43: Chapter 43 The Tacit Approval of the Dragon Kingdom and the Wa State's "Brilliant Plan"

In Pangkham, at the General Headquarters of the Wa State United Army, the atmosphere was heavy yet faintly tinged with excitement.

Bao Youxiang looked at the "top-secret intelligence" transmitted back by "Huamei" through secret channels; his fingers trembled slightly, but a flush of excitement was difficult to suppress on his face.

The intelligence clearly indicated: Zhang Cheng's "Dawn-Alliance" coalition had determined that the Mengmao direction was the weak point in the Wa State's defense and had decided to assemble their main force to open a breakthrough from Mengmao in three days, thrusting directly into the heart of the Wa State!

"Good! Very good!" Bao Youxiang slammed his hand on the table, his voice raspy from excitement. "That brat Zhang Cheng is still too young after all! Does he really think my Wa State is made of mud just because he let a woman whisper sweet nothings in his ear?!"

Xiao Mingliang adjusted his glasses and said cautiously, "Commander-in-Chief, the source of the intelligence is reliable and basically consistent with the coalition movements we have observed through other channels. They are assembling large quantities of supplies and troops in the direction of Mengmao. It seems Zhang Cheng really believes Lin Xiao's words, thinking that our garrison in Mengmao is vulnerable."

Bao Youxiang's son, Bao Junfeng, waved his fists excitedly. "Dad! This is a god-given opportunity! Let's move the main 17th Division and all the independent regiments near Mengmao over there! We'll set a dragnet for him on the outskirts of Mengmao! As long as he dares to come, we'll wipe out his entire army! We'll break his spine in one battle!"

"Exactly!" A sharp glint shot from Bao Youxiang's eyes. "Order! The 17th Division is to set off immediately and move secretly to the mountainous area on the outskirts of Mengmao! As for the garrison troops near Pangkham, withdraw… no, keep them in place for now, just in case. Also," he looked at Xiao Mingliang, "contact Naypyidaw immediately! Tell them we need air support! Once Zhang Cheng's main force enters the Mengmao Valley, ask their air force to strike hard! I want Zhang Cheng's troops to be buried in a sea of fire!"

Xiao Mingliang immediately accepted the order. "Yes! I'll get it done right away! Naypyidaw will definitely be happy to see us and Zhang Cheng suffer mutual losses, so air support shouldn't be a problem."

Just as the Wa State was busy mobilizing troops and preparing to deliver a head-on blow to Zhang Cheng in Mengmao, Zhang Cheng's envoy also used the top-secret channel of "Wang Wu" to place a more detailed battle plan on the desk of Zhao Gang, the head of the Dragon Country's security department.

Dragon Country, a secret command center.

Zhao Gang and several high-ranking military and national security leaders were carefully studying the plan sent by Zhang Cheng.

"Besiege the point to strike the reinforcements... Repair the plank road openly while sneaking through the dark passage... This kid is quite adept at using military strategy." An old general with stars on his shoulders looked at the troop deployment on the map, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.

"The plan is bold, but also very risky," Zhao Gang said in a deep voice. "He is using his main force for a long-distance raid on Pangkham, which will put immense pressure on the troops left behind in the Mengmao direction. They not only have to contain the Wa State's main force but also withstand air strikes from the Myanmar government army. If any part of the plan goes wrong, it could lead to total failure."

"What is he mainly requesting from us?" another leader asked.

"He is requesting two things," Zhao Gang replied. "First, he hopes we can provide some buffering and explanation at the level of international public opinion and diplomacy regarding potential 'accusations of aggression' from the Myanmar government, defining it instead as 'internal force integration in Northern Myanmar.' Second, and most importantly, he is requesting a batch of man-portable air-defense missiles to deal with the government army's air threat."

There was silence in the conference room for a moment. Providing anti-aircraft weapons was already close to quasi-military aid.

Finally, the leader made the decision: "Principle agreement. We can handle the diplomatic aspect. As for the man-portable air-defense missiles... we can provide them, but they cannot be our latest active models. Provide a batch of reliable older models and deliver them through secret channels. At the same time, remind Zhang Cheng that he must act quickly and strike fiercely; he must create a fait accompli before the international community reacts!"

"Yes!"

A silent order was issued, and a batch of mothballed but well-maintained voroshilov-2 man-portable air-defense missiles was secretly loaded and quietly transported to Dawn Base through complex border passages.

After receiving the reply from the Dragon Country that they "in principle do not object" and that the "supplies are on the way," Zhang Cheng felt greatly reassured.

Standing before the sand table, he issued the final order to Old K and Li Lanzhi: "The Wa State's main force should have already started moving towards Mengmao. Our opportunity has arrived!"

"Order: The Death God Legion's 1st and 2nd Battalions, along with the Alliance's Luo Xinghan unit, are to set off immediately. Move by night and hide by day, and stealthily outflank to the rear of Pangkham! You must reach the attack position within five days!"

"Order: The 3rd Battalion, attached with one regiment of the Alliance, all heavy mortars, and the newly arrived anti-aircraft missiles, are to advance towards Mengmao with great fanfare! Put on a show of a main force decisive battle! Your task is to act like a nail, firmly pinning the Wa State's main force in Mengmao! At the same time, be vigilant against the government army's air force!"

"Order: Three rapid penetration detachments composed of Intermediate Death Soldiers, carrying rocket launchers and heavy machine guns, are to lie in ambush in advance along the main traffic lines from Pangkham to Mengmao. Once Pangkham is attacked, the Wa State's main force will inevitably return to reinforce; your task is to spare no cost to block them layer by layer and delay their reinforcement speed!"

"This battle determines whether my 'Dawn' can truly dominate Northern Myanmar! I look to you all to forge ahead with all your might!"

"For the glory of the Master!" Old K stood at attention and saluted, his cold battle intent permeating the air.

The massive war machine began to operate precisely and efficiently according to Zhang Cheng's will. An invisible net had already been cast over the Wa State, which was still dreaming and thinking it had the upper hand.

On the outskirts of Mengmao, the Wa State United Army's preset ambush position.

The 17th Division Commander, Zhao Yan, held binoculars, watching the "Dawn-Alliance" coalition troops moving slowly in the valley in the distance, a cruel smile appearing on his face. The opponent's formation was stretched very long, flags fluttering, dust rolling; it truly looked like the entire main force had been deployed.

"Damn it, they actually dared to come! Order all units: no one is allowed to fire without my command! Let them into the valley! Once Naypyidaw's planes finish bombing, we'll rush down and harvest the corn!" Zhao Yan roared into the walkie-talkie.

Meanwhile, in the "coalition" ranks, the commander of the 3rd Battalion of the Death God Legion, an Advanced Death Soldier codenamed T-03 in charge of this Wa-movement mission, was calmly receiving images transmitted back by drones via a personal radio. The images showed that the ridges on both sides were densely packed with the Wa State army's camouflaged fortifications and reverse-slope artillery positions.

"Report to command center: the fish is in the net. Enemy ambush circle confirmed. Anti-aircraft teams, disperse and deploy in concealment according to the predetermined plan." T-03's voice did not fluctuate in the slightest.

In the ranks, some soldiers carrying special long-tube packages quickly detached from the main force, using the cover of terrain and vegetation to silently occupy several inconspicuous high points nearby. They opened the packages, revealing none other than the voroshilov-2 man-portable air-defense missiles provided by the Dragon Country!