Chapter 272: The White Elephant's Raid

The President nodded with satisfaction, "Do it this way. I want the Long Country to know that throwing their weight around in the backyard of the White Elephant Country comes with a price."

After the meeting ended, the President kept the senior officials of the Military and the intelligence department behind.

"Gentlemen, there is one more matter that requires special attention," he said in a lowered voice, "Di Guo has promised that if we can effectively block the Long Country's southern transport, they will provide us with the advanced weaponry and economic aid we desperately need. This is an excellent opportunity for us to surpass the Long Country; we must not miss it."

A greedy glint flashed in Vikram's eyes, "Rest assured, Mr. President, we will not let you down."

The northern border of the White Elephant Country, a secret camp deep in the dense forest.

Dozens of camouflage tents were hidden under the dense canopy, and nearly a hundred armed personnel were undergoing training.

Most of them were dressed in ordinary mountain folk attire, but their movements and standing postures clearly bore the traces of military training.

In the open space in the center of the camp, several White Elephant Country special forces officers were instructing these men on how to use demolition devices.

"Remember," a White Elephant officer wearing a beret waved his arm forcefully,

"The railway bridge is the key target. Once the bridge is blown up, it will take the Long Country at least two weeks to repair it. That amount of time is enough for us to raid the supplies they have stranded on the road."

"Sir," a guerrilla fighter raised his hand, "what if we encounter the Long Country's escort troops?"

The officer revealed a cruel smile, "Then let them see what we are capable of. Remember, leave no survivors; creating chaos and panic is our goal."

"Yes, sir!" the guerrilla fighters replied in unison, their eyes flashing with fanatical light.

The beret-wearing officer walked to the side and spoke in a low voice with his adjutant.

"Are these natives really reliable? They don't look like the material capable of carrying out a precise operation."

The adjutant smiled contemptuously, "They are just cannon fodder. As long as you give them enough money and incite their hatred for the Long Country, they will do anything. Besides, even if they fail, it won't implicate us."

"Smart," the officer nodded, "what are the instructions from headquarters?"

"The more chaotic, the better." The adjutant lowered his voice, "President Patel wants the Long Country to be overwhelmed; it would be best if they could mobilize a large number of troops to the border, so we can cry to the international community about the 'Long Country military threat'."

The officer revealed a cunning smile, "The wit and wisdom of the White Elephant Country truly live up to their reputation."

Three days later, near the southern border line of the Long Country.

A freight train fully loaded with industrial equipment and raw materials slowly traveled along the mountain railway.

These were urgently needed supplies imported by the Long Country from a friendly southern nation, including rubber, tin ore, and precision mechanical parts, which were being transported to inland military factories.

On both sides of the train were alternating cliffs and dense forests, and the railway wound like a steel giant python, coiling between the towering mountains.

Deep in the seemingly calm forest, a dozen armed militants dressed in mountain folk attire were making final checks on their demolition devices.

Their faces were smeared with camouflage, and their eyes were fierce and focused.

"The train will reach the target location in five minutes," the squad leader checked his watch, "everyone take your positions, remember the key points from your training."

These men quickly dispersed and hid in the concealed spots along the railway line. They gripped the automatic weapons provided by the White Elephant special forces tightly, and their backpacks were filled with explosives and ammunition.

In the distance, the sound of the train's whistle came from far to near.

The squad leader raised his binoculars and confirmed the train's formation—two steam locomotives, more than twenty freight cars, the carriages covered with tarpaulins, and two escort carriages located at the front and rear.

"The escort force is not strong," he whispered to the communicator, "it seems the Long Country people haven't realized the danger yet."

As the train entered the pre-set area, the squad leader pressed the detonator.

"Boom!" Amidst the deafening explosion, a section of the roadbed in front of the tracks was instantly blown away, and dust filled the air.

The train braked urgently, and the friction between metal and metal emitted a shrill screech. The first carriage derailed and overturned, the following carriages collided one after another, and the entire train squeezed together like a giant folding fan.

"Charge! Seize the supplies!" the squad leader shouted, and the militants rushed out from their hiding places, pouncing toward the train.

The Long Country soldiers in the escort carriages quickly organized a counterattack, and the sound of gunfire echoed through the valley. But the well-prepared attackers occupied the terrain advantage, and their firepower was fierce. The firefight lasted only ten minutes, and the outnumbered escort team was forced to retreat behind an overturned carriage to hold their ground.

The militants began to loot the cargo. They pried open the carriages and stuffed small precision instruments and precious metals they could carry into their backpacks, while the large equipment they could not take was wantonly destroyed.

"Don't forget the instructions," the squad leader reminded, "don't just focus on looting, set fire to all the carriages."

Several militants immediately took out incendiary bombs and threw them at the various carriages. The dry wooden carriages were instantly engulfed by tongues of fire, and thick smoke rose, forming a conspicuous black column in the valley.

"Mission accomplished, retreat!" the squad leader ordered, and the militants quickly disappeared into the dense jungle.

The Long Country soldiers on the train watched helplessly as the precious supplies were burned, but they were powerless to stop it. The train conductor, his face covered in blood, clenched his fists, "Damn White Elephant lackeys! This is the third attack this month!"

The Presidential Palace of the White Elephant Country, private reception room.

"How is the progress?" President Patel asked lazily, crossing his legs.

Chief of Staff Vikram was full of joy, "Far exceeding expectations, Mr. President. Over the past two weeks, we have successfully attacked seven Long Country freight trains and destroyed three bridges and two sections of highway. According to intelligence, production at the Long Country's southern military factories has been affected, and they are beginning to experience shortages of raw materials."

"Brilliant!" the President clapped his hands, "What is the Long Country's reaction?"

"They have sent reinforcements to the border and demanded that we strengthen border control to prevent 'terrorist' activities," Vikram sneered, "of course we expressed 'full cooperation', but in reality... well, you know."

Patel shook his wine glass triumphantly, "Let those Long Country fellows suffer a bit. Who do they think they are? Just a bunch of poor wretches who were starving yesterday. By what right do they dare to throw their weight around on the international stage now?"

He took a sip of the brandy in his glass, "Continue to increase the intensity. I want the Long Country's southern transport line completely paralyzed. Let those self-righteous Long Country people understand that the hegemon of Asia can only be the White Elephant Country!"

Vikram nodded and bowed, "As you command, Mr. President. However..." he hesitated, "there is a small problem that needs to be reported to you in advance."

"What problem?"

"The Long Country seems to be starting to get closer to the Little Pakistan Country," Vikram said cautiously, "our intelligence shows that the Little Pakistan Country has recently received a large amount of steel and weaponry from the Long Country."