Chapter Seven: Combat Guidelines
Amidst the intense training, a steady stream of situation reports continued to reach everyone each night after the Jepeng language enhancement sessions.
On May 17, the neighboring country of Min Taiyin in the southwest of the Republic launched a fierce attack against local armed forces in its northern territories. These local forces, primarily composed of descendants of the Republic's ethnic groups, mounted a strong counterattack. During the clashes, a government warplane from the southern faction crossed into the Republic's territory and dropped a bomb, resulting in three deaths and nine injuries among border civilians.
The Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military issued a stern diplomatic note demanding a thorough investigation by the Min Taiyin government, warning that such incidents must never recur; otherwise, resolute measures would be taken. Shortly after, on May 19, the 114th Group Army of the Chuan-Gui War Zone rapidly mobilized two main divisions to advance swiftly toward the Cha-Mian border. The Chuan-Gui War Zone Air Force and the Second Artillery Corps also began deploying toward the same border.
The Republic’s unprecedentedly strong response sent shockwaves across the world. Could it be that this ancient and mighty nation—the slumbering dragon—was finally breaking from its long-standing policy of "keeping a low profile" to bare its fierce fangs once again? If it decisively intervened in the Min Taiyin conflict, would this signal the emergence of a tougher regime, tentatively throwing its first punch?
In no time, intelligence agencies worldwide turned their gaze to the region. Various reports and expert analyses flooded Western media outlets. Many governments viewed this move as a crucial indicator for whether the Republic’s foreign policy would need adjustment.
While global attention was fixed on that small piece of land, on May 22, special forces from various war zones of the Republic quietly moved toward their designated targets.
On May 23, the first, second, and third squads of the Angry Dragon Battalion arrived at a military base in Tianshan Province, bordering Al Fu Han. They immediately began pre-battle intelligence and logistical preparations and conducted assault drills using a full-scale 1:1 model of the Eastern Ugu Chat organization’s headquarters.
On May 24, a unit from the "Sky Wolf" Special Operations Brigade of the Xiliang War Zone reached its assigned area.
On May 25, a unit from the "Southwest Falcon" Special Operations Brigade of the Chuan-Gui War Zone arrived at its designated location.
On May 26, a unit from the "Fierce Tiger" Special Operations Brigade of the Jiliao War Zone reached its target region.
On May 27, a unit from the "Cheetah" Special Operations Brigade of the Hanjing War Zone arrived at its assigned area.
On May 29, units from both the "Mighty Eagle" Special Operations Brigade of the Huanghai War Zone and the "Flood Dragon" Special Operations Brigade of the Jinling War Zone arrived at their respective locations.
On May 30, a unit from the "Jungle Tiger" Special Operations Brigade of the Lingnan War Zone reached its destination.
...
Previously, if the special forces from all war zones had gathered while one’s own team remained in the rear, the troops would have been in uproar. But this time, Wuyun only chuckled softly, saying, “This is truly a gathering of beasts and birds—are we in the animal kingdom?”
The troops burst into laughter but trained with even greater enthusiasm. They knew that the mission ahead was the most thrilling and adrenaline-pumping task any Republic member could envy. If others knew the Angry Dragon Battalion’s fourth squad’s target, countless people would be desperate to join!
On the very night the last special operations team arrived at their designated area, Lei Tiangang appeared at the Angry Dragon Battalion training base, dressed in full uniform. Following closely behind was An Jing, who had been missing for nearly ten days.
“Meeting now!” In the small operations room, Lei Tiangang announced solemnly, “Today’s meeting is top secret. No notes are allowed! Effective immediately, all communication with the outside is cut off. Violators will face military law! Regarding this mission, no one here is to reveal a single word to anyone—lifetime confidentiality! Violators will be prosecuted under military law!”
The troops’ expressions instantly grew serious. For Lei Tiangang to emphasize discipline so strictly meant this was earth-shattering news. They exchanged glances, their eyes conveying the same thought: “It’s finally here!”
Lei Tiangang slowly opened the file before him; every word weighed heavily:
“Following the central core meeting’s approval, President Tang Yiping has signed an order. To combat separatist tendencies within our nation and to create more space for the upcoming cross-strait peace talks, the central government has decided to carry out punitive strikes against the Jepeng Empire, which has consistently supported island independence activists and Eastern Ugu terrorist forces. Accordingly, the General Staff has formulated the following operational guidelines:
“Operation Code Name: Angry Dragon.
“1. Objective: To strike at the arrogant resurgence of Jepeng militarism, demonstrate our firm resolve to combat separatism and safeguard core interests, compel Jepeng’s military, police, and intelligence agencies to divert attention away from our island region, and reduce their support for Eastern Ugu elements.
“2. Procedure: Headquarters has decided to deploy a unit of the General Staff’s direct Angry Dragon Battalion, armed with appropriate light weapons, to land opportunistically at a Jepeng port city in early June aboard the strategic nuclear submarine ‘Hanjing.’ The General Staff Intelligence Department will dispatch personnel to assist and provide intelligence support. Detailed contact methods will be notified separately.
“3. Targets: (1) Conduct large-scale disruption and sabotage in Jepeng’s capital city, Kyouto, causing widespread panic among civilians and government officials to attract military and police attention. (2) Assault Jepeng’s secret nuclear facilities to completely destroy their stockpile of weapons-grade plutonium. (3) Eliminate Jepeng Defense Minister Deputy Tsunetaka Ono, who has consistently supported island independence activists and Eastern Ugu terrorist groups and personally orchestrated the disappearance of Flight 740 and several recent attacks!”
With a snap, Lei Tiangang shut the file and fed it into the shredder. Turning around, he said, “That concludes the operational guidelines. For detailed background and related matters, Instructor An Jing will provide a thorough briefing.”
An Jing, who had remained silent beside Lei Tiangang, now wore a grave expression and cleared her throat softly before speaking:
“Ten days ago, upon your return, Mr. Cao Jingren secretly submitted the cross-strait negotiation memorandum to the central core meeting. Both sides agreed that the cross-strait peace talks would formally commence in mid-June. Based on current exchanges, the prospect of signing a framework agreement for peaceful reunification looks promising.”
No one in the operations room interrupted, but a subtle shift filled the air. Excitement and relief shone in everyone’s eyes.
Even the most warlike among them understood deep down that, unless absolutely necessary, no one wished to take up arms against the island region. After all, it is our own beautiful and prosperous homeland, inhabited by the descendants of the dragon who share our bloodline. Who could bear to turn against their own?
Peaceful resolution and reunification have long been the shared, tireless pursuit of visionaries on both sides of the strait. For decades, countless individuals have risked life and limb, even their reputations, dedicating their spirit and strength to this noble dream.
Now, with that dream finally within reach, how could it not stir such passionate fervor? Even the very breaths in the room seemed charged with heat.
“But,” An Jing’s face darkened swiftly, “fearing a fully unified and powerful Republic, international opposition forces led by the Minya Federation have long obstructed our reunification efforts. The most ruthless and resolute among them is this man—”
An Jing activated the projector. On the screen appeared the image of a man: short in stature, stocky build, a typical figure of the old Jepeng soldier, dressed in traditional Jepeng attire, sporting a short beard. His face was rugged and sharply defined, lips thin and tightly pressed, eyes gleaming with the ferocity of a starving wolf.
“This man is Jepeng Defense Ministry Deputy Tsunetaka Ono!” An Jing pointed the command baton at his image.
In fact, everyone present knew Tsunetaka Ono well. As a descendant of one of Jepeng’s old warlords, Ono had deep roots in the Jepeng military establishment. Trusted by the current Jepeng Prime Minister, the fanatical militarist Kishi Nobuzo, Ono wielded immense influence in Jepeng’s military and intelligence circles, with actual authority surpassing the sitting Defense Minister.
Ono had long maintained a hardline stance against the Republic, aiming to restore the so-called “Asura Continent Co-Prosperity Sphere.” Domestically, he supported aggressive military development and suppression; abroad, he backed extremist religious factions, separatists, and violent terrorist groups, especially those targeting the Republic. Behind many “three forces” organizations, the shadow of Jepeng’s military intelligence under Ono’s support could be discerned.
As An Jing continued, a broader scheme gradually unfolded.
In recent years, the Republic’s growing political, economic, and military strength had intensified crackdowns on the “three forces.” Moreover, as more countries hesitated to antagonize the Republic, support for these forces waned, shrinking the living space for island independence and Eastern Ugu groups. However, Jepeng’s Defense Ministry, under Ono’s strategic direction, accelerated infiltration efforts. Under his cunning and covert tactics, these two separatist forces began to converge.
Originally, these moves were secret. Yet, as cross-strait negotiations accelerated toward a potential peace agreement, Ono, in a desperate bid, orchestrated the disappearance of Flight 740 and subsequent violent terrorist attacks.
This recklessness exposed him.
From Lei Tiangang’s timely prevention of an airport bombing and capture of Aim Nauar, to rescuing Flight 740 survivor Chen Weizhe, to the arrest of bombers in a series of terror attacks, forced confessions during military interrogations revealed the truth.
With multiple moles activated, intelligence continuously streamed back to Hanjing. All evidence pointed to one mastermind—Tsunetaka Ono! His intent was to embolden island independence and Eastern Ugu terrorists and sow doubt among islanders about the mainland’s situation, aiming to derail the signing of the cross-strait peace agreement.