Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1309 An Invitation from Bakda

The day after Afanti left, just as Song Heping had predicted, the encrypted satellite phone rang.

This time, the caller wasn't Lieutenant General Miller, but a voice that was both familiar and unfamiliar to Song Heping—Simon, the CIA Director.

"Song, it's been a long time."

Simon's voice sounded relaxed, even with a hint of familiarity like that of an old friend. "I heard you're doing well in Baige. Congratulations."

"Director Simon called personally, surely it wasn't just to congratulate me?" Song Heping asked directly.

A deep laugh came from the other end of the phone: "You're still as direct as ever. Okay, let's get down to business—the Pentagon and the State Department had a meeting that lasted three whole days. In the end, they came to me and asked for my opinion."

Song Heping did not respond, but waited quietly.

My advice is simple—accept reality.

Simon's tone turned serious: "That idiot Kurt messed everything up. Now the Pentagon faces a choice: continue to treat you as an enemy and invest more resources in this quagmire of Northern Iligor; or... acknowledge that you have become a force to be reckoned with and try to cooperate."

"So you changed commanders?" Song Heping asked. "The top U.S. commander in Iraq should have been replaced by someone else, right?"

"keen."

Simon praised, "Major General Duke, former Chief of Operations of Central Command, has extensive combat experience. Unlike a fool like Kurt who only knows how to act recklessly, Duke is... a smart man. He wants to see you and talk to you in person."

Song Heping remained silent for a few seconds.

He recognized the name Duke—during the Afghan era, this man had commanded several successful special operations and was known for his ability to integrate various forces and his shrewdness in scheming.

From this perspective, he is indeed much more difficult to deal with than Kurt, who has always worked in the Pentagon in a clerical position.

"Where shall we meet? Baiji?" Song Heping asked.

“Baghdad,” Simon said. “Green Zone, U.S. military command. General Duke wishes to receive you with formal diplomatic protocol as a sign of goodwill.”

This is an interesting suggestion.

Entering Baghdad's Green Zone, which is touted as the safest place in Iligo, is actually the area most tightly controlled by the US military. It takes considerable courage and trust.

But at the same time, this is also a gesture: the Americans' willingness to let him into their core territory is, to some extent, an acknowledgment of his status.

"When?" Song Heping asked.

"The sooner the better. General Duke said he's ready to go anytime."

"Okay, I'll set a time and then let you know."

After hanging up the phone, Song Heping thought for ten minutes, then picked up another phone and dialed Mosul's number.

"Samir, come to Baiji. There's a mission."

Two days later, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the "Musician" defense company logo painted on its fuselage landed on the dedicated helipad at Baghdad International Airport.

The cabin door opened, and Song Heping was the first to step off the plane.

He was still wearing a desert-colored combat uniform, without any rank insignia or badges, only a small company badge on his right arm.

Behind him were six fully armed bodyguards and Samir, whose expression was slightly tense.

A convoy of cars was already waiting at the airport.

To Song Heping's surprise, Simon actually came in person.

“Song, welcome to Baghdad.” Simon stepped forward and shook hands with Song.

"I am flattered that you personally greeted me," Song Heping said with a smile.

“We always treat important partners with the highest courtesy,” Simon said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Samir. “Is this Samir?”

“That’s right, it’s him,” Song Heping introduced. “My important partner.”

Simon shook hands with Samir warmly: "I've heard so much about you, Commander Samir. Thank you for your fighting against the 1515 militia in the border region; it has saved us a lot of trouble."

Samir simply nodded without saying a word.

He was clearly still very wary of Americans.

The convoy drove out of the airport and entered Baghdad's Green Zone via a dedicated lane.

High walls, barbed wire, checkpoints, armored vehicles...

This "city within a city," located in the heart of Baghdad and covering an area of ​​about ten square kilometers, remains under heavy wartime alert.

The convoy eventually stopped in front of an inconspicuous four-story building.

There was no sign, but Song Heping knew that this was the location of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command in Iraq.

Before entering the conference room, Simon said to Samir, "Samir, General Duke and Mr. Song have some important matters to discuss, which may take some time. Shall I have someone take you to the lounge first? Or... if you're interested, I can arrange for someone to show you around the Green Zone."

Samir looked at Song Heping. Song Heping nodded: "Go ahead, Samir. We have other plans later."

Samir then left with an officer.

The conference room door opened, and a figure stood up from the end of the long table.

Major General Duke looked to be in his early fifties, about 1.8 meters tall, and in good shape, without the bulkiness often seen in many middle-aged officers.

He was dressed in a crisp, well-pressed army uniform, his chest adorned with medals, but what was most striking were his eyes—gray-blue, calm and deep, as if they could see right through people.

“Mr. Song, I am Joseph Duke.”

He stepped forward and extended his hand, saying, "It's an honor to finally meet you. I've heard so much about your deeds in Northern Ilig."

“General Duke.” Song Heping shook hands with him, feeling the other’s strong and dry palm. “I have long admired your name. The anti-Taliban campaign in Kandahar, Afghanistan, was a textbook example of special operations.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Duke's eyes, which quickly turned into a genuine smile: "I didn't expect you to remember that small-scale operation. Please have a seat."

The three took their seats. There was no one else in the meeting room except Song Heping, Duke, and Simon, who acted as the middleman.

“I know you like things to be direct, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

Duke placed his hands on the table, leaning slightly forward. "Colonel Kurt's mistake complicated the situation and caused many unnecessary misunderstandings between us. My first task upon taking office is to correct these mistakes."

Song Heping listened quietly.

"First, regarding Hurmatu."

Duke spoke slowly, each word clear and forceful: “Thunder Defense has proven they are incapable of holding that strategic location. Continuing to leave them there will only give 1515 an opportunity. Therefore… we have decided to transfer the defense of Hurmatu to you.”

This suggestion made Song Heping raise an eyebrow slightly.

He had considered many possibilities, but handing over Hurmatu directly was still unexpected.

"What are the conditions?" Song Heping asked directly.

“No conditions.” Duke shook his head. “Or rather, the only condition is that you hold it and prevent 1515 from getting involved. We will provide intelligence support and necessary air cover, but ground defense will be entirely your responsibility. From now on, you will lead the affairs in the northwest where 1515 is dealt with, and we will no longer directly interfere.”

Simon added, "This means that you will become the de facto head of security in northwestern Iligo. Consequently, you will bear the primary responsibility for stability in the region."

Song Heping's mind raced.

This is not a gift; it is a carefully packaged transfer of responsibility.

The Americans have thrown him a hot potato, while also transferring defense and public opinion pressures along with it.

If he takes over Hurmatu, it means he will have to deploy a large number of troops to defend it and bear the political consequences if it falls.

But on the other hand, this is exactly what he needs.

By controlling Hurmatu, along with the existing Tuz and Fehat, he could form a complete arc-shaped encirclement to the north and west of Titrick, completely locking Ahmed's forces in the Titrick-Ozam area.

This seems like a good deal.

"I need to think about it."

Song Heping did not agree immediately, leaving himself some room for maneuver.

“Of course,” Duke nodded. “You can discuss it with your team. But I believe that with your vision, you can see the strategic value in this.”

The talks lasted for an hour.

Duke displayed a style quite different from Kurt's—humble, rational, willing to listen, and even quite flexible on certain issues.

But Song Heping could sense that beneath this gentle exterior lay a heart even calmer and more calculating than Kurt's.

This person is more difficult to deal with, but also more worth cooperating with—if their interests align.

After the talks, Simon escorted Song Heping out of the headquarters building.

"What do you think of Duke?" Simon asked seemingly casually.

“A smart man,” Song Heping said, “knows when to be tough and when to compromise.”

Simon smiled. "I enjoy dealing with intelligent people, even though sometimes they're too intelligent and it can be unsettling. By the way, you didn't leave Samir in Baghdad just to broaden his horizons, did you?"

Song Heping glanced at Simon and didn't hide anything: "I'm taking him to see Yusuf."

Simon paused, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "Deputy Speaker of Parliament Yusuf... I should have known. He and Samir are cousins, right?"

“Distant cousins,” Song Heping corrected, “but the blood relation is there.”

"You want Samir to enter politics?" Simon bluntly stated, "To give the 'Liberation Forces' official status through Yusuf's connections?"

Song Heping did not deny it: "Samir controls more than 400 kilometers of border and has nearly 8,000 armed men under his command. They need legal status and a stable source of funding."

Simon pondered for a moment: "Yusuf is a big shot now. He started as the head of the supplies department and rose to the position of deputy speaker in just a few years... Some say he has a mysterious force supporting him. I guess that person is you?"

"We are old friends."

Song Heping readily admitted it.

Previously, he had kept his relationship with Yusuf a secret, but now there was no need to do so with Simon.

The intelligence chief had sensed some clues.

Besides, he had leverage over the other man.

I doubt he would dare to act recklessly.

"It's just helping each other out," Song Heping added, his words carrying a deeper implication: "like you and me."

Simon gave him a meaningful look and didn't press further: "Do you need me to arrange a car to take you there? Yusuf's residence is in the eastern part of the Green Zone, not far from here."

"No need, I'll arrange it myself."

“Well…” Simon held out his hand, “it’s time to say goodbye. I’m flying back home tomorrow.”

"So eager? Why not spend a few days here?" Song Heping joked, "and experience the local culture?"

Simon looked around: "I've had enough of this place."

He gave a cold smile.

"Besides, there's nothing to miss about this place. I've finished playing the peacemaker role, so it's better to go back to America."

"Then I wish you a safe journey." Song Heping did not try to stop him.

As the CIA director, Simon had a lot on his plate.

　Third update!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)