In the vast forest, Luo Zheng was leading the team on a fast march, completely unaware that Jackson had escaped a near miss and once again beca a military advisor to the Imperial Guard, presenting a plan for surrounding on all sides. If Luo Zheng knew of this plan, he would only sneer dismissively. The forest is so vast, could thirty thousand Imperial Guards really complete an encirclent? Not unless everyone's movents were pinpointed, but Luo Zheng was cautious of this, taking routes through dense woods selected by Lan Xing via satellite. Why else would it be called a safe route?
By dusk, small units of scholars gradually arrived for assembly. Upon learning that Luo Zheng and two others had infiltrated the cave, detonated missiles, and destroyed the base, everyone proudly puffed up their chests. They took pride in their contribution, and more importantly, the scholar among the three infiltrators was their Squad Leader, bringing pride.
Continuous victories had boosted the team's morale significantly, and Luo Zheng's prestige reached an entirely new height invisibly. Even Lan Xue's mind quietly underwent a transformation, adding a degree of admiration, although Lan Xue herself hadn't noticed it yet. On the battlefield, the strong only ever respect the strong.
While communicating with Lan Xing about the situation and adjusting their route to avoid suddenly erging squads—whether ard drug dealers or small mountain-search teams—all were bypassed to avoid exposure. Luo Zheng ordered the team to keep marching, and everyone pressed on without the slightest complaint.
After a night's forced march, the team was exhausted and hungry, having to stop and rest for two hours to eat so dry rations. They dared not light a fire for cooking or hunt for wild ga to improve their conditions. Fortunately, plenty of wild fruit was found along the way. After two hours, they resud marching into the sunrise.
By noon, they arrived near the border and suddenly turned south, cautiously marching along the borderline. The area was often patrolled by search teams, containing smugglers and drug traffickers. Even if detected by enemy satellites, it would be hard to discern their true identity. The team hurried south without delay.
At this ti, in the field command of the Imperial Guard, Hu Zhengyi stared at everyone with a face full of anger. Jackson sat awkwardly silent beside him. The surrounding plan was put forward by Jackson, and the Guards did implent it, but with little effect, finding no valuable clues although plenty of smugglers and drug dealers were caught, which at least was sowhat profitable. Under normal circumstances, Hu Zhengyi would be pleased, but with the target gone, his anger had nowhere to vent, so he roared at his subordinates instead.
After a while, Hu Zhengyi felt a bit better after venting and looked coldly yet warmly at Jackson, saying, "Mr. Jackson, sothing seems off now. With the culprits gone, you and I can't account for it. We've chased where we should chase and searched where we should search, yet found no clues. What should we do next?"
"They must be hidden in so corner of the forest. We definitely can't slack off. The likelihood of heading east is slim. Westward leads into your country, where there's been no trace found by the blockade troops. Southward is the sa. North suggests another country, and they have no reason to go there. Besides, the sent pursuit troops haven't found anything, so they must be hiding sowhere with nowhere to go." Jackson said bitterly, lacking his past arrogance and confidence.
"We are both aware of the situation. Where do you think they're hidden?" Hu Zhengyi said rather dissatisfied.
"This requires you to keep searching. Additionally, our country has supported you with two Black Hawks that have infrared thermal imaging capabilities, and they can be summoned to assist in the search. A Special Forces unit has been dispatched from within the country, and I will let them participate in the search. Japan will also send personnel to join." Jackson said seriously.
"Alright then, hopefully, there are good results, otherwise both of us will be challenged." Hu Zhengyi responded coldly.
Just then, a communications staff hurried in. After saluting, they looked at Hu Zhengyi awkwardly. Hu Zhengyi nodded, prompting the staff to step forward and whisper in Hu Zhengyi's ear, "General, intelligence from the holand just arrived. Huaxia Country's troops had unusual deploynts, with fighter jets frequently patrolling the border airspace. A skirmish could occur at any mont, triggering a war, and the holand hopes we stop the pursuit to rush to the border for support as soon as possible."
"What about the other troops?" Hu Zhengyi whispered dissatisfiedly.
"It will take three days for other troops to assemble. War could break out at any ti. The holand fears it's too late, ordering us to move imdiately and reach the border as quickly as possible." The communications staff hurriedly explained.
Hu Zhengyi's face turned solemn, waving the staff away to signal everyone, who curiously looked at Hu Zhengyi. Even Jackson indicated that circumstances had changed, looking at Hu Zhengyi with surprise and suspicion. Internally, Hu Zhengyi was filled with fury, only calming his emotions after a mont to say, "Gentlen, it seems we have to temporarily abandon pursuing the culprits. Orders have co in from back ho, demanding that we move imdiately to support the border."
"But, doing so will let the culprits escape. Are you really willing to see them get away?" Jackson exclaid, urgently reminding, "The culprits are enemies of your country, our mortal enemies. Letting them escape will an a lifeti of unrest for us, torturing us till death. General, clear judgnt, please."
"Clear judgnt, my ass! If Huaxia Country is ready to fight, what's more important, defending the territory or catching culprits?" Hu Zhengyi roared, his heart conflicted about giving up the pursuit, but orders were as unyielding as mountains; disobeying was treason.
Everyone upon hearing Huaxia Country might fight first thought it unbelievable, then believed Huaxia Country was intentionally intimidating to draw out troops, covering the culprits' retreat. But no one dared voice it: What if a real battle started? Jackson, however, ignored such thoughts, urgently shouting, "General, Huaxia Country can't provoke war; it's sothing both you and I know is just posturing to let the culprits escape."
"What if the war starts?" Hu Zhengyi coldly asked, glaring at Jackson.
"Uh?" Jackson was at a loss for words. It wasn't about war or no war but positions and titles, sothing Jackson could overlook, as it would be Yue Country engaged, but Hu Zhengyi dared not risk this, irrelevant of war potential. As a soldier, obeying orders was paramount. Orders were orders, and they must be followed.
"Gentlen, prepare to move." Hu Zhengyi spoke with a gray face.
Jackson hesitated to speak but was pulled out by a deputy, as the gathered officers stood and left. The Chief of Staff, being Hu Zhengyi's confidant, whispered when alone, "Brother, it seems soone high up is protecting you."
"Protecting ?" Hu Zhengyi was puzzled, looking at the Chief of Staff and suddenly realized if the culprits weren't found, he'd beco a national criminal, if not demoted but the support border was different, his eyes lit up, he laughed, saying, "Gave those bastards a break, I'll settle the score later."
User Comments
0 comments from readers