Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1323 The Victor Returns

9:30, eastern suburbs of Hurmatu.

Song Heping stood on the command vehicle of the First Battalion, observing the buildings in Hurmatu city through binoculars.

The American and Illicit flags were still flying on the city walls, though damaged, but at least they were still there, meaning that Ross and his men had not been captured and were still alive.

On the streets, the 1515 defeated soldiers, who had entered the city as the vanguard, were fleeing, and their abandoned equipment was everywhere.

"Boss, the preliminary statistics of the battle results are complete."

Jiang Feng used a tablet to report on the results of the battle.

"Nearly two thousand were killed, more than seven hundred were captured, and the rest scattered. Three tanks, eight armored vehicles, twenty artillery pieces, and forty-five trucks were captured. Our army suffered only forty-seven casualties, including five killed in action and twelve seriously wounded."

Forty-seven people against more than eighteen hundred.

This exchange ratio is enough to shock the entire military community.

But Song Heping's face showed no joy of victory, only the calm of a chess player completing a crucial opening move.

He took the satellite phone and connected to Duke's dedicated line.

"General, Hurmatu has been relieved of the siege."

On the other end of the phone, Duke let out a long sigh of relief, his voice clearly audible through the receiver: "God... you really did it. Song, I have to admit you're an extremely rare military genius... Also, Ross reported to me that 1515 has completely collapsed and the city has been held."

"According to the agreement, my troops will take over the defense. Thunder Defense can withdraw within ten days."

“It’s all arranged. I’ll send a helicopter to pick them up.” Duke paused, then added, “Also, Washington… has approved all the conditions. The reorganization of Samir’s troops into the 10th Border Guard Division will be completed within a month. During that time, he will need to go to Bakda to complete some procedures. As for Hurmatu… the security contract has entered the signing process. I’m also coordinating the equipment list you requested.”

"It's a pleasure to cooperate with you, General." Song Heping smiled.

“Mr. Song,” Duke’s voice turned serious, “I must remind you of something. The ability you displayed today has kept many people in Washington up at night. Eight hundred men defeating eight thousand—this feat will be carefully studied and deeply feared.”

“Then let them be wary,” Song Heping said with a smile. “Don’t Westerners always admire the strong? It’s better to make the opponent wary than to underestimate them. General, in this place, respect comes from strength, and strength needs to be seen.”

He hung up the phone and looked into the distance.

The desert glowed golden-red in the morning light, the smoke of battle was dissipating, and the outline of Hurmatu gradually became clear.

The battle for this city has ended, but a much larger game has just begun.

Samir wants a regular army and a political sphere of influence.

Duke and the United States want to maintain order at low cost.

Bakhta wants to restore its sovereignty over the northwest region.

The Kolds wanted to take control of their most fertile territory, Erbil, and govern themselves.

Persia wanted to expand the Shia Corridor.

Each side has its own demands, and each side is making calculations.

Now, thanks to this victory, he has officially supported his trusted subordinate Samir into the Iligo military. The next step is to help Yusuf obtain a higher position in the political arena. Then he will truly become one of the chess players in the Middle East, no longer a proxy for any side or a mercenary leader, but a player capable of influencing the regional balance.

"Boss! Boss!"

Song Heping turned around and saw Samir jump off an armed pickup truck with a big smile on his face.

Behind him were the "Liberation Forces" militiamen marching into the city.

These men are currently militia members, but they are about to become the 10th Border Guard Division of the Iligo Army, becoming his most reliable armed force in the northwest.

Further away, Colonel Ross led the remaining Thunder Defense soldiers out of the hospital.

Those American mercenaries were ragged and wounded, but they survived.

They watched as Song Heping's troops took over the position, their eyes filled with complex emotions—gratitude, admiration, but also resentment and wariness.

Song Heping walked toward Samir.

"Congratulations, future General Samir," Song Heping joked, "the supreme commander of the 10th Border Defense Division."

“It’s all thanks to you, boss,” Samir said excitedly. “Without you, I am nothing.”

“You can’t make a living off mud. If you can make a living off mud, it proves you’re a qualified military commander,” Song Heping said with a smile. “But remember, from today onwards, you are a regular army. Artillery use must comply with the rules of engagement, especially to avoid civilian casualties.”

"Understood! Understood!" Samir said, but then the smile on his face suddenly faded.

"However, I heard... that the organization of my troops will be subject to the military's control in the future, which means I won't be able to expand my own forces even if I want to..."

Song Heping said irritably, "Stupid! They're restricting your establishment. If they don't give you an establishment, you can support other militia organizations as your reserve force. They're only giving you equipment and pay for more than 10,000 people. Do you think you can't raise some military funds to save yourself, given all the resources in the Northwest?"

He couldn't resist reaching out and tapping Samir on the forehead.

"Restrictions are rigid, but people are flexible. You may have a division with a staff of over 10,000, but you can control and deploy militia organizations of tens of thousands, or even equip hundreds of thousands if you have the money!"

"Ah...it seems right..."

Samir had a sudden realization.

It seems that no problem is insurmountable for Song Heping.

No problem is a problem.

He felt that his boss's intelligence was something he could never match in his lifetime.

"Mr. Song."

Ross finally walked up to Song Heping and extended his hand.

Song Heping also extended his hand and shook hands with him: "Colonel, you've worked hard. Your troops fought very well."

Ross showed no joy at being praised: "Without your reinforcements, we would all be dead. Thank you."

“It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement,” Song Heping said. “My medical team is ready to receive the wounded, and the supply convoy will arrive in an hour. You can rest first, and I will coordinate the evacuation with General Duke.”

Ross nodded, looking at the man in front of him.

He was dressed in ordinary desert camouflage and did not wear rank insignia, but the soldiers around him maintained absolute respect for him.

This man defeated 8,000 men with only 800 men in three hours, changing the course of the war in the entire Northwest and also gaining himself legal status and a large territory.

It is said that this person was previously a mercenary in Iligo.

Now I've fallen to this state...

Compare yourself to them.

Rose sensed the gap.

“You planned this from the very beginning, didn’t you?” Ross couldn’t help but ask. “You planned to scheme against Ahmed, against us, against everyone.”

Song Heping smiled slightly: "Colonel, I prefer to call it 'strategic planning'. Now, if you want to continue this topic, I suggest you deal with the wounded and the handover of defense first, and then come to talk to me. After all, we have a lot to do right now."

After saying that, he turned and left, heading towards his waiting subordinates.

The sunlight cast his long shadow across the cratered streets of Hurmatu.

Phase one has ended.

Ross watched Song Heping's departing figure, unable to utter a single word.

With two battalions of 800 men, they defeated 1515,800 men and lifted the siege of Hurmatu.

Song Heping achieved all the previously set goals.

This allowed Samir to acquire a regular army and establish reliable allies in the northwest.

He demonstrated the possibility of cooperation with the Persian Holy City Brigade, expanding diplomatic space.

He obtained legitimate contracts and equipment support from the Americans.

He placed a crucial piece steadily on the chessboard in Iligo.

What we need to control next is not only the fate of the enemy, but also the future direction of this land, the power structure of Irigo after the war, and the balance of power among various forces in this region.

The road ahead is still long.

But the first step has already been taken steadily.

　Third update!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)