Empire Conquest-Chapter 695 - 22: Union of the Open Ground

North of King Khalid’s Military City, about 50 kilometers south of the border line, was the 2nd temporary outpost jokingly referred to as "Beauty House."

In the matter of naming, the Marine Corps was still as unrestrained as ever.

In the last great war, the Marine Corps called Sai Island, where nearly 30,000 soldiers were killed or wounded, "Heaven," and Transfer Island, similarly taken through bloodshed, "Sunshine Beach."

In this desolate place spanning hundreds of kilometers, the least likely thing one would encounter was a beauty.

Though called a temporary outpost, in reality, it was a fully equipped military encampment.

The only difference from regular military camps was that all the barracks were built with engineering panel materials, looking somewhat similar to the temporary sheds on construction sites.

Of course, they only looked somewhat similar.

These military barracks all used high-quality composite panel materials, which could last for decades in the dry region of Boss Bay without worrying about aging materials.

Besides, all the barracks were built to exceed standard specifications.

Simply put, a two-person soldiers’ dormitory had a floor space of a staggering 20 square meters, and could be expanded at any time by adding more beds.

Compared to previous military camps, constructing barracks with engineering panels was definitely considered a breakthrough in the field of military engineering and was a lesson bought with experiences from the battlefield.

During the Boi War, the Imperial Army suffered considerably due to the backwardness of camp infrastructure.

At that time, canvas tents, which were popular during major wars, were used the most.

In the northern regions of Boi Country, once the rainy season hit, the troops could not expect to live comfortably; not only did the tents often leak, but the campgrounds also resembled medieval Western towns, full of mud, and often, due to inadequate hygiene and sanitation, non-combat attrition occurred.

According to unofficial statistics, non-combat attrition due to infectious diseases accounted for a quarter of the total attrition in the troops!

To support the front line, medications for treating gastroenteritis such as "berberine" and "ofloxacin" often ran out of stock.

It was after this war that the Imperial Army, learning from its painful experiences, invested funds in the development of new engineering panel materials that were waterproof, thermally insulated, and easy to assemble.

If one were to speak of the greatest benefit, it was actually the ease of assembly.

All the panels were standardized, and divided into a few different specifications for floors, walls, and ceilings, all using a uniform interface.

In the absence of large tools, two soldiers could set up a dormitory for up to 12 people within half an hour.

This level of efficiency was unimaginable in the past.

From a helicopter’s bird’s-eye view, these barracks looked like neatly arranged blocks of tofu.

If there was anything missing, it was the presence of air conditioning for cooling.

Perhaps because the barracks were too stuffy, most of the officers and men were sleeping outside, filling the open space outside the barracks with their own beach chairs.

Actually, there were hardly any entertainment activities here after sunset.

After all, it was a newly established temporary military outpost, and many facilities were still under construction—not to mention entertainment facilities, even the mess hall wasn’t properly set up yet.

After getting off the helicopter, Ding Zhennan saw Liu Zunshan, dressed in full military gear.

The two were not friends but could be considered old acquaintances.

After returning from Sri Lanka, Liu Zunshan had secured a recommendation letter to further his studies at the Imperial Joint Military Academy, providing favorable conditions for his future promotion.

Actually, this was an unwritten rule.

Officers who had participated in actual combat and performed outstandingly were all given the opportunity to study and train at the Joint Military Academy.

Of course, these officers could also introduce the characteristics of modern warfare to those students who had not been on the battlefield.

To put it bluntly, it was a mutual exchange.

It was during this time that Ding Zhennan got to know Liu Zunshan, and through exchanges, they got to know and understand each other.

However, Liu Zunshan only stayed at the Joint Military Academy for a year, so the depth of their friendship wasn’t that profound.

"Are you ready?"

"As soon as I received the message, I dispatched the troops."

"Good, let’s move out quickly."

Without asking further, Liu Zunshan whistled to several officers outside the headquarter and waved his hand.

Before leaving, Ding Zhennan had called Liu Zunshan from the Joint Force Headquarter, asking him to get the troops ready for front-line deployment in advance.

In order to expedite Liu Zunshan’s actions, Ding Zhennan had explicitly told him that there would definitely be a battle tonight.

Liu Zunshan, being a straightforward person, didn’t say anything further upon receiving the call and dispatched all four tank companies right away.

Those left in the camp were actually the non-combat personnel responsible for support.

It was only after the helicopter had flown away that Ding Zhennan followed Liu Zunshan to the armored command vehicle parked in the middle of the camp.

That was the command vehicle for the camp, but not Liu Zunshan’s battle vehicle. The on-board Communication Advisor’s main job was to assist with the command in the rear.

Liu Zunshan’s ride was also a Main Battle Tank, but it had gone with the main force to the front lines that afternoon.

He had stayed behind specifically to wait for Ding Zhennan.

Not just because of their personal relationship, but once in combat mode, Ding Zhennan had a higher command authority, so even though Liu Zunshan was of a higher rank, he had to comply with orders.

Leaving the camp and driving north for about half an hour, they encountered a transport convoy on its way back to camp.

There were more than a hundred transport vehicles.

These combat-incapable transport support vehicles had completed their deception mission and would return to camp to rest, so as to reappear on stage tomorrow.