Two vehicles were hidden in a mountain hollow. Seeing us approach, Da Kui asked, "How is it? Found them?"
I replied, "Just behind where they ambushed us. After crossing a ridge, there's an open area where they are all stationed, about a hundred people. In front, there are likely another thirty to fifty, so that’s their total strength. However, they are backed by a sheer mountain. We need to find a way to seal the entrance to the mountain first. Otherwise, if there’s any disturbance, they’ll escape into the deep mountains through a water channel, making it extremely difficult to find them afterward."
Da Kui said, "Government troops have already assembled five kilometers away, and Qing Ge's forces are also ambushed nearby. What’s your plan? Use the satellite phone to talk to Brother Bao."
As he spoke, we both returned to the car. I instructed everyone to maintain vigilance while I discussed the operational plan with Brother Bao.
From the current situation, a frontal assault is out of the question. We can only stir up trouble and drive them into the mountains. At that point, forget about a regiment of government troops; even an entire army would be powerless.
The involvement of government forces also has an advantage: it can change the nature of the conflict, shifting the blame to the government. It makes them the ones opposing the government, thus providing a righteous pretext for encircling and suppressing them.
I dialed the phone. Brother Bao anxiously asked about the situation. I recounted what I had just told Da Kui, then explained that we must first use a small contingent to secure the mountain entrance, specifically the waterway, and then flank them. If we open fire rashly, they will see a large army approaching and will certainly retreat into the mountains. Once they control the high ground, our advantage will instantly turn into a disadvantage, leaving us to watch them helplessly.
Brother Bao said, "We will advance another four kilometers. All of your people will go and occupy the entrance. Once you are ready, we will launch the frontal assault!"
"Okay," I said, and hung up. I asked Da Kui how much ammunition they had. He replied that each person had more than ten magazines, plus two boxes of grenades, which were more effective than anything else.
"Alright, bring as much ammunition as you can carry. Two grenades per person. Let's go!"
Qing Ge's men were all former special forces. They quickly and skillfully completed their preparations and lined up beside us. I waved, and everyone followed me back along the original path.
The two of us forged a trail through the dense undergrowth and soon found the path they had taken into the mountain.
Fortunately, it was the dry season, and the road was relatively dry. If it were the rainy season, traversing such a path would have been unthinkable. The sheer mud would have been deadly. Forget about firing; just being able to stand upright without falling would have been an achievement.
When we arrived, those people were still moving around, some chatting, others gathered around drinking. Unknown wild game was roasting over burning bonfires, filling the air with the aroma of grilled meat and smoke.
We concealed ourselves near the camp, and I considered how to proceed.
Just the two of us earlier, we could walk openly without issue. Now, with more than ten people, we couldn't just march through as a group.
I told Da Kui that Wen Siqiang and I would go first. You two, or one or two of you, should separate and casually walk to the other side. You’ll hear a loud sound of water there. We’ll meet up there and then head up the mountain together.
We did the same as before, walking openly, though we didn't take a straight path, weaving left and right a few times before arriving.
Afterwards, two of Qing Ge's men also walked over. I asked Wen Siqiang to take them and have them find advantageous positions to conceal themselves.
At this point, the remaining five or six people gathered here from different directions.
Da Kui was the last to arrive. Midway, a drunken man stood up and bumped into him, nearly leading to a scuffle.
I truly felt a bead of sweat for him. Fortunately, Da Kui didn't get into an argument and, acting as if drunk, stumbled his way over.
I told Wen Siqiang to take the approaching people up the mountain. Once Da Kui arrived, he and I quickly headed towards the waterfall, climbed to advantageous positions as soon as possible, and then Da Kui would call Brother Bao.
I instructed everyone to find cover and be ready for battle at any moment.
The open area gradually became quiet. Most people went into their tents to sleep, while a few groups continued to drink and chat.
I looked at my phone. Ten minutes had passed since the call. Brother Bao said they had advanced four kilometers. I calculated the time, and they should have reached their destination by now.
Indeed, dense gunfire erupted in the distance, even the sound of grenades exploding. It must be the government troops engaging them.
I saw the people in the open area running in chaos. A leader was shouting, likely to rally the troops for reinforcement.
The gunfire grew closer. It seemed the bandits on the roadside couldn't hold their ground and were retreating. The people in the open area became agitated again, scattering to find cover, seemingly preparing to resist.
They hadn't realized it was a government encirclement. If they had, they might have already fled up the mountain to escape.
The enemy could concentrate here at any moment. I told everyone to prepare for battle.
At this point, some people had already retreated to the open area and were shouting something loudly. Then, a large number of people began to withdraw, running towards us.
They must have learned about the approaching army and understood that resistance would only be futile sacrifice. They were preparing to retreat up the mountain.
I instructed everyone to take out their grenades. In pairs, they were to throw them into the crowd as soon as people approached.
Everyone quickly took out their grenades, unscrewed the safety caps, and slipped the pull rings onto their fingers.
The gunfire grew closer. The shouts from government troops using loudspeakers could be heard, likely ordering them to surrender.
Some people were shining powerful flashlights into the crowd. Wherever the light shone, gunfire erupted, and one person fell to the ground!
This caused panic among them. Many began to run desperately towards us, realizing that they had encountered a formidable enemy and might not be able to escape if they didn't run now.
I told everyone not to panic, to wait until a portion of them approached before throwing grenades, aiming for maximum casualties.
At this moment, the bandits swarmed towards us. Gunfire erupted from behind. People were already falling, and the loudspeakers were still broadcasting unintelligible messages. However, these people ignored them. Everyone converged at the foot of the mountain.
Those running in front started to climb. Due to the sheer numbers, some were pushed into the water and instantly swept down the mountain.
When they were about ten meters away, I shouted, "Fire!" Two of my men threw grenades, while others pulled their triggers. The sounds of explosions and gunfire merged. Those who had reached the mountainside either died or were wounded, tumbling down in waves.
I told everyone to cease fire and wait for them to approach again before shooting.
The enemy was disoriented, confused as to how they had been surrounded so inexplicably. This was their territory, so why were their escape routes blocked?