Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1230 Please enter the urn
A lookout post outside the city of Hurmatu.

The deafening roar of artillery gradually subsided, and the air was filled with smoke and dust from afar.

Song Heping put down his binoculars, his face expressionless. He turned to Jiang Feng beside him and said, "You know what, these drones that were custom-made in Huaqiangbei are damn good."

Jiang Feng was also playing with a terminal in his hand, looking at the images transmitted back by the drone, and nodded sincerely: "The positioning is accurate, the image transmission is stable, and the battery life is sufficient. The key is the price, more than five thousand yuan a unit, so it won't hurt if it crashes. Old squad leader, we've found the right approach. I think we should order another batch."

"You follow up on this matter."

Song Heping replied without hesitation.

Now, these cheap civilian drones are a drop in the bucket for him.

Ordering a few thousand aircraft is a piece of cake; it won't cost much.

Anyway, we just got $300 million from the Americans, spent $200 million, have another $100 million left, and will have another $700 million in the future. The old American men will foot the bill for this military expenditure.

As he spoke, he dusted himself off, turned and walked toward the command post, returning to the huge battle map once more.

Jiang Feng and Samir quickly followed.

Looking at the situation symbols representing the enemy and our side on the map, Jiang Feng couldn't help but ask, "Old Squad Leader, our current situation... I'm wondering if it's like fishing? We're the tempting bait, standing here in Hurmatu, luring the main force of the 1515 in the Northwest region over? So that the Persians and the Abuyu Brigade can raid their old strongholds in Mosul?"

Song Heping gave Jiang Feng an approving look, picked up his baton and pointed at Hurmatu's position: "You're pretty close to the truth."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Feng and Samir, who looked on with curiosity, before beginning to explain his entire plan.

"You all know that we argued with the Americans for several days in Daguge over weapons and funding."

Song Heping's tone was calm, yet carried a hint of coldness.

“Those few days seemed to have delayed our best opportunity to directly attack Hurmatu. But on the other hand, it also gave Bakdadi time to deploy his troops. As you have all seen from the intelligence, the enemy is gathering more and more in Hurmatu, and their fortifications are as solid as an iron barrel.”

He slammed his fist on the map, pointing at Hurmatu: "A full-scale attack now? It's not that we can't take it, but the cost would be too high! If we lose everything we have, how will we survive in this territory afterward? I, Song Heping, don't fight such a losing, pointless war!"

"Therefore, we need to mobilize them!"

Song Heping's command baton drew a large circle on the map, extending from Hurmatu to Mosul, Ozam and other important northwestern cities.

"Mobile warfare, blocking warfare, and a combination of feints and real attacks! By simply putting our name here, we are already the biggest bait. Bakdadi hates me to the bone, but he is also afraid that if I really take Hurmatu, I will advance on Titrick and cut off his east-west communication. He can only send all the troops he can to this place!"

He looked at Samir: "Samir, you're familiar with the situation here. Tell me, is the 1515 militia really that strong in northwest Iriego?"

Samir looked somewhat embarrassed.

To be honest, it seems like 1515 has never won against Song Heping.

While not exactly strong, 1515 has swept through northwestern Iligo over the past two years, capturing numerous cities.

Before Song Heping arrived, his own militia organization had never gained much advantage in its battles against the 1515 armed group.

"Tell the truth!"

Seeing his constipated appearance, Song Heping couldn't help but scold, "Is it so hard to admit you're incapable?"

Samir blushed and said, "Boss...they were able to occupy such a large area before not because they were so good at fighting, but because the original government army was too useless, and we...we weren't good enough either...plus the Americans just left, leaving a power vacuum! Their main force only has a few hundred thousand men, most of them are stuck in Syria entangled with various forces! On our side in Iligo, our forces are spread very thinly, like a tattered fishing net, it looks big, but it's full of holes!"

"That's right! Just tell the truth."

Song Heping picked up the thread, "That's exactly what I've got in mind! If I set up my forces here, Bakdadi will have to obediently pull all the usable threads from this tattered fishing net toward me! His other places, like Mosul, Tal Afar, and Sinjar, will be empty of troops! This is our opportunity as allies, and also our future opportunity! Right now, the situation here is a complete mess. We should seize as much territory as we can, and after the war, that territory will be ours."

Hearing this, Jiang Feng lowered his voice and said, "Old squad leader, if we do this... won't the Americans turn against us? According to the original 'Furnace Plan,' our core mission was to capture Hurmatu and open up the transportation line. If Mosul is ultimately captured by the Abuyu Brigade with the help of the Persians... the credit and results won't be what the Americans expected. Will they be happy?"

"Happy?"

Song Heping chuckled, his tone brimming with arrogance.

"I don't care if he's happy or not! When dealing with Americans, you have to understand one thing—they only recognize strength! If you don't have strength, they'll treat you like a piece of cake, eating you however they want. If you have strength, can fight, and can bring them the results they want, even if those results aren't exactly what they planned, they'll have to accept it!"

He glanced at the two of them and chuckled, "Turning against each other? I'm not worried about it at all. In the Middle East, what ultimately matters isn't reason, but this!"

He clenched his fist. "Whoever has the strongest fist can set the rules! As long as we take Mosul, or achieve other major victories, the Americans will not only not dare to turn against us, but will have to beg to cooperate with us! That's the reality!"

He reiterated: "In the next few days, even more 1515 scum will arrive from all over the country. But we are not afraid! This hilly area we occupy now is easy to defend and difficult to attack. As long as we don't act rashly and try to attack Hurmatu's strong defenses, with drone reconnaissance, artillery coverage, and the fortifications we have built, even without American air support, we can beat them back no matter how many come!"

At this point, his gaze turned towards Hurmatu.

"They want us to attack, but we won't. Now the roles are reversed! We'll act as hindrances, and they can come and run into us! Let's see who can't hold out longer!"

really.

Everything went exactly as Song Heping had predicted.

The next day, while having breakfast, the latest intelligence summary was delivered to Song Heping.

Samir pointed to the numbers on the report and said in a shocked tone, "Boss, according to our multiple verifications, the number of armed personnel in Hurmatu City has exceeded 1515! And it's still increasing! My God! They've really gone mad! They're frantically sending troops here!"

Song Heping took the briefing and read it carefully. Instead of being worried, he laughed and flicked the paper with his finger: "Good! This is the effect we want! The more people there are in Hurmatu, the emptier Mosul and Tal Afar will be! Tell the Abuyu Brigade and our Persian friends to hurry up, the window of opportunity is about to open!"

He knew that what was being tested now was the patience of Basmu, the commander of the 1515 garrison in Hurmatu, and the judgment of Bakdadi, who was far away in Seria.

On the third day, in the city of Hurmatu, at the temporary command post.

Basmu stared at the map, and the more he looked, the more something seemed off.

Outside the city, Song Heping was like a patient hunter, slowly crouching five kilometers away, occasionally sending out small groups of troops to patrol and scout, and launching drones, but there was no sign of a large-scale attack.

He had gathered nearly 25,000 men, and the daily consumption of food and supplies was enormous. His nerves were stretched to the limit, but the other side never intended to touch his impenetrable defenses.

After staring at the map for a long time, he couldn't help but reconnect to the encrypted communication with the Celia headquarters.

"Honorable Caliph."

Basmu's voice was filled with anxiety, "Song Heping's troops are still stationed outside the city, having constructed strong field fortifications, but there are no signs of any preparation for an attack. I suspect... he might have other schemes up his sleeve?"

While listening to Basmu's report over the phone, Bakdadi was actually feeling quite uneasy.

This wasn't the first time Song Heping had acted unpredictably, and this eerie calm made him uneasy.

Hurmatu has concentrated more than 30 percent of his mobile forces in northwestern Iriego. With so many elite troops tied down in one place for so long, what if something happens elsewhere...?

But he was reluctant to give up this opportunity to "encircle and annihilate" Song Heping.

He forced himself to remain calm and ordered, "Basmu, don't panic! Song Heping is bluffing. Perhaps he's waiting for supplies, or perhaps he's hesitating! What were the results of the probing troops you sent out earlier?"

Basmu replied bitterly, "We sent out a reinforced company, but before they even got within three kilometers of the enemy's lines, they were covered by their precise artillery fire... The entire company was wiped out, without even touching the edge of the enemy's position."

Bakdadi was silent for a moment, but greed and revenge ultimately prevailed: "Then let's wait a little longer! We have reinforcements on their way! Once we've gathered 30,000 men in Hurmatu, three times his strength, then no matter what his schemes are, we'll crush him head-on and wipe him out in one fell swoop!"

Day ...

On the fifth day... as time went by, the 1515 troops in Hurmatu City increased like a snowball.

The defenses seem to be more solid now.

Hurmatu also seems safer now.

But the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive...

Meanwhile, in the Green Zone of Bakda, Colonel Kurt's patience was wearing thin. He repeatedly called Song Heping via tactical radio to inquire about the attack schedule, his tone growing increasingly impatient with each call.

Later on, Song Heping simply stopped responding to his calls and simply muted the radio channel.

Song Heping is still waiting.

He was waiting for the Abuyu Brigade and the Persian Revolutionary Guard to complete their encirclement of Mosul; he was waiting for the enemy to show a weakness first.

Until the sixth day.

According to intelligence, the troop strength in Hurmatu has surged to 35,000!

The sheer size of the force brought even greater logistical pressure and command and coordination challenges.

Basmu felt like he was going crazy. So many troops were crammed into the city, doing nothing, wasting precious resources every day, yet they were helpless against the "immovable" army just a few kilometers outside the city.

He contacted Bakdadi again: "Caliph! We can't wait any longer! There are 35,000 men in the city now! Supply pressure is enormous, and morale is starting to suffer! Song Heping has no intention of attacking at all! Have we been tricked?!"

This time, Bakdadi could no longer sit still.

Thirty-five thousand elite troops!

This is practically the limit of what he can mobilize in this area!
With such a massive force tied up in Hurmatu, the defenses of other regions are predictably weak!

A huge, ominous premonition enveloped him.

He realized that he had likely fallen into Song Heping's trap once again!

That damned Chinese man, his goal was never to launch a full-scale attack on Hurmatu, he himself was just bait!
No more delay!
This deadlock must be broken!

Bakdadi practically roared into the communicator, issuing the order: "Basmu! We can't wait for reinforcements any longer! I order you to launch a massive offensive this afternoon! Deploy at least 10,000 men! Divide them into two groups, flanking them and attacking their flanks! If the flank attack succeeds and draws away his reserves, you will personally lead the remaining 25,000 men to press forward from the front! Rout Song Heping in one fell swoop! Eliminate this major threat completely!"

"Yes, Caliph!"

Basmu finally received the order to attack.

Although I was still uneasy, I was also relieved, finally free from this endless waiting and suspicion.

The oppressive atmosphere in the city these past few days almost drove me crazy.

Instead of doing that, we should take the initiative and fight Song Heping to the death.

After all, he now has a force of over 30,000 men.

Song Heping had an "Abuyu Brigade" and a "Liberation Force" under his command, plus some mercenaries.

At most ten thousand people!

Get him!

Kill this heretic!
Basmu cursed inwardly, hearing the sound of his teeth grinding together.

Meanwhile, at the forward command post of the "Liberation Forces".

Song Heping is on the phone with Serim, the commander of the anti-drug detachment in Haditha.

Serim has been very anxious these past few days.

His troops had been deployed four days ago.

Four days have passed, and today is the fifth day, but there has been no response from higher authorities.

He watched helplessly as wave after wave of 1515 armed personnel drove pickup trucks towing mortars and heavy machine guns past on the road, heading towards Hurmatu, but repeatedly received orders from Song Heping not to take action.

These past few days, he felt like he was going crazy from being cooped up for so long.

However, Song Heping's orders today were quite different from those of the past.

“Selim, listen up, starting today, the rules have changed. If any more 1515s dare to reinforce Hurmatu, don’t hold back, give them a good beating! Kill as many as you can, fight if you can win, and retreat after a short while if you can’t. Use all the blocking tactics I taught you in the Persian camp!”

"Understood, Commander! I've been waiting to hear that!"

Serim's voice was distorted with excitement.

After waiting for several days, we finally received the order to take action!

As soon as Song Heping hung up the communicator, the soldier in charge of communications turned around and reported urgently: "Sir! The drone reconnaissance company reports! There are a large number of vehicles leaving the city to the west and east of Hurmatu! Mainly armed pickup trucks, there are many of them, and their movements are unknown!"

Jiang Feng, standing nearby, felt a pang of anxiety and quickly looked at Song Heping: "Has Bakdadi realized something? Is he going to start moving troops out of Hurmatu to reinforce other directions?"

Song Heping walked to the large screen and watched the live feed transmitted by the drone.

At the east and west gates of Hurmatu, convoys of pickup trucks full of armed militants poured out like a floodgate opening, raising clouds of dust.

He did not answer immediately, but instead carefully observed the convoy's direction of travel and its formation.

After watching for a while, that familiar smile reappeared on his lips.

"Deploy troops?"

Song Heping gently shook his head. "I don't think so. If they sensed something was wrong and wanted to retreat, the convoys would have dispersed in different directions and would have carried more supplies. Look at them, after leaving the city, they quickly split into two large groups, one heading east and the other west, clearly making tactical maneuvers along the outer edge of our defensive line..."

He paused, then made a firm judgment: "This is not a withdrawal. It's that Bakdadi and Basmu have run out of patience and are going to take the initiative to attack us. They want to use their numerical superiority to outflank us."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over all the officers in the command post who were looking at him, his eyes sharp as knives, his voice carrying clearly throughout the entire command post:

"Pass on my order! The entire division is to enter a state of first-level combat readiness!"

"Drone Company, keep a close watch on these two enemy forces and report their location, size, and movements in real time!"

"Artillery command post, pre-set the artillery firing parameters based on the coordinates provided by the drones! Await my order, bombard them relentlessly!"

"All infantry units, move into your designated positions, inspect weapons and ammunition, and reinforce fortifications! No retreat is permitted without orders!"

"Tell the brothers, the big fish has finally taken the bait! Get ready to haul in the net!"

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)