Chapter 181: We Don

"We won, we won!"

As white smoke, signifying a casualty, billowed from the First Battalion Commander's head, the last hope for the First Battalion's comeback was ended by Lu Yang's single shot.

The bright red banner was quickly planted on the enemy's position, announcing that this battalion‑scale assault ended with the Second Battalion's victory.

The directing team announced the end of the drill, and the loudspeaker proclaiming the Second Battalion's victory kept broadcasting around the site.

The soldiers of Motorized Infantry Sixth Company cheered wildly; Zhou Kaidong, Cheng Jun, Liu Ziqiang and the others rushed forward and gave Lu Yang a huge hug.

Everyone knows that this victory came so easily largely because of Lu Yang.

From breaking through the main position, to pulling out the Third Company's heavy machine‑gun fire, and then a single shot taking down the First Battalion Commander.

If it weren't for Lu Yang's rapid support and precise shooting, even if the battle were won, it would still have required a considerable sacrifice.

"Lu Yang, you're absolutely stunning, insanely cool!"

"Sixth Company's top sharpshooter—no, it should be the Second Battalion's top sharpshooter!"

"The Company Commander said we're having a second meal tonight; what do you want for dinner? We'll have the Cook Squad make it especially for you!"

"How about lion's head? You're from Guangling; Yangzhou lion's head is the most famous!"

Lu Yang, surrounded like the moon cradled by countless stars, began to understand why "Feng Lang Ju Xu" is the highest honor for a military commander.

Unlike earning a ranking on the arena, this feeling of crushing an opponent on the battlefield and securing victory that greatly aids the team makes the blood boil even more.

Especially that shot that took down the First Battalion Commander—Lu Yang himself felt he was unbelievably cool at that moment!

But just as Lu Yang was in the spotlight, Platoon Leader Kang Changyi rolled his eyes, feeling sour inside.

Clearly his own contribution was significant, yet everyone only saw Lu Yang, completely ignoring him.

The combat paused for now, and the Sixth Company had a troop‑transport vehicle to take everyone back to the training camp.

Everyone boarded the vehicle in high spirits, while Lu Yang lifted the dust‑covered motorcycle.

Cheng Jun asked, "Aren't you coming back with us in the vehicle?"

Lu Yang smiled, "The troop‑transport moves slowly; I'll ride the motorcycle and go ahead."

The battlefield is never a smooth plain; uneven, pitted terrain is the norm, with dense forests being the most common.

In such terrain, neither infantry fighting vehicles, troop‑transports, nor jeeps can pass.

Only motorcycles can weave freely through, achieving high‑speed maneuverability in a short time.

In this drill, Motorized Infantry Sixth Company relied on it, with the mortar platoon's help, to accomplish the surprise assault on the Third Company's defensive line.

Since there was still fuel in the vehicle, riding the motorcycle back would be far more comfortable than sitting in the hard, cramped troop‑transport rear compartment.

Compared with the laughter and cheers of Motorized Infantry Sixth Company as they left, the soldiers of the First Battalion on the position were mostly grimy and dust‑covered.

"Ah, it hurts, I want to cry…"

Kong Long watched Lu Yang and the others depart in victory and let out a long sigh.

The Heavy Machine Gun Squad Leader patted him and consoled, "Fine, the loss is already a loss; sighing won't help. Go back, review seriously, and strive not to repeat the same mistake next time."

Kong Long shook his head, "I'm not thinking about that; I'm wondering if a real war broke out, would I already be dead?"

The Heavy Machine Gun Squad Leader was momentarily at a loss for words and said nothing.

Instead, Wan Baoshan stepped forward, urging him to think more openly: "Since ancient times, who has never faced death?"

Kong Long: "This endless sorrow, never ending?"

"Wrong," Wan Baoshan said, shaking his finger, "Whether you die early or late, you'll die."

"......"

"No, we are soldiers; we generally don't say death, we speak of sacrifice, of glory."

Wan Baoshan, with a cheeky grin like an old slick, said, "Others may not have the chance for glory; the point is to put on a show. Look at me making that final 'da‑da‑da' leap—how's that? Isn't it heroic?"

Kong Long scratched his head, his expression very awkward: "Uh…"

"What the heck, the Assistant Squad Leader is asking you a question!"

"I think it's really stupid."

"Bold Kong Long, you dare to go against your superiors, wa‑ya‑ya‑ya‑ya!"

"Then I'll use another term; in our dialect we call it 'rifle', 'pistol', or 'handgun'."

Seeing the two of them escalating, the Heavy Machine Gun Squad Leader was also somewhat helpless.

At that moment, he couldn't criticize the troops, because even he himself had become glorious.

Both are squad leaders, both lead troops—how does the other produce such outstanding soldiers?

But for me, it's like a kindergarten teacher handling a bunch of little brats, constantly noisy and quarrelsome.

"Alright, alright, the vehicle's here, time to go back."

Kong Long and Wan Baoshan stopped their bickering and watched the troop‑transport approaching from not far away.

Originally, they thought they were to return to the training grounds, but were told they didn't need to; they'd just pack up and head back to the camp later.

The Second Battalion entered the final round and will keep fighting tomorrow, but their First Battalion has no chance left, so they can only slink back home in disgrace.

"Shameful, disgraceful, shameful!"

Just as everyone prepared to board, the First Battalion Commander stormed up, his face blazing, and launched a tirade of curses at them.

"The battle turned out like this, and you still have the nerve to ride back in a vehicle? If I were you, I'd just dig a pit and bury myself!"

"The main camp couldn't hold its position, and the second defensive line was also surprised by a raid from Motorized Infantry Sixth Company!"

"Listen up, everyone! From now on, carry your rifles, shoulder the cannons, lift the heavy machine guns, and march back!"

Hearing this, the soldiers' already grimy faces collapsed instantly.

Walking back to the outdoor training field from here isn't far, but marching back to the camp is at least over twenty kilometers.

When they arrived by vehicle it didn't feel far; after a day's fatigue they had no energy left, and besides, by the time they walked back it would be pitch dark.

The Third Company Leader hurriedly spoke, "Battalion Commander, the soldiers have been exhausted all day, haven't even had a sip of water; now they're starving and have to walk such a long distance, their stamina can't sustain it…"

First Battalion Commander glared with fiery eyes: "Still eating? The battle's turned like this, what the hell are you still eating? I'm so angry I'm full of anger!"

"There's no need to go to the training camp; when you get there you'll just see Second Battalion showing off. I'll have someone clean up the stuff, you all go straight back the same way!"

"Tonight, everyone, reflect properly, summarize the mistakes in the battle, and tomorrow morning all personnel above Platoon level report to the camp headquarters for a debriefing!"

The order was issued; even if they were unwilling, they could only limp back.

Poor Kong Long, stomach empty, still has to keep shouldering the heavy machine gun like a beast of burden.

Fortunately, the ammunition boxes were almost emptied, slightly reducing the weight.

Yet even so, every soldier returning defeated wore a despondent and miserable look.

The whole unit's condition perfectly illustrated what it means to be a ragtag militia and what it means to be a broken, defeated commander......

As the sun set in the west, a supply van passed the nearby three‑way intersection and was stopped by soldiers maintaining order.

"Hello comrade, we're out procuring supplies; please let us pass."

"Wait a moment; after the convoy ahead passes, you may go."

"Alright, alright."

The driver was a soldier from a Cook Squad of a company in Third Battalion, responsible for procurement, named Liu Cheng.

In the passenger seat, accompanying him on the procurement mission, was Ding Tengfei.

"Hold on, let them go first; our procurement vehicle doesn't have any right of way."

"Mm."

"I see you've become a lot quieter than before; back in New Recruit Company you used to be pretty outspoken, didn't you?"

Liu Cheng, as always, spoke with the demeanor of a veteran, but Ding Tengfei gave no response.

He originally thought he'd have a chance to go to the front, but didn't expect Gao Feng to deem Class Ten a hindrance and send them all to do menial chores.

Moving oil drums, buying supplies, transporting food—this made Ding Tengfei very depressed.

"Sun sets over the western hills, red clouds fly, soldiers fire at the range and bring the camp home, bring the camp home......"

The cheerful, ringing song rang out as troop carriers sped past the fork ahead.