Chapter 980 - 916: Besiege Wei to Save Zhao

The sky is just beginning to lighten.

It's five fifty in the morning.

Before setting off, Song Heping made a phone call to Samir, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

The two always maintained contact.

This former employee of his company is now the leader of the local armed "Liberation Forces" in Illiguo.

This time, Samir is a key player in the mission to rescue the chef in Ashala Town.

Ashala Town is located to the east of Siria, close to the border with Illiguo.

In fact, the eastern side of Siria is a relatively desolate area. The border regions in the east and north are mostly oil-producing areas, and the population is not as prosperous as in coastal cities like Damascus, Tartus Port, and Latakia Port.

The current situation in Siria is as follows—

The northwest is occupied by the Freedom Army, which is mixed with various factions; some are opposition forces, and some are small religious extremist groups supported by old European influences.

The northeast is controlled by the Kurd people, backed by Americans.

And the eastern side near the Illiguo border is the territory of the 1515 organization.

Currently, all these forces are advancing towards Damascus and fighting desperately to seize territory, making Siria a chaotic mess.

Especially in the direction of Deir Ezzor in the east, where it is rumored that 1515 armed forces have captured multiple cities and are close to completing a siege of Deir Ezzor, complicating the chef's rescue operation.

Even with the strong backing of the Wakner Mercenaries, breaking through the encirclement of 1515 armed forces remains a daunting task.

Relying on a single battalion of Wakner Mercenaries doesn't give Song Heping much confidence.

However, if Samir's "Eligo Liberation Force" could launch an offensive on the 1515 organization's occupied territories within Illiguo, the militia's strength should be able to divert some of the 1515 armed forces within Siria.

Every citizen has been well-versed in The Art of War by Sun Tzu since childhood, and Song Heping is no exception, especially with his special operations training in the military; he understands the concept of "Surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao."

If Samir cooperates, breaking through the encirclement of the 1515 armed forces near Ashala Town would be much easier.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, the 1515 armed forces have rapidly grown, not only occupying significant territories in Syria but also in the western parts of Illiguo. Now, their leader Buckdadi has become arrogant, disregarding everyone, not only attacking Westerners but also Illigos, mercilessly dealing with other armed factions regardless of their beliefs, killing and decimating as he pleases.

This has made the 1515 armed forces widely despised.

Once he contacts Samir and gets him to cooperate, it's likely that this former subordinate would be very willing to do so.

"Samir, it's me."

The call was answered, and Song Heping didn't bother with pleasantries, getting straight to the point: "I need your help."

"Boss, you tell me what you need me to do!"

Samir agreed without even questioning.

"You don't care what it is, agreeing so readily?"

"As long as it's your matter, I'll give it my all!"

Samir's response set Song Heping at ease.

"How much force do you have at your disposal right now?"

This was Song Heping's biggest concern.

"Around over three thousand," Samir said, "and they are all battle-hardened veterans, many from the military previously."

"Not enough..."

Song Heping did a quick calculation.

The 1515 armed forces are no longer what they once were.

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, the scale of this damned extremist group has ballooned dramatically.

After all, someone like Buckdadi is particularly attractive to those with extremist ideologies. He's not only well-read in scripture but has also studied law courses, nearly obtaining a doctorate.

This makes him a high intellectual among extremists, able to persuade those mindless followers completely.

His forces quickly expanded after the war began, now numbering at least six thousand.

Asking Samir to take his three thousand against these desperadoes seemed, to Song Heping, like pushing Samir into a pit of fire.

"Three thousand isn't enough?!"

Samir gasped in shock.

He suddenly realized that Song Heping was up to something big again.

"No, it's not enough." Song Heping turned to look east.

The dawn was now visible.

The city's silhouette and the rows of rooftops were clearly visible.

"Because I need you to organize all your forces to launch a full-scale assault on the 1515 armed forces."

"1515?"

Only then did Samir understand that this was indeed a serious matter.

Since the Syrian war, the 1515 armed forces have not only conquered territories in Syria but have expanded their forces through victories there, continuously encroaching and expanding in the western parts of Illiguo.

The 1515 armed forces today are stronger than ever, and they're not something that Samir alone can withstand.

"What, don't dare to fight?"

Song Heping said, "I heard they've taken quite a bit of land in your northwest, too. There can't be a shortage of people who hate the 1515 armed forces on your side."

"Indeed there are plenty..."

Samir sighed, "Boss, you've left Illiguo for so many years, and it's been over two years since you last came over; you might not be very clear about the situation here..."

"I'm clear." Song Heping said, "Before coming, I had Henry conduct thorough intelligence gathering, so you're weaker than the 1515 armed forces now, right?"

"Yes." Samir's tone was somewhat downcast: "The Americans released the devil from Pandora's box and kept feeding it. Now even they can't control 1515."

"Unite with the armed forces over there, tell them I'm asking for help on my behalf. After the deed is done, I'll pay you to replenish weapons and ammo, ensuring satisfaction. How's this offer?"

Being in the Defense Company business, Song Heping knows precisely what chips to throw out when negotiating with these local armed forces.

Talking to them about national duty or security is pointless.

In the Middle East, every local armed faction harbors different motives, and none of them agree.

Like the deserts of the Middle East.

They're a scattered sand.

The only thing that resonates is the word "interest."

Only these two words are most valued and act as the best adhesive here.

With interests at stake, they'll agree to act.

"Alright, I can reach out to them!"

Samir was instantly more spirited.

He knew Song Heping's style.

No need to ask for specifics on weapons and ammo quantity and scale.

Whenever he makes a move, he definitely impresses.

It's one of the reasons he's wholeheartedly loyal to him.

"Boss, sometimes I think, if you hadn't left Illiguo back then, maybe 1515 wouldn't have had a chance to occupy so much territory from us."

His remark was heartfelt and genuine.

"Don't worry, now they've provoked me, I'll deal with them sooner or later," Song Heping sneered, "If it weren't for the CIA's Secret Action Department and the Elder Council's trickery last time, Buckdadi would likely not be alive today."

"How did they provoke you this time? Boss." Samir was curious.

"The chef." Song Heping said, "The chef is trapped in Ashala Town, surrounded by the 1515 armed forces, and I need to rescue him."

"The chef?" Samir was familiar, knowing he's one of the founders of "Musician" Defense, though he didn't have deep ties with the chef, who happened to leave when he joined.

"That's right, he founded the Wakner Mercenary Group in Russia, getting involved in the civil war here, but got double-crossed during a mission recently, now trapped in Ashala, with his fate unknown."

Song Heping said, "Prepare immediately, action may commence in two days; I'm en route to Deir Ezzor now, will act once I arrive. I'll reach out to the Persians to stage some feints near the 1515 territory at the border, adding pressure to coordinate with your actions."

In the end, Song Heping instructed, "Samir, remember, your operation is merely a diversion. I don't need you risking everything, just organize enough people to create a significant commotion. Just one day, and they'll pull forces back from Siria to meet your advance. Once their forces are diverted, my tactical aim is reached. Withdraw when you see the opportunity, don't entangle with them, preserve your strength, understand?"

"I understand, Boss, don't worry. After following you for so many years, it wasn't in vain, I understand what you mean—draw the tiger away from the mountain."

Samir had learned some basics.

Song Heping laughed, "It's not called drawing the tiger away, it's called Surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao."

"Surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao…"

Samir repeated Song Heping's words like a parrot.

The conversation between the two ended, but Song Heping had just put down the phone when he saw Hassan stomping over, furious.

"Everyone's gone mad!"

He cursed as he walked.

"Song, there's trouble!"

Song Heping's face changed slightly.

In moments like these, his biggest worry was unexpected situations arising.

But trouble has come anyway.

"What's happened?" He asked urgently.