Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1062 Carpet Fire Coverage

"First salvo!"

Following Stein's order, 280 Katyusha rocket launchers roared at the same time. Thousands of rockets dragged long trails of fire, drawing dazzling arcs in the night sky.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The first wave of rockets landed precisely on the reserve corps stationed near the Imperial Palace. Huge explosions followed one after another, and flames shot up into the sky. The barracks were torn to pieces in the violent explosion, and the soldiers were blown away by the shock wave of the explosion before they had time to react.

"Look at this power!" Division Commander Klinghe held up a telescope, "There are already large gaps in the reserve corps' defense line."

Stein did not speak, but directly gave the order for the second round of salvos.

The rocket launchers skillfully loaded new ammunition. The Katyusha rocket launcher was designed for this kind of continuous fire coverage, and the interval between each round of salvo was only a few minutes.

"Second salvo!"

Thousands of rockets roared out again. This time, the landing points of the rockets were more scattered, covering a larger area. Buildings near the Imperial Palace collapsed one after another in the violent explosions, and thick smoke rose up, blocking the moonlight.

The reserve wing tried to organize a defense, but under such dense firepower, any resistance seemed futile. Some soldiers tried to evacuate, but were chased and bombed by the rockets that kept falling.

"Report!" A signalman ran over, "According to the reconnaissance ahead, at least two regiments' bases were completely destroyed, with heavy casualties!"

Stein nodded. "Very good, prepare for the third round of salvos. This time, focus your firepower on the outer defense line of the Emperor's Palace."

The rocket launchers reloaded their ammunition. The sky was now completely covered in flames and thick smoke, and the sound of explosions was continuous, as if the end of the world had come.

"The third salvo!"

The last wave of rockets roared towards the target. This time the firepower was more concentrated, almost all of it pouring down on the outer defense line of the Emperor's Palace.

Huge explosions occurred one after another, and the flames illuminated the night sky like daylight. The outer fortifications of the Imperial Palace were completely destroyed in the intensive bombing, and huge gaps were blown out of the thick walls.

After three rounds of salvos, the entire area near the Imperial Palace was completely unrecognizable.

The reserve wing's base was reduced to a ruin, with burning buildings and destroyed equipment everywhere. Smoke billowed, flames shot up into the sky, and screams and explosions intertwined.

"Commander Klinge," Stein put down his binoculars, "what do you think of the extent of the damage?"

Klinghe observed the battlefield carefully: "It's amazing. Three rounds of salvos destroyed at least three reserve regiments. The outer defense line of the Emperor's Palace was also riddled with holes and gaps everywhere."

On the ground, some buildings were still burning, and the flames illuminated the ruins. The bodies of soldiers and the wreckage of equipment were scattered everywhere, and in some places the craters were several meters deep.

"Most importantly," Klinge continued, "this level of bombing has completely disrupted their defense system. The remaining reserve wing is simply unable to form an effective resistance."

Stein nodded with satisfaction. The three rounds of firepower coverage not only caused huge physical damage, but more importantly, destroyed the morale of the defenders.

"Look over there," Klinghe pointed into the distance, "the people have begun to surge toward the Imperial Palace. They have seen the reserve corps being defeated, and they have become more daring."

Indeed, amid the smoke, a large number of people could be seen gathering towards the Imperial Palace, holding weapons and shouting slogans, obviously intending to take the opportunity to storm the Imperial Palace.

"Three salvos," Stein concluded, "destroyed at least three reserve regiments, broke the defenses outside the Imperial Palace, and ignited the anger of the people. This effect has exceeded our expectations."

"Commander Klinghe," Stein withdrew his gaze from the ruins, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth, "What do you think Pu Yu would do?"

Klinghe looked at the map and analyzed: "The reserve corps suffered heavy losses, and the defense line of the Emperor's Palace was almost destroyed. In order to ensure the safety of the Emperor's Palace, Pu Yu can only mobilize the city defense army to provide support."

"That's right," Stein nodded, "The city defense forces are the last elite force in Kyoto. Once they are transferred to the Imperial Palace, there will be a gap in the defense line of the entire Kyoto."

He unfolded a larger battle map and pointed to the surroundings of Kyoto: "The Imperial Division is in the east, the Northern Division is in the north, the Revitalization Division is in the west, and the Skull Division is in the south. The four main forces have completed the encirclement."

"Once the city defense forces are mobilized," Klinghe took over the conversation, "we can launch a general attack. We can surround the city from all sides and take Kyoto in one fell swoop."

Stein picked up the communicator and said, "Notify all divisions to prepare for a general attack. Once the city defense forces begin to move toward the Emperor's Palace, launch the attack immediately."

"The Imperial Division is responsible for the main attack in the east," Klinghe pointed to the map and said, "This is the most important commercial area in Kyoto, and its defense is the weakest."

"The Northern Division will break in from the north," Stein continued, "and cut off the connection between Kyoto and the northern provinces."

"The Revitalization Division will advance from the west," Klinghe added, "to control the industrial zone and ensure that important materials are not destroyed."

"The Death's Head Division is responsible for the south," Stein ran his finger across the map, "blocking all possible retreat routes."

At this time, the front-line scouts sent a report: "Report! The city defense army has begun large-scale mobilization and is gathering in the direction of the Emperor's Palace!"

Stein and Klinge looked at each other and saw the confidence of victory in each other's eyes.

"Pass my order," Stein's voice was firm and powerful, "the general attack on all sides will begin immediately!"

As the order was issued, the four main forces launched the attack at the same time. The armored forces of the Imperial Division took the lead in breaking through the eastern defense line, the mountain forces of the Northern Division penetrated from the north, the Revitalization Division launched a fierce attack in the west, and the Skull Division firmly blocked the retreat route in the south.

Pu Yu's wishful thinking failed. He mobilized the city defense forces to protect the Emperor's Palace, which gave the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of. When he realized the trap, it was too late.

Kyoto, this ancient city, is about to usher in a new destiny.

The workers' parade arrived near the Imperial Palace in a mighty procession, and the scene before them stunned everyone.

The once solemn and majestic outer perimeter of the imperial palace had now become a purgatory-like ruin. The densely packed craters on the ground were like craters on the surface of the moon, some of which were several meters deep, with charred edges and still emitting green smoke.

The wreckage of bombed buildings was everywhere, and among the broken walls were fragments of the reserve wing's equipment. The smell of gunpowder and scorched earth filled the air.

“Oh my god…” one worker muttered, “What happened?”

Chang Wujiang stood at the front of the team, looking at the tragic scene in front of him. The bodies of the reserve regiment were scattered in the ruins, some of which had been blown beyond recognition. Armored vehicles and military trucks were overturned on the roadside, still burning, and black smoke rose to the sky.

"Brothers!" Chang Wujiang suddenly turned around and shouted to the tens of thousands of workers behind him, "Look at all this! This is how they treat us! With artillery fire and bullets!"

There was a fire of anger in the workers' eyes.

"Now, the defense line of the Emperor's Palace has been destroyed," Chang Wujiang's voice was full of power, "We must seize this opportunity and immediately surround the Emperor's Palace! We want to see the Emperor and ask him to give us an explanation!"

"Yes! We want to see the Emperor!"

“Give us an explanation!”

“The Emperor must come out and face us!”

Angry shouts rang out one after another.

Chang Wujiang directed the workers to quickly deploy and surround the Imperial Palace in all directions. They stepped over the charred craters, stepped over the burning wreckage, and built a human wall in the smoke.

"Your Majesty!" Chang Wujiang shouted with all his strength, "We are workers from Kyoto! We want to see you!"

"Come out! Come out!" Tens of thousands of workers shouted in unison, with each wave louder than the last.

On the towering walls of the Imperial Palace, the guards could already be seen panicking. They obviously had not expected to be surrounded by such a large number of people immediately after the reserve wing was destroyed.

The smoke was still thick, and the flames reflected the angry faces of the workers. At this moment, the perimeter of the Imperial Palace had become a huge circle of people, and everyone was waiting for the Emperor's response.

At this moment, the symbol of power, the Imperial Palace, felt the direct pressure from the people for the first time.