Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1311 The Game on the Chessboard
It was past 10 p.m. when we returned to the hotel in the Green Zone from Yusuf's villa.

The night sky in Baghdad was unusually clear, dotted with stars, but the barbed wire surrounding the Green Zone and the occasional armored vehicles and fully armed soldiers flashing by on street corners served as a constant reminder that peace was far from being restored here.

Samir stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of his hotel room, gazing at the city shrouded in darkness beyond the Green Zone, his brow furrowed.

His daytime meeting with Duke and his evening conversation with Youssef made him feel as if he were shuttling between two completely different worlds.

"Still thinking about tonight?"

Song Heping's voice came from behind.

He had changed into casual clothes and was holding two cups of tea.

Samir turned around and took the teacup: "Boss, although Yusuf is my cousin, do you really think he can be trusted? I mean... he's too slippery."

“Being cunning isn’t a bad thing; the important thing is how he uses his cunning.”

Song Heping sat down on the sofa, took a sip of tea, and said, “Moreover, we don’t need him to be completely reliable; we just need his interests to be highly aligned with ours at this stage.”

“What about the Americans?” Samir sat down opposite. “Duke seemed very polite, but I could sense that he was wary of us deep down.”

Song Heping smiled and said, "Being wary is normal. If we were in his position, we would also be wary of an uncontrolled force. The key is to make him believe that supporting us is more in America's interest than opposing us."

"So you're going to see him again tomorrow?"

“Yes.” Song Heping nodded and said, “It would be almost impossible for the ‘Liberation Forces’ to be formally incorporated into the Iligo government’s army without the support of the Americans. Those old foxes in Congress, the Kold’s, the tribal elders, and the bureaucrats in the Department of Defense… everyone has their own agenda. Without a clear statement from Washington, it would be too difficult for Yusuf to maneuver in Congress alone.”

Samir paused for a moment, then slowly said, "I understand. It's like a group of people sharing a cake, and suddenly a stranger wants to join the table. The original diners certainly won't be happy. Especially the Kold'd, who have always wanted to have more say in the government."

“It’s not just the Kold’s people,” Song Heping added. “Some Sunni politicians have tribal militias behind them, and you’re a Shia, so they don’t want to see another powerful Shia-backed armed force become formalized. There are also those generals in the Ministry of Defense; the more troops they have, the more people they have to share the budget and equipment.”

"So we need the Americans to put pressure on us." Samir finally understood: "As long as the US military expresses its support, those opposing voices will at least not dare to speak openly."

"It's not just about applying pressure, it's about making deals."

Song Heping put down his teacup and looked into the distance: "The Americans are all about interests; they won't help you for no reason. We must give them a convincing reason to believe that supporting the formalization of the 'Liberation Forces' is in their strategic interest in Iligo."

"What reason?"

Instead of answering directly, Song Heping asked in return, "Why do you think Duke was willing to hand over Hurmatur to us?"

Samir thought for a moment: "Because the Thunder's defense couldn't hold?"

"That's just the surface reason."

Song Heping shook his head. "The deeper reason is that the Americans don't want to, or rather, can't, invest more resources in northwestern Iligo. Withdrawing troops from Iligo is a political promise of President Obama. If they were to return with a large-scale troop increase now, it would be a slap in the face to the president and would also give the Elephant Party a pretext for attack. But the threat of 1515 is very real, so they need to find a 'proxy' that can both contain 1515 and avoid direct US military intervention."

"So we are this 'agent'?"

"To be precise, they are among the candidates," Song Heping corrected. "The Kurds are also candidates, as are the Iligor government forces. But the Kurds have their own political demands and won't completely listen to Washington, besides, their abilities are mediocre; the Iligor government forces..."

At this point, he shook his head and laughed: "You saw how they performed in Ozam."

Samir said thoughtfully, "So Americans really don't have a choice."

"There are options, but none of them are ideal."

Song Heping stood up, walked to the edge of the balcony, and reached out to grab the railing, as if he were trying to grasp some kind of authority.

"What we need to do is convince Duke and those generals at the Pentagon that choosing us is the least bad option. Tomorrow, I will give them a reason they can't refuse."

At seven o'clock the next morning, Song Heping and Samir arrived at the U.S. military headquarters again.

Unlike the previous day, this time Major General Duke did not wait for them in the conference room, but personally greeted them at the entrance of the office building.

“Mr. Song, Commander Samir, you must have something important to discuss coming so early.” Duke’s smile seemed impeccable, but his eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

"It's better to clarify some things sooner rather than later," Song Heping said calmly. "General, you shouldn't be busy today, right?"

"Making time for important partners is one of my jobs."

Duke made a "please" gesture, appearing very polite.

"Let's talk in my office; it's quieter there."

The three of them went to an office on the second floor.

The room wasn't large, but it was tastefully decorated.

Photos of Duke serving in different war zones hang on the wall, and the bookshelves are filled with books on military theory and international relations.

The most striking feature was the huge map of Iligo on the wall behind the desk, marked with different colored pins and lines to indicate the areas controlled by various factions.

"Sit down." Duke gestured for the two to sit on the sofa, then pulled up a chair and sat opposite them. "What would you like to drink? Coffee? Tea?"

"Tea is fine, thank you," Song Heping said.

Duke pressed the intercom on the table: "Three cups of black tea, please."

During the brief wait for the tea, neither of them spoke first.

The atmosphere in the office was subtle and tense.

Samir could sense that although Duke was still polite on the surface, the politician's enthusiasm from their previous meeting had faded, replaced by the calm and vigilance typical of a soldier.

After the tea was served, Duke personally placed it in front of the two men, and then got straight to the point: "Mr. Song said yesterday that he needed time to consider the matter of Hurmatu, and he came over early this morning, so I suppose he has already made a decision?"

“I can take over the defense of Hurmatu.” Song Heping picked up his teacup, but didn’t drink from it; he just swirled it gently. “But I have one condition.”

Duke raised an eyebrow slightly: "Please speak."

"I want the Iligo government to formally incorporate the 'Liberation Forces' into the National Defense Forces, granting them regular status and military pay." Song Heping's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and forceful.

"At the same time, Samir was awarded the rank of Major General and put in charge of the defense of the northwestern border region."

The air in the office seemed to freeze.

Duke's smile slowly faded, and his hand holding the teacup froze in mid-air.

He didn't expect Song Heping to drop a bombshell on him right away.

Leaning back in his chair, his grey-blue eyes were fixed on Song Heping, as if assessing the true intention and weight of his words.

After a full ten seconds, he slowly spoke: "Mr. Song, you... have quite an appetite."

“It’s not that we have a big appetite, it’s a practical necessity.” Song Heping met his gaze and said without backing down, “The ‘Liberation Forces’ currently controls nearly 400 kilometers of border, which is a key barrier to prevent 1515 from receiving reinforcements and supplies from Syria. But they are a militia, without official status, without stable supplies, and without compensation and protection. Can you expect such a force to hold out for long?”

Duke did not answer immediately, but instead picked up his teacup and took a sip, using the opportunity to think.

After putting down his cup, he said, "This matter is very complicated. Incorporating nearly 10,000 troops into the National Defense Force means tens of millions of dollars in military pay and equipment expenses every year. The Iligo Parliament is currently facing financial difficulties and I'm afraid it will not pass such a plan."

“If the US military supports it, it will be much easier for Congress to pass the bill,” Song Heping said directly. “General, we are all well aware of the US’s influence on the Iligo government. As long as you express your support, those politicians in Baghdad will at least seriously consider it.”

Duke laughed, but there was no warmth in his smile: "Mr. Song, you seem to be oversimplifying this matter. Even if the United States supports it, will the Kold'd agree? Will the Sunni politicians agree? Will the generals in the Department of Defense agree? Suddenly having an extra force to share the budget and power will affect the interests of too many people."

"So we need to make a deal."

Song Heping leaned forward, his tone remaining calm.

“General, let’s be frank. You’re willing to hand over Hurmatu to me not because you trust me, nor because you think I’m reliable, but because it’s the option that best serves American interests right now—to maintain stability in northwestern Iriego at the lowest possible cost and contain 1515’s expansion.”

Duke's pupils contracted slightly, but he did not deny it.

Song Heping continued, “Thunder Defense suffered heavy losses in Operation Balance Beam, proving they are incapable of holding Hurmatu. If the US military wants to continue supporting them, how many resources will they need to invest? New equipment, new personnel, more air support… and even if they do, can they guarantee they can hold it? Hurmatu is too close to Titrick and too far from Baiji; it’s an isolated salient. Without my cooperation, it’s a piece of meat that could be swallowed up by 1515 at any time.”

"So you handed Hurmatu over to me, ostensibly for cooperation, but in reality to transfer the defense and financial burdens to me. And you, all you need to do is provide some intelligence and limited air support, and some funds that are far less than what you invest in military spending, and you can sit back and enjoy the benefits."

Song Heping paused for a moment, then asked, "Am I right?"

Duke's expression turned serious.

He realized he had seriously underestimated the Asian man in front of him.

Although he knew Song Heping was not easy to deal with before he came, and had even done a background check.

But when Song Heping confronted him face to face, he still felt that he had underestimated his opponent.

Song Heping not only saw through the surface-level deal, but also discerned the strategic calculations behind it all.

“If that’s the case,” Duke said slowly, “why did you still accept the offer?”

“Because Hurmatu also has strategic value to me,” Song Heping said frankly. “By controlling Hurmatu, along with Tuz and Fehat, I can form a complete arc-shaped encirclement to the north and west of Titrick, completely locking down Ahmed’s tribe. This is in my best interest.”

He then changed the subject: "But Hurmatu alone is not enough. To maintain long-term stability in the northwest, I need the 'Liberation Forces' to have official status. Otherwise, the morale of this force will never be stable. Can an unstable force be expected to hold the border for a long time?"

Duke listened in silence, his mind racing.

Song Heping's logic was impeccable, but he couldn't easily agree.

Once the "Liberation Forces" are formally incorporated and Samir is granted the rank of Major General, it will mean that Song Heping's influence has officially entered the Iligo military and political system.

In the long run, this could create a powerful adversary that is difficult to control.

“Mr. Song, your analysis is very convincing,” Duke said cautiously. “But this matter is too complex for me to decide on my own. I need to report to the Pentagon and get the opinions of the Department of Defense and the State Department.”

"I understand." Song Heping nodded and smiled. "But I hope that when you report, General, you can objectively analyze the pros and cons. Also, please pass on a few words to the decision-makers in Washington."

"Please say."

Song Heping held up one finger: "First, if the US military wants to completely change the situation in northwestern Iligo, there are ways—to redeploy troops on a large scale and return to Iligo. But the problem is that withdrawing troops from Iligo is a political promise made by the president. If we return now, it would be tantamount to admitting that the withdrawal was a mistake. The general should know better than me how great the domestic political cost would be."

The second finger is raised.

"Second, even disregarding political factors, how much military spending would it take to redeploy a large number of troops to Iligo? With the war in Afghanistan dragging on, would the men in Congress approve such a huge expenditure? Would the Elephant Party let go of this opportunity to attack President Obama?"

The third finger stood up.

"Third, even if Congress approves it, how long will the redeployment take? Three months? Half a year? What will 1515 be doing during that time? They may have already taken over the entire northwest and even threatened the area around Baghdad. If we try to clean up the mess then, the cost will be ten or a hundred times greater than it is now."

Song Heping lowered his hand and looked at Duke: "So the realistic choice is to find a reliable local force, provide limited support, and let them deal with 1515. And we are the most suitable choice. Supporting the formalization of the 'Liberation Forces' may seem like we are helping me, but in reality, we are helping yourselves—maintaining stability in northwestern Iligo at the lowest cost and curbing the spread of terrorism."

Silence fell over the office again.

The sunlight outside the window had risen higher, casting alternating stripes of light and dark on the floor through the blinds.

Duke took a deep breath, stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to the two of them.

He needed time to process Song Heping's words, and even more time to weigh the pros and cons.

A few minutes later, he turned around, his expression returning to calm:
“Mr. Song, I will relay your words to the Pentagon as they are. But I must remind you that the decision-making power on this matter rests with Washington, not with me. Moreover, even if the Pentagon agrees, it will need to coordinate with the State Department and the White House National Security Council, and the process could be lengthy.”

“I can wait,” Song Heping also stood up, “but I hope it won’t be too long. 1515 won’t give you much time.”

“I understand.” Duke walked over and shook hands with Song Heping. “I will let you know as soon as I have any news.”

"Thank you." Song Heping turned to Samir. "Let's go."

　First update! How many updates do you think today will be?!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)