Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 68: Chapter 28 Battle Situation Analysis Meeting (4)

Amidst the uproar, Fatty’s voice was very clear: ”If we don’t move troops, the Imperial Army will launch a vigorous assault on Jialuo Mountain until achieving Kato’s strategic objectives! If we move troops, they will use the Jialuo Mountain Battlefield to slowly draw in and grind down the forces from other Federation defenses, then select the most suitable defense line to break through, achieving the same strategic goals!”

”All of this is due to us, because we’ve been watching Russell the Magician’s performance, constantly guessing how he manages to connect steel rings that are absolutely impossible to link together. The suddenly increased forces are a seamless ring, Jialuo Mountain and the surrounding defenses are two interlinked flawless rings, and our attention has been entirely drawn to his offensive at Jialuo Mountain, completely ignoring his hands. Actually, all we need is to pry open his hands, and we’ll find the gap where the forces are stealthily gathered through the counterattack route. It’s really a simple game!”

”He crafted the strategic data to perfection, even using the Mythical Army to mislead us. Without that symbol, I couldn’t have reached this conclusion. He clearly told us, kill me, or you die. I don’t know why Russell would do this, so this reverse conclusion might just be another part of his ring trap!”

After Fatty finished speaking, he sat down dejectedly. These conjectures were the only ones that could explain the current situation, but he still felt immense frustration. He couldn’t figure out how to break this setup. Facing a great general who could even influence your thoughts and emotions, a sense of helplessness surged within him.

”So?” Ann Lei looked at Tian Xingjian and asked softly, ”How can we pry open this Magician’s hands and make his magic fail?”

”She’s talking to me...” Fatty’s young heart was simply filled with happiness. One sentence, two sentences, a hundred sentences, marriage, XX, having children, living a life, all sorts of chaotic thoughts rendered Fatty momentarily stunned. He stared blankly at Ann Lei’s slightly wrinkled little nose, and the lightning-like inspiration flashed through his mind again. Fatty almost exhausted all his mental effort to grasp this inspiration!

He had a peculiar expression before snapping back to reality, glanced at Ann Lei, and sheepishly avoided her clear eyes, saying: ”Actually, it’s very simple, look here...” With the demeanor of foreseeing and strategizing, Fatty pointed to a spot on the right side of the Jialuo Mountain defensive line and said: ”Since his symbol tells us to kill him, it means we have a way to turn defeat into victory. Maintain pressure on Jialuo Mountain and other defensive lines, and after the Federation decides whether to move troops or not, quickly attack the suitable targets. Then the Imperial Army’s assembly point must be here! Low Ridge Jungle! Just like the magician performing the ring trick, the gap of the steel ring he holds always needs to be between the index finger and thumb for easy insertion of other rings anytime.”

Fatty glanced at Ann Lei again, swallowed, and thought: ”If I hadn’t always wanted to bite your cute little nose since childhood, I wouldn’t have thought of this.”

He marked several points on the map and said: ”Only here, can hidden troops be kept out of sight despite the destruction of scouting instruments in the high-intensity electronic warfare. Furthermore, this location is the top vertex of the defensive lines at Jialuo Mountain Battlefield, Third Road, and Miyali Canyon. From here, an attack can reach any defense line within six hours. This is Russell’s hidden right hook.”

Looking at Ann Lei’s beautiful face attentively listening to him, Fatty felt some joy. Ten years after the incident, this was the first time Ann Lei had voluntarily spoken to him, though it didn’t signify much, it was nonetheless a positive start.

He continued: ”Since they are assembled at Low Ridge Jungle, we can proactively attack to pry open this tightly clenched hand. Troops from Third Road defensive line and Miyali Canyon defensive line can form a pincer attack on this region. Ignore the enemy’s unfocused attacks, directly launch a counteroffensive, squeeze their strategic space, neutralize the reserve troops gathered at Low Ridge Jungle, let this fist evaporate like mist under our comprehensive offensive, and the siege at Jialuo Mountain will be undone. If my calculations are correct, our troops at Jialuo Mountain could even be deployed for a full-scale attack!”

Shocked! Everyone in the conference room stared at Fatty, speechless. Regardless of whether his deductions were correct, his line of thinking alone was bold enough to solve previously unsolvable problems. Russell is human too; he can’t conjure reinforcements out of thin air. If we can understand Russell’s signaling intentions, everything will be seamless!

But why is Russell doing this? It’s a deadlock!

Several silent generals smiled, exchanged glances, stood up, and applauded vigorously. Bernadotte praised: ”Lieutenant Tian! This time we are truly convinced. Solving problems from mere clues that even holding the key couldn’t resolve, assigning you to the Combat Department as an advisor was the wisest decision of my life!”

”Holding the key?” Others looked at each other, not understanding what Admiral Bernadotte meant. Do they know Russell’s intention?

Seeing everyone’s puzzled expressions, Bernadotte laughed: ”Yes, the moment Lieutenant Tian mentioned the Pearce symbol, we knew this symbol was deliberately displayed by Russell for us!”

Bernadotte pointed to Ann Lei and said: ”This is Liaison Officer Major Ann Lei from the Intelligence Bureau. She just brought us very important information, which confirmed the correctness of Lieutenant Tian’s deductions. Only such deductions fit the logic and explain the current situation.”

Some lab directors blushed as they recalled their subordinates criticizing the intelligence department’s errors during the battle situation analysis meeting; it felt like cursing a monk for being bald.

”Russell personally arriving at the front lines was for this plan, but this plan wasn’t agreed upon by both sides. We’ve been unable to grasp Russell’s intentions, hence today’s situation. Major Ann Lei, please share the information with everyone!” Bernadotte turned to Ann Lei and said.

Ann Lei stood up and replied: ”Yes, General.” Her demeanor was not that of a heroic figure but always carried a gentleness. The Federation uniform elegantly accentuated her figure without any trace of rigidity.

Ann Lei’s voice was very feminine, crisp and soft, making one wish she would keep talking.