Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 217 I was set up by my boss!
the next day.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but the area around the training ground was already bustling with noise.

Today's highlight of the grand martial arts competition is the team combat, and the air is filled with a mixture of gunpowder smoke and excitement.

Combat exercises conducted at the battalion and company level have always been the best way to demonstrate the comprehensive strength and style of a unit.

Battalion-level confrontations are naturally the home ground for the Independent Detachment.

After all, the conference was held at the base of the Independent Detachment. Other brother units had come from afar, and it was already difficult enough for them to bring a company of elite troops. It was impossible for them to bring an entire battalion.

Therefore, the competition at the battalion level unfolded among several brigades under the independent detachment. But this did not diminish the enthusiasm of the observing delegates in the slightest.

The offensive and defensive drills of a battalion-level unit provide a glimpse into their tactical coordination, combat style, and adaptability.

One of the main purposes of many delegates' trip was to see firsthand how the Independent Detachment fought and trained, hoping to learn something from it.

Team competitions begin at the company level and are divided into two main categories: collective survival and tactical combat.

Collective survival projects are brutal and realistic. A 20-kilometer unsupplied extreme infiltration march requires a company to conduct a long-distance raid in unfamiliar and complex terrain, with various unexpected interferences along the way.

Upon arrival at the destination, the field defense position must be constructed within thirty minutes using readily available equipment, including fortifications, firing positions, and bunkers.

The next challenge was the battlefield casualty rescue challenge, which simulated rescuing, bandaging, and evacuating the wounded under enemy fire, testing the troops' battlefield survivability and medical support capabilities.

Each project simulates the extreme conditions of a real battlefield, providing an ultimate test of willpower, physical strength, and skills.

Tactical combat games are more direct and intense, taking the form of village attack and defense battles.

After the attacking and defending sides were determined by drawing lots, the defending company moved into the simulated village and built a defensive line;

The attacking company must develop a plan and launch an attack within a specified time. The winner is determined by capturing the flag in the center of the village.

This type of confrontation closely replicates the most common type of attack operation behind enemy lines, and it puts the commander's tactical acumen and the troops' coordinated execution capabilities to a severe test.

This company-level competition involved six companies from brother units, each bringing its own unique style and characteristics.

This even included a company personally brought by the brigade commander. It was an elite force under Blind Cheng, known for its tough style and rich combat experience.

To ensure fairness, the independent detachment only dispatched six companies, with each battalion sending one company to participate, representing the full strength of its forces.

The confrontation was intense and closely fought, with the brother unit's company displaying tenacious fighting spirit and unique skills, drawing cheers from the onlookers.

The company led by Blind Cheng was particularly fierce, like a sharp knife when attacking and as solid as a rock when defending, causing considerable trouble for the independent detachment's companies.

However, the company of the independent detachment ultimately prevailed.

Their teamwork was impeccable, their tactical maneuvers were clean and efficient, their firepower was used precisely and effectively, and their battlefield maneuvers were fluid and seamless.

Whether it was their tenacity during extreme marches, their speed in constructing positions, or their decisiveness in switching between offense and defense, they demonstrated an overall quality that far surpassed that of other units.

Ultimately, the rankings were unsurprising, with the top three spots swept by the three companies of the Independent Detachment. (Due to space limitations, the specific battle details are omitted.)
Exclamations of praise rose and fell from the audience.

"Brilliant! That's fucking brilliant! I knew we were going to lose, but I didn't expect to lose so decisively."

A regimental commander from a brother unit clicked his tongue, expressing both admiration and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion).

"When the independent detachment's company gets into battle, their firepower, their coordination, their momentum—it feels even fiercer than a battalion under my command!"

“Who says otherwise!” a staff officer chimed in.

"Look at their alternating cover during the attack; the layers are clear, and there's not a single unnecessary movement."

"The defensive formations were incredibly cunning, with seamless crossfire. No wonder such a unit could rout the Japanese!"

Even the brigade commander stroked his chin, his eyes filled with both satisfaction and deep contemplation. He sighed to his staff officer beside him:
"That kid Chen Ming has a really strange way of leading troops."

"I followed the training syllabus he sent, produced as much ammunition as I wanted, and selected the best recruits. The soldiers I trained were indeed quite good, but when we compared them here, something just felt off. What exactly was missing?"

The brigade commander really spared no expense.

Thanks to the substantial "family fortune" that Chen Ming handed over, he became much more financially secure.

They specially selected elite troops and trained them according to the training model and ammunition consumption standards of the independent detachment, thus creating a benchmark company.

This company's combat effectiveness has improved significantly, far exceeding that of ordinary troops.

However, when competing against companies of independent detachments, they are always completely suppressed in terms of tactical flexibility, battlefield adaptability, and their indomitable spirit.

The brigade commander was puzzled. The training volume was the same, the equipment level was even better, and the combat experience was about the same, so why were the results so different?

Ultimately, he could only attribute this gap to something intangible—the spirit of the army.

"The Independent Detachment is a unit with a strong military spirit," the brigade commander murmured.

"And Chen Ming is the one who forged this military spirit."

The so-called military spirit is not a metaphysics; it is a belief that runs deep in one's bones. It is the absolute confidence that one can tear apart the enemy and seize the final victory, even when in dire straits and outnumbered.

This belief stems from the series of glorious victories achieved by the Independent Detachment since its formation, forged in the blood and corpses of the Japanese invaders and through repeated victories against overwhelming odds!
The smoke from the company-level competition had barely cleared when the even more anticipated battalion-level competition kicked off.

The Independent Detachment has six battalions, each of which selects a fully equipped elite battalion of about 600 men to fight against each other by drawing lots.

In the first round, three battalions were eliminated. Then, the best-performing battalion among the three losing battalions was given a chance to be revived and join the second round, ultimately determining the two strongest battalions.

These two battalions will receive priority in equipment replacement and personnel replenishment, and will be incorporated into the soon-to-be-established special forces detachment as the backbone of the force, which is of great significance.

The lottery ceremony was brief but intense, and the results were announced quickly:

First Battalion He Jianxin's Unit vs. Second Battalion Kong Jie's Unit

Independent First Battalion Ding Wei's Unit vs. Third Battalion Li Yousheng's Unit
Fourth Battalion Wang Gui's unit vs. Fifth Battalion Luo Jian's unit

The arena was chosen in a vast area on the edge of the base, which included mountains, rivers, jungles and several abandoned villages. The complex terrain was sufficient to simulate various tactical situations.

Referees and observers were scattered throughout, nervously recording the performance of both sides.

Throughout the day, the area was filled with the sounds of gunfire (blank rounds), whistles, and shouts, and the air was thick with the smoke of battle.

Six battalions, thousands of elite soldiers, did their utmost, using their wits and courage to fight on this simulated battlefield.

The attacking side tries to break through the defense line, while the defending side proceeds step by step; flanking maneuvers, frontal assaults, luring the enemy deep into the territory, holding out for reinforcements... all kinds of tactics are performed to the fullest extent.

The observing cadres were completely captivated, sometimes applauding the exquisite teamwork, sometimes holding their breath at the fierce attacks, and sometimes marveling at the tenacious defense.

The independent detachment's extensive tactical repertoire and the soldiers' superb individual skills were on full display at this moment.

Finally, after a full day of intense competition, the results of the first round were in (details omitted):
Kong Jie's second battalion, a battalion, relied on its signature, almost impenetrable defense.

They wore down He Jianxin's elite First Brigade, the most formidable and determined unit, until they were completely exhausted.

In the end, they seized the flag in a brilliant counterattack, causing quite a stir.

The battle between Ding Wei's Independent First Battalion and Li Yousheng's Third Battalion was relatively uneventful.

Ding Wei's troops, with their more seasoned experience and more refined battlefield control, secured a victory without major incident.

Wang Gui's Fourth Battalion and Luo Jian's Fifth Battalion fought an exceptionally fierce and tenacious battle, with both sides fighting to the very end. In the end, Wang Gui's unit won by a narrow margin.

According to the rules, among the three battalions that failed in the first round, He Jianxin's battalion, although defeated, was rated as "best performing" by the judges for its impact and organization during the attack, and was granted the qualification to be revived and enter the second round.

In the second round of the draw, the battalion of the resurrected First Battalion faced off against Ding Wei's unit of the newly victorious Independent First Battalion, while Kong Jie's victorious unit faced off against Wang Gui's unit, which had also won.

Another fierce battle ensued.

He Jianxin's troops were clearly burning with rage, and their offensive became even more ferocious. However, Ding Wei's troops displayed remarkable defensive resilience and were extremely adept at exploiting weaknesses revealed when their opponents were impatient. In the end, He Jianxin's troops once again suffered a narrow defeat.

On the other side, Kong Jie's solid defense once again withstood the test. Despite Wang Gui's best efforts and several near breakthroughs, they ultimately failed.

With the dust settled, Kong Jie's Second Battalion and Ding Wei's Independent First Battalion emerged victorious, securing both honor and future priority for development.

This result infuriated He Jianxin.

His face turned ashen, and he ripped off his hat, slamming it down on the table in the temporary command post.
"Damn it! Shameful! Absolutely shameful!"

As the undisputed top main force of the independent detachment, its First Battalion suffered a crushing defeat in this confrontation, first losing to Kong Jie and then to Ding Wei.

How will he ever be able to hold his head high in the brigade again?

How can they still have the nerve to call themselves the sharpest knife in the Independent Detachment?

Although He Jianxin felt frustrated at losing to Ding Wei, he could barely accept it.

After all, Ding Wei's Independent First Battalion was also the main force of the detachment, and its combat power was comparable to that of his First Battalion. It was normal for either side to win or lose. This time, the other side only won by a narrow margin.

Losing to Kong Jie, and in a near-crushing defeat at that, was something the proud and arrogant He Jianxin could not accept at all.

It wasn't that he looked down on Kong Jie.

Kong Jie and his Second Battalion have undoubtedly possessed exceptional qualities to have secured their positions as one of the three main forces of the Independent Detachment, making it difficult for other detachments to surpass them.

He Jianxin acknowledged Kong Jie's abilities.

However, judging from past achievements, resources acquired, and the general morale of the troops, He Jianxin was convinced that the overall strength of his First Battalion should be superior to that of Kong Jie's Second Battalion.

But at this crucial moment, things went wrong, and in such an ugly way!

"Go back! All of you go back and train extra hard! Train like crazy!"

He Jianxin roared at the dejected battalion commander, who looked like a defeated rooster:

"If you can't find where you went wrong, your battalion can forget about having a good time!"

"Yes, sir!!" The battalion commander was filled with shame, his head almost buried in his chest.

In stark contrast to He Jianxin's fury was Kong Jie's barely suppressed smile.

He stroked his chin, grinned, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkled into a wide smile:

"That was awesome! That was fucking awesome! Haha!"

This victory was of great significance to him.

They defeated He Jianxin's elite battalion in a fair and square exercise.

This undoubtedly proves to everyone that Kong Jie and his Second Brigade are not just for show. They usually keep a low profile, but that's just their nature. They are not incapable of fighting!

After this battle, even though the Second Battalion is still considered by outsiders to be the weakest link among the three main forces, no one will dare to underestimate them anymore.

Ding Wei, on the other hand, appeared much calmer, with only a faint, confident smile on his face.

He and Kong Jie were old comrades-in-arms and had a close relationship. Seeing Kong Jie able to hold his head high, he was happy for him.

Kong Jie's style is steady and solid, and he is good at defense. This time, he was able to maximize his advantages, which is a perfect demonstration of his value.

On the observation platform, some were happy while others were sad, and Chen Ming was clearly among the happy ones, with a meaningful expression on his face.

"Comrade Jianxin has suffered such a great loss this time. He should know from now on that there are always people more capable than him and there is always something beyond his reach."

Chen Ming spoke softly to Political Commissar Zhang Zhengze beside him, smiling as he spoke.

Zhang Zhengze adjusted his glasses and nodded:

"Yes, Lao He is an extremely capable person. He is also willing to use his brain and fight desperately in battle."

"It's just that our independent detachment has been developing too smoothly, and it's a top-notch main force. With all the victories, it's become a bit restless lately, and some arrogance and complacency have inevitably crept into the unit as well."

"I think the root of this defeat lies in underestimating the enemy and being reckless. We underestimated Comrade Kong Jie's defensive resilience and allowed the enemy to exploit our weaknesses."

"A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. If the First Brigade seriously reflects on this setback and learns from it, it will never make the same mistake again when facing the enemy in the future. On the contrary, it is a great thing."

"Yeah, that's right."

Chen Ming gazed intently at the still-smoking training ground in the distance.

"We suffer losses, be beaten, and even lose face in our own exercises, pay the price, and learn from the experience."

"This is a million times better than being caught off guard and having the enemy seize an opportunity due to the same carelessness on the real battlefield."

"On the battlefield, a single command error or a moment of complacency could cost the precious lives of hundreds or thousands of soldiers."

"It could even lead to the loss of a key battle, a price we cannot afford."

Chen Ming paused, his tone grave: "So, this scheme was worthwhile."

That's right, one of the purposes of this large-scale military exercise is to select key personnel for the special forces.

Another deeper and more important purpose was a trap set by Chen Ming specifically for He Jian and his First Brigade.

Since capturing Datong, the Independent Detachment has been renowned for its prestige, and the First Battalion, as the main force in the assault, has been surrounded by various accolades.

Flowers, applause, envious glances from other units... it's easy to lose yourself in all of this.

Chen Ming keenly sensed that a sense of pride, complacency, underestimation of the enemy, and impetuosity was growing in the First Brigade, especially among some mid- to high-ranking commanders.

Having an invincible belief is a good thing, but if it turns into arrogance and disdain for others, that is the path to defeat.

Therefore, Chen Ming cleverly used this martial arts exercise to set up this scheme.

He deliberately chose terrain that was advantageous for defense, and he knew that Kong Jie's steady, defensive, and resilient command style was the perfect counter to He Jianxin's troops' aggressive, frontal breakthrough style.

He anticipated that, given He Jianxin's current mindset, he would likely headlong into it.

The result was exactly as Chen Ming had expected. He knew his valiant generals and their troops all too well.

If He Jianxin's troops had been more cautious and proceeded step by step, with their formidable fighting strength, they could have at least fought Kong Jie's troops to a standstill.

However, driven by impatience, overconfidence, and recklessness, failure was almost inevitable.

Following this, the First Battalion, whose morale was dampened and whose mentality was unbalanced after suffering a setback, was bound to lose another match against Ding Wei, whose strength was already comparable and who was also shrewd and experienced.

Chen Ming intended to use these two consecutive painful and public defeats as a bucket of ice water to pour hard on the feverish minds of He Jianxin and all the officers and soldiers of the First Brigade.

Let's give them a thorough "cooling down" and "brainwashing," and crack down hard on this unhealthy trend that has begun to spread.

Chen Ming's efforts were truly commendable.

As for Ding Wei's troops, who also participated in the Datong Campaign and made outstanding contributions, Chen Ming was not worried.

Ding Wei is an experienced veteran who has weathered ups and downs and knows how to manage the rhythm and mindset of the troops.

He will adjust the troops himself, and there is no need for Chen Ming to use this method to discipline him.

If He Jianxin knew of his beloved leader's profound and far-sighted plans at this moment, would he, amidst his regret and shame, let out a long sigh, a mixture of laughter and tears?
"So it turns out we were set up by the boss!"

P.S.: I'm too lazy to go into the details of the drills; we'll be moving on to the main storyline tomorrow.

(End of this chapter)