Returning to Bayji was already in the afternoon.
Due to the rapid progress in the refinery repairs, so equipnt has already been put back into production, and the black crude oil is flowing to the cracking tower through repaired pipelines, with machinery roaring once again at the factory site.
Song Heping did not rest and went straight to the command post.
Jiang Feng and several staff mbers were analyzing the latest reconnaissance report.
"Old squad leader, you're back." Jiang Feng approached, "What did the Aricans say?"
"Major General Duke, the newcor, said he needs to ask the Pentagon for a decision, and he needs ti." Song Heping took off his coat, walked to the map, glanced at the icons on it, and asked, "Any movents on Ahd's side?"
"Very quiet." Jiang Feng pointed to Titrick's position on the map, "Our drones have been monitoring. The 1515 troops are redeploying around Titrick, building fortifications, but there are no signs of large-scale movents. However..."
"However, what?"
"After Samir blocked the border passage towards Mosul, we detected that 1515 opened a new supply line."
Jiang Feng's finger moved on the map, starting from Al-Qaim Town on the border with Siria, along the east bank of the Euphrates River, extending all the way to Lake Sersal.
"They transport materials from here, across the river, then load them on trucks heading north, bypassing our monitoring area. This route, though longer, is more concealed and avoids the mountains, suitable for transporting heavy equipnt."
Song Heping stared at the route, with his eyebrows slightly furrowed: "How long is this line?"
"The land part is about two hundred kiloters, and with the water transport section, the total transportation distance exceeds five hundred kiloters." Jiang Feng said, "The efficiency is not high, but it indeed can maintain supplies for the Titrick 1515 troops. Moreover, if they establish a transit station along Lake Sersal, they might attempt to open a more direct land route in the future."
"Ahd is not a fool; he will definitely find a way to survive." Song Heping contemplated for a mont, "Notify Samir to intensify reconnaissance on the east bank of the Euphrates River, but don't alert them."
"Understood." Jiang Feng recorded the order and then asked, "What about Hulmatu? Will Duke really hand over the defense to us?"
"He will, but for now, we can't take it." Song Heping smiled, "The Aricans haven't accepted the conditions I proposed yet, so until then, we will remain unchanged. By the way, have the troops withdrawn from Tuz and Feihate?"
"According to your orders, the withdrawal began yesterday in batches and should be completed by noon today."
Jiang Feng seed puzzled, "Old squad leader, I don't understand, why are we willing to give up these two places after working so hard to take them? Although the defensive pressure is high, with the Persians' cooperation, we should be able to hold them."
Song Heping did not directly answer but instead asked, "If you were Ahd and saw us suddenly abandon Tuz and Feihate, what would you think?"
Jiang Feng thought, "I would suspect a trap... but would also think, maybe we are short on troops and have to shrink the defense line."
"Correct." Song Heping nodded, "What is Ahd most afraid of now? Afraid that I am setting a trap for him. We have defended Tuz and Feihate for half a month and suddenly abandoned them. His first reaction will definitely be suspicion. But after suspicion? When faced with the strategically critical Hulmatu, would he not be tempted?"
Jiang Feng's eyes lit up: "Are you trying to lure the enemy?"
"Not entirely." Song Heping shook his head, "Abandoning Tuz and Feihate does indeed consider shrinking the defense line and concentrating forces. Our battle line is now stretched too long; Bayji, Western Mosul, parts of Kirkuk, and the preparation to take over Hulmatu, all require troops. Giving up these two protruding sections is a strategic necessity."
He paused, a hint of deep contemplation flashing in his eyes: "But the way and timing of the abandonnt can be manipulated. If Ahd thinks we are forced to retreat due to insufficient troops, he might seize the opportunity to reoccupy these two places, or even... might be tempted to act on Hulmatu."
"You want him to attack Hulmatu?" Jiang Feng understood but wondered further, "Would he dare?"
"That's why we need to wait." Song Heping said, "Wait for Duke's call, wait for the Aricans to officially hand over Hulmatu to us. Until then, Ahd needs to guess, hesitate, and probe on his own. We are not in a hurry; it's the Aricans and the 1515 ard forces who are."
In the next half month, Bayji and Mosul entered a tense state of readiness.
Refinery repairs continued to accelerate, the city walls and peripheral fortifications were further strengthened, newly recruited local soldiers underwent training; weapons and equipnt transported from Persia through border passages arrived successively.
Song Heping kept contact with all parties every day.
Coordinated defense deploynts with Naxin's Persian Holy City Brigade; discussed border monitoring and reconnaissance with Samir; communicated material transportation situations with Tehran's Avanti; and even had a brief call with Moscow via encrypted channels.
He awaited Duke's call and Ahd's reaction.
And in Titrick's direction, as Song Heping predicted, Ahd, the big fish, was more anxious than himself now.
At ten in the morning, in the 1515 ard command headquarters.
Ahd stared at the map on the wall, which he had seen countless tis, repeatedly tapping his fingers on the points of Tuz and Feihate.
His brow was furrowed tight, eyes filled with doubt.
"Are you sure they've really withdrawn?" He asked the sa question for the third ti.
The reconnaissance commander nodded affirmatively: "Yes, Commander. Our scouts have entered Tuz Town; it's empty, except for so abandoned fortifications and a few materials that couldn't be taken. The sa situation in Feihate Town. The Persians and rcenaries have all retreated, heading towards Bayji."
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