Chapter 4 third chapter

A group of people entered the command tent. This is a very large tent made of four pieces of military tarpaulin, covering an area of ​​forty to fifty square meters.A 500-watt incandescent light bulb hangs high from the center of the tent, illuminating everything in the tent as brightly as day—— After entering the door and taking two steps, there is an extra-large combat sand table with an area of ​​four meters square.A dozen military folding chairs have been placed around in advance.On the empty cannonball box in the middle, there are Jingdezhen fine porcelain teacups with the pattern of two dragons playing with pearls on a white background and blue patterns, which are obviously prepared for the guests.Together they take up a third of the space inside the tent.

On the right side of the sand table are several military folding tables, a camp bed, several telephones and a large combat map hanging on the tent wall.This is clearly the forward command center of the regiment, and it occupies another third of the space in the tent. The third third of the space at the back of the tent is used as a sleeping place, separated from the front sand table and command center by a maroon velvet curtain stretched across the wire.I don’t know whether it was the guard’s negligence or the habit of the owner who lived in it. The curtain was not drawn, so the furnishings inside were clearly displayed in front of the guests: a camp bed covered with army blankets and dog skins; There is a square infantry raincloth for moisture-proofing, and on the raincloth is a precious carpet with pinched flowers on a maroon background; a guitar hangs on the canopy wall at the head of the bed, and on a military folding table below is a volumetric There is a loud stereo, and some tapes are scattered on the table; at the other end of the camp bed, facing the entrance and exit of the tent, there is a real wardrobe; in front of the wardrobe are some cardboard boxes and wooden boxes, most of which are open , you can see the canned beverages and various wine bottles inside, and an empty bottle of a French Remy is shining brightly under the light. —all of which are incongruous and over-the-top extravagant in the same shabby and utilitarian style that a cutting-edge command should have, but they are not yet the most breathtaking sights.The most amazing scenery is a colorful picture hanging over the owner's bed.The picture is beautifully printed, and it shows a larger-than-life foreign actress staring at everyone who walks into the tent with bright, suggestive eyes, which you cannot avoid.At this time, the mood and atmosphere in the tent suddenly became a little ambiguous and challenging for everyone who came in.

The army commander walked into the tent with his head down, and as soon as he entered the door, his gaze hit the underground combat sand table.He stopped and stood still with the rattan cane in front of his lower abdomen like he was outside just now. For a quarter of an hour, he didn't take his eyes off the sand table, and he didn't see the scene deep in the tent. After the teacher entered the door, he scanned the scenery inside the tent again with that expert and critical gaze.As soon as his gaze met a foreign actress, his cheeks were humiliated again with a deep purple blush that only appears when people are furious.Still because of the commander's presence, he didn't vent his anger immediately.

After the spotless and elegant Deputy Director He came in, he only glanced lightly from the corner of his eye, and all the scenes in the tent were in his mind.But he just narrowed his eyes and smiled like an outsider. ——The army commander is still the center of their group. The army commander has already lowered his head to look at the underground battle sand table, so he turned his attention to the battle sand table. Soon, they were all attracted by the sand table in front of them. This is an exquisitely made sand table, which vividly shows the topography of the entire Gongmu Mountain area and the enemy's defensive posture obtained from reconnaissance.There are ravines and ravines in the sand table, and there are many hills. There are more than 600 small triangular flags inserted to mark the numerous peaks, cliffs, and protruding parts of the mountain legs.Not only the large landform features are clearly and accurately expressed, even the rain cracks on a certain high ground, a small forest in a certain valley, the layers of terraces formed during the uplift of each mountain peak, and the flow and extension of the ridgeline. A subtle ups and downs are all delicately displayed by the teaching demonstration.Even those who have no artistic accomplishment at all, standing in front of this sand table, will be deeply shocked by the perfection contained in it.

First, the army commander shrugged his gray eyebrows when he stared at it; then the two staff officers of the military division—He Yan and the combat staff officer of Division L—openly expressed admiration for the sand table maker; finally the division commander I can't help but be slightly moved by it.He is an expert, and understands that only one kind of soldier in the world can create such a first-class combat sand table: they not only have profound attainments in various aspects of military topography, but also more importantly-they must also deal with it from the depths of their lives. Human war activities hold paranoid fanaticism and love.

When other people's eyes were focused on the sand table, Jiang Tao's eyes took turns paying attention to the expressions on everyone's faces; Yin Guocai, who had been observing the team leader, realized: If Jiang Tao's face was only radiant before entering the tent, at this moment But already in high spirits. "Okay, Comrade Jiang Tao, tell us your regiment's plan again." After a long time, the army commander raised his head from the sand table and said in a hoarse voice, but the expression on his face seemed to be even more gloomy. Jiang Tao was waiting for this moment.His eyes suddenly brightened, and his face showed the kind of excited light that must appear whenever he needs to show his excellence.He stood on the other side of the sand table, raised a long signal stick, looked at the people around the sand table with confident and aggressive eyes, finally stopped on the commander, and spoke loudly and recited without thinking:

"According to the enemy's reports at all levels and our own analysis of the situation, there is about one battalion of enemy troops currently occupying the No. 001 highland of the main peak of Gongmu Mountain and the line of Chipanling to the east, and the distribution is as follows: about one and a half companies are responsible for Focus on fortification in the main peak area, and the other half company is scattered in the Qipanling area, and is deployed in a point-like manner. The troops currently prepared for this combat operation are two reinforced infantry regiments and two artillery for fire support tasks regiment, the ratio of troops is seven to one, and artillery is twelve to one. According to common sense in offensive and defensive operations, our side actually only needs four times as many troops as the enemy. Therefore, I think it is really reasonable for our army to fight this battle with so many troops. It’s killing chickens with a sledgehammer.” He paused, looked at the crowd with brighter, more excited, and now added some sarcasm, and realized that he was in danger because he dared to publicly criticize the commander’s determination to fight. There was a secret shock among the people, and they couldn't help but feel happy. "Too many troops on the battlefield can sometimes only increase unnecessary casualties and the burden on the commander," he paused, and finally said what he had been wanting to say for days, "Therefore, today, on behalf of the Party Committee of Group A , I once again requested the military division party committee and the head of the military division to hand over all the combat tasks of recovering the Gongmushan area to our regiment to complete independently. As the head of the A regiment, I am willing to issue a military order: the battle is not good, the task is not completed on time, I will definitely I won't live to see you!"

The rhyme of the last two sentences was sonorous and resounding, even Yin Guocai was moved in his heart when he heard it.But Jiang Tao didn't realize the commander's reaction: the old man didn't seem to hear what he said at all, he pulled a chair indifferently, sat down silently, and continued to look down at the sand table.The teacher's reaction was to raise his eyes and give Jiang Tao a disgusted look.Only a smile flashed on the corner of Deputy Director He's mouth that no one noticed. There was a brief silence in the tent.People originally expected the army commander to express his opinion on Jiang Tao's words, but now that the army commander does not speak, the division commander has found a chance to vent his anger.

"You are going too far!" He said sharply to Jiang Tao in a tone of obvious dissatisfaction, "What the commander wants to know is how you will complete the task tomorrow!" A trace of grievance and disdain flashed across Jiang Tao's face for a moment, and his eyes collided with Yin Guocai hurriedly, as if to say: Look at these old antiques, they can't trust us!Without hesitation, he immediately turned his face, looked directly at the teacher, and said angrily and loudly: "Our regiment's combat plan has already been reviewed and approved by the heads of the two levels of the military division. I will repeat it now: the task given to our regiment by the superior is to recover the land in the Qipanling area. Qipanling is a large mountain ridge that runs from east to west. The main peak of the mother mountain stretches for more than six kilometers to the east of the No. 001 highland. According to the reconnaissance, the ridge is basically flat and there is no danger to defend. Highland No. 631 is set up for defense. The strength of each point is at most one platoon, and about one platoon of troops is serving as an ambush post in other areas of Liangshang. The above three highlands are isolated and difficult to support each other. In the Tianzishan area to the south, no large groups of enemy troops were found to be active. The deployment of our regiment is: use the original three battalions to attack the three highlands mentioned above, and reserve the third battalion of the C regiment that was strengthened by the division to our regiment. The reserve team of the regiment. The specific implementation plan is: from 10:00 tonight, each battalion will secretly enter the latent area, and at 6:40 in the morning, our artillery preparations will begin. The engineering unit will open the way for the infantry in the minefield. Follow the engineers to meet the enemy. After 20 minutes, the artillery fire will extend, and the enemy's position will be overwhelmed with lightning speed, and we will attack the enemy's few, quickly end the battle and turn to defense." He looked around. Seeing that people didn't immediately understand the beauty of this battle plan, he frowned slightly, and his eyes became sharp and bright again. "This plan seems to divide the troops equally, and it does not conform to the combat principle of concentrating superior forces to defeat each other. In fact, it is not. Riding the Panling Ridge and spreading the enemy away, if we only concentrate on attacking one point, and then defeat the enemy one by one, it will definitely delay time and make it difficult to achieve a surprise attack. At present, even if I attack a high ground with one battalion, I still have an absolute advantage in terms of strength, and as long as I break through one point, I can push horizontally to the other two points along the mountain ridge, so that the enemy loses the condescending power.” Finally , He turned his gaze back to the commander, and slowly expressed his determination. "After fully estimating the difficulties that may occur in the battle, on behalf of the party committee and all the officers and soldiers of the A regiment, I promise to the head of the military division: within three hours after the start of the offensive, all the battles in Qipanling will be over!"

He finished, but the excitement that had been caused by the words remained in his face and eyes.Jiang Tao scanned the people around the sand table with his shining eyes, and once again felt that his words undoubtedly left a deep impression on most people.But the commander's expression was still gloomy and indifferent.He looked at the sand table for a while, stood up slowly, and said to He Yan: "Deputy Director He, please also tell Comrade Jiang Tao about the combat plan of the B regiment, so that he can grasp the situation and facilitate coordination." "yes!" He Yan replied in a moderate tone, then opened the combat map bag held in front of his lower abdomen with both hands, and read aloud in the clear, fluent, flat, and emotionless tone unique to professional staff officers:

"The task of Regiment B is to recover the highland No. 001 of the main peak of Gongmu Mountain and the surrounding small highlands. The enemy's strength is a reinforced infantry company (four or five infantry platoons, three 60 mortars, and 24 grenadiers) , with nine bazookas), organized defense based on the No. 001 highland. The north side of the highland is mostly deep gullies, broken walls and cliffs. It is more difficult for troops to deploy and carry out attacks. Based on this, the regiment decided that after the artillery preparations at dawn tomorrow, the first battalion and two companies will attack the highland No. 001 from the north side, and the remaining two battalions plus the first battalion and the third company will rush from Tongjia, where they are currently assembled, at 7:00 tonight. Move westward to Vulture Peak, cross the mountain pass at the No. 435 boundary marker, secretly enter the Dashan Gorge on the south side of Gongmu Mountain, and turn to the northeast. Before the artillery preparations at dawn in the morning, all sneak into the dense forest in the southwest of Highland 001 to hide. After the artillery preparations start That is to launch an attack from the southern foot of the highland to the peak in multiple ways. Regiment B promises to take highland No. 001 and the surrounding small highlands before 10:00 noon tomorrow." He Yan closed the battle map bag, indicating that his official business was over.Just like a supporting actor, knowing his position on the stage, he just finished the performance in the foreground and immediately retreated to the backstage.But the whole plot was reversed because of his appearance: just now the battle of Qipanling tomorrow by the A regiment was still the center of people's thinking, but now it has become a not the most important part of a larger combat operation.Moreover, the army commander's loose and folded eyelids had been drooping heavily before, but now they were raised high, and from the depths of those triangular-shaped eyes, two sharp sword-like rays of light shot straight at Jiang Tao.The old man stared at him sternly and suspiciously for two seconds before he spoke clearly: "Comrade Jiang Tao, I set the last time for Comrade Liu Daoming of the B Regiment to end the battle at the main peak area of ​​Gongmu Mountain at 24:00 tomorrow night. I also set the last time for your regiment to end the battle to recover the Qipanling area at tomorrow night At twenty-four o'clock sharp, if any of you cannot complete the combat mission on time, we will see you in the military court!" Jiang Tao's face, which had been radiant all morning, turned slightly pale under the commander's stern and aggressive gaze.The people around quietly took a breath of air, and once again thought in unison: This morning, no matter in the command post of the A regiment or in the entire theater, the real soul and master of our army is still this seemingly weak old man and not others . Two warning eyes shot at Jiang Tao from the commander's side.Jiang Tao understood, clenched the sand table in his hand to signal the stick, and stood at attention with a "slap" of his feet, looking solemnly and dignifiedly at the commander, and replied in a loud voice: "Report to the army commander, Jiang Tao understands!"