I work as a mercenary in northern Myanmar.

Chapter 584: Sealing the Territory
"Fuck, that's awesome."

"So you really mobilized all your forces and blew Gillis away?"

Inside the People's Palace, Damascus.

Chen Chen sat opposite Su Haier and asked in amazement.

The latter smiled with a little smugness and replied:
“Yes, I learned this from you.”

"A last stand?"

"Anyway, it's an idiom story."

"We must invest all our strength, regardless of the cost, in the critical battlefields to achieve a decisive victory."

"put all one's eggs in one basket."

Chen Chen reminded.

"Yes, it's a one-and-done gamble."

Suhail nodded and continued:
"All these aircraft are crowded in two airports. In fact, they have lost the ability to continue operations."

"If they are not deployed on the front battlefield, their fate will only be reduced to paper combat power of the Air Force."

"So, rather than letting them rust, it is better to let them fall on the battlefield."

“And it turns out that our choice was very correct.”

"After this airstrike, the Turkish military has been shaken."

"There are also divisions among Turkish decision-makers on the issue of follow-up offensives."

"The most direct manifestation is that their reinforcements to Raqqa have begun to decrease, and our opportunities have gradually been exposed."

“So it’s all worth it.”

"The blood of those warriors will not be shed in vain. They are destined to witness our final victory in heaven."

At this moment, Su Haier's expression was firm and his words were somewhat fanatical, but Chen Chen did not mind it.

Because he knew very well that Suhail's fanaticism at this time was due to "faith" rather than "religion" itself.

There seems to be no difference between the two, but in fact, the former is purer, cleaner, and more just.

After taking a deep breath, Chen Chen asked:
"So what are you going to do next?"

“Take back Raqqa.”

Suhail answered without hesitation:
"This is our best chance in the near future. As long as we can find a way to retake Raqqa, our defense line in the north will be completely secure."

"Assad is ready to give up a large area of ​​land north of Raqqa-Aleppo. The temporary division of territory will not lead to the demise of this country. One day, after we have accumulated enough strength, we will regain the land that belongs to us."

“We can even go a step further.”

"A very lofty ideal."

Chen Chen sighed and said:

"Assad may seem like a conciliator, but his methods are indeed tough enough."

"By the way, how many people did you kill in the People's Palace?"

".This is probably a question you shouldn't ask and I shouldn't answer."

After Su Haier finished speaking, Chen Chen coughed awkwardly and then said:

"I'm just curious, just pretend I never asked."

"Let's change the subject. How do you plan to take back Raqqa and how do you plan to defend it?"

"Street fighting, persistent street fighting."

Suhail pointed to the map in front of him and explained:

"Raqqa's location is extremely special. It is located on a major transportation route, with the Euphrates River to the south."

"Through the waterways and road network, we can continuously deliver manpower to Raqqa and fight a protracted war of attrition here."

“Our goal is not to completely capture Raqqa through one or several military operations, but to fight slowly until our enemies withdraw.”

"I learned this from you guys, about protracted warfare, right?"

".right."

Chen Chen nodded again and asked:
"But do you know what the basis of a protracted war is?"

"Or let me ask it another way. You don't think that the basis of a protracted war is industry, agriculture or other strategic materials, right?"

"Of course not - do I look that stupid?"

Suhail spread his hands with amusement and continued:
"Sunk, believe me, I am constantly learning from you, and I have indeed learned a lot."

"As you asked, the core and most important foundation of a protracted war is not industry, agriculture, or materials, and certainly not 'expendable manpower'."

“It’s spirit, it’s faith, it’s determination.”

“Or to boil it down to one word, it’s pain.”

"Painful emotions are also consumable. This war has caused our people to suffer too much, and they will never give up resistance until this pain is exhausted."

"In contrast, the suffering of the Turks is clearly not enough."

"Of course, NATO is even less than that, not to mention the Americans."

"It's like a fight in the Colosseum, and we are all beasts in it."

"But some beasts fight to win, some fight to survive, and some fight just to kill and drag as many others as possible into the water."

"Only the last kind of beast will scare its opponent."

"And now, we have the potential to become such a beast, don't we?"

"Indeed."

Chen Chen answered convincingly.

If it were before, he would definitely have laughed at Suhail and told him that the suffering they endured was nothing compared to the suffering endured by that nation. After all, that nation's history of suffering and humiliation was calculated in hundreds of years.

But now it is different. From the moment Bashar ordered the most crazy action to eliminate the opposition around him, this country has indeed begun to possess the qualities needed to become a desperado.

Obviously, their choice was right.

In the Middle East, you don't need to be a desperado to live well. After all, this is not the monster house of East Asia. Everyone has enough oil to live a comfortable life.

However, in the Middle East where NATO is deeply involved and chaos has begun to emerge, this is really the only way to survive.

If you want to live, you can't be afraid of death.

Thinking of this, Chen Chen sighed again:

"Being able to figure this out in such a short time, I always feel that there is someone behind Bashar who is directing him."

"This expert couldn't be Maozi - so who he met is probably a mystery that will never be solved."

"Yes."

Suhail answered immediately, but then smiled and said:

"But everyone knows that, right?"

"This is the last card after all the cards have been dealt. Even if it is not turned over, can't we guess what it is?"

"Indeed - you like to use metaphors, which is very similar to a friend of mine."

"Jackal? He doesn't like metaphors. He likes puns - damn, those damned puns."

Suhail shook his head helplessly, as if he had also been severely tortured by the jackal.

"But to be honest, the Jackal's ability is far beyond my imagination. He has organized a large team near Hasakah. It won't be long before he starts cooperating with us."

"By that time, we can further deepen our control over the north - I'm wrong, it's your control over the north that can be further deepened."

After saying this, Chen Chen's eyes suddenly jumped.

He realized that this was the most crucial topic to discuss today. This seemingly ordinary sentence contained a very profound meaning, so profound that Chen Chen did not dare to respond for a moment.

After a few seconds of silence, he asked tentatively:
"So, you have already decided on the final plan?"

"Yes."

Suhail nodded solemnly and replied:
"All the land east of Raqqa, with the Euphrates River as the boundary, is yours."

"It's yours for now."

“It’s dangerous out there, but every inch of land you reclaim and control will be yours to dominate.”

“This is not division, and we will never allow division.”

"I think you know better than me how to manage that land."

"really."

Chen Chen nodded slightly.

Although he is just an ordinary "combatant", he is really familiar with this style of fighting.

The reason is simple: there are precedents to refer to.

In the past, the Russians’ control over Raqqa, Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor was largely based on this logic.

They have developed many things based on this logic, such as establishing the only stable military base in the Middle East, reaching an OPEC+ cooperation mechanism with major oil-producing countries, and relying on the Middle East's vertical and horizontal alliances to provide basic diplomatic breakthrough guarantees for their Eastern European strategy.
However, they weren't perfect.

It should be said that their development of the potential of this logic is far from enough.

If it were handed over to a big country in the north, the results would be different.

Thinking of this, Chen Chen asked:
“When will the specific plan be implemented?”

“After entering Raqqa.”

"As long as we can establish a stable defense line in Raqqa, this plan can move forward."

"So, our next combat goal is very clear, which is to take over Raqqa."

"We still need your assistance - are you ready?"

"No."

Chen Chen answered directly.

".I thought you were going to answer 'always be prepared'."

"I would like to, but the problem is that I don't have enough troops, equipment, and logistical supplies."

"It is simply a fantasy to rely on a few dozen people to attack Raqqa."

"To be honest, with all the forces you can mobilize now, it is definitely not an easy task to take over Raqqa."

"You may be forced to suffer heavy casualties or even ruin the good situation."

"I should be the one asking you this. Are you ready?"

"Ready."

Suhail nodded and replied:

"We are prepared for the worst."

"That's useless. Even if you can win, your overall combat effectiveness will be greatly reduced."

"I mean, we are ready to use the worst means and face the worst situation."

Su Haier spoke again. Chen Chen was slightly startled and asked back:
"What is the worst method?"

"nuclear weapon."

".Do you have nuclear weapons? If you want to threaten others, you have to make your threats sound credible."

"Obviously, you can't have nuclear weapons. You can't even build a centrifuge, okay?"

"It's even more impossible to get nuclear weapons from other places. No one would be stupid enough to sell such a thing to you."

"No matter what reasons or excuses you use, as long as nuclear materials appear in Syria, it will mean annihilation for many countries. Do you think this is Mission Impossible, where nuclear weapons are lost at any time?"

"You'd better not talk about this, because it sounds quite ridiculous."

"What if we find one of those Ukrainian nuclear warheads that were lost forever?"

".Stop joking. Ordinary people don't know where the nuclear warheads are now. Don't you, a senior general of the Syrian National Defense Forces, know?"

".I just thought you didn't know."

After Su Haier finished speaking, Chen Chen couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Then, he continued to ask:

"Let's get back to the original question. What is the worst method?"

"nuclear weapon."

Suhail answered seriously again, and then explained:
"I mean, we can afford to use the equivalent of nuclear weapons."

"That is to say, there will be no so-called 'humanitarian' restrictions on operations in Raqqa, nor will there be any concerns about battlefield rules."

".Even if it means that the city will be completely wiped off the map?"

"Yes, even if it means that the city disappears completely."

"I understand."

Chen Chen took a deep breath and then said:
"Give me some time, I'll find a way to organize my own people."

"This is without a doubt the last major operation we will be involved in in Syria."

"I hope this operation will go smoothly."

"It will definitely go well."

Su Haier stood up and shook hands with Chen Chen. Chen Chen looked at his extremely determined eyes and said nothing.

Afterwards, Chen Chen turned and left the meeting room, walking towards the three members of Li Bang who were waiting outside.

The three of them came over immediately. Li Bang spoke first, asking with a little curiosity:

"How is it, is there anything new?"

"You should ask what is not new."

"The situation in Syria is about to change dramatically. We still have one last battle to fight."

"where?"

"Lakka."

Hearing Chen Chen's words, Li Bang frowned slightly, paused for a moment and asked:

"Are they ready to perish together with their enemies?"

"Yes, they are going to fight to the end, and we are going to fight with them to the end."

This answer was not unexpected to Li Bang, but when he heard these words from Chen Chen's mouth, he couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Among these doubts, the most crucial one is, why?
Why did the Dongfeng Corps participate in this final battle?
has no meaning?
The mission is about to end. Logically speaking, as long as the final finishing touches are completed, the Dongfeng Corps should leave.

But now, Chen Chen said that the Dongfeng Corps still wanted to participate in this obviously life-threatening operation?

"why?"

Li Bang asked.

Chen Chen turned his head and glanced at Li Bang, and replied:
"They made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"What conditions?"

".Seal the borders and split the land."

(End of this chapter)