Chapter Thirty-Seven: Practice (Three)

  General Zhang Zhizhong thought for a moment and said: "This time the military exercise is mainly to see your combat quality and command ability. Attacking the city is indeed the best choice. If it's just passive defense, then as long as you're in a fixed position, there won't be any problem basically."

  Although Zhang Zhizhong is the Director of Education, the several battalion commanders who have acknowledged their fate are not very afraid of him now. This is because General Zhang Zhizhong is easy-going, and they also want to make achievements.

  Deputy Commander Li Shichao of the Second Legion said: "Director of Education, this time we attack the city, our disadvantage is very big. First of all, although our students have received a series of tactical training and military skills training, they have never been on the battlefield."

  "Moreover, in urban warfare, it's hard to say whether orders can be carried out effectively. Although this is just an exercise, there are still many things that cannot be guaranteed for the first real battle."

  Liu Xiaokuo smiled wryly and said, "Everyone is learning to command, let them be a soldier for a day. If they think you're not good at commanding, will they obey you or not?"

  Commander Yang Kai said: "No experience in siege warfare, no artillery support, a hard fight, it's clear that our combat experience is not as good as those who have really been on the battlefield!"

  Zhang Zhizhong said sternly: "So are you going to surrender directly or be defeated and routed? Now we're thinking of a countermeasure, the problem has been found, we must think of a way to solve it. How to solve it? You commanders, can't you all rely on your superiors to solve it? The battlefield situation changes in an instant, it's not something we can imagine, and when the time comes, you'll come back to ask for instructions? Who will take responsibility for missing the opportunity?"

  Several people listening to Zhang Zhizhong's words were silent and lowered their heads.

  At this time, Wang Mingyu said: "Actually, attacking the city doesn't necessarily require a strong attack. Although the exercise rules state that crops and infrastructure cannot be destroyed, there are no other major restrictions, it's up to each side's abilities. Think about it, we're attacking, their mission is to defend for 48 hours. That means within these 48 hours, as long as we 'destroy' the Red Army command system, we win! As for the attack, I think a feint will do!"

  Zhang Zhizhong seemed to have understood a bit and asked, "How can we get close to the Red Army command without attacking the city?"

  Wang Mingyu walked towards the map and said: "Come take a look, actually the Red Army's command center should be set up inside this city. In that case, our chances would basically be gone. The Red Army's firepower configuration would make us attacking troops into living targets, with basically no suspense."

  Several people nodded, and Zhang Zhizhong said, "Continue!"

  Wang Mingyu pointed to the exercise area and said: "This time the exercise area is the entire mountainous area. The Red Army command post is located at the commanding heights of this mountainous area. However, everyone has found that this commanding height is actually a cliff, they can't defend their back because behind them is a precipice!"

  Zhang Zhizhong thought for a moment and said, "So you mean to launch a surprise attack on this command center?"

  Wang Mingyu smiled and said, "Director of Education, no mistake, on the battlefield, all means are used to the extreme, as long as we can win, do we care whether it is a frontal assault or a sneak attack from behind?"

  Zhang Zhizhong looked at Wang Mingyu and then at several others and said, "What's your meaning?"

  Several people nodded at the same time. Li Shichao, the second battalion commander, sighed and said: "Well, it seems that we can only follow Commander Wang's idea. Although we also hope to capture it by launching a frontal attack, we were initially confused by the sudden meeting with the delegate. After careful consideration, since General Gui Yongqing let us attack, he naturally thinks he can hold on. No one wants to lose face in front of the delegate!"

  Wang Mingyu patted the second company commander on the shoulder and said: "No war can be won by just a few people, feints are also part of this system, holding back most of the Red Army, that's the value of our feint, and it attracted the enemy's attention!"

  Zhang Zhizhong nodded in satisfaction and said, "Since this idea was proposed by Wang Mingyu, I think it's best to let your company handle this task. Does anyone else have any opinions?"

  Zhang Zhizhong has already said it like that, who else would have an opinion and not be a fool? Although getting to meet the leader will make one's future bright, but offending the Minister of Education will also make the bright future dull.

  Then several people replied in unison: "Everything will be arranged by the education director!"

  So Wang Mingyu also reluctantly accepted this task. In fact, the idea of a sneak attack had been in his mind since he saw the map and noticed the distance between the Red Army's command center and its defensive city. Since Commander Wei was coming to observe, he would definitely choose an excellent location, which was likely to be the Red Army's command center. Moreover, Gui Yongqing would never think that the Blue Army would use this method to launch a sneak attack on the final target - the Red Army Command Center!

  General Zhang Zhizhong handed over the task to Wang Mingyu, but still asked with concern: "Commander Wang, are you sure you can launch a surprise attack on the Red Army from behind?"

  Wang Mingyu said: "This task must not have too many people, and we need to be more agile with our hands. As long as a few squad leaders cooperate, we can break through their blockade line without any problem. It's best to act at night!"

  General Zhang Zhizhong said: "This coordination is no problem, since we have a chance to win, naturally there is no need to force the city and cause unnecessary casualties!" Several battalion commanders also expressed their willingness to coordinate actions.

  Wang Mingyu nodded and stood up straight, saying: "I will definitely do my best to complete the task!"

  Zhang Zhizhong smiled and said, "Alright, let's talk about the plan next! Wang Lianzhang, you tell us your ideas!"

  Wang Mingyu analyzed: "Yes, our ultimate goal this time is to take down the Red Army Command Center, but during this period, we must first occupy the Red Army's defensive city before reaching the Red Army Command Center. There are at least two difficulties in this process. First, the Red Army's defensive city; second, the capture of the high ground. Currently, our entire student regiment has six hundred people, while the defenders have approximately eight hundred people. With such a ratio, and we being the attacking side, it can be said that our chances of winning are very small." The others also nodded in agreement.

  The cliff below the Red Army command post has a small path, and the height of the cliff is about 20 meters. To reach this path, you must cross some small paths. Although these paths do not have large-scale defensive forces, there are certainly patrols and sentries. My plan is to launch a fake attack on the first day with the second and third companies, creating an illusion that we will definitely take the city, and then set out at night, about half an hour later, the fourth and fifth companies will launch a feint attack, making as much noise as possible to further confuse the defenders, letting them focus their attention on this side of the attack. Meanwhile, we will quietly infiltrate the small path, using climbing tools to land behind the Red Army command post! Finally, we will carry out a devastating blow against the Red Army's command system! I want to call this operation "Beheading".

  Zhang Zhizhong listened to Wang Mingyu's plan and laughed: "Beheading, this name is very fitting. I can already imagine the expression on Guirate's face at that time. Haha, let's do it this way. If we win this exercise, I will recommend you few people in front of the principal! Especially you, Wang Lianchang!" In fact, Zhang Zhizhong also had a little selfishness in doing so, because he and Wang Yuanshan were old friends, and Wang Yuanshan's son was indeed very outstanding. The heart of loving talent arose, and he also wanted to give Wang Mingyu the greatest development space.

  Several people began to discuss specific matters and soon it was the day of the rehearsal.