Bright Sword: This unit is really ruthless

Zhang Ling steps towards the front line.

Zhang Ling smoked all night and asked the monk to help him find some sodium nitrate.

It was already late at night, and Zhang Ling was still sitting in the headquarters. Smoke was lingering around him, and the air was filled with a strong smell of tobacco. The cigarette in Zhang Ling's hand had burned to the end, but he didn't realize it at all until the hot ash fell between his fingers. He gently pinched out the cigarette butt, and a trace of fatigue and anxiety appeared in his eyes.

There was a gentle knock on the door. Zhang Ling did not look up, but just replied calmly: "Come in."

The monk pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing that the ashtray on Zhang Ling's desk was already full, he couldn't help but frowned, "Commander, how many cigarettes did you smoke tonight?"

Zhang Ling raised his head and gave the monk a bitter smile, "Old monk, don't worry about me. I haven't been feeling well these days. I'll smoke a cigarette to calm myself down."

The monk walked up to Zhang Ling, was silent for a while, and then whispered: "Commander, you have to take care of your body. The battle still depends on your command."

Zhang Ling waved his hand and picked up the cigarette box on the table, but found it was empty. He threw the cigarette box aside helplessly, "Old monk, I know you are doing this for my own good, but I feel really upset if I don't smoke a cigarette now."

The monk glanced at Zhang Ling and understood that Zhang Ling had been under more pressure than anyone else due to the heavy combat missions recently. Although he usually appeared calm and composed, the monk knew that Zhang Ling actually suppressed a lot of emotions in his heart.

"Commander, don't push yourself too hard. How about this, I'll go get you some sodium nitrate. We don't have much explosives left. If we want to suppress the enemy in the next operation, we have to stock up more." The monk suddenly thought of a way to change the subject.

Zhang Ling's eyebrows moved slightly, and he seemed to be somewhat interested in this proposal. He knew that sodium nitrate was one of the key materials for making explosives. Although the troops had some reserves, it was obviously not enough to face the upcoming fierce battle.

"Old monk, what you said makes sense. We do need more sodium nitrate, but this thing is not easy to get. Do you have any idea?" There was a hint of expectation in Zhang Ling's voice.

The monk grinned with a bit of pride, "Commander, have you forgotten? We have a chemistry class here, and they usually study these things. I'll go talk to them and see if they can make some more sodium nitrate."

Zhang Ling nodded after hearing this, and the anxiety in his heart seemed to be slightly relieved. "Okay, go talk to them, this matter needs to be done quickly. We don't have time to wait too long."

The monk immediately responded, "Understood, Chief, I'll do it right away."

After the monk left, Zhang Ling leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and tried to relax himself. He knew that the pressure of war was unavoidable, but he had to find a way to keep himself awake and calm. Although cigarettes could make him forget his troubles temporarily, it was obviously not a long-term solution.

Not long after, the monk returned to the headquarters with two soldiers from the chemistry class, holding some simple equipment and chemical agents. As soon as the monk entered the room, he said, "Commander, the people are here. They said they can try it, but it will take some time."

Zhang Ling immediately sat up straight from his chair, and asked anxiously, "How long will it take?"

One of the soldiers from the chemistry class was in his early thirties, with a bookish look on his face. He saluted Zhang Ling and said, "Commander, if we deal with it as quickly as possible, it will take about four to five hours. During this process, we need a quiet environment."

Zhang Ling nodded, "I can arrange the conditions you need. But you have to know that the quantity we need this time is very large, and it must be completed within the specified time."

The soldier looked serious, and obviously realized the urgency of the mission. "Commander, we will do our best."

Zhang Ling nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the monk, "Old monk, take them to the right place and provide all the support they need."

The monk immediately agreed and left the headquarters with two soldiers to prepare for the production of sodium nitrate. Zhang Ling looked at their backs and couldn't help thinking about the next action plan.

Time passed by little by little, and Zhang Ling paced back and forth in the headquarters, waiting for the production of sodium nitrate to be completed. Although it was only a few hours, it seemed particularly long to him. Zhang Ling's mind repeatedly emerged with each link of the attack plan. He knew that every step was crucial, and any omission could lead to a complete failure.

Finally, as the sky turned slightly bright, the monk returned to the headquarters with two soldiers from the chemistry class. The monk's face was tired, but his eyes were full of excitement.

"Chief, it's done!" the monk said impatiently as soon as he entered the door.

Zhang Ling perked up and immediately went forward, "What's the situation?"

The soldier from the chemistry class immediately handed over a briefing, "Commander, according to your request, we have successfully extracted enough sodium nitrate. This batch is enough to support the next few large-scale battles. We also conducted a special test, and the results are very ideal."

Zhang Ling took the briefing, quickly glanced through it, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his face. "Well done! Your efforts will play a vital role in our next action."

The monk grinned and said, "Commander, you see, we are not only able to fight now, but also self-sufficient. The enemy is really in trouble now."

Zhang Ling couldn't help but laugh, and his tired mood was slightly relieved at this moment. He knew that fighting was not only about courage and strength, but also about wisdom and strategy. It was because of these silently dedicated soldiers that they could persist in the difficult environment.

Zhang Ling patted the soldier on the shoulder and said gratefully: "You have worked hard. Go back and have a good rest. The next battle may be more difficult."

The soldier saluted gratefully, and then left the headquarters with his companions. The monk looked at Zhang Ling with a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Commander, this time we have enough firepower support. If the enemy dares to provoke us, we will let them taste our power!"

Zhang Ling nodded, his expression becoming firm. "Yes, we must not let the enemy have any chance this time. Monk, go inform Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang and tell them to make all preparations. The battle could start at any time."

The monk responded immediately and turned to convey the order. Zhang Ling stood in the command center, staring at the hilltop in the distance, with a strong fighting spirit in his heart. This battle will be a matter of life and death for them, and failure is not an option.

Not long after, Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang arrived at the command center one after another. Seeing Zhang Ling's expression, they immediately realized the urgency of the matter.

"Commander, what's going on?" Li Yunlong spoke first.

Zhang Ling pointed to the enemy positions marked on the map and said in a deep voice: "We have prepared enough sodium nitrate. The key to this operation is to use these resources to suppress the enemy's firepower points. Li Yunlong, you will be responsible for commanding the artillery team to ensure that every shell hits the enemy's vital points."

After hearing this, Li Yunlong's eyes flashed with excitement, "Don't worry, Commander, I will definitely let the enemy know how powerful we are!"

Zhang Ling turned to Zhao Gang and said, "Zhao Gang, you lead your men to ambush the enemy's flank. After our artillery fire suppresses them, you can quickly launch a surprise attack and resolve the battle in the shortest possible time."

Zhao Gang nodded, his tone firm, "Understood, Commander, I promise not to give the enemy a chance to react."

Zhang Ling glanced at the two of them, and finally gave an order: "The action will begin immediately, everyone execute according to the plan, and we must win in one blow!"

Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang responded in unison: "Yes!"

Zhang Ling watched the two men leave, took a deep breath, and then walked to the window, looking at the sky gradually brightening in the distance. His heart was full of anticipation and tension. This battle was not only about their life and death, but also would determine whether they could break through the enemy's blockade and open up a new situation.

The sky gradually brightened and the battle was about to begin. Zhang Ling knew that they had no way out and could only fight their way out in this war-torn land with all their might. He reconfirmed all the arrangements and then resolutely walked out of the command center.

Zhang Ling's telegraph machine was blown up. He tried to contact the headquarters, but it was extremely difficult.

The first rays of sunlight in the morning had just shone into the headquarters, and Zhang Ling was finalizing the details of the operation. Suddenly, a deafening explosion was heard in the distance, followed by a sharp electric noise from the telegraph machine in the headquarters, and then it was completely silent.

Zhang Ling immediately realized that something big had happened. He stood up abruptly, strode to the telegraph machine, and quickly pressed the send key several times, but the telegraph machine did not respond.

"Oops!" Zhang Ling cursed in a low voice. He immediately realized that the enemy had launched a sabotage operation, targeting their communication equipment. Losing contact with the headquarters was simply adding insult to injury for the upcoming operation.

At this moment, Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang rushed to the headquarters. As soon as Li Yunlong entered the door, he asked anxiously: "Commander, what was the explosion just now? What happened?"

Zhang Ling pointed at the telegraph machine, his face livid, "The telegraph machine was blown up. The enemy obviously planned this in advance."

Zhao Gang's expression also became serious. "Commander, this is troublesome. Our connection with the headquarters has been cut off, and the next action may be greatly reduced."

Zhang Ling took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that now was not the time to panic. The more difficult the situation was, the more he needed to think calmly. He quickly glanced at the technical soldiers in the headquarters and asked, "Do we have any spare communication equipment here?"

One of the technicians replied hesitantly, "Commander, our backup telegraph was damaged in the last operation and we haven't had time to repair it yet."

Zhang Ling frowned even more. He did not blame the technician because he knew that everyone had done their best under the circumstances. He said in a deep voice, "Then we can only think of other ways. The enemy's sabotage is obviously not limited to this one. We must restore communication as soon as possible."

Li Yunlong scratched his head, obviously thinking about countermeasures, "Commander, how about we send someone on horseback to the nearest stronghold to ask for help? Although it may take some time, it is better than just waiting now."

Zhang Ling shook his head. "No, the enemy's sabotage operation is obviously well planned. They won't give us too much time. Sending letters on horseback is too slow. We must restore communication in the shortest possible time, otherwise the headquarters may misjudge our situation."

Zhao Gang also thought for a moment, then suggested: "Commander, how about we try the radio? Although the signal may not be stable, it is at least a solution."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhang Ling's eyes. "Radio...Okay, this is an idea. We will immediately prepare the radio equipment and try to contact the headquarters."

However, the situation was far more complicated than they imagined. The radio equipment in the headquarters was not a dedicated communication device, but a temporary modification. The signal coverage was limited, and the effect was greatly reduced in this valley. Zhang Ling, Zhao Gang, and Li Yunlong took turns operating the radio transmitter, trying to capture the signal from the headquarters, but failed every time.

"Damn it!" Li Yunlong slammed the table hard, obviously in a very irritated mood, "This broken thing doesn't work at all!"

Zhang Ling suppressed his anxiety, thought calmly, and then suddenly said: "Perhaps we can try to build a temporary highland signal station and use the terrain advantage to enhance the signal strength."

Zhao Gang immediately understood what Zhang Ling meant and nodded, "Yes, this method is feasible. The signal coverage at the top of the mountain will be much better. We can send someone with equipment to try it out at the top of the mountain."