First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 40
Chapter 40: East Wind
She actually managed to bring everyone out.
When the various units regrouped, they collectively let out astonished exclamations before sprinting toward Lian Sheng's position.
Hearing the news over the public channel, Lian Sheng's squad erupted in victorious cheers. That heart-pounding tension made them feel as if they'd participated firsthand. Though absent, it didn't dampen their excitement in the slightest.
Lian Sheng planted one foot on a low rock, gazing into the distance as she waited for her soldiers to arrive. Even her protective gear couldn't obscure the radiance shining from her face.
Zheng Lei observed her profile and remarked, "Your current look would be perfect with a cigarette dangling from your mouth."
"Cigarette?" Lian Sheng paused before shaking her head. "No, 'castration' carries unfortunate connotations."
Zheng Lei: "...I don't know what you're thinking but it's probably nothing good."
Soon the main force arrived. Lian Sheng and her team formed ranks to welcome them.
Fresh from their narrow escape, the newcomers stood scattered about, soaking in the warmth of reunion like a band of weary veterans with diminished combat effectiveness.
Lian Sheng nodded approvingly. Though fewer in number, they still made an impressive dark mass.
Standing at the forefront, Lian Sheng raised a hand to quiet them. "Congratulations to the White Faction on our successful regrouping. Let's applaud our flawless coordination during the breakout."
The crowd erupted in laughter and applause, responding enthusiastically to her call.
Lian Sheng let them continue, allowing them to bask in this victory to help erase the shadow of their earlier defeat.
A male student raised his hand. "Commander Lian! Did you activate some clairvoyance buff? How did you calculate our positions and speeds to coordinate the rendezvous?"
Without modern technological assistance or visual confirmation of each other's locations, formulating a complete action plan based solely on verbal reports in such limited time seemed nothing short of miraculous.
To prevent panic, Lian Sheng had maintained constant communication throughout. After Lu Mingyuan calculated the data, she'd immediately executed the plan—demonstrating an ability to multitask while maintaining flawless oversight.
Lian Sheng pointed at Lu Mingyuan. "Credit goes to our data analyst."
Lu Mingyuan modestly deflected: "No no, I just drew some diagrams. This was all Lian Sheng's quick thinking under pressure."
Lian Sheng countered: "Nonsense. It was your complete and accurate data feedback."
Lu Mingyuan shook his head: "No no no, it was your proper application of the data that gave it value."
The crowd: "..." Would these two ever stop?
Lian Sheng waved her hand to conclude the debate. "Regardless of credit, we've achieved our first objective. Don't forget the lessons from earlier, but we must readjust our condition immediately to prepare for the next phase of our counterattack."
She paused before continuing: "Next, we'll reorganize our squads. All squad leaders and unaffiliated soldiers, report to me. Additionally, everyone hand over the supplies you've collected to Senior Lu for redistribution."
Their original squads had been scattered and needed reforming. Then there were the lingering issues from the earlier supply distribution that required correction.
Lian Sheng pointed casually. "Your squad, and yours—you'll take over reconnaissance duty. We'll rotate personnel in two hours. Maintain maximum vigilance against enemy ambushes."
The designated members nodded, confirmed directions, and moved out with weapons ready.
Most of their scouts had already been eliminated, necessitating new appointments.
Though tasks seemed to pile mountain-high, Lian Sheng remained unhurried. She methodically reviewed everything from top to bottom before addressing each issue.
Meanwhile, Ji Fangxiao's team expressed utter astonishment at the White Team's successful breakout. The fragmented and bizarre reports they received left them momentarily confused, causing their next steps to stall.
Cheng Ze asked, "What's happening? Why has the enemy suddenly changed tactics?"
A male student suggested: "Could it be Zhou Shirui?"
Zhou Shirui was a renowned figure in the Command Department. Though only a sophomore, his professional background in data analysis gave him more experience than many seniors—even some doctoral candidates.
However, equally famous as his analytical skills was his personality.
Even if he noticed everything, he'd never offer explicit tactical suggestions to commanders. He remained purely, professionally, a data analyst.
Most commanders appreciated this type—they disliked interference.
Zhao Zhuoluo ventured a bold guess: "Did they change commanders?"
The abrupt shift in tactical style was too noticeable to ignore.
Ji Fangxiao frowned in thought. "Unlikely. Someone as proud as Jiang Jiake would never relinquish command authority."
The channel fell silent for several seconds.
Cheng Ze lightened the mood: "Why are we panicking? We hold absolute advantage—the headache belongs to the other side."
A squad leader asked: "What's our next move?"
After consideration, Ji Fangxiao said: "First send a small team to scout their situation."
The squad leader volunteered: "We'll go."
As Lian Sheng made arrangements up front, Jiang Jiake stood silently nearby.
Having yielded command, he wouldn't interfere further. Moreover, standing among this group already made him uncomfortable enough to wish he could shrink into invisibility—speaking would only amplify his presence.
Yet after waiting what felt like ages, he still saw no sign of Lian Sheng initiating the promised counterattack. She seemed mired in trivial adjustments, building rapport with various squad leaders.
Complacent! Unforgivably complacent! Was this any way to conduct a battle? This wasn't pre-battle mobilization nor post-combat analysis—she was actually chatting with soldiers?
Why did she always follow displays of undeniable competence with inexplicable behavior?
Feminine delicacy and consideration? Ridiculous! Where was the decisive authority from earlier?
After hesitation, Jiang Jiake spoke up: "Lian Sheng."
She turned to him.
Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Jiang Jiake's throat went dry. "What exactly are you doing?"
Lian Sheng gestured at them. "Organizing the teams. Why?"
"This is a battlefield. The fighting has begun—focusing on trivial arrangements now is putting the cart before the horse." Jiang Jiake argued. "You should seize this moment to launch a surprise counterattack. Or find a strategic position to set an ambush. Standing here openly just invites attack."
Lian Sheng tilted her head, stroking her chin with interest.
Jiang Jiake's scalp prickled under her gaze. "What? Can't I even offer suggestions?"
"Of course you can." Lian Sheng said. "And I'm happy to answer your questions—hopefully helping you understand why you failed."
Jiang Jiake raised his voice: "I haven't failed yet!"
Lian Sheng paused. "Shall I be blunt?"
"Speak!"
"You've already failed. You failed from the very beginning. Unless you acknowledge this failure and step down from your high horse, you'll keep failing." Lian Sheng stepped closer. "Your greatest mistake was failing to understand your opponent's psychology. Ji Fangxiao is more cunning than you imagined, and understands you far better than you realize."
Jiang Jiake lifted his chin.
"No offense intended—just stating facts."
Clenching his fists, Jiang Jiake demanded: "Then what's your plan, exactly?"
Lian Sheng replied calmly: "We wait."
"Just wait?" Jiang Jiake frowned. "What if they don't come? Wait until the exercise ends?"
Lian Sheng said: "Impatience will ruin you. Do you expect instant results? Some battles drag on for months without resolution. Those who can't see the long game or stake the future don't belong at this table to begin with."
Jiang Jiake retorted: "You call war a gamble?"
"War is gambling. You can't deny that sometimes victory hinges on subtle luck."
Turning to address the soldiers, Lian Sheng declared: "Understanding your enemy and recognizing the disparity between forces is every soldier's first duty!"
"Having just achieved major victory, their morale is high. Though we've withdrawn, they'll remain vigilant. Moreover, their individual combat skills undeniably surpass ours. Any assault now would meet prepared defenses—likely resulting in further losses we can't afford. Remember: when strong, avoid engagement!"
Especially since they'd just emerged from a disastrous battle—they couldn't expect immediate recovery.
"Ambushes are equally inadvisable." Lian Sheng continued. "If the enemy simply harasses us with small teams while we maintain constant vigilance, the psychological strain will crush morale. This passive posture cedes initiative—when they finally attack in force, we'll collapse from exhaustion."
Jiang Jiake considered this but found no rebuttal. "But waiting isn't a strategy."
Lian Sheng tilted her head: "But rushing—overlooking critical flaws—is a mistake."
She raised her hand and slashed it downward. "Form up! Everyone assume positions as directed!"
The soldiers scrambled into formation.
"Let's analyze our situation. We have 312 remaining. Rough estimates suggest the Red Team maintains 420, possibly even 450 members." Lian Sheng stood at attention before them, voice steady and precise. "Our key difference is approximately 100 personnel. Do you understand what this means?"
The soldiers lowered their heads. Calm reflection revealed their grim predicament.
A hundred soldiers meant lost early advantages and constrained future operations.
Outnumbered by a quarter, with inferior individual combat skills—how could they possibly compensate?
Jiang Jiake had left them a complete mess.
Lian Sheng declared: "It means nothing!"
The crowd looked up in confusion.
"A hundred personnel means absolutely nothing! With 312 soldiers, can't we reclaim those hundred?"
The crowd: "..."
This logic seemed flawed yet somehow compelling.
Lian Sheng barked: "Answer me—can we or can't we?"
The soldiers roared: "We can!"
"So-called constraints and disadvantages don't stem from offense versus defense, but preparedness versus unpreparedness." Lian Sheng stated. "I guarantee our opponents will lose patience first. Their initial move won't be full assault but small probing teams. Perfect—with clear visibility, we'll spot their movements easily. What can small teams do against 300 soldiers? We'll annihilate every one that comes!"
"Our current task is seizing initiative, eroding enemy patience, and gradually closing the numbers gap. Is this difficult? It's simplicity itself!"
As if on cue, scouts reported via comms: "Enemy forces detected in Sector C—approximately one squad. Be advised."
Lian Sheng snapped her fingers: "Here they come."
Like receiving a pillow when drowsy—this couldn't be more perfect timing. The ideal east wind to let their comrades test their mettle.
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So big brain 😆😆
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