The twilight in Daguge brought a gritty tranquility.
The dry hot wind swept over this town, which had recently changed hands, carrying the faint scent of livestock dung and spices left after the market dispersed. It blew past the mottled earth-colored walls and the flags of the "Musician" defense on the buildings.
The town center, originally the residence of the local 1515 leader, had now become Song Heping's temporary command center.
The palm trees in the yard cast long shadows, and under the tree, on a makeshift military table, was a set of purple clay teaware distinctly out of place in the surroundings.
Song Heping, dressed only in camouflage gear, was slouched in an old-looking rattan chair, squinting as he watched the sunset gradually swallowed by the earth.
In stark contrast to the ear-splitting artillery and the chaos of frantic distress signals on the radio network on Ozham's side, it was extraordinarily quiet here, as if time had slowed tenfold.
"Old squad leader, the Iliko Government Army's Ninth Armored Brigade had another breach in their line of defense in the eastern outskirts of Ozham. General Sai Fu's headquarters has already retreated near Beled. Any further retreat, and they'll have to engage in street fighting in the city. He's already called several times since last night, wanting to communicate with you."
Jiang Feng's voice came from the communications terminal nearby, his tone calm, as if reporting something routine and unrelated to him.
Song Heping leisurely sipped some black tea.
"Sai Fu? He's the chief commander of this Iliko Government Army operation, right?"
He let out a sneer, with an indistinguishable mix of mockery and pity in his tone, "Tell him to hold on, the US Army's air support will arrive soon—though 'soon' usually means 'next lifetime' in Iliko."
Jiang Feng's mouth twitched slightly, as if he had laughed.
Having followed Song Heping for a long time, he naturally understood the temperament of his old squad leader.
When Song Heping began to make such casual jokes about the battlefield situation, it usually meant he already had a comprehensive plan in mind.
And it usually wasn't a plan that would be easy on the opponents.
"The Kurd situation is even worse."
Jiang Feng continued to report, sliding his fingers over a tablet, "They are surrounded on three sides, trapped in that hellhole Agra, lacking heavy weapons, and their logistics lines completely cut off. The 1515 people are using pickups to tow anti-aircraft machine guns for ground strafing, and their positions have shrunk by a third. The Americans sent several flights, destroying a few technical pickups, but it didn't solve the root problem. Colonel Kote... has sent another encrypted message, and it's strongly worded."
"How strong?"
Song Heping turned to Jiang Feng with interest.
"Is it a threat to stop our logistics supplies, or a threat to put me once again on the Pentagon's 'KB Member List'?"
"Both. He also hinted that if we continue to hold back, leading to the annihilation of the Kurd Armed, we will bear all the consequences of 'undermining the counter-terrorism alliance strategy.'"
"Consequences? Hahahaha."
Song Heping couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Tell him, I'm most afraid of bearing consequences, so to avoid them, I've decided... to continue holding back."
Jiang Feng knew that Song Heping was forcing a concession, making those Americans who thought they were in control bow down.
The blood debt in Tuz Valley, Song Heping never openly said anything about it, even accepting Colonel Kote's "intelligence error" statement readily, but this matter would never be settled so easily.
His silence was never compromise but rather accumulating strength, waiting for the most opportune moment to deliver a lethal strike.
"Have our people keep watch over the home."
Song Heping stood up, stretched his body, his joints making slight cracking sounds, "Strengthen the defenses of Dagula and the surrounding outposts. Tell the brothers to take turns on leave and arrange for them the entertainment they should have in town. There will be plenty of battles to fight, no rush for the moment."
"Understood."
Jiang Feng nodded, then added, "Additionally, our dispatched 'Shadow' squad confirmed that the 1515 Armed inside Hulmatu City showed signs of splitting forces to support Agra, about two hundred people, equipped with quite a few heavy machine guns and recoilless rifles."
"That's a good thing."
Song Heping showed a genuine smile, "Let them go. The more that leave, the less resistance we'll face when we capture the city. Tell the 'Shadow' team to keep a close eye, I want to know how many capable fighters are left in Hulmatu City, where their command nodes, ammunition depots, and water sources are located."
"Yes."
Just then, a personal guard walked quickly in from outside the courtyard, whispering a few words in Jiang Feng's ear.
Jiang Feng's expression shifted slightly as he turned to Song Heping, his tone carrying more weight: "Old squad leader, Avanti is here."
Song Heping, who was about to reach for the teapot, paused slightly, then returned to his normal demeanor.
He picked up the small purple clay teapot and poured himself a cup of bitterly strong local black tea.
"Oh? So soon?"
He took a sip of the scalding tea, as if the highest leader of the Persian Revolutionary Guard was just an ordinary neighbor coming over for a visit.
"How many did he bring?"
"Traveling light, just two vehicles and a few attendants. They've already reached the first checkpoint, demanding to see you immediately and alone."
Jiang Feng spoke faster.
"His visit is probably related to the current stalemate."
Song Heping set down the teacup, his fingers gently tapping on the warm rim, producing a rhythmic tapping sound.
Once again, his gaze turned to the window. The night had fully enveloped the land, leaving only a few hurricane lamps in the command courtyard casting a dim yellow glow in the darkness.