Darkstone Code

Chapter 1223 - 1221: This Is Only an Experiment!

The frontline battle situation was quickly reported everywhere, and the Emperor of Peng Jieao also learned about the frontline’s predicament.

"In this morning’s bombing, nearly two thousand soldiers died directly or indirectly due to the bombing..."

The Emperor of Peng Jieao yawned, raising his hand to halt the adjutant reading beside the Empire Marshal, "I understand direct deaths, but indirectly... what does that mean?"

The Empire Marshal’s adjutant paused for a moment, hurriedly flipped back a few pages, and briefly described what "indirect death by bombing" meant.

"...We found a type of round bomb weighing approximately two to three pounds in areas bombed. These bombs cannot be cleared effectively and safely, and simply digging them out may trigger an explosion."

"Some may even explode if stepped on."

"Our people faced some trouble during the retreat..."

People in the room were somewhat astonished, able to imagine such a scene, which marked the second generation of cluster bomb changes.

To give these "bullets" more versatility, apart from shrapnel bombs that explode upon landing, some very special "silent mines" have been added.

These bombs do not explode immediately upon landing; they contain a leveler which starts functioning once the bomb stabilizes.

As long as its inclination angle exceeds a certain degree, a steel plate rapidly returns to position, and when it does, it strikes the primer, detonating the bomb.

This design is intended to inflict secondary harm after the bombing, as these uncleared bombs become a limiter for large-scale personnel movement.

Moreover, in these areas plowed by bombs, it’s tough to spot those bombs hidden in corners unnoticed, and when someone walks over them, touches them, or curiously picks them up...

It will cause further destruction!

Though these bombs are not numerous, their efficacy in harm is high because people’s first thoughts after a bombing are clearing the debris, seeking supplies, and rescuing surviving soldiers.

They are bound to overturn what remains post-explosion, possibly finding one within!

People no longer avoid them but actively locate them, then trigger them!

Listening to the Empire Marshal’s adjutant read the current updates from the frontline, the Emperor of Peng Jieao yawned again, wiped away a tear squeezed out from his eyes.

He wasn’t crying because many soldiers had died, but merely because he was yawning.

He supported his chin, always appearing unrested, with deep dark circles under his eyes. "Our initial plan was correct, abandoning the development of warships and directly focusing on the air force."

His expression was indifferent, yet somewhat arrogant, gazing at the nobles. The Elder’s expression was like gods looking down on mortals from the clouds.

"Continue to increase the research on aircraft, increase funding for the air force, and focus on anti-aircraft weapons..."

No one interrupted or objected to his words at this time.

After the end of World War I, the Peng Jieao Empire faced a difficult choice.

If they didn’t want to be trapped in their homes by the Gafura people again in the next war, the best method was to find a way to restrict the Gafura Navy.

At this time, discussing naval development wasn’t practically significant for this country as their naval capability equated to merely allowing ships to depart here for other countries.

They were backed by vast land; historically, opponents viewed by them as enemies came from the land.

They lacked various warship-related technologies, even given ten years, or perhaps twenty years, they might not catch up to Gafura’s present status.

At that time, the Emperor of Peng Jieao formulated a new development route, continuing to strengthen the army while avoiding contact in fields where Gafura held an advantage.

It was foolish; knowing they’re not opponents and even after developing for ten years won’t be opponents, yet still investing extensively in funds and research, burying everything after ten years. It’d be better to change their thinking from the start.

Thus, Peng Jieao began to develop various naval mines, torpedoes, and light, technology-low-speed boats, including landing craft.

They only needed to block some enemy warships and transport the army to the needed locations to achieve strategic intentions.

When the Federation defeated the Gafura fleet with submarines in naval warfare, the Peng Jieao Empire also began researching submarines, serving as the main anti-ship weapon.

When the Federation invented airplanes, the Emperor of Peng Jieao personally decided to put the majority of energy into research on aircraft and the air force.

The Navy could not cooperate with the Army, and no matter how they developed the navy, it could never rival the Federation and Gafura, but the air force was different.

The air force can cooperate with the army, and is extremely threatening to targets on land and sea.

While other countries hesitated with fear for the future, Peng Jieao had already begun reverse engineering to replicate and improve the Qi-I bomber, deploying it on a small scale.

This time, the "friction" is not only a means to probe the strength of the Federation Army, but more importantly, it’s a comprehensive evaluation of the Air Force in land warfare!

They must determine whether the next world war’s main battlefield will be on land, on the sea, or... in the sky!

Seeing these ministers, elders, His Majesty the Emperor’s eyes, which had just gained a sharp gleam, dimmed again. He waved his hand as if shooing away flies.

"I remember the Federation has several giant ships approaching the Horn Strait?"

The Empire Marshal nodded in affirmation, "They have already entered the Horn Strait, and our supply lines have been cut off. I deeply apologize, Your Majesty."

"It’s nothing. We already anticipated this result from the beginning, and it fits perfectly with the second part of our plan. Let the Air Force make another move and test our new things..."

As he spoke, he grasped the armrests of the gold high-backed chair and stood up, "Then today’s meeting is adjourned, long live..."

He said, as he left amidst the fervent cries of "Long live the Empire" and "Long live His Majesty the Emperor" from the ministers and elders. The entire Empire once again operated like a precision machine at high speed.

At three airports near the Horn Strait, hundreds of aircraft were being armed and undergoing final checks.

Besides the conventional aerial bombs, there were also incendiary gasoline bombs and air-dropped torpedoes!

Meanwhile, the Federation Navy, which was entering the Horn Strait, was still unaware of the danger they would face. They were too careless!

"I heard the front was bombed, with heavy casualties..."

A sailor, holding a binocular, observed changes on the surrounding sea while chatting casually with the sailor behind him.

Life at sea is monotonous, and maybe the sailors from Gafura were already accustomed to this dull life. They could strictly adhere to all regulations and all requirements in the sailor’s manual.

But for the Federation people, it’s too hard.

Yes, too hard.

The Federation people are born free, and even the charter grants them the right to pursue freedom and defend it!

How can you expect them to not speak or slack off and work on the ship for ten hours?

They’d probably strike.

So, unless it’s a red alert, soldiers tend to have some flaws that officers would ignore.

Another sailor nodded in agreement and then sighed, "No one expected that a backward countryside place like Peng Jieao could field so many bombers—they’ve cracked the secret of airplanes!"

In the eyes of the Federation people, countries like Peng Jieao, which are far away and have never participated in great voyages, are considered countryside places, and they look down on these country folks.

This time, reportedly fielding dozens of bombers, was indeed a bit unexpected.

But it was just a little. The Navy is proud; they don’t think the Army’s defeat has anything to do with them. Every sailor has a sense of pride.

The glory of the Federation is ultimately to be defended by the Navy.

The sailor put down the binoculars and took out a pack of Silver Era cigarettes from his pocket. They were exquisitely packaged and although their price was a bit high, the current high-welfare and high-salary Navy could afford them.

He offered a cigarette to the other sailor, and the two began to smoke together.

From below, it’s impossible to see what people in the lookout tower are doing, so they weren’t afraid of being discovered by the officers below. They chatted about recently aired movies, this conflict, and the cheap girls in Nagariel.

The last topic was their main subject of conversation. Sometimes, when they passed by Nagariel for resupply, they had about a week to rest ashore.

Just a few bucks could make them happy all night. That place was like a Celestial Kingdom to them.

Some people think that finding a job in Nagariel after discharge is the best place to go, with no significant life and work pressure, allowing for unfettered enjoyment.

The two leaned in the lookout tower chatting, when one of them suddenly glanced at the distant sky, a bit surprised, "I remember the meteorological station didn’t say there would be rain around here today..."

In the distant sky, there was a dark mass of clouds, but such things seemed normal to them. The weather at sea was unpredictable, especially in summer, making it harder to forecast.

Another sailor picked up the phone and dialed the command room’s number, "...There’s a black cloud layer to the northeast, it might be raining..."

After hanging up, he took another look, his expression still a bit surprised, "These clouds are coming so fast. What is our ship’s speed now?"

At this time, both sailors subconsciously looked at the distant sky where the dark mass of clouds had expanded even further. They instinctively picked up the binoculars and gazed into the distant sky...