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Chapter 661: Chapter 565: The Blade Is Unsheathed (Please Subscribe!)_1
Burma.
Inside the territory.
At Tang Qing’s command.
All the soldiers in the territory were put on high alert. However, this did not happen out of the blue. As early as yesterday morning, they noticed something unusual because all the intense training programs were suspended throughout yesterday. The only training engaged in was basic physical training.
They were already aware then.
Leader Ling might be making a big move again.
There was much speculation among the ranks. But they couldn’t quite figure out how big this move would be. They could only follow their superiors’ orders, get ready to board vehicles, maintain discipline and abide by the soldier’s code of conduct.
Except for the defensive force, all other soldiers were mobilized.
The territory to be taken this time was too large, more than twice the size of the present territory. Not only would it need to be defended, but it would also require additional manpower to take over public security from Su Yu and aid in the defense of Burma.
Thankfully, the previous number of soldiers had already exceeded eight thousand. This time, a draw of six thousand was theoretically sufficient. Meanwhile, the quantum satellite was real-time monitoring inside and outside the territory, just in case.
The speed at which this operation moved from planning to execution was incredibly fast, a mere hour in total. Therefore, Yangon wouldn’t possibly receive any information until the operation was over. All wireless signals within the territory and the operation area were under control.
Without the Command Room’s permission, the satellite phones and radios here were useless.
The benefits of mechanization in recent times became evident.
The soldiers of the territory sat in various transportation vehicles heading towards the border.
Meanwhile, the soldiers at the border did not move, as the infiltrating fighters were still in action. Only once the nearby forces finished their action would it be time for them to cross the border. For now, they would wait until everyone had gathered.
As more and more vehicles assembled.
The disordered forces on the opposite side broke into a cold sweat, hastily reporting to their superiors.
...
On the eight-laned highway.
Military vehicles sped past.
Truck drivers and villagers on the roadside watched, their eyes wide with awe. All vehicles promptly yielded the fast lanes, dare not to cross. They stared in astonishment at the military vehicles fully equipped with equipment, many of which they’ve never seen before, but looked remarkably powerful.
Inside one large truck.
The driver and co-driver were chatting.
"What on earth is going on? So many vehicles running on the road?" The driver was incredulous.
Normally, these soldiers only trained on training grounds rather than on main roads because all of this area was jungle combat focused. It didn’t require transporting them all over the place for training; it was sufficient to build training grounds near the camp.
"Didn’t you notice their direction?" The co-driver’s tone was somewhat grim.
"You mean, Ling is about to take on another force?" The driver’s face changed abruptly.
The co-driver nodded and said, "Very possibly. Leader Ling never mobilizes the soldiers casually. Once he does it’s definitely a major situation. Either someone has attacked us, or Ling is about to attack someone else."
Having lived through prior chaos, they could better appreciate the preciousness of peace.
They were just starting to get their lives back on track and hoped no mishap would occur now. If someone attacked Ling, they doubted they’d be successful, judging from the quality of equipment and soldiers they saw. If Ling launched an attack to liberate more people and places, they’d fully support it.
Only Ling.
Could lead them to better days.
As for Myanmar, well, they had no sense of belonging there. Apart from acknowledging their Burmese nationality, they didn’t identify as Burmese in any other way. If there was any actual competence in Yangon and genuine interest, they wouldn’t be living in the fearful state they were today, for such a long time.
A lot of them had been severely addicted to drugs.
Luxurious fruit wine, once only found outside, was supplied at bargain prices here. As long as you had an ID card and confirmed addiction, you could go to the local hospital for treatment. The solution was simple- a drink of wine each time and then two weeks later, the addiction was completely off.
They respected Ling greatly in their hearts. 𝚗o𝚟pub.𝚌𝚘𝚖
"...I hope Leader Ling won’t run into any trouble." The copilot wished.
"Hmm."
"...."
For a moment, opinions were diverse, but everyone shared the same thought, that no matter what, they must win. If Ling lost, then their better life, which was just starting, would come to an end —an outcome they wouldn’t accept.
Xin’an Town.
Ge Dan looked anxiously at Xin’an town, which had entered a state of emergency, through his window.
It was apparent that Ling was preparing to make a move. The incident from yesterday had left Ge Dan cursing in private – could they act with a little more dignity befitting a country, and not resort to small tactics? Especially when their covert tactics had been discovered, they made such a decision. Had they been hit in the head by a donkey?
Do they think they are playing a game?
Later on, Ge Dan found out that the blame had been wrongly put on Yangon. Kan Qin and his people were anything but brainless. The genuine idiots were the front-line commanders. The assassins were their people, not part of Myanmar’s Intelligence Department.
On learning that men under his command had been caught, the commander made a rash decision to give such orders.
Not long after they landed, they were berated by their superiors in Yangon, and yet, they couldn’t turn back in jest, else, they would lose face entirely. Thus, they could only fight with gritted teeth.
Ge Dan didn’t know how Su Yu would react, but this time, it was very likely related to him. If this mobilization was a conspiracy between Su Yu and Ling, then... Ge Dan dared not imagine the potential developments of the situation.
He immediately pulled out his satellite phone.
He was prepared to inform Yangon that Ling had taken action, the purpose of which was unclear.
Three minutes later.
Ge Dan had dialed over a dozen times, but to no avail.
He tried another backup satellite phone, yet he still couldn’t get through, he couldn’t even reach Thailand anymore.
A thought suddenly flashed in Ge Dan’s mind.
Could it be that Ling had jammed the signals?
It was very likely. Considering the signal strength was at full bars, but he couldn’t make any calls, Ge Dan didn’t know what to say. These phones couldn’t have malfunctioned overnight, they were military-grade satellite phones, built to last.
The chance of both phones malfunctioning at the same time was almost impossible.
What should he do?
Like an ant on a hot pan, Ge Dan paced anxiously around the room. His assistant was not around, having returned to Thailand to replace him. Ge Dan was left all alone here, without someone to discuss this problem with.
He missed his days in Thailand.
That’s it.
Find Ling.
An idea popped into Ge Dan’s mind, to ask Ling directly. Even if he couldn’t dissuade Ling’s course of action, at least he wouldn’t be as clueless as he was now. He could still glean some specifics.
Once decided, Ge Dan opened the door. Much to his surprise, Ling was prepared to immediately meet him, and he was waiting at the service center in Xin’an town.
When did Ling become so straightforward?
Suspicious.
Nevertheless, Ge Dan didn’t think much of it. Gathering his things, he followed Ling’s subordinates to the service center.
Upon arrival at a familiar place.
Ge Dan felt utterly helpless. His job was challenging, constantly facing criticism, and his superiors were continually dissatisfied with his lack of progress. He also had his own unspoken difficulties. Ling often ignored him, every time they met Ge Dan felt nervous upon seeing Ling’s face.
"Leader Ling, hello," Ge Dan greeted respectfully.
"Hello, Mr. Ge Dan, I heard you were looking for me," Ling asked.
Very direct, but Ge Dan appreciated it, so he hastily said: "Yes, I saw a large-scale mobilization of your troops, I just wanted to ask what’s going on outside? So many soldiers are heading... towards those guys."
What Ge Dan didn’t know was that this was deliberately arranged by the Command Room, there was another purpose to this meeting, which was an extremely important part of the plan.
"It’s nothing, just dealing with some unruly people," Ling said indifferently.
"Um... Leader Ling, have you and Leader Su Yu made any agreements?" Ge Dan had to ask this question despite his unease. Although this was a confidential matter, Ge Dan really didn’t want to continue playing the fool.
Even if Ling confiscated all his communication devices afterward, prohibiting him from contacting the outside world for a time, he had to ask. The truth was right in front of him, yet he knew nothing, these days were hard to bear.
Under Ge Dan’s hopeful gaze, Ling nodded, confirming, "Yes, you guessed it, we have reached a cooperation agreement with Leader Su Yu to jointly develop all the mineral resources in his territory, to aid in economic development and to improve the well-being of the population."
Although Ling didn’t provide a detailed explanation, this was enough for Ge Dan. He felt a sense of relief. Suddenly, Ge Dan didn’t even want to report this news back to Yangon because he felt that Ling was quite loyal.
"So this time, you are going to join Leader Su Yu in resisting... us?" Ge Dan continued to ask, this was the most likely scenario he thought. As for Talents, well, they were well-known areas controlled by Ling.
Ling shook his head.
"No, we’re not going to Su Yu’s place today. This time, we’re cleaning up those ’fence sitters’. I don’t trust them being around."
Ge Dan was startled.
He immediately realized who Ling was targeting, and said in a trembling voice, "What, Leader Ling, you want to take over their territory, this... what about Su Yu?" He wanted to say that this was a joke, but he knew very well that Ling never joked. If Ling and Su Yu teamed up, these rabble wouldn’t last long.
Su Yu had been able to withstand them for so many years, his soldiers were more than a match for the disorganized mob. Coupled with his prestige over the years, he had always been the ’stronghold’ of the ’fence sitters’. If he defected to Ling, the difficulty of this task would reduce dramatically.
"He doesn’t want it, it’s all ours." Ling said.
The meaning was clear, these ’fence sitters’, all of them were ours to consume.
Ge Dan was flabbergasted.
This was obviously leaving Myanmar out of the game. Su Yu must have been utterly disappointed with Myanmar because of yesterday’s events and now was giving up completely; if he knew Su Yu had sold him out entirely, he’d probably be depressed.
No, wait.
A thought suddenly occurred to Ge Dan.
Ling’s meeting with him was not merely to clarify his doubts, there must be another purpose.
