A Textbook Siege-and-Rescue Operation 4

Tansen Meilin's head was genuinely throbbing right now.

Listening to Yetai Yangquan's complaints, he slammed the table in front of him. "Are you useless?! Huh? Don't you know to come to me for instructions the moment something happens?"

Yetai Yangquan's heart tasted bitter—it was Tansen Meilin who had only now deigned to communicate with him.

Currently, Dongwen had already lost 75 people in the first battle against Moye and Cimei, leaving only 25 to defend Fortress Point 3, which was worth 20 points. Fortress Point 2 had already been taken by Moye and Cimei. The only way to break the deadlock now was for Tansen Meilin to send Lianda troops to set up an ambush on the road between Fortress Point 2 and Fortress Point 3.

But it was already too late—there wasn't enough time, and Xu Lingqu wouldn't give him that chance.

Sure enough, before Tansen Meilin could even finish venting his anger at Yetai Yangquan, word came from Yetai Yangquan's side: the scouts near Fortress Point 3 reported that Xu Lingqu had already sent people to surround the area.

At the same time, Jie Luo rapidly sent a request to establish a communication channel. Tansen Meilin, shaking with fury, accepted the request, only to hear Jie Luo deliver another piece of bad news.

Zhicheng's Fortress Point 1 had also been surrounded by Moye and Cimei forces, with only 20 people inside.

"Tell those scouts of yours, whose skills are shit, to scout again properly! This time, is it a real siege or a fake one?! How can so many troops be under Xu Lingqu's command?!" Tansen Meilin exploded.

He wasn't the only one confused. Jin was also puzzled, staring at how Situke had obediently sent over 70 people and 80% of their heavy firepower, lost in thought. But he quickly snapped back and put on his usual arrogant front, making Situke's people tremble with fear.

Remembering that Xu Lingqu had mentioned they would launch the second offensive soon, Jin led this group nonstop on a forced march to Fortress Point 3.

Meanwhile, Xu Lingqu split her current 92 people into two teams, surrounding Fortress Points 1 and 3 respectively. She, Yun Yao, and Ye Yu personally led the team encircling Fortress Point 3, while Shen Shouli, Xu Xiqin, and Liu Zheng surrounded Fortress Point 1.

Fortress Point 2 had already been certified as taken by Cimei. She left only 10 people inside, with orders to abandon the point and retreat to rejoin the main force immediately if any enemy activity was detected.

She was wary of Tansen Meilin predicting that she wouldn't leave anyone to hold the point and attempting an ultimate flanking maneuver. Unfortunately, Tansen Meilin hadn't thought it through that far—he was now caught in Xu Lingqu's rhythm, stomping his feet in frustration at her renewed siege tactics.

Jin arrived at Fortress Point 2 with his people. Xu Lingqu stepped out of the command vehicle and glanced at the Situke students, whose faces were all etched with unease.

"You're all military cadets. Even if you're from a regional academy, you've undergone basic military training—you should have some basic fighting spirit," Xu Lingqu said, looking at them. "I know you're all thinking, 'Is she dragging us here to be cannon fodder for Cimei and Moye?' I'll tell you plainly: yes, that's exactly what you are."

The Situke students, who had been quiet as quails, couldn't help but murmur among themselves when she said this to their faces.

"Being cannon fodder for me is still better than hiding in a five-point fortress like a turtle," Xu Lingqu said with a wave of her hand. Ye Yu led people to equip each of them with the finest light infantry gear. "I believe your family and friends are watching you in this military academy league right now. Whether you deliver a spectacular performance and show them your bravery, or they watch you retreat in disgrace—the answer should be clear in your hearts."

"If every battle from here on is a total victory, there is no such thing as cannon fodder here—only heroes."

Holding the equipment in their hands, with Xu Lingqu's words echoing in their ears, the Situke students knew they were from a weak academy, destined to play the role of punching bags in the league. But that didn't mean they lacked fighting spirit or a will to win.

Their earlier hesitation was partly due to their commander's orders, and partly because they themselves saw little hope.

Now Xu Lingqu had given them that hope.

"Jin, Ye Yu—take 70 people and part of the heavy firepower to set up an ambush on the road between Fortress Point 3 and Fortress Point 5. The rest, hold your position and be ready to seize Fortress Point 3 with me at any moment."

Xu Lingqu climbed back into the command vehicle.

She now had 246 people at her disposal. Shen Shouli's side remained at 46, while she had 120 here.

Yun Yao was puzzled. "I thought we had enough people now. You're going to make both sides real sieges and real attacks—why not send some to the other side?"

Xu Lingqu said calmly, "Because that side is a fake siege and a fake attack."

"It's Situke! Situke gave them weapons and personnel support. Damn it!" The scouts finally brought back useful intel, and Tansen Meilin gnashed his teeth in fury.

Yetai Yangquan and Jie Luo could only watch him vent silently. Yetai Yangquan was on the verge of collapse, after all, he was currently inside Fortress Point 3, with the combined forces of Moye, Cimei, and Situke just outside—how could he not be frantic!

"Tan, Tansen, I really need Lianda's help right now. I only have 25 people here! We can't hold for long. If you don't come, Dongwen will be completely wiped out." There was actually a road between Fortress Points 1 and 3 that could be used for reinforcements, but Jie Luo couldn't even save himself right now.

Now, similarly surrounded, the only ones who could quickly support Zhicheng's Fortress Point 1 were their own people at Fortress Point 4.

Jie Luo had proactively requested communication with Tansen Meilin, hoping to gauge Tansen Meilin's attitude toward Dongwen.

After thinking it over, Tansen Meilin quickly reached a conclusion: Xu Lingqu had plenty of people now, so naturally she'd want to blossom on both fronts—all real sieges and real attacks!

So he immediately rejected Yetai Yangquan's plea: "Impossible. If I send reinforcements now, there will definitely be ambushers waiting on the road! Is there any difference between going to help you and going to die? You're the one who made an incredibly stupid decision that painted Dongwen into a corner. I'm not going to pay for your failure!"

"How can you be so sure! Can't you at least try sending a few scouts to check before deciding?!" Yetai Yangquan, seeing his desperate pleas fall on deaf ears, finally couldn't help but shout at Tansen Meilin.

Tansen Meilin simply cut off their communication channel and said to Jie Luo, "Teams like Dongwen, who are idiots, should be disqualified from the league. Jie Luo, you're a smart one. Your Fortress Point 1 is surrounded—you can just abandon those 20 people inside. And your Fortress Point 4 can be vacated. Give me your 55 people and put them under my command." He continued: "I won't let Xu Lingqu easily advance from the west side to the east side."