First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 53
Chapter 53: Infantry
The infantry captain's patience had run out.
As a squad officer, he certainly had the authority to execute deserters. If he wanted to be ruthless, he could directly summon the supervising officer. But after all, they were all military academy students just trying to earn points—there was no need to go that far.
Unless someone really pissed him off.
The group quieted down at his shout, awaiting further orders.
The infantry captain shot Lian Sheng a meaningful glance—a probing attack.
Lian Sheng commanded: "Right flank archers advance, shields up, prepare to descend the mountain!"
She assigned positions, surrounding the spearmen and swordsmen with heavy infantry in a rectangular iron wall formation, shields tightly packed for overhead and side protection. Once ready,
Lian Sheng pointed forward: "Advance!"
The small squad moved down the mountain path where enemy troops had previously fled, while others followed at a distance to observe.
As they progressed, the map ahead gradually revealed itself.
Exiting the narrow path onto the main road, they found themselves between towering cliffs—perfect for ambushes.
They shuffled forward cautiously, maintaining formation, only able to confirm direction through small gaps in their shield wall. After nearly a hundred meters with no activity,
The infantry captain whispered: "Nothing happening?"
Lian Sheng replied: "Wait longer. Keep advancing!"
The captain turned to the spectators: "Stay alert everyone! Keep your spirits up!"
After ten minutes of movement, arrows suddenly rained down from both cliff sides.
"Ambush! Arrows incoming!" the infantry shouted.
Lian Sheng barked: "Take cover!"
The heavy infantry lowered their shields, creating a tight protective shell. The sudden attack startled the soldiers, who instinctively wanted to flee until Lian Sheng ordered: "Hold positions! No unauthorized movements! Adjust stances and prepare to advance!"
The troops nearly groaned in despair.
The relentless barrage of arrows striking shields created both physical and mental strain. Unable to find rhythm yet afraid to move recklessly, the soldiers grew increasingly frustrated—some even considered dropping their shields for a quick death.
One infantryman cried: "Keep advancing? We can't! What if enemies are ahead? Are we just marching to our deaths?"
"No enemy troops have emerged ahead yet!" Lian Sheng countered. "Turning back means ten more minutes under fire. Pushing forward means just five minutes to safety—your choice!"
The infantryman protested: "You're lying! The archers can move too! This could go on forever!"
"They can't relocate! The terrain flattens ahead—bad for archer ambushes." Lian Sheng analyzed. "If they had other units, they'd combine arrows with melee attacks to break our formation. Since they haven't, likely only archers are stationed here."
She stated firmly: "If you trust me, advance. If not, retreat."
As soldiers hesitated, the captain added: "The map ahead remains unexplored—you'll have to cross eventually. Since both sides have archers, this is your job. Your call."
The shield-bearers: "..."
One male student shouted: "I trust Model Soldier Lian! I'll coordinate now! On three, we move together to complete this mission!"
With no better options, the squad adjusted and resumed movement.
Fortunately, as Lian Sheng predicted, the arrow attacks ceased once they passed the danger zone.
Lian Sheng had the heavy infantry deploy archers at the mountain base to rest while maintaining vigilance—archers typically avoided close combat against shielded infantry.
The advance archers continued scouting the mountain path.
The archers finally realized: "You're using us as scouts!"
Lian Sheng: "Obviously. Why else would I send you?"
The archer lamented: "No, my question is—why us?"
The captain ignored them, relaying orders: "Turn right at the fork—see it? Take the small path near the map edge."
Lian Sheng suggested: "Recommend splitting up to avoid being wiped out."
The path led from main road to side trail, hugging the right edge.
Sitting cross-legged, Lian Sheng observed: "The archer-only defense here likely means no grain depot."
The captain asked: "How'd you know I'm looking for grain depots?"
Lian Sheng glanced at him: "Why else take such remote paths?"
Earlier shouts from the left suggested the main battle was there—they'd been conscripted as scouts.
The revealed map indicated similar layouts between Chu and Liu teams—a central road with three passes, each controlling one end, the middle unclaimed, with connecting side paths.
If Chu team hid supplies on side paths, Liu team might do the same.
After ten minutes, the right flank exploration concluded with no enemy traces found.
After reporting, the captain had them regroup with heavy infantry rather than advance further.
"All units prepare to return in formation," the captain ordered.
One infantryman protested: "These shields are too heavy—can we switch carriers?"
Having held heavy shields overhead throughout, even the strongest arms were exhausted.
The captain declared: "Rock-paper-scissors decides—loser takes middle position."
Lian Sheng: "..."
This officer operated on pure whimsy.
After one minute of games, the reshuffled squad carefully retreated to friendly lines.
Dropping shields, they massaged their ears—the enclosed space had amplified every arrow impact.
The captain waved: "Good work comrades, fall in! We're moving out!"
Their numbers had dwindled below four hundred after earlier battles. The survivors continued scouting for grain depot clues under the captain's leadership.
Though conscripted as scouts, Lian Sheng remained ignorant of overall strategy—they avoided all combat zones, sticking to remote paths while officers received direct orders.
The only available information was the overhead tally:
Chu Team (4198) : Liu Team (3601)
Despite their apparent advantage, Lian Sheng felt uneasy—she had higher expectations for Zhao Zhuoluo and Ji Fangxiao's combined forces.
The second side path's central location made it heavily defended, so Chu team assigned cavalry support—using infantry as cannon fodder to draw fire while cavalry scouted.
The seamless transition between scout and sacrificial roles crushed the soldiers' morale.
"Really?" the infantry groaned. "Do grunts have no rights?"
The captain encouraged them: "We've taken the central pass—victory is near! Find their grain depot for a decisive strike!"
"You'll be heroes who sacrificed for victory!"
Lian Sheng: "...I'd prefer being a hero who survives."
The captain chided: "Don't undermine morale."
The troops: "..."
Who's really doing that here?
As usual, the captain asked: "Any suggestions?"
"For balanced offense/defense, I recommend arrowhead formation." Lian Sheng diagrammed: "Spread vanguard into arrow shape with cavalry center. Since the weak point is rear, place heavy infantry there. This protects cavalry insertion."
The captain relayed this to command. Approved, Lian Sheng arranged the formation.
The captain pointed at her: "You—yes you! Position there!"
Lian Sheng turned—the rear center position behind cavalry was extremely safe. A general's spot.
The captain grinned: "I like smart people."
Lian Sheng smiled back: "Likewise."
A male student protested: "Why her? I'm smart too! Top of my class! My professor's favorite!"
Others joined: "Who isn't smart here? Give us IQ tests!"
The captain boasted: "Because she's got our highest kill count."
The troops fell silent.
Given another chance, they'd focus more on combat.
The second engagement pitted 800+ Chu troops against 600+ enemies. Infantry shielding the flanks suffered heaviest losses, retreating after breaking through for cavalry.
This reduced their numbers from nearly 400 to under 200.
The captain requested reinforcements. Command ordered them back to base.
While replenishing supplies, they merged with another 100-strong infantry unit whose captain had died, then received orders to scout a third side path.
Before the combined forces could share war stories, they marched toward another suicide mission.
Such was a grunt's life—either dying or en route to death.
Though not the fittest, Lian Sheng benefited from her captain's longevity—he treated her as strategist, protecting her survival.
After multiple narrow escapes, they confirmed the third path also lacked grain depots.
The enemy supplies seemed to have vanished. With three likely locations eliminated and two remaining, either their luck was terrible or—more likely—those locations were also dummies. Perhaps supplies remained near the command flag—though that made little tactical sense given the space constraints.
Command seemed stumped, issuing no further orders.
Three hours into the match, the score stood:
Chu Team (3451) : Liu Team (2616)
A nearly thousand-point lead suggested overwhelming advantage.
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