The photo showed a US Special Forces Advisor and a CCOPE Special Forces officer together deploying in the Tame Region.
Song Heping judged that CCOPE and the two government army combat groups would launch an attack to the north from here, cutting Morins's Long Snake Formation defense line in half.
That was also the most unsolvable part.
Because as long as they cut through Morins's defense line, it would effectively divide the defense area into two, inevitably leaving them unable to cover both ends, finally resulting in the ELN armed forces' collapse.
"United States advisor... CCOPE... AUC..."
He kept muttering these different forces' names to himself.
Finally, like a light being turned on in the darkness, an idea came to Song Heping's mind.
He hurriedly retrieved his private cell phone, lit up the screen, and began scrolling through his contacts.
At last, he saw the name and number he was looking for.
"Angel..."
Once sure, he quickly dialed the number.
"Hey, Song, is that you?"
Angel's familiar voice came through the phone promptly.
"We haven't seen each other for over a year."
"Yeah, yeah." Song Heping suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, after all, he had promised to visit the United States to meet with Angel, and he never did.
In truth, it wasn't really Song Heping's fault.
His personality wasn't exactly sociable, even somewhat reclusive.
It wasn't that he never thought of Angel.
After all, the impression the gorgeous woman left on him was pretty good—warm, beautiful, with a nice figure.
But he had been very busy ever since their last goodbye. By the time he slowed down and wanted to contact Angel, he had been too shy to dial her number several times.
This time, he really had an urgent matter, which forced him to make this call to Angel.
"Are you doing okay recently?"
Song Heping felt his small talk was quite stupid.
"I'm fine, currently in New York."
"New York, huh... Nice place..."
Song Heping continued with his awkwardness, wanting to discuss serious matters but feeling he needed the right opportunity, so as not to be someone who after so long without contact would suddenly ask for a favor. It'd be like going on a date and rushing straight to a hotel room without any foreplay, heading directly for the main event.
Angel, a very clever person, of course guessed that Song Heping wouldn't call just to chat.
This man wasn't the romantic type, expecting him to show warmth and concern out of the blue was as likely as wishing for a rooster to lay an egg.
"I've opened an art gallery in New York, so I've been living here for the past six months," Angel said: "If you need anything, you can come to New York and find me."
Song Heping expressed his surprise, "You're not a reporter anymore?"
Angel replied, "No, journalism is dangerous, I've experienced it. I'm not working as a newspaper journalist anymore, but sometimes I still go to the TV station to work as a current affairs commentator."
"Current affairs commentator?"
Song Heping vaguely sensed that Angel's career choice was no simple matter.
Art gallery owner, and a TV current affairs commentator?
You should know that art trading in Old America isn't a simple affair, with plenty of underhanded dealings involved.
Plus, a job as a current affairs commentator offers more chances for public exposure.
Her family was originally of the aristocratic kind. Every step taken by a child from such a family was full of deeper meaning.
"Which TV station?"
"CNN, and sometimes I write columns for the New York Times," Angel said. "Have you heard of this TV station? If you miss me, you can check the CNN channel. There's a lot of my commentary videos there."
"Ah... I'll remember that, definitely going to watch." Song Heping quickly flattered, "I believe the content must be fascinating."
But Angel's tone suddenly became sorrowful, sighing softly on the other end of the phone, "Men's words, such deceitful ghosts. Never mind, I know you need something. Just say it, how can I help you?"
Song Heping's face warmed with a blush, both for his own hypocrisy and for Angel's magnanimity.
"There's a small matter. I was wondering, do you have any friends in Colombia or within your country's media who specialize in political news here and are somewhat famous?"
"Colombia? What aspect of current affairs are you referring to?" Angel asked.
Song Heping said, "Isn't the drug war a hot topic over the past two years?"
He was referring to the easing of relations between the current Colombian government and the White House over the past two years, resulting in joint efforts in drug prohibition.
Particularly on the US Military side, a considerable number of Special Forces instructors had been dispatched to Colombia to provide training for various branches of the Colombian Army. The Green Berets unit that Song Heping had encountered last time was of that nature.
"The drug war... That's right, with the drug problems flooding our side lately, the media has criticized the Donkey Party, so they've started some beneficial engagements."
Suddenly, Angel changed the topic with curiosity, "What now? Do you have any news leads on this?"
Song Heping said, "Hmm, I have a news lead on hand, I'm not sure if any of your friends would be interested."