Chapter Fourteen: Is Su Changqing Intending to Kill Li Yunlong?
Zhiluo Town.
“Commander, hahaha, the Northeastern Army’s division really isn’t battle-hardened.”
“Not battle-hardened at all!”
“Commander, this is a great victory.”
Li Yunlong, cheerful and unaware of the gravity of the situation, still walked toward the command center foolishly.
Inside the command center, however, everyone dared not utter a boastful word.
The moment Li Yunlong stepped in, Su Changqing pulled a pistol from its holster and slammed it hard onto the table.
Bang!
The sudden sound startled everyone present.
“Li Yunlong!”
“Do you think you’re brave just because you accomplished something?”
“Do you think you’re too awesome?”
“Do you think the 24th Regiment of the Rainbow Army is your personal kingdom, and you can do whatever you want?”
A string of questions made Li Yunlong immediately sense something was wrong.
He straightened his posture. “How could that be?”
“Commander, commander…”
“I’m just a crude man, but you’re the leader of the 24th Regiment of the Rainbow Army. It’s you, sir.”
Li Yunlong shamelessly smiled and tried to appease Su Changqing.
But this time, Su Changqing wasn’t buying it.
After all, Li Yunlong had been with the 24th Regiment for too long.
So long that it was difficult for others to stop him when he wanted to act.
Su Changqing did not suspect Li Yunlong of betraying him or the Rainbow Army.
However!
A headstrong military commander who routinely disobeys orders and has turned insubordination into a habit—
When large-scale troop operations occur in the future, such recklessness could cause the entire operation plan to fail.
That would be a catastrophic disaster for the entire force.
War,
is essentially a game of chess. In 1485, King Richard III of the Kingdom of Great Britain clashed with Earl Henry (later Henry VII) at the Battle of Bosworth Field—a battle that would decide the kingdom’s rule.
Before the battle, King Richard’s groom nailed horseshoes onto the royal steed, but due to a shortage of nails, the fourth horseshoe was not securely fastened.
During the battle, the horse stumbled because of the loose horseshoe, causing King Richard to fall and be captured by the enemy. Richard III was defeated, lost the throne, and the House of Plantagenet ended.
The Tudor dynasty then began its rule over Great Britain.
There is a saying:
One missing nail loses a horseshoe;
One missing horseshoe loses a warhorse;
One lost warhorse loses a battle;
One lost battle ruins a dynasty.
Details decide victory or defeat!
Therefore, Su Changqing felt it necessary to give Li Yunlong—a man who had long disregarded military orders—a harsh lesson.
“Someone!”
“Drag out Li Yunlong for disobeying orders.”
“Execute him!”
When Su Changqing said this, everyone was stunned.
Their regiment commander was going to kill the former commander Li Yunlong?
Though disobeying orders was serious,
Li Yunlong had just achieved great merit, so surely they wouldn’t just shoot him?
Li Yunlong himself widened his eyes, shocked, staring at Su Changqing.
Seeing Su Changqing so enraged, no one dared to move.
After all, despite Li Yunlong’s recklessness, summary execution seemed extreme.
“What’s the matter?”
“Are you all planning to disobey orders too?”
Su Changqing snorted coldly. “Since you won’t come willingly…”
“Then I will come!”
After speaking, Su Changqing looked at Li Yunlong:
“What, Li Yunlong, do you not accept this?”
“Commander, how could I dare not accept your orders?”
“Do whatever you want—kill me if you must.”
Li Yunlong answered straightforwardly.
“Good.”
“You’re still my soldier, so I won’t have you arrested.”
“Stand outside the command center yourself.”
“I will personally execute you.”
“Yes, sir!” Li Yunlong immediately straightened, saluted Su Changqing smartly, and went alone to an open area.
Su Changqing stood about two hundred meters away.
“Li Yunlong?”
“Do you want me to blindfold you?”
Su Changqing asked.
“Commander, I’m a rough man, but if I’m afraid of a bullet to the head, then I’m a son of a bitch.”
“Only women get blindfolded.”
“Commander, go ahead.”
“I’ll die standing.”
“My bones are strong.”
Hearing Li Yunlong’s passionate words, Su Changqing nodded.
“Fine, since you say so.”
“I’ll grant your wish!”
“Bring me the rifle!”
Then everyone realized their commander was serious this time.
“Commander, Vice Commander Li must know his mistake. Please give him another chance.”
“Yes, commander, Vice Commander Li admits his fault.”
“Let Vice Commander Li fight on the battlefield. Soldiers should die on the battlefield, not by their comrades’ hands.”
“Commander, think twice!”
“Step aside, I’m speaking!”
“Step aside! Li Yunlong, tell me—if I’m executing you, which order of the military code have you violated?” Su Changqing shouted.
“Commander, I may be unruly, but I confess my guilt.”
“Comrades, a soldier must never defy orders. Please let me die with dignity!”
“We’ll always be comrades.”
When Li Yunlong said this, no matter how reluctant the men of the 24th Regiment were, they could only turn their heads, unwilling to witness Li Yunlong’s last moment.
Everyone knew their commander’s shooting skills were impeccable.
Even at two hundred meters, Su Changqing’s aim was spot on.
Bang!
As Su Changqing pulled the trigger, the bullet thundered out of the Mauser rifle.
Everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.
Old Li!
The veteran of the Rainbow Fourth Army
did not die on the battlefield—
but on the execution ground?