First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 25
Chapter 25: Calling People
The instructor wasn't worried about Lian Sheng lying.
Although there was still half a box of supplies left, it was only half a box. If she brought too few people, they wouldn't be able to take down the six instructors. If she brought too many, even if successful, it would be meaningless as they'd have to continue eliminating internally.
If Lian Sheng dared make such a decision, she wouldn't make such a basic mistake.
After walking some distance, the eight of them stopped. Lian Sheng looked around, confirmed no one was nearby, then gestured for everyone to crouch down.
Meng Jiangwu couldn't wait to ask: "What are we doing now?"
Lian Sheng said: "Finding people to feed to the enemy."
The group collectively froze: "Huh?"
Meng Jiangwu said: "You didn't forget the main purpose of this exercise is to kill instructors, right?"
With enough bullets and no direct conflict, why not cooperate with other students?
Lian Sheng pointed upward: "It's almost dark."
They looked up and nodded. Indeed, the sun had already set, leaving only a layer of twilight. In a few more minutes, it would be completely dark.
Lian Sheng hugged her arms and sighed: "A moonless, windy night is perfect for murder and arson."
The group: "..."
"Meng Jiangwu, Zhao Zhuoluo, you two come with me." Lian Sheng directed. "Lu Mingyuan, you five go find hiding spots nearby. Be careful not to expose yourselves."
Cheng Ze asked: "By not exposing ourselves, you mean..."
Lian Sheng said: "Don't let others realize you're not instructors. When people arrive, snipe the students from behind to control numbers on both sides."
Cheng Ze thought for a moment, roughly understood, and nodded: "Got it."
Once it got dark, they'd have to rely on night vision goggles where color distinction wasn't clear. With good positioning and some camouflage, it shouldn't be a problem.
Meng Jiangwu still didn't understand, but Lu Mingyuan led the other five away first. Lian Sheng stood up to continue forward.
Meng Jiangwu jogged to catch up with Zhao Zhuoluo, whispering: "Bro, do you understand what's going on?"
Zhao Zhuoluo turned his head in surprise: "Isn't what she said clear enough?"
Meng Jiangwu felt his intelligence was being insulted: "I don't get it!"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "...What part don't you understand?"
Meng Jiangwu: "I don't understand any of it!"
Zhao Zhuoluo: "..."
"It's fine." Zhao Zhuoluo said. "Just follow orders."
The three reached the previous chaotic supply area, keeping some distance to observe.
Most supplies had been looted by now, with only scattered individuals wandering about.
Likely many teams had been wiped out in the earlier skirmishes. Combined with casualties at this stage of the exercise, some were newly formed partnerships.
A male student was searching the roadside for overlooked supplies. In the earlier chaos, anything was possible.
"Hey, buddy~" Lian Sheng waved at him. "Bro!"
The young man looked up warily.
Lian Sheng called softly: "Want some food?"
The guy exclaimed: "What did you say?"
"Shh." Lian Sheng crooked her finger. "Got something to tell you."
He exchanged glances with his distant companion, then both approached.
Lian Sheng retreated slightly, leaning against a tree: "I just saw six instructors in the woods ahead."
The two frowned: "You want us to go score points together?"
The first young man shook his head: "But we're starving right now, not in the mood. And six instructors? That's suicide—completely unrealistic."
Lian Sheng said: "They have supplies—half a box left they can't finish."
The two jolted with excitement: "Seriously?"
"Do you think instructors would let themselves go hungry? Six instructors couldn't grab one supply box? That's what's unrealistic." Lian Sheng said matter-of-factly. "Just ahead—go see for yourself if you don't believe me."
The two fell silent, hesitating.
"Why would I lie? You've got no food." Lian Sheng patted her pocket, producing metallic clinks. "We're not short on ammo either—if we wanted to snipe you, we'd have done it already."
The guy hissed: "That's not the issue—there are six instructors over there."
"So we need people. If they have six, we need at least eighteen for any advantage." Lian Sheng said. "We've got three here—can you call more?"
After some thought, the two agreed. They spread the word nearby and gathered over twenty people in about ten minutes.
The crowd clustered in groups, whispering as they eyed Lian Sheng's team.
"Perfect!" Lian Sheng said cheerfully. "Now we'll definitely have the advantage. Let's move."
She raised a finger: "Our goals—score points and get supplies. Any objections? Then follow my lead since I know the situation best. With everyone being strangers, acting independently would just create chaos. Agreed?"
Lian Sheng's reasonable tone made the group nod.
Having decided to cooperate, they wouldn't nitpick unnecessarily—this was just a temporary alliance anyway.
Lian Sheng took the lead, reminding them: "Stay quiet and cautious. Light steps to avoid alerting them."
The group nodded, carefully following with guns ready.
Behind her, Meng Jiangwu looked like he'd seen a ghost. Luckily, his helmet hid his expression.
This gentle, soft-spoken version—was this still Lian Sheng?! What did her words even mean? What was the plan? Whose side was she on?!
Meng Jiangwu felt his head might explode.
Beside him, Zhao Zhuoluo remained calm and composed, not having spoken the entire time.
Meng Jiangwu felt a pang of shame. Sorry for dragging down the team's average IQ.
He leaned toward Zhao Zhuoluo: "Bro, do you know the plan?"
Zhao Zhuoluo pondered, then said sincerely: "Silence preserves IQ. Mm." Don't let others know you don't understand—just pretend you do.
Meng Jiangwu: "..."
They soon reached the instructors' ambush point.
From a distance, they could see a supply box on the ground, but no instructors in sight.
Lian Sheng signaled a stop, gathering everyone in a circle.
"First, the plan. Food is secondary—scoring points is the main goal. We stayed on the mountain for this, right?" Lian Sheng picked up a twig and drew a circle: "This is the supply location—you all saw it earlier. The instructors wouldn't just leave supplies here and run—they're definitely hiding nearby."
Lian Sheng continued: "Although we outnumber them, we can't charge in directly. We need to split into groups."
She drew on the ground: "Group one will feign falling for the trap, entering this circle to lure out the instructors. Group two will stay on the periphery—about this distance works too. We'll break the instructors' encirclement from outside to disrupt their rhythm."
A young man interrupted: "Isn't going inside more dangerous? There's no cover there."
"We don't know where the instructors are hiding—inside or outside is equally dangerous. With cover fire, those inside will have time to find shelter." Lian Sheng said. "Being inside gives clearer visibility and better scoring chances, no?"
The group remained silent, unconvinced.
Lian Sheng added: "I'm not done. Those staying outside will later split into a third group."
Someone asked: "Why so many groups?"
"The instructors won't just stand there waiting to die. If things go south, they'll retreat. We know the terrain above isn't suitable for retreat. As precaution, we'll shift the defensive line upward to force them downhill. Then we'll send people ahead to ambush them—aim for total elimination."
This caused some murmurs.
The ambush team would face high risks too—fewer people meant less security.
Someone asked: "Who goes for the chase?"
"One from each team." Lian Sheng pointed around. "Lead by example. My team will send two for the ambush. Also, to ensure fairness, those inside and in ambush get first pick of supplies. How about a 2:2:1 split?"
Though riskier, the scoring chances and supply shares were higher. Sounded reasonable.
The hidden instructors had heard some noise. Seeing prey approach, they grew restless.
One chuckled: "She actually brought them. Thought she'd run off."
Instructor Fu loaded his gun: "No idea how many. Once fewer than ten remain, kill Lian Sheng first—the short, skinny one."
Another instructor said: "She's a girl—not that short."
Instructor Fu said: "Youthful arrogance needs tempering—time to learn a lesson."
An instructor sighed: "Let's wrap this up—I want proper sleep."
Outside, the group discussed team assignments. Lian Sheng had them organize by squads for different roles, then report to her.
Meng Jiangwu seized the moment to whisper: "Are we cooperating with instructors or students? Are we sniping instructors or students? What's the plan?!"
Lian Sheng loaded her magazine, smiling: "Must it be one or the other?"
Meng Jiangwu inhaled sharply: "Obviously?!"
Lian Sheng glanced at him: "Remember our initial words?"
"What?" Meng Jiangwu scratched his head. "You've said plenty!"
Lian Sheng said solemnly: "Our opponents number one thousand and thirty-five."
Meng Jiangwu gasped: "You're serious?"
Lian Sheng raised a brow. Team strategy wasn't a joke.
Zhao Zhuoluo joined them to discuss ambush spots—whether the three should stay close or spread out.
Meng Jiangwu, realizing she planned to double-cross both sides, couldn't help asking: "Shouldn't we just cooperate with the instructors? Antagonizing them... the consequences would be brutal."
Zhao Zhuoluo looked at him: "They won't cooperate with us."
Lian Sheng added: "Like how the empty fort strategy can't be used twice, don't trust enemies twice either. The first time was desperation—and we ran fast. If they agree to cooperate again, they're planning to betray us. Better we strike first."
Meng Jiangwu: "..."
"For traps, you should change locations—few people fall twice in the same spot." Lian Sheng looked at him, then held back further words.
Meng Jiangwu stood up angrily. What was that look supposed to mean?
Nearby, the discussion group waved—they'd finalized plans.
Lian Sheng stood, rifle in hand: "Besides, don't you think instructors are easy to fool?"
Meng Jiangwu shook his head emphatically.
Lian Sheng eyed the supply location, measuring distances: "Instructors are skilled—confidence comes with skill. When six overly confident people gather, they get careless. That's our chance."
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