First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 169
Chapter 169: Speculation
Zhao Zhuoluo squeezed his way to the front row, raising a hand to shield his face as he prepared to intervene if necessary.
The short man was brimming with confidence. He turned to glance at his comrades behind him, then fixed his gaze on Lian Sheng and declared, "Plenty of people in East District know me. Who do you think you're fooling?"
He raised his hand to report: "I guarantee they're Alliance Military Academy students here for training. You must have name lists—just cross-check them."
The young soldier half-closed his eyes and rebutted impassively, "We don't."
The short man faltered, clearly not expecting such blunt dismissal. He pressed on: "Then check their IDs! Even if they came to District 36, they couldn't have prepared fake identities—they must still be using Alliance cards!"
He turned to scan the crowd, spotting Zhao Zhuoluo and the others. Excitedly, he pointed: "They came together! They're all Alliance military! Don't let any of them go."
"The network's down now," the soldier said coldly. "Never mind who they are—who are you?"
Though District 36's network was down, the Gelen forces undoubtedly had their own internal system. His tone and attitude made it clear he had no intention of investigating Lian Sheng's identity.
Lian Sheng glanced at the soldier, somewhat reassured. Though she didn't know the reason, it didn't matter. This was her chance for some petty revenge.
"He's my instructor—a military thug." Lian Sheng pointed at him with exaggerated gravity. "Yes, that's right. District 36 falls under his jurisdiction because he's part of the garrison stationed here—also our instructor. Normally he lords it over East District, oppressing civilians, distorting truth, wreaking havoc. Deep-seated grievances, unforgivable crimes—he deserves execution."
The short man exploded: "What fucking bullshit!"
Lian Sheng called out: "Anyone he's bullied, step forward now!"
The crowd murmured among themselves, but no one came forth.
Lian Sheng said, "This is a new beginning! The world outside is collapsing, changing hands—why fear this toppled local tyrant?"
A man hesitantly shouted, "He... he really is no good! He's from Xinkeyuan!"
Xinkeyuan was a mining company. At that name, many seemed incensed. More people began speaking up to accuse him.
As for Lian Sheng's group—they didn't like them, but didn't hate them either. No particular malice.
"Enough! We get it! Everyone quiet!" A nearby soldier gripped his weapon. "He's also a District 36 citizen, but not a law-abiding one, right? Take them away now!"
The soldiers stepped forward. Lian Sheng retreated slightly as they passed her to seize the short man and his comrades.
The group paled, protesting: "Why? What are you doing?!"
"We're not doing anything. Just think you're a bit dangerous—taking you inside for a sit-down," the soldier said. "Relax, we won't harm you. This is a shelter, not an interrogation room."
The crowd clamored: "Why not execute him?"
"After everything's settled, we'll investigate thoroughly before deciding punishment," the soldier said. "For now, this is a shelter. I said it's absolutely safe here! As long as you behave, we won't pursue matters."
"You're students here for training—never seen society, never killed, innocent. Whether military cadets or not, we won't make trouble for you. But you!" He turned to glare at the short man. "If you disrupt order here, stir up trouble, we won't be polite!"
The short man gaped, speechless. A comrade stomped on his foot, hissing, "Did you leave your brain at home? Where's your sense?"
The short man opened his mouth, then closed it, cowed by the Gelen soldiers' attitude and his own vulnerability.
No one had expected the Gelen forces to be so courteous to Alliance military reserves. Though Lian Sheng was indeed innocent—students always got extra leniency—for enemy forces to forgive so magnanimously was unusual.
What magnanimity! The act won them widespread goodwill.
Especially seeing the short man's group, though not punished, dragged off under guard. The crowd nearly applauded.
Their hearts were leaning toward these invaders. Kind, attentive, patient, magnanimous, yet strict and impartial—this was the army they wanted! What was the Alliance military? Just a bunch of overlords!
Lian Sheng mused, "Oh..."
The soldier finished with the short man and jerked his chin at Lian Sheng. "You, come with me. Sensitive identities need registering. You and your comrades, all of you. Don't worry, it's fine."
They exchanged glances but didn't resist, obediently following to register.
The soldier scanned their IDs one by one. No Ji Ban appeared. Photos matched the list too.
They'd come suddenly—no time for counterfeits.
Clearly, their target wasn't here.
The soldier asked casually, "Where's your manual mech pilot? With you, right?"
After manual mech data?
Lian Sheng's expression didn't flicker. "No."
He stared at her. "Really not?"
"Yeah, bad timing. We split earlier." Lian Sheng said. "Day off, just hanging out. But we've got nothing in common—guy's reclusive, arrogant. All brawn, no brains, impossible to talk to. So we went separate ways."
They frowned, weighing her words.
But true or not, stalemate led nowhere.
"Go back." The soldier returned their IDs. "Stay put, no wandering!"
They retrieved their things and returned to their spot.
Passing by, Lian Sheng stole a glance at Ji Ban—he leaned against the wall, feigning sleep, uninvolved in the earlier commotion. Good.
Though the Gelen forces hadn't acted against them, they stationed two soldiers on either side to monitor them.
They kept searching, questioning those who'd spoken to or exchanged looks with Lian Sheng's group, seeking the "reclusive, arrogant, all brawn no brains" Comrade Ji Ban.
No luck.
The six regrouped in a tight circle.
Thankfully, after learning their identities, nearby civilians gave them space, avoiding association.
Keeping voices low, they shared intel.
"What's their game? I don't get it," Fang Jianchen said, still shaken. "That was terrifying."
When the short man exposed Lian Sheng, Fang Jianchen had wanted to smear filth on his face.
Unarmed, outnumbered, surrounded by civilians softened up by Gelen forces—if things turned hostile, they'd be dead many times over.
Fang Jianchen grew increasingly confused: "What now? Just keep waiting? What's their plan?"
Lu Mingyuan was equally puzzled: "They know who we are but just leave us here? They're not worried?"
"Nothing to worry about. This is a shelter. Doors are sealed, we're unarmed—no way out," Lian Sheng nodded toward the entrance. "Packed with people who mostly support them. Everyone's their eyes—they'll know anything we do. And we can't make moves that might harm civilians."
The enemy wasn't afraid of them acting rashly—mistakes would only highlight the Gelen forces' nobility.
Lian Sheng said, "We wait. Our position is passive—accept it, don't rush."
Ye Buqing pondered: "Do they have ulterior motives? They're unusually kind to District 36 folk—it's odd."
Odd? To Lian Sheng, it made perfect sense.
From an interest standpoint, this approach held up.
Winning hearts—something they often did in war. Some sustained it; others just for short-term goals.
Lian Sheng recalled footage from Lian Heng's recordings.
The Alliance military had once taken a Gelen-ravaged area—far poorer than District 36, nearly abandoned. They'd secured that "wasteland" quickly.
The residents had welcomed the Alliance forces enthusiastically.
History rhymed eerily. Timing was everything in swaying hearts.
Lian Sheng didn't trust these profiteers' conscience, nor did she want District 36 becoming Gelen's next discarded planet.
Zhao Zhuoluo said, "Since when does the Gelen United Army do charity? Crossing planetary defenses into danger, invading others' territory? Even if they pitied New Flood, Gelen's constant wars leave many internal regions needing aid—why bother with the Alliance?"
They recalled textbook theories.
But textbooks—especially history—had embellishments. They couldn't be sure what was true.
Lian Sheng shifted inward.
"Let me say this: the scariest people are do-gooders." Lian Sheng hunched, voice dropping to a whisper only they could hear. "Look at them. If they really wanted to govern District 36, establishing order and eliminating threats would be mandatory. Even without violence, they shouldn't be this lax. No politics is bloodless—they must know this."
The Gelen forces' actions were clearly just to placate people, buy temporary peace. The future? What did that matter to them?
Fang Jianchen asked, "Then why bring us to the shelter? Handing out supplies, protecting us?"
"Friend! We've no idea if outside's safe—they control all intel and initiative." Lian Sheng pointed down. "And here—tens of thousands of Alliance citizens, gathered quietly under Gelen control. What does that look like?"
Prisoners. Hostages. No chess pieces were more obedient or useful.
Fang Jianchen understood, face darkening.
Zhao Zhuoluo added, "Plus, they make us grateful. Inflame tensions between people and the Alliance. Creates headaches later."
What were some supplies and kindness compared to that?
Polite to their faces—but how they'd treat Alliance military was another story.
Lian Sheng knew these enemy tactics well, remaining vigilant. Some might call her overly cynical, but battlefields bred such cynicism.
As for Zhao Zhuoluo's group—still green, untested in good and evil. Only when the enemy showed their hand might they see. From the start, they'd wavered.
Fang Jianchen was worse—nearly taken in.
The residents? Already a lost cause.
Lian Sheng had been pondering, but with scant clues, couldn't form coherent theories or find evidence.
After some thought, she said, "Let me speculate boldly—here's the likely truth."
"They never meant to occupy District 36 as territory. It's underdeveloped—remote, poor. Mainly mines. Once stripped, rebuilding would require massive Alliance investment. Doubt Gelen's in the mood for poverty alleviation. Especially now, at war—can't imagine them spending big on postwar reconstruction."
Cheng Ze said, "Geographically, occupying makes no sense. Dangerously exposed to attacks. The Alliance won't abandon this mining zone—they can't hold it long. Just quick profits."
With cooler heads and guidance, they could see this. Like now.
Finally shaking off the Gelen forces' halo, they analyzed objectively.
Scrutinizing details revealed flaws. The enemy's words and actions seemed increasingly dubious, untenable.
They felt their earlier confusion had been like a spell.
Lu Mingyuan said, "Probably after rare minerals. District 36's ores need multiple processing rounds. Common ores can be handled here, but rare ones go to District 35. Monthly transports mean stockpiles here."
Fang Jianchen jolted: "Holy shit!"
Enlightenment struck—and with it, outrage at Gelen's shamelessness.
Lian Sheng said, "Keeping us—more accurately, imprisoning us—in the shelter is likely leverage to buy time for moving minerals."
Lian Sheng braced a hand on the ground, gaze distant. "That's the rough theory. Truth remains unclear. The Alliance will probably act soon. We wait."
Fang Jianchen eyed her oddly: "How... how do you piece this together?"
They'd all been stuck in the shelter, yet she seemed omniscient.
"Because..." Lian Sheng smirked. "I'm your dad."
The group: "..."
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