667: Chapter Six Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Everyone is Happy 667: Chapter Six Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Everyone is Happy Jihad wasn’t lying; he truly had no particular thoughts about keeping Gao Yang behind.
Although he didn’t believe Gao Yang’s claims at all, Jihad still didn’t report the presence of Gao Yang and his group to his superiors.
In fact, even if Jihad had reported the situation, it wouldn’t have made much of a difference.
Syria was such a chaotic mess that no one cared about their origins, especially since Gao Yang and his men had helped the government forces to achieve an unexpected, outstanding victory that nobody from top to bottom had anticipated.
The situation in Syria was already a complete shambles, with the government forces in constant retreat and both the Defense Minister and Deputy Defense Minister killed in bombings.
Everyone was simply too relieved by this major victory to care about the specific details of Gao Yang and his group’s involvement.
After the battle was fought, everyone who had survived the encirclement by the Rebel Army and had managed to hold on until reinforcements arrived had earned their merit.
Lieutenant Faisal, who had led the team and suffered an ambush, not only was blameless but also had significant accomplishments.
He just had to wait to be promoted, at the very least from lieutenant to captain, and given the desperate need for heroes in Syria, it wasn’t impossible for him to be set as an example and be directly promoted to major.
As for Lieutenant Farouk, his situation was similar; earning a promotion was certain, and as for the non-commissioned officers and soldiers, receiving a Medal was without doubt.
Everyone’s future looked exceedingly bright.
As for Jihad, he was the one who gained the most.
Already a lieutenant colonel, with this significant achievement, getting a Medal and a promotion to colonel was no issue.
Although it was unlikely he’d be promoted too quickly, he was realistically within reach of generalship.
First, he’d rise to colonel, take charge of an army rather than be second in command, and with a bit of time—possibly even less than a year—he could easily be a brigadier general.
There was another person who had greatly benefited from association with Gao Yang, and that was the deputy commander of the Armored Battalion that had accompanied Jihad.
When Jihad led his troops to the reinforcement, he brought not only his direct subordinates but also commandeered all the tanks and artillery from an Armored Battalion stationed in Atareb.
Aleppo was encircled by the Rebel Army, and with the battle intensifying, the defense of Atareb to the west of Aleppo originally had an infantry brigade and an armored regiment.
To support the government forces in Aleppo, an infantry brigade had been reduced to just one infantry regiment, with even an additional reinforced company drawn to support Aleppo—this was precisely the convoy commanded and ambushed under Faisal’s leadership.
The armored regiment was now left with only half a battalion to defend Atareb.
For this rescue mission, the Armored Battalion in Atareb had dispatched four T-72 tanks and six BMP-3 armored vehicles, which was all they had left.
The outcome, however, was beneficial for everyone involved: Jihad would be promoted, and so would the deputy commander of the battalion, of course.
Atareb might be a small city, and although its geographic location was crucial, with both the government forces and Rebel Army focusing their efforts on Aleppo, it had inadvertently achieved a significant victory.
They had annihilated a large unit rushing to help from Aleppo, and at the cost of a hundred casualties, they had killed or captured over a thousand rebels.
Compared to the sporadic engagements across the country, the battle near Atareb was an exceedingly rare large-scale engagement and a total victory that couldn’t help but draw attention.
One mustn’t forget one’s benefactors, and these men of the government forces were no fools; everyone understood the source of this great achievement.
Without Gao Yang and his group mistakenly participating in combat, what was a great victory would have been a great defeat.
It was certain that an aid force of over a hundred and sixty men would have been annihilated.
Moreover, not only did Gao Yang and his men kill many from the Rebel Army, but Bruce, despite being gravely injured, still managed to save three seriously wounded soldiers.
For soldiers, having someone save a comrade on the battlefield is a great debt of gratitude, whether they know the person being saved or not, they will remember the kindness.
Although Gao Yang and his companions were of unclear origin, no one cared anymore, especially since Jihad had become the highest commander stationed in Atareb.
As long as he gave the nod, who would bother to make things difficult for Gao Yang and company.
Even if Jihad helped Gao Yang and his group with all his might, it wouldn’t be a problem.
At this time, why would Jihad unnecessarily trouble Gao Yang and his people?
The Rebel Army was unlucky—what was supposed to be an easy ambush turned into a total annihilation.
But Gao Yang and his group were even more unfortunate, being involuntarily dragged into a battle that had nothing to do with them, with three lightly wounded and one severely injured, while the government forces reaped many benefits.
What did that have to do with them now?
However, to say that they gained nothing from the ordeal would not be entirely true.
At the very least, Gao Yang and his people had earned the friendship and respect of all the officers and soldiers stationed in Atareb.
After clearing the battlefield, Gao Yang and Raja took a car with Jihad to Atareb and then received treatment befitting heroes.
As for their origins, Jihad didn’t ask even one additional question.
Bruce had already been arranged for surgery, including Eileen and the others.
Unless it was a severe injury requiring immediate treatment, all lightly wounded were placed at the back of the line, prioritizing Eileen and her group for treatment.
Those who were injured received treatment, and those who were not got to eat.
Everyone was hungry after the battle, and Jihad personally ordered that they bring out their best supplies to treat Gao Yang and his group.
Some people worship pop stars, others film stars, but for soldiers, who else to worship but the Gun God?
Once the tale of Gao Yang and his group’s exploits spread amongst the soldiers returning to Atareb, it was over—Gao Yang couldn’t even enjoy a peaceful meal.
Gao Yang and his group were eating in the military camp’s officers’ mess in Atareb.
Ordinary soldiers were one thing—they just peeked through the doors of the mess to catch a glimpse of what the Gun God looked like.
But the officers with privileges definitely couldn’t miss the opportunity to present themselves before Gao Yang to size him up and exchange a few words.
Jihad had no thoughts of keeping secrets; there were too many witnesses to hide anything.
Besides, as Gao Yang and his team were eager to leave, even if they were praised to the skies, they couldn’t compete with him for credit.
For benefactors who were both grateful and harmless, naturally, he would treat them well.
But the ones who were the most grateful to Gao Yang and his people were undoubtedly Lieutenant Faisal and his group—for Jihad, Gao Yang’s interference might have been a significant contribution, yet for Faisal and the ones who were ambushed, it was a rescue of their very lives.
After Bruce’s operation finished and it was confirmed that he could be moved, as the sky began to darken, Gao Yang and his party left Atareb.
Instead of taking a helicopter which would have required Jihad to make a request and potentially lead to unnecessary trouble, Gao Yang chose to continue driving a civilian car, albeit accompanied by an ambulance as well.
Carrying the small gifts bestowed by Jihad and personally escorted by Lieutenant Faisal and Lieutenant Farouk, Gao Yang and his team smoothly reached the border line between Syria and Turkey.
(To be continued.
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