Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1318 The Battle of Patience Behind the War
At five in the morning, before Washington had fully awakened, the offices in the Pentagon's E Wing were already brightly lit.

A military report marked "Top Secret/Urgent" was gently placed on Lieutenant General Miller's mahogany desk by his adjutant.

The brief title on the cover foreshadowed an ominous situation: "Hurmatu Defense Posture Assessment and Northwest Theater Crisis Warning".

The report came from frontline commander General Duke, and the time of the message was four hours earlier, but the situation described in it was deteriorating every minute.

At 6:00 AM sharp, the encrypted video conferencing system started on time.

Multiple screens lit up in turn, reflecting the solemn faces of representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, the State Council, and the National Security Commission.

General Duke's face appeared on the main screen, with the giant screen of the forward command post in the background.

"Ladies and gentlemen, time is not on our side."

Duke got straight to the point, pointing the red dot of the laser pointer to the Hurmatu area on the electronic map.

"Colonel Ross and his troops have held out for twenty-four hours, displaying great bravery. But the reality is that all three outer lines of defense have fallen, and sixty percent of the city has fallen into the hands of 1515. According to the latest intelligence and battlefield assessment—"

He paused, as if each word was being squeezed out with effort, "Hurmatu can hold out for at most twenty-four hours."

The map was zoomed in, and red arrows, like venomous snakes, gnawed at the blue circle representing the defending forces from three sides. Duke's tone turned somber:

“Once Hurmatu falls, 1515 will open up the passage between Ozam, Titrick and Hurmatu in the north, gaining unprecedented strategic initiative. They can move north to threaten the Kold's controlled areas, move west to cut off Mosul's supply lines, and may even establish a so-called ‘Northwest Province.’ At that time, the troops, resources and time we need to invest will be three to five times that of now.”

State Department representative Marian Cortes leaned forward, her sharp gaze behind her gold-rimmed glasses: "Where are Song Heping's troops? The previous briefing said his mercenary battalion had arrived in Area 4."

"They are indeed in area 4."

Duke switched the screen to a satellite thermal image, showing hundreds of tiny dots representing heat sources of life lying quietly in a hilly area.

"We've been lying in wait for forty-eight hours, fully positioned for attack. But—"

He emphasized, "Song Heping refuses to take action unless we meet all his conditions."

"All conditions?"

Williams, the civilian official in charge of Near Eastern affairs at the Department of Defense, almost jumped up.

"You mean that ridiculous list? Giving Samir the rank of Major General in the Iligo Defense Forces, reorganizing his ragtag army into the 10th Border Division and incorporating it into the regular army, and—de facto control of Hurmatu and its surrounding areas?"

He slammed his hand on the table. "This is blatant extortion! Who does he think he is? A mercenary leader from Dongda University, daring to negotiate with the United States of America!"

The meeting room fell into a brief commotion as several officials exchanged their opinions in hushed tones.

Lieutenant General Miller had been observing in silence until now, when he slowly raised his hand to signal for quiet.

“Mr. Williams,” Miller’s voice was eerily calm, “you just used the word ‘extortion.’ So let me ask you: if we refuse his ‘extortion,’ what alternative do you have to keep Hurmatu?”

Williams opened his mouth.

"I'll answer for you: No."

Miller pulled up another set of data.

"Our latest reinforcements are two battalions from the 101st Airborne Division, currently deployed in Kuwait. It will take at least 24 hours to move them. Once they are moved, it will be equivalent to returning to Iligo. Not only will the political risks be huge, but if there are significant casualties, it will be a disaster for all of us decision-makers here."

"Kold's 'Freedom Fighters' unit has already suffered heavy losses. They're lucky to hold even their small territory in Erbil; forcibly withdrawing them would weaken the entire front. And our own special forces—"

He surveyed the scene. “There are seventeen higher priority mission sites in Ilig and Afghanistan. The reality is that, at this moment, within a 200-kilometer radius of Hurmatu, the only armed forces capable and willing to intervene are Song Heping’s mercenary forces and the militia organization he controls.”

Cortes rubbed his temples, displeased, and said, “His conditions are extremely sensitive from a political perspective. Who is Samir? Three years ago, he was an anti-American militia leader who only managed to build a force with Song Heping’s funding and training. Now he wants us to recognize him as a major general and give him a regular division-level position? This will cause a political earthquake in Bakhda.”

“Samir is an agent; Song Heping is the actual controller.”

An intelligence representative interjected, "Our assessment is that Song Heping has invested over $80 million in northwestern Iligo, not only in military matters but also in aid to local tribes, infrastructure development, and even small hospitals. He is establishing a de facto sphere of influence."

“That’s exactly the problem!” Williams exclaimed. “Are we just going to sit idly by and watch a private military contractor with close ties to the University of the East carve out a ‘fief’ in Iligo? That would be tantamount to admitting that we are incapable of maintaining regional order!”

Miller suddenly laughed, a laugh devoid of any warmth: “Mr. Williams, you’ve finally gotten one thing right—we truly cannot sustain this. Not an admission, but a fact. Our presence in Iligo has been limited and fragile since the president decided to withdraw in 2011. What will happen if Hurmatu is lost?”

He stood up, walked to the large screen, and tapped the map with his index finger knuckle.

"First, the Kurds will be forced to redeploy at least two brigades back to defend the Hurmatu direction. Second, the Persians will fill the power vacuum through militia organizations, expanding their influence to an unprecedented level. Third, 1515 will gain breathing room, turning Hurmatu into a base for recruitment, training, and launching attacks. Fourth—"

He turned to Williams, “Regional allies will have fundamental questions about our commitment and capabilities. And if this ‘Eastern mercenary’ chooses to stand by and wait for us to clean up the mess before stepping in at an even higher price, things will only get worse.”

The meeting room was completely silent.

The air conditioner vents hissed, as if providing accompaniment to this silence.

Cortes broke the silence: "Miller, from a purely military perspective, what would be the cost of accepting Song's peace terms?"

“The short-term costs are face, some political capital, and the need to persuade the Baghdad government to accept Samir’s appointment,” Duke continued. “But in the long run, this might actually be the optimal solution. Giving Samir official status means his forces will be under the command of the Ministry of Defense and will have to submit regular reports on their movements. We are currently dealing with a ‘grey zone’ militant group; recognizing them will at least bring them under oversight. And—”

He pulled up the battle records of Song Heping's troops, "In the past eighteen months, they have fought against 1515 many times and won every battle. This kind of fighting power is exactly what the Northwest needs most."

“But Song’s asking price is too high!” Kolster still seemed somewhat unwilling.

“Song Heping is a shrewd businessman.” Miller sat back down. “He wants a long-term meal ticket, not a one-off deal. If he just wanted money, he could have waited for Hurmatu to fall, let 1515 and the Kolde people wear each other down, and then intervene at a higher price. But he chose to lay out his plans in Region 4 early on and secure a position at a crucial moment. This shows that he is also rational, knows the importance of Hurmatu, and is only seeking a legitimate status and a sustainable partnership.”

Williams wanted to argue further, but Cortez stopped him by raising his hand: "We need a risk assessment. What's the worst-case scenario?"

The intelligence representative replied, "In the worst-case scenario, after Song Heping obtains legal status, he will use this platform to expand military cooperation with Dongda University, and may even become Dongda University's 'strategic foothold' in the region. However, according to existing intelligence, Song Heping's relationship with the Dongda military is complex, but there is currently no indication of a close cooperative relationship between the two. Our assessment is that he is an individual player, not a national agent."

"The core members of 'Musician' Defense come from multiple countries, and the mercenary forces controlled by the company are equipped with a hodgepodge of equipment—Russian-made rifles, American-made communication equipment, and drones manufactured by Tokyo University. It seems he is a pragmatist."

“But the reality is,” Miller glanced at his watch, “that Ross and his mercenaries can hold out for about—” He paused, “twenty hours. We need to make a decision before noon so that Song Heping’s troops can complete their maneuver and attack preparations before nightfall.”

The meeting lasted three hours.

Argument, compromise, and more argument.

Ultimately, a compromise was reached—all of Song Heping's conditions were agreed upon in principle, but with strict restrictions attached—the size of the 10th Border Defense Division was capped at 13,500 personnel; all officers at the battalion level and above had to be reviewed by the Ministry of National Defense to facilitate government control over its size and personnel.

Most importantly, Song Heping must launch a sustained attack on 1515’s supply lines in the northwest within 48 hours of the siege of Hurmatu being lifted, cutting off Ahmed’s supply lifeline.

The preliminary plan has been finalized and will be submitted to the highest decision-making level for final decision.

"Will he accept these additional terms?" Cortez asked.

Miller preserved the documents: "He will definitely try to negotiate, but we met the core conditions. For a militia leader, the rank of major general and regular army membership are invaluable assets for clearing his name. He understands the importance of knowing when to stop."

At 5 p.m., the decision-making level was raised to the highest level.

Seated around the long oak table in the White House Situation Room were seven of the nation's most powerful people: the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the President's National Security Advisor, Miller, and Duke himself, who was accessing the conferencing system via encrypted video.

The room lights were dimmed, and the main screen displayed real-time drone footage of Hurmatu, a troop deployment map, and a satellite image of region 4.

Smoke rose from the eastern part of the city, and the wreckage of armored vehicles could be seen on the streets.

"Ladies and gentlemen, time is running out."

National Security Advisor Howard Clement began, “Colonel Ross sent a final communication: their ammunition reserves are down to seventeen percent, and the number of wounded exceeds two hundred. If a decision isn’t made soon, we’ll soon have to pay contract compensation to the garrison at Hurmatu.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates turned to Miller: "Are you 100% sure Song Heping has the ability to turn the tide of the war? I want to remind you that if he sends his troops in and they get defeated, not only will Hurmatu be lost, but we will also become a laughing stock in front of the whole world."

Miller nodded, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "I'm sure. Three reasons: First, Song Heping's troops, while lying in wait in Area 4, had already gained a one-way transparent advantage on the battlefield. Second, the timing of his attack—the main force of 1515 was fully engaged in the siege, leaving the rear vulnerable and the supply lines stretched to their limit. Third, according to drone reconnaissance, Song Heping had deployed at least eight 120mm mortars and four pickup trucks equipped with rocket launchers at his ambush point, with enough firepower to inflict a devastating blow on the 1515 assembly point. And don't forget, he could also mobilize the Abuyu Brigade and more than 10,000 troops from the 'Liberation Forces' into the battle."

"You recommend accepting all the conditions he requested?"

"I recommend accepting everything. Samir's rank of Major General, the official designation of the 10th Border Division, control of Hurmatu, and all the items on the equipment list. These are the necessary conditions for him to be of maximum use."

Secretary of State Rice frowned, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. "Robert, this will set a dangerous precedent in Iligo. If other militias follow suit and use this to blackmail us in critical moments, the entire security architecture will collapse."

"But refusing Song Heping would immediately lead to more dangerous consequences."

Miller leaned forward, his gaze sweeping across every face. "The fall of Hurmatu won't be an isolated incident. It will trigger a chain reaction, causing the situation in the northwest to collapse. The security of the Erbil region will be threatened, the Persians will expand their sphere of influence in Ilig, the Kurds' centrifugal tendencies will intensify, and the confidence of regional allies will waver. Not to mention the propaganda effect of a victory in 1515—they will announce to the world that they have defeated an American-backed mercenary force. We cannot afford this strategic cost."

CIA Director Simon cleared his throat: "Intelligence assessments support Miller's analysis. We also intercepted communications from the 1515 command, who planned to execute all prisoners immediately after capturing Hurmatu and produce a propaganda video. The window of opportunity is indeed closing."

A long silence fell over the situation room.

As the meeting drew to a close, Clement surveyed the room, his gaze finally settling on Gates: "Robert, you are the Secretary of Defense. What is your final military recommendation?"

Gates took off his glasses and slowly wiped the lenses.

This action lasted for a full thirty seconds, after which he put his glasses back on and looked at the image of Hurmatu on the screen—yet another building collapsed in the explosion.

“I hate this choice.” Gates’ voice was bitter. “I hate being blackmailed by a mercenary, I hate admitting our powerlessness in certain areas, and I hate setting this precedent even more. But—”

He took a deep breath. "I'd rather accept this devil's bargain than lose Hurmatu, lose the Northwest, or even possibly lose the entire Iligo counter-terrorism campaign. I recommend approving Miller's plan."

Rice closed her eyes, then opened them a few seconds later: "This will be a diplomatic nightmare. But I agree with Robert's assessment—choose the lesser of two evils. I vote in favor."

Clement nodded: "The others?"

The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the CIA raised their hands in turn.

Five of the seven voted in favor, while two abstained.

"Resolution passed." Clement pressed the end-of-recording button. "General Duke, you immediately reach an agreement with Song Heping. Tell him that the United States remembers his 'cooperation,' but also reminds him that responsibility and power go hand in hand. Everything he wants depends on his performance tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

It was dusk in Washington when Miller left the situation room.

He stood by the window in the corridor of the West Wing of the White House, watching the sunset turn Lafayette Square blood red.

The Washington Monument stands in the distance in the twilight, like a white sword piercing the sky.

Miller suddenly remembered a sentence he had written down thirty years ago when he was studying Clausewitz at military school:

"War is a continuation of politics, but what is gained on the battlefield may not be kept at the negotiating table; what is lost at the negotiating table often requires ten times the blood to regain."

He put away his phone and walked towards the waiting car. The agreement was reached, but Miller knew this was just the beginning.

Song Heping got what he wanted, the United States got a much-needed respite, and the soldiers in Hurmatu got a chance to survive.

As for the cost—in this complex game, the cost is always delayed but never waived.

As night deepened, the outline of the Pentagon appeared faintly in the distance.

There, behind countless lit windows, new assessments, new plans, and new crises are already brewing.

But tonight, at least tonight, Hurmatu still has hope.

　First update! Over four thousand words.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)