337: Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty-Five: Dawn 337: Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty-Five: Dawn For Gao Yang, his bond with the Skull Gang was unbreakably solid; the friendship forged in battle through the shedding of blood was extraordinary.
Even though he had left Somalia, Gao Yang had maintained close contact with Maide.
No matter what the situation, Maide’s first thought was always of Gao Yang, certainly of the Satan Mercenary Corps, and Gao Yang had never stopped thinking about finding another qualified instructor for the Skull Gang, especially an artillery instructor.
After taking Bosaso, the Skull Gang needed time to consolidate its hold on the city and was not in a hurry to expand.
Yet the Skull Gang’s momentum was quite impressive.
With no formidable enemies nearby, a stable and considerable source of funds, their armed forces were second to none in northern Somalia.
Although their army size was not large within the whole of Somalia, their combat capability was superior to any other armed organization.
For the Skull Gang at this time, enhancing the combat capability of their artillerymen was of the utmost urgency.
Big-gun artillery doctrine might be out of fashion these days, but in Somalia, having a professional artillery troop of adequate caliber would be an absolutely crushing presence.
Gao Yang had been thinking about finding an artillery instructor for the Skull Gang but hadn’t found a suitable one until he encountered Jiang Yun and his team.
There could be no better instructor for the Skull Gang than one from the Huaxia military.
When it came to playing with large-caliber artillery, only Russia could compete with Huaxia; after all, the former Soviet military was the most steadfast proponent of big-gun artillery doctrine, and the Russian military inherited this legacy.
Huaxia could only be seen as a learner.
However, constrained by their initial conditions, the Huaxia military’s focus and creative application of smaller caliber guns were unmatched by any other nation.
Under limited conditions, the Huaxia forces, lacking heavy artillery, refined the use of smaller guns.
During the Korean War, they carried out cold gun and cold cannon tactics, using small mountain guns, recoilless guns, and mortars as if they were sniper rifles.
They even pioneered the tactic of bayonetting with cannons, dragging the artillery to the very front lines and firing directly at the enemy’s heads.
The technique to fire mortars without a stand, just by holding the barrel, or the practice of firing mortars horizontally, attaching a long rod to the mortar shell, and then adding propellant charges or grenades – Huaxia People came up with many variations just for the mortar.
Now, with a significant improvement in Huaxia’s equipment standards, the importance of smaller guns had decreased greatly; yet, among major powers, Huaxia still placed the highest emphasis on small guns and retained a large pool of technical talent who specialized in them.
In a place like Somalia, using towed or self-propelled artillery, for Somalis to employ 155mm or 152mm large-caliber artillery was nothing but a pipe dream.
Therefore, for a long time to come in Somalia, small guns would still reign supreme.
For the Skull Gang’s artillery, there could be no more suitable instructor than the Huaxia People.
Gao Yang had true affection for the Skull Gang.
He absolutely did not want to see the gang quickly wiped out.
And people like Jiang Yun, it wasn’t just their sufficient military skills; crucially it was their semi-official backgrounds.
The Skull Gang seems to have a promising future, but there’s a premise: once the Skull Gang draws international attention, they could well be annihilated.
However, if they could cling to the leg of someone significant, like Huaxia, then the Skull Gang’s path ahead would undoubtedly be much brighter.
The importance of the Gulf of Aden needs no further explanation, and looking in the long term, securing the Skull Gang would essentially mean securing Somalia.
Gao Yang believed that as long as Jiang Yun and his people went to the Skull Gang, what they could receive would be far more than just skill training.
In fact, Jiang Yun’s interest was indeed piqued as Gao Yang had expected.
Though it was the first time Jiang Yun had heard the name “Skull Gang,” Gao Yang’s description had greatly intrigued him.
After letting Gao Yang introduce the detailed situation of the Skull Gang, Jiang Yun was even more excited than Gao Yang.
“If the situation with the Skull Gang is truly as you’ve described, then making contact with the Skull Gang is a matter of profound impact,” Jiang Yun said.
“We can’t treat this as just another ordinary business deal.
We need to seriously study the Skull Gang.”
Li Pengfei was also thrilled to hear this.
After Jiang Yun spoke, Li Pengfei said excitedly, “We should report this up the chain.
I believe the higher-ups would never pass up on this opportunity, no matter what.
This is like a pie falling from the sky.”
Jiang Yun said, “This isn’t a pie falling from the sky; this is an opportunity that Gao Yang and his guys have created for us.
But, we can’t just report this directly.
Ram, if there’s a chance, could you first take us to meet the Skull Gang?
I think it’s better to have a clear picture before reporting upwards.
As for training the Skull Gang, don’t worry, I guarantee we’ll get them the best instructors.”
“Visiting the Skull Gang is no problem; that’s an easy thing to arrange,” Gao Yang said.
“After all, Toad is the commander of the Skull Gang’s land forces, with considerable prestige.”
Gao Yang’s words again elicited laughter.
People teased Li Jinfang, all asking him what the story was, and as everyone was laughing and joking, Jiang Yun seriously said, “We are facing too many issues right now, but compared to the business with the Skull Gang, we can put the others on hold.
Things like setting up a company can be postponed.
I plan to head to Somalia as soon as it’s secure here.
Ram, please make sure to help arrange this.”
After thinking for a moment, Gao Yang said, “Toad can take you guys there first if your time here allows.
He’s ready to leave at any time.
Setting up a company involves a lot, and it needs time.
Even if you take a trip there, it wouldn’t really delay anything.”
After pondering for a long time, Jiang Yun spoke in a heavy tone, “Ram, Toad briefly mentioned your situation to me just now, and I’ve been thinking, if the Skull Gang is indeed as significant as you say, then it means a great deal.
When I report upstairs, I can mention yours and Toad’s names.
I believe your actions could be a great contribution, and with your relationship with the Skull Gang, you might even be able to leave your current status behind.
What do you think?”
Jiang Yun’s words made Gao Yang’s heart pound, palms sweat, and throat go dry.
If Li Jinfang’s biggest regret was that he felt he had let down his comrades, then Gao Yang’s biggest issue was that he had a home he couldn’t return to.
“Are you serious?
Can it be done?
Do you think it can be done?”
Jiang Yun shook his head sadly but still said earnestly, “To be honest, I don’t know if it can be done.
I just think that if the Skull Gang is truly important to Huaxia, given your relationship with them, the offenses you’ve committed would be nothing at all.”(To be continued.
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