Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1271 Az's Doubts

At the edge of the camp, the deep roar of engines broke the silence of the night.

Two elite mercenary battalions under the "Musician" defense group have completed their assembly.

The entire unit was under strict light control; there were no extra lights, only red lines drawn by vehicle taillights in the darkness, and the occasional beams of light from tactical flashlights as soldiers inspected equipment.

The two mercenary battalions were set up by Song Heping according to the PLA's organizational structure. After undergoing a six-month intensive training at the Hunter School established by "Musician" Defense in Venezuela, South America, they were assigned to combat units as the company's elite force responsible for its business in Africa.

The force was small, only about 900 men in total.

These guys are all professional soldiers from different countries, gathered here for money or simply to seek thrills and survival amidst the chaos of war, but under Song Heping's command, they have been forged into a disciplined iron fist.

Song Heping jumped into a command-type off-road vehicle equipped with armor and a communication antenna.

"set off!"

The order was quickly transmitted to every soldier's ear via individual radio.

The convoy sped northeast towards Baijji along a pre-surveyed, secret route.

The dust kicked up by the wheels formed a long trail of smoke under the moonlight.

Inside the car, Song Heping unfolded an electronic map, the dim blue light reflecting off his furrowed brows.

He picked up the microphone of the encrypted communication radio and tuned it to a specific frequency.

"01 calling West Wind, 01 calling West Wind, please respond upon receipt."

After a brief static noise, a familiar voice quickly responded: "West Wind received, 01 please speak."

"The West Wind has set off, estimated arrival time at the target area is H o'clock + 24," Song Heping said using the pre-arranged code name. "According to the combat plan, your unit must arrive at the designated attack launch position before H o'clock. Repeat, you must be in position before H o'clock."

More than 200 kilometers away, in Mosul.

Abuyu, the commander of the Abuyu Brigade, had been waiting in his command post for a long time. Upon hearing Song Heping's order, excitement appeared on his rugged face.

"West Wind understands! Everything is ready. We will move immediately toward Baiji. We are guaranteed to be in the designated attack position before H o'clock."

After ending the call with Abuyu, Song Heping leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes.

In his mind, three forces were like three sharp arrows, piercing the night and heading towards two different targets.

The direction of Titrick is occupied by Jiang Feng and Samir's 6,000 militiamen, while the direction of Baiji is occupied by himself and two mercenary battalions advancing from east to west, as well as the Abuyu Brigade's 3,000 elite Kold militiamen advancing from west to east from Mosul.

If my speculation is correct, the current armed force strength of 1515 in the Baiji region is at its lowest point in recent years, making it the most vulnerable time and the most opportune moment to take over this major oil refining town.

The next day, when the first rays of sunlight shone down.

Samir and Jiang Feng stood on a slightly higher sand dune, watching the large contingent of "Liberation Forces" slowly advancing below.

The 6,000 militiamen formed a long line, with their vehicles and personnel kicking up clouds of dust. From the air, they looked like a formidable attacking force.

Has the drone taken off?

Jiang Feng pressed his earpiece and asked the team in charge of technical reconnaissance.

"Report: 'Falcon One' and 'Falcon Two' are patrolling 10 kilometers ahead and have not detected any enemy reconnaissance units."

"Stay vigilant and be especially wary of potential ground reconnaissance teams and low-altitude drones that the other side may send out."

Jiang Feng gave the order.

He knew that information security was the key to the success or failure of this operation.

Samir was busy directing the artillery and logistics units: "Set up all the extra tents! Make lots of smoke! Make the trucks run back and forth more often, make a big commotion!"

Over the next two days, the "Liberation Forces" camp on the outskirts of Titrick was a scene of intense preparation for war.

During the day, dust billows and vehicles shuttle back and forth.

At night, the camp was brightly lit, with campfires twinkling around. Occasionally, small-scale artillery tests would be conducted, with shells whistling as they crashed into the no-man's-land surrounding Titrick, the flashes of explosions standing out starkly against the night sky.

Inside Titrick, Az, the regional commander of the 1515 armed forces, was indeed caught in anxiety and hesitation, just as Song Heping had predicted.

Frontline observation posts continued to report the "Liberation Forces'" massive troop size and active offensive preparations.

"What exactly are they trying to do? A frontal assault?"

Az paced back and forth in the command post, his mind a complete mess.

"Song Heping... that madman, he never plays by the rules. He's pulled this trick of splitting his forces before, what if this time..."

"Commander, according to reconnaissance, the enemy force is estimated to exceed six thousand men, and their equipment appears to be better than before."

An adjutant reported.

"How many waves of our scouts have we sent out?" Az asked. "Why haven't any of the scout teams reported any specific details yet? I need to know Song Heping's exact whereabouts! I need to see where he is!"

“We sent out five waves…only one returned, and the other four lost contact. The enemy has strong counter-reconnaissance capabilities; their drones are constantly monitoring the area around the defensive line. Any attempt to penetrate deeper will be met with artillery fire; it's simply impossible to get in…”

The adjutant said with difficulty, "Only a few groups managed to get to the outer perimeter and exchange fire with them. Judging from the firepower, this must be Song Heping's main force."

The unknown brings fear.

Az recalled the painful experience of the 1515 armed forces fighting against Song Heping, and the feeling of powerlessness dominated by precision strikes and tactical deception surged into his heart again.

He didn't dare to take risks.

The 30,000-strong garrison appears formidable, but it is scattered throughout Titrick city and its outlying strongholds. If they launch a preemptive strike, they risk falling into an ambush or being taken advantage of by the enemy to breach the city's defenses.

During the previous battle of Hurmatu, Song Heping somehow discovered the secret that there were underground tunnels in the city, a secret that even 1515 was unaware of. He directly dispatched a group of mercenaries to infiltrate the city and launch a surprise attack from the center, causing Hurmatu to collapse without much resistance. This time, he had his men thoroughly search every street and every corner of Titlit to ensure that there were no secret passages.

It stands to reason...

It should be safe now.

However, I still felt a little uneasy...

"Order all units to hold their positions! No one is allowed to attack without my order! Strengthen the city's defenses, especially the weak points that might be breached! If they launch an attack or provoke us, don't fall for it, hold your positions!"

Az ultimately chose the most conservative option, which also best aligned with Song Heping's expectations—to hold firm.

Meanwhile, in the western suburbs of Mosul, the gathering place of the Abuyu Brigade presents a different picture.

Abuyu, a former key figure in the Kordi forces, now dares not disobey Song Heping's orders in the slightest.

He was well aware of the benefits of cooperating with this "Eastern God of War," and also understood the consequences of going against his will.

Although the three thousand soldiers of the Abuyu Brigade could not compare with the mercenaries under Song Heping in terms of equipment and discipline, they had the advantage of being familiar with the terrain and having a deep-seated hatred for 1515.

They assembled silently in the darkness, their vehicles covered in camouflage netting, and the soldiers whispered orders to each other.

"Listen up, everyone!"

Abuyu stood on the back of a truck, growling at the sea of ​​black heads below, "The commander has given us a chance to get rich and get revenge! Baiji, there are oil fields and supplies there! Taking that place will give us enough to live happily for a while! More importantly, we can slaughter those 1515 bastards!"

The soldiers let out a low cheer.

"Now, move out! Maintain radio silence, proceed along the predetermined route, and remain secretive. Anyone who dares to make a sound and alert those 1515 bastards at this time, don't blame me, Abuyu, for being ruthless!"

The convoy, like a stream flowing in the dark night, began its circuitous journey southeast toward Baijji.

Their route was more concealed, requiring them to traverse some barren hills and dry riverbeds, and was also longer.

This is a surprise force; they will launch an attack from an unexpected direction at a crucial moment, delivering a fatal blow to Baiji's 1515 armed forces.

After a day and a night of non-stop high-speed maneuvering, the two mercenary battalions led by Song Heping quietly arrived at an abandoned village about fifty kilometers southwest of Baiji and set up camp there.

This location was chosen as the forward base and the final preparation point for the attack.

The convoy was thoroughly disguised, all personnel were prohibited from leaving the premises without permission, radios were kept silent, and only drone reconnaissance information was received.

Battalion Commander Milos and Battalion Commander Wells appeared together at Song Heping's temporary command post.

"Boss, the latest intelligence report."

Milos handed the tablet to Song Heping.

"According to preliminary reconnaissance, the garrison in Baiji numbers approximately two thousand men, mainly distributed in the oil refinery area in the west of the city, the government building in the city center, and several residential checkpoints in the east of the city. Their defenses are focused on the south and east, and their vigilance towards our southwest direction is relatively lax. The Abuyu Brigade in the west of the city is the weakest point in their planned attack direction."

On the screen, high-definition images transmitted by the drone clearly showed the deployment of Baiji.

"The situation is very favorable to us. I originally thought they would have 5,000 men, but now there are only about 2,000. Even if we underestimate them, they won't exceed 3,000. We have 900 men here, and the Abuyu Brigade has 3,000 men to the west. If we attack from both sides at the same time, we estimate that we can take the outer area of ​​the city within a day and enter the main city within two days."

Battalion Commander Wells licked his lips, a belligerent glint in his eyes.

"I think we can tear a hole in the southwest and go straight to the oil refinery. The terrain there is higher, and once we take it, we can bombard any location in the city from a superior position."

Song Heping did not immediately express his opinion. He carefully examined the map and images, his finger tracing over several key points.

"Don't be careless. 1515 has been operating in these towns for a long time, and they definitely have hidden firing positions and reserves. Wells, your battalion is responsible for clearing the outer sentries and opening a safe passage. Milos, your battalion will be the main attacking force. Once the passage is open, immediately rush in at maximum speed. Target—the core control area of ​​the oil refinery. Remember, speed is key. Don't linger. The people of 1515 have a characteristic: when they have an advantage, they are fiercer than anyone else, but once the defenses are breached, I've found that they are just like those guys in Africa—they will immediately and instinctively retreat."

He paused, then looked west: "At the same time, inform Abuyu that H time is set for 4:30 a.m. tomorrow, when it is darkest and the defenders are most exhausted. Tell them to launch an attack on the west side of the city on time, with a loud commotion to attract the enemy's attention."

"understand!"

The two responded in unison, then turned and left to assign tasks.

Song Heping walked to the broken window of the earthen house and looked in the direction of Baiyiji.

The city lay silent in the darkness, like a sleeping giant.

It is estimated that the 1515 militants in the city are still unaware that they have already infiltrated their hideout.

In a few hours, this place will become a battlefield where blood and flesh fly everywhere.

My own plans, my own adventures, are about to face their final test.

He took a deep breath of the crisp, cold air, his eyes sharp as knives.

Three forces, two battlefields—a vast web of war has been cast.

Will Titrick's feint successfully distract them?
Can Jiang Feng and Samir deceive Az in the city?
Will Baige's raid succeed in one fell swoop?
Will Abuyu's surprise attack arrive on time?

These answers are not entirely within one's control.

That's how wars are; they depend on the right timing, location, and people, plus luck.

Indispensable.

Everything will be revealed in the darkness before dawn.

That will be a fierce battle.

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)