaning in trench warfare.

The reason is simple: if it’s just trench warfare, artillery is enough to handle most situations, and self-propelled artillery has little significance.

The soldiers also reported some situations. They believe that if these self-propelled artillery can function as demolition and cover during ground advancement, they would be very satisfied as long as these two points were met.

Based on the feedback from the frontline, the engineers from the tank design institute quickly designed a new type of self-propelled artillery. They reduced the caliber of the main gun and configured the turret to be fully enclosed.

The armor of the entire vehicle body also has varying degrees of reinforcement, including the redesign of the wheels.

The current goal is very simple: to make modifications based on the actual conditions of the battlefield rather than the designers’ brilliant but idle fantasies.

After the new prototype was produced, Mr. Wardrick also pulled some strings to find some people from the military to test it. Most of the feedback was positive, but of course, some people also made some suggestions.

For example, when facing certain special terrains, self-propelled artillery will be limited. In short, the design is constantly being amended.

Until now, the soldiers who were taking on high additional fees for testing felt there was no problem, then Mr. Wardrick called Lynch over.

What could be done in the laboratory and test field has been done. What remains is the actual combat.

"Now that Mariluo is in the heat of battle, I was thinking...," Mr. Wardrick elegantly maneuvered the knife and fork, cutting a piece of beef from the steak, "...drag our machines to the frontline to test them."

He wrapped the piece of beef in front of the silver fork in his mouth and chewed it finely.

Interestingly, although this beef is clearly pan-fried and well done, its texture is not like the beef that ordinary people eat, which becomes dry, tough, and hard after frying!

This is because the beef is from veal, and there is a lot of fat in its texture, which makes the beef very flavorful and fragrant.

Lynch thought for a while and nodded in agreement, "I have no reason to object. We can strengthen the Sanchez line..."

"Is that the first person to cooperate with us?" Mr. Wardrick had heard of Sanchez, who has a certain level of fame as the first person from Mariluo to cooperate with the Federation.

If nothing unexpected happens, once the Federation helps the Mariluo people achieve a fair, free, and open social environment, Sanchez could become a prominent figure.

Just like in Nagariel now, those who have been willing to collaborate with the Federation Government and the United Development Company have almost all achieved unprecedented success!

Most of them have gained the status of Federation, joined this free, equal, and fair family, and contributed to world peace.

Naturally, the world also rewards them with some things: wealth, status, symbols, and so on.

Sanchez’s identity and bloodline are very pure, making him a decent fellow.

Mr. Wardrick certainly did not know that the imagined Sanchez was now being devoured by some shallow insects three feet underground, and a new "Sanchez," who is more willing to collaborate with the Federation Government, stood out.

No matter who this Sanchez used to be or what he used to be called, he is now Sanchez, as known and recognized by the Federation.

Lynch dabbed his lips with a napkin, "There was a small accident over there, but just a small one. We’ve currently cleared that part of the problem and indeed need Sanchez to display some strength."

"To his north is an intermediate-level warlord, which works out as I also have some things here for testing, so we’ll choose him!"

Mr. Wardrick was a bit curious, "New aircraft?"

Lynch shook his head, "No, a new system!"

The opinions submitted by both to the Ministry of Defense and the military were quickly approved. The Ministry of Defense was very interested in Mr. Wardrick’s letter expressing a "powerful guarantee for the army to defeat the enemy."

Gafura’s international standing has already decreased considerably, and the Federation’s position is highlighted; this is a good thing, but also a bad one—although bad, bad things are not necessarily unfavorable events.

The evil alliance led by Peng Jieao will inevitably aim its primary target at the Federation in the next war.

The Federation Military has strong confidence in the Navy and Air Force, but there is still some deficiency in the Army.

Facts have proven that the Federation Army indeed falls short of the strength fitting the Federation’s international position, which was particularly evident in the battles against Mariluo.

If it weren’t for the advantage of military equipment and technological superiority over the opponent, it’s possible that the Federation Army would suffer greater losses than imagined!

This is unacceptable!

Therefore, when the Ministry of Defense heard about a new type of vehicle specifically for the army ready for actual warfare testing, they immediately approved the duo’s plan.

Plus, with attempts at airborne and airdrop supplies, this application passed smoothly without encountering any obstacles.

People no longer find anything happening now in Mariluo surprising, nor do they care to pay attention to those matters.

Paying attention to them may mean offending the Federation, but in the past few years of development, especially after the Progressive Party came to power with its radical policies, the once-timid Federation has become filled with aggression suddenly.

In such a complex big environment, who would care if a small country is invaded?

Besides, the Federation hasn’t truly invaded; it’s just that Darkstone Security received a new military order; that’s their business.

The newly appointed "Sanchez" was Sanchez’s former adjutant and has followed him for some time, ever since Sanchez’s father has not been assassinated, serving both him and his son.

After Sanchez’s accidental death, he stood out first, showing the responsibility and courage to inherit Sanchez’s legacy and expressing his eagerness to contribute to Mariluo’s peaceful cause.

To outsiders from the Federation, he is Sanchez

Here, he is still a Major.

When he saw the twelve uniquely designed self-propelled artillery pieces, he couldn’t help but admire the advanced level of Federation industry once again.

He could never understand if Sanchez’s brain got kicked by a mule, attempting to resist the Federation.

The gap between the two industries alone left Mariluo with no hope, not even a bit!

Up till now, Mariluo does not have an assembly line capable of quick bullet production; they are still using old-fashioned manual methods to manufacture bullets.

What’s more troublesome is that the raw materials for the bullets, especially bullet casings and primers, are all imported; they cannot produce them themselves.

How could such a country possibly fight against the Federation that has set its sights here?

He gazed at the roaring tanks, swallowing hard.

The liaison officer smiled as he approached this "Colonel Sanchez," briefly explaining, "Later, you will send an open telegram across the territory, saying that you heard the people north... in the city... living under the tyrannical rule of a warlord, have even made living a luxury, so you demand this warlord to immediately disband his armed forces."

The Major’s eyes widened, "He won’t disband his armed forces unless he wants to die!"

He knows the warlord the liaison officer mentioned is about eighty kilometers away from where they currently stand, occupying the territory.

He controls three cities, already considered a powerful mid-level warlord.

With some development, perhaps in a few years, there could be a sliver of possibility for him to become a big warlord.

Due to the chaos in the capital, the whole Mariluo is now in disorder; many warlords died in explosions, and the warlord forces underwent a reshuffle.

Now, to many small and medium warlords, this is an opportunity.

However, this opportunity does not include disarming themselves.

As a warlord, being cruel is certain, and eliminating dissenters is a common trait among all warlords.

Some dissenters, to avoid being eliminated, will disguise themselves and integrate into the warlord’s forces.

When the warlords still hold power, nothing happens, but once they give up power, danger descends.

Therefore, the Major knows that no matter how nicely or threateningly he speaks, those people will not disband their armed forces.

The liaison officer nodded, "Look, doesn’t this just give us an opportunity to attack him?"

"We must help those persecuted by him to free themselves from his cruel control; that is your mission, Major..."

The liaison officer thought of something. He pulled a Federation-made Colonel’s shoulder patch from his pocket, ripping off the Major’s original one and putting the new one on, "It should indeed be Colonel now!"

The Colonel knew he had no room for resistance and gained a new understanding of the shamelessness of the Federation. Subsequently, he followed the liaison officer’s instruction to send an open telegram across the territory, receiving countless curses in return.

Some cursed him as the Federation’s dog, others said he was digging his own grave; in any case, no one praised him, which also infuriated him greatly.

Later, Colonel Sang sent another telegram, saying that to further the cause of Mariluo’s peace, he would send troops northward to liberate the people of Mariluo oppressed by dictatorial neighbors!

Truly great!

Subsequently, the son of former Grand President Beigaao of the Central Government sent a telegram, hoping Colonel Sang could control his emotions to avoid the spread of war, but those words were like a fart, quickly dissipating in the air leaving neither sound nor smell.

After dinner, local soldiers and those of Darkstone Security prepared and departed...