Chapter 1513 - 1236: The US Army Observation Team's Brief Visit

On the morning of the second day after Hulmatu was captured.

Two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters swept through the yellow sand, landing amidst the ruins of the central square of Hulmatu Town.

The cabin doors slid open, and eight fully-armed US Special Forces soldiers leaped out first, quickly establishing a circular guard.

Then a middle-aged officer in a desert camouflage combat uniform, bearing the rank of Major on his shoulder, bent down and walked out.

He patted the dust off his shoulder, his sharp gaze swiftly scanning the surroundings—amidst the broken walls and ruins, the soldiers of "Musician" defense were clearing the battlefield, confiscating weapons, and escorting prisoners.

Everything was in good order, the efficiency was astonishing.

This is Major Miles, the "eyes" sent by Colonel Kote.

Song Heping, with two guards, stood in the shadow of a relatively intact building not far away, calmly watching this scene.

"Mr. Song."

Miles strode forward, stretched out his hand, and squeezed a formal smile on his face, "Congratulations on your major victory in Hulmatu. Colonel Kote specially sent me here to congratulate you and your warriors and to assist in assessing battle damage and coordinating follow-up matters."

"Thanks to the Colonel for his concern, and welcome Major for your visit."

Song Heping shook hands with him, secretly thinking, what congratulations! Just coming to keep an eye on me!

However, he still said politely, "We just had a battle here, conditions are simple, and hospitality might fall short, please forgive us."

"Understand, understand."

Miles also smelled the lingering stench in the air, couldn't help but rub his nose, then waved his hand.

His gaze, however, went past Song Heping, falling on those busy soldiers behind him.

"Mr. Song, can you arrange for my people to conduct preliminary inspections within the town soon? We need to understand the actual situation here, especially the extent of infrastructure damage, and... potential safety risks, so as to submit an accurate report to higher-ups, and coordinate subsequent supplies and air support."

Song Heping sneered inwardly, the so-called "inspection" and "assessment" were nothing more than wanting to grasp his troop's deployment, equipment, and morale, to see if Song Heping was really "wounded and disabled," and whether he still had the capability, or willing to immediately execute the next order.

"Of course."

There was no sign of anything unusual on Song Heping's face, he signaled Jiang Feng beside him, "Jiang Feng, arrange for Major Miles and his team to inspect the safe zones in the town. Be sure to ensure the Major's safety."

"Yes, Commander."

Jiang Feng understood and calmly complied.

In the next few hours, Miles, accompanied by Jiang Feng, walked through the ruins and remains of Hulmatu.

He saw Liberation Front militia setting up checkpoints at key intersections, constructing machine gun positions; saw the logistics unit inventorying the piled captured weapons and ammunition — mainly Soviet-made AK rifles, RPG rocket launchers, and a large amount of ammunition; also saw some "Musician" defense mercenaries maintaining order, transporting supplies.

Everything seemed orderly.

"Mr. Jiang." Miles pointed seemingly casually at a reinforced defensive structure and asked, "You seem to be planning to stay here long-term?"

Jiang Feng smiled, his tone gentle yet watertight: "Major, Hulmatu is a strategic location, and since it was just captured, naturally we need to consolidate the defense line, prevent the remnants of 1515 from counterattacking or infiltrating. This is basic military common sense."

Miles nodded, said nothing more, but his doubts deepened.

He had a mission on this trip, Colonel Kote sent him to probe Song Heping's real intentions.

Now, he could almost confirm that Song Heping had no immediate plans to move south.

After the inspection, in a room cleared out next to the temporary command center, both sides held the first formal meeting.

"Mr. Song,"

Miles got straight to the point, laying out the map:

"Your combat power is impressive. Hulmatu is the gateway to Titrick, now captured by you in just a few days, the door is open. Colonel Kote and the Pentagon hope you can take advantage of the momentum and move south, within the shortest time — say within seventy-two hours, to capture Titrick, completely closing off the western retreat route of 1515. Air support and necessary logistical supplies, we will fully coordinate."

The atmosphere in the room instantly became heavy.

Song Heping sat on the other side of the table, hands crossed on the table, calmly looking at Miles: "Major, thank you Americans for the trust and support in my troop. However, I'm sorry, I currently cannot execute the order to immediately move south to attack Titrick."

Miles frowned: "Reason?"

"Although we won the battle of Hulmatu, the casualties were not small, especially at the beginning when we suffered significant losses from 1515's modified truck artillery attack, now the troops are extremely fatigued and urgently need to rest."

Song Heping's reasons were ample and clear.

"More importantly, in the assault battles, our heavy weapon ammunition, especially mortar shells and individual anti-tank missiles, have been massively consumed, and our stockpiles are nearly depleted. The light weapon ammunition for the infantry also needs replenishment. To launch a hasty attack on Titrick, which has a strong urban defense, without adequate resupply and rest, is to gamble with the lives of my soldiers."

"Mr. Song!"

Miles raised his voice, carrying a hint of unquestionable assertion.

"Battlefield opportunities are fleeting! The defeat of the 1515 in Ozham has begun, and if we can't promptly close the gap at Titrick, allowing their tens of thousands of main forces to safely retreat to the northwest mountains and town cluster, the subsequent mopping-up operations will become extremely challenging, costing tenfold or hundredfold more! I believe you should overcome the difficulties, for the final victory..."

"Major!"

Song Heping interrupted him, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp:

"I understand your urgent feelings, and I also recognize the value of strategic timing. However, battlefield command is in my hands. My primary duty is to be responsible for the lives of the thousands of brothers who trust and follow me. Before getting adequate resupply and rest, and completing effective control over the current war zone, I cannot, and will not, execute the order to attack Titrick. This is my final decision."

Song Heping's firmness left the conference room in silence, with only the faint roar of vehicles from outside being heard.

Major Miles' face turned extremely unpleasant as he stared at Song Heping, who met his gaze without flinching.

It seemed as if there were sparks of electricity flickering in the air.

A few seconds later, Miles took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, knowing that it was no use to completely break with Song Heping here.

"Alright, Mr. Song."

Miles' voice became stiff, as if his throat was clogged with hemp.

"I will report your situation and... your decision truthfully to the higher-ups. I hope you can complete your resupply and rest as soon as possible."

After speaking, he got up and put on his hat.

"I'll take my leave."

"No need to see me off."

Song Heping said lightly, with not a hint of an intention to persuade him to stay.

Miles paused for a moment, stared at Song Heping for two seconds, then left with his people, sweeping their sleeves as they went.

Watching their departing figures, Jiang Feng walked up to Song Heping and whispered, "Old Squad Leader, now we've really offended them."

Song Heping walked to the window, looking out at the street ruins dyed golden-red by the setting sun.

A few local recruited auxiliary militiamen squatted in the corner smoking, and the distant sounds of donkey brays and children's laughter could be heard.

Everything seemed calm, but he sensed an unusual air of danger.

"If we don't offend them, do you think the Americans will let us go?"

Song Heping's voice was soft, "Americans only like to keep dogs, they don't like those who don't bow down."

Ten minutes later, in the two-story building allocated as accommodation for the US military observation group on the other side of town, the just-entered Major Miles picked up a radio encryption device, connecting the line to Colonel Kote with a grim expression.

"Colonel, the meeting just ended. Song Heping once again resolutely rejected the demand to immediately move south, citing reasons of troop fatigue and insufficient ammunition."

Miles spoke rapidly, with suppressed anger.

"However, I personally took a tour of the town. His troops have strong control and good morale, more importantly, they have captured a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition left behind by the 1515, including heavy weaponry. Their replenishment capability is by no means as bad as he claims! I believe all his reasons are excuses! He's deliberately stalling for time, creating opportunities for the main forces of the 1515 in Ozham to retreat west. This is just like his previous tactics in other battles, where he would start 'deliberately dragging' once a favorable position was secured! He's replicating his 'raising a menace' model, he wants to turn this war into his long-term trough!"

"It seems everything is just as I predicted!"

Colonel Kote felt a sense of vindication mixed with a tinge of anger upon his prediction being confirmed.

"I always said this guy named Song is not a good thing, he's an ambitious wolf that cannot be domesticated!"

"Then what should we do now?" Miles asked: "Staying here doesn't seem to have any point."

"Withdraw to Baghdad first thing in the morning."

After thinking for a moment, Kote gave the order.

"Take plenty of photos over there, they'll be useful in the report when you get back."

"Alright, Colonel."

Miles had just finished speaking when Kote on the other end had already cut the call.