There is strength in numbers; the supplies and equipnt stockpiled in the valley were swiftly taken away by everyone, quickly retreating west. The bustling valley soon beca deserted. Soon, the sound of gunfire intensified, followed by a troop surging towards the wooden huts in the valley from the gorge and the mountains. Each of them ard and uniford, it was the army of Sam Country. Seeing no resistance in the valley, they excitedly rushed into the huts, searching them one by one.
Gunfire was still echoing in the surrounding mountains and forests, moving westward, but more troops poured into the valley. Shortly thereafter, the regint commander, accompanied by guards, arrived as well. Seeing the intact wooden huts in the valley, although deserted, he paid no heed. The thought of the political objective of occupying the valley made the regint commander unable to resist shouting excitedly, "Quickly inspect the huts for danger. Adjutant, take a troop to imdiately occupy the surrounding highlands and guard against enemy counterattacks."
"Yes." The adjutant shouted, calling on a troop to swiftly seize the commanding heights of the valley.
The regint commander, spirited and hopeful, walked ahead. Although unable to capture the opponents or rescue the hostages, driving away the enemy and seizing their stronghold was politically a significant achievent. More importantly, occupying the valley provided a substantial guarantee for the subsequent developnt of the tantalum mine, which was even more beneficial.
"Report, enemy command post found," a Lieutenant jogged over, saluted, and reported.
"Let's go and have a look," the regint commander waved his hand in excitent, motioning for the counterpart to lead the way.
Soon, the regint commander arrived at the command post, the largest wooden hut in the valley, to find the sand table already destroyed and scattered on the ground, with everything in the room moved out, leaving nothing. The commander was montarily stunned, frowning as he pondered a while. After so thought, he ordered the communications officer, "Imdiately send a telegram to the main headquarters; the valley is now occupied, our forces are clearing the battlefield, constructing defensive fortifications. Awaiting instructions."
"Yes." The communications officer imdiately replied, going to make the call.
The regint commander shouted to a staff officer who followed behind, "This place is not bad; it's spacious enough to serve as our command post. Staff mbers, get in position imdiately, tidy up here, restore the sand table as soon as possible, and set up communication and radar equipnt."
"Yes." The staff officer quickly agreed, hurrying off.
At this ti, urgent footsteps sounded from outside, and soon, Jackson ca running with a group of people. Upon seeing the situation inside the hut, his face revealed a trace of excitent. Looking at the regint commander, he said, "Well done, unexpectedly you were the first to occupy this place. The credit for this goes to you."
"Thank you, Chief Commander." The regint commander knowingly replied quickly.
"Upon arrival, I found this place had been emptied. It seems the enemy voluntarily abandoned the valley. I will arrange for a batch of supplies to be air-dropped to you soon. Guard this valley well, construct defensive fortifications on all surrounding commanding heights. I don't want this place to fall into enemy hands again," Jackson instructed sternly.
"Yes." The regint commander quickly replied, understanding, "We will complete the task."
"Other units are pursuing the enemy; use your ti wisely to deploy. There are about two hours of daylight left, and the pursuing troops also need a place to camp. After nightfall, they will return; be prepared to welco them," Jackson advised.
"Understood," the regint commander responded without hesitation. Suddenly thinking of sothing, he waved his hand, signaling the others to leave, and then whispered, "Old friend, I heard the eastern line is suffering and many have been lost, with the troops nearly decimated. This issue is quite serious; what do you think?"
"Those bastards were useless, being ambushed overnight by a group of natives with bows and arrows, combined with an attack during the day. The troops lost over a thousand n; this matter cannot be covered up. Fortunately, we seized this valley; otherwise, it would be hard to account for. Militarily, we lost, and thoroughly so, with over a thousand casualties, while the enemy only suffered hundreds. Politically, we were victorious. I am aware of this situation. The only regret is not rescuing the hostages. Hopefully, the pursuing forces can achieve sothing," Jackson whispered back, with deep wrinkles furrowing his brow and a heavy tone of anger and dissatisfaction in his words.
"As long as you know what's going on, instruct on what needs to be done," the regint commander seized the opportunity to express his position.
"Hmm, in critical monts, old friends are reliable," Jackson replied with a double aning.
┅┅
In the vast prival forest, beside a large tree in the riverside thicket, the Scholar stood with a cold expression. Nearby stood the Gardener, the Monk, and the Farr. Behind them were fully ard warriors, sitting on the ground and panting heavily, having managed to escape the enemy and taking the ti to regain their strength.
"Bastards, I will definitely settle this score," the Scholar muttered coldly to himself, his gaze sharp as a knife and fixed firmly on the direction they had co from.
"Brother, I know your pain. Ghost brother will surely help us settle this score. You can rest assured; this flanking move behind enemy lines is bound to accomplish sothing. Don't worry, stay calm; your brothers are all watching you," the Monk softly consoled, walking up to him.
"I can't stay calm. One hundred brothers ca here with to serve the country; look at us now, over twenty sacrificed and more than thirty injured, more than half of the brothers are gone, I..." said the Scholar with grief and indignation, his nose stinging, as two lines of tears rolled down his resolute face, carrying endless anger as they fell to the ground.
"Your brothers are our brothers too. We will rember this vengeance. You still have over forty n, plus our three hundred. We can still stir things up. Moreover, Ghost specially instructed to bring more food and weapons, evidently planning on hitting them hard. The enemy is catching up; let's retreat and link up with Ghost first," the Monk said solemnly, exchanging a look with the Gardener and the Farr.
The Gardener nodded knowingly, stepping forward and saying, "Brothers fought for the country, dying without regret. The bodies and the wounded have been evacuated; there's nothing to worry about. What we who are alive can do is avenge them. It's getting late; let's go and find Ghost."
"Once the enemy catches up, we'll be in trouble, and they might find out our whereabouts, potentially exposing Ghost's tactical plan. We'll head north, shake off the enemy, and then swiftly maneuver southeast, traveling overnight to regroup with Ghost by dawn." the Farr quickly chid in.
"Revenge, let's go." The Scholar took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He agreed and looked at his troops, his face showing a touch of guilt, but even more anger. He shouted, "Brothers, let's go, and avenge our fallen comrades."
"Revenge." Everyone instantly stood up, their bodies exploding with a chilling murderous intent, rushing forward into the depths of the thicket, soon disappearing without a trace.
User Comments
0 comments from readers