Chapter 197: Full of Nonsense, Get Out!

We've pretty much mapped out the Second Battalion's defensive fire distribution.

Without the battalion HQ, only two company commanders remain; it can't make much of a difference.

For the upcoming main assault, you start from the east, with dense mortar fire covering, wipe out their remaining minefield, and heavily damage the fire point at sector BC of the main camp.

Then, tanks push forward to strike the suspected important target in the rear; hitting or missing doesn't matter, the point is deterrence and intimidation, preventing them from mounting effective defense.

Finally, we charge in one surge to break their formation, thrust straight in and plant our flag on their rear position!

Gao Feng and the Eighth Company each ate a bowl of instant noodles while pointing at the military map, discussing the final operation details.

The enemy, now at the end of a strong bow, out of ammo and supplies, cannot withstand their fierce assault no matter what.

Moreover, the front line keeps harassing, wearing down the opponent's ammunition and morale; this situation guarantees victory.

"What a pity for Old Ma, giving it his all, yet still ending in a crushing defeat," Gao Feng said, sipping his noodle broth, unable to hold back his sigh.

"You, too—after all, he's your brother‑in‑law; every drill he goes at so hard, beating people badly. If later he refuses to marry his sister to you, you'll be furious,"

Gao Feng shrugged indifferently: "There's no father‑son on the battlefield, and besides he still hasn't relented, not even my own brother‑in‑law; why should I give him a break? Moreover, he ran off with one of my good soldiers, and I haven't even confronted him yet!"

"Heh, you're so arrogant now; when it comes to sky‑high bride price, your life and death are unpredictable."

"You're wrong; the bride price isn't about how much he wants, it's about how much I have!"

"What you said really has no flaw!"

The Eighth Company suddenly changed tone: "But Lu Yang, that kid's shooting is truly monstrous; I've never seen any rookie tougher than him. Even Guo Yongwen was defeated by him, and his weapon was seized."

"That 88 Sniper with the low‑light night vision was borrowed from the Zhencha Daitui, and now it's become the enemy's loot."

Gao Feng snorted, bitterly saying, "Even the mightiest Sun Monkey can't escape the Buddha's palm; war isn't decided by one person, it takes a group."

"At worst, during the charge the commander hides inside the armored vehicle; if he doesn't come out, they're out of options?"

"Anyway, in at most two hours the outcome will be clear!"

"That statement is wrong!"

The two turned together toward the corner, where Instructor Zhao sat on a camping chair taking a short break.

He stretched lazily, stood up from the chair, yawned, and said.

"The more certain victory seems, the more we must be vigilant."

"What, do you think they still have a chance to turn things around?"

"To be blunt, a cornered rabbit will bite. I think the final wave's attack is too aggressive; it might provoke a full‑scale retaliation, causing unnecessary extra casualties on our side."

"What do you mean?"

Gao Feng became interested.

Although Instructor Zhao works in political education.

But as a proper military academy graduate with internship experience in other units, he also has his own unique views on leading troops in battle.

Instructor Zhao stepped forward, pointed at the map, and said, "The initial mortar coverage of the position is fine. But after several rounds, it's unclear how many casualties will be inflicted."

"The opponent isn't a fool; they know our feints are to probe their fire points, then deliver a killing blow."

"If I were their commander, I'd constantly shift among several positions, even fake fire bases to draw artillery fire."

Gao Feng frowned slightly, while the Eighth Company, deep in thought, said, "I think Instructor Zhao makes sense; if that's true, even if we break through their formation, our casualties could be severe."

"The final stretch is on a steep hillside; tanks and armored vehicles can't climb it, so we still need enough troops to launch a sprint."

"Instructor Zhao, what's your idea...?"

Instructor Zhao drew an arc on the map: "I propose forming a strike team to infiltrate through the enemy's weak left flank, cutting the main camp's forces front to back. Split their dwindling troops into two halves and eliminate them one by one."

"That way, the pressure on the tanks' charge is much less, making elimination easy. First clear the front half without casualties, then unleash full fire on the rear half."

Instructor Zhao's plan received unanimous approval from the two; indeed it is far steadier than the previous direct‑to‑the‑dragon scheme.

With advantages on all fronts, even if the Second Battalion had the worst luck, it still couldn't withstand such an attack.

Gao Feng laughed heartily: "Alright, let's do it that way! Issue the orders immediately, let......."

Before he could finish, a frantic figure burst in from outside, ignoring any obstruction.

"Bad news, no, it's bad!"

Ding Tengfei was being dragged by two guards at the doorway, yet he still rushed into the tent, shouting loudly.

Gao Feng frowned in disgust at the newcomer: "What are you shouting about? You know what this place is and still barge in! Get that person out of here!"

Instructor Zhao, seeing Ding Tengfei's panicked state, ordered the guards to release him and asked seriously, "Let him speak? Ding Tengfei, what's happened?"

Ding Tengfei gasped, hurriedly saying, "I, I just went to… to pee. Then, then......"

"Did you spot the enemy?"

The Eighth Company was startled, his complexion turning pale.

Ding Tengfei shook his head then nodded: "I noticed, where I peed, a patch of grass was bent and there were broken branch marks."

Gao Feng, impatient, asked, "So what?"

Ding Tengfei: "I suspect there are enemies nearby."

In the command room, everyone glanced at each other with odd expressions.

A battalion of three to four hundred men spread out; during daytime cease‑fire, it's inevitable that some wander nearby.

Moreover, there are several makeshift latrines carved out in the woods.

Seeing bent grass and broken‑branch footprints near a latrine, what's so strange about that?

Gao Feng fumed: "Scared by the slightest rustle, you cowardly troops!"

The Eighth Company was also speechless; hearing "bad news, bad news" earlier, he thought something serious had happened, only to find this?

Only Instructor Zhao Bin stepped forward, soothing him with a few words, and patiently asked, "Which latrine location are you at? I'll go with you to check; being cautious is never wrong."

Ding Tengfei was deeply grateful, finally finding someone who believed him: "I… I peed in the small grove to the southeast; the latrine stank too much, so I didn't go there."

"Southeast?"

"Pine forest there?"

"Yes."

Upon hearing it was the pine forest over there, Gao Feng and the Eighth Company Commander, who had previously shown contempt, instantly changed their expressions.

Because the troop line was stretched long, and furthermore the attacking formation's deployment of forces was bound to have weak points.

It's impossible to station large forces in all directions; that's unrealistic and also impossible.

Moreover, the pine forest area is lush with vegetation, and the terrain varies wildly in height, making it extremely easy to conceal enemies.

If there truly are enemies hiding there, it would be a major problem; most importantly, that area is very close to the company headquarters.

Gao Feng solemnly said: "Send someone with him to check it out, search carefully; if there really are enemies, immediately fire a warning shot."

"Yes!"

The guard was about to take Ding Tengfei away when suddenly intense gunfire came from outside.

Inside the headquarters, everyone's faces changed; the Eighth Company Commander hurried out to check the situation.

The moment he poked his head out, the next second his head was blown apart.

"Damn, that kid was right—there really are enemies sneaking over from the small woods!"

"Be careful, that guy shoots with deadly accuracy—expose your head and you're dead instantly!"

The Eighth Company Commander left these words as his "last words," then went offline.

Outside was already in chaos, gunfire unceasing.

But with the Eighth Company Commander serving as a warning, nobody dared to rush out recklessly.

Suddenly, the camouflage net above was struck by something, emitting a "bang".

Next, a lump of iron fell from the gap between the camouflage net and the leaves, landing before everyone.

"Grenade!"

"Get out of the way!"

Gao Feng and Instructor Zhao's pupils contracted sharply; wanting to flee, it was already too late.

The company headquarters space was already cramped; this grenade may look small, but it's enough to kill everyone present.

At the critical moment, a figure lunged forward without regard for safety, firmly pressing the grenade beneath them......