Chapter 44 Bark Like a Dog

Chapter 44: Barking Like a Dog

"What do you two think you're doing!" Tao Juan shot an obviously displeased look at Han Zhandong. "Han Zhandong, you have a problem with your attitude. Provoking a comrade, speaking disrespectfully—come to my office after the meeting."

"And you," he scolded Zhu Shinian as well, "I never noticed you had to be first at everything, too. Let people focus on what they're good at. No one's going to think you're less capable just because you can't magically produce gasoline. You're both grown adults—why are you still fighting over this?"

"I'll handle the gasoline issue. And everyone from the Logistics Department, please don't blame yourselves. As the front line extends, the original reserves will eventually run short no matter what."

The young man from the logistics department finally relaxed a little. He looked at Tao Juan gratefully, and Tao Juan gave him a kind smile in return.

After being reprimanded by Tao Juan, Han Zhandong quickly backed down, lowering his head.

But Zhu Shinian glanced at Han Zhandong again and spoke calmly once more.

"Sir, I really do have a way to solve the gasoline problem."

"I know that Senior Han might have some objections to the Governor promoting me. I admit my experience is lacking and I haven't been with the Resistance long. But I hope that after I resolve this gasoline issue, Senior Han will change his opinion of me and stop questioning the Governor's decisions."

Han Zhandong was taken aback for a moment, then let out a slight, contemptuous laugh.

He shot a glance at Tao Juan, clearly confident that this task wouldn't actually fall to Zhu Shinian.

"Fine," he said. "If the Major General can really get us gasoline..."

"Not only will I sincerely apologize to the Major General, I'll bark like a dog right in front of you."

........

The target oil field was located on the outskirts of the 18th Sector. It was estimated to be the Empire's fourth-largest oil field, owned by the Empire's directly subordinate energy group, and served as a secret energy reserve.

There wasn't a heavy military presence, but capturing it wouldn't be without risk.

Oil pipelines crisscrossed the area, and the storage tanks were enormous. A single mistaken strike could set off a chain of explosions, and no one would escape.

Zhu Shinian stood before a makeshift sand table and pressed down the final marker.

"According to the Empire's standard configuration, the main control and refining area should be here."

"The storage tank cluster is on the west side, the pipeline runs south, connecting to their railway."

Most of the team consisted of original Resistance members with good discipline, but they weren't as in sync with Zhu Shinian as his A2 squad. So he had to be clear and meticulous, telling them exactly what to do and what not to do.

"Everyone, remember two things. First, don't touch any tank bodies. Any spark could cause a safety hazard." Zhu Shinian looked at the focused crowd. "Second, absolutely do not harm any technical personnel. We don't have enough field engineers with us, so we must ensure their safety."

After Zhu Shinian finished briefing the team, he had everyone double-check their equipment. Once preparations were complete, he led the squad out.

The night concealed the Resistance task force's movements well. The sentry posts around the buildings were laxer than expected—a good sign.

This secret oil field had only been discovered recently and was well concealed, and had almost never been exposed to the outside world.

Plus, the Empire had likely started redeploying troops to the front lines, leaving rear energy facilities hollowed out, guarded only by automated turrets and a small security force.

"Report!" The scout returned safely. "About two hundred guards. Confirmed target is a super-large oil field."

"...It really is an oil field. I worked in the Imperial military for years, and I never knew about this one," Li Qianxu was almost stunned. "How did you confirm there was an oil field here?"

"Front-line fuel consumption can be roughly calculated, and the output of the Empire's other oil fields isn't a secret," Zhu Shinian explained straightforwardly. "It's hardly a secret that the Empire has another oil field. As for where it is, you can roughly deduce the possible location from the rail routes. With advance reconnaissance from our air force colleagues, we were able to confirm it."

Several subordinates nodded, impressed. Zhu Shinian made a gesture for everyone to prepare to dismount.

"Get out. Begin the operation."

The 18th Sector had been far from war for years, especially one that was supposed to be a heavily guarded secret. Even now under wartime conditions, the gate guards were not as vigilant as wartime required.

Zhu Shinian led the team over the wall, silently infiltrated the main control area, and cut off the oil field's external communications.

Team A subdued the guard commander, who immediately raised his hands upon seeing the sudden appearance of troops from nowhere.

"Patch into the internal comms," Li Qianxu ordered, gun aimed at him. "Order your men not to resist."

The guard commander was willing to surrender under duress, but ordering his subordinates to surrender was a grave crime. He hesitated, unwilling to comply.

"You cut the power when you came in. To restart the equipment," a tall, thin technician said, his hands raised above his head, as he slowly approached the control console. "You need to press that button to restart the equipment."

Just as his hand was about to touch the button, Zhu Shinian lunged, grabbing his shoulder and yanking him back hard.

The technician, not militarily trained, fell backward instantly. Zhu Shinian followed up with a tranq shot, quickly knocking him unconscious.

He was treating Zhu Shinian as if he were a fool. Yellow always meant danger—that was no start button. It was likely the "scorched earth" protocol: once the oil field was compromised, it would destroy everything to keep it from falling into enemy hands.

"Drag this man away. Mark him as high priority. Solitary confinement."

Zhu Shinian ordered the technician, who had tried to sabotage the oil field, to be taken away. After studying the control room for a moment, he pressed a button.

The red indicator light went out, and a green one lit up.

Countless refining units let out a low, rumbling roar, like a slumbering steel giant awakening.

"Oil field control established. All pipelines safe."

Just as everyone breathed a sigh of relief, a soft "pop" of a pin being pulled echoed from nearby.

The sound of a grenade!

Everyone instantly went on high alert, scrambling away in the opposite direction.

After running as far as possible, they dropped to the ground. A massive explosion followed, and a wave of heat washed over him.

The blast occurred closest to him. The attacker was farthest from the door, with almost no escape route—clearly aiming for mutual destruction.

"Major General, you're bleeding!"

Zhu Shinian looked down. The side of his combat uniform was soaked in blood, the vivid red stark against the fabric.

Probably a puncture wound from shrapnel.

"The medic is on standby. Just hold on..." The young alpha speaking was no older than seventeen or eighteen. Seeing his commander wounded like this, he seemed terrified, almost on the verge of tears. "Just hold on, the medic will be here soon..."

Adrenaline kept Zhu Shinian from feeling much of the pain, and he couldn't tell how serious the wound was. He had no comforting words for the young soldier.

Teams B and D continued their operations. Only after the last alert point was cleared and the outer perimeter of the oil field was re-established did Zhu Shinian finally relax.

His legs suddenly buckled. The delayed pain nearly knocked him out. His vision swam, and his body pitched forward uncontrollably.

"Major General!" The soldier, several years younger, caught him. Zhu Shinian could feel his hands trembling.

"Don't move... Don't move, sir... The medic is almost here..."

Now that he could tell where it hurt and where it didn't, Zhu Shinian actually relaxed a little. His internal organs should be fine—at least he wouldn't die or be crippled.

He tried to comfort the young soldier, but maybe because he hadn't been injured in a while, he had gotten soft. He was in so much pain he could barely speak, only managing to force out two words: "It's fine."

The young alpha seemed even more worried, his hand, pressing on the wound, trembled more violently, blood flowing down through his fingers.

"Hold on a little longer, General, the medic has reached the second floor and will be here soon..."

"General," Fu Cheng's excited voice came through the earpiece, "We made a rough estimate of the daily output: at least forty thousand barrels a day, that's two million barrels a year. When we get back, we can make that Han guy bark like a dog..."

"Forty thousand barrels, that much!" Hearing this number, Zhu Shinian was suddenly thrilled. For a moment, it was like his wound stopped hurting and his body stopped feeling tired.

Forty thousand barrels could not only solve the Resistance's immediate needs but also cover their fuel needs for a long time, even if the front line expanded or more fighter jets and armored vehicles were sent into combat.

"...The medic is here!" Li Qianxu arrived in time with the medic. He heard Fu Cheng going on in the earpiece about making Han Zhandong bark like a dog, and angrily cursed at him through the earpiece—the first swear word he had ever said.

"Barking like a dog my ass! Do you think the General is as petty as you, always thinking about that petty crap all day? The General is wounded, and you're still there going on about barking like a dog."

"Huh?" Fu Cheng was stunned. "Boss, are you okay? You're injured? Does it hurt? Who hurt you..."

"I'm fine," said Zhu Shinian, trying to comfort him. He was pale from the anesthetic shot he'd received because the medic didn't have a painkiller. "It should just be a puncture wound from shell fragments..."

The anesthetic quickly kicked in, and Zhu Shinian passed out before he could finish his sentence.

Author's note: