Great Power Reclamation

While East Africa struggled on the front lines and an invisible hand orchestrated events on the global chessboard, a more direct and violent force began to emerge from the shadows of the African continent.

Its name is Blade Security Solutions, one of the world's top private military and security companies.

In Africa, its name is the rule, and its strength is the voice.

From bloody battles over diamond mines to safeguarding transnational pipelines, from ensuring the absolute security of political figures to the gray-area execution of actions by certain "inconvenient" countries, "Bayonet's" resume is filled with success and deterrence.

Its African branch, in particular, enjoys a near-independent kingdom status due to the presence of one of its founders.

At this moment, in the "Bayonet" Africa headquarters, in a seemingly low-key but heavily guarded manor located in an autonomous region of a neighboring country in southern East Africa, Yang Geyong is staring at a huge electronic map that displays the real-time situation of the war in East Africa.

Zhou Guihua, who was standing next to him, was quickly browsing through several encrypted intelligence reports from different sources.

"Senior sister, did you understand?" Yang Geyong's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed together.

"Those two girls from the Ye family, and that brat Yang San, they've really been cornered this time. They're tough as nails, they didn't back down."

Zhou Guihua adjusted her frameless glasses and calmly analyzed: "The strength of resistance and internal cohesion in East Africa has exceeded everyone's expectations."

"But now the financial backers of the coalition are clearly getting impatient and are investing in escalation. In terms of conventional warfare, East Africa is nearing its limit. No matter how powerful Yang San's 'fire hammer' is, it lacks the steel to keep hitting the target."

"So, it's time for us to stretch our muscles." Yang Geyong grinned, revealing a set of teeth slightly yellowed from smoking, but his eyes held no smile, only the coldness of a predator:

"My adopted son (referring to Yang San) has been traveling all over East Africa for years, begging for alms. He's worn out his skin and built up his territory inch by inch. Now someone wants to take everything? Has he even asked us, his creditors?"

The "begging" he refers to is how Yang San, during the early expansion and establishment of East Africa, used his personal prestige, war legacy, and flexible (sometimes almost shameless) diplomatic skills to gradually acquire land and resources from surrounding tribes, small forces, and even some major powers through a combination of persuasion and coercion.

Yang San's skill in "begging for alms" played a crucial role in East Africa's development from a small place to what it is today.

This also means that East Africa has a complex territorial composition and deeply intertwined interests. In many places, there is a "gray area" between actual control and legal affiliation that only the parties involved are aware of.

These areas are often inextricably linked to forces like "bayonet"—whether it's protecting contracts, sharing resources, or simply having "rules" set by "bayonet".

Zhou Guihua pulled up a list containing several mercenary groups active in Central and East Africa, some renowned and others clandestine:

"The contracts for 'Grey Wolf,' 'Blood Diamond Squad,' and 'Desert Fox' are about to expire. They can be renewed at a high price with designated mission areas."

'Gurkha Blade' and 'Eastern European Storm' can be reached through intermediaries; they are interested in tough battles and high rewards.

We also have three rapid reaction companies that are currently undergoing rest and recuperation; their equipment and morale are at their best.

Yang Geyong nodded, his finger pausing heavily on several key nodes of the coalition's logistics line on the electronic map, as well as some "sensitive assets" (such as small listening stations, intelligence personnel safe houses, and trading companies that provide cover) of the coalition's backers in the region.

"Notify them, we have a mission. Objective: to turn the coalition's logistics into a nightmare, and to make those masters hiding behind the scenes feel the pain firsthand."

"Tactics and methods are not limited. What I want is chaos, fear, and disruption. Commissions will be paid at the highest risk level, plus priority for future mineral development in East Africa (this needs to be secretly agreed upon with Ye Mei and Ye Rou in advance)."

They were led by the 'Bayonet's' African branch, but were told it was a 'private business' and had nothing to do with the East African government.

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes, "Of course, 'unrelated' is just a figure of speech. Let our people establish 'appropriate' tactical communication channels with Yang San's frontline units. Don't let our own firepower accidentally hit us."

In the weeks that followed, coalition commanders found themselves embroiled in a completely different, frustrating, and painful war.

Their logistics convoys were no longer just subjected to occasional ambushes, but faced systematic, professional, and ruthless hunting.

The "Grey Wolf" mercenary group excels at long-range precision sniping and IED deployment. They can ensure that when an entire transport convoy is passing through a valley, the commander and driver are targeted first, and then the vehicles are blocked by a series of explosions.

The "Blood Diamond Squad" excels at night raids and sabotage. They can silently raid heavily guarded fuel storage sites, install timed combustion devices, and then disappear amidst towering flames.

What troubled them even more was the continued disruption of the communication and command systems.

The "Desert Fox" team possesses top-tier electronic warfare experts. Instead of attempting to completely paralyze coalition communications (which would expose their strength), they selectively and intermittently carry out powerful jamming and inject false information, causing delays in command transmission, confusion in troop movements, and even situations where small units fall into traps due to acting on incorrect instructions.

Meanwhile, those "sensitive assets" located in relatively safe rear areas were brutally purged by the "Gurkha Blade" and the "Eastern European Storm".

These operations are swift and efficient, often leaving traces of manipulation at the scene, pointing to suspicions of double-crossing between local anti-government forces or mercenaries.

But anyone with a discerning eye can see the high level of professionalism and targeted nature of this. The loss is not just of equipment and personnel, but also of intelligence channels and a sense of security.

The coalition frontline troops began to feel that supplies were unstable, information was not flowing smoothly, and the security of their flanks and rear was no longer guaranteed.

Morale was quietly declining, and suspicion was growing among commanders at all levels.

They couldn't distinguish which attacks came from the E Federation's regular army and which came from the elusive mercenaries, and even began to suspect whether there was infiltration by "Bayonet" or other forces within their ranks.

At the same time, Yang San received several pieces of intelligence from mysterious sources, yet they were extremely accurate:
Aerial photograph of a weak point in the defense of a coalition reserve unit's base;

Assessment of the likely primary target areas and timing for the next round of enemy air strikes;
Even a deciphered portion of the enemy's communication codebook (limited in time but invaluable). The method of transmitting intelligence was old-fashioned but secure.

The secret trade routes established through "bayonet fighting" with certain border tribes in East Africa, which had existed since ancient times, were known to Yang San perfectly well. He unceremoniously utilized this intelligence, commanding the exhausted but briefly recharged and targeted "Fire Hammer" troops to launch several more lethal counterattacks, expanding their gains and successfully thwarting a long-planned flanking maneuver by the allied forces.

The tide of war began to turn subtly and steadily in favor of East Africa. Ye Mei and Ye Rou reconnected with Yang Geyong and Zhou Guihua via the encrypted communication line in the secret chamber of Qingliang Palace.

This time, the figures on the other side of the screen were much clearer. Yang Geyong was wearing a loose combat jacket, and the background resembled a mobile command center. Zhou Guihua, on the other hand, was as neat and efficient as ever.

"My two nieces, did you do a decent job?" Yang Geyong asked casually, his tone more like that of a family member than a head of state.

Ye Rou answered first, her eyes shining: "Uncle Yang, Aunt Zhou, it's more than just making do! The pressure on the front lines has been greatly reduced, and the enemy's rhythm has been completely disrupted! You've really come to our aid!"

Ye Mei, on the other hand, was more composed, her voice filled with gratitude and solemnity: "Uncle Yang, Aunt Zhou, we are deeply grateful. East Africa will never forget our friends' help in our time of need. As for the promise of priority after the war, Ye Rou and I, in the name of the Ye family and East Africa, guarantee its absolute validity."

Zhou Guihua smiled slightly, her voice calm yet firm: "We're family, no need for formalities. We and your father were once in the same trench."

East Africa doesn't just belong to you; it belongs to many people like us who make a living on this continent and hope for its improvement. Our investment is in the future stability of this region and our long-term interests.

She then shifted her tone, becoming sharp: "However, the war cannot drag on indefinitely. A war of attrition would be too damaging to East Africa; even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory."

"Although the masters behind the coalition are feeling the pain, they haven't reached the point where they're going to back down after suffering heavy losses. The chaos that 'Bayonet' and its friends can create has its limits, and the cost is too high."

Yang Geyong interjected, his eyes sharp as an eagle: "So, it's time to make that kid Yang San think not only about protecting his family's assets, but also about how to make use of the skills he acquired through 'begging'."

"Since they dare to come and steal, we can't just fight them back. We have to make them suffer a loss, teach them a lesson, and deter others from daring to lay their claws on us again."

His meaning was clear: to launch a counter-offensive, expand the gains, push the battlefield into enemy-controlled or disputed areas, promote peace through war, and gain greater strategic buffer space or bargaining chips after the war.

Ye Mei and Ye Rou exchanged a glance. They understood that the nature of the war was shifting from "defending the country" to "breaking the deadlock" or even "expansion".

This requires immense courage and more complex political and military considerations. But circumstances are beyond our control; passively taking a beating will never guarantee true security.

"We will discuss this in detail with Commander-in-Chief Yang San and Premier Yang Da."

Ye Mei concluded firmly, "The sword of the E Federation, once drawn, will not easily return to its sheath until it has drunk its fill of blood. Uncle Yang, Aunt Zhou, please continue to support our subsequent actions."

"No problem!" Yang Geyong waved his hand heartily. "If you need a sharp knife to pave the way or dirty work, find 'Bayonet'. If you need intelligence support or technical suppression, find your Aunt Zhou."

"As for how to 'legitimately' digest the territory we've conquered... that's a headache for you and that kid Yang. Remember, on this continent, 'actual control' is often the best law."

The call ended. Ye Mei clenched her fist excitedly: "Sister! With Uncle Yang and Aunt Zhou involved, the situation is completely different!"

Ye Rou gazed out the window at the deep night, her eyes filled with a profound look: "Yes, but the price will be different. The war has escalated, and the responsibility on our shoulders is heavier."

"Tell Yang San to prepare for a counter-offensive. Tell Yang Da to begin studying a post-war 'digestion plan' and contingency plans for dealing with more complex international reactions."

“The lions of East Africa,” she murmured to herself, as if reciting an ancient oath, “must not only guard their dens, but also let all predators know who the true king of this grassland is.”

With the entry of the powerful external force of "bayonet," representing absolute force and gray rules, and its connection with various mercenary forces, the flames of war in East Africa suddenly spread from the border meat grinder to a wider and more unpredictable area.

A full-scale counterattack, which begins with defense but may end with reshaping the regional landscape, is about to begin with a bloody prelude.

Yang San's "begging" skills will no longer be used to beg for living space, but rather to demand more "interest" and "compensation" for the E Federation.

The chaos and pressure brought by the entry of "bayonets" acted like a powerful medicine, temporarily halting the spread of the Allied forces' tumor-like growth. But Yang San knew that the effects would wear off, the enemy would adapt, and the real turning point would come from a decisive counter-offensive launched by the E Federation army itself.

He was no longer satisfied with the "anvil" defense and the "fire hammer" raids. He set his sights on a grander strategic vision—to turn the entire Western Theater into a "furnace" that would devour the Allied forces.

The operation was named "Operation Furnace," and its core was to take advantage of the East African army's deep familiarity with the terrain and climate, as well as its gradually recovering limited mobility.

While "Bayonet" and its affiliated mercenaries continued to harass the enemy's logistics and create deep chaos, they concentrated all their remaining mobile elite forces to launch a series of interconnected and deceptive offensives in several key locations.

"We need to keep them guessing where our main attack direction is,"

At the pre-battle meeting, Yang San used his rough fingers to draw several fierce arcs on the map:

"We'll feign an attack here to draw out the reserves; we'll launch a full-scale assault here to create an opening; we'll infiltrate here to cut off their retreat. Our 'bayonet' comrades will keep a close watch on their key rear points, leaving them unable to defend both ends."

He looked at his generals, whose eyes were bloodshot but burned with the flames of revenge:

"This battle isn't about driving the enemy out. It's about chopping off their claws, bones and all!"

"Let everyone see what the price is for messing with East Africa! All units, clarify your missions and spare no expense! Premier Yang and the two queens will take care of logistics and ammunition! What we need to do is attack! Attack! And attack again!"

The counter-offensive was launched before dawn, amidst a thick fog.

There was no large-scale artillery preparation, only countless small units, like mercury seeping into the sand, silently infiltrating and attacking along the weak points marked by scouts and "bayonet" intelligence.

Initially, the allied command thought it was just another instance of mercenary harassment. However, reports of multiple lines of defense simultaneously under attack quickly made them realize that the main force of the E Federation had gone mad. (End of Chapter)