In October, the Pampas has entered early summer. Although it is summer, it is not very hot. Compared with the northern hemisphere, even midsummer is just late spring there.
Under the dazzling sunshine, on the green prairie, wild grass half a man deep was swaying in the wind. This was obviously a grassland that had not been gnawed by cattle and sheep, otherwise the grass would not grow so wildly.
Between the grassland, there is a trench - a trench that stretches endlessly, stretching for hundreds of miles from north to south. This trench was specially dug by the Argentinians to prevent the Mapuche from attacking.
All the piles of soil were piled to the east side, forming a dike about two meters high.
This trench and this embankment form a dividing line.
According to Argentinians, this is the "line between civilization and barbarism".
This trench and grassy mounds lying on the grassland seem a bit like the "Great Wall" of China, clearly dividing "civilization" and "barbarism" from south to north and from east to west.
Come.
This is a "checkpoint", just like the Great Wall. Only a few checkpoints have bridges for people to pass. Among the checkpoints at the border, there are towering "walls" - in fact, they are just a brick wall and a "fortress" made of bricks.
, sometimes the city wall may even be made of wood, and the guards are some Argentine soldiers and Gaucho cavalry. Because of their long-term garrison, these sentries are extremely vigilant, and the slightest change in the grassland can cause them to sound the alarm.
This was true in the past, and it is true now.
However, now for the Argentine soldiers guarding the checkpoint, they know exactly what they will face?
It was no longer the Mapuche cavalry who came riding on horseback wielding spears, but a group of modern troops prepared with sophisticated weapons.
But this is not the forefront of the war. Where is the forefront?
It must be Biedema!
Viedma is the Argentine city closest to Nanhua. It guards the mouth of the Rio Negro. For many years, Nanhua has long regarded this city as a thorn in its side.
Of course, the Argentinians in Viedma are also very aware of this.
Because of this, in the past few days, Viedma's defenders and civil defense teams have been reinforcing the defenses outside the city, trying to turn the city into a fortress, if this can be considered a fortress.
"Dig the trenches 30 centimeters deeper and make sure the barbed wire fences are erected..."
In front of the fortress, the officers kept shouting loudly. For the Argentine soldiers who had experienced the baptism of the Paraguay War, they knew the importance of trenches. As for the iron wire, it was also extremely important, especially in South China where the army's firepower was extremely powerful.
——The mortars made by Nanhua left a very deep impression on the world during the American Civil War and the Paraguay 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 the intense artillery fire, dig the trenches as deep as possible!"
Although they had been preparing for half a month, and even evacuated residents from nearby settlements into the city, and recruited all men who could hold guns, Major Philip still felt a little restless and full of fear at this time.
Feeling uneasy.
"how so?"
In fact, Philip's feelings towards Nanhua were quite complicated. He almost watched the rise of Nanhua helplessly. What did the rise of Nanhua bring to him?
Money, once upon a time, did bring some financial rewards, of course, more of them were promotions in military ranks. As Nanhua became stronger, Biedma changed from a small border town to an important place, and he was promoted from second lieutenant to major.
But this makes no sense at all.
Because now the war is about to break out!
I don't know if it was because he knew that the other party would definitely capture this place, so Philip felt so uneasy.
"If ten years ago, when that guy first came here, he knew that he would actually threaten Argentina, he really should have..."
What should be done?
Killed him with one shot?
Perhaps, but there is no chance now, and it is still unknown whether he can even survive in the future war.
"War... is such a disgusting thing!"
While thinking about it in his mind, Philip looked towards the South Chinese position in the distance from time to time - just a few hours ago, the South Chinese army finally appeared in their sight and established a position one kilometer away.
Sometimes, he would look up at the sky, wondering if there would be mortar shells falling. Although he did not participate in the Paraguay War, according to people who participated in that war, when he heard the whistling of the shells, he would
The next moment there was a rain of cannonballs. The violent explosion would swallow up everything.
In short, for any army, mortar bombardment is a nightmare.
Fortunately, they dug trenches.
At this moment, Philip saw a few black spots appearing at the end of the horizon. He quickly picked up the telescope and looked at it - the telescope was a Phoenix brand - it was a Nanhua product.
"They are from South China, everyone be on alert!"
Following his order, the soldiers picked up the .577-caliber Enfield-Lee valve rifle. The valve of the Lee rifle was invented by an engineer named Li in Nanhua. During the Civil War, it was sold through arms smugglers.
Hundreds of thousands of modification kits were smuggled into the southern United States, making great contributions to the independence of the South. After the Civil War, they spread to all parts of the world with post-war surplus materials.
During the Paraguay War, the Argentine army bought hundreds of thousands of second-hand imitations from the United States, that is, the United States of the North. In other words, the Argentine army used "Xibei goods" made in Nanhua.
It's still the kind that doesn't have a patent.
A few minutes later, two cavalrymen were approaching. The leader was actually 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."
Looking at Bailey, Philip asked.
"Are you here to persuade me to surrender?"
Bailey said while looking at the citizens behind the major.
"In view of the current situation, I think surrender is the best choice 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 a little complicated.
Facing his old friend's persuasion to surrender, Philip was silent for a moment and then said.
"Bailey, my old friend, maybe in your eyes I am a greedy guy, but I am by no means a coward who is afraid of death..."
Looking back at the soldiers behind him, Philip's eyes became determined.
"Do you know how the Paraguayans responded when they were persuaded to surrender in Pirihuevi, Paraguay? - "We are left to defend the city. We must either defend or die in battle, and we will never be traitors"!
This is our answer!"
Even as enemies, the courage shown by the Paraguayans during the war shocked everyone. While they admired the courage of the Paraguayans, of course they also chose Paraguayans as role models.
"Well, Philip, my friend, you should know what happened to Piliwewe!"
This chapter has been completed!