Chapter 152: Sea of Fire

It was only thirty-five kilometers from Hanoi to Shanxi, yet it had been eighteen months since Li Weiyeh occupied Hanoi, and the French had not even seen a trace of it.
When such resentment erupted, it became terrifyingly formidable.
Standing in Hanoi, one could clearly hear the intense artillery fire. Though it was merely a preemptive strike against the Black Flag Army, the French went all out.
Ten gunboats and artillery vessels were loaded with shells, while on land, over twenty large and small cannons launched a relentless barrage. The French treated shells like bullets, firing hundreds per minute. Yet what was most unsettling were the red dots floating in the sky.
This was something new—even in Western countries, balloons were rare. It was the first time the French used artillery reconnaissance balloons in actual combat.
On the balloons, two observers could safely signal using flags, without having to constantly duck due to sniper fire from the Black Flag Army. Red and yellow flags were waved from time to time to indicate the latest targets.
On the ground, the French also used their new equipment. Instead of telephones, they relied on optical communication devices proven effective in combat, with communications officers constantly watching the distance.
Under the sun, optical communication devices worked poorly. Unlike telephones, each change in light meant a different signal. It took several soldiers minutes to translate the message: “A more intense attack is needed.”
The artillery continued to bombard, leaving countless shell casings on the ground. But this bombardment was merely to clear obstacles.
“Damn their intensity!” Cai Yunan said, gripping his telescope. “How far away are they?”
“Probably several kilometers. Thankfully, we moved quickly.”
“Good thing we built permanent fortifications in Shanxi,” Liu Yu added. “Are the French just firing shells?”
“Mad, complete madmen!” Cai Yunan shouted. “They’ve fired over five or six thousand shells today alone! Several hills and forests have been leveled!”
Aboard the warships, the French were equally distressed. One captain shouted, “Damn it! How do these Black Flag bandits have so many rifle bullets?”
In today’s battle, the Black Flag Army’s bullets rained down like hail. Though they didn’t cause heavy losses, they kept the French on edge. According to army reports, the Black Flag Army possessed a captured 65-mm gunboat cannon. Such a small vessel could be sunk with just one hit to a critical spot.
Further ahead were several small motorboats, which had used up almost all their shells before retreating. “We’ll go replenish our ammunition.”
That captain had just arrived in the Far East. Seeing that the artillery fire had stopped and the infantry scouts were advancing—moving three or four hundred meters before digging in to prepare for defense—he said, “With things like this, why are these army troops so cowardly?”
An army liaison officer aboard the ship retorted bluntly, “If not for this, we wouldn’t even reach Shanxi City by next year!”
“Why?”

“Our forward battalion lost forty men in just one morning due to their mines and snipers, yet only advanced three kilometers. General Gobat has wisely stockpiled enough ammunition.”
……
“The enemy fired five or six thousand shells; we lost fifty or sixty men. We’re really lucky!”
Cai Yunnan was relieved that his troops had moved; if they had stayed in their original fortifications, they would likely have been completely devastated by a single bombardment.
Yet his eyes were fixed on the distant targets: “Damn it, they’ve moved five machine guns onto the ships!”
He could clearly see that on the tops of some gunboats, the French had creatively mounted 37-mm machine guns, operated by several gunners. Not only did this improve their field of fire, but it also posed a significant threat to the Black Flag Army.
“Just one of their guns could cripple an entire infantry battalion. We need to be careful!”
Liu Yu smiled slightly: “Exactly! We must be careful!”
He still had one last trump card.
“Another two ships full of shells have arrived from Hong Kong. Our ammunition supply is fully sufficient—we can even fight two battles without issue!”
Paris couldn’t understand why Gobat needed so many shells, let alone order more from Hong Kong. But Gobat knew he had to maximize his firepower to capture Shanxi.
Now, each cannon was equipped with over 500 shells, and some even had 750 shells—thanks to his friends in Paris.
“Tomorrow is the 12th. We’ll continue this scale of bombardment to flatten everything in our path, then advance into Shanxi.”
……
November 12th.
The French forces, like a torrent, began moving upstream—an unprecedented army in Vietnamese history.
The French mobilized as many as fifty naval vessels, armed motorboats, and transport ships. They hunted down any moving targets and attacked using all the cannons on their ships.
They completely overwhelmed the Black Flag Army’s firepower. Only a few bullets flew their way throughout the morning. The two columns advancing from land were equally powerful.
Fourteen thousand soldiers, including 6,200 Frenchmen, 1,500 Algerians, and 1,200 European mercenaries, made up two battalions of the Foreign Legion.
In addition were some of Gobat’s best Vietnamese native troops, ordered to march at the forefront at a steady pace.
Ordinary troops could march 30 to 40 kilometers in a day and night, meaning they could reach Shanxi in just one day. But the native troops were frequently under fire.
Countless traps, mines, and obstacles were set up along the roads, slowing down the progress of the native infantry. But Gobat didn’t care about their lives: “Order them to speed up. Even if they all die, it won’t stop us from taking Shanxi.”
The gunfire grew denser, and the Black Flag Army’s resistance intensified. But for the French, the tactic was simple: bombardment, then occupation.

Excluding surface ships, they carried a full sixty pieces of artillery of various sizes, ranging from heavy guns over 100 millimeters to mountain guns of 40 millimeters, forming more than a dozen artillery companies. Under the command of reconnaissance balloons and optical communication devices, they launched fierce attacks on any enemy forces in their path.

“People of Annam, I tell you here that although France has given you ample rewards, General Gobat clearly realizes that rest is the best compensation. Therefore, he allows you three days off after capturing Shanxi City.”

In reality, these indigenous soldiers understood that this so-called “three days off” meant massacre and endless indulgence, and their morale soared: “We want a week off.”

“I agree on behalf of the general—provided you can capture Shanxi City, France will grant you a week off.”

Amid the thunderous artillery fire in the background, these indigenous soldiers also became frenzied. They charged at the defending forces several times, while the Black Flag Army adopted a tactic of fighting while retreating, avoiding engagement with them.

The greatest damage was caused by their landmines and traps. Over a hundred indigenous soldiers were killed or injured in just one morning. By afternoon, these indigenous infantrymen had already mastered using buffaloes and other large animals to clear mines.

“A long break!” The French forces took a major break at noon. They had completed two-thirds of the journey, while surface ships also carried large numbers of soldiers and ammunition forward.

“Today we will see the sunset over Shanxi City!”

……

Although Liu Yu had anticipated a fierce French offensive, he hadn’t expected Gobat to make such effective use of his artillery advantage.

“The enemy’s artillery is intense; one of our platoons stationed on the mountain lost a third of its members in an instant…”

“The counterattack failed; over ten of us were killed or injured…”

“With artillery support, the enemy captured our Wolf Mountain position…”

Liu Suiyun said beside him, “Damn it, they fire more shells than our infantry. Our field fortifications can hardly withstand such bombardment.”

Liu Yu checked the time: “It’s only noon. We can’t let them see such a beautiful sunset over Shanxi City! Order one 65-millimeter gun to join the battle.”

The artillery fire in the afternoon was even more intense. The Black Flag Army also used their smaller guns in retaliation. Although their guns were loaded with high-explosive ammunition, the limited amount made them less powerful than the French steel guns.

“That’s just small guns; they don’t pose a deadly threat,” said a French artillery battalion commander after looking at the destroyed forest. “Send the indigenous soldiers forward. Tell them that if they capture Shanxi City tomorrow, they can enjoy an extra day off.”

An entire company of indigenous soldiers charged out screaming and howling. The artillery battalion commander smiled and said, “A bunch of true barbarians!”

At that moment, rain of bombs fell—this was the Black Flag Army’s counterattack. But since the power and range of their 60-millimeter guns were unsatisfactory, this time they concentrated more than a dozen 82-millimeter mortars for a heavy bombardment.

“Damn it!” The French artillery had no time to react; they only saw the advancing indigenous infantry engulfed in flames as the Black Flag Army’s shells reduced entire infantry companies to bloody messes. “Hurry and locate the enemy’s artillery positions!”
The Black Flag Army now positioned their artillery on slopes, keeping them hidden from direct view, and used observers to direct the artillery fire via telephones.
The Black Flag Army was also determined; they fired mortars recklessly as well. “Over five hundred indigenous infantrymen were killed, yet the Black Flag Army fired at least 1,500 shells! My God!”
However, artillery positions on slopes were not easy to find. After intense bombardment, the indigenous infantry’s progress slowed significantly, and the naval forces faced similar setbacks.
That damned 65-mm cannon appeared again, firing about six shells in one afternoon. The Black Flag Army also used some 82-mm mortars in support. Though the combined land-sea attack forced them to retreat, the speed of the naval vessels immediately slowed down, especially those boats at the forefront, which retreated instantly.
“Just one shell from the enemy can send us to heaven. Don’t forget the lesson from the Leopard!”
…
The sound of artillery grew louder and clearer.
In the makeshift command post outside the city, Liu Yu already had a clear understanding of the situation: “The enemy’s Vietnamese infantry is retreating. It’s the turn of the blacks. Who should go fight them?”
“I’ll go!” Tang Jingsong stepped forward and said, “Send my personal guard battalion and the Song Battalion.”
After their previous retreat, his authority over these two infantry battalions seemed unaffected, but both battalion commanders demanded revenge against the black troops.
“Kill those blacks!”
These two undermanned infantry battalions, totaling just over four hundred men including some newly recruited soldiers, said, “Avenging our brothers!”
Their eyes were blood-red, filled with murderous intent. Fighting on the battlefield was normal, but these blacks were too brutal—they didn’t spare any captives, even those who surrendered, killing them with bayonets.
“We won’t forget!”
Chen Tiansong’s eyes were also red. One of his brothers had died in the battles a few days ago. Now his forces were weaker, and the enemy was stronger, yet he was full of confidence.
For revenge, for his fallen brothers!
After the Vietnamese indigenous infantry were shattered by incoming shells and bullets, they stopped advancing and demanded three months’ worth of pay in advance from the French. In truth, everyone knew they were terrified by such artillery fire.
What was unfolding was an unprecedented artillery battle in this Eastern country. Although today’s bombardment was smaller than yesterday’s, still three to four thousand shells were fired.
“We must see the sunset over Shanxi City!”
Gubao said this meaningfully, and his adjutant understood immediately: “Use optical communication devices to send orders to the front troops. The African indigenous forces, prepare to attack.”

Hundreds of dark-skinned Africans in African-style military uniforms set down their rifles, showed their white teeth, and shouted. An officer conveyed the commander’s orders, but half an hour later, the entire unit had not yet assembled.
“The commander’s latest order is that after capturing Shanxi City, each of you will receive 30 acres of land in Vietnam and three months’ salary. I hope you will attack immediately.”
The Africans immediately let out strange cries and rushed to the front line: “Long live Algeria!”
They shouted recklessly, venting their emotions like beasts. Instead of forming a skirmish line or charging in a formation like the French, they arranged themselves according to their own will.
An adjutant cursed, “A bunch of typical barbarians!”
“But these barbarians can bring victory!” Gobat said meaningfully through his telescope. “Even if ten bullets hit them, they still advance fearlessly. Many Frenchmen can’t do that.”
The artillery fired sporadically. They couldn’t see the Black Flag Army’s artillery positions hidden behind the mountains. Even if they guessed their location, their artillery skills were not enough to suppress such targets.
The Algerian indigenous soldiers, however, were excellent at charging. Many of them were fast runners who searched for targets along the paths, firing bullets everywhere, even if no enemy was visible.
They had no discipline, or rather, an African tribal-style discipline—searching for any possible enemy targets and then attacking them.
“The First Algerian Battalion is advancing quickly. They’re progressing smoothly… Well, the enemy troops at the two positions have withdrawn!”
“The enemy artillery has also withdrawn!”
The dark-skinned Algerian soldiers were cheering as they ran forward. Some even took off their uniforms and danced: “It’s a disgrace for soldiers, but we can’t do without them!”
The artillery continued to move slowly. Unlike the Black Flag Army’s mortars, which could easily change positions, they had to advance step by step, with each of the dozen or so separate artillery companies covering for one another.
As for the French infantry and other troops, they hadn’t been used yet. Gobat was well aware that the real battle would take place outside Shanxi City.
“A blank!” A sharp cannon shot broke the silence. Several African soldiers who were laughing maniacally with exposed teeth were knocked down by rifle fire. Then two battle flags appeared, and under the cover of mortars, they launched an attack on the African infantry.
“Enemy! Enemy! Artillery fire! Artillery fire!”
But soon the artillerymen heard familiar cannon sounds: “Damn it, it’s that 65-mm cannon! Damn it!”
The 65-mm cannon fired two shells, suppressing two 40-mm cannons and creating thick smoke at the 40-mm mountain artillery positions. Then, the Black Flag Army’s 82-mm mortars were positioned directly in the formation, firing countless shells at the French columns.
Even at maximum range, they still posed a threat to the infantry and artillery. As for the Vietnamese indigenous infantry, they were running away like headless flies.

“The 65-mm guns used to suppress the enemy—he doesn’t have many shells left!” But even Guoba himself didn’t really believe such a conclusion. Not long ago, the Yellow Flag Army had brought sixty shells, and it was impossible for the Black Flag Army to leave those shells behind after this battle. The front line was in complete chaos. The Black Flag Army’s counterattack forced the French forces to retreat one or two hundred meters. Only then did various artillery units prepare to fire again. But the Vietnamese, terrified by the artillery fire, caused them enough trouble. At the very edge of the front line, the African indigenous soldiers armed with rifles and scimitars were not intimidated by the artillery fire. They shouted loudly, and then the entire infantry battalion charged toward those two battle flags. They had already realized that these enemies had once been easily defeated by them. Chen Tiansong waved the large flag vigorously and shouted, “Kill all these black devils!”