9:30, East Suburb of Hulmatu.
Song Heping stood on the command vehicle of the first battalion, observing the buildings in Hulmatu City with binoculars.
The Arican flag and the Iligo Country flag were still perched atop the city walls, albeit slightly damaged, signifying that Rose and his n hadn't been completely conquered yet and were still alive.
On the streets, the defeated troops of the Vanguard troops that entered the city, 1515, were fleeing, abandoned equipnt spotted everywhere.
"Boss, the preliminary results of the battle have been compiled."
Jiang Feng reported the battle results while holding a tablet.
"Nearly two thousand killed, over seven hundred captured, and the rest scattered. We've seized three tanks, eight armored vehicles, twenty artillery pieces, and forty-five trucks. Our forces sustained only forty-seven casualties, five dead, and twelve severely wounded."
Forty-seven against over eighteen hundred.
This exchange ratio is enough to shock the entire military world.
But there was no sense of victory on Song Heping's face, only the calmness of a chess player completing a crucial setup.
He picked up the satellite phone and connected to Duke's direct line.
"General, Hulmatu's siege has been lifted."
On the other end, Duke let out a long sigh of relief, unmistakably audible through the receiver: "God...you really did it. Song, I have to admit you are an extrely rare military genius... Also, Rose reported to that 1515 has completely retreated, the city held."
"According to the agreent, my troops will take over defense duties. Thunder Defense can withdraw within ten days."
"It's all arranged. I'll send helicopters to pick them up." Duke paused and added, "Also, Washington...approved all conditions. Samir's troops will be reorganized into the Tenth Border Defense Division within a month; anwhile, he needs to go to Baghdad to complete so procedures. As for Hulmatu...the security contract is already in the signing process. I'm also coordinating the equipnt list you requested."
"Pleasure doing business, General." Song Heping smiled.
"Mr. Song." Duke's voice grew serious: "I must remind you that your display of capabilities today will leave many in Washington sleepless. Eight hundred n defeated eight thousand; such a record will be studied extensively and deeply feared."
"Let them fear then." Song Heping laughed: "Don't Westerners always worship the strong? It's better to have opponents fear than despise you. General, in this place, respect stems from strength, and strength needs to be seen."
He hung up the phone and looked into the distance.
The desert glowed gold and red in the morning light, the smoke was dissipating, and the outline of Hulmatu was gradually becoming distinct.
The battle for the city's defense had ended, but a larger chess ga was just beginning.
Samir wanted a regular military setup and a political influence map.
Duke and the United States wanted to maintain order at a low cost.
Baghdad wished to restore sovereignty over the Northwest Region.
The Kurd people wanted autonomy over the most bountiful piece of land in Elbil.
Persia sought to expand the Shiite corridor.
Every side had demands, every side was scheming.
And now, with the victory in this battle, he had successfully supported his protégé Samir into the Iligo military circle; the next step would be assisting Yusuf to secure a higher position in the political sphere, thus making himself one of the players in the Middle Eastern chess ga, no longer a proxy for any side, no longer a rcenary leader, but a player capable of influencing regional balance.
"Boss, Boss!"
Song Heping turned around to see Samir jumping off an ard pickup truck, his face brimming with joy.
Behind him were the militia of the "Liberation Forces" entering the city.
These n were still under the militia's identity but were soon to beco the Iligo Army's Tenth Border Defense Division, his most reliable ard force in the Northwest.
Further away, Colonel Rose led the remaining Thunder Defense soldiers out of the hospital.
The Arican rcenaries were ragged, battered but alive.
They watched Song Heping's troops take over the positions, their expressions complex with gratitude, admiration, but also resentnt and vigilance.
Song Heping approached Samir.
"Congratulations, future General Samir." Song Heping teased: "The supre commander of the Tenth Border Defense Division."
"It's all thanks to you, Boss." Samir said excitedly, "Without you, I'm nothing."
"Mud can't be wall-supported; the fact you can be supported proves you are a competent military commander." Song Heping smiled, "But rember, starting today, you're regular troops. Artillery use must comply with engagent rules, especially avoiding civilian casualties."
"Understood! Understood!"
Samir finished speaking, his smile suddenly fading.
"However, I heard...my troop setup will be restricted by the military in the future, aning I can't expand my forces even if I wanted to..."
Song Heping replied irritably, "Fool! They're limiting your setup; when they don't give you a setup, you can cultivate another militia organization as your backup force. They're giving you equipnt and payroll for only over ten thousand troops; don't you know how to source so military funding with all the resources in the Northwest?"
He couldn't help but knock Samir's forehead.
"The restrictions are fixed, people are flexible. You have a division with a setup of over ten thousand, but the militia organization you control and deploy can be several tis that, and if you have money, you can equip dozens of thousands!"
"Ah...seems right..."
Samir had a sudden realization.
It seed in front of Song Heping, no problem was a problem.
No issue was an issue.
He felt his boss's brain was sothing beyond his reach for a lifeti.
"Mr. Song."
Rose finally reached Song Heping's side, actively extending his hand.
Song Heping also extended his hand and shook Rose's: "Colonel, well done. Your troops fought brilliantly."
Rose's face showed no hint of joy at being praised: "Without your reinforcents, we'd all have died. Thank you."
"Each to their needs." Song Heping said, "My dical team is ready to receive the wounded, and the supply convoy will arrive in an hour. You can rest first, I'll coordinate the withdrawal matters with General Duke."
Rose nodded, looking at the man before him.
He wore a simple desert camouflage uniform, no military rank insignia, yet the soldiers around maintained absolute respect for him.
This man had defeated eight thousand with eight hundred in three hours, changing the Northwest region's military landscape and conveniently gaining legitimate status and a large tract of land.
It's said he was also a rcenary in Iligo earlier.
Now he's reached this point...
Comparing himself.
Rose felt the difference.
"You planned everything from the start, didn't you?" Rose couldn't help but ask, "Calculated Ahd, calculated us, calculated everyone."
Song Heping smiled slightly: "Colonel, I prefer to call it 'strategic planning.' Now, if you wish to continue this conversation, I suggest handling the wounded and defense transition first, then find to talk, after all, we have a lot to do now."
He finished, turned and left, heading towards the awaiting subordinates.
The sunlight stretched his shadow long, casting it onto the bullet-scarred street of Hulmatu.
The first phase was over.
Rose watched Song Heping walk away, unable to utter a word.
With two battalions of eight hundred defeated 1515's eight thousand, lifting Hulmatu's siege.
Song Heping achieved all the pre-set goals.
Allowed Samir to obtain regular troop status, establishing a reliable ally in the Northwest.
Proved the possibility of cooperation with the Persian Holy City Brigade, expanding diplomatic space.
Obtained legitimate contracts and equipnt support from the Aricans.
On Iligo's chessboard, he placed a significant piece firmly.
Next, the control isn't just over the enemy's fate, but the future direction of this land, the post-war power structure of Iligo, the balance of multiple forces in this region.
The road is long.
But the first step has been taken firmly.
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