Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1193 Within the Deep Palace (2)

Song Heping had anticipated this question and calmly replied, "Advisor Ivanov, your question is crucial. First of all, getting the Americans to cooperate is not about pleading, but about having the strength and being forced by circumstances. I already have a concrete plan, and they will soon realize that if they don't cooperate with us, their interests in northern Iligo will suffer unbearable losses."

He did not reveal details about the "broken knife," but the confidence in his tone was undeniable.

"Secondly, regarding loyalty..."

He couldn't help but smile.

"We are a defense company, and I imagine your intelligence agencies have conducted at least ten analyses of me. Do you think I would be concerned with loyalty if my interests are not at stake?"

The implication is as clear as a reef after the tide has receded—as long as you give me reasonable profits and benefits, loyalty is not a problem.

PMC is a commercial company with no political stance; money buys loyalty.

For a major power like Russia, what's a few measly things?
That's why Song Heping found it ridiculous.

These bureaucrats in front of me, in the end, are just people who have been in politics for too long.

This is also related to the current political landscape in Russia, where the top leader is a former KGB officer who emphasizes "loyalty."

But they forgot that the person standing opposite them was the owner of a defense company, not an official or a soldier.

Zhao Yigu and the others seemed to have also understood the implied meaning, and they looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Finally, regarding Tehran."

Song Heping's gaze swept over the three of them again.

"All actions will be coordinated within the framework of Russia-Persia strategic cooperation. We can, and are willing, become a new and efficient channel of communication and cooperation between Russia and Iran. The Americans provide the money and the weapons, we provide the manpower, and ultimately, the beneficiaries are the shared geostrategic interests of all three parties. This is a win-win deal for all three: our 'Liberation Forces' gain crucial living space and legitimacy; Tehran gains its long-desired strategic land route to the Mediterranean; and Moscow—"

He deliberately slowed his speech, saying each word carefully, "We will make a crucial move in the complex game of the Middle East with minimal direct cost and risk, a move that could even change the balance of power. This is far more worthwhile than directly engaging in a costly head-on conflict with the Americans."

A long silence fell over the conference room.

The three decision-makers did not exchange any words, but the subtle eye contact and the delicate changes in their facial muscles revealed their inner weighing and struggle.

Petrovich remained expressionless, but a hint of calculated approval seemed to flash deep in his eyes.

Advisor Ivanov stopped tapping his fingers, took off his glasses, and slowly wiped them. General Kuznetsov pursed his lips, his thick fingers unconsciously circling the table, his scrutinizing gaze still stern, but the previous skepticism seemed to have softened somewhat.

Finally, the president's foreign policy advisor, Ivanov, slowly put his glasses back on, his gaze refocusing on Song Heping as he scrutinized him.

"Mr. Song."

He spoke slowly, each word seemingly carefully chosen, “You have painted an… interesting picture. But the Kremlin does not make decisions based on pictures, but only on facts and strength.”

He stood up, and the other two followed suit.

There was an invisible pressure in the air.

You have forty-eight hours...

Ivanov's voice was not loud, but it was like a hammer blow.

"Prove the value of what you say. Let us see that the 'Liberation Forces' are indeed, as you say, the indispensable key player, capable of breaking the deadlock in northern Iligo, and capable of making Americans feel the pain."

His gaze was meaningful. "Once you achieve this, Mr. Petrovich will keep in touch with you to discuss the next steps."

There was no clear "yes" or "no," and no exciting promises.

But that's enough.

Song Heping knew that he had won the right to continue the game and had obtained the ticket to the next round of a more dangerous and exciting bet.

The Russians chose to wait and see.

It's normal to wait and see.

But Song Heping disliked the inefficiency of these Russian bureaucrats.

We met yesterday, and we met again today.

All that needs to be said has been said.

These guys are still hesitating.

However, if he put himself in their shoes, he could understand these politicians.

What gives you, Song Heping, a defense businessman operating in the shadows, the right to do this?
Why should Uncle Sam, who is so arrogant, bow down?

Why would the Kremlin place a strategic bet on you?
Song Heping's response anchored the answer in "strength" and "situation," outlining an imminent picture of Americans having no choice but to compromise.

But trust is a luxury heavier than the crown of an emperor in the highest circles of power.

Ivanov ultimately imposed a ruthless 48-hour deadline—only by proving his worth and demonstrating his strength could he gain support.

Pressure may be as high as a mountain, but it can also be a stepping stone.

Just as Song Heping calmly accepted that he might have made another wasted trip, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He took out his phone and opened the message.

The only sentence above is a brief statement: "Sulaymaniyah has been captured."

The number was from Jiang Feng.

"Keng!"

A dull, clear metallic knocking sound rang out, not from the guards' report.

The heavy door to the conference room was suddenly pushed open from the outside without any warning!

Time seemed to freeze in an instant.

All eyes turned to the doorway. When they saw who it was, the faces of the Russian bureaucrats changed drastically.

Even Petrovich, who was known for his cold demeanor, began to have his pupils contract sharply.

Standing at the door was none other than President Vladimir, the supreme leader of Russia, known for his iron-fisted and unfathomable rule.

He was dressed in dark casual clothes, a slight smile on his lips, but his eyes were unwavering as he walked into the conference room surrounded by his entourage.

Song Heping noticed that his right hand remained close to the seam of his trousers as he walked, without swinging.

This action looks somewhat comical.

Rumors circulated that he was experiencing early symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

Song Heping knew why.

The main reason this president doesn't swing his right arm when walking is muscle memory he developed during his KGB agent training.

This walking style is known as the "gunner's gait," originating from the defensive posture of agents who need to be ready to deal with emergencies at any time.

Vladimir's appearance silently signaled that this game of strategy seemed to have undergone a fundamental change.

"Mr. President!"

Petrovich was the first to recover from his shock, and as he stood up, his tone carried an undisguised inquiry.

The other three also immediately stood at attention.

Vladimir waved his hand casually, his hawk-like gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally locking onto the only Eastern man in the room.

"Looks like I missed some interesting content?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a natural authority as he walked straight to the head of the table.

"Petrovich, you don't mind if I join you, do you?"

Words are questions, actions are the master.

Petrovich quickly stepped aside: "It is our honor to have you here, Mr. President."

Vladimir sat down, crossed his hands on the table, and stared intently at Song Heping: "Mr. Song Heping, I've heard so much about you. Your 'dance' in Africa, your 'performance' in the Middle East, and especially your recent 'spectacle show' in Iligo, have tripled the coffee consumption of my analysts."

Song Heping bowed slightly, his posture slender and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. President. In truth, our 'Musician' defense is merely a means of survival in chaotic times. It is truly unexpected that we have caught the eye of the Kremlin."

His words were humble, but his eyes were clear and sharp, showing no fear.

"Accident?"

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Vladimir's lips.

"A person who can make the world's three top intelligence agencies suffer a setback probably doesn't have the word 'surprise' in their dictionary. Besides, your idea of ​​using tripartite cooperation to leverage the strategic fulcrum of the United States... is incredibly audacious."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Petrovich and the others: "I have just intercepted a top-priority report from the Ilig front and our intelligence network. In the very few tens of minutes you have been talking, the game in the Northwest has taken a... decisive turn."

Petrovich and the others suddenly became serious.

Song Heping's expression remained calm and serene.

Because he knew that Operation "Broken Blade" had been a success.

The upcoming negotiations seem promising.

Vladimir stared at Song Heping and slowly said, "The 1515 armed forces entrenched on the border are like they've been injected with crazy hormones, launching a fierce attack on the southern part of the Koldeid-controlled area with all their might. The scale and intensity are unprecedented. The Koldeid defense line is on the verge of collapse."

Zhao Yigu couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, "1515 Armed Forces? This timing..."

"The best is yet to come..."

Vladimir interrupted him, continuing, "The US Air Force stationed in Iligo and the Gulf scrambled to conduct a saturation bombardment of the 1515th attack echelon, temporarily stabilizing the front line. It seems that the world's policeman has once again 'successfully' fulfilled his duty."

Zhao Yigu scoffed, "Obligations? They're just maintaining their crumbling agents and that ridiculous regional balance!"

"balance?"

Vladimir glanced at Zhaoyi Valley, then his gaze returned to Song Heping's face, filled with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

"General Zhao Yigu, the balance has been broken. Just as American warplanes roared overhead and everyone's attention was drawn to the main battlefield, Mr. Song's 'Liberation Forces,' in conjunction with the Abuyu Brigade, launched a lightning-fast raid and completely took control of... the town of Sulaymaniyah."

"Sulemania?!"

Ivanov fell silent, his usual composure completely gone.

Petrovich also looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with unbelievable shock.

Sulaymaniyah!
That's no ordinary town!
It is the transportation heart of the northern Kold's-controlled area, the intersection of several major supply arteries, and the throat through which the US military maintains its presence in the north!
Controlling Sulaymaniyah is tantamount to strangling the lifeline of the Kurds and the US military behind them!
Vladimir slowly added, "Intelligence confirms that Operation Liberation Forces was swift and decisive, and the resistance from the Kold'd forces in Sulaymaniyah was negligible. They have not only captured the town, but have also expanded their controlled area threefold in the first instance, constructed strong fortifications within the zone, and completely cut off all major roads running through the town. Land supplies to the key Kold'd-controlled area in the north have now been cut off."

Dead silence.

A deep, oppressive silence enveloped the entire room.

Everyone had recovered by then.

The frenzied attack by the 1515 armed forces became the "east wind" that Song Heping cleverly used!
The real killer move is this backstab straight to the heart—seizing Sulaymaniyah!

A feint to the east while attacking in the west! A covert maneuver!
This move was precise, ruthless, and truly an art!
Petrovich's mind was filled with Song Heping's earlier words, "Make them suffer unbearable losses."

This is not a prophecy; it is reality that has already occurred!
This guy……

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)