Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

At the threshing ground at the village entrance, the 1st and 2nd Guard Companies, having received orders, had quickly assembled. Nearly two hundred soldiers, fully armed and with grim expressions, stood ready. The gunners of the four mortars had already prepared their mounts and ammunition boxes. Two company commanders ran up to report.

"Everyone knows the situation." Zhao Ping'an stood at the front of the group, his voice not loud but clear enough to carry throughout the entire area. "A bunch of reckless bandits and deserters dared to plot against us and even threaten the security of an important factory in the rear. Our mission is to catch up with them and wipe them out! This is a security mission, and also a real combat training exercise! Do you have the confidence?!"

"Yes!!!" The thunderous answer echoed through the mountain village.

"Check your equipment, prepare to depart! Move out as soon as the guide arrives!"

Soon, three local soldiers familiar with the terrain, sent by Commander Li, came running over, panting. After Zhao Ping'an briefly inquired about the terrain features of Black Wind Ridge and the possible hiding places of the bandits, he didn't linger any longer.

"Set off!"

At a command, two elite guard companies, like a sword drawn from its sheath, swiftly left the village under the guidance of their commander. Following the chaotic tracks left by the retreating enemy, they sped towards the towering Black Wind Ridge mountains to the northwest.

Sunlight streamed down the mountain path, illuminating the well-equipped and highly motivated small unit. Zhao Ping'an walked in the middle of the column, feeling the weight of his weapons and the steady steps of the soldiers around him. The sense of alienation that belonged to transmigrators was fading away, replaced by a clear, tense anticipation of battle.

The real first battle has begun.

Soon, the reconnaissance soldiers, equipped with advanced telescopes, reported via walkie-talkie that they had spotted the enemy and were continuing their pursuit.

Zhao Ping'an's orders were clear and concise, and were transmitted to each combat unit via walkie-talkie.

"The reconnaissance team should move forward, remain concealed, and focus on ascertaining the size of the bandit group, its equipment, and its retreat route, and report back as needed."

"First and second platoons of Company 1, advance rapidly along the ridgeline on both sides, maintain radio silence, and establish observation posts after reaching positions D3 and D4 according to the map just issued."

"Firepower platoon, carrying heavy machine guns and mortars, will move with command. Target area: Hill C2."

"2nd Company, disperse in platoons and advance in stages along the valley road, paying attention to searching for suspicious traces on both sides."

The troops responded immediately.

The team of nearly two hundred people was almost completely quiet, except for the sound of footsteps and the slight clatter of equipment.

What astonished the local guides even more was that the various teams, though separated by ridges and trees, could not see each other.

However, through the "big iron box" (walkie-talkie) he carried on his back, brief reports could be heard from time to time in a low voice.

"Reconnaissance team reports that the enemy has approximately 100 members and is currently in area C4. Their target direction is southwest, and they are expected to pass through area D4. The preliminary destination is estimated to be area E4."

"The first platoon of the first company has arrived at position D3. The visibility is good, and no abnormalities have been detected."

"First and second rows, in position..."

The information flowed like a stream into the main walkie-talkie in Zhao Ping'an's hand.

Beside him, an operations staff officer quickly marked and updated the simplified map. The entire battlefield seemed to be slowly enveloped by an invisible yet intricate net.

The old hunter Sun Laosan, who was leading the way, couldn't help but whisper in amazement to the soldier beside him:

"My goodness... your 'all-hearing' ears are truly amazing! In the past, it would have taken a horse a gallop to carry a message, but now you know everything in the blink of an eye!"

The soldier patted the walkie-talkie with a sense of pride and chuckled, "This is some new gadget our brigade commander got us, it's pretty awesome!"

Zhao Ping'an ignored the whispers; his attention was entirely focused on the map and the constantly incoming information.

Based on the reconnaissance team's analysis of footprints, discarded items, and terrain passages, he quickly determined the most likely escape route and the direction of the bandits' hideout—a natural cave deep within Black Wind Ridge, where areas D4 and E4 on the map are located, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Locals call it "Eagle Cave."

"Trying to retreat into your shell?" Zhao Ping'an's lips curled into a cold smile. He quickly made a decision: "Order! 1st Platoon and 2nd Platoon, 1st Company, adjust your positions and establish sniper positions along the enemy's route to Eagle Cave. Cut off their retreat before they return to the cave!"

"The 3rd platoon of the 1st company, reinforce with a heavy machine gun, and prepare to pursue. Once the 1st and 2nd platoons reach their designated positions, advance and begin the attack. Maintain contact and drive them away, but don't press too hard."

"Firepower Platoon, Command Post, set up mortars immediately upon arrival at the location and calculate firing data!"

"2nd Company, send out a platoon to protect the guide and the mules carrying some ammunition. The rest of you, hurry up and follow behind the 3rd Platoon of the 1st Company to provide support!"

The command was again conveyed silently via walkie-talkie.

The troops, like intricate gears, meshed and turned again, changing direction but moving even faster.

Especially the soldiers of the 1st and 2nd platoons, who were responsible for flanking maneuvers, were alerted when they learned they had to get ahead of the enemy and block the breach.

It also unleashed astonishing endurance and speed, swiftly traversing the mountains and forests.

More than two hours later.

On a relatively open rocky beach less than two miles from Eagle Cave,

More than a hundred terrified bandits were gathering in disarray under the shouts of their leaders.

As they counted heads, some cursed their bad luck, while others looked back with greedy eyes at the path they had come from.

—Those are supplies transported by trucks; how much profit must they make?

"Boss, it seems like there are no pursuers behind us?" one of the bandits asked, looking around.

The ruthless bandit leader, known as the "Big Boss," had just breathed a sigh of relief and was about to order his men to return to their cave and hold their ground when...

Suddenly, a series of urgent and unfamiliar bugle calls came from the direction of Eagle Cave, followed by a burst of gunfire.

Almost simultaneously, numerous figures dressed in gray military uniforms, moving swiftly, appeared in the shadowy shadows of the mountains and forests on the front and flanks.

You can vaguely see the dark muzzle of a gun and... a heavy machine gun mounted up?

"Oh no! We've been trapped!" The leader's heart sank, and cold sweat instantly broke out.

The speed and encirclement tactics of the enemy were completely different from what he remembered of local troops or militia!

"Quick! Rush back into the cave! Hold the fortified position!" he roared hoarsely, drawing his gun and preparing to lead the charge into Eagle Cave.

However, it was too late.

"call out--!"

A sharp whooshing sound came from the high ground in another direction.