The expeditionary force began to dominate Southeast Asia by recruiting defeated soldiers

November 20, 1946, early morning, south of Tehran, at the headquarters of Longteng International Safety and Risk Assessment Company.

Xinlebang was awakened by the Persian hawking outside his window.

He lay motionless on the hard bed, staring at the water stains on the ceiling that had spread due to the dampness.

The residence was a rented traditional Persian house with thick walls and narrow windows. Morning light streamed through the stained glass windows, casting patches of red, blue, and green on the floor.

On the bedside table, the Phoenix brand transistor radio, made in Southeast Asia, was crackling.

"...Now we are broadcasting the medal awarding ceremony to you." The female announcer's voice was very passionate.

"The guard of honor of the three services has been lined up in Jianguo Square."

In the first row of the viewing area, we can see the old heroes from the Anmin Army era.

Hao Yi, current commander of the First Army Group; Tan Zhijie, current chief of the General Staff of the National Defense Force; Zhang Guangjun, commander-in-chief of the Navy; Kang Huolian, director of the General Logistics Department…

Xin Lebang closed his eyes.

He could imagine the scene without even seeing it.

November in Yangon shouldn't be too hot, and the square must be packed with people.

The military band played "The March of the South Seas," and those dressed in brand-new military uniforms walked one by one onto the platform.

President Zhang Chi will personally award them medals, shake hands, and take photos with them.

If my brother hadn't been hurt...

The thought flashed through his mind, like a prick of a needle.

The sound from the radio continued:

"...In addition to the military system, this award ceremony also covers talents who have returned to the country to contribute to its development."

Dr. Chen Zhiyuan was awarded the National Outstanding Contribution Medal and the Third-Class Gold Star Medal of Honor.

Mr. Albrecht Schmidt, a Han Chinese expert, was awarded the 'International Friendship Medal'...

Xin Lebang sat up and scratched his messy hair.

He walked to the window and pushed open the creaking wooden door.

The morning air in Tehran is crisp and cool, carrying the aroma of baked naan.

Across the street, a Persian woman wearing a headscarf was busy in front of a clay oven, the rhythmic slapping of dough against the oven walls.

He recalled the mountains and forests north of Bago a few years ago.

At that time, he was a naive 25-year-old. His family ran a small grocery store. When the Japanese came, they burned down the store and killed his parents.

He fled into the mountains with his twelve-year-old brother, where they ran into the remnants of the Grand Commander's expeditionary force, which numbered only a few thousand.

"Do you know how to shoot?" the then-young president asked him.

"I've hunted," he answered honestly.

"Then stay."

With just two simple sentences, his life trajectory was completely changed.

From the remnants of the expeditionary force to the Anmin Army, and then to the Nanyang National Defense Army.

He joined the army with his younger brother, rising from squad leader to regimental commander. During the counterattack on Malaya in 44, his regiment was the first to storm the Japanese headquarters in Penang.

The military achievements are real.

Unfortunately, his younger brother, Xin Lemin, got involved in a case of reselling military medicines.

With conclusive evidence, he was sentenced to five years.

Although he was not involved as the elder brother, he bears responsibility for dereliction of duty in supervision.

Following an internal investigation, he was transferred from combat units, left idle for six months, and ultimately chose to retire.

Voluntary retirement.

That's what it says on the document.

But he knew that it was just to save face for each other.

A combat officer whose younger brother is in prison can no longer be promoted.

But I just can't swallow this anger.

Cheers came from the radio; the awarding ceremony must have reached its climax.

The announcer raised his voice: "...Now, the President is awarding the rank of 'Honorary Major General' to six foreign meritorious individuals."

They came from countries such as the White Eagle and the Netherlands, and provided irreplaceable support to our country during the war.

According to the newly promulgated "Law on the Protection of the Treatment of Foreign Meritorious Personnel," they will enjoy the same lifetime pension, medical and housing benefits as officers of the same rank…

Xin Lebang twitched the corner of his mouth.

Even white people were given the rank of general.

The president's move was brilliant.

But what about him?

He turned off the radio.

The room suddenly fell silent, with only the faint sounds of the street noise drifting in.

On the table was his work ID: "Xin Lebang, Senior Security Consultant, Longteng International Security and Risk Assessment Company".

Next to it is a gun permit issued by the Persian Ministry of the Interior, and a payslip showing that last month's actual pay was 8750 Nanyang dollars, which is about 1750 US dollars.

This salary would be astronomical in China, and even more so in Persia, it represents the treatment of a top-tier foreign expert.

But he would rather trade all of that for that IDF colonel's uniform.

He should have been among those promoted to major general today.

A knock came at the door.

"Advisor Xin, we have guests." It was the assistant at the residence, his voice coming through the door.

Xin Lebang rubbed his face and quickly changed into the dark gray uniform of Longteng Company.

The man in the mirror was thirty-three years old and in good shape, but there were fine lines around his eyes and a few gray hairs at his temples.

He buttoned up the last button, adjusted his expression, and made sure not to let his emotions affect his work; this is basic professional conduct.

The door opened, and a man stood behind the assistant.

First impression: average.

The man was Chinese, of medium height and on the thin side, wearing a common khaki jacket and trousers, and carrying an old leather suitcase.

It's hard to guess her age, but she's probably between thirty and forty.

Her facial features are completely unremarkable; she's the kind of person who would disappear instantly if you threw her into a bustling downtown area of ​​Yangon.

"Advisor Xin, this is Yuan Pan, the newly dispatched intelligence and technical support advisor from within the country," the assistant introduced. "The company has arranged for him to stay in the room next to yours to assist with intelligence support for this royal guard mission."

Yuan Pan extended his hand: "Hello."

When shaking hands, Xin Lebang noticed that the other person had calluses on his palms, but they were not gun calluses; they looked more like marks from long-term use of tools.

Long, slender fingers; dry and stable.

His gaze... was too calm, lacking the curiosity or unease of someone newly arrived in a foreign land, merely observing, as if scanning his surroundings.

"Welcome." Xin Lebang released his hand. "Was the journey smooth?"

"Smoothly." Yuan Pan's reply was brief. He picked up his suitcase. "I'll settle in first. Please let me know if there are any mission briefings."

After saying that, he nodded and walked straight to the next room.

Open the door, go inside, close the door.

The whole process was quiet and efficient.

Xin Lebang frowned.

There's an indescribable... detachment about this person.

Unlike ordinary technicians, he's more like...

What does it resemble?

He couldn't figure it out.

The assistant whispered, "The company documents say that Consultant Yuan is a retired technical major from the Communications Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense, and he participated in the development of encryption systems. He is rather introverted, so please be understanding."

"Technical Major?" Xin Lebang raised an eyebrow.

He knew several people in the Ministry of National Defense Communications Bureau, but none of them had this kind of temperament.

"That's what the document says," the assistant said, shrugging.

Xin Lebang didn't ask any more questions.

Although Longteng Company is a privately registered company, it is obvious to anyone with eyes to see its relationship with the military and intelligence systems in Southeast Asia.

It's not surprising that the person sent has a special background.

---

At nine o'clock in the morning, there was a second knock on the door.

This time, it was a royal court attendant, dressed in traditional attire, speaking respectfully: "Advisor Xin, His Majesty requests your immediate presence in the palace."

Xin Lebang grabbed his coat: "What is it?"

"His Majesty has not said," the attendant said, bowing his head. "But please do so as soon as possible."

Twenty minutes later, Sin Lebang was sitting in King Pahlavi's study.

The room was small, decorated in a blend of Persian tradition and modern style.

The carpet was an exquisite Isfahan handmade rug, but the desk was made of European oak, and on the wall hung a portrait of the king in military uniform, as well as a map of the entire Persian territory marked with various symbols in red and blue pencils.

King Pahlavi looked very tired.

He was dressed casually, without a crown, and had noticeable eye bags.

This young monarch, only twenty-seven years old, had been on the throne for just six years, yet he already displayed a seriousness beyond his years.

“Advisor Xin,” the King began, speaking in a slightly accented Onsaean, “first of all, thank you for your company’s work during this period. I am very satisfied with the progress of the King’s Guard’s training.”

“It is our duty, Your Majesty,” Sin Lebang replied in Onsa, sitting upright.

“But there are two things I need to communicate urgently.” The King stood up and walked to the map. “First, your country’s promised tank aid, the second batch of 50 Sherman medium tanks, was originally scheduled to arrive at Bandar Abbas this month.”

But it's already the 20th, and my people still haven't received a definite arrival time.

His finger tapped on the map: "The Russians are increasing the scale of their exercises on the northern border, and last week their reconnaissance planes crossed the border three times."

My troops need these tanks; they need to show those tribal chiefs, and to the north, that Persia has a modern defense force.

Xin Lebang nodded: "I will contact the relevant authorities immediately to expedite the transportation process."

The tanks planned to be sent to Persia were naturally all second-hand retired equipment from the National Army. Xin Lebang guessed that there was a delay in some part of the process, and he just needed to urge them.

“I know,” the king interrupted him, his tone softening. “So all I’m asking for is a clear timetable. Even if it’s next month, just give me a date.”

"Understood, I'll take care of it today."

“The second thing,” the King turned to look at Sin Lebang, “is that my sister Ashraf will be going north early next month to inspect the dam project in Mazandran province and several newly built fishing ports on the Caspian coast.”

This is an important itinerary showcasing the royal family's focus on national development.

He paused for a moment:

"But the security situation in the north... you know it too. The influence of the Russian bear, the instability of local tribes, and those opposition groups. The loyalty of the royal guard is not a problem, but their professional competence, especially their experience in dealing with complex threats, is insufficient."

Xin Lebang immediately understood: "His Majesty wishes to have Longteng Company provide security support?"

“Yes.” The king walked back to his desk and took out a document. “This is the preliminary itinerary. I need you to provide a full security plan; the budget is not a problem.”

Xin Lebang took the document and quickly browsed through it.

The trip lasted seven days, passing through three cities, and finally arriving at the port of Barbole on the Caspian Sea.

The route includes mountain roads, rural markets, and remote construction sites, which are indeed challenging for security.

“Your Majesty,” he looked up, “Dragon Company is employed by you, and it is our duty to protect the royal family. We will immediately develop a detailed plan and deploy the best equipment and personnel.”

"Let me think... bulletproof vehicles, armored escort vehicles, and at least twenty professionally armed personnel, is that alright?"

A slight smile finally appeared on the King's face: "Thank you. Ashraf is my most important sister, and I cannot afford to neglect her safety."

“Your Majesty, please rest assured.” Xin Lebang stood up. “I guarantee with a soldier’s honor that Her Highness will not lose a single hair.”