44: The US military command openly challenged the enemy and weakened its own strength!

Darwin City.

Fang Le received a report via connection: “The early warning radar has detected a large number of fighter jets taking off from Darwin Air Force Base and flying towards our city. Please advise.”

Fang Le issued the order: “Prepare for air defense!”

It was completely uneconomical to use anti-aircraft weapons to intercept the previous shells, but it was much more suitable for shooting down planes.

Since the two sides were only a dozen kilometers apart, the fighter jets arrived over Darwin City in just one or two minutes.

The anti-aircraft weapons opened fire, but the anti-aircraft battalion commander reported: “The enemy aircraft’s altitude exceeds the maximum range of our anti-aircraft guns, making effective shoot-downs impossible.”

The Anti-War People's Army's anti-aircraft weapons were previously looted and dismantled from Darwin Air Force Base.

Some were anti-aircraft guns, which could be installed on top of buildings or on the ground, serving as fixed small anti-air fire points.

Fang Le had no choice but to say: “Pay attention to your own protection.”

In Fang Le’s view, the enemy fighter jets taking off were probably coming to precisely eliminate their anti-aircraft positions and anti-aircraft weapons.

Unexpectedly, Fang Le then discovered that the items dropped by those fighter jets were small parachutes, descending slowly, completely unlike missiles or aerial bombs.

Fang Le: “Send someone to investigate what’s going on.”

“Yes, Chief.”

More than ten minutes later, a ground unit reported via connection: “We have intercepted the parachutes released by the American military and have initially ruled out their danger.”

Fang Le: “Send one over.”

Soon after, a complete parachute package was delivered. Fang Le opened it and saw a large number of flyers inside. He quickly scanned the content of the flyers. There was also a small disc and a small player. The player had obviously been disassembled by the soldiers beforehand to confirm there was no explosion risk, and even the battery seemed to have been newly replaced.

Fang Le turned on the player and saw the content inside—a video.

“To the broad citizens of Darwin City, and to the soldiers forced to join the rebel faction, I am General Aris, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Military Joint Military Action Command.”

“The round of artillery fire my army launched earlier was solely for demining operations in the minefield and had no intention of harming the city’s buildings or personnel.”

“Everything that has happened in Darwin City so far is what we do not wish to see. I have no intention of explaining the mistakes that occurred earlier, but I do not want the tragedy to escalate further.”

“We, the U.S. Military, are benevolent, compassionate, and humane. We will not use innocent civilians as hostages or shields. We will only fight honorably on the front lines.”

“We are also generous, tolerant, and open, always looking forward to seeing the attitude of the rebel army. I will respectfully await the arrival of your negotiation representatives at the Commander-in-Chief’s office.”

At this point, Fang Le completely understood the U.S. Military’s plan.

It was still the same psychological warfare.

With the army at the city gates, they would display their power through strong firepower, then use appeasement to sow discord between ordinary people and the defending forces.

But don’t let this Aris’s apparent openness to negotiations deceive you.

Once you actually send representatives for peace talks, it will be seen as a sign of weakness, and public opinion will consider it a surrender, leading to more pressure for you to negotiate.

And the side that holds the initiative in negotiations will inevitably make exorbitant demands.

At this moment, someone reported again:

“Reporting, Commander Fang, our official account on the network has been @-mentioned. You’d best see it yourself.”

So Fang Le went online to check.

Darwin’s official account has now been renamed “Darwin City Anti-War People's Army.”

To compete, the U.S. Military Joint Military Action Command also created an official account and publicly @-mentioned the People's Army.

This immediately caught the attention of a large number of netizens, who came to check it out.

The “U.S. Military Joint Military Action Command” released a high-definition video of ten thousand cannons firing simultaneously, allowing the vast number of netizens to enjoy the spectacle, and then stated:

“Our purpose for this shelling was solely to clear mines.”

“We maintain an open attitude towards the direction of the war.”

“We hope that the ‘Anti-War People's Army’ will also show some goodwill.”

Under the intentional guidance of internet trolls, a large number of targeted comments appeared in succession:

“Wow, the scene of ten thousand cannons firing simultaneously is magnificent, the U.S. Military is so powerful!”

“Anti-War Army, stop it, the U.S. Military is everywhere outside.”

“Anti-War Army, you are too selfish. You are kidnapping over a hundred thousand ordinary Darwin citizens onto the war chariot!”

“The military strength and equipment of Darwin City are no match for the U.S. Military. Fighting further will only increase casualties. If I were the Anti-War Army leader, I would send representatives to negotiate and find a way to back down.”

“Yes, the whole world is not peaceful right now. Don’t add to the tragedy of war.”

“You're overthinking it. The Anti-War Army leader doesn't even dare to show his face; he's incredibly selfish. He will absolutely not go to negotiate.”

Fang Le sneered as he looked at these comments with obvious intentions.

It probably won’t be long before a large number of voices call for Darwin City to open its gates and surrender.

And if Darwin City doesn't heed this call, the U.S. Military will have an excuse to launch an even stronger offensive later.

See, it's not that we are brutal; it's that the American military is too stubborn!

Fang Le directly instructed his subordinates:

“Reply to the ‘U.S. Military Joint Military Action Command’: if representatives are to be sent, it should be the attacking side that sends them.”

Fang Le no longer paid attention to the noisy internet trolls.

“Meeting.”

At the Anti-War Army headquarters, the military high command was all present.

“Tell me, what do we do now?”

If the American military had started with a direct assault, the Anti-War Army, though difficult, would not have been in a dilemma.

Now, however, one wrong move could lead them into the American military’s trap.

Yue Hanshan, Zhao Gang, Luo Hui, and others were silent for a moment.

Indeed, the current situation was clearly unfavorable for the defending side.

The Anti-War Army was too far behind the American military in terms of personnel, equipment, and ammunition.

Third Division Commander Li Dakui said: “Should we also launch a volley at the U.S. Military positions?”

First Division Commander Luo Hui immediately said: “No, our firepower is limited; we cannot waste it.”

Second Division Commander Chen Guangming said: “I think we should delay until nightfall and send troops out of the city to attack the American military.”

Army Commander Yue Hanshan shook his head: “Right now, the American military has surrounded the city from all sides and is constantly monitoring us. A surprise attack would be very difficult.”

None of these options would work.

Fang Le gritted his teeth, about to use his trump card, when a participant suddenly raised his hand.

Fang Le immediately called out: “Brigade Commander Chu, please speak.”

Chu Yunxiang, the Anti-War Army’s only air force brigade commander.

However, the air force brigade was almost an empty shell now.

Because the Anti-War Army’s air force equipment was seized from Darwin Air Force Base, the total quantity was limited, and some were destroyed in the previous American military night raid.

Chu Yunxiang said: “Since the U.S. Military has used public opinion and openly challenged us online, they will not blindly carry out large-scale ground operations.”

Fang Le urged: “Get to the point.”

Chu Yunxiang: “Yes… my meaning is, we can imitate ancient military formations, where both sides send representatives to duel before the lines—”

Third Division Commander Li Dakui raised his hand to stop him: “Wait, wait, you don’t mean for someone from our command to ride a horse out and duel them one-on-one, do you?”

Second Division Commander Chen Guangming: “No, in modern times, it should be a one-on-one duel using tanks or something similar.”

However, Fang Le heard a different meaning in the words of these three.

His eyes lit up.

Perhaps, they could use that to create a good opening.

And once the Anti-War Army achieved an initial victory, it would greatly boost morale and public confidence.

It could also seize the initiative in the public opinion sphere.

So Fang Le immediately said: “Quick, write a challenge letter and send it to the U.S. Military Command—”