...

Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern Mine Area, Night.

The generator roared, and the beams of the spotlight pierced the darkness of the tropical rainforest, casting twisted long shadows at the edge of the mine pit. In the simple command cabin of the mining area, Mexican mining representative Mendoza, the envoy of Warlord Kabanggu "General" Malik, and three Mexican security personnel in civilian clothes but carrying advanced communication equipment were holding an emergency meeting.

Not far outside the cabin, sporadic gunshots could be faintly heard, fluctuating in distance.

"The conflict at the northern mine passage entrance has started again." Malik exhaled a cloud of cigar smoke, dressed in poorly fitted camouflage with a huge gold ring on his finger, "Those Congo Liberation Front bastards, armed with American gear, are getting more and more rampant. Yesterday, they killed seven of our workers and damaged two excavators."

Mendoza spread out a map of the mining area in front of him, marked with red and blue pencils to indicate spheres of influence. "Where are the General's troops? Didn't he say he'd already deployed a battalion?"

"Battalion?" Malik sneered, "Five hundred men, half without shoes, less than thirty bullets per person. The 'Liberation Front' doesn't have many people, but they are well-equipped, with snipers and rocket launchers, and their tactics are unlike local bandits. Our people dare not show their heads."

A Mexican security officer, former Army Special Forces Captain Gals, pointed to a spot on the map: "The conflict is concentrated in this area, where there is an old exploration tunnel leading to the side of the main ore vein. We believe the opponent's goal is not to occupy the mining area, but to disrupt and harass, delaying our mining progress while testing our defense capability."

"American 'private military companies'?" Mendoza asked.

"Very likely." Gals nodded, "The tactical style is very similar. We've intercepted some scattered radio communications, using commercial encrypted channels, but a few of the interlocutors' accents... have a Southern United States twang."

Mendoza pondered. The situation was more tricky than he anticipated. Kabanggu General's troops had poor combat effectiveness; relying on them to protect the mining area was unrealistic. Deploy formal security forces from Mexico? Too large a scale could be seen as "military invasion." A small elite force? It's just a drop in the bucket against such persistent harassment.

"We need to change tactics." Mendoza said, "We can't just be on the defensive. Mr. Malik, the General has been operating here for many years; he surely has other 'partners' or... competitors who are also unhappy with the 'Liberation Front,' correct?"

Malik squinted: "What do you mean?"

"Provide a batch of equipment—light weapons, ammunition, communication gear. Not directly to the General's troops, but to those local armed groups that have territorial conflicts with the 'Liberation Front.' Encourage them to fight over territory with the 'Liberation Front,' preferably moving the battle outside the mining area." Mendoza's voice was calm, "We can provide intelligence support, such as the 'Liberation Front's' supply convoy routes. Let them fight amongst themselves. The General's troops only need to guard the core mining area." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Malik's eyes lit up. This move is ruthless, weakening opponents without sacrificing one's own people, while making other warlords indebted. "The price of equipment...?"

"Preferential prices, can be mortgaged with future mineral earnings." Mendoza smiled, "But there's one condition: any group receiving our equipment must sign an agreement promising not to conduct any transactions or cooperation with 'externally supported armed forces' within twenty kilometers of the mining area. We will monitor via satellite and drones."

This is about setting boundaries and establishing rules. Malik pondered; this effectively acknowledges the General's "arbitration rights" over security affairs in the vicinity of the entire mining area.

"I need to consult the General." Malik finally said.

"Of course. But please hurry. Every day of delay increases the mining area's losses." Mendoza signaled to Gals, "Captain, take Mr. Malik to see the batch of 'samples' we just received—fifty new assault rifles, ten rocket launchers, and matching aiming equipment. Let him have a direct feel of our 'support strength.'"

Outside the cabin, the gunshots grew closer. In the depths of the rainforest, the unseen war continued. The struggle for resources extended from the map in the conference room to the muddy battlefield and the complex tribal relationships.

...

United States, Virginia, Langley, Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters.

The "Wind Roll Grass" plan's special coordination room was filled with smoke. Malcolm Turner stared at the latest satellite image of the Democratic Republic of Congo mining area on the big screen, which showed several new engagement points appearing around the perimeter of the mining area.

"The Mexicans reacted quickly." The head of Africa Desk of the Operations Branch pointed at the image, "They are arming Kabanggu's competitors, stirring the waters. Our 'Green Rock' team (referring to private military company personnel) reported encountering resistance that has become more organized, with new armed groups likely equipped with Mexican source equipment."

"As expected." Turner was not surprised, "Reyes' people are not fools. We've tied down Europe in the Balkans, pressured Norway in the North Sea, and created trouble for them in Africa, aiming to exhaust and probe. The key is not the gains or losses in specific places but to continuously raise their expansion costs, making them aware of the price of creating enemies everywhere."

He pulled up another report: "What about in England? That 'conference'."

"Our 'Democratic Promotion Foundation' has provided them a second batch of funds and legal advisory support through multiple transfers." The official responsible for European affairs reported, "Sarah Kent is very cautious, but her organization needs money. Our people are guiding them to focus the struggle on specific local election processes, which will give London's 'Preparatory Committee' a real headache. Splitting England's local and central relations fits our long-term goal."