First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Ambush

The shrunken screen on the monitor displayed both sides' complete layouts.

The White Team was already beginning to show signs of chaos.

Jiang Jiake's orders couldn't be called wrong, but they weren't detailed enough. During execution, small problems kept emerging, and these minor issues thoroughly exposed their team's weaknesses.

The various platoons and squads had no coordination at all. Since the students were randomly assigned groups, the commander should have been prepared for this. He should have anticipated various frictions, but he overlooked them.

Jiang Jiake was too focused on the big picture and neglected the fundamentals.

The Red Team had sent out three platoons to probe while the rest remained in defensive positions at their center, ready to engage. Now they were waiting for the latest reports from the front lines.

They were steady—even if attacked, they could quickly adjust.

An instructor said, "But Lian Sheng disrupted their rhythm, at least buying some time."

Lian Sheng hadn't actually done much. It was more that her mere existence had disrupted the enemy's tempo.

Another instructor remarked, "What's the use of a little time? Once they see how chaotic things are over there, they'll figure everything out."

If the enemy discerned their patterns, there wouldn't be much left to watch.

Instructor Fu shook his head. "Lian Sheng... she definitely won't admit defeat so easily."

The group switched their audio feed to Lian Sheng's White Team channel, wanting to hear her plans.

When Lian Sheng heard Jiang Jiake's orders, she wasn't particularly surprised—just somewhat displeased.

This outcome was expected. The other side didn't trust her. No amount of explanation would change that. And with their current urgent situation, there was no time to build mutual trust.

This was an irreconcilable conflict within their faction, one that couldn't be ignored. If Lian Sheng couldn't resolve it, the consequences would be dire.

Lian Sheng raised a finger. "Three."

The others looked at her, puzzled.

"From the initial bullet distribution to later formation arrangements, and now ignoring frontline feedback from teammates—he's made three fatal mistakes. I can't find any reason to keep trusting him." Lian Sheng declared, "As a commander, I can say with certainty: he has failed."

The group fell silent. They didn't think things were that bad yet. Besides, was Fang Jianchen really going for the center path?

Zheng Lei glanced around at everyone and asked on their behalf, "Are you really thinking of defecting to the Red Team?"

"Of course not. Our faction is our unshakable position. Even if we went to the Red side, they wouldn't accept us. We'd just be humiliating ourselves." Lian Sheng said, "Besides, this is just a faction battle. There's no need to do something so disruptive and unpleasant. We still have to attend classes together afterward."

The group collectively sighed in relief.

"However, the current situation isn't optimistic either. I hope you all recognize that. If we let Fang Jianchen infiltrate our rear—a sniper becoming like a festering wound—what kind of trouble would that cause?" Lian Sheng hugged her rifle. "Since they're leaving Fang Jianchen's head for the taking, we'll just have to harvest it ourselves."

Zheng Lei asked, "Us? How?"

"From here, we continue forward, circle around to the center path, and intercept Fang Jianchen head-on." Lian Sheng pointed deeper into the path. "Once Fang Jianchen reaches the center, other platoons will report it, and Jiang Jiake will have to believe it. Then the defensive line will pull back, we'll block their escape route, and wipe them out in one go."

The group hesitated.

Defying orders would likely result in having their points zeroed out. Whether their reasoning was sound or not, faction battles required absolute authority for the commander to maintain order. Thus, the punishment was severe.

Lu Mingyuan thought it wasn't worth it.

Following Jiang Jiake's orders, with some luck, they might still earn a few points—at least they wouldn't lose any. But disobeying orders meant having all their accumulated points reset.

Zero points meant this entire exercise would have been for nothing.

Lu Mingyuan quietly reminded her of the pros and cons, urging her not to be too obvious about it.

Lian Sheng raised an eyebrow. She wasn't particularly interested in their ranking system—she was focused solely on the current battle. She hated losing. Absolutely loathed it.

It went against the meaning of her name.

"I appreciate the advice, but I stand by my decision," Lian Sheng said.

She pressed her comms device. "I'm your platoon leader. If I give you orders, you shouldn't be held responsible for disobedience. Those who want to win, follow me now. The rest—I won't stop you."

Her words carried undeniable authority. And based on her earlier demeanor, everyone knew she wasn't bluffing.

Follow? Of course follow! Why wouldn't they take this opportunity? Could Jiang Jiake's orders possibly lead to better results?

One by one, they raised their hands in support.

Lian Sheng smiled in satisfaction.

Lu Mingyuan said dryly, "I think you've been planning a coup for a while now."

"Don't say that. I was willing to wait and see. But the enemy clearly understands Jiang Jiake, and he himself lacks awareness. If this continues, defeat is inevitable." Lian Sheng pointed forward and shouted, "Now follow me—move out!"

In the monitoring room, several instructors shook their heads in confusion upon hearing her words.

One instructor said, "Does she not understand how important points are? There's no better place to earn them than in exercises."

The person beside him replied, "I think she'd do this even if she knew. Yeah, that's just the kind of girl she is."

Instructor Fu added, "She earned points just to become the overall commander for the Red vs. White battle. Too bad they were all deducted later."

That sounded downright tragic. If she had actually become the commander, none of this would be so troublesome.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Fang Jianchen was cautiously making his way toward the center path.

Using cover, they advanced quickly, weapons ready. They moved stealthily, wary of ambushes—only to find the path completely clear.

"Holy—! The center really is empty." Fang Jianchen crouched to inspect the ground. "But there's no supplies left nearby. They've been looted."

Ji Fangxiao asked, "Did they withdraw from the center?"

"Maybe." Fang Jianchen suddenly looked up. "Ah, we've run into their scouts."

At the same time, Jiang Jiake received the report.

"Reporting—Red Team spotted at center path. About one platoon."

His data analyst assistant, Zhou Shirui, circled a spot on the map. "Hmm, seems Lian Sheng was right."

Right now, it was just one platoon. If the main force came, they'd be finished.

Zhou Shirui said calmly, "Our strategy might have been figured out."

Jiang Jiake massaged his temples, thinking. He had a headache.

"Senior?" Zhou Shirui prompted.

Even without Zhou Shirui's urging, Jiang Jiake knew there was no time to waste. He wiped his face and ordered, "Pull the defensive line back to the center. Those who just withdrew—return to your positions immediately. Be advised: one enemy platoon has entered from the center."

Fortunately, the two flanks hadn't gone too far yet—coordination and assignments had taken some time. Now, upon receiving orders, they rushed back.

Lian Sheng's group sprinted ahead even faster.

After eliminating the scouts, Fang Jianchen's team stopped hiding and charged forward, hoping to breach the weakened defenses.

"Lian Sheng wasn't lying? My god, how can I not believe this?" Fang Jianchen rambled. "Is the sun emitting green light? No wonder the forest is so verdant. But she must have known we wouldn't blindly trust her, so she gave us this mix of truth and lies. If we had believed her, she could have turned it around to mock us, right? Right?!"

The others: "..."

Cheng Ze said, "Someone mute him, I beg you. Seriously."

"I'm almost out of ammo," Zhao Zhuoluo said. "Can we break through yet?"

"No—!" Fang Jianchen suddenly yelled. "It's an ambush! Lian Sheng tricked me after all!"

While still listening to comms chatter, Fang Jianchen spotted an entire platoon lying in wait ahead.

A volley of bullets came their way. Having charged too fast, they nearly got hit and quickly retreated to defensive positions.

Zheng Lei laughed from the opposite side. "Where do you think you're going, you monkey?!"

Fang Jianchen was still wondering who this guy was when an all-too-familiar female voice said, "Fang Jianchen, I know it's you. Want to chat? A hundred bullets, and I'll tell you where to run."

"..." Fang Jianchen's face darkened. "Screw you!"

"Ambush ahead—Lian Sheng's platoon. Approaching mid-section." Fang Jianchen covered his earpiece. "She played me. I should have known."

He loaded his rifle, preparing to fight his way out. "Full assault. I'll cover you. If I die, regroup with the others. Avenge me."

The team acknowledged.

Before he could pull the trigger, noises came from behind.

Then came several crisp gunshots—"Bang! Bang!"

Fang Jianchen turned to see one of his teammates had already been eliminated.

They were surrounded on all sides.

A sense of tragic inevitability rose in Fang Jianchen's heart: "Of course. Heaven wants me dead."

"Enemies at our rear too—their reinforcements are back." Fang Jianchen lamented. "Your glorious Platoon Leader Fang might have to take his leave first!"

Ji Fangxiao was still frowning. "The center path... why would Lian Sheng's far-left flank be the one intercepting? And why so deep into ambush position?"

Fang Jianchen: "..."

Could you at least pretend to care about my last words?!

Lian Sheng shouted, "Time to steal kills, brothers! But watch your ammo—don't waste it!"

Under the absolute advantage of encirclement, Fang Jianchen's platoon was quickly overwhelmed.

His position exposed, Fang Jianchen struggled briefly but found no opening. While trying to escape, he was shot by a bullet from who-knows-where.

The news of his death spread through the channel.

Cheng Ze: "Rest in peace."

Ye Buqing: "Tailwinds."

Zhao Zhuoluo: "Another early exit."

Fang Jianchen: "..."

"A worthy death," Ji Fangxiao said. "I mean, your sacrifice was very valuable."

"Search your heart," Fang Jianchen said. "I died for you."

Ji Fangxiao: "..."

Zhao Zhuoluo: "Can the corpse stop talking?"

Weren't they the ones who provoked him into speaking?!

Fang Jianchen felt like he could rise from the dead for one last fight—or at least smash his comms device first.

Lian Sheng walked over and crouched in front of him. She reached into his pockets while clicking her tongue. "Thanks for your hard work, delivering yourself all this way just to die by my hand."

Fang Jianchen: "..."

Lian Sheng: "No talking. Rest in peace!"

Fang Jianchen's eyes snapped open, glaring fiercely.

Go to hell!

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