Chapter 18: I, Hu Hansan, Have Returned
The smoke on the summit of Qingkou Mountain had yet to dissipate, and the cold wind, tinged with the stench of blood, earth, and burning, swept into the makeshift command post. Wang Lin leaned against the cold rock wall, his eyes scanning the map spread out on an ammunition crate—a hastily drawn sketch in blue pencil captured the shifting positions of friend and foe. Around Qingkou, the blue arrows symbolizing the retreating enemy forces were gradually fading at the edge of the map.
“Regimental commander, the preliminary casualty and capture reports from each company are in,” came the weary yet subtly pleased voice of Political Commissar Wang Guangdao. “The losses are less than expected. The new recruits... they’ve really toughened up! Especially seeing our artillery and assault teams—there’s a relentless fighting spirit, truly unstoppable!”
Wang Lin nodded, intending to smile but found his cheeks stiff. Just as he was about to speak, a slight dizziness suddenly washed over him. The battlefield map before his eyes seemed to shimmer with a faint halo, and the familiar interface of the system quietly flickered to life in his mind.
[Beep—Host has successfully led the Independent Regiment (strength: 2,700+) to complete the “Regimental Combat Unit” reorganization and earned positive evaluations in the “Qingkou Defense Battle”!]
[Battlefield Command System upgrading…]
[Core function “Tactical Map” enhanced! Detection radius: 20 kilometers; terrain details improved; friend-enemy identification speed greatly accelerated.]
[Unit training effectiveness enhancement function is now ready! Coverage: the entire regiment.]
[New function “Command Aptitude Enhancement” activated!]
Effect: Officers at the squad, platoon, and company levels under the host’s command will experience accelerated growth in military command and tactical application skills.
Description: Learn together, progress together.
[New function “Tactical Simulation and Deduction” activated!]
Effect: The host may submit operational plans for systematic simulation and deduction, generating assessment reports and risk warnings based on real-time maps and intelligence.
Presentation:
Tactical Sandbox: dynamic, planar friend-enemy simulations within the system;
Success Rate Assessment: calculates the probability of tactical success considering all factors;
Risk Warning: highlights critical points in the simulation where significant losses may occur;
Assistance Suggestions: provides tactical adjustment references based on simulation results.
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Description: Gain insight into the battlefield, assess risks, and support command decisions.
[System upgrade complete. Please continue commanding, Regimental Commander.]
“Command…” Wang Lin repeated silently, a warm and steady feeling slowly spreading through him, easing the tightness of his nerves. He was no longer just the “lucky commander” who relied solely on maps and instinct to lead his troops. Now, he had methods to cultivate his core officers and the ability to simulate battle scenarios. The heavy burden that had pressed on his chest—the fear that one wrong move might doom the entire regiment—was quietly melting away like snow under the gentle sun.
He suddenly laughed—a low, relieved sound that echoed clearly in the quiet command post.
Political Commissar Wang Guangdao, who was double-checking the roster, looked up in surprise. “Commander? Are you… alright?” He worried Wang Lin might be exhausted or injured. Beside him, Zhong Guangbang also cast a concerned glance.
Wang Lin suppressed his laughter, wiped his face, and his eyes shone with an unprecedented brightness and a hint of mischief. “I’m fine! Better than ever! I mean, from now on, our Independent Regiment is truly on the right path!”
The burden of 2,700 men... From the brutal fight in Wentang, where only seventy survived, the regiment had gradually grown through relentless battles. Their approach was simple: find weaknesses on the map, concentrate firepower for a strong assault, and send elite squads to strike flanks. From Wentang’s desperate defense, Shitang’s fierce attacks, Daoxian’s clever maneuvers, the perilous crossing of the Xiang River, ambushing the Gui troops, to taking Tongdao city—every battle was like walking on thin ice.
Tactics? Theory? Wang Lin knew well: he didn’t understand much of that. Often, he barely had time to study the map, relying on his battlefield instincts—attack where the enemy was weakest, go all out in an assault, or send a sharp strike to the core. Each victory felt like a gamble won against fate, but it was drenched in cold sweat. What if the map was wrong? What if the assault failed? What if the infiltration was encircled? Any mistake meant lives lost. His nerves had been taut since the day he woke up—never to relax.
Now, the cold wind from Qingkou felt strangely refreshing. Wang Lin stretched, his joints cracking with a lively sound as his body relaxed. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked briskly toward the main front to begin an inspection. Behind him, Wang Guangdao and Zhong Guangbang exchanged glances, their eyes full of puzzlement and concern.
The battlefield was still a hive of activity. Soldiers hurriedly repaired fortifications, transported supplies, and tended to the wounded. Amid the solemn atmosphere lingered the scent of gunpowder and earth.
Wang Lin approached a newly reinforced bunker where Company Commander Chen Ahai and several soldiers were conducting final checks, their faces stern.
“Ahai,” Wang Lin greeted lightly, patting his shoulder, “the fortifications look good! You’re getting more methodical.”
Chen Ahai was momentarily startled but quickly straightened. “Commander! We did our best!”
Wang Lin nodded without another word and moved on to the machine gun nest. Guard Company Commander Zheng Shuisheng was meticulously adjusting a recently captured heavy machine gun.
“Shuisheng,” Wang Lin bent down to inspect, “how’s the condition of this gun?”
“Report, Commander! Everything’s normal!” Zheng Shuisheng answered with precision, though his eyes couldn’t help but glance at the commander—Wang Lin seemed different today.
Unaware, Wang Lin continued forward. Seeing some new recruits practicing tactical moves, he paused to watch.
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“Don’t be nervous,” he kindly told a young soldier whose movements were still awkward. “Everyone’s like this their first time on the battlefield. Experience and listening to veterans will make you steady. When you face the enemy, remember to use the terrain—protect yourself but also strike decisively.”
The recruit nodded earnestly.
Wang Lin’s voice was low but carried far enough that nearby soldiers heard it. Though their hands didn’t stop moving, they all nodded, feeling the commander’s words made sense.
Wang Guangdao and Zhong Guangbang followed behind, their previously furrowed brows slightly eased. The commander spoke more lively than usual, but his thoughts were clear and his tone steady—nothing seemed amiss.
Reaching a small rise before the front line, Wang Lin stopped and turned. Sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating his face, which bore a serious but smiling expression.
“Comrades!” His voice rose, and the soldiers looked up.
“We won the battle at Qingkou! You fought bravely and tenaciously! Well done!” His gaze swept across the crowd. “But more battles lie ahead, harder roads to walk. We can’t rely on just one or two people to find solutions. Our Red Army believes in collective wisdom and shared growth!”
His sincere words echoed through the position. “From now on, whether squad leaders, platoon leaders, veterans, or new recruits, I want everyone to think more and discuss tactics! How to use terrain, how to coordinate, how to achieve victory with the least cost—these are things everyone can and should think about and suggest!”
He looked toward several company and battalion commanders. “You especially must lead by example—organize learning, summarizing, and tactical simulations! Sharpen every company, every platoon in our Independent Regiment into a capable spearhead!”
The soldiers listened quietly, many eyes gradually brightening. The commander had never encouraged everyone to think and speak like this before.
Chen Ahai was the first to shout out, “Yes, Commander! We will study and communicate more!”
“Yes!” more voices followed, low but powerful, like thunder gathering strength.
Wang Lin smiled and nodded, concluding, “Good! Continue your tasks and strengthen the position. Let the enemy never underestimate our Independent Regiment again!”
He descended the rise with a lively step that no longer unsettled. Wang Guangdao and Zhong Guangbang exchanged a relieved smile and quickly followed.
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