Ye Fan found himself in an exceptionally jubilant state.
Finally, the construction of the last virtual building had concluded. In the future, once funds flowed in, he could focus on expanding and developing the base, eventually ascending to the rank of battalion commander.
The introduction of numerous new vehicles heightened his optimism for the future.
In the current apocalyptic scenario, armed with a battalion of troops and a well-configured vehicle fleet, Ye Fan felt invincible. Even a horde of 20,000 to 30,000 zombies would pose no threat. He envisioned effortlessly sweeping through small towns like Chengguan Town, bulldozing any opposition that came their way.
Observing a few survivors causing trouble, Ye Fan couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement. It was the perfect moment to test his newfound firepower.
The movements of these survivors remained within Ye Fan's control. By instructing the patrolling soldiers to change direction, he kept the potential attackers at bay, hiding behind bags.
Without mortars, these survivors might have presented a challenge. However, mortars, with their ability to strike in a parabolic arc, rendered the assailants vulnerable even when lurking behind dirtbags.
Ye Fan swiftly led his troops to the police station, where two mortar soldiers awaited indoors.
"Mortar main gunner Lin Jingcheng reports to the commander!"
"Mortar observer Mitsuhashi Tehashi reports to the commander!"
The duo saluted Ye Fan simultaneously, exuding a distinct military aura.
In return, Ye Fan inquired, "Tell me about your situation."
"Reporting to the commander, we use the domestically produced PP89 100mm mortar. The gun weighs 20.2 kilograms. It uses laser targeting technology. The maximum range can reach 6500 meters, and the minimum range is 100 meters. It is equipped with three rounds of anti-personnel grenades in the starless state, an anti-personnel incendiary bomb, and an illumination bomb. The explosion power of the shell covers a diameter of twenty meters!"
Ye Fan acknowledged their capabilities, noting that Red Police soldiers maintained robust combat effectiveness across different arms. Despite being artillerymen, they were armed with guns.
Satisfied with the information, Ye Fan was confident in the mortar's range.
The maximum range of 6,500 meters exceeded the current radar's capabilities, thanks to their indigenous artillery. Ye Fan recognized the significance, understanding that without this artillery's extended range, their journey might have met an abrupt end if attacked from beyond radar limits.
Turning to Lin Jingcheng, Ye Fan asked, "Can you hit the enemy behind the dirt bag?"
Lin Jingcheng sought confirmation from Qiao Sanyou, who assured, "Sir, the long-range accuracy of our starless artillery may not be very high, but if we can't hit at such a close distance, you can pick off my head and kick it as a ball!"
"Haha! Well, in that case, let's welcome our guests first and give them a shot."
"Clear!"
Just as the artillery was about to unleash their firepower, Ye Fan halted them. His sharp observation had caught sight of not just enemies behind the soil bag but also a blue light spot lurking in the trees about a kilometer away.
This individual, likely possessing superpowers, intrigued Ye Fan. Suspecting him to be a sentinel capable of monitoring their movements, Ye Fan directed the artillery to the back of the police station to obstruct the view from the trees.
"Get ready to fire right here."
The artillerymen swiftly prepared, mounting the cannon, adjusting angles, and installing cannonballs. An anti-personnel grenade was primed for firing.
Meanwhile, Lao San and his group, concealed behind a mound, grew impatient.
Holding a walkie-talkie, Lao San continuously inquired of the bald Wang Huining in the tree.
"Bald man, are you feeling better yet?"
"Just wait a moment, the sentries at the police station have stepped up their patrols. It may be that martial law has been imposed during wartime."
"Damn it, are these people sick? It's the end of the world, and they are still taking such strict precautions?"
"You can't eat hot tofu if you are anxious. If you want to gain something, you must be patient."
"Be patient, the big army will come back soon, and we won't even have a chance."
Observing the situation, the bald man advised caution, emphasizing the risk of acting recklessly. Lao San, though tough, recognized Bald Zi's strategic insight, considering him a think tank in Daqingshan Prison.
As Wang Huining continued to observe, he noticed many people returning from the police station led by a young officer-like figure.
Seeing this, Bald Man abandoned their attack plan, realizing the futility of assaulting at that moment. He instructed Lao San to be ready to retreat, alerting him to the return of the station's personnel.
As Lao San prepared to withdraw, his eyes lit up at the sight of a box of cigarettes not far from Tubao.
Cigarettes, a valuable commodity in current times, were exchanged for food in the prison base. Lao San seized the opportunity to snatch the abandoned box, unnoticed by patrolling soldiers.
Tucking the cigarettes into his pocket, Lao San was about to initiate the retreat.
Suddenly, a loud noise erupted from the police station.
"What the hell?" Lao San exclaimed, bewildered.
Before he could react, a ball of fire exploded behind the earthbag, enveloping the surroundings in smoke and dust. Shrapnel spun through the air, and screams echoed before abruptly ceasing.
A deep crater marked the ground where a dozen individuals had gathered, instantly becoming casualties.
Lao San, endowed with a robust physique, was thrown several meters but survived despite being covered in shrapnel-induced blood.
The walkie-talkie remained intact, and Bald Wang Huining urgently inquired, "Lao San! How are you?"
Gritting his teeth, Lao San expressed his grim determination.
"Bald man! I'm afraid I'm going to die. You run... go back and tell Boss Xing to take revenge... for revenge!"
"These bastards, I just picked up... a box of cigarettes, but as for... using cannons to attack me?"
As a gunshot rang out, soldiers rushed out from the police station, accompanied by the distinct barking of dogs.
"Run! I'll fight them!"
Lao San, despite injuries, stood up, brandishing his knife and facing the imminent threat.
Wang Huining, witnessing the dire situation, dared not linger. The failure was apparent, and he needed to return to the prison base alive to avenge his comrades.
Desperately leaping from the tree, he mounted a motorcycle and sped away, covering four to five kilometers in one breath, indifferent to the perils of the darkened road.
The distant chaos faded as he distanced himself, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Nearly five kilometers away from the police station and shrouded in nightfall, Wang Huining deemed it safe enough to stop.
Amidst faint zombie growls and distant pursuit, he gazed at the police station's lights, clenching his teeth and muttering, "Officer, I remember you!"
Before he could finish, a white light erupted in the distance, illuminating the surroundings like daylight.
Boom!
The dazzling light pierced the night, casting a brilliant glow across the landscape.