Chapter 2 (5)

  Ma Cheng wanted to make a few more excuses, but was interrupted by Wan Ba Tian's hoarse voice.

  "We're doing a comprehensive exercise, to test how your usual training is going. The Blue Army is crossing the reservoir behind you, if they can do it, why can't you? If you get captured, think about whether you want to go home and take care of the kids or raise pigs, make up your mind before talking to me!"

  Wan Ba Tian finished speaking and hung up the phone.

  At this time a row of long Hei Da Jun came over to report to Ma Cheng: "The Blue Army has set off, and two companies are rushing towards us."

  Ma immediately assembled the troops, called out the wounded and sick soldiers from each squad, formed them into a separate class, and then said to Xiao Hei:

  "Take this wounded squad and follow behind, you must keep up with the troops. Even if the Blue Army catches up, don't let them capture you easily. Try to hold out against them as long as possible, got it?"

  After finishing speaking, Ma Cheng let each team check their equipment and prepare to set off.

  In general, the number one person in a company is the company commander. Xiao Hei, as the acting company commander, didn't have any right to speak at all. This can't be blamed on Ma Cheng's dictatorship, because when Battalion Commander Wan Baotian sent Xiao Hei to take over the position, he had given instructions beforehand. However, Xiao Hei's performance in the 2nd Company for the past few days was really disappointing. Now they didn't even consider Xiao Hei as one of them, let alone his position as acting company commander.

  Deputy instructor gave a task to Deputy Lian Chang, this thing only happens now in the second company. Xiao Hei seemed to have not felt Ma Cheng's contempt for him at all, and happily accepted the task, carrying his backpack towards Wu Da Fu who was organizing the team.

  The company had been on a forced march for some time when the stretcher-bearers fell far behind.

  "Hey, Lianzhang, I think our squad has abandoned us and left us to fend for ourselves. They probably want to use us as cannon fodder for the Blue Army so they can escape."

  Wu Dafu took over, saying in a gloomy and sarcastic tone: "Who the hell made us cripples? At critical moments, we can at least serve as cannon fodder for the company. That's also a kind of recognition from our leaders."

  Xiao Hei didn't say anything and silently ran forward.

  Ma Cheng led the elite soldiers of the company to the reservoir, He Dajun took off his special combat boots and pants, went into the water to test the temperature, and almost gritted his teeth and shivered back.

  "The water is too cold, it's biting my feet."

  Ma Cheng took a look at the thermometer in his hand, and the water temperature was only 8 degrees Celsius. The team had been walking for a while, although not fast, but the fine blood vessels were all open, and they had broken out in a cold sweat. At this time, jumping into the water would likely cause cramps.

  Ma Cheng said: "Take a rest first."

  The troops stopped at the edge of the reservoir.

  Since the order has been given, there is no room for bargaining, so it must be carried out without discount. Ma Cheng let the cadres and class leaders come over, hold a meeting, and discuss how to cross the reservoir.

  How to cross the river? It's just swimming over, mainly considering safety issues. Firstly, the soldiers' physical strength is already exhausted, and in case of unexpected situations, how to strengthen security guarantees; secondly, during the crossing process, the safety issue of weapons and equipment, especially the guns in hand, which would be lost in the water, where can they be retrieved? All these situations need to have emergency measures in place beforehand. Once the crossing begins, no matter what situation arises, the troops cannot afford it.

  Several platoon leaders and squad leaders expressed their opinions, which can be summarized as follows: considering the current combat effectiveness of the company, if all members cross the river fully armed, it is difficult to guarantee that no accidents will occur. Once an accident occurs, everyone will be in a precarious situation and it will be hard to protect themselves.

  Ma Cheng was anxious.

  "I knew all about these things, you've been holding it in for half a day and then let out such a fart, isn't that the same as not saying anything?"

  San Chong Ke, who was always full of clever ideas, suggested: "Can't we separate the men from their equipment and swim them across?"

  "What kind of separation method?" Ma Cheng seemed to have grasped a lifesaving straw.

  "Separate the men from their equipment, so that each person saves physical strength, and walks across empty-handed. The safety factor is also greater this way. Equipment is handled in the same manner, with backpacks and weapons organized according to each squad's formation, assigned to a specific person who figures out how to get them across, and then distributes them on the other side."

  Ma Cheng patted his thigh, "This method is good, but it's cheating. If the inspectors see it, we're done for."