Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1209 The Undercurrents Behind the Victory

Before the smoke of battle in Daguk had completely cleared, Song Heping's combined forces, like arrows released from a bow, sped southward with the momentum of a great victory.

Hurmatu.

This strategic stronghold, guarding the throat of Titrick, has now become the most intense focus on the map of various forces.

Inside the bumpy command vehicle, Song Heping stared at the real-time updated situation map on the screen, his face showing no trace of joy at the capture of Daguk.

His fingertips moved slowly across the complex terrain surrounding Hurmatu, his brow gradually furrowing.

Something's not right.

He suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it made all the staff officers and communications officers in the command vehicle look up at the same time.

The young operations staff officer quickly asked, "Commander, what problem have we discovered?"

Song Heping pointed to the enemy defense line footage transmitted back by the drone on the screen: "It's too quiet. Given Daguk's track record, someone must have escaped. And considering the speed at which the fleeing soldiers relay messages, the defenders of Hurmatu should have already taken action. But now, apart from a few insignificant radio signals, they're as quiet as if they don't exist."

He turned to the U.S. Army captain in charge of intelligence liaison and asked, "What's the latest reconnaissance report from your Bakhtar side?"

The U.S. Army captain quickly retrieved the data: "According to the latest information provided by intelligence, the defenses at Hurmatu have not been significantly reinforced, and the garrison is estimated to remain between eight hundred and one thousand men. Their assessment is that the 1515 militia's garrison at Hurmatu, demoralized by the swift defeat at Daguk, may adopt a conservative, defensive strategy of waiting for reinforcements."

"Hold your ground and wait for reinforcements?"

Song Heping snorted coldly, "Did the aerial reconnaissance report any signs of reinforcements moving from the Titrick direction?"

"No findings at this time. Surveillance footage shows troop movements around Titrick, but there are no signs of organized units moving north to provide support."

Song Heping leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, and began to think rapidly.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

The 1515 armed forces were by no means a rabble, and at such a critical juncture, they would never sit idly by and watch Hurmatu fall easily.

Either there's a problem with US military intelligence, or someone is deliberately creating this illusion of "calm."

He pressed the encrypted communication key, connecting with Milos, the commander of the mercenary battalion: "Milosh, slow down the vanguard and intensify reconnaissance, especially on the flanks; I suspect an ambush."

"Understood, boss."

Milos's English, tinged with an Eastern European accent, came through: "I also find this place eerily quiet, so I've sent Joseph with a reinforced platoon to scout ahead, focusing on the 'Tuz Valley' on the northwest side."

"Be careful, I have a bad feeling about this," Song Heping cautioned.

“Don’t worry, Joseph is a seasoned veteran; he knows what to do,” Milos said confidently. “The reconnaissance team has air reconnaissance support from the US military; everything will be fine.”

Hearing Milos say that, Song Heping breathed a slight sigh of relief.

After all, the combat capabilities of these two elite mercenary battalions are trustworthy.

Although they are a mercenary battalion recruited and assembled by the company in Africa, they are not a ragtag group of African men. They are high-quality mercenaries composed of retired non-commissioned officers and officers recruited from Eastern Europe and Asia.

For more than a year, these newly recruited mercenaries have been sent to the hunter school run by their own company in Venezuela, South America, for intensive training. The training is conducted in the same manner as the PLA training team, with a six-month training period. Only after graduation do they return to the African base to carry out combat missions.

It can be said that the soldiers in the mercenary ranks, in terms of combat skills alone, are no less than the elite soldiers in the regular army of any country.

But he didn't expect things to be so complicated.

Just as Song Heping was leading his troops cautiously toward Hurmatu, at the U.S. Joint Command Headquarters at Camp Victor in Bakda.

Colonel Kurt watched as the blue arrow representing Song Heping's forces steadily advanced on the screen, a subtle, complex expression flickering across his lips.

"He is quite cautious."

Kurt whispered to Major James beside him.

James said expressionlessly, "Caution is a good thing; it'll keep him alive longer and help us wear down the enemy. However, Hurmatu isn't an easy nut to crack."

"Have we processed all the intelligence we've 'adjusted' properly?"

Kote asked pointedly.

James nodded. "Don't worry, Colonel. We only 'delayed' the update speed of some information and 'ignored' some peripheral signals. Even in retrospect, it would only be a minor error in intelligence interpretation at most. No one can find fault with it."

He paused, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Based on the fragmented signals we've intercepted, an elite detachment of about four hundred men from the 1515 'Black Flag' Brigade, carrying new anti-tank weapons, has secretly infiltrated the 'Tuz Valley' northwest of Hurmatu. If Song Heping advances along the 'safe route' we've provided, his armored vanguard will likely run headlong into it."

Kurt nodded slightly: "It's good to teach him a lesson. This guy is too arrogant. Let him suffer a bit so he understands that without our air support and intelligence backing, he's nothing. But remember, don't cripple him. Tetrick still needs him to lead the charge."

"Understood. Our drones are constantly monitoring from high altitude, and can issue timely warnings or deliver a well-timed air strike if necessary, making him both grateful and suffering heavy losses."

James gave a smug reply.

In the eyes of Americans, Song Heping is a useful knife, but it cannot be made too sharp, or even turn into a threat to the person wielding it.

Although the two sides are currently in a cooperative relationship, the foundation of trust remains fragile.

Russian frontline command post in the Siberian direction.

Brigadier General Nezov also received news that Song Heping's troops were approaching Hurmatu, as well as enemy intelligence reports "shared" by the US military. "The Americans are playing their tricks again."

Netsov chuckled and threw the intelligence documents on the table, from which a stack of satellite photos of the "Tuz Valley" slid out.

"They wanted to use Song Heping as a tool, but were also afraid that the tool might accidentally go off and hurt them."

An intelligence officer asked, "Should we contact Song Heping and warn him that there's a problem with the 'Tuz Valley'?"

Nezov glanced at him and said, "A warning? Why should we warn them? You think this little ambush can cripple Song Heping? What a joke! Haven't you seen through the Americans' little scheme? They don't want Song Heping dead, they just want to give him a warning..."

As he spoke, Netsov raised his hand and touched his chin.

After a moment, he added, "Let the Americans court death! If we need to remind them, it will be after the fact, just so Song Heping knows who is plotting against him."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but laugh.

After all, the deeper Song Heping's hostility toward the Americans, the more desirable the outcome for Russia.

At this moment, Chief of Staff Abramov approached with another report: "Comrade Brigadier General, our 'Eastern' group, positioned on the eastern front of Deir ez-Zor, has launched its attack as planned. Furthermore, the Wagner detachment of 'The Cook's' unit is also making a successful assault on the western side of Raka."

Nezov walked to the large map, his gaze sweeping across the territory of Seria, finally settling on the eastern side of Deir ez-Zor: "Tell the lads, the offensive must be fierce, and we must fight with momentum. Now that Song Heping has made a breakthrough in northwestern Iligo, we must also make our mark in Seria; we can't let the Americans monopolize the limelight."

Abramov smiled knowingly: "Understood. This way, 1515 will have to fight on two fronts, which will also indirectly support Song Heping's military operations."

"support?"

Netsov snorted. "We're trying to gain the strategic initiative for ourselves; it has nothing to do with Song Heping."

He pointed to the border region between Syria and Iligor on the map: "Let our observation posts in the Deir ez-Zor direction be on high alert and closely monitor the development of the battle. Watch out for any remnants of the 1515 army attempting to cross the border."

"Yes! I'll make the arrangements immediately."

Abramov stood at attention, saluted, and turned to leave.

Netsov stood alone in front of the map, his gaze deep.

Although the Russian and Song Heping forces will not make direct contact, every development in this war will affect the position of each party in the future geopolitical landscape.

Persia, the forward command center of the Holy City Brigade.

Afanti was closely monitoring the situation in Hurmatu.

He was satisfied with Song Heping's advance speed, but remained highly vigilant about the movements of the US military.

"Song Heping has approached the outskirts of Hurmatu, and a skirmish is expected soon."

Deputy Samir reported the latest situation: "Our 'Badr' brigade's assault teams have infiltrated several key road junctions northwest of Titrick, successfully attacking two transport convoys and disrupting some communication lines."

Afanti looked at the map, tracing the lines between Hurmatu and Titrick with his finger: "Tell the troops at the front to continue intensifying their harassment. Our mission is to tie down the defenders of Titrick and create favorable conditions for Song Heping to capture Hurmatu."

Samir asked, "Sir, should we provide Song Heping with more support? For example, share some of the intelligence we have about the defense of Hurmatu with him?"

Afanti pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Not for now. Song Heping is an excellent commander; he'll spot the problem. The most important thing now is to ensure our operations on the southern front effectively contain the enemy."

"Understood, sir. I will immediately relay the instructions, requiring all units to fully cooperate with Song Heping's operations."

After his men left, Afanti picked up the remote control and switched the screen.

That's satellite footage of the Tuz Valley.

Afanti's left hand instinctively reached into his pocket.

Now, he can simply make a phone call to alert Song Heping that something is amiss.

but……

Ten seconds later, he withdrew his left hand.

Maybe this is for the best...

After all, in the end, it is definitely in one's own interest.

Americans, you know.

They are so despicable, always thinking that the whole world should be under their control and that they should dominate everything.

snort!
If Song Heping knew that the Americans were playing tricks, he would definitely not be on the same page with these idiots in the future.

Ok……

It's really good...

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)