Chapter 1283 – Unifying Nanjiang
Compared to their strong navy equipment, the Mu Continent army equipment was much weaker.
Although the cannons of the Lamu warships were really strong, they lacked firearms. This was the weakest part of the Darkness army. Luckily for them, they still had a black technology armor – the Lamu armor.
This armor was similar to the Lamu warships and were the technological results of the Mu Continent. Silver in color like the Lamu warships, this armor possessed shocking defenses that could block the attacks of the flintlock gun to a certain extent.
That was really amazing!
The only regretful part was the limited number of Lamu armor. The raw materials could only be found on the Mu Continent, so their production capacity was limited. If not, the Darkness empire would be invincible in the world.
With the combination of the Lamu warships and the Lamu armor, the Darkness empire would be able to control the oceans. However, they lacked the ability to attack other continents. It was a defensive strategy empire.
Luckily, the Mu Continent was huge, and Keisuke Honda and the others did not have much ambition in regards to expanding.
Their strategic goal was to use the Mu Continent as a core to control the nearby oceans; they would then engage in voyage trading to expand their influence.
This was the same ocean strategy as Great Xia.
...
Of the Darkness army troops that disembarked onto Oahu island, 50 thousand were slaves. Not only could they not wear the Lamu armor, but they were also only equipped with simple leather armor.
After disembarking, they were forced to charge at the front to waste the enemy's ammunition.
"Fire!"
Around Honolulu, Cao Gui had arranged for the troops to build cannon formations to aim down from above. Seeing the enemy troops charge up, Cao Gui did not hesitate and gave the order to fire the cannons.
These cannons were left behind by the Pacific Squadron, as Hawaii Prefecture itself did not have any industrialization foundations.
'Hong! Hong! Hong'
Before the closely packed cannon fire, the slaves charging at the front were crushed. Blood, broken limbs, and flesh flew everywhere; it was like hell on earth.
"Next wave!"
The Darkness army commander was unfazed, simply sending wave after wave of cannon fodder onto the battlefield.
At the same time, elite forces wearing Lamu armor were making their final preparations. As long as the enemy cannon fire stopped for a while, they would immediately charge up to try to take over the enemy cannon base.
The Great Xia cannons had been modified; they had already broken away from the backward smoothbore cannons, changing into the rifle cannon. After this change, the shooting speed was greatly increased.
The cannonballs fired changed from the original solid bullets to the more powerful grenades.
The grenades designed by Great Xia used more gunpowder and a combined fuse, which increased the weight of the cannonball and the strength of the shrapnel. Along with scopes, measurement devices, and detonation fuses, it raised the explosiveness of the cannons on the battlefield.
Cannoneers had officially stepped onto the world stage.
A day ago, Great Xia was prepared to establish a cannoneer college outside of the army military university to let cannoneers become a common soldier type in the Great Xia Army.
The lecturers in the college would mainly be players who were experts in the field in real life.
In the 8th year of Gaia, along with the second industrial revolution technology tree being unlocked, Great Xia would develop specific types of cannons.
The importance of cannoneers would only grow.
Facing such a cannon formation, the outcome of the Darkness empire slaves was obvious. No matter how many people were sent, they were all mercilessly slaughtered.
They were truly cannon fodder.
When the Darkness army commander saw that, his face turned solemn. In just an hour, six thousand slaves were killed. To make matters worse, he could not feel the enemy formation getting any weaker.
"Stop the battle, retreat 10 miles, and set up camp."
The commander was really decisive. He had realized that the enemy firepower was much greater than anticipated, so his initial target of probing the enemy had already been reached. To take down the enemy camp, he would need to request for cannons from the Imperial Court.
Only cannons could go up against cannons.
...
During the following few days, no large battles occurred on Oahu.
The Darkness army would probe every day before retreating; they were not prepared to have a final battle yet. They were waiting for the cannons to arrive.
Cao Gui got busy too. He used this chance to strengthen the cannon bases and even mobilized troops to build small castles. He planted gunners in the small castles to create a dense firepower net.
Before the two sides engaged in close combat battle, they would have a battle of firearms.
1st month, 20th day, just as the Hawaii battlefield was at a standstill, the unassuming Java battlefield welcomed a decisive result.
At 11am, the 1st Legion General of the Nanjiang legion corps, the martial scholar Niu Da, led troops to occupy the Java palace, announcing the end of the Battle of Java island.
As predicted, the backward Java soldiers that lacked experience were nothing at all before the Great Xia Army. They had no ability to decide the battle in the wilderness and could not defend against the cannon fire.
They retreated in defeat.
In less than two weeks, Java Island had fallen.
During this battle, the Nanjiang and Heluo legion corps had only sacrificed 20 thousand men to kill 200 thousand and capture over 800 thousand, creating the most amazing feat in Great Xia history.
This also signaled the end of pure cold weapons armies.
As a result, the war of Java would be written into history.
This battle also proved the importance of Great Xia's disarmament and change. Not only did their strength not decrease, but they even became more terrifying.
Great Xia's disarmament finally proceeded without obstruction; no one opposed it anymore.
...
Indian Empire, Cusco Empire.
After news of the Battle of Java Island spread, the whole world experienced a huge craze about firearms.
The American and European Lords had focused on firearm development all along, so their strength in the aspect was at around the same level as Great Xia. They were only surprised by the fact that Great Xia, an eastern dynasty, was able to walk at the front of industrialization.
The party facing problems was the Indian Empire.
This American Dynasty that insisted on defending Indian traditions was having a tough time recently. Facing the attacks of the Spain and Brasilia dynasties, they were feeling powerless.
Juarez's faith had started to waver.
This emperor realized that in the age of firearms development, if the empire stuck to its traditions, it would only die with the traditions.
"The empire has to change!"
The current Indian Empire had practically zero industrialization foundations. To create cannons and firearms in a short time was impossible.
The only way would be to purchase them.
Looking out across the world, the only one with the ability while being willing to trade with them would be Great Xia.
The part that gave Juarez a headache was that in the 7th year, Great Xia had suggested they help the Indian Empire build up an industrialization system. However, he had rejected the offer.
If he were to go against his words, who knows how much effort he would have to put in?
"Even if I lose all my face, I have to succeed in this. At most, I'll give them some benefits."
Juarez had already decided to give up on some things.
...
1st month, 22nd day, after conquering Java Island, the Heluo legion corps was ordered to go up north onto Sumatra to attack Badong city.
With that, the Badong City Army that was already on the verge of collapse finally fell.
In contrast to the Imperial City Guards, the Badong territory army were elites that had cannons and firearms. However, compared to Great Xia, the difference was still really apparent.
Under the combined attacks of the three armies, Badong City was unable to hold on even with the help of players.
27th day at 3pm, after three days and three nights of intense battles, Badong City was taken down by the Great Xia Army. This signaled the official end of the war of Java.
The Nanyang warzone had completed their mission and conquered Java before the Chinese New Year.
This war was a beautiful one.
After taking down Java, the entire Nanjiang was unified under Great Xia rule.