The Royal Bodyguards were originally planned to be deployed to Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet, but it was on hold, as it would be sent to Afghanistan only.

It was not a problem because mercenary companies offered to help.

When the American and British military companies joined, a company from afar in South Africa showed interest in participating in the war as well.

It was good news. It would be a burden to send the Royal Bodyguards, and if it was exposed, Kazakhstan would have to face an all-out war.

Of course, Kazakhstan had already crossed the line, but officially, it was only supporting the militias who were fighting for independence, not directly participating in it.

China was pressuring Kazakhstan, saying that it would take a special measure if it got involved in the independence struggle, but the Kazakh government maintained its stance that there was no problem for a democratic country giving humanitarian aid to a group of people through a private means.

Even so, it did not forget to reinforce its border to prepare for any unexpected military action from China.

The independent struggle in Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet temporarily came to a state of a lull.

It was because the militias' fatigue was high and troop supply and demand were not going smooth, so it was a temporary time to catch a breath.

Militias' activities were reduced, but the anti-Chinese struggle among the civilians was intensified.

Spontaneously formed student forces frequently burned Chinese stores and bothered Chinese people.

Such activities were a warning for the Chinese to leave their land.

Not only student forces but also religious people and other civilians began to be involved.

Religious people did not directly involve in the independence struggle but helped the fighters by providing medical treatment or hiding places for them.

As for civilians, they provided food and supplies to the militias out of their own pockets.

When the independence forces grew big with all kinds of help from civilians, the Chinese government could not keep its high-handed policy. If it did not, it would have to persecute and imprison all civilians, and inevitably, there would be a huge bloodbath.

This would isolate the Chinese government from global society.

It was in the position to allow the independence of Uyghurs and Tibetans in order to make a compromise with the global society.

Chian, which had to think about the worst, was caught in the middle of a dilemma.

Mercenaries from private military companies were continually being deployed to Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet. 1,000 mercenaries were already waiting at the main footholds for the D-day.

The Gurkha mercenaries were being trained in Afghanistan waiting to be deployed to Tibet.

There would be an operation soon in Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet. It was to capture a foothold city in each region to make them as outposts.

Only then could military supplies be supplied using sky or land routes.

Capturing foothold cities had a great meaning, which could be a watershed of the independence struggle.

The militias would have hope by securing stable bridgeheads, and the civilians would have an opportunity to live freely and autonomously away from the rule of the Chinese government.

Having experienced such sweet freedom, the civilians of both regions would stand up again against the communist government even if they were defeated this time.

As a matter of fact, it was taking over a foothold city that brought a chance to win independence or rebel forces historically.

That was why Youngho planned on taking over cities.

"Use all the firepower we've got and supply unmanned attack aircrafts, too."

"If the cities are captured, the Chinese military will attack with its full force… Then only the civilians will be harmed."

Cha In-soo was worried about the civilians of each region.

However, there was no way to evacuate them before the operation, or it would be exposed to the Chinese forces.

"Well, what can we do? We need to push it even if we have to sacrifice. The only way to shake China is to secure cities."

The Chinese military would not be able to perform a large-scale attack if cities were taken. It was because it could not launch missiles or shells to populated cities just to catch militias.

If it was not determined to fight against the global society, it would have to reduce its options.

There were already freelance war correspondents in Xinjiang Uyghur and Tibet.

They came in through the routes used by the nomadic people and were busily reporting the situation.

The Chinese government, which was pushing One Belt One Road project, would not be able to choose to be isolated in the world.

***

The operation to capture foothold cities was a huge success.

Most of the Chinese troops were deployed in valleys and rural areas where militias were active, there were only little forces left in cities where rear headquarters were located.

The Chinese military was caught off guard.

It took only three days to take over each foothold city using a full force and heavy firearms.

It was only possible because it was so unexpected.

The militias so far fought with small-scale terrorist attacks such as burning buildings and bombing, so the Chinese government did not see that they would try to take over a whole city.

It was an all-out attack before Chinese troops could arrive from other parts of the regions.

The Uyghur city captured was Kashgar, an oasis city, near the Kazakh border.

It was blocked by Tian Shan Mountains above and the Kunlun Mountains below. To its east was Taklamakan Desert and to its west was the Pamir Plateau.

It was a fortress from all sides.

Because of this geopolitical position, it was an area where people continuously suffered from outside forces historically.

Consequently, Uyghurs in this area were known for their fierce temperament.

Kashgar was called home to all Uyghurs as it was a sacred place for them. It was because there was Id Kah Mosque, the biggest mosque of Uyghurs.

On every Friday, Muslims all over Xinjiang Uyghur gathered at the courtyard of Id Kah Mosque.

Since such a place was taken over by the Uyghur militias and mercenaries, the Chinese government became anxious.

Since there were about five million Uyghurs living in Kashgar, it would definitely become a base for their independence struggle.

This meant that half of the Uyghurs would become the forces of the militia.

Ngari Prefecture, a western region of Tibet was also captured this time. It was located between the Kunlun Mountains and the Indian border.

It was not a city, but as it bordered India, it was not easy for the Chinese military to send large-scale troops.

If Tibet was said to be the roof of the world, Ngari Prefecture could be called the top of the roof with its high altitude.

With an average altitude of 4,500 meters, it was not a desirable place to travel even for many Tibetans, but the Gurkha mercenaries from Nepal had conquered the place.

It was not difficult as there were not a lot of Chinese troops in this region anyway.

This was a place where the ancient kingdom of Guge was, and it had Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar which were sacred places of pilgrimage for lamas and Hindus.

It only had a population of 100,000 people, but it had its significance. It was because it was even possible to get Indian government's help if the independence struggle was based on this place.

The mercenaries and militias of Uyghur and Tibet, who secured a foothold in each region, began preparing for a long-term war by establishing and strengthening defense positions.

The Chinese military would soon carry out large-scale attacks to retrieve the areas.

It was a must for China since more Uyghurs and Tibetans would gather and could permanently claim the areas as time went by.

That was not the only concern China had.

The two areas each adjoined the Kazakh border and the Indian border, which meant it was easy to transport supplies.

Soon, China's concern became a reality.

As prepared, the Kazakh military was sending conventional weapons from the Soviet time to the two areas through the two border areas.

From cannons to multiple rocket launchers and armored vehicles were being sent in sequence.

The militias, who had been fighting with personal weapons only, fought more vigorously as such weapons were given, and they now wanted to expand their area of activity to the east. It was to cut off the Chinese military's entry to the area to pin down the front line.

The Kazakh military, on the other side, fully supported their struggle by letting out all the weapons from the Soviet era that had been idle in the warehouse and by recruiting more militias.

The area of Kashgar captured this time was occupied by five million Uyghurs, so it was easy to reinforce necessary troops.

Further, Uyghurs from other regions came to Kashgar upon hearing the region was now under the control of the independence forces.

The migration line of Uyghurs, who were trying to reach Kashgar avoiding China's watch, was endless.

"Your Highness, we've used all of the Soviet weapons now. Can we send the latest style weapons?"

These days, Youngho had been staying in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, to do administrative work.

It was because the independence struggle in Uyghur and Tibet came to a turning point.

Youngho was discussing pending issues with Prime Minister Kasim in his office.

"Do you think the militias can handle new types of weapons?"

"I was thinking of providing them to the mercenaries. They'd be able to effectively utilize them."

If they were armed with the latest weapons, they could fight equally with the Chinese military with similar firepower.

Conventional Soviet weapons were suitable for the militias, whose training period was only a few weeks, but the mercenaries who received special training could handle any type of weapons.

"Then provide unlimited supplies. We can get aid from the U.S. anytime we want now."

The U.S. CIA, which was skeptical at first about the success of the independence struggle, became eager to have active involvement as the foothold area of independence was secured, not wanting to give all the credit to Kazakhstan.

This was a good chance to get as much U.S. military supplies as possible.

It was because the U.S. only supported funds, and all the work had been done by the Kazakh government and royal family so far.

Even the conventional weapons given to the militias belonged to the Kazakh government.

As the Soviet weapons were about to be exhausted, there was enough justification.

The U.S. would also know that a tremendous amount of weapons should be sent to protect the new foothold. It was even doubtful that the militias could hold out if China conducted a large-scale attack.

First, Youngho planned to provide weapons in Kazakhstan to the militias and receive newer ones from the U.S.

Thinking hard to get both funds and military supplies from the U.S., he picked up the phone to call Michael.