diskusbooks Chapter 157 Operation in Central China
Chapter 157 Operation in Central China
June 2, 656 (Gregorian Calendar) 0100
Near East region of mainland China
20 kilometers west of De Horan Empire - Port Jask
The bright moon in the sky shone on the fluttering green, white and red tricolor flag. The Deherang Empire had always been a region of the Eastern Diocese of the Church. To its north, it faced the Balkan Empire, and to its south lay the Eastern Diocese of the Church, which had already shrunk.
For over a century, the Safavid family had been the Church's trusted collaborators in the region. Now, relying on the vast military equipment left behind by the Church, the Safavids have unified the Deholon Empire and established a massive empire in the south-central part of the continent.
However, over the course of more than a hundred years, there were not those who resisted the authority of the Church. Since the occupation of De Horan in 1455 BC, the Church, in the name of the Goddess, used the sword and the stake to slaughter all those who believed in the Old Church or were atheists.
Even now, in the Deholon Empire, which quietly gained independence amidst changing circumstances, darkness continues, and Safavid I still oppresses this land of 1.8 million square kilometers and more than 40 million people through the means of the church.
However, those who died under the sword and the stake did not die because of their faith, but because of pure greed and cruelty. The Safavid family was able to become the Church's lackeys precisely because of their extreme brutality, being obsequious to outsiders and plundering from within.
After a brief period of joy, the resistance groups in De Horan discovered that nothing had changed except that the enemy had changed from the Church's crusaders to their own people.
The foundation of the Deherang Empire was completely unstable, and as a vast country in the southeastern continent, Deherang did not have the corresponding military equipment.
While the Church used its overseas students, policies, and ambitious reforms to drive its own technological revolution, utilizing industrial goods and technologies acquired during the Amelianian unification wars—smuggled from Ameliania or from the Balkans or desert empires—the military preparedness of the Deholan Empire lagged behind other nations by one or two generations. Yet, precisely because it was part of the bargaining chip between the Church and the desert empires, this nation was able to survive and avoid being swallowed up by two powerful economic and political entities.
The numerous armed resistance forces, large and small, within the territory allowed the Church and the Desert Empire to confidently watch them gain independence.
Building on this, Amelansi intervened. Alice was determined to use this empire as a battlefield for exporting Amelansi's ideology, and also as a tool to weaken the surrounding nations.
Crossing the Church's inland sea was easier than imagined. Starting from Brittany, passing through the Atlantis Islands, via Sicily, traversing the southwestern ocean, stopping at Burnia for supplies, then heading north through the waters between the Tuscan and African tribal chiefdoms, passing the only remaining triangular peninsula in the Church's eastern parish, and entering the Red Bay, one could reach the southern port of this vast empire.
The fast motorboat "Far Away," the ocean-going transport ship "Central Continent Transporter," and the second ship of the Novik-class, "RNS Lonely Traveler" (DD-03), Amelansi's newest modern frigate, were tasked with this operation. In order to project Amelansi's power into the central continental region, a task force was deployed to this area. Their mission was to make contact with the local anti-Safavid armed forces, with the goal of completely overthrowing the current government and establishing a pro-Amelansi government.
The group they were contacting here was called the "De Horan Resistance," a secular organization that had risen to prominence over the past few decades. As a resistance organization that controlled the southeastern Hormozgan province of De Horan, the De Horan Resistance was originally just an anti-church organization composed of students, local residents, and young officers. However, due to the actions of the De Horan Empire authorities, it has now become an anti-government armed force.
Although the Imperial authorities' weaponry was not particularly good, with each person equipped with a magic crystal muzzle-loading rifle, it was still superior to broadswords and spears. Coupled with the church armor that could withstand a musket bullet, the Dehran resistance fighters were still driven back in defeat.
And Amelancie reached out her hand. This hand, which crossed the ocean, was first extended by agents of the Secret Service, and now, Amelancie has arrived with their power.
The "Central Continental Transporter" was a modern cargo ship built by the Amerlane Trian Second Shipyard. Based on the Type 1E cargo ship designed by the Amagasaki Canal in Japan, it had a range of 7200 nautical miles, enough to complete this voyage while carrying two companies of the Amerlane 75th Rangers Regiment and their accompanying weapons, including 81mm mortars and a large number of breech-loading and muzzle-loading rifles used in the Amerlane unification wars and now gradually being retired. These included many Martini-Henry rifles produced by various manufacturers during the war.
The Rangers will not only serve as instructors in the area, but will also act as insurance for the local resistance.
Under the moonlight, diesel engines roared as the first destroyer equipped with steam turbines anchored near the shore. The modern ships and cannons ensured its powerful escort capabilities, while the local imperial port had long been infiltrated and riddled with holes by the resistance.
The poor conditions of the pre-industrial pier were to be expected, while the "Central Continental Transporter" had a stern lock, making it, in some respects, an early landing ship.
"Major Laurenla Clark, 75th Ranger Regiment, Amelancy".
"Reza Khan, leader of the Dehoran resistance, welcome, soldiers of Amelansi!"
Reza Khan was somewhat cautious about these demons. The Church's influence had not yet dissipated, and although people did not have much contact with the demons who had been associated with destruction for hundreds of years, they still carried a negative influence, even for Reza Khan, a secular person.
But the tall demon in front of him was dressed in a smart sand-colored uniform and spoke concisely. Apart from having a somewhat military air about him, he was not demonized like the church.
“I am on orders from the Supreme Military Command of Amerlane to carry out this aid operation, Mr. Reza Khan. Without further ado, I need to know the true situation now.”
"This way, Mr. Laurenla..."
The intelligence is no different from that of the Secret Intelligence Department. Currently, the Deholang resistance organization has about 50,000 members and controls the land on the southwestern side of the empire, while the empire's army is only 200 kilometers away from the landing point.
“I already know the specifics. We will help you buy one or two more months. During this time, we will help you train your troops. At that time, you may be able to recapture a few towns. Time is running out.”
On June 2, 656 (D-Day), the 75th Ranger Regiment established the Jask Operational Base.
On D+1, after understanding the specific situation, training of the local troops began.
On D+5, in response to the Dehoran Empire's deployment, troops were dispatched to sabotage key transportation routes and logistics depots.
On D+10, after obtaining local intelligence, they attacked supporters of the authorities.
Laurenla Clark first wrote down this brief operational plan: Overthrowing a country is easy, it is difficult, and supporting a resistance organization to become the ruler of a country is even more difficult.
But regardless, this is the order from above: open up the situation, and they will receive reinforcements and funds. Amelansi will also gain a foothold for their fleet and an ally in this place, allowing them to project their power.