Bright Sword: This unit is really ruthless

Zhang Ling snorted coldly: "I ordered your regiment to launch a surprise attack on the enemy's supply line, but several of your soldiers changed the plan without authorization. As a result, the operation failed and there were heavy casualties! You are disobeying orders!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong's face darkened. "Captain Zhang Ling, I admit that there are a few troublemakers under my command, but their starting point is good and they are all for the overall situation. I haven't had time to understand the specific situation yet, don't worry, I will give you an explanation."

Zhang Ling looked at Li Yunlong with sharp eyes: "Li Yunlong, I know you are good at leading troops, but this is not a reason for you to indulge your soldiers. On the battlefield, military orders are as heavy as a mountain. You should know this better than anyone else! If everyone makes decisions on their own like you, then what is the point of having me as a commander?"

Li Yunlong stared back, but he also understood that what Zhang Ling said made sense. He said, "Captain Zhang Ling, I will definitely find out the truth about this matter and give you a satisfactory answer. However, I also hope that you can understand the practical difficulties we face on the front line. Sometimes, things are not that simple."

Zhang Ling smiled coldly: "I understand the difficulties on the front line, but I understand the importance of discipline even more. Okay, go and bring those troublemakers to me. I want to see how they have the guts to disobey orders."

Li Yunlong nodded, turned around and said to Zhang Dabiao beside him: "Dabiao, go and bring the monk, Cheng Xiazi and the others to me!"

Zhang Dabiao responded and left. Not long after, he brought several soldiers to Zhang Ling. The monk had a mischievous smile on his face, Cheng Xiazi looked disdainful, and Xiuqin looked a little uneasy. Only Zhao Gang looked normal and calm.

"Captain Zhang Ling." Zhao Gang took the initiative to speak. His voice was neither loud nor low, but it had a power that could not be ignored.

Zhang Ling glanced at him and nodded: "You guys, do you know why I called you here?"

The monk answered first: "Captain, I know that this operation was not carried out according to your plan. It is our fault. But we are also trying to save more brothers. If you want to punish us, please punish us."

Zhang Ling narrowed his eyes and stared at the monk: "Save people? Do you think you can save more people by not following the plan? But do you know that because you acted on your own, the follow-up support was not in place, and more people were put in danger?"

The smile on the monk's face gradually disappeared, and he lowered his head, looking a little helpless. Xiuqin stood up and said in a trembling voice: "Captain, this action was my suggestion. I felt that it would be too dangerous to follow the original plan, so I proposed to temporarily change the plan, but I didn't expect..."

Zhang Ling interrupted her: "What didn't you expect? Didn't you expect the result to be worse? Xiuqin, you are a smart girl, why did you make such a low-level mistake?"

Xiuqin's face turned pale instantly, and she whispered, "I was wrong, Captain."

Zhang Ling glanced at them coldly, and finally his eyes fell on Zhao Gang: "Zhao Gang, you are the political commissar, what do you think of this situation?"

Zhao Gang spoke calmly, "Captain Zhang Ling, I understand your anger. Military orders are as heavy as mountains, and we all know that. But I also want to make it clear that Heshang and Xiuqin did this not for themselves, but more out of consideration for their comrades. It's not that they don't want to follow orders, but they want to find a better way under complicated circumstances."

Zhang Ling sneered: "A better way? But it turns out that their 'better way' is no better than my orders."

Zhao Gang nodded in agreement: "Yes, it has been proven that their judgment was wrong. But the battlefield changes rapidly, and no one can guarantee that every decision is correct. I think that instead of blindly blaming them, it is better to learn a lesson from it and let them be more cautious and obey orders in future actions."

Zhang Ling was silent for a while, obviously thinking about what Zhao Gang said. After a while, he nodded slowly: "Zhao Gang, you are right. The mistake has already happened, and we can't make it again. I can not hold you accountable, but the premise is that you must recognize your mistakes and promise not to make them again in the future."

The monk, Xiuqin and several others responded in unison: "Yes, Captain!"

Zhang Ling nodded: "Very good. Remember, the most important things on the battlefield are discipline and obedience. Any individual heroism will bring disaster to the collective. Go back and reflect on your actions and prepare for the next action."

Several people saluted and quickly left the headquarters. After they left, Zhang Ling looked at Li Yunlong and said in a softer tone: "Li Yunlong, I'm giving you a chance this time, but that doesn't mean I will continue to tolerate this kind of behavior in the future. I hope you can manage your men well."

Li Yunlong smiled bitterly: "Captain Zhang Ling, don't worry, this is an exception, it will never happen again. My people, Li Yunlong, may have troublemakers, but they are never lacking in loyalty."

Zhang Ling nodded and said no more. At this moment, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside, and then a signalman ran in with an anxious look on his face: "Captain Zhang Ling, Captain Li, there is an urgent report from the front line!"

Zhang Ling and Li Yunlong looked at each other and immediately turned to the signalman: "Speak!"

The signalman panted and said, "The Japanese have discovered our movements and are mobilizing a large force to prepare to encircle us!"

Zhang Ling frowned, quickly walked to the map, and whispered, "This is troublesome. If they succeed in encircling us, our troops will be in danger."

Li Yunlong slammed the table fiercely: "We can't just sit there and wait for death! Commander Zhang Ling, I suggest that we immediately mobilize the reserve forces to attack the main force of the Japanese from the flank and catch them off guard!"

Zhang Ling pondered for a moment and made a quick decision: "Okay! Li Yunlong, take your men to the flanks and make sure to stop the Japanese from surrounding you. Zhao Gang, follow me to the front line and command the main force to defend!"

"Yes!" Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang responded at the same time and then took quick action.

The entire command center instantly entered a tense combat state. While commanding and deploying, Zhang Ling was thinking about how to deal with this sudden crisis. He knew that this battle would determine the success or failure of the entire campaign, and any mistake could lead to irreversible consequences.

On the way to the front line, Zhao Gang rode his horse close to Zhang Ling and whispered: "Captain Zhang Ling, I think it's hard to say what results this operation will achieve, but one thing is certain, this battle will be a tough one."

Zhang Ling nodded, his eyes firm: "Zhao Gang, I know you are a man with ideas, but now is not the time to discuss right and wrong. The winner is the king on the battlefield, we can only go all out."

Zhao Gang was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily: "Captain Zhang Ling, I understand. I will do my best to assist you in commanding this battle."

When they arrived at the front line, the battle had already begun. The sound of gunfire and artillery fire mixed together, and the entire battlefield was filled with smoke and the smell of gunpowder. Zhang Ling immediately took command. His orders were concise and clear, with an unquestionable majesty. Under his command, the soldiers quickly adjusted their positions and resisted the first wave of attacks from the devils.

However, the enemy's offensive became more and more fierce, and Zhang Ling's brows were furrowed more and more. He realized that the enemy was determined to annihilate them this time.

Zhang Ling obtained more than a dozen standard cannons and prepared to attack the hill.

"Report to the commander! We have just received supplies from the headquarters, and more than a dozen standard cannons have been delivered to us!" A signalman hurried into the command center with an expression that showed he could not conceal his excitement.

Zhang Ling smiled when he heard the news. He knew that these cannons were exactly what was needed in the current battle. It was too difficult to attack the hilltop occupied by the enemy with infantry alone, and these dozen cannons were undoubtedly the key weapon to break the deadlock.

"Very good," Zhang Ling said solemnly, "Let the artillery company deploy immediately. Target - the hilltop held by the enemy. I want to hear the roar of artillery shells before dark."

"Yes, Commander!" The signalman saluted, turned around and ran out.

Zhao Gang stood aside, frowning slightly: "Captain Zhang Ling, although these cannons are powerful, our people have hardly used them. It is still a question whether we can fully exert their firepower before the battle."

Zhang Ling looked at Zhao Gang with sharp eyes, "Zhao Gang, I know you are worried, but we don't have time to adjust slowly. We must take this hill, otherwise our main force will be in danger of being attacked from both sides by the enemy. Instead of worrying, we should take action. I believe that as long as our soldiers dare to fight hard, they will succeed."

Zhao Gang sighed and nodded, "The commander is right. The situation is pressing and we really have no way out. Then I will arrange training for the artillery company and try to familiarize them with these cannons in the shortest possible time."

"Okay," Zhang Ling nodded in agreement, "You go ahead, I'll make some more arrangements here."

Zhao Gang turned and left. Zhang Ling watched him leave, and his mind was rapidly calculating the next move. He knew that there must be no mistakes in this attack on the hilltop, otherwise not only would he lose the opportunity to fight, but he might also put the whole situation in a passive position.

"Captain, Captain Li just sent a message saying that he is ready and can cooperate with us at any time." The adjutant came over and reported in a low voice.

"Very good, tell Li Yunlong that as soon as our artillery bombardment begins, let him launch a surprise attack immediately and make sure to take the hilltop in one fell swoop while the enemy is in panic." Zhang Ling gave orders while thinking.

"Understood, Commander!" The adjutant took the order and left.

At this time, Zhang Dabiao walked into the headquarters with an excited smile on his face, "Captain, I heard that our artillery has arrived? Hey, let's see how arrogant the Japanese can be now! These days they have been suppressing us with that hilltop, today we must let them have a taste of our power!"

Zhang Ling looked at Zhang Dabiao with a hint of seriousness in his eyes, "Dabiao, you have to follow me and personally command this battle. Your company is responsible for the breakthrough mission on the west side of the hilltop. Remember, the enemy occupies an advantageous terrain, and you must not take it lightly."