First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 105
Chapter 105: Detour
On the map, Lian Sheng's forces were gradually splitting into two formations.
The frontline, consisting of nearly four companies, was gathering toward the center. The rear six companies, having suffered some losses in clashes, were being remotely commanded by Ji Fangxiao to reorganize.
His orders were unhurried yet steady. Even though Xia's team was already mobilizing all forces for a full assault to rack up kills, he maintained his own rhythm, deploying both flanks to prepare for a coordinated defense.
His strategy was to fight while retreating, harassing the enemy. The goal was to preserve their own strength while buying time.
Stroke of Brilliance, impressed by this promising commander to whom Lian Sheng had entrusted such responsibility, asked: "Ji Fangxiao is also a famous command specialist from Alliance University, right?"
"Mhm," Liliana said. "He's already one of the Expeditionary Force's candidates. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he'll enter military training directly in September. His final admission into the Expeditionary Force will depend on subsequent performance and achievements."
"Incredible! Piaoqi Great General's team composition is truly formidable!" Stroke of Brilliance grew excited, then looked down and belatedly noticed: "Oh, their team's map displacement has been corrected."
The displacement had been meant to confuse Xia's team during combat and mislead their command. However, since the map's primary purpose was allowing soldiers to confirm their positions, maintaining displacement for too long could breed unease among their own troops. Having achieved their objective, it was time to restore it.
"But..." Stroke of Brilliance scanned briefly and said, "Some parts still haven't been corrected. Companies are missing personnel, and quite a lot too, right?"
Lian Sheng's forces currently outnumbered Xia Yanfeng's by eight hundred, yet a rough comparison of green dots showed nearly equal numbers.
Stroke of Brilliance muttered to himself: "Just how many of Piaoqi Great General's troops are hidden on the map? And what is she planning?"
The density made it hard to tell. He tallied the current green dots, did some calculations, and based on Lian Sheng's perspective and comm logs, realized Lian Sheng had selected a team of about six hundred soldiers advancing along the map's right flank.
"Ah, Xia's team wants to rely on their main force, while Lian's team opts for small squad tactics?" Stroke of Brilliance understood. "Are they settling this in one decisive clash?"
Lian Sheng couldn't guarantee weeding out all spies in her ranks, but she could certainly select an absolutely trustworthy squad from five thousand soldiers.
First priority were military academy students known to the company commanders. Second were soldiers who had demonstrated exceptional combat performance with high kill counts during clashes.
The company commanders, hiding their identities, had mingled with the troops, observing and conversing to pick these members over the first half of the match as their final combat assets. Truly... meticulous step-by-step preparation!
Except they didn't know Xia Yanfeng's side had already abandoned spy tactics.
"This means their companies currently have no commanders, just Ji Fangxiao directing everything alone." Stroke of Brilliance tilted his head. "Isn't that a bit overwhelming?"
Yet Lian Sheng's assault squad was still struggling to assemble.
The selected members were scattered across various companies, which were themselves widely dispersed. The chosen soldiers had left with the company commanders first, leaving the rest disoriented and directionless.
"They're just abandoning us like this? No way, we'll pull our weight!"
"Just found out who my company commander was, and now they're gone..."
"Have faith in us, Commander! We still want to contribute!"
"Requesting verification of my loyalty! Willing to be dissected! Trust me!"
"There's no way that many people are spies! Commander, reconsider!"
Lian Sheng said: "I'll have Senior Ji assign you new company commanders temporarily taking over command duties—listen to his orders. This selection was based on kill counts, meaning skill, not loyalty!"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger interjected: "Hey hey hey? We're going on a major mission, not some awards ceremony. Why verify loyalty? Don't even need to check livers!"
"I've said it before—if you follow my orders faithfully, I won't doubt any soldier under my command." Lian Sheng said. "But I hope you'll all understand the differences in individual capability."
The soldiers immediately felt disheartened and quieted down.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger addressed the squad members who had already scattered who-knows-where: "Everyone still assembling, report your positions. Avoid enemy scouts—we're advancing covertly."
Lian Sheng urged them on: "Comrades, speed it up. Once the enemy pushes past mid, we'll miss our best window for a sneak attack."
"Got it, we're almost there!" Liu Hao said over public comms. "These roads all look the same—how are we supposed to remember after one pass? Super Bright Bulb, don't run so fast! People behind can't keep up."
Zhang Ce: "Super Bright Bulb, can you fly or something? Did you break Alliance's long-distance running records?"
Super Bright Bulb said disdainfully: "This year's military academy students really aren't up to par. Look at Lian Sheng, then look at you all. Do they not have fitness assessments anymore?"
"..." Lian Sheng, caught in the crossfire: "My apologies for disappointing you."
Watching Lian Sheng's team break away, Xia Yanfeng's fans among the troops fell into confusion.
They agonized over whether to report this to Xia Yanfeng. On one hand, they feared she might be caught off guard and lose. On the other, she had made her stance clear, sincerely hoping to win through her own efforts.
As fans, their feelings were complicated. After much deliberation, they chose to respect her decision.
And Xia Yanfeng's current performance did reassure many fans. She was finally starting to resemble a real commander.
Who knew what had changed her or what resolution she'd made? Some people were like this—only at the last moment would they shoulder their responsibilities.
The vice commander paused, waiting for her orders.
"Eighth Company stays to guard the signal tower. All other forces maintain central advance," Xia Yanfeng said. "Don't cluster too tightly yet—watch both flanks. Scouts must stay alert—the enemy might be planning an assault."
She glanced at the vice commander for confirmation, receiving an encouraging nod.
Xia Yanfeng steadied herself.
Even if she'd relied on spy tactics earlier, mostly following the vice commander's suggestions during battles, she'd also observed countless matches. To adapt to military circles and keep pace, she'd crammed stacks of theory and analysis videos. She'd promoted military recruitment everywhere, training relentlessly on Sanyao.
After so long, with so much effort, how could there not be progress?
Xia Yanfeng took a deep breath: "Their individual combat skills are excellent. This narrow map favors them even more."
This was the urban map's inherent limitation. With numerous buildings and clearly divided streets, no matter how large the area, block widths were finite. Ambush points on either side were also limited.
This was an offensive battle—the city lacked prepared defenses. No matter how they concentrated forces, they could only stretch the frontline, unable to leverage numerical superiority for immediate suppression.
"Our individual fighters aren't pushovers either," Xia Team's First Company commander said. "Don't worry—we won't let you lose so easily."
Fans erupted in cheers.
"Heavens, she noticed! Fengfeng, I'm so proud!"
"So cool! Eases this old heart!"
"Will there be another twist? I'm so nervous."
"They say those who think further ahead have better chances—does that mean Xia Yanfeng has the advantage now?"
"...Obviously not."
Obviously not.
After regrouping, Lian's team didn't act immediately. Instead, they adjusted positions slightly, edging toward mid as if coordinating with Ji Fangxiao's group.
Then, Ji Fangxiao's vanguard finally clashed with Xia Yanfeng's main force.
Xia's team charged down ferociously, flanking soldiers speeding up to form a semi-encirclement. Using the crisscrossing streets, they attacked from three sides.
Ji Fangxiao directed the frontlines to fight while retreating, lulling the enemy, then accelerated the withdrawal.
Lian Sheng's team hid nearby, watching the battling main force push downward. Seizing the moment, they slipped past the enemy's side, sneaking behind before hiding again.
If there was one place unlikely to have enemy scouts, it was behind their own advancing troops.
Lian Sheng scratched her head and led the soldiers forward.
Fans witnessing this could only concede admiration.
"Holy scheming mastermind!"
"Good grief! Where's the sincerity between people? I'd love to see her slip up just once."
"'Others know the tactics by which I win, but not how I apply them to ensure victory.' Textbook example reappears—comrades, take notes."
"For real!"
"Explanation of the above: They see me countering the enemy's moves but don't understand how I adapt them to ensure victory. Call me Red Scarf."
"So sneaky hahaha, can't compete with command types."
"I think an even better fit is the line before it: 'Thus, the ultimate in deploying troops is to attain formlessness. When formless, even the deepest spy cannot discern nor the wisest strategist contend.' If deceptive tactics reach perfection, leaving no traces, even skilled spies cannot uncover our reality, nor can clever enemies devise countermeasures."
"Heavens, this perfectly matches today's match. Whether there were spies or not, they got played the whole time."
"I used to think military texts were useless—now I see I'm the useless one. Probably why I failed military academy admissions..."
Sure enough, after Xia Yanfeng's main force entered Lian Sheng's territory, confirming both flanks were clear of ambushes, she recalled scouts, focusing all elite forces on assaulting Lian's signal tower.
"Ah." Stroke of Brilliance slapped his thigh. "Seems they've missed their last chance."
Xia Yanfeng had left only a regular five-hundred-soldier company behind. Lian Sheng brought six hundred elite troops, including officers.
Xia Yanfeng's speed at breaching Lian's defenses couldn't compare to such a dagger-like squad breaching hers.
This time, he could finally make a firm conclusion, siding with Lian Sheng based on his analysis.
For some reason, his eyes stung slightly.
By the time Lian Sheng's squad encountered Xia Team's rear guard near the signal tower, Xia Yanfeng's main force was already deep in Lian's territory.
Startled by the news, Xia Yanfeng briefly panicked before steadying herself.
"No time to recall forces now," the vice commander said. "In this situation, we only have one option."
Stop them, and destroy the signal tower first.
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Lalala~~ is too late 😆😆
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