Chapter 4, Victory

The Sardinians could neither advance nor retreat. All the wooden boats had been destroyed; were they expected to swim across while fully armed? After the assault failed, the commander of the Sardinians acted decisively and immediately ordered a withdrawal. This was originally the primary target of the planned assault, and with the main attack direction retreating, the feigned attack at the estate also came to a swift conclusion. The booming sounds of gunfire over there gradually subsided.

All the officers of this mercenary unit are officers from the Milan colonial garrison. Although the army cannot move, these officers can find various ways to earn extra money. Initially, everyone thought this was just an ordinary armed parade to suppress the rioters, and no one expected the involvement of the Sardinian regular army. Nor did anyone anticipate the battle would be so fierce. Initially, everyone thought this was just an ordinary armed parade to suppress the rioters, and no one expected the involvement of the Sardinian regular army. Nor did anyone anticipate the battle would be so fierce

"Two seconds! Pull!" Zhang Cheng shouted the tactical command. The mercenaries who successfully followed him rushed to the shore, quickly took out their grenades, paused for two seconds after pulling the pin, and then, in the terrified gaze of the Sardinians on the wooden boats, threw groups of grenades near the wooden boats!

As for the navy, there is not much to say. After the Governor of Milan sent a sum of expenses to the commander of the Mediterranean Fleet, several old battleships set sail from Taranto towards the Persian Gulf. As for the ammunition consumption, it was resolved with a training expenditure report.

The Sardinians are currently no longer under the suppression of heavy fire, and the people on the ship are busy rowing. It is difficult to prevent the mercenaries from approaching the riverbank solely relying on the rifle fire from the opposite shore

No one can maintain a calm demeanor when truly confronted with the threat of death

The Sardinians attempted to explore whether the Ming Empire's control over Europe had weakened to the extent that it could no longer prevent the unification of Italy This was also part of their preliminary preparations for the unification of Italy

"Well done, kid!" The captain rushed over, pulling Zhang Cheng into his embrace and vigorously patting his back.

These colonies are not merely territories that have been ceded; more importantly, they host garrisons of the Ming Empire, which poses a significant military threat. Furthermore, due to their defeat, all Italian states have lost their economic dominance! Their customs, salt taxes, and so forth have all been seized as collateral for repaying war reparations, now under the control of the Chinese.

The Sardinians had only equipped a main battalion on this main attack direction with two Maxim machine guns for supporting fire. As for artillery, their entire infantry regiment had merely six light cannons. To cover the main attack direction, all six cannons were also deployed to the estate owner's position to conduct a feint attack.

Prepare! A rare and excellent opportunity, Zhang Cheng quickly led his men to the riverbank. At this moment, the more than ten wooden boats in the river were not far from the shore, and even Zhang Cheng could see the Sardinians on the boats hurriedly turning their guns towards them, preparing to fire.

"Are you interested in joining the regular army?" After lighting a cigarette for himself, the captain looked intently at Zhang Cheng. Who wouldn't want such a promising soldier?

Once the Sardinians successfully break through here, they will be able to launch a flanking attack on the nearby estate owner's position, thereby defeating the mercenary group. Therefore, the Sardinians have committed an entire battalion of elite infantry here! They even physically transported more than ten wooden ships from over twenty miles away using manpower to carry them on their shoulders!

Zhang Cheng closed his eyes and leaned against the trench, breathing heavily.

Just now, he was on the brink of life and death, and he had no time or mental space to feel nervous or afraid. It was only after the battle ended that he realized his back was already soaked with sweat. Large beads of sweat were also rolling down from his forehead along his temples, and his heart was pounding rapidly. His trembling hands wanted to reach for a cigarette but could not grasp it at all

The formal designation of the regular army, as stated by the captain, is the Royal Army of the Great Ming Empire. This is one of the main military forces of the Great Ming Empire, and together with the Royal Navy, they form the cornerstone of the Great Ming Empire's dominance over the world

This battle, in essence, is a bloody struggle between two brave armies equipped with rudimentary gear, fighting for their lives. As for the cause, it is merely the Governor of Milan of the Ming Empire seeking to protect his own estate

The Sardinians dispatched an entire elite infantry regiment of regular troops, disguised as rioters, to launch an attack on the mercenaries. The position where Zhang Cheng was located was the main breakthrough point chosen by the Sardinians on the flank.

The northern Milan, the southern Naples, Palermo, and Taranto. These colonies are like sharp daggers deeply piercing the hearts of the Italians, causing an unforgettable pain.

Throughout the several hundred years of colonial history of the Ming Empire, there have been numerous instances of colonial governors in various territories asserting military power and rebelling for independence. The largest and most far-reaching of these events was the rebellion of the colonies in the New World of the Americas

Since the collapse of the Shinra Empire, all Italians have come to understand a truth: the only remaining obstacle to Italy's great unification and national revival is the Ming Empire, the sun-never-sets empire that rules the world

That rebellion directly led to the loss of control of the Ming Empire over the New World in the Americas, as well as the independence of the United States! Although the Ming Empire had launched several campaigns against the rebellions in the New World, the distance was too great and the costs were too high. Even though the expeditionary forces of the Ming Empire had captured the capital of the United States twice, they ultimately had to reluctantly acknowledge the reality of the Americas breaking away from their control

In this situation, even the most powerful Sardinians on the Apennine Peninsula are impoverished. Although they have trained elite soldiers with the support of France, equipping all the soldiers with weapons and gear has already proven to be an arduous task, making it exceedingly difficult to increase heavy weaponry

The counteroffensive led by Zhang Cheng caught the Sardinians off guard, plunging them into chaos in a short period of time

According to the laws of the Ming Empire, the colonial governor is unable to mobilize the local garrison. This is primarily to prevent colonial rebellions

In fact, Zhang Cheng believes that this battle should not have turned out this way

Continuous explosions echoed across the river, and the immense shockwaves churned the water into a thick slurry, with columns of water soaring to heights of several dozen meters! More than ten wooden boats filled with soldiers were mostly engulfed by the power of dozens of grenades exploding around them. Remarkably, one grenade landed directly on a wooden boat!

Regular army?" Zhang Cheng's expression stiffened as he looked at the captain beside him

Pull the string! Two seconds! Throw! With Zhang Cheng's roar, another wave of grenades flew into the river. After this time, there were no more intact wooden boats or living Sardinians on the river surface

Zhang Cheng smiled faintly, saying little more. At this moment, he finally calmed down after experiencing the initial storm of blood and gore, lighting a cigarette with his lighter. He took a deep breath, savoring the spicy taste in his lungs. He exhaled a long stream of smoke rings, as if he wanted to expel all the negative emotions in his heart along with the smoke.

Of course, the Sardinians on the opposite side are even worse. Here, the term 'worse' refers to their equipment, rather than their training and courage

Today's battle was truly thanks to Zhang Cheng's remarkable performance. Not to mention how he led the reserve troops to bravely counterattack and crush the Sardinians' offensive. Just by using his exceptional marksmanship to eliminate the significant threat posed by the enemy sharpshooters, he enabled the Maxim gun to exert its powerful suppressive force. This alone is enough to earn him a medal among regular troops

The Sardinian soldiers, who had strictly adhered to the tactical manual in all their actions, were astonished to discover that the Ming army on the opposite shore had unexpectedly launched a countercharge just as they were about to reach the other side

"Well done, kid." The captain, whose facial wounds had finally been bandaged, approached Zhang Cheng, raised his hand to pat him on the shoulder, and wore a look of satisfaction.

Zhang Cheng felt signs of stiffness in his body, and he knew this was the result of rapid secretion of adrenaline. He just wanted to take a moment to rest

The Sardinian army participating in this battle is an elite infantry regiment within their royal army. However, even this elite infantry regiment possesses only a limited number of heavy weapons

Run! Ignore the bullets that are whizzing by, making a "puff puff puff" sound as they strike the dirt beside you. Zhang Cheng let out a loud shout and suddenly turned around, crouching low as he rolled and crawled his way into the trench.

Amidst the mournful cries, dozens of Sardinian regular troops perished in the river

During the exchange of fire between the two sides, at least over 20 mercenaries were killed, and there were even more wounded in the trenches. As for the group of mercenaries who followed Zhang Cheng to launch a countercharge, only half of them returned alive! At this moment, Zhang Cheng was still stained with the blood splattered from the mercenaries shot dead beside him

Boom! Boom! Boom!

They are mercenaries. Although the salary is quite high, their equipment is rather average. The entire company has two Maxim machine guns, which is only because the captain's uncle, who serves as the deputy regiment commander, specifically allocated an extra one. As for artillery, the entire mercenary group has fewer than ten light artillery pieces, all of which are positioned behind the estate owner's position. Naval artillery support is available, but their accuracy and the intensity of fire support are better left unmentioned. As for artillery, the entire mercenary group has fewer than ten light artillery pieces, all of which are positioned behind the estate owner's position. Naval artillery support is available, but their accuracy and the intensity of fire support are better left unmentioned

Since then, the Ming Empire has strictly prohibited the governors of various colonies from holding military power! The local garrison has its own commanders, who are rotated regularly. Moreover, it is absolutely forbidden for them to merge with the governors. This has also led to the Milan governor having to personally fund the organization of mercenaries to suppress the tax-rebellious Sardinian tenants.

"Two seconds! Throw!" Zhang Cheng shouted angrily once again. Another wave of dozens of grenades was thrown into the river. By this time, the Sardinians on the opposite bank finally reacted and began to fire fiercely at Zhang Cheng and his group

They have retreated! As the Sardinians on the opposite bank suddenly ceased fire and withdrew, the mercenaries in the trenches erupted in excited shouts.

The recent uprising at the Milan governor's mansion was instigated by the Sardinians

The commanders of the mercenaries' judgment of the battlefield situation is appalling. The intentions of the Sardinians have become so evident, yet Zhang Cheng has not received a single reinforcement. These officers are conservative and stubborn in their thinking, exhibiting a severe rigidity of mind. Compared to the rapidly evolving technology and tactics of European countries, the Ming Empire has clearly begun to fall behind.

Thud! Thud! Amidst the hail of bullets, several mercenaries fell around Zhang Cheng, who was crouched on one knee on the ground. However, there was not a trace of emotion on Zhang Cheng's face. In this moment of gunfire, he had completely surrendered his life and death to the goddess of fate