First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Analysis

Zhao Zhuoluo and his two companions stood in a circle, yet they didn't discuss much. The advantages and disadvantages between both sides were already quite clear in their minds, requiring no excessive analysis.

Ji Fangxiao's team clearly had superior skills, and Fang Jianchen was among them. Both brotherhood and objective conditions made this choice perfectly reasonable.

However, Ji Fangxiao's combat style was equally distinctive. Not that it was wrong, but it tended to exhaust people.

What they sought weren't comrades-in-arms, but accomplices who could divert enemy attention and bolster their own forces. To call it cooperation would be inaccurate—they were merely fellow travelers. Within small groups, they would still compete for points, select targets, and remain wary of each other.

Apart from one's own teammates, don't expect anyone to actively provide covering fire for you.

That said, given Ji Fangxiao's competence, he wouldn't let them gradually weaken. He would command appropriately to avoid casualties, allocating personnel from a macro perspective. Thus, Zhao Zhuoluo wasn't worried about being deliberately used as cannon fodder.

Lian Sheng's approach was completely different. It was hard to pinpoint her exact strengths or weaknesses—one could only say her team suited them perfectly.

They lacked a sniper; otherwise, they could have operated independently. Lian Sheng was that sniper. Moreover, their team had Lu Mingyuan, a rear-line leader in the Command Department. When it came to ambushes and terrain utilization, he was exceptionally skilled, giving them a clear advantage in these mountains.

Of course, Ji Fangxiao's choice of this location indicated his side also had abundant talent, having reached similar conclusions. The difference lay in compatibility.

As for Shen Yu and Zheng Lei—not every member of a team needed to excel. Though it might sound harsh, sacrifices were sometimes necessary.

Overall, their previous collaboration with Lian Sheng had been quite satisfactory. She didn't compete for kills; instead, she actively offered attainable points to maintain a delicate balance between both sides. Perhaps she deeply understood the imbalances in interpersonal relationships.

Since they were seriously participating in the exercise, they should consider it from that perspective. Fang Jianchen was Ji Fangxiao's teammate, so the latter would undoubtedly protect him.

After a moment of contemplation, the three looked up.

Zhao Zhuoluo scratched his head: "Let's just decide. Lian Sheng raises her right hand, Jianchen raises his left."

Zheng Lei and Shen Yu stood at the crowd's periphery, straining to eavesdrop on Zhao Zhuoluo's group, though to no avail.

Meng Jiangwu kicked at pebbles, having already given up hope.

Fang Jianchen was their fixed teammate, part of Ji Fangxiao's high-scoring squad. Unless they'd lost their minds, why would they choose their own side?

Lian Sheng wasn't worried. Neither was Lu Mingyuan.

For Lu Mingyuan, having two points already placed him above half the participants—that was enough. Moreover, he didn't need the points. Whether Zhao Zhuoluo chose them or not, he wouldn't be disappointed. The only regret was not being able to continue playing alongside Lian Sheng.

As for Lian Sheng... her strategy was always outcome-based.

After several minutes, Zhao Zhuoluo's trio finally reached a decision and turned to approach them.

Fang Jianchen spread his arms wide and called out warmly: "Come on, Excellent Bro! We're family again!"

Zhao Zhuoluo carried his gun and walked to Lian Sheng's side.

It took the others a second or two to process this.

Lian Sheng smirked triumphantly: "On the battlefield, there are no brothers."

Fang Jianchen froze, then exclaimed: "Bro! You're abandoning me just like that?"

"Take care," Cheng Ze said, patting his shoulder. "Without us around, you're on your own."

Fang Jianchen turned to throw himself at Ye Buqing: "Brother Ye—!"

Ye Buqing nodded encouragingly: "Do your best."

Fang Jianchen: "..."

This decision caught everyone off guard, leaving them momentarily speechless.

Meng Jiangwu wanted to cheer but felt he should restrain himself. He took a deep breath to avoid appearing overly excited.

Zheng Lei, fearing they might change their minds, asked: "Shall we go then?"

Lian Sheng chimed in: "Let's go."

Ji Fangxiao's expression was unreadable as he said: "You... have you thought this through?"

Cheng Ze nodded: "Probably. It was three votes in favor, after all."

Though they'd mentally prepared for this—given their general incompatibility with Ji Fangxiao—why rub it in his face?

Fang Jianchen clutched his chest as if his heart were breaking, his vision filled with white snowflakes of despair. Their plastic-cherry-blossom friendship had shattered just like that. Raising a hand, he declared: "Enough! If you're leaving, then go. From now on, we're opponents! When I catch up to you, I'm taking your heads for points!"

Since they'd decided to be enemies, they might as well go all out.

Lian Sheng reminded him: "Headshots don't give points."

Fang Jianchen: "Where there's a will for points, every battlefield yields them!"

Lian Sheng: "..."

Knowing Fang Jianchen well, Zhao Zhuoluo suspected he meant every word. Moreover, their current position wasn't ideal—they needed to find a safer spot to plan their next move.

After exchanging a few more words with Fang Jianchen (who responded with disdainful snorts and averted gazes), the group turned and left.

They distanced themselves from the previous location, ensuring no one was following, before stopping to rest.

Finding cover, they sat cross-legged in a circle.

"You must have a plan, right?" Zhao Zhuoluo asked. "Where do you want to start?"

The others looked at Lian Sheng, genuinely curious about her arrangements.

In small-scale combat like this, a commander's role was limited—victory primarily depended on martial prowess. Especially since she only had seven people to direct. Yet from start to finish, she'd worn an expression of absolute confidence.

Lian Sheng raised a hand, gazing into the distance: "Do you know what's most interesting about this match?"

Meng Jiangwu: "Beating the instructors?"

Lu Mingyuan: "Seeking revenge?"

Zheng Lei: "Forming alliances?"

"No," Lian Sheng said. "It's mutual slaughter."

The group: "..."

She must have too much free time.

Crossing her arms, Lian Sheng explained: "Each of us only has ten bullets, while there are eighty instructors. One person can attack three times, totaling two hundred forty points. We have nearly a thousand participants."

Lu Mingyuan added: "Nine hundred sixty-three."

"Thank you, nine hundred sixty-three. This means that even in four-person squads, the average score would hover around one point." Lian Sheng continued, "Take us—two teams just took four points, while Ji Fangxiao's team has already secured five to ten. This means a significant number of people are destined to end with zero."

Lian Sheng raised a finger: "Currently, there are two main issues: first, the enemies are formidable and hard to defeat; second, our allies are formidable and hard to cooperate with."

"During the first exercise, the targets and opponents were clearly defined, so we instinctively viewed everyone with caution. The second exercise introduced a trap—blurring who the real opponents were. What's the reality? To score points, we need sufficient ammunition. Without supply crates, the only solution is to rob other students. Moreover, to reduce competitive pressure, we must suppress their numbers."

"This means internal conflicts among students are inevitable. Alliances between students cannot hold. Yet when student numbers dwindle beyond a certain point, the instructors gain absolute dominance. Either way, we lose."

In the first match, it seemed everyone was your opponent—but not really. The better approach was forming alliances to eliminate weaker individuals or groups.

In the second match, it seemed only the instructors were your opponents—but not really. Though teams formed, this only intensified competition between squads. Group actions would likely trigger infighting.

"In other words, the biggest difference between these two exercises lies in shifting interests. Of course, all wars fundamentally revolve around interests—the distinction is whether they're pursued actively or passively. All battle plans should focus on these primary interests." Lian Sheng adjusted her helmet. "Understand what I mean?"

Zhao Zhuoluo: "So your idea is?"

"Find one team to form an ultimate alliance, then treat everyone else as enemies. That team would naturally be yours, and our opponents would be..." Lian Sheng counted on her fingers, "...one thousand thirty-five people."

Zheng Lei and Shen Yu exclaimed simultaneously: "Eight versus one thousand thirty-five?!"

Why did that sound so... tragic?

Lian Sheng placed both hands on her knees and nodded: "Yes. Please prepare yourselves as members of this eight-person squad."

She actually dared to say such things. Such audacity. Yet hearing her say it made everything seem possible.

Lian Sheng lifted her chin slightly, pointing ahead: "I'll lead you to victory in this exercise."

Her words were firm and powerful, momentarily making everyone believe her.

The phrase "pipe dream" lingered on Meng Jiangwu's lips before transforming into: "So, how do you plan to do it?"

Lian Sheng: "My stance remains unchanged—avoid direct confrontation. Lure the enemy in, then wipe them out in one fell swoop."

The group: "..."

Zheng Lei ventured: "Could you be more specific? We genuinely don't follow."

Lian Sheng summarized: "Cannon fodder baits them in while the rest set up an ambush."

The group: "Oh...!"

"I agree," Zhao Zhuoluo said. "But the biggest question is: what kind of trap? The instructors aren't easily fooled. We lack time, tools, and sufficient personnel to set up complex traps."

They didn't even have rope.

Lian Sheng said: "It doesn't have to be a physical trap. Anything that confuses their vision, hinders their movement, or disrupts their rhythm can serve as a trap."

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