Chapter 268: Good Honing Gives A Sharp Edge To The Sword (part one)

In H City, the military exercise was drawing to a close. With a smile on his face, Kevin was excited. He thought, 'Daisy put a lot of work into arranging marches and using various weapons. I wonder how this military exercise will turn out. Or what effect it'll have on various processes already in place. I couldn't get the upper hand, but neither could she. I guess we'll have to call it a draw.'

Dogrobber! Order the first echelon to hold the enemy at bay! And the second and third echelons to surround the enemy, close in now!" ordered Kevin. He was the commander of the blue army.

"Daisy, what else can you do? I have to admit that I'm surprised at your solid skills in these military exercises, " whispered Kevin to himself. He put his cap on straight and wore a smile on his face.

"Colonel, Major General Gu is fighting back now? According to the rules, the blue army should be on the defensive!" said a young major. He was checking screens and making notes in the red army hq. He pointed at the red dot moving rapidly on the screen.

'Kevin, you've lost patience. I knew that you wouldn't follow the rules and be on the defensive. But this time, your enemy is me. I'm no pushover, ' thought Daisy. She put on a bright smile, excited about what was going to happen next.

"Colonel! According to rules, the blue army is not allowed to initiate attacks. It's against the aim of the exercise!" repeated the young major. He tried to remind Daisy of the rules again.

"What is the point of the exercise?" asked Daisy. She continued, "The point of the exercise is to train armies! Usually, the blue army is the grindstone. And why are we trained? In peacetime, soldiers are trained to prepare for future wars! And following orders step-by-step will make the training meaningless! There are no rules on a real battle field! Only strength matters. Defeat the enemy and you will survive!" rebuked Daisy. She was annoyed at him quoting the rules. Interpreting the rules for a senior officer could be considered insubordination.

"I'm sorry! I was wrong, " apologized the young major. Daisy's cold face made him reflect on his actions. He did need to improve his on-the-spot ability to command in the field.

You still have much to learn. This exercise will help, " said Daisy. Daisy was usually calm and collected when giving orders, and that made her appear more regal and intimidating.

"Kevin is living up to his name as the youngest major general in the city! He's taking a different approach, keeping us on our toes, " said Daisy. She was a little taken back when receiving the information from the front lines and then she smiled with interest.

"You see things so differently! There's a reason you're in charge, " said Mark. He thought, 'The colonel is well-prepared for this military exercise. Major General Gu has to have his work cut out for him if he wants to win..'

A Lieutenant Colonel next to Mark also felt the same way. He really admired Daisy now. He looked at her and thought, 'I almost laughed out loud when I was told to build up fortifications before the combat exercises. How ridiculous it is that the red army building up fortifications to rival the blue army. And it was an order from the colonel.

I thought she was an amateur. But we're using the fortifications now. I'm not as good as she is, ' he thought regretfully.

A soldier ran into the headquarters and reported a new situation to Daisy breathlessly. "Colonel! The headquarters just lost contact with the first echelon. I think they're jamming us!"

"That is quick!" murmured Daisy. She adapted, and sharply ordered, "All echelons except second and third, enter the first line. Let them in!"

"But the first echelon..." began the soldier. It was an embarrassing situation.

"Abandon them, " replied Daisy. Her curt reply made everyone at HQ shudder. Though it was just an exercise, it was a cold-blooded move. In a real war, 1000 soldiers in the first echelon would have died because of her decision. They had to admit that she was the most ruthless colonel they knew.

"Good honing gives a sharp edge to a sword! The first echelon, as one of our principal forces, is a sword here that needs a good honing to make it sharper. What doesn't kill them makes them stronger, " replied Daisy. She seemed to sense what everyone else was thinking.

"Colonel, we broke through the interference, but we're picking up the channel from enemy headquarters. They want to speak to you." shouted a dogrobber. The dogrobber was confused. What was their intention indeed? "Put them through!" demanded Daisy. If she was right, Kevin was calling to gloat.

Hi, Daisy. How are you? The first echelon is really nice. Thank you for such a thoughtful gift, said Kevin. Kevin wasted no time bantering with her. He figured this might get her upset, make her lose her cool and made stupid mistakes.

Major General Gu, isn't it inappropriate of you to talk directly to the enemy Commander during maneuvers? asked Daisy with a forced smile, she continued, sure enough, your the youngest and most promising Major General in the City. The blue army under your command is very good. But... Daisy paused and continued.

There are still three hours left. Isn't it too early for you to declare victory? A lot can happen in three hours, said Daisy in calm and aloof, she hung up immediately.

In the main office, the officers monitored the exercise.

It seems the red army is going to lose, said a general. He was going over the data and shook his head. It wasn't the first time that he had directed the exercises involving Kevin as the commander of the blue army. He knew how cunning Kevin was and was hoping that Daisy could defeat him.

Report!.. A young major from the front line saluted and gave a sit rep. Things have changed. The blue army is approaching their second line. The first echelon is dead!