bestfiction Chapter 345 The Outskirts of the Citrus Pond!
Chapter 345 The Outskirts of the Citrus Pond!
The night was as dark as ink!
It started raining again.
The drizzle fell silently on the broad leaves of the tropical rainforest, making a soft rustling sound.
Zhong Yuemin's reconnaissance squad, consisting of only seven or eight men, moved silently along the muddy path leading to Gantang, like cheetahs stalking in the dark.
Since entering enemy territory, their small detachment has successively fought in battles to annihilate villages surrounding Guliu, street fighting in the old town area, and the capture and defense of an unnamed hill.
In just a few days, three tough battles were fought, especially the final defense of the nameless hill, which resulted in heavy casualties.
At this moment, everyone's body is in a state of extreme fatigue and high alertness.
Zhang Haiyang's sling arm throbbed with pain in the damp air, and every step he took aggravated the injury, but he gritted his teeth and remained silent, only gripping the submachine gun in front of his chest tightly with his right hand.
The gauze on Mantun's back was soaked with rain and sweat, and dark red bloodstains were spreading along the edges. His breathing was a little heavy, but his steps remained firm.
Ning Wei walked at the front, his eyes sharp, fixed on the road ahead, remaining constantly vigilant.
Zhong Yuemin walked in the middle of the group, rainwater streaming down the edge of his helmet and landing on his chapped, peeling lips.
His sharp gaze swept over everything around him, and his ears picked up any unusual sounds besides the wind and rain.
"Leap People!"
Zhang Haiyang then turned around and whispered:
"These Vietnamese monkeys are fighting desperately to defend Gantang, and our main force is also approaching Gantang from all directions. Gantang looks like a small town on the map. Is there something going on here?"
"Haiyang, you're such an incompetent advisor! You don't even know this?!"
Zhang Haiyang grinned.
"Stop talking nonsense and tell us what's going on."
Zhong Yuemin wiped the rain off his face and said:
"Don't underestimate Gantang just because it's a small city. It has a special geographical location. It is bordered by the Waiyom River to the north, the Waibo River to the south, the rushing Red River to the east, and the heart of the Huanglian Mountains to the west."
Controlling Cam Duong is tantamount to controlling the transportation hub connecting northwestern Vietnam with the interior, and it is also a military key embedded in the vital passage of Yen Bai City.
Most importantly, this place not only houses a modern phosphate mine, an economic lifeline that generates tens of millions of dollars in foreign exchange for Vietnam every year, but Vietnam's already meager foreign exchange reserves also depend entirely on this phosphate mine. Don't you think it's important?
Zhang Haiyang nodded.
"Damn it, no wonder Le Duan of Hanoi was acting like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shouting at the top of his lungs that 'we must protect the hamlet.' It turns out his money bag is about to be stolen; anyone would be anxious in that situation!"
Their task was to pry open the first crack in the lock—
To find out which Vietnamese army unit was stationed in Gantang, how its forces were deployed, where its heavy firepower was located, and where the weaknesses of its defense system lay.
"Shh-"
Just then, Ning Wei suddenly crouched down and raised his right fist.
Everyone froze instantly, their breathing seemingly stopping, and they quickly took cover using the trees and terrain.
Ning Wei listened intently for a moment, then gestured with sign language:
There's the sound of flowing water ahead, suggesting we've reached a tributary of the Waibo River. Faint lights and engine sounds can be heard on the opposite bank.
Zhong Yuemin crawled forward and, side by side with Ning Wei, hid behind the bushes.
Through the hazy rain, a not-too-wide river could be seen stretching across the distance, with a few lights faintly visible on the opposite bank, and the low rumble of a diesel engine, which sounded like a truck or a generator.
"We've reached the outer perimeter."
Zhong Yuemin lowered his voice, almost whispering.
"Ning Wei, you and I will sneak over and take a look first. Haiyang, Mantun, you set up a hidden observation post here. Tiezhu... you keep watch on the rear and flanks."