"Retreat?"
The people in the bunker exchanged glances upon hearing this, "But our task is to take Highland 113. If we retreat, doesn't that mean we've been defeated?"
"It's just a temporary retreat. If we don't retreat now, I'm afraid all the soldiers on the front line will perish."
As he spoke, Zhou Yingting directly issued an order, "Pass the word down, have them fall back."
The adjutant next to him furrowed his brow, wanting to say something, but ultimately nodded and immediately went to make arrangements.
Zhou Yingting watched the adjutant leave, feeling slightly relieved, and then sighed.
In just these few days, the artillery battalion lost one, and the airfield is gone too, leaving them completely without a firepower advantage.
It's going to be difficult to turn the tide from now on.
He needs to find a way.
Moreover, after this retreat, new defense constructions need to be built in the rear area, and deciding who to deploy at these locations among the various troops is also a problem.
The terrain around here also needs to be inspected.
The people in the command group are very reliable; after Zhou Yingting issued the order, it was immediately communicated to the warriors resisting on the front line, and the retreat commenced.
Zhou Yingting took this opportunity to inspect the key checkpoints that need defending in the rear.
Behind them is the last barrier, and if it is lost, it's open plains behind with no natural defenses, allowing many enemy mechanical units to exploit this to annihilate them.
Someone in the command group mentioned the crucial importance of this situation.
This is the last position they can retreat to; any further retreat would mean no hope of turning the tables.
Although given the current situation, he doesn't think there is much hope of turning the tables.
"Commander, this position is a windward opening with difficult terrain; the enemy's mechanical units can't maneuver well here, and setting three platoons here should secure it."
"But this place is hard to defend; it's a main road with too open surroundings. If this is conquered, the enemy can easily bypass us and turn the tide of the battlefield."
"The tide of the battlefield?"
Zhou Yingting was taken aback upon hearing this, and after further questioning, learned that beyond the open plains are many battlefields.
The battlefield here is just one part, as reinforcements from other places are tied up and can't be dispatched.
Although this is merely a part, it is pivotal to the overall outcome of the battle.
Understanding the stakes, Zhou Yingting focused on the open area before him, where there is no terrain to defend.
Because this place is so hard to defend, others in the command group were unwilling to retreat here.
"Commander, I suggest deploying all remaining forces here; it's possible to barely hold it, buying time for others to seize the chance."
Holding this spot can provide a chance for the entire battlefield, but Zhou Yingting's mission will be considered a failure.
Zhou Yingting neither agreed nor refused, pondering that he should first meet with the retreating warriors.
When Zhou Yingting returned, many warriors had retreated from the front line. Upon seeing these company-sized retreating units, he was instantly surprised.
Because in his view, he could actually see the entries of these warriors' units!
Realizing this, Zhou Yingting immediately looked at his own attribute panel.
Indeed, a new entry had appeared on his attribute panel.
Entry: 14th Army Commander.
'Effect: As the 14th Army commander, the overall strength of the 14th Army increases by three percent.'
'Negative Effect: Hide your location, the enemy will begin a decapitation strike on you!'
As the commander, can he now see the entries affecting the overall troop?
Thinking of this, Zhou Yingting quickly looked at the entries of these warriors' units.
Entry: Iron Blood 17th Company.
'Effect: Masters infiltration and ambush operations; with each reduction in personnel, unit strength increases by one percent.'
'Negative Effect: Incorrect battle intelligence rate rises by thirty percent.'
"Iron Blood 17th Company can use the combat perception entry to reduce intelligence error rates."
Seeing these entries and the negative effects below them, Zhou Yingting's eyes lit up.
It seemed that there might be a chance to turn the tide!
Entry: Wanshi Group.
'Effect: Fighting alone, when the Wanshi Group is the only unit on the battlefield, and when the enemy-to-me ratio is double, group strength increases by one hundred percent, and team Defense Power increases by five hundred percent.'
'Negative Effect: Suppressed by enemy numbers, combat morale decreases, probability of desertion rises by fifty percent.'
"Wanshi Group can pair with the commander entry to stimulate warriors' resolute defense awareness."
Seeing this, Zhou Yingting's eyes brightened—this Wanshi Group seems well-suited to defend Pingchuan Valley based on its entries.
If its entry's effect can be activated, defending this location shouldn't be a problem.
The only issue is that Zhou Yingting might need to be stationed behind the Wanshi Group.
While stationed behind the Wanshi Group, Zhou Yingting's commander entry makes it easy to trigger a decapitation strike.
"What do you think about having the Wanshi Group defend Pingchuan Valley?"
Zhou Yingting turned his head to his adjutant and others beside him.
"Wanshi Group?"
The adjutant and the others were taken aback upon hearing this, "If other units cooperate, it might be possible."
"And if only the Wanshi Group guards it?"
"That's absolutely impossible!"
The adjutant immediately shook his head upon hearing this, "Commander, you just assumed this position, so you may not know. Wanshi Group is great at holding ground, but their combat morale is lacking, leading to desertions."
"Previously, during a hold-out mission, they steadfastly defended against superior enemy forces for a day, but desertions began on the second day."
"In the days that followed, deserters appeared continuously, until finally the whole Wanshi Group became deserters and abandoned their position."
"The location of Pingchuan Valley is really too suitable for an attack. When the time comes, the enemy army will definitely mobilize the majority of their forces to attack here. If the Wanshi Group deserts then, Pingchuan Valley will be lost."
The adjutant next to him shook his head repeatedly, firmly disagreeing with this.
If Pingchuan Valley is lost, then they will be completely defeated. How can this be allowed?
And Zhou Yingting also knows the character of the Wanshi Group; facing so many enemies, they will definitely flee directly.
"I believe in them. Let them guard Pingchuan Valley. I'll personally stay behind them to oversee."
Seeing the other party shaking their head, Zhou Yingting did not intend to explain further.
The adjutants were stunned by Zhou Yingting's words.
Assigning this task to the Wanshi Group was one thing, but he's also planning to stay behind them — isn't he afraid of death?
The commander is easily targeted for decapitation by the enemy.
Moreover, the Wanshi Group had a past of desertion.
How could he dare to oversee from behind them in this situation?
"Go, give the order."
Zhou Yingting wasn't concerned with such things, "Let Wanshi Group immediately head to Pingchuan Valley and build fortifications. I believe in their strength."
He wanted to continue checking the attribute panel of other companies, to see if he could integrate other attributes.
"Yes!"
The adjutant looked at Zhou Yingting's determined demeanor, sighed, and went to relay the mission to Wanshi Group.
Moments later, the adjutant arrived at Wanshi Group and found the commander there.
"The commander has issued a new combat mission for your group: hold Pingchuan Valley."
The adjutant approached the Wanshi Group commander and delivered the directive without any words wasted.
The commander was momentarily stunned upon hearing this mission, but soon recalled the terrain of Pingchuan Valley.
This place is indeed flat!
Holding such a place will face very fierce attacks.
Additionally, their group...
"Sir, is there anyone else to support us?"
Thinking for a moment, the commander cautiously asked.
The adjutant glared at him, "Support? The troops are already critically insufficient. The commander said this location is entirely up to your group to hold."
"Only us to hold it?"
The Wanshi Group commander was startled, "But I'm afraid I can't do it..."
How could he not know his group's condition?
When deserters showed up, he wanted to dissuade his soldiers, but couldn't.
Eventually, the entire group wanted to flee, dragging him along in desertion.
Given this situation, can they really hold Pingchuan Valley?
"The commander said he will personally oversee from behind you. He trusts you."
Hearing this, the adjutant couldn't help but sigh, then motioned for the commander to set off immediately to Pingchuan Valley to build fortifications.
The commander was taken aback, then felt a surge of fiery emotion.
The commander trusts them and will personally oversee from behind?
They had fled several times before — does the commander truly trust them this time?
The Wanshi Group commander felt an indescribable sensation, and after a while, he took a deep breath and waved to his soldiers.
He issued orders to head to Pingchuan Valley at full speed and carry out the mission.
Then he spread the news that Zhou Yingting would come to oversee.
He wanted his soldiers to know how much the commander trusted them.
At this moment, the commander was ready to oversee!
Under no circumstances can they bring shame again!
The Wanshi Group soldiers, upon hearing this news, were a bit stunned.
Deserting was almost a tradition for them, so why would a commander still trust them? Why?
The soldiers were puzzled, but then they felt a sense of being trusted spreading in their hearts.
This feeling was surprisingly nice...
...
"It seems that this battle is nearing its end now."
Upon returning, the adjutant watched Zhou Yingting inspecting the troops, assigning various tasks.
He was also integrating some troops and companies.
Watching this scene, the adjutants exchanged looks and all sighed inwardly.
In the current situation, they no longer believed they could win.
How could they possibly win this battle?
In contrast to their resigned expressions, Zhou Yingting appeared pleased.
Despite the dwindling troops at his disposal, at least they had combat power.
Although the negative effects on the attribute panel of those groups and companies were severe, he figured out ways to mitigate them.
As a result, the overall combat power of the remaining 14th Army could be boosted by 300 to 800 percent.
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