First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 56
Chapter 56: Hopeless
The new commander took office, and the channel fell into silence.
Lu Mingyuan was clearly very unhappy, but he didn't speak up.
At such a critical moment, the Chu team was plunged into internal strife.
The spectators in the gymnasium watched this battle for command authority with some bewilderment.
"Who is Lian Sheng?"
"No idea. But Ji Fangxiao and the others seem to think highly of her. She must be quite capable?"
"Probably. Fang Jianchen, Ji Fangxiao—aren't they all famous figures from the Military Academy? I've heard of them."
A professor sitting nearby snorted disdainfully: "Lian Sheng was also famous in our Materials Engineering Academy—until she was poached by the Command Department."
The surrounding crowd: "..." This conversation felt like it was from another dimension.
"But from the start until now, they've dissed Alliance University several times already. Do they think we can't see? Remember these people!"
"Right. Let's find out which school they're from when we get back."
"Comrades! To the forums! To the forums!"
A male student rolled up his sleeves: "Quick, get on the 111 forum! Someone's talking big and bullying our Alliance University as if we have no one capable!"
111 was the company providing technical support for their combat simulation.
At this moment, the forum was in chaos.
The trigger was students from the First Military University—alumni of the Chu team's new commander—who, while watching the competition, were dissatisfied with Lian Sheng openly challenging authority and attempting to seize command. They posted a thread:
—"A zero-point soldier dares to be a commander? Is Alliance University about to collapse?"
Implying that Lian Sheng had no self-awareness to stir up internal team conflict at such a time. Moreover, Alliance University's deputy commander had abused his temporary authority to promote a zero-point soldier to lieutenant. Their intentions were obvious and unspeakable. They hoped these people would reflect and reform.
They also mocked the original commander for being outmaneuvered by the Liu team, dying without dignity. How could someone of this level score so high? Probably just point farming.
Why should incompetents torment themselves and harm others?
Later, alumni of the original commander—students from Allied Military University—also started a thread:
—"How to be an excellent deputy commander? The importance of risk warning and reminders."
The post subtly implied that the main reason for the Chu commander's death was the deputy commander's lack of coordination, failing to detect the Liu team's scheme in time. If the deputy commander's role was merely counting heads, machines could do it faster and more accurately. The reason for developing data analysis as a role was to compensate for the logical analysis and strategic reasoning that machines couldn't guarantee.
Did Lu Mingyuan achieve this? No. He merely perfected being a background character. What's the use of such a deputy commander?!
Then, as usual, they predicted Alliance University's collapse.
The so-called future stars of command—Ji Fangxiao, Lu Mingyuan (already preparing to enter the military), Fang Jianchen, Zhao Zhuoluo, and others—were just legends. These people had narrow vision, focusing only on a zero-point soldier, trying to hype her up? The Military Department isn't about looks!
Every time a famous military beauty appeared, most were undeserving, just used as recruitment and diplomatic window dressing. This was practically military shit-stirring. Who knew it would appear in military academies so soon.
Boycott! Must boycott!
Finally, they took a swipe at the new commander's First Military University, suggesting that since the Chu commander had fallen, this new one wouldn't last long either.
The entire post was eloquent, well-organized, extensively cited, and clearly argued. Much more profound—and hate-inducing—than the First Military's post.
But they were slow in posting. Only after finishing did they realize the First Military was dissing them!
My god, the audacity! How shameless can these people be?!
At the same time, the First Military discovered Allied Military's lengthy hate post and rushed to counterattack.
Allied Military and First Military students enthusiastically clashed.
Then Alliance University students went online and suddenly discovered these two legendary posts. They were shocked and furious.
Damn it, these two schools are predicting our collapse again? What's wrong with them?
"Collapse, collapse, always predicting collapse. Did you choke on a meatball?"
"Weekly predictions of our collapse, yet our school stands tall. The Alliance's top university isn't undeserved. Bring it on."
"Alliance's top university? Who crowned you? Have some shame."
"This is the people's voice."
"A miscellaneous department in a non-military university. Our First Military hasn't spoken—how dare you?"
"Can your First Military compare to our Alliance University's heritage? A bunch of brawny, brainless idiots. Did you bring your brains? Hahaha!"
"Your Alliance University is amazing, fielding a zero-point soldier as commander. Such heritage is indeed unmatched. In our school's century-long history, we've never found such 'talent.' Shame you still show your faces."
Zero-point individuals were indeed rare—not something a transfer student could explain. After all, simulated battles were now a universal activity. Even non-military students might have dozens of points in their accounts.
Unless she had never participated in the simulation system.
And a student who had never participated in any simulated battle—wasn't that just a professional amateur?
This criticism sounded quite reasonable at first glance.
Other military academies didn't dare wade into this mess, as these groups were already at each other's throats. They chose to spectate.
The spectators found it quite entertaining!
The prestige battle among the Alliance's three top schools—don't stop, keep going!
Keep the flag-waving going—the bigger, the better!
Thumbs up for them!
Alliance University students were furious, slamming their optical computers to support Lian Sheng: "Lian Sheng! Slap their faces hard!"
"I want to see how amazing the opposing commander is! If I find even one flaw, I won't let it go!"
"Lian Sheng, go seize command! I believe in you!"
"Not happy. No matter how I think about it, I'm not happy!"
"Kill the commander again! Liu team, do your best—don't disappoint me!"
"Open your eyes wide! Yes! The ugliest one is the new commander!"
Meanwhile, in the battle, the new commander began his speech.
"This is everyone's choice, which speaks for itself," the new commander said. "Lu Mingyuan, I believe you're a professional deputy commander. This isn't a one-person battlefield, nor is it just Alliance University's—this is a ten-thousand-person warzone. I hope you understand."
Lu Mingyuan said, "What do you mean? Do you think I'll sabotage things?"
The new commander said, "I also believe you're a professional. If so, let's begin. The enemy will act soon—we can't waste time."
"Leave one company each at the granary and battle flag. The rest guard the checkpoint and prepare for battle," the commander ordered. "All teams standby—I'll organize them. Lu Mingyuan, give me the latest troop map."
Lian Sheng said, "Hah, are you at your wit's end, truly planning to feed them heads?"
The new commander snapped, "Are you done with your sarcasm? I'm the commander now! I've been polite, but if you keep this up, don't blame me for being harsh."
A nearby infantry lieutenant, listening to their exchange, shook his head. He walked to Lian Sheng and silently mouthed for her to stop.
"Fine, I'll be direct. Do as you will," Lian Sheng turned and said. "The enemy will most likely launch a full assault."
The new commander scoffed, "Obviously, I know that."
Lian Sheng thought, You know nothing. She continued, "The enemy now has about 2,200 troops. They probably won't leave more than 300 guarding the granary since we still haven't found its location. They likely won't leave more than 300 at the battle flag either, since they're preparing for an all-out assault to secure victory. Keeping too many guards would be pointless—just insurance. That means over 1,600 troops will attack."
The new commander shrugged at the people beside him, showing disdain.
"If I were them, I'd leave infantry by the battle flag and lead cavalry here. The Chu team now has only 2,000 troops. Sending 1,000 to guard the granary and battle flag just splits your forces," Lian Sheng said. "Forget morale, initiative, or passivity—just comparing cavalry numbers, you're already outmatched. How do you plan to fight? Not to mention the enemy's absolute numerical advantage."
Lu Mingyuan cut off the commander: "So what's your suggestion?"
"Fight fire with fire," Lian Sheng said. "Give me a cavalry unit to feint an attack on their granary, pinning down their forces. The rest can directly assault the battle flag. The enemy's rear is vulnerable now—they won't have time to reinforce. As long as we delay and block them, a reversal is possible. This is their opportunity—but it can also be ours. Whoever seizes the initiative wins."
A lieutenant said, "But we don't even know where the enemy's granary is."
Lian Sheng guessed, "Their granary is most likely on the path we first explored."
"It wasn't there!" the commander said frantically. "Didn't you explore it yourselves?"
"That was then; this is now. Based on the map, it's the safest location," Lian Sheng said. "With archers on both sides and infantry in the middle, they can ensure basic security with minimal troops. There's no better choice."
Lu Mingyuan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The commander said, "This is all just your speculation."
"I disagree—this is reasonable deduction based on analysis!" Lian Sheng said. "Why can't we find their granary? Why are their forces so scattered? Only one area on their map remains unexplored—their battle flag. Could supplies be stored near the battle flag? Impossible. The only explanation is they're moving supplies."
"When we first opened that path, I found it strange. Why didn't they station more infantry in such an ideal ambush spot? Even if there were no supplies, they could've weakened our forces. It seemed intentional—to make us think there was nothing there. Later, it was the same—seemingly blocking us but ultimately letting us pass unscathed. Isn't this trick familiar?" Lian Sheng said. "Or do you have a better explanation?"
The lieutenants pondered.
Hearing her say this, it made sense.
Mysterious things always seem more mysterious the more you think about them.
Lian Sheng said, "But my advice is: abandon the granary. Will clinging to it earn you points? In such a disadvantageous position, how many hours do you think you can last? With both sides gathering forces, do you think this battle won't decide the outcome? Without pulling granary troops, we can't hold out!"
The commander said, "Your reasoning makes sense, but it's all speculation! Your strategy is built on huge assumptions."
Lian Sheng repeated, "This is based on facts!"
New commander: "This is reckless!"
Lian Sheng nearly spat: "Compared to your strategy, mine is downright conservative!"
The gymnasium erupted with exclamations: "Holy—shit!"
Her guesses were almost entirely accurate, matching the enemy's strategy perfectly—including granary placement, relocation, and battle flag guard numbers.
At this moment, the Liu team was leisurely assembling forces for their assault.
Commander Liu probably never imagined that the zero-point soldier he'd just mocked had seen through his entire plan—leaving him utterly exposed. If the Chu commander adopted her suggestion now, the outcome could flip again.
How much RAM did this brain have? How many insights could one heart hold? Did the Command Department also teach mind-reading?
They'd thought she knew nothing about the battle, yet she was the most perceptive person on the field. And she was just a lowly soldier with no access to officer-level intel!
When had she started considering and hesitating?
Students suddenly realized and waved: "Quick! The face-slapping opportunity is here! To the internet!"
At this point, the forum debaters mysteriously paused. Alliance University students abruptly shifted tone, unleashing full sarcasm.
"Our zero-point commander's level versus First Military's top students' quality. I can't—hahaha! Why aren't you bragging anymore?"
"Watching shit-stirrers—Alliance University check-in."
"Watching shit-stirrers—Alliance University check-in +1"
"Watching shit-stirrers—Alliance University check-in +2"
"Not from Alliance University, just passing by. Also, love to my Lian Sheng sis."
"Sis is so pretty—smart and domineering. Pity she can't be commander. Heartache."
"I love sis's outfit. Full armor up top, shorts down below—totally different from those flashy posers outside."
"Sis, don't be mad. Come to my arms."
"Commander Liu's biggest mistake was taking out the enemy commander. The Chu team's biggest mistake was letting Commander Liu kill their commander for free. I'm so talented!"
The department head laughed and slapped his thigh: "Hahaha, passionate and unflappable, right?"
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Thank youuu for the update!
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