Iron Dynasty Chapter 1086

Qingzhou.

A satisfied smile bloomed on Xiao Ming’s countenance upon perusing Wang Xuan’s telegram. Precisely as he had orchestrated, the allied forces, after enduring a stringent blockade, had finally encountered significant difficulties.

Indeed, for any soldier, the greatest dread is not succumbing on the battlefield, but rather the aching longing for loved ones in territories far removed from home. This profound yearning has the power to shatter a soldier's resolve completely.

It was precisely this predicament that the allied forces were now confronting. Every soldier within their ranks was acutely aware of the uncertainty surrounding the blockade’s duration—it could persist for half a year, a full year, or even stretch to a decade, or twenty years.

Yet, regardless of the passage of years, the sole certainty remained: their inability to breach this formidable blockade line. This stark reality was the true source of their despair.

“Dispatch an order to Lei Ming,” Xiao Ming commanded. “Inform him that the moment for action has arrived.”

Within the intelligence report, Wang Xuan had also highlighted a critical issue concerning the allied forces’ provisions. Should these forces resort to desperately expropriating food from the native states, it would serve to their advantage.

The prevailing peace between Britain and the native states was largely predicated on Britain's minimal interference in their affairs. Now that this delicate balance had been disrupted, a cascade of repercussions was inevitable.

The native states, driven to fury, would most likely resort to military action to repel Britain’s transgressions. Consequently, Britain’s heretofore stable rear would be irrevocably compromised.

Seven days hence, Xiao Ming’s directive reached Singapore, injecting much-needed vigor into Lei Ming and Yue Yun.

“General Yue, the Cao family father and son now rest within your grasp,” Lei Ming stated.

A vessel belonging to the secret guards, having docked at the mouth of the Ganges River, had already received a crucial telegram from Calcutta. This dispatch meticulously detailed the prevailing conditions in Calcutta and delineated their meticulously planned course of action.

“That presents no difficulty whatsoever,” Yue Yun scoffed. “Once he is at sea, even with wings, this Cao Kun will be utterly unable to escape.”

Lei Ming offered a nod of agreement. His gaze swept towards Calcutta as he declared, “Now that they find themselves in dire straits with the native states, this is the optimal juncture for our assault. We shall set our sights on Calcutta come tomorrow.”

The following day, with the invaluable assistance of imperial warships, the soldiers of the Southeast Army, packed tightly onto the vessels, were ferried to the mouth of the Ganges River near Calcutta. This location represented the allied forces’ primary defensive line; should this position be successfully breached, the allied forces would face utter annihilation.

The sudden appearance of a multitude of ships at the Ganges River's estuary swiftly drew the attention of the allied forces, plunging the entire Calcutta defense perimeter into immediate disarray.

Butler's directive compelling his troops to seize sustenance from the native states had, as anticipated, precipitated conflict. While the less-developed soldiers of the native states were initially dismissed as inconsequential, the current situation was one of dire necessity. An attack from the Empire, coupled with an internal uprising, meant they faced a pincer movement.

“They have indeed arrived. It’s perplexing. How could they have selected such a perfectly opportune moment?” Butler mused, a deep sense of bewilderment washing over him. He even entertained the suspicion of an informant within Calcutta's ranks.

However, upon further contemplation, he dismissed the notion as improbable. The surveillance over Cao Kun had been exceptionally stringent, and those under observation had maintained impeccable conduct throughout the period, with none venturing near the coastal regions.

Shaking his head, Butler ceased dwelling on the matter, recognizing that he was currently confronting the most perilous crisis of his existence.

“Ensure all soldiers occupy the trenches. Their intent this time is undeniably serious,” Butler instructed.

Scarce had his command been uttered than a series of whistling sounds pierced the air, swiftly followed by deafening explosions that reverberated across the defensive positions.

Caught entirely off guard, a significant number of allied soldiers were vaporized or grievously wounded by the relentless bombardment. For a harrowing period, the battlefield was consumed by the cacophony of anguished cries and guttural shrieks.

Out at sea, Lei Ming meticulously observed the impact of the artillery barrage. The practice of initiating a bombardment prior to a landing operation had become an established, almost ritualistic, pattern in the Empire’s military campaigns.

Currently, the ironclads afloat on the water had their formidable cannons precisely aimed at the coastal emplacements. Their dark muzzles continuously belched forth fiery destruction.

Meanwhile, the allied forces' positions were engulfed in burgeoning infernos, with earth and debris repeatedly hurled skyward by the explosive force of the shells before raining down once more.

“The firepower of the navy is truly astonishing,” Chang Yuzhu remarked, his binoculars pressed to his eyes as he lay beside the ship, a palpable sense of admiration evident on his face.

Lei Ming, overhearing this comment, cast a glance towards the substantial caliber of the cannons adorning the warships. The diameter of the ironclads’ artillery pieces far surpassed that of their land-based counterparts, rendering their destructive potential undeniable.

“The navy’s artillery possesses formidable firepower, but securing the position ultimately falls to us.” Lei Ming shot a stern look at Chang Yuzhu. “Why are preparations for the landing operation not underway? If we fail to seize the beachhead today, I will personally hold you accountable.”

Chang Yuzhu’s casual demeanor evaporated, replaced by a look of solemn determination. He barked orders at his soldiers to begin lowering the small boats.

Significantly different from previous assaults, this landing would occur under the continuous, covering fire of the navy. This crucial advantage would prevent them from being subjected to a concentrated barrage the moment they hit the shore.

On the coast.

Butler’s face grew exceedingly grim as he observed the imperial soldiers advancing towards the shore, shielded by the relentless artillery barrage.

Under the pounding bombardment, the dispirited soldiers of the allied forces were all cowering within their trenches, afraid to even show their faces. This created an unexpectedly safe path for the imperial soldiers to land.

“Go, order everyone to counterattack, quickly!” Butler seized a messenger, thrusting him out of cover. However, before the messenger could cover five meters, a shell landed nearby, sending him flying.

Butler himself was impacted by the blast. Dust and debris rained down from the tunnel where he sheltered.

After a grim glance at the dismembered messenger, Butler was forced to find another soldier to relay the crucial order.

His hopes, however, were met with disappointment. Upon receiving the command, the majority of the allied soldiers remained huddled deep within the tunnels, refusing to emerge. Only a small contingent managed to scramble onto the trenches, only to face swift and heavy casualties under the continuous bombardment.

Meanwhile, the small boats carrying the imperial soldiers drew ever closer. Before long, the initial wave of imperial troops landed safely on the beach, swiftly followed by the second and third waves.

The soldiers who had successfully landed moved quickly to establish a defensive perimeter along the beach. Some troops then commenced a sweeping barrage with their automatic weapons, targeting the trenches and causing a rapid escalation in casualties for the allied forces.

Chang Yuzhu also set foot on the beach. His regiment had the honor of landing first in this operation. Once his entire regiment was ashore, the thunderous shelling from the sea abruptly ceased.

At this opportune moment, Chang Yuzhu likewise ordered a halt to the machine-gun fire. He produced a tin-plated megaphone and projected his voice in English, stating, “Friends on the other side, I am Chang Yuzhu, the regimental commander of the First Regiment, First Division, of the Southeast Military Region of the Empire. I am now officially informing you of two provisions available on the warships behind me: the first is ammunition, and the second is bread. If you lay down your arms now, you may proceed to the warships to partake in bread and await your respective countries’ arrangements for your return to Europe. Alternatively, you face the prospect of being shot. You have already experienced the might of our firepower. It was not a pleasant sensation, was it? You still have a window of opportunity to make a choice. Decide now!”

Following his declaration in English, he proceeded to issue the same message in the various languages spoken by the allied forces, utilizing phrases meticulously taught to him by an interpreter.

While his pronunciation might not have been flawless, it was undeniably sufficient for the soldiers on the battlefield to grasp his meaning.