Western Erbil, Abu You Ard Camp.
The darkness before dawn is the deepest, but it also heralds the approach of light.
Abu You stood at the edge of the camp, looking at the silent yet determined team before him.
Four thousand soldiers...
Most of these people are veterans who have followed him for years, and at this mont, each person's eyes show confusion, but more so a resolute determination for the future and trust in him.
All possessions that could be carried were taken, vehicles roared, but order prevailed.
This is a tragic migration, a defection for survival.
"Commander, everything is ready."
Casim stepped forward, reporting in a low voice.
Abu You nodded, took one last look at the land they had once fought fiercely for, hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and ordered, "Move out!"
The convoy, like a steel dragon, wound its way through the desolate Gobi and mountains, passing through the secret passage scouted and controlled earlier by Naxin's "Sand Fox" squad, stealthily crossing the Persian Border.
Along the way, the atmosphere was heavy. Everyone understood that once this step was taken, there was no turning back.
...
The next morning, Persian Plateau.
Song Heping's secret camp was much larger and more organized than Abu You had imagined.
It was not rely a simple hideout for the Guerrilla but more like a fully functional military base.
Hidden fortifications, deep-dug bunkers, camouflaged vehicles, and helipads, along with the solemn but skilled ard personnel coming and going, all indicated that its owner was no ordinary person.
The air was filled with diesel, dust, and a hint of tension.
Song Heping personally greeted them on the open ground outside the command center.
As always, dressed in a practical combat uniform, with a calm smile on his face, his gaze was sharp but not oppressive.
"Commander Abu You, welco to the Persian Plateau."
Song Heping extended his hand, Ayoub quickly grasped it with both hands.
"Mr. Song, thank you for giving us and my brothers a way out."
Abu You's tone was very sincere, with an almost imperceptible hint of embarrassnt.
Relying on others for shelter, even a hero could not help but feel uneasy at this mont.
The officers behind him were also solemn, secretly assessing this powerful ally of fa, or perhaps their future new boss.
"It's not a way out; it's a new journey."
Song Heping corrected, his gaze sweeping past the soldiers behind Abu You who had been tempered by war, nodding slightly, "They are good soldiers. You've all had a hard ti, I've arranged for warm food and a camp, settle down first, let the brothers have a good rest. Tonight, we'll have a eting to discuss the specifics."
The arrangents to welco the new troops were thoughtful and considerate.
Song Heping knew exactly what he needed to do.
Back in the unit, noodles on disembarking, dumplings on boarding.
Political ideology work is not only reflected in heart-to-heart talks and classes.
When this camp was established, the kitchen was one of the most prioritized projects.
Isn't there a saying?
A good kitchen squad can rival an excellent political commissar.
This saying applies to armies and ard organizations of any nation.
Although due to the nature of ard forces, Song Heping did not set up the position of political commissar, there was an invisible one.
Food is equally an essential tool for stabilizing morale.
That evening, in a tent large enough to accommodate all company-level and above officers, the first full officers' eting was held on ti.
A map hung in the center of the tent, with bright gas lamps lit all around.
Led by Song Heping on one side, Jiang Feng, Naxin, and other key mbers were seated to either side.
On the opposite side, Abu You, along with Casim and other key officers.
The atmosphere was sowhat delicate, with both sides cautiously observing each other.
Song Heping spoke first, skipping unnecessary pleasantries: "Gentlen, from today, we are brothers eating from the sa pot. I don't need to elaborate on the situation outside; the KPG can't tolerate you, the 1515 wants to kill us, and the Aricans... hmph, probably don't have any good intentions either. If we wish to survive, to live with dignity, we must unite and clench our fists!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, finally resting on Abu You: "The four thousand brothers brought by Commander Abu You are elite forces tested in real combat. I have decided to organize this unit under our banner as the 'Kurd Brigade'! Commander Abu You will continue to serve as the brigade commander, and the command structure at all levels will remain unchanged in principle."
As soon as he said this, a very slight commotion arose in the tent.
Abu You suddenly raised his head, disbelief filling his eyes.
The officers around him exchanged glances, almost suspecting they had misheard.
They had thought that surrendering command might get them a deputy position or an advisory role, retaining so dignity as the best outco.
After all, it's an unspoken rule—how could one expect to retain command after seeking new allegiances?
Casim couldn't help but blurt out, "Mr. Song, are you saying... our commander is still the brigade commander? We... we are still an independent unit?"
Song Heping nodded affirmatively: "That's right. The Kurd Brigade will be under the full command of Brigade Commander Abu You. You will only take orders from Brigade Commander Abu You, and Brigade Commander Abu You will report directly to . In the operational sequence, the Kurd Brigade and Samir's 'Eligo Liberation Force' will be on equal standing, with coordination from the command center during joint operations. There is no hierarchy or issue of who commands whom."
He looked towards another man on the other side, who had a composed face and scrutinizing eyes—clearly, that was Samir.
Samir seed sowhat surprised by this decision but did not object and simply nodded slightly to Abu You.
Abu You's heart pounded wildly, an indescribable warmth surged within him.
Stunned, puzzled, followed by vast gratitude and admiration.
He was ntally prepared for being sidelined, even slowly disbanded and absorbed, yet he never imagined Song Heping would graciously return command to him unchanged!
Such trust and respect are so rare in the harsh reality of this world.
He stood up, his voice hoarse yet exceptionally firm due to excitent: "Mr. Song! No, Leader... I... I, Abu You, and my four thousand brothers thank you for your trust! This kindness, I, Abu You, will rember eternally! From now on, I, Abu You, will follow your lead! The Kurd Brigade will be the sharpest knife in your hand!"
This was not an insincere formality but the most genuine pledge of loyalty in a life-and-death scenario.
The Kurd people do not have a good reputation in the Arab World, related to history.
They rarely find acceptance and inclusivity in other countries, mostly encountering precaution and suspicion.
Song Heping being so magnanimous and broad-minded was unimaginable for Ayoub…
The officers behind Ayoub also stood up one after another, their eyes sweeping away doubts and unease, replaced by excitent and a loyalty born of respect.
The retention of command ant their unit's soul still existed!
"Good!"
Song Heping also stood up, extended his hand, "I believe in Brigade Commander Abu You and the combat strength of the Kurd Brigade. In the future, we will fight side by side!"
He then extended his hand once more to Ayoub.
Ayoub hurriedly grasped it, too excited to speak a word.
The atmosphere in the tent instantly grew fervent, with much of the previous estrangent and caution dissipating.
After the eting, the officers each left to arrange for the troops to rest.
Abu You led his n to familiarize themselves with the new camp.
Only Song Heping and Jiang Feng remained in the tent.
Watching Abu You's departing figure, Jiang Feng couldn't help but speak: "Old squad leader, I don't quite understand... This was an excellent opportunity; we could easily have dismantled Abu You's forces, integrating them into Samir's unit, or have had our n take direct command. This would have allowed us to rapidly absorb and utilize this force, ensuring absolute control. But now... it's as if they remain Abu You's private army; isn't there a risk of losing control? What if he in the future..."
Song Heping turned around, took a sip from the cup on the table, and a faint, aningful smile appeared on his lips: "Jiang Feng, do you rember why Abu You rebelled from the KPG?"
Jiang Feng paused, answering, "Because Bashir and the others in the KPG Committee wanted to seize his power, even his life."
"That's right." Song Heping put down the cup and tapped the table with his finger, "The core is 'command authority.' For a battlefield commander like Abu You, his unit is his lifeline, his ans of survival, and the bond of mutual trust between him and his n. If we were to hurriedly strip him of his military power and isolate him right after they joined us, what do you think those four thousand veterans, who followed him in defection to avoid being swallowed, would think? What would Abu You himself think?"
He paused, continuing his analysis: "They would feel disheartened, believing they've rely jumped from the frying pan into the fire, being stripped of everything just under a different master. Distrust and dissatisfaction would quickly breed. If the morale dissipates, these four thousand seasoned veterans won't just fail to form a combat force; instead, they could beco a burden or even a massive hidden threat, eventually leading to chaos. By then, we'd have nothing but a scattered rabble, not a sharp blade."
Jiang Feng nodded thoughtfully.
Song Heping walked to the map, continuing, "Moreover, look. Samir is an Illiguo, whose subordinates are primarily Illiguo. anwhile, Abu You's troops are entirely Kurds. Historically, these two ethnic groups have had entanglents; even though they now face a common enemy, forcibly mixing them could lead to significant challenges in day-to-day managent and operational coordination, possibly escalating into severe ethnic conflicts at critical tis, leading to disastrous outcos. Allowing them to maintain relative independence, led by their respective trusted commanders, actually preserves cohesion and combat strength to the greatest extent. All we need is to grasp the highest command and strategic direction."
Turning back to Jiang Feng, he said: "Therefore, no matter how you calculate it, respecting and retaining Abu You's command authority is the optimal solution. It stabilizes morale the fastest, gains their loyalty, and prevents unnecessary internal friction. We want allies who can fight, not a bunch of resentful prisoners. Trust, sotis, is more effective than forced control."
After listening to this explanation, Jiang Feng's face revealed an expression of admiration: "I understand! I was thinking too simply. Your strategy targets the heart."
Song Heping smiled, patting his shoulder: "Learn slowly, for warfare is not only about weapons but also the human heart."
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