Song Heping imdiately drove to the Yellow Stone shooting range after leaving the US Army Command in Baghdad.
The Yellow Stone shooting range is located outside the Green Zone and got its na due to the abundance of yellow rocks in the area, near the airport, and serves as a training ground for the 82nd Division.
There are not many regular shooting ranges in the Baghdad area since it's a battlefield, and battlefields don't need formal ranges; usually, any deserted area can be used as a makeshift range.
However, this practice has its dangers, as it's prone to ambushes. There have been instances where the US forces were practicing shooting in the open and a mortar shell suddenly landed and exploded at the scene.
After the occupation of Baghdad, however, the US Army Command still had the 82nd Airborne Division build a range near the airport, as it proved very useful for zeroing weapons or tactical drills.
As the number of coalition forces stationed in Baghdad gradually increased, the range started to beco insufficient.
Most PMC companies borrow the coalition forces' ranges, and in Baghdad, many rcenaries go to the 82nd Airborne Division's range to zero and practice shooting, after all, new recruits still require training and adjustnt.
The local rcenary battalions in the two northern oil fields secured by the "Musician" Defense Company usually train on-site, but the few hundred newly recruited Illigo rcenaries responsible for transportation and escort tasks have military experience, yet as they co from different units, they need so integration ti for training and coordination.
After returning from Africa, Song Heping had Jiang Feng take care of bringing those Illigo rcenaries who were on leave at ho to the range for shooting practice, and incidentally work on tactical coordination.
Jiang Feng had spent so ti with the instruction brigade when he was a soldier, a place that serves as a foundation for developing core mbers, so training is one of his specialties.
By the ti Song Heping arrived at the range, he saw from a distance two rows of Illigo rcenaries kneeling on the edge of the range with their hands over their heads, while Jiang Feng was pinned down by three burly British soldiers, unable to move, blood dribbling from the corner of his mouth, and a swelling hematoma under his right eye, indicating he had suffered a significant loss.
More than ten Arican soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division stood nearby, twisting their hands and watching the commotion with gleeful smiles.
Seeing his own people treated with such humiliation, rage boiled up inside Song Heping.
"What's going on here? Who's in charge?"
Song Heping walked straight towards the group of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division.
This was their territory, and whether asking or searching, it was appropriate to first approach their leader.
When several Arican soldiers saw Song Heping, they didn't take him seriously at all.
After all, in their eyes, a Chinese person was insignificant.
"Who are you?"
Two soldiers stepped forward to stop Song Heping.
"This is a shooting range, who let you in here?"
Song Heping produced his pass.
His pass was a level-one access badge, allowing him to go anywhere in the Green Zone. Peter had helped him obtain it for work purposes.
Song Heping had previously thought such a high-level pass didn't make much of a difference.
After all, he didn't visit those high-security areas.
But now, the pass proved useful.
Most people in PMC companies have second or even third-level badges.
As the composition of rcenaries is complex, even if the company is located in the Green Zone, it is only along the periphery.
In core areas like the Republic Palace, if you want to go there, you must have an invitation, an appointnt, or temporary procedures.
PMC company mbers like Song Heping with a level-one security pass are rare, even in companies like Black Water and AAFES, where not everyone has one; it's usually the executives who possess such passes, while others receive different temporary badges depending on their role.
The Arican soldiers are not all fools.
Although they do not recognize the man in front of them, a permanent level-one security pass says a lot.
At the very least, this person's relationship with the US Army Command in Iraq is no ordinary matter.
One of the sergeants imdiately beca much more polite and asked, "Sir, do you need sothing from our officer?"
Song Heping replied, "I'm their boss."
As he spoke, Song Heping's gaze fell on the Illigo rcenaries and finally rested on Jiang Feng.
Seeing Jiang Feng struggling to get up with a face as red as Guan Yu's, yet restrained by several British soldiers, he didn't call for help or call out to Song Heping because he felt he had lost face for the Chinese.
Song Heping pointed at Jiang Feng and told the soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, "Release him imdiately!"
The soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division looked at each other, unsure what to do.
They and the British were allies, and these were British soldiers, part of the regular coalition forces.
Song Heping was just the boss of a PMC company.
And a Chinese at that.
Naturally, they were inclined to side with the British.
Seeing them hesitate, Song Heping stepped forward and delivered a mighty kick to the British soldier who was pressing his knee against Jiang Feng's back.
The man was sent flying by Song Heping's kick and rolled on the ground.
Before the other two soldiers restraining Jiang Feng could react, the one who had been knocked to the ground drew his pistol and pointed it at Song Heping.
"NO!"
Several soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division yelled in alarm.
At that mont, Song Heping didn't retreat but advanced. Like a wraith, he took a step forward at lightning speed to reach the British soldier who had drawn his gun. In a cross-handed pistol-snatching move that took only a fraction of a second, the soldier's handgun was already in Song Heping's hands.
Then, before the other man could figure out what was happening, Song Heping swiftly disassembled the pistol.
That wasn't all; after disassembling the gun, Song Heping threw the magazine and slide out into the sandy soil far away.
A soldier's gun is extrely important; they say it's their second life.
The gun was dismantled, and its parts were thrown far away, which was tantamount to having one's life half-taken apart.
"OH! FUCK!"
That British soldier ca to his senses and charged forward with a cry.
Song Heping cut him no slack; he couldn't shoot him here, but beating him up was fair ga, and the Arican soldiers watching would rely enjoy the show.
As long as no guns were involved, these guys preferred to watch a fistfight.
"OH——"
Before anyone could see clearly, the British soldier who charged was clutching his groin and rolling on the ground, veins bulging on his face.
The two British soldiers restraining Song Heping let go of Jiang Feng, trying to stand up and pounce on Song Heping at the sa ti.
But Song Heping had anticipated their interference; before they could stand, he swept his leg, hitting one of them directly in the neck.
The man instantly passed out, collapsing to the ground motionless.
The other one stood up, but he had lost his courage.
He didn't dare to make a move, witnessing how Song Heping struck like lightning, taking down his own two n.
He weighed his options and found no hope of winning.
Seeing him hopping around in a boxing stance with fists ready yet not daring to approach, Song Heping sneered in contempt and turned to ask Jiang Feng, "Damn it, you couldn't handle these guys? If this had been back in the old unit, wouldn't your platoon leader have punished you to death?"
Jiang Feng cursed, "The bloody British don't fight fair, attacking from behind! Damn, I was still arguing with the Arican, and they ca up and pinned from the back!"
"What exactly happened?" Song Heping asked.
Jiang Feng explained, "Today our rented training ground, but those British said their unit needed it today and told us to get lost! I told them we'd paid, our ti wasn't up yet, and they called the Aricans to kick us out! I tried to reason with them, and they started fighting!"
Turning to the paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, then back at Jiang Feng, Song Heping admonished, "Next ti, act first, talk later. Here, as long as no guns are involved, it's all good!"
The 82nd Airborne Division's range had several sections; other coalition forces could use it for free, but PMC companies had to pay a fee.
The situation wasn't complicated.
It was plain bullying.
Firstly, most of his subordinates were Illigo rcenaries led by Jiang Feng; these white-skinned probably thought they could be easily bullied, so they were unreasonable.
After reprimanding Jiang Feng, Song Heping walked towards the British soldier.
Seeing this, the soldier realized he couldn't handle it and imdiately turned to retreat, saying as he went, "If you're so tough, don't run!"
"Fine! I'll wait for you at the school gates after class!" Song Heping said with extre sarcasm, "Hurry up and call your commander over, I'll wait for him!"
After the British soldiers left, Song Heping turned to the Arican soldiers.
"Sergeant, did our people not pay, not rent the range, or not have a reservation?"
With that question, Song Heping struck at the heart of the matter.
The crux of the issue was right there.
They'd paid, made a reservation, and were in the middle of training; on what grounds could they be kicked out?!
"This..."
The sergeant was sowhat embarrassed.
He had witnessed Song Heping's prowess.
The man seed tough to deal with.
If it were anyone else, a gun would already be pointed at Song Heping's head.
However, he had also heard of this defense company; they were making waves, having secured a transportation contract with the coalition forces in Iraq. Usually, a company that lands such contracts has major backing—aning they have powerful people behind them.
If he didn't play smart and blew things out of proportion, he'd likely find himself in big trouble.
"We didn't really understand what happened just now. Your guys hadn't clarified, and the British had already pinned them down, pointing guns at them and making them kneel. We thought it was your company that took their spot."
The sergeant was playing it slick, now pinning the entire bla on the British.
Song Heping decided to let the matter rest; since the Arican paratroopers hadn't gotten involved, there was no need for further confrontation.
He approached the Illigo rcenaries and scolded them in Arabic, "Are you n or not? They tell you to kneel, and you kneel?! Stand up!"
All the Illigo rcenaries stood up at once.
Song Heping, still feeling angry and mindful that a man's knees are more precious than gold, couldn't help but ask again, "Just three guys made you kneel?!"
"They had guns in their hands..." one of the squad leaders said.
Song Heping replied, "They only had pistols, and you have AKMs in your hands; what, are they for lighting fires?! If you ever show such a lack of spine again, write your own resignation and bring it to ! My company doesn't employ cowards! Didn't you understand you should've ganged up on them?"
While berating them, he suddenly heard an arrogant voice not far away, "Who dares to take our range?! And injure my n?! Looking for death, are you?!"
Song Heping turned upon hearing this and saw a British captain accompanied by a dozen soldiers marching their way.
"Look, the big shot is here."
Song Heping whispered to Jiang Feng, "Tell everyone to hold onto their guns and see what they plan to do?"
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