First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 79
Chapter 79: Who's Who
The flat terrain of the plains meant direct frontal clashes between two armies. In such intense mech conflicts, casualties would skyrocket on both sides. This combat style placed higher demands on individual soldiers' combat abilities. With both sides having fewer than ten thousand troops, there would be little room for maneuver if unexpected situations arose.
They still held an advantage - neither overwhelming nor insignificant. Liu Hao had confidence in his military academy's participants, but he wasn't clear about Lian Sheng's team's strength and dared not charge recklessly. Choosing to retreat and defend, occupying favorable terrain while assessing the situation.
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger knew there were no underground passages here, but Lian Sheng and Zhou Shirui couldn't be certain, so their advance became slower.
To prevent similar accidents, Lian Sheng began reorganizing the troops. She mixed Fang Jianchen's squad into Zhao Zhuoluo's team, then advanced in batches. If the ground collapsed again, they would immediately counterattack forcefully to minimize casualties.
Their slow progress happened to give Liu Hao time to organize ambushes.
As the vanguard approached the mountain cliffs, Zhou Shirui said: "The cliff area map is ahead - usually the key combat zone in ancient paths and the most suitable place for battles. Have everyone stay alert."
This naturally narrow terrain would stretch the battle lines.
In cliff areas, any confusion could trigger chain reactions like dominoes. Strong forces could extend their advantage, while weaker ones might find opportunities for reversals.
Low-spec mechs had inferior attributes but constituted the majority - this was precisely where most forces could perform best.
Zhou Shirui said: "Normally here, we'd deploy low-spec mechs first. After depleting forces and establishing clear superiority, mid and high-spec mechs serve as main forces for final decisive battles in desert or plain areas."
They hadn't uncovered this part of the map yet, and Lian Sheng's team was noticeably slower.
Fortunately, Zhou Shirui had drawn the cliff area map directly, making it easier for Lian Sheng to command.
Zhou Shirui explained the map: "One main road, one side path."
Both paths had vertical cliffs on one side and bottomless chasms on the other. Falling off meant instant elimination.
The narrow side path only allowed two mechs to advance side by side, unsuitable for large-scale maneuvers. If ambushed, chaos could lead to total annihilation since there was nowhere to hide in such treacherous terrain.
Zhou Shirui said: "If we break through the side path to this position, it becomes a natural ambush spot - our advantage."
The latter section of the side path was slightly higher than the main road. Successfully navigating it would grant high ground advantage for both elevation and pincer attacks with the main road - indeed an excellent choice.
Lian Sheng studied the map pensively, stroking her chin repeatedly before saying: "All company commanders prepare to advance and attack the map."
Some confused murmurs came through the comms.
Zhao Zhuoluo hesitated before asking: "Company commanders as vanguard to capture the cliffs?"
Lian Sheng said: "From our two elite units, select one hundred for the side path, the other takes the main road. Both routes will use high and mid-spec mechs as main forces. Our goal is to forcefully capture the cliffs."
Zhou Shirui hesitated before quietly reminding her: "I don't think we should expend high and mid-spec mechs here. Mech differences are significant - wasting forces now could leave us vulnerable later."
Lian Sheng looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Aren't elites meant for precisely such moments? Standing at the forefront of danger, leading soldiers to break through encirclements. We'll take this route with minimal losses."
She pressed a finger on the map: "Don't underestimate foot soldiers. Even pawns can capture generals."
In terms of individual combat skills, they couldn't match their opponents - mostly military academy students whose regular soldiers rivaled their elite squads. Using regular troops in cliff battles would be perfect for farming kills - something their opponents would welcome.
Why sacrifice their regular troops here only to shift the burden of reversal to later battles? Once kill counts diverged, that invisible pressure would constrain them. Lian Sheng absolutely wouldn't let them control the tempo again.
Lian Sheng called: "Fang Jianchen, is Fang Jianchen still alive?"
"..." Fang Jianchen angrily replied, "Are you mocking me?!"
Was this a curse?
Lian Sheng: "You staying silent is really unsettling."
"Please don't," Cheng Ze said bitterly. "He hasn't stopped talking for a moment here."
Lian Sheng said: "Alright, any volunteers?"
"The main road is wider - I suggest speed-type and recon mechs supported by assault mechs, with heavy mechs for defense. For the side path, mid-to-long range high-damage mechs." She paused. "You know mechs better than I do. Whichever path you choose, prioritize safety. Don't participate recklessly if you can't guarantee it."
Private discussions filled the comms.
"I'll take main road," Fang Jianchen declared first. "Stop asking if I'm alive - snipers are men who laugh last!"
Lian Sheng said: "Go redeem your incomplete squad's honor."
After contemplation, Zhao Zhuoluo said: "I'll take the side path with Wind Wings and heavy mechs. I'll arrange the side path team."
Super Bright Bulb: "Then I'll follow you on side path. Wind Wings."
"I'll take center to support the sniper. Other high-spec mechs standby." Bright Bulb said, "I'll organize the center team too."
These two bulbs were Zhou Shirui's highly recommended members. Lian Sheng quietly asked: "What level are those two bulb brothers?"
Zhou Shirui thought and said: "Probably the highest here."
"Yo—!" Lian Sheng's eyes lit up. "Brothers, we truly appreciate your efforts!"
Zhou Shirui: "..."
Zhao Zhuoluo and Bright Bulb began urgently organizing teams.
Lian Sheng shook her leg waiting for results.
Commanding became easy with reliable officers. Commanders couldn't fully grasp frontline situations - delegating authority to officers was faster and more accurate. Only when officers couldn't execute orders would commanders need to intervene directly.
Like in ancient times - what detailed divisions of labor existed? Most generals doubled as commanders.
Lian Sheng looked at her palm. The feeling of roaring battles seemed distant now.
Zhou Shirui called that half the data was ready.
Zhao Zhuoluo's team faced no resistance - all academy students. Maintaining unit integrity, he directly selected vanguard members.
Bright Bulb's team progressed slower. Being miscellaneous online players without organization or discipline, sudden orders would take time to process.
Lian Sheng said: "Thanks to you for knowing this map well. Otherwise we'd be map-suppressed from start to finish."
Zhou Shirui frowned: "Compared to him, I'm still far inferior."
The underground passage incident still troubled him.
Had this been an inter-academy match rather than an external challenge, slightly inferior command and insufficient leader authority causing panic might have led opponents to press their advantage, worsening their situation. Losses could easily exceed a thousand rather than just three hundred.
Once decline began, stopping it became difficult.
Admittedly such situations were rare, but their map unfamiliarity remained undeniable.
Some could play a map a thousand times without discovering its passages, while others needed just one attempt to master it completely.
As Lian Sheng prepared to comfort her junior, Fang Jianchen reported through comms:
"Some refuse to obey. Should I push them off?"
Lian Sheng switched to all channels: "Quiet. Who objects? Speak now."
After some scuffling, someone said: "Why attack like this? High-spec mechs leading with heavy mechs? Great General, can you actually command? We were already ambushed earlier!"
Others echoed this.
Their worries remained.
"I know," Lian Sheng said. "Our opponents use the map more skillfully - that's fact. Essentially it's not a mistake, nor does it relate to my current decision. Unless you're confident against military academy students?"
A male student said: "We're already disadvantaged. Losing more high and mid-spec mechs..."
Lian Sheng interrupted: "I'll wager 100,000 star coins."
The student angrily retorted: "This isn't about money! What do you mean?"
"I just want you to understand - right now I'm letting you gamble risk-free." Lian Sheng said. "Follow my orders - win points, lose and get 100,000 coins. I'm buying soldiers' trust in their commander - something I deserve in this match."
Silence followed.
"I've little interest in your disadvantage analysis - it undermines morale. Just 300+ mechs - that's the advantage their vice-commander rightfully earned through skill. I acknowledge, understand, and don't consider it major. With 5,000 troops and countless opportunities ahead after one map, must you fixate on 300 mech losses? Broaden your vision - your enemies stand before you!" Lian Sheng shouted. "Agree? Follow orders now. Disagree? Get pushed off!"
The comms finally quieted.
A minute later, Bright Bulb simply said: "Ready."
Lian Sheng stood and declared forcefully: "Those who won't advance to reduce losses remain useless - you still retreat! Even through thorns, march forward step by step! Reclaim what you've lost yourselves! You are warriors! You are champions!"
"Don't think of conserving strength - battlefields permit no reserves! Every bit you save may cost comrades' lives! Grip your swords and fight to the end! No retreats! No fear!" Lian Sheng raised her arm. "Move out now!"
Zhao Zhuoluo turned and ordered: "Move out!"
The troops advanced toward the treacherous cliffs.
Lian Sheng took a deep breath and solemnly said: "May you return alive, champions."
After long waiting, Liu Hao shook his leg: "Why haven't they arrived? Stalemating with us here? Seriously?"
"They're cautious - the map incident likely shook them, so they're probing." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said. "Stay patient - keep troops combat-ready."
Liu Hao straightened: "From her previous commands, she seemed bold."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said: "Boldness and caution aren't mutually exclusive. Reckless bold people rarely survive first episodes."
Liu Hao nodded, switching to public channel to encourage troops.
"Oh right." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger looked up from his panel. "Be warned - they have two exceptionally skilled individual combat mech pilots."
Liu Hao blinked: "Zhao Zhuoluo?"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger: "Zhao Zhuoluo? No, their bulbs."
Liu Hao frowned, unimpressed: "How good?"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said: "They're retired soldiers."
Liu Hao blanked momentarily: "Retired from what?"
"Hmm..." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger smiled brightly. "Expeditionary Force retirees."
Liu Hao fell silent.
Finally asking: "Anything else I should know?"
"Nothing to warn you about..." Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said. "But their vice-commander is my younger brother."
Liu Hao: "..."
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger patted his shoulder: "Didn't want to say earlier - with them being irregulars, keeping it secret would help. But they're formidable now - better prepare early."
Liu Hao nearly cried: "Big shots, stop toying with me! Retired soldiers playing Sanyao? Are you retired too? Damn, can our team handle such big Buddhas? Join us instead!"
"Would I deliberately make things hard for my only brother?" Hundred Meter Flying Dagger said sincerely. "But I'm on your side now."
Liu Hao clasped his hands: "Big shot—!"
Hundred Meter Flying Dagger withdrew his hand and explained: "Their two bulbs pilot Wind Wings and Pojun mechs. No tricks - suggest overwhelming them with numbers."
Could they compare to Expeditionary Force? This was a joke.
With continuous Alliance defense wars in recent years, these were truly battle-hardened veterans who'd piloted real mechs. Their physicality, combat skills and experience far surpassed theirs.
Though military academy students called their training "hell," universities still had varied curricula. They knew their training paled against real soldiers.
Let alone the elite Expeditionary Force.
Pathetically inferior!
The stadium erupted at this news. The crowd stirred, straining to see better.
"Holy—! Living Expeditionary Force members!! They actually play Sanyao!"
"Zhou Shirui's brother? Zhou Shirui's name always seemed familiar."
"Brother Dao! Lord Dao! Big shot Dao I love you!"
"Damn! Alumni records! That so-and-so!"
Someone checked their optical computer: "Found it! Zhou Shiren?!"
Zhou Shiren, nicknamed Zhou Lion.
123rd Inter-Academy Friendship Tournament Alliance University vice-commander, led team to championship and military recruitment.
Graduated Alliance University Command Department at 16.
Awarded third-class merit once.
Youngest Expeditionary Force member ever.
32nd Alliance Military Tournament champion team - Expeditionary Sixth Army vice-commander and exemplary soldier.
Awarded first-class merit once.
Awarded second-class merit once.
Subsequent records stopped after his second-class merit two years prior.
"Why? Why would someone like this retire? I thought he was still serving."
Someone covered their mouth: "Isn't this the 'other people's student' our professor always mentions?"
"Our professor's teaching case? I always thought...his real name was Zhou Lion."
"Why's he playing Sanyao? Why's he an internet celebrity?!"
"Big shots become famous just playing around!"
"Retiring so young? Only 35 - Expeditionary Force background, decorated - a few more years would've meant unlimited prospects!"
The audience frantically searched for the two bulbs' identities.
Inside the map, Liu Hao gravely informed all teams: "Attention all units - upon sighting enemy soldiers named 'bulb', focus fire unconditionally. Maintain distance - do not approach!"
Teams asked confusedly: "What's wrong with them?"
"Some..." Liu Hao couldn't admit the truth before battle to avoid morale damage, awkwardly saying: "Personal grudges."
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Waaaa how cool😆😆
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