Chapter 186: The Bigger the Storm, the More Valuable the Fish

Lu Yang's gaze hardened: "You?"

The Second Battalion Commander said solemnly: "I hope you can preserve your strength as much as possible in the early stage of the battle to ensure safety."

"If—let me say if we cannot hold out for forty‑eight hours, you must do everything possible to eliminate the Third Battalion's commanders at all levels, just as you took out the Battalion Commander with a single shot today."

"That way, even if we lose the exercise in the end, at least we will have secured the greatest possible gains before the sacrifice."

"Yes!"

Lu Yang did not hesitate at all and nodded.

The Second Battalion Commander, seeing his willingness, smiled and asked, "Do you think the Battalion Commander is being too pessimistic, worrying about losing before the fight even starts, and that this arrangement is just for face?"

Lu Yang shook his head: "There will always be winners and losers on the battlefield; light infantry fighting armored troops is hard to begin with."

"I know, we're only fighting a localized small‑scale skirmish, not even a campaign."

"Since the exercise stipulates that holding out for forty‑eight hours triggers artillery support, it shows that under the preset rules we're merely taking part in a small battle within a large‑scale campaign."

"And killing enemy commanders can most effectively dismantle their combat command, throwing them into chaos."

"Thus, even if the Third Battalion holds the position, it will ultimately be annihilated by the belated 'friendly forces' due to lack of effective command."

"Your arrangement is to safeguard the overall situation, to use the Second Battalion's sacrifice to secure the greatest victory in the upcoming 'battle'—a noble spirit of self‑sacrifice."

What a smooth talker!

What emotional intelligence!

Those words struck a chord with the Second Battalion Commander.

He thought that among those who attended the meeting earlier, probably more than half hadn't considered these points.

Yet Lu Yang, who only carries a lone private on his shoulder, can stand in a senior commander's perspective and voice his thoughts.

That's what they call "every citizen bears responsibility for the nation's rise and fall," that's what they call a big‑picture view!

The Second Battalion Commander gave Lu Yang another approving glance, solemnly said, "Regardless, you've achieved a great feat today; when the exercise ends, I will personally report your merit to the Regiment Commander. Moreover, I can grant you one more thing!"

Lu Yang looked at him with some anticipation, wondering what other reward there might be.

The Second Battalion Commander: "If you can perform beyond the norm, killing multiple enemy commanders and, like today, opening the situation for the team, helping our battalion secure victory in the exercise, you will become the whole battalion's greatest hero!"

"I can decide to promote you early to Senior Private and let you replace Kang Changyi, giving you the Acting Platoon Leader position—bang!"

Lu Yang hadn't expected such a sudden surprise; not only could he be promoted early, but also become Acting Platoon Leader.

It should be noted that Guo Yongwen had been in the troops for over a decade, earned many merits, yet only managed to reach Acting Platoon Leader.

And now, with a two‑grade jump putting him directly into the core of the company, how could he miss it?

Lu Yang thrust his chest out forcefully and saluted excitedly: "Yes, I will give my all, exhaust every ability!"

The Second Battalion Commander smiled and nodded: "Very good! Go, rest early, replenish your spirit."

"Yes!"

Lu Yang left the tent and returned to the Sixth Company's camp.

Just as he was about to enter the tent, Ma Qing'an and He Zhen Tao called him aside secretly to ask about the situation.

Lu Yang didn't hold back; he directly relayed the Battalion Commander's instructions and the promised promotion to Acting Platoon Leader.

Ma Qing'an immediately hugged Lu Yang, a grin blooming on his face: "Great, wonderful! Such an opportunity comes once in a lifetime; you must seize it, absolutely seize it!"

He Zhen Tao was genuinely happy for him, but his demeanor contrasted sharply with Ma Qing'an's; he frowned and said, "The Battalion Commander values you highly; otherwise he wouldn't have kept you alone to tell you this."

"The reward is generous and tempting, but you must know this merit is not easily earned. In past exercises, the Second Battalion rarely defeated the Third Battalion."

"Especially the hard‑bone Seventh Company led by Gao Feng, which is unstoppable on the battlefield; he will be our greatest opponent."

"In short, never let honor and merit cloud your judgment; be sure to cooperate and obey orders."

"Of course." Ma Qing'an added: "In special circumstances you may decide on your own; we'll have others cooperate. When a tree is moved it dies, when a person moves it lives; you must stay mobile at all times to fight to the very end."

"Consider this a privilege from our Instructor, allowing you to maximize your advantages and specialties on the battlefield."

Lu Yang felt very grateful; soldiers on the battlefield actually have little autonomy.

They must obey the Squad Leader's dispatches, staying wherever ordered.

If one deserts duty and causes irreparable damage, they will be dealt with under military law.

Lu Yang, unbound by conditions, may in special cases not remain at his post constantly; however, his independent actions must not affect the overall battle plan and must bring greater value to the team.

It's a technical task, but not a big problem.

Because Lu Yang previously participated in the operational meeting and memorized each unit's positions.

Thus, he knows which positions to move to for support and where to go to lure the enemy into traps.

As for the words He Zhen Tao reminded him of, Lu Yang also understands.

The higher the reward, the greater the difficulty naturally.

Whether it's a pre‑battle frontline promotion or a pre‑battle promised promotion, both mean the upcoming fight will be hard.

They said to hold the position for forty‑eight hours, yet this time the Second Battalion broke through the First Battalion's position and achieved total victory in just twelve hours.

Therefore, holding for forty‑eight hours itself is an extremely harsh limit; even if only one soldier remains, retreat is forbidden, otherwise it's disobeying orders.

Lu Yang knows the principle that the bigger the storm, the more valuable the fish; no matter what, he must give it his all!

Meanwhile, Gao Feng of the Seventh Company had just returned from the headquarters, arranging attack deployments for the troops below.

As the Third Battalion's main attacking force, the Seventh Company must, within a short time, break up the Second Battalion's primary defensive formation.

Moreover, the Battalion Commander's broadcast demands that all combat end within ten hours, planting the victory flag above the Second Battalion's command post.

"Guo Yongwen." Gao Feng looked at Acting Platoon Leader Guo Yongwen and said gravely, "You must have heard about today's Second Battalion versus First Battalion situation. Lu Yang's performance was unexpected and truly astonishing."

"His marksmanship was taught by you, yet now it's no less than yours. I suspect the Second Battalion will do everything to create opportunities for him."

"Therefore, after breaking through the main position, your primary task is to keep a close eye on him; you must not give him any room to act!"