Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1101 Sudden Changes
After meeting with Zayed, Song Heping politely declined the "deep recuperation" plan that Zayed had strongly arranged, which was full of the charm of the White Elephant Kingdom.

Despite Zayed's assurances that his estate was safer than a NATO airbase and that his maids knew better than a Persian princess how to put people at ease, Song Heping simply replied, "My battlefield is not here."

Actually, he didn't want to tell Zayed.

If I stay here and the CIA finds out even a little bit about this, not only will my life be in danger, but Zayed will probably be finished too.

The reason for coming is to facilitate cooperation between the two parties and to demonstrate sincerity.

Song Heping's current identity is too special and too sensitive.

The White Elephant Kingdom is definitely not a place to stay for long.

The trip to the White Elephant Kingdom yielded far more results than expected.

Not only did they initially establish contact with Zayed, the "smuggling giant" of the White Elephant Ocean, but they also exchanged the debt of saving their lives for a nearly loss-making 10% commission promise from the other party, which means potential additional profits of tens of millions of dollars in the future.

More importantly, they were able to establish their own underground sales network, which is the most valuable asset.

After all, the international underground crude oil market is not just a business, but also an arena mixed with geopolitics, blood feuds and conspiracies. The major players have long occupied all the channels and resources. For a newcomer to join the game and be able to open up his own path is already a lucky start.

Two days later, using a false identity, he left the White Elephant subcontinent silently like a ghost, eventually returning to his secret camp deep in the desolate mountains of eastern Persia.

When the roar of the helicopter rotors was swallowed by the silence of the valley, and when the dry, dusty air replaced the dampness and luxury of Goa, Song Heping felt his constantly taut nerve relax a little.

Everything at the camp was in good order.

It seems there are no problems with the cooperation between Jiang Feng, Samir, and Nassin.

In the camp, low, reinforced bunkers blend into the mountain rocks. Under the camouflage nets, team members are conducting group tactical coordination training. The crisp sounds of disassembling and maintaining firearms, along with the sporadic firing sounds from the distant shooting range, fill the air with the smell of a regular military camp.

The observation post on the watchtower, holding a high-powered telescope and a thermal imager, stood motionless like a stone statue, vigilantly scanning every inch of the desolate land that came into view.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the glitz and clamor of White Elephant Kingdom; it is filled with a cold, efficient, and oppressive feeling, as if one is always ready to be thrown into a meat grinder.

Upon returning to his cave room, which contained only a cot, a weapons rack, and a simple table piled with maps, Song Heping did not immediately rest.

He carefully checked the status of the encrypted communication equipment, listened to the duty captain's latest briefing on camp security, supply inventory, and perimeter reconnaissance reports, and only allowed himself to exhale after confirming that there were no signs of abnormal infiltration or suspicious activity.

The continuous high-intensity infiltration, counter-assassination, and negotiation games had left even his iron physique and mental fortitude feeling a weariness from within. It wasn't muscle soreness, but rather a deep-seated fatigue in his soul from the constant scheming and vigilance.

Being a leader is definitely not as glamorous as outsiders imagine.

Being at the center of a geopolitical vortex, the situation forces us to never allow for long periods of rest.

Less than 24 hours after returning to rest, an unexpected yet understandable visitor broke the brief peace of the camp.

The arrival of Afanti maintained his usual low profile and mystery.

There was no convoy of cars, only two dusty, unremarkable Toyota SUVs.

He was still wearing that seemingly simple but actually very fine linen robe, with that faint smile on his face that seemed to see right through people yet never let you guess what he was thinking, as if he had not come to the deep mountain lair of an armed group, but to attend a tea party with an old friend.

"Song, it seems that even the holy water of the Ganges has failed to wash away the smell of gunpowder on you. On the contrary, it seems that you have pried another gem out of the White Elephant King's treasury."

The meaning behind the words is as clear as the rocks exposed at low tide.

Song Heping was able to turn the tide in such a short time; even Afanti had to admit he was impressed.

This student from the University of Tokyo always manages to surprise and inspire admiration.

Afanti sat down unceremoniously on the only decent chair in the room, took the strong tea handed to him by Song Heping, gently blew away the floating leaves, and got straight to the point, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible teasing.

His all-encompassing intelligence network had clearly captured Song Heping's thrilling experience in Goa and, most importantly, his achievements.

Song Heping sat on the edge of the hard bed, leaning slightly forward, maintaining a respectful yet wary posture as he spoke:
"A channel has been initially established."

He was brief and to the point, without mentioning the details of the astonishing 10% commission, a secret bargaining chip between him and Zayed, and one that even the many forces behind him needed to keep secret for the time being.

"Whether the specific shipping routes will be open and whether the goods can arrive safely still depends on time and luck."

“Zayed…”

Afanti slowly sipped his hot tea, savoring the name.

"A giant shark that has grown up in the black trade waves of the White Elephant Kingdom, greedy, cunning, and with sharp teeth, but it is precisely because of this that it has survived to this day and its appetite is growing ever larger. Getting it to take the bait will not be easy. This is crucial to alleviating the current financial difficulties of the 'Liberation Force'."

He shifted his tone slightly, adding a hint of warning, "But Song, when dancing with a shark, always remember it's a beast after all. Its whirlpools can devour ships, and they can also devour those who try to steer it. The Narendra family... they're not gentlemen who follow the rules; they will definitely retaliate. These families aren't as simple as you imagine; they have intricate connections internationally, including close associates within Persia. So be careful."

"I see."

Song Heping's answer was concise and powerful.

He was well aware of the risks involved. International smuggling networks are often intertwined with complex political, business, and criminal forces, and one wrong step could lead to utter ruin.

However, under the current circumstances, this is the fastest way to obtain independent funding and break free from certain constraints.

"High risk, high reward. We have no other choice."

Afanti put down his teacup, his relaxed expression gradually fading into a serious one: "In the short few days you were gone, the chessboard on Iligo's side was stirred up again, and the situation has changed."

"I've only been gone a week, and things have already turned out like this?" Song Heping immediately looked up, his gaze focused.

Afanti spoke calmly, yet with a clear understanding of the situation.

"The Americans' air strikes have intensified, with B-52s and F-16s looming over Mosul and Tikrit almost daily. However, thanks to your previous 'gift'—using 1515 to dismantle several of their key intelligence hideouts in the Samarra region—their airstrikes are more like venting anger than precise surgery."

He gestured with his hands: "Without reliable ground guidance and real-time intelligence updates, even the most advanced bombs are like a blindfolded giant wielding a heavy hammer—they make a terrifying sound, but it's difficult to hit the truly vital targets. They have indeed temporarily curbed the 1515 militants' frenzied momentum of directly threatening Baghdad from the south, but on the ground, they cannot achieve any substantial, strategic progress. In the end, war is measured and occupied by the boots of infantry."

Song Heping nodded silently.

This was within his expectations.

Modern warfare is all about information; without the support of ground-based information, the effectiveness of air superiority will be greatly reduced.

He had come to understand this deeply through years of practical experience.

"What's even more interesting is the reaction of those gentlemen in Baghdad."

Afanti's lips curled into an undisguised sneer. "They saw the American bombs raining down and thought it was time to retaliate. Eager to save face, or rather, eager to prove to their American masters that they were still somewhat useful, just the day before yesterday, the government's most 'elite' 17th Division spearheaded a large-scale attack on the 1515 armed group entrenched in northwestern Samarra, with several 'People's Movement' militia units gathered together, without any adequate coordination or firepower preparation."

"How is the result?"

Song Heping asked, even though he could already guess from Afanti's tone and expression that it must be a disaster.

"The result?" Afanti scoffed, as if telling a bad joke: "They ran headfirst into an iron plate! Although those madmen of 1515 were suppressed by the air raids and could not move in large numbers, their defensive fortifications built on the ruins of the town were extremely tenacious. Snipers, booby traps, suicide car bombs, flanking attacks by small groups of troops... their tactics were cunning and ruthless."

"In contrast, what about the Iligor government forces and the 'Popular Movement' militia? Command was chaotic, coordination between units was broken, and infantry and armored units were separated. When faced with fierce resistance and sudden counterattacks, they immediately fell into chaos, even suffering friendly fire incidents! They lost at least a dozen armored vehicles and hundreds of soldiers, and retreated to their starting positions in a sorry state. Now, the entire front in the Samarra direction is even more shaky because of this reckless attack."

Song Heping's brows were furrowed tightly.

The Iligor government forces were notorious for their incompetence and disorganization, but even they did not expect to suffer such a complete and ugly defeat.

Strategically, this is an extremely dangerous signal—it not only means that the northwestern front cannot be eased in the short term, but also that the 1515 armed forces can more confidently continue to devote their main forces and attention to this direction, and may even be greatly encouraged by this victory, thus gaining more covert support from external forces.

Therefore, the inevitable result is—

His line of thought was precisely confirmed by Afanti's next words.

"There's no hope of easing the pressure from the northwest in the short term, and the main force of 1515 doesn't dare to move south to Baghdad right now. But..."

Afanti put down his teacup, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice, as if revealing a crucial secret.

"They have clearly not given up on seeking breakthroughs in other directions. In the past week, they have launched an unprecedentedly fierce offensive on the northern front against the Kurdish-controlled areas in the Kirkuk oil field region."

Song Heping's gaze instantly sharpened.

"Kirkuk oil field..."

He repeated the name in a low voice.

This name sounds so familiar.

This used to be the place where he got his first security contract.

However, at that time, these oil fields were nominally owned by American companies.

It's estimated that it's now been handed over to the Kolde people in a different form, and they're in charge of it.

The Cook oil field is not only one of the largest oil fields in Iligo and the economic lifeline of the Koldeid Autonomous Government, but also a huge strategic symbol.

Once it changes hands, it will not only mean that 1515 will gain a huge amount of black gold, but it will also severely damage the resistance of the Kolde people, and may even change the balance of power in the entire north and even Ilig.

"Let me guess... the situation with the Kold is not good?" Song Heping pressed, his finger unconsciously tapping the location of Kirkuk on the map.

"This is very bad."

Afanti's tone was very certain. "The intensity of 1515's attack has exceeded usual. They've deployed more heavy weapons, including captured government artillery, and even a considerable number of anti-tank missiles and night-fighting equipment of unknown origin. The offensives come wave after wave, completely disregarding casualties. Although Kold's soldiers are fighting very bravely, they are simultaneously facing 1515 to the south and the watchful Turkish forces to the north, leaving them short-handed. Especially in the plains surrounding Kirkuk, where there is a lack of favorable terrain, the defensive battle is extremely difficult, and the front line is being slowly but steadily compressed. If the Americans cannot provide more effective ground support, or if their tactics do not change, the fall of the oil fields is probably only a matter of time."

Song Heping frowned and remained silent.

He was considering what preparations he should make if he lost the Cook oil field.

Although the oil field's interests are none of my business.

But it involves Samir.

This is related to the opportunity presented by the intervention of the "Liberation Forces" militia.

Before he could answer, hurried but steady footsteps sounded outside the room, followed by a short knock on the door, breaking the heavy atmosphere of strategic analysis inside.

"Come in," Song Heping replied.

The door was pushed open, and Samir leaned in.

He first nodded respectfully to Afanti, then looked at Song Heping with a complex expression that mixed seriousness and excitement: "Boss, Mr. Afanti. I apologize for disturbing you, but I just received an urgent and important message that I believe must be reported to you immediately."

　Asking for a monthly ticket! Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)