The Wind Rises in 1898: Becoming a Warlord Starting in Southeast Asia

Chapter 46 Plan Before You Act

Chen Feng raised his hand to stop the two arguing: "Stop arguing. Although we have more than 400 people, most of them are new recruits who have never been on the battlefield. The ones we can really rely on are the 50 or 60 veterans who survived the bloody battle of Balangai last time."

He paused, his gaze landing on Zhang Xiuwu: "Considering the terrain and our actual situation, tell me, how should we fight?"

Zhang Xiuwu was a natural-born military commander. After a moment's thought, he spoke eloquently: "The warehouse faces the river to the south. Last night, there was a heavy rain, and the river swelled. Small boats can't navigate at all, so the south side can be ruled out."

The north and east sides are open terrain, which would expose our troops to the enemy's view during an attack, so they cannot be chosen.

The only breakthrough point is on the west side. There's a high ground 800 meters away that overlooks the entire warehouse. We can take that high ground first and use it as a firing position, then launch a main attack from the north!

Chen Feng nodded slightly, neither confirming nor denying, then turned to look at everyone: "Does anyone have anything to add?"

Tian Gang immediately stood up: "I suggest a night attack, with two groups. One group should seize the high ground to draw enemy fire, while the other group should sneak in from the east under cover of darkness to catch the enemy off guard."

"I have an idea!" Kong Yunfei slapped his thigh. "I'm a good swimmer. We can gather other brothers in the army who are good swimmers, and have them float downstream on sheepskin rafts. Once the troops at the warehouse are drawn away from the north and south, we can land directly on the river and storm the warehouse!"

"That's right!" Wang Liang chimed in. "Our mission is to destroy the warehouse, not to seize it. The other two directions will draw fire, while Lao Kong and his men will take the opportunity to set it ablaze. Let's finish this quickly!"

Seeing that everyone had seriously considered the tactics, Chen Feng nodded in satisfaction.

However, his intention was not to destroy it, but to plunder the supplies in the warehouse.

Moreover, the timing wouldn't be before the Independent Army's attack on Malolos; it had to be on the same day to avoid being blocked by reinforcements.

There are US military instructors in the camp now, so this idea cannot be revealed.

Chen Feng then said in a deep voice, "Your plan is very good. We will set off in disguise first thing tomorrow morning to personally survey the terrain, confirm the enemy's troop deployment, and see if there are any oversights in the plan."

"yes!"

Everyone stood up to answer.

Chen Feng waved for them to sit down, then instructed Qian Biao, who was taking notes, "Go and fetch the American instructor, Frank."

"I'll go right now!"

Qian Biao put down his pen and paper and strode out of the stone house.

Less than five minutes later, Frank and Zheng Mingsong walked in side by side.

Frank was drenched in sweat, his military cap completely soaked. As soon as he entered, he pulled at his collar to fan himself: "Chen, are you done with your meeting?"

"We just finished, please have a seat." Chen Feng pointed to the bench next to him.

Frank didn't stand on ceremony, plopped down, picked up the bowl of water Qian Biao had just poured and drank it all in one gulp. Wiping his mouth, he said bluntly, "Chen, your team has serious problems!"

"Tell me in detail." Chen Feng gestured for Qian Biao to add another bowl of water.

Frank took a sip of water and said clearly, "First, your maintenance of the Springfield M1861 is practically zero. There are gunpowder residues and dust in the chamber, and the trigger is stiff."

Secondly, the movements were not coordinated during the drill training. Some people held their rifles horizontally in front of their chests, while others carried the barrel with one hand, which did not meet the requirement of keeping the gun on their shoulders and being ready for combat at any time. During the simulated charge, there was no tactical coordination, and they rushed forward in a swarm without knowing how to use the terrain for cover.

Third, soldiers are slow to respond to tactical commands, and when firing from a prone position, they simply lie on the ground without knowing how to use the terrain for cover.

Fourth, there is a weak sense of coordinated combat; during squad training, each unit operates independently, the squad leader is unable to effectively command, and they do not know how to provide alternating cover for advances.

No wonder he's a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel; he was able to spot so many problems in less than an afternoon.

As soon as Frank finished speaking, Zheng Mingsong immediately began translating sentence by sentence.

The four platoon leaders turned pale and then red as they listened.

They were genuinely unaware of these problems, yet they were undeniably widespread and impossible to refute.

"Frank, thank you for your guidance!"

After thanking them, Chen Feng turned to the platoon leaders and said, "Did you all hear that clearly? I don't want to hear these questions from Frank again."

"Listen carefully!"

Everyone got up together and slunk out of the stone house.

Frank was feeling unwell from the heat and had lost interest in talking. He stood up and asked, "Chen, where can I take a shower?"

Chen Feng waved to Pang Li at the door: "Take Lieutenant Colonel Frank to take a shower, and then arrange accommodations for him and the American soldiers."

"Yes!" Pang Li straightened his back and led Frank away.

Chen Feng also felt hot, so he simply took off his shirt, baring his chest, and asked, "Brother Zheng, after watching for so long, what do you think?"

Zheng Mingsong praised, "Full of vitality! Your combat strength may not be as good as the main force of the Independent Army, but your development speed is amazing. If everything goes smoothly, you will become an important force on Luzon Island sooner or later."

"So, are you going to raise the bet?" Chen Feng asked tentatively, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Zheng Mingsong didn't rush to answer. Instead, he took out a roll of cigarettes from his pocket, lit it, took two puffs, and then slowly said, "You should have guessed that our Zheng family is secretly supporting Liu Hengfu. Compared to him, your reputation and strength are far inferior. Moreover, the entire Zheng family is not just decided by my father's branch. Supporting Liu Hengfu is the consensus of most of the clan elders."

Chen Feng shook his head slightly and smiled: "Brother Zheng, I'm not asking about the entire Zheng family, but about you personally."

"I?"

Zheng Mingsong flicked his cigarette ash, a half-smile playing on his lips, and said, "To be honest, my talk with George Wee this time went very well. After returning to Manila, my status within the family will rise significantly, and the resources I can mobilize will be incomparable to what I used to have. Tell me, why would I abandon the more powerful Liu Hengfu and instead bet on you?"

"It's very simple!"

Chen Feng said confidently, "Investing in me will be more promising and yield greater returns!"

"Oh? I'd like to hear more." Zheng Mingsong became interested and leaned forward slightly.

Chen Feng said, "There are too many natives on this island of Luzon, and too few Chinese. Liu Hengfu is, after all, just Aquinado's subordinate and will never become the leader. What I want is for the Chinese to truly establish themselves in Luzon."

Zheng Mingsong was silent for a moment, then gave an ambiguous answer: "Brother Chen, what you said makes a lot of sense and you have the ability. I personally want to support you, but this matter still needs to be discussed with my father."

The Chinese Free Army is still not strong enough, otherwise they would be crying and begging to invest.

A hint of helplessness flickered in Chen Feng's eyes, but he remained expressionless and nodded, saying, "Then I'll wait for your answer."

"Alright! Then I'll take my leave. I still have some things to take care of in Marolos City. I'll deliver the medicine and weapons I promised you as soon as possible." Zheng Mingsong stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and said goodbye.

Chen Feng suddenly stood up: "Brother Zheng, there's one more thing I need your help with."

"What is it?"

Zheng Mingsong stopped in his tracks.

"Tomorrow evening, I need to lead twenty men into the city of Malolos. I'd appreciate it if you could find a way to get us in and prepare the necessary weapons. I know you have the means," Chen Feng said firmly, leaving no room for refusal.

Zheng Mingsong stared at him for a few seconds, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "Fine!"