War Photographer's Notebook

Chapter 1947 Priceless Commission
On the top floor of the building occupied by Wei Ran and his group, Wei Ran tied several white bed sheets together haphazardly, first weighed one end down with broken bricks, then lit the other end and threw it out the window.

After observing the room for a while, Wei Ran waited until the more than three-meter-long white bed sheet next door was completely burned before going downstairs to find a hidden sniping position and aiming the scope at the Daily News building again.

This time, however, no matter how far he searched from upstairs to downstairs, he couldn't find the sniper hiding in that building. Or perhaps, the enemy in that building was too well hidden?

That building might be a problem.
Wei Ran noted down this potential hazard and went downstairs to meet Dragan and Klaus, who were preparing supplies, as well as two reporters, Mr. B and Mr. R, who had just fallen asleep but had been woken up.

“Mr. T, reattach the joints of those prisoners’ legs,” Dragan said first.

"no problem"

Wei Ran readily agreed, first helping Yalf reset his leg joints, and then, amidst the terrified anticipation and uncontrollable screams of the others, restoring the dislocated joints of the remaining prisoners to their original positions.

After such a long period of dislocation, it's inevitable that these people's joints will experience some minor redness, swelling, and soreness.

Of course, everyone believed that, encouraged by the sight of guns, they would surely be able to overcome these minor difficulties.

In just a few days, they have captured quite a few prisoners.

Now, the total number has exceeded 10, including two who are even spies posing as reporters.

Of course, regardless of their identities, these people were excellent "freight animals" in the subsequent cargo transport operations.

“Our priority is to ship food and medicine,” Dragan said first.

“And weapons, enough to hold these things,” Klaus reminded him. “Machine guns and submachine guns are the most important.”

"Then food, medicine, and weapons and ammunition."

While scribbling on the paper, Dragan asked, "Victor, is anything else needed there?"

"Fuel is also scarce, but it's not as important as food and medicine."

Wei Ran thought for a moment and said, "We need weapons, but not too many. One machine gun is enough, but we can take more AK rifles. Also, are we staying there?"

"We'll consider these last."

Dragan ended the discussion, saying, "We'll make as many trips as possible tonight, prioritizing food, medicine, and basic defensive weapons. If we have the chance to make a second trip, we'll bring fuel too. Ideally, we'll empty this place."

"We need someone to stay on the roof to provide cover."

Wei Ran suggested, "I just looked from up there, and the distance between the two sides is less than one kilometer, within the range of a sniper rifle."

“You stay,” Dragan said.

"Why don't you stay?"

Wei Ran declined the suggestion, saying, "I'm more familiar with the route."

"Fine," Dragan said without hesitation. Whether he ran the transport or stayed behind to provide cover, the dangers were equal.

"Do you have a way to make our prisoners obey?" Klaus asked a new question.

There is a way.

Wei Ran casually replied that he had plenty of ways to make these prisoners obey him.

“Now for the last question,” Dragan said.

"The potential enemy in the neighboring newspaper building"

Wei Ran said, "But I didn't see any enemies lurking in that building just now."

"Do you think it's possible?"

"A trap!" Wei Ran and Dragan said in unison.

"It could indeed be a trap."

Wei Ran warned, "Since Deyang wants us to take people to take that building through Yarf, I guess that as soon as we go in, the building might explode."

"So maybe there are eyes watching us?" Klaus became more alert.

“That possibility cannot be ruled out,” Dragan said cautiously.

“It seems we need to leave one of us downstairs to keep watch,” Klaus said.

"No need for that trouble."

Dragan said, "There are plenty of directional mines here, and I doubt those guys will blow up this safe house easily."

"In that case, let's start setting it up now." Klaus stood up decisively.

"Gentlemen"

Just then, Ronald Anderson, the reporter who faked his death and was codenamed Mr. R, asked, "I want to know how dangerous this is, and who is likely to survive."

"Why do you ask that?" Dragan asked, puzzled.

“We can die here, but our interview transcripts cannot die here.”

Another reporter, codenamed Mr. B, Nicky Baker, said earnestly, "If these things are also lost or destroyed, all our previous efforts will have been in vain."

"The deaths of those we interviewed are meaningless because of everything they suffered," Ronald added.

"You two are idiots too."

Klaus mumbled something indistinctly, then left the floor and headed downstairs.

Give it to him.

Wei Ran pointed at Dragan, "Or find a way to hide."

"give it to me"

Dragan casually agreed, "You two are responsible for guarding the first floor, I'll go set up directional mines."

"I'll go and arrange some work for Alf and the others."

As Wei Ran spoke, he also got up and walked downstairs.

“Are we idiots?” reporter Nikki asked.

“We died yesterday, and don’t forget this is hell.”

Ronald stood up as he spoke, walking towards his bed, saying, "But I'm honored to be the idiot in hell, and..."

"And what?"

"And aren't those three idiots too?" Ronald joked with a laugh.

“Idiots are contagious,” reporter Nikki sighed.

"Idiots are probably not contagious."

Ronald pulled a bulging satchel from his bag as he spoke, “But idiots will gather.”

“Then I am truly honored,” Nikki said with a smile.

You should feel honored.

One floor away, Wei Ran injected painkillers into the prisoners, led by Yalf, and said, "We plan to sell the supplies here and then leave."

So if you want to survive, cooperate with our next deal, and then we'll evacuate Sarajevo together.

"Will you take us with you?" Alf asked suspiciously.

"Didn't you receive a radio report that the belongings of those two reporters who faked their deaths have been found?"

While busy with his work, Wei Ran asked with feigned confidence, "Do you think that after you send word that you've found the belongings of the two reporters who faked their deaths, Deyang will send someone to collect them or simply blow this place up?"

"You'll definitely be silenced."

The scapegoat observer, who had been captured by Wei Ran from the newspaper building not long ago, said confidently, "Maybe they won't blow this place up, but you'll definitely be silenced."

"Even if you don't blow this place up, even if you don't get silenced, you still have to leave here and take those things with you."

After giving the last person the injection, Wei Ran said, "That's our chance to leave together."

"Of course, if you want to stay here, that's fine too. They've already planted directional mines in this building, and we just happen to need some bait."

"And then what?" Alf asked after a long silence.

"That's a question only those who manage to leave alive have the opportunity to discuss."

Wei Ran reminded him, "Alf, you are free to resist. We are already overstaffed. I don't mind leaving you here as bait."

I'm joining.

"I'm a mercenary," Yarf said. "I work for whoever pays me. I'm not as loyal to Deyang as you think."

"You'll get a commission if you do well."

As Wei Ran spoke, he didn't stop using handcuffs to cuff the still dislocated hands of these people to the heating pipes.

"So we're not partners?" Alf shook the partner in his hand.

"You can also choose to become a corpse or the bait here."

Wei Ran kindly reminded him, "Considering you come from the Sea Bee Camp, I will give you plenty of choices if you need them."

“That’s good,” Alf finally stated his opinion and his curiosity. “Are you also from the Sea Bee Camp?”

“Have a good rest”

As Wei Ran spoke, he threw the syringe, which he had just reused more than ten times, under the bed. He then began to pick and choose various useful supplies and carry them upstairs to the second floor, packing them into the backpacks he had captured.

The flow in Sarajevo seems to be a bit faster today than yesterday.

Almost as Wei Ran and his team were deploying various Soviet-style directional mines and even grenades stored here in every corner of each floor, the last rays of the sun were swallowed up by the deadly mountains surrounding the city.

"Hang in there, I'll help you get it down once the transport is finished."

On the second floor of the hotel, Wei Ran was talking as he wrapped a defensive grenade with tape around the back of a vendor. “As long as you stay close to us and don’t wander off, these grenades won’t hurt you.”

As he spoke, he mingled the three vendors, whose backs were strapped with grenades, into the prisoner line and then had Klaus and others help them carry an overweight backpack on their backs.

That wasn't all. After they secured their backpacks, Wei Ran immediately handcuffed their hands together, one in front of the other.

"I've codenamed tonight's transport mission the Orient Express."

As Wei Ran spoke, he used paracord to secure the safety pins of the grenades that were tightly wrapped around the backs of the three men, and pointedly reminded them, "If even one train car derails, you will all die, so you must be careful."

Also, gag them all. I don't want this train to sound its horn halfway through the journey.

Before he could finish speaking, Dragan and the others immediately took action, stuffing towels into everyone's mouths and wrapping them tightly with tape. Finally, they didn't forget to put a black knitted mask over each of them.

With everything ready, Wei Ran satisfiedly hung an AK rifle with an empty magazine and several chest piers full of ammunition around each of their necks.

"Now you can sit down and rest."

Wei Ran handed the "tether" to Klaus, "After you finish tonight's cargo, I'll give you a small reward, I swear."

With their mouths gagged, Alf and the others could do nothing but roll their eyes. As for Dragan and the others, besides rolling their eyes, they had to admire Wei Ran for choosing the right people. The reason was simple: those three vendors were the most afraid of death, and they were all staring intently at the leash in Klaus's hand.

Let us help too.

The four young women rescued yesterday said, "We can carry things too. Even just a box of cookies can save a lot of people."

"You can only have two people helping to transport the goods together."

Dragan said, "The other two will keep an eye on the downstairs. If anyone sneaks up, you'll be responsible for using the directional mines we've set up in advance to fight them."

"Let the two of them stay."

The oldest of the four girls said, "The other two are the youngest; they can't move it."

“You stay here, you and the other oldest stay here.”

Wei Ran made a decision with almost indifference: "The battle here requires calmer people, and the defense work here is even more important."

"it is good"

The oldest girl gritted her teeth and agreed, "The two of us will stay, but if there's a second round, we'll participate."

"make a deal"

As Wei Ran spoke, he slung a radio over his shoulder and asked, "Dragan, do you speak any other languages?"

“I speak Russian,” Dragan replied.

You really should know Russian.

Wei Ran said, "In case of an emergency, we can try to communicate in Russian on the radio."

"Okay," Dragan agreed, then, carrying his weapon, headed upstairs without looking back.

"Girls, you should get ready too," Wei Ran reminded them with a smile.

"You must come back alive."

As the older girl spoke, she stood up and hugged Wei Ran, then tiptoed and hugged the others in turn. Afterwards, she led another older girl up or down the stairs into their territory.

"We're the absolute idiots among mercenaries."

Klaus scoffed, "A hug from an underage girl is enough to hire us to work ourselves to the bone like idiots."

"That's already a very high commission."

Wei Ran lit a Marlboro and tossed the pack to Klaus and the others, saying, "This isn't a price that just any employer can afford."

"So we stupid, idiotic mercenaries shouldn't be considered 'silk-sucking' anymore, right?" Klaus asked in German.

"No, of course not."

Wei Ran touched the medal in his shirt pocket and switched to German as well, saying, "We're guerrillas now."

"A guerrilla? A guerrilla like Walter?" Klaus pressed, puffing out smoke.

“That’s right, a guerrilla fighter like Walter.”

"I actually prefer to be an internationalist fighter like Dragan, but of course, I'm not talking about that idiot upstairs."

“I know,” Wei Ran took a puff of his cigarette, “I know which Dragan you’re talking about.”

"Gentlemen, would you mind if I interviewed you?" Ronald asked abruptly.

"mind"

Wei Ran and Klaus gave their answers in unison.

"Why?" Nicky and Ronald, the two reporters who had faked their deaths, asked in unison.

"Unlucky"

Wei Ran and Klaus answered in unison again, and then unrestrained smiles appeared on their faces.

"It seems you really have heard Dragan's story about Dragan and Milos."

Klaus laughed and said, "In that story, they also discussed whether it was auspicious or not. So at least in that respect, perhaps we can be considered internationalist fighters."

"Yes, of course it counts," Wei Ran replied with a smile.

"Gentlemen, when would be a good time for us to interview you?" Ronald asked persistently. "We'd like to..."

"I'll let you know when things are going well."

Klaus switched to Serbian and reminded him, "From now on, let's not discuss this unlucky topic anymore."

Ronald and Nicky were about to say something when the girl downstairs reminded them, "Mr. S is back!"

"The chat is over. Keep an eye on them." Wei Ran said, grabbing his submachine gun and running downstairs.

At this moment, Thomas had already led his men in, including Edin and Vladin, as well as Mrs. Ivana.

But what's even more alarming is that Luna and Sophia actually brought the girl with multiple fractures in both hands on a stretcher!

"Let's go upstairs and get something to eat and drink first."

Wei Ran immediately said, "Everything is ready upstairs. We'll set off after you've filled your stomachs."

"us."

"Listen to my arrangements," Wei Ran said, not giving Ai Ting a chance to finish speaking.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Thomas said. “Let’s follow their instructions.”

Upon hearing this, Aidin and Vladan, who were about to speak, stopped talking and followed Wei Ran to the second floor.

At this time, hot tea and coffee had been prepared in advance, as well as some American-style individual rations and even some canned fruit.

How's the road?

While distributing the backpacks that had been prepared in advance to everyone, Wei Ran asked Thomas.

"Relatively safe"

Thomas replied, "I know what you want to ask, but the girl's condition is serious, and she needs to be sent out through the passage as soon as possible."

"She appears to have suffered internal organ damage."

Luna added, "It was probably a stab wound from a broken rib."

"Are you dreaming?" Wei Ran asked, frowning.

"That's your problem to worry about. This is all I can offer. You must find a way to save her."

As Thomas spoke, he pulled out the "candy" made of car inner tube and wire from his bag and shoved it into Wei Ran's hand.

"Now is not the time to discuss these things."

Klaus, who had been somewhat harsh before, was much more agreeable now. "Since we've already brought her here, we can't just take her back. Let's leave her here for now, and we'll figure out a solution after we've finished transporting the supplies."

"Grab your things and let's get going as soon as possible."

Wei Ran said, "Luna, Sophia, one of you stay here to take care of the injured girl."

“I’ll take over from the people who stayed behind,” the girl who was originally staying behind said immediately.

“I’ll be fine on my own!” another girl who stayed behind quickly said.

"Hopefully there won't be any problems."

Wei Ran knew he couldn't waste time on this. "You two hurry up and decide who stays. The rest of you, hurry up and fill your stomachs."

Sofia stayed.

Luna immediately said, "I'm a team doctor, I'm more useful to those kids."

"I"

"Sophia, you will evacuate with her when the time comes."

Luna said almost commandingly, "Let's not cause any more trouble for these gentlemen."

"I...I understand," Sofia replied through gritted teeth.

"We've had enough rest."

Mrs. Ivana, holding a compressed biscuit in her hand, said, already stuffing a bottle of beverage into her bosom, "The rest can be eaten on the way."

"Then let's grab our weapons."

As Wei Ran spoke, he had already given each of them an AK rifle. "If you encounter any unexpected situations on the road, you must follow my or Thomas's orders before firing. If there are no problems, then set off."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately put on the night vision goggles that Wei Ran had prepared in advance, and each of them carried a heavy backpack that had been prepared in advance, and also carried some extra supplies as much as they could.

With everything ready, this rather large group, led by Thomas and Wei Ran, left the hotel, hugging the shadows of the corner, and headed towards the school.

At the very back of the column, Klaus carried the SVD sniper rifle that originally belonged to Dragan, and slung his PKM machine gun over Yarf's shoulder, while also holding the tether attached to the grenade.

With this double protection, the prisoners were more obedient than ever before, and dared not play any tricks at all.

Meanwhile, on the fifth floor of the hotel, Dragan, holding a gun, aimed at Wei Ran and the others' backs with the help of night vision goggles. As they advanced, he gradually went upstairs to raise his field of vision.

"Snapped!"

After the faint sound suppressed by the silencer, a robber who had just jumped out of the street with a weapon in his hand fell to the ground with a bullet in his forehead, less than 5 meters away from Wei Ran.

Wei Ran, who was holding a silenced submachine gun, went over to take a look, then shook his head helplessly and bent down to pick up the submachine gun that the other person had just picked up.

He recognized the man in the trench coat; they had worked together earlier that day to cover the couple who had been shot at the intersection.

The sun has set.
Wei Ran sighed, then repeatedly pulled the bolt of the captured submachine gun, only to find that the magazine was completely empty except for the one bullet in the chamber.

He had just covered for the couple who were shot during the day, so is he a good person or just a sucker for the algorithm?

This remains a question without an answer.

With Dragan providing sniper rifle protection from behind, anyone who tried to stop Wei Ran and his group or follow them was silently dealt with by Dragan—regardless of who they were during the day, whether they were Serbs, Croats, or Muslims, or whether they were innocent.

Ultimately, Wei Ran and his team left the maximum observation range of Dragan's night vision goggles and thermal imaging.

Fortunately, perhaps because their numbers were large enough, or perhaps because they had enough weapons, or perhaps because all those who tried to intercept and follow them along the way had been killed, they did not encounter anyone interested in them until they reached the entrance of that narrow alley.

"Take them in."

Wei Ran stopped at the back and whispered to Klaus in German, "Remember to bend the safety pins on the three grenades before you go in."

"I'm not a newbie."

After Klaus finished speaking, he pushed the humanoid animals into a line and walked into the pitch-black alley.

Soon after, in the depths of the alley, only Wei Ran remained, hiding in the shadows, holding his newly switched VSS silenced sniper rifle, secretly waiting for any tails that might be following him.