First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 181
Chapter 181: Disappointment
Lian Sheng tilted her head slightly, just making eye contact with the soldier.
The soldier inexplicably felt his anus tighten and said, "What? I'm just telling the truth."
Lian Sheng asked, "Do they get more military subsidies then?"
The group: "..."
The group: "..."
"Pay is based on military rank. But their ranks aren't reliable and don't come with real authority," the soldier answered honestly. "The military covers food, housing, and medical care - they can't even spend all their money. Most of them don't have family or friends."
Lian Sheng slapped her thigh: "Then you could go make friends with them!"
The group: "..." Why did this "friendship" sound somewhat ominous?
Lian Sheng adjusted her sitting posture and leaned closer to ask, "What are their backgrounds? Why do they have to serve for life?"
The soldier said, "All kinds of backgrounds, I guess. Don't know. When our service period ends we can leave - we don't interact with them."
Lian Sheng: "How many of them are there?"
The soldier moved away slightly, resisting this topic. Biting into his bread, he stopped talking to her.
Lian Sheng shrugged. Seeing she couldn't get more information, she stopped pressing.
After lunch, Cornell lay down to rest while Harry hid in the shade under a tree.
They took a half-hour nap while the other soldiers returned to their patrol posts. The trainees followed Cornell's rhythm and rested briefly.
When time was up, their communicators beeped.
The morning training had exposed too many problems, especially regarding their understanding of new explosive weapons.
They only had theoretical conceptual knowledge - their practical application skills, handling feel, and emergency response measures were still very unfamiliar. This resulted in numerous flaws in their movements and some errors in danger assessment.
Cornell pointed out each person's mistakes by their serial numbers, making everyone feel rather ashamed.
They were elite soldiers gathered from across the Alliance, yet they were still so lacking.
Cornell was younger than them but more experienced, proving he'd faced far more situations. Both Cornell and Harry's familiarity and calmness with these weapons was terrifying.
This terror didn't come from their opponents' strength, but from the cruelty of war.
The gap between peaceful regions and war zones was too vast. Thinking about it now, being an ever-victorious general renowned throughout the Alliance might not actually be something to celebrate.
Their past bold declarations and goals probably seemed utterly insignificant to soldiers truly caught in the whirlpool of war.
Especially after hearing about their lifetime service, the male students looked at the two with completely different eyes.
In the Alliance, such a thing would absolutely never happen. It completely violated citizens' personal rights - regardless of whether it was voluntary, lifetime military service didn't exist.
But Kafa was a war zone, one that had been turbulent for over a hundred years. Here, life was both the most precious and cheapest thing. They had no standing to comment on many choices made here.
"Hey." Cornell called out flatly, "Did you all hear me?"
The group nodded affectionately: "We heard."
Cornell: "Then let's go."
Several distracted male students froze: "Go... go where?"
Cornell: "..."
Lian Sheng kicked their butts from behind: "To learn how to use explosive weapons. What were you all doing while your superior was speaking?"
Daydreaming openly in front of a leader younger than you but higher in rank was such a sensitive matter.
Of course, Cornell couldn't be bothered to care.
Returning the watchtower to the patrolling soldiers, Cornell took them to get hands-on experience with thermal weapons.
The simplest learning method was imitation.
Though Cornell would explain relevant rules, he clearly wasn't fond of talking - preferring actions over wasted words.
Whether they understood or not wasn't his concern.
Harry borrowed a vehicle, holding a bright laser light while sitting on the roof to indicate detonation points and ranges.
They ran training drills around the residential areas near the watchtowers.
After Harry marked positions, Cornell would demonstrate first - explaining the proper throwing angle and force, expected effects, and safe evasion methods if receiving similar attacks.
Unlike firearms, explosive weapons had great destructive power but weren't as fast, leaving more room to dodge.
After demonstrating, Cornell squatted aside to observe their movements. He seemed to really dislike standing.
Lian Sheng watched thoughtfully as Zhao Zhuoluo lined up behind her and asked, "What?"
"Guess how many years he served before becoming a lieutenant colonel?" Lian Sheng said. "Or how many first-class merits earned, how many enemies killed to get promoted to field officer rank at such a young age."
Zhao Zhuoluo shook his head.
Lian Sheng said, "Habitual movements don't lie. Their age and experience don't match. Unless they started training very young."
They were probably the child soldiers Hundred Meter Flying Dagger had mentioned.
Mastering handling skills wasn't something achievable overnight. After two or three points with little improvement, Cornell stopped continuing.
As evening approached, he decided to familiarize them with the surrounding terrain.
Mainly high ground. Occupying elevated positions was typically the first move in combat, offering viewing and attacking advantages.
With tools, they could directly ascend, but they also needed training for free climbing.
From walls, tree branches, residential balconies, external pipes, and various climbable exterior designs - all the way up to rooftops. Then understanding terrain details from different vantage points.
Maps were magical - the view from above could be completely different from ground level. Flat rooftops had fewer landmarks - losing direction and getting lost was entirely possible.
The gap between two buildings was 2.5 meters. This distance was manageable with a running jump, but looking down at the unprotected height difference was unnerving.
They continuously leaped across while following Cornell's instructions to observe surroundings and perform crouching, jumping, rolling, and dodging actions. Temporarily overwhelmed, their response to commands slowed.
Perhaps from prolonged training reducing stamina and explosive power. Or maybe the quiet commands made them distracted. Suddenly a male student at the back slipped, half his foot missing the edge as he started to fall. He quickly grabbed but couldn't hold on due to the force.
Fortunately, the front companion reacted swiftly, lying down to grab his hand. Two others came forward to pull him up.
The minor accident left everyone breaking out in cold sweat.
The shaken male student asked quietly, "There's... no safety measures here?"
During Alliance military training, no matter how difficult the task, safety was always the foundational principle. Here it felt like they'd been set free in nature.
Initially they thought the locals must have plans and had verified absolute safety before bringing them. Damn, now they realized it wasn't confidence - they simply didn't care about casualties!
Cornell lowered his eyes, tone still flat: "If you can fall here, I don't think you'd last long on the battlefield either."
It made perfect sense but stabbed straight to the heart.
Cornell's emotionless gaze swept over them, but everyone felt an air of disappointed resignation. Today's almanac must have warned against all undertakings!
Harry ran over from the front, seeing them clustered together, and hooked an arm around Cornell saying, "Don't be like that, they're still babies."
The babies: "..."
The male student said plaintively, "Let's continue. That was just a momentary mistake."
"No no, rest is enough for today," Harry waved his arms. "They haven't rested at all. If something happens to you all, we'd be in trouble too. Let's head down."
The incident was utterly humiliating, leaving the male students deeply wounded.
Yawning, Lian Sheng followed the group back to base where they sat dejectedly by the roadside waiting for their instructor.
Harry squatted opposite them, playing with his uniform buttons: "Corn~ell! Are they coming back tomorrow? I'll accompany you again tomorrow. Beg me!"
Cornell subtly sidestepped.
Harry leaned closer again, nodding: "Mhm mhm, I heard you!"
Lian Sheng: "..."
Lian Sheng: "..."
The instructor deliberately arrived late, wanting them to better experience District 12's wartime atmosphere while hopefully bonding with local soldiers to expand their social connections.
But when he finally arrived, all he saw was a group of pitiful souls huddled against the cold wind.
Instructor: "..."
Instructor: "..."
"How was it?" the instructor asked.
The group: "Excellent!"
Retrieving these overgrown children from Cornell, the instructor led them to their lodgings.
At least they remembered to line up neatly in formation.
The instructor reminded them: "Training here isn't mandatory. If you can't handle it, you can choose to rest - prioritize your safety, don't push yourselves."
The students didn't want to hear it.
Returning exhausted and hungry, their bodies aching, the thought of cooking made life seem hopeless.
They went out again to grab quick meals before shops closed.
Sitting in her room, Lian Sheng suddenly remembered yesterday's unwashed dishes. Sighing, she went to clean them.
At the first-floor sink, taking dishes from the rack, she found them already cleaned.
Flipping through them in surprise, she gathered her tableware to return upstairs when she nearly collided with someone.
Startled, Lian Sheng said, "You..."
The girl looked equally shocked, jerking back: "Oh, hello."
"Did you wash these?" Lian Sheng asked.
"It's nothing," the girl replied quickly, then blushed, waving her hands: "I mean, if you want to thank me, it's nothing. If you weren't going to thank me... that's also nothing."
"..." Lian Sheng said, "Thank you."
The girl nodded: "It's nothing."
They stared awkwardly at each other.
Lian Sheng asked the timeless icebreaker: "Have you eaten?"
"...Not yet," the girl said.
Lian Sheng: "Then... together?"
The girl tilted her head tentatively: "...Is that okay? What you ate yesterday?"
Seeing her expression, the girl immediately waved her hands: "No no no need!"
Finding her amusing, Lian Sheng asked, "What's your name?"
"Tina," the girl asked, "And you?"
"Lian Sheng."
After exchanging names, Tina visibly relaxed.
Lian Sheng thought this girl was quite naive. "Where's the kitchen?"
Tina enthusiastically led the way.
Seeing the well-equipped kitchen, Lian Sheng said, "We'll eat here tonight. Let me borrow your stove - join us?"
Tina was very curious about yesterday's meal, especially the aroma. While District 12 had basic necessities, spices were extremely scarce. Things like Sichuan pepper or star anise were unheard of - most soups were tomato egg with celery and seasoning blocks, or noodles added in.
Sometimes for convenience, a pot of noodles made in the morning would last until night. When tired of that, it was mashed potatoes or seasoning blocks.
Opening her door last night to that smell... she was instantly captivated.
Someone with such culinary skills must be a good person!
Wiping her hands, Lian Sheng said, "Could you call those gluttons downstairs? Have them buy ingredients and bring down a seasoning pack and some rice."
Hot pot wasn't filling enough - Lian Sheng had felt particularly empty late last night. After today's training, she really wanted proper food.
Tina didn't hesitate this time, nodding vigorously before running out. She quickly returned saying, "But I don't know where their rooms are."
"Just wait in my room - they won't wander far!" Lian Sheng said.
Ji Ban and the other five reported to Lian Sheng's room punctually every evening.
Returning from the market with vegetables, they waited for news in her room before buying small rice bags and gathering in the kitchen.
Tina watched her deftly prepare ingredients - slicing meat, dicing potatoes, chopping chicken - the crisp knife sounds making her exclaim in amazement.
Lian Sheng blanched cauliflower and potatoes first. Heating oil in her wok, she stir-fried spices.
As ginger and garlic sizzled, the observers felt their stomachs growl.
Being helpful, Tina asked, "Need any help?"
"No!" Fang Jianchen pulled her aside, "We just cheer from here!"
Tina clapped along dubiously: "Really?"
Lian Sheng glanced back. What sin - corrupting a nice girl with their idiocy.
The meal was thoroughly enjoyed, quickly bridging distances. Tina's flushed cheeks showed her delight.
Her culinary world had expanded - her family's repetitive meals now seemed ascetic. Her dislike wasn't pickiness!
With the women finished eating and men still cleaning up, Lian Sheng tapped the table to ask Tina: "Can I ask you something? Do you know about the child soldiers here?"
Tina hesitated, fingers tightening on her bowl: "I've heard... they were born to kill."
This unexpected response made Lian Sheng retort coldly: "No one is born to kill."
"But they are. Living just to kill," Tina whispered. "They're called weapons of war - trained from very young, only learning weapons and mechs. They're children with exceptional physiques, further enhanced. No one here compares. They value neither their own lives nor others'."
Looking up, Tina said, "Though young, they've killed countless people. Without social awareness or ethics, they're violent loners who disobey orders - dangerous people even the military daresn't release."
"Who says this?" Lian Sheng asked.
"My... parents say so."
Zhao Zhuoluo paused mid-bite, finding his food tasteless: "That's not their fault."
Others taught them this, giving no choices or acceptance.
Lian Sheng said, "But they protect District 12. They face more danger than you - why say such things?"
"You don't understand," Tina looked out the window. "I've moved six times since birth. In unsafe areas, you might not wake up the next morning. I know the history between Kafa and Gelen, but it's too distant - we don't feel ancestors' rage. Fear of personal death outweighs anger over millions dead."
"Many don't understand war's purpose, only its pain," Tina continued. "We're barely surviving - no spare sympathy for past grievances. Isn't war about winning? Whoever wins, we just want it to stop. So compared to invading Gelen troops, they hate resisting Kafa soldiers more for ignoring their pleas."
Everyone was stunned.
Lian Sheng lowered her head.
Tina added, "My mother says that too."
Facing death, everyone becomes selfish.
Tina's mother clearly despised war, evident from avoiding them. Likely many in District 12 shared this view.
Hearing footsteps upstairs, Tina stood: "My mother's back - I need to make her noodles. You should rest early. Shh - don't tell her I ate with you."
They nodded.
After cleaning up, the group returned to their rooms.
Next morning at 5 AM, they jogged to base.
Training again with Cornell.
Determined to redeem themselves today.
Cornell seemed uninterested in innovative methods, so morning drills repeated yesterday's watchtower maneuvers.
With half a day's experience and heightened focus, their performance stabilized somewhat. Against large enemy forces, they maintained formations better.
But facing Cornell and Harry remained disastrous.
Worse, actually.
Partly due to their opponents' exceptional speed and ability to exploit minute weaknesses.
Mostly because the men were still intimidated from yesterday, panicking at the sight of them like their IQs had dropped.
Lian Sheng roared through the comms.
Strong enemies demanded flexible adaptation and rapid coordination.
"If enemies spot your position, retreat! Don't stay put!"
"Retreat where? I said maintain the line! Don't fall back - that creates gaps! Flank out!"
"What are you doing? This isn't gap-filling training! Charging known enemy positions is suicide! Can't second platoon see the map? When can center gaps be filled? Only after confirming enemy elimination!"
"Flanking out lets you attack from both sides! Can't your weapons turn? Keep attacking - offense is your defense! Stay mobile but keep firing! Passivity loses initiative!"
"Scouts filling snipers' gaps? Can you even do that? Know your roles! Coordinate!"
"Hugging your weapons for warmth? Throw them! THROW!"
"Center gap! Now's the time! Vanguards, what are you waiting for?"
"Second platoon snipers insufficient - A6 positions convert to snipers! Stop staring!"
Positional changes involved the entire team - too many variables for Lu Mingyuan to color-code quickly.
Without color cues, some soldiers lost their bearings, having grown accustomed to checking maps before moving. Their delayed reactions made Lian Sheng's commands hard to execute.
Watching the chaos, Lian Sheng facepalmed in despair.
Lu Mingyuan sighed, "We need another technician."
This wasn't a Sanyao simulation with multiple control panels.
They needed to calculate sniper angles, coordinate troop movements across positions, estimate enemy attack ranges and trajectories...
With slight disorder, one deputy commander wasn't enough. Falling behind worsened the chaos.
So exhausting.
Hearing the app might not show the last page, so adding an extra line here---
Another update late tonight
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