In the Apocalypse, Hoarding Supplies with the System's Hundredfold Critical Hits

After approximately a few minutes of intense gunfire, the patrol platoon leader immediately recognized the enemy's strength.

The enemy was using various automatic weapons, and it seemed they lacked significant tactical training, as well as equipment like bulletproof vests and helmets. In essence, aside from firearms and ammunition, they had virtually no other gear.

It was evident that the enemy lacked essential military training and were most likely armed individuals from private bases. It seemed the superior's report was accurate.

While both sides were still exchanging gunfire, the light infantry regiment commander immediately dispatched his rapid reaction battalion.

Snowmobiles sped across the terrain, and the rapid reaction battalion arrived at the edge of the battlefield in approximately 10 minutes.

The rapid reaction battalion commander immediately distinguished two types of gunfire: the methodical bursts and short volleys of machine guns and AKMs from his own patrol team, and the dull, continuous firing of automatic weapons from the other side.

The rapid reaction battalion commander quickly identified the location of his own personnel and promptly set up 75mm infantry guns and 12.7mm heavy machine guns, while ordering the unit's snipers to seize high ground.

Using live images and data transmitted by the patrol team's drone, they quickly pinpointed the enemy's position within the two buildings.

The rapid reaction battalion commander immediately ordered, "Infantry guns, open fire!"

The officer in charge of the infantry guns quickly reported the firing parameters, and a shell was immediately launched.

"Boom!" With a loud explosion, a 75mm infantry shell accurately struck the roof of one of the buildings. The blast wave and shrapnel swept across a group of armed individuals.

Soon, several infantry guns each fired a few rounds. After being bombarded by artillery, the surviving armed individuals retreated into the buildings.

At this point, the armed individuals were in chaos, not expecting the enemy reinforcements to have artillery.

Under the firepower of artillery and 12.7mm heavy machine guns, the armed individuals suffered heavy casualties and were on the verge of collapse.

The rapid reaction battalion commander immediately organized his troops to surround the two buildings, while sending someone to shout, "Listen up, you inside! You have five minutes to consider. Lay down your weapons and surrender to save your lives, or we will flatten both buildings with artillery and bury you all alive."

Inside the building, the armed individuals were panicking, knowing that these troops genuinely possessed artillery, as evidenced by those killed on the roof earlier.

These two buildings were office buildings with no residents, making it impossible to find hostages. If the enemy was determined to destroy the buildings, it would certainly be fatal.

After the losses from the battle, the 300-plus armed individuals were reduced to around 160. The performance of the Zhongxing Chamber of Commerce's troops made them very uneasy.

"Don't shoot! We surrender!" Ultimately, the armed individuals, under the shadow of death, were forced to surrender.

"Everyone, drop your guns at the front gate and line up!"

Soon, the 160-plus armed individuals threw their rifles and ammunition on the ground, forming a pile, then raised their hands and began to line up.

A platoon of soldiers from the rapid reaction battalion immediately began searching the armed individuals. Any unusual movement would result in immediate execution by snipers.

After confirming that the armed individuals posed no danger, the rapid reaction battalion escorted the 160-plus individuals and then subjected them to brutal interrogation.

Li Ming's patrol team was not the only one attacked; patrol teams in other cities were also attacked multiple times.

Although the casualties were not significant, the nature of the attacks was extremely serious!

Li Ming also captured many armed individuals. Through interrogating these individuals, he quickly uncovered the true culprits behind them: ambitious businessmen.

These businessmen were already sentenced to death in Li Ming's mind!

Li Ming issued an order, and garrisoned combined arms brigades throughout the region immediately mobilized. Based on the information obtained from the interrogations and intelligence agencies, they began retaliatory actions against these businessmen and private bases.

The combined arms brigades, operating in combined arms battalions, surrounded all the private bases that had been investigated and found to be involved in the attacks.

At this time, Boss Ma and seven others at the Huanshan Private Base were waiting for good news from their subordinates, but instead received even worse news.

"Boss Ma, something terrible has happened! A large number of troops have suddenly appeared outside and surrounded our private base!"

"What?" The other businessmen were also shocked. They had not only failed to drive away the Zhongxing Chamber of Commerce but had also attracted more troops.

At this time, the troops outside the base set up loudspeakers and shouted, "Listen up, you inside! You are surrounded! Open the gates and surrender to avoid death, or we will flatten your base with artillery!"

Boss Ma and the other businessmen inside the base heard the announcement. These troops had artillery?

They had no idea about this because Li Ming had not deployed much heavy equipment during the previous crackdown. Large-caliber artillery and heavy equipment had not been used much.

The enemy actually had artillery?

"Everyone, don't panic! They are just trying to scare us. We have several thousand guards here; they can't break in. What's there to be afraid of?" Boss Ma reassured everyone.

Just as everyone was starting to relax, Zhou Guoping, the brigade commander of the combined arms brigade outside, waved his hand. The brigade's direct-fire 122mm self-propelled howitzers leveled their barrels and fired a round at the gate of the Huanshan Private Base.

"Whee..." The 122mm high-explosive榴弹 accurately hit the base's gate with a piercing shriek.

With a loud "Boom!", the metal base gate was blasted to pieces by the 122mm shell.

"Thump thump thump..." A series of 75mm infantry guns bombarded the buildings inside the base. The buildings inside the private base were just ordinary structures and could not withstand the artillery fire.

After a series of violent explosions, the surviving members of the base knew that the enemy genuinely had artillery, so they ran out and raised their hands in surrender.

"Hmph!" Zhou Guoping snorted coldly, ordered the soldiers to escort the members of the private base away, and then sent the reconnaissance battalion to search the entire base. During the identification process he did not find the leading figures of the base, these people had to be captured and severely punished.

At this time, Boss Ma and the others were pale-faced. They knew that they had provoked someone they shouldn't have and were likely to encounter big trouble.

They all hid in an underground room, trying to evade the search...