Chapter 1594 - 1284: Avanti's Final Piece of the Puzzle_2

"Look at the big picture."

Song Heping's finger moved across the map, "If we take Titrick now, the last important stronghold in Central Illiguo will be lost by 1515, and they'll fully contract their lines. What does this mean?"

"...The pressure on the Americans and the Iliko Government Army in Ozham will be relieved," Avanti mused.

"Not just relieved." Song Heping turned around, "Once the US Army is freed in Ozham, the first thing that old fox Kote will do is to turn his spearhead towards us. He's already unhappy with me, just struggling with being constrained by 1515. If we help him eliminate the threat..."

He stared at Avanti: "How long do you think Washington will tolerate a PMC that controls three major cities in Northern Illigo and 'openly' cooperates with the Persian Revolutionary Guard? Don't forget, the 'private friendship' between you and me is one thing, but the full presence of the Persian Revolutionary Guard in Illigo is another."

The two fell into silence.

Only the occasional static noise from the communication equipment.

Avanti slowly picked up the tea that had cooled down and drank it all at once: "Continue."

"Second," Song Heping sat back in his seat, "If we destroy 1515's main force in Northern Illigo now, the threat of this terrorist organization will significantly reduce. By then, international support for the continued presence of the US Army in Illigo will weaken— and Washington is eager to withdraw from this war."

Avanti's pupils slightly contracted: "You're saying..."

"I'm saying we need 1515."

Song Heping smiled: "At least we need them to maintain a certain threat, continuing to constrain the US Army and government forces in the direction of Ozham and Titrick. As long as the threat of terrorism remains, the US Army must stay here, and the international community must tolerate their presence. And as long as the US Army is constrained..."

He paused: "They don't have enough energy and resources to deal with our 'secondary issues', so we have time to intervene in the situation in Siria."

Avanti was silent for a full minute, fingers unconsciously tapping the table.

Finally, he shook his head with a bitter smile: "Song, sometimes I really don't know whether you're a soldier or a politician who is well-versed in power plays."

"On this land, you have to be both,"

Song Heping said calmly: "Otherwise you won't survive."

These words touched Avanti.

He nodded, deeply moved: "You're right, you make a lot of sense."

"So this time, we have to hold the initiative in our hands."

Song Heping poured more tea, "Be it fostering reliance or maintaining strategic balance, we need time. Bayji's refinery needs to resume production, Mosul needs to restore order, Samir's troops need training and reorganization... All these require time. And the best way to give us time is to let the Americans continue to deal with their 'main threat'."

Avanti stared at the map, his brain racing.

After a long time, he exhaled a long breath: "I agree with your analysis. So what do we do next specifically?"

Song Heping pointed back to the map: "First, the prisoner issue. Over two thousand prisoners, can't all be detained. Screen them— officers, foreign fighters, stubborn elements remain, while the other local armed individuals are released after 'education'."

"Release?" Avanti frowned, "Isn't that letting the tiger return to the mountains? Those old men in Tehran will probably start overthinking again."

Song Heping said, "Killing eight thousand, capturing two thousand, destroying a large amount of equipment— this is already your major victory. As for those released... let them carry a message: the Persian Revolutionary Guard is here, and they're very powerful. They should go east to Ozham, where there are 'easier' enemies."

Avanti immediately understood: "Let them spread fear while simultaneously strengthening 1515's forces on the eastern front, putting more pressure on the US Army."

"Exactly," Song Heping nodded, "Second, Titrick. We won't occupy it, but we'll establish a forward base 20 kilometers north of it, posing a stance as if we could attack at any time. This way, 1515 will have to divert their already insufficient forces to defend, further weakening their strength in the direction of Ozham."

"Surround without attacking, threaten without launching," Avanti grasped the essence, "Show the Americans that we 'can take Titrick at any time.' Clever."

"Third," Song Heping continued, "We need to consolidate our current achievements. Bayji's refinery must resume production as soon as possible, which will be an important source of funding for us. Your Persians can stay there to strengthen defense. Mosul needs to restore order, I plan to let Samir's 'Liberation Forces' take over security there. As for Kirkuk... the situation there is more complex, involving the Kurds, needs to be handled cautiously, and handed over to Abu You to handle."

Avanti thought for a moment, taking a document from his briefcase: "Speaking of funding and equipment... this is Tehran's authorization. They agreed to provide you with five thousand assault rifles, two hundred general-purpose machine guns, one hundred rocket launchers, fifty mortars, and the corresponding ammunition. Additionally, there's a twenty million US Dollar interest-free loan for rebuilding the infrastructures in Bayji and Mosul."

Song Heping took the document and quickly browsed through it.

The quality and quantity of these equipments exceeded his expectations.

"S-5.56 assault rifles, an improved model resembling your export-type CQ assault rifles," Avanti added, "Far better than the Soviet second-hand goods Samir's men now use. The heavy machine gun is the Persian version of the MG3, the rocket launcher is the RPG-29, which can penetrate the side armor of most main battle tanks."

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