Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1215 The "Battlefield" Outside the Battlefield

Song Heping did not immediately study the secret passage information left by Afanti concerning Hurmatu's fate.

He needs to make a seemingly insignificant move first, a move that appears unrelated to the ongoing battlefield, yet could determine the future course of the game.

Although it's a casual move, an off-the-board tactic, it's crucial for one's own strategic layout.

He walked to the communications console, and instead of using the satellite phone used to contact various forces, he picked up another satellite phone with an equally high level of security and skillfully dialed an intercontinental number.

After a brief pause, the phone was answered, and a woman's voice, tinged with a hint of languor yet exuding shrewdness and competence, came through, speaking fluent American English.

"Hey honey, calling at this hour? I thought it was late where you are. Is the night in Iligo more sleepless than the neon lights of New York?"

The voice belonged to Angel, Song Heping's only lover.

At the same time, she is also the behind-the-scenes controller of Horizon News Corporation, which has risen to prominence in the Western media industry in recent years.

The media is also a weapon.

Song Heping's years of secret maneuvering in the news industry always proved invaluable at crucial moments.

"baby."

Song Heping's voice carried a hint of gentleness: "There's something I need you to do."

Hearing Song Heping's serious tone, Angel on the other end of the phone quickly asked, "What is it? Tell me."

"Utilize all available media resources under Horizon, including mainstream newspapers, television news channels, and influential online platforms,"

Song Heping said in a deep voice: "Release two messages as quickly as possible."

"First, highlight the report that Song Heping, the 'musician' defense leader who was once listed as an 'extremist leader' by certain international organizations or countries, has recently been secretly removed from the relevant list. Note that you should use words like 'it is believed,' 'there are indications,' and 'anonymous sources revealed'. Do not confirm the source, but create the atmosphere of a fait accompli."

Angel paused for a second on the other end of the phone, clearly processing the meaning behind the information.

"Removing you from the list? That's tantamount to 'clearing your name.' DC hasn't released this information publicly. If you announce it rashly... it will trigger a lot of chain reactions. And I might be questioned by relevant parties, who will ask who provided this information? We need reliable sources..."

"No information source is needed."

Song Heping interrupted her, saying, "Or rather, the source is 'anonymous emails.' You just need to make this seem like an 'established fact' that came from Washington or the UN circle."

He paused, then issued an even more significant order:
"Second, immediately follow up after the first news item, disclosing the complex counter-terrorism cooperation in northwestern Iligo. It is important to point out—note that it is also 'citing anonymous sources'—the United States, Russia, and Persia. If Persia is a sensitive topic, you can use 'a certain major power in the Middle East' to refer to it."

"I also want to disclose that the mercenary group I lead has also participated in this counter-terrorism operation. Currently, we are conducting some degree of tactical cooperation in northwestern Iligo based on shared interests, jointly combating the 1515 militant group."

This time, Angel's breathing became noticeably more rapid.

She knew all too well the uproar this news would cause in the international arena if it were released by a media outlet like Horizon in the form of an "exclusive" or "insider" report.

This practically lifted a corner of the secret deal that was previously kept under wraps, exposing it to the light of day.

"Song...this is a bit risky..."

Angel's voice was filled with worry.

"This is tantamount to exposing your secret cooperation! The Americans will be furious! They will absolutely not admit it! This will disrupt all their plans!"

"What I want is for them to be unable to admit it, and unable to deny it!"

Song Heping sneered, "Do they like to play tricks behind my back, trying to use me as a pawn, or even trying to sabotage me? I'm going to put this feast out in the open and let everyone see who these Americans are dining with right now!"

His voice was low and deep: "I'm going to use public opinion to block their escape route! Once the news spreads and attracts international attention, the price they'll pay if they try to turn against me again will be enormous. At that time, the whole world will be watching to see how they treat a 'former extremist leader' who has just been 'rehabilitated' and is now 'cooperating with them in the fight against terrorism.' They can't afford the collapse of their credibility and the pressure of international public opinion that comes with going back on their word."

Song Heping's move is essentially called "tying someone to the boat."

Using the public's right to know as a rope, the strategic flexibility of the United States is firmly bound.

Angel was a smart man and immediately understood Song Heping's intentions.

This is not a simple propaganda campaign; it is a meticulously planned political maneuvering and strategic blackmail.

She could almost see the fascinating expressions on the faces of Washington bureaucrats and generals as these reports flooded the media.

"I understand."

Angel's voice regained its composure, even carrying a hint of excitement; she enjoyed the feeling of manipulating public opinion and influencing the situation.

"I will make arrangements immediately, utilizing our most reliable reporters and channels to ensure the news is released in the fastest and most untraceable way. You will see the results within 24 hours."

"very good."

Song Heping's tone softened, "Be careful, protect yourselves and our information channels."

"You too, darling."

Angel's voice softened, "Are you doing well in Iligo?"

“It’s nice here.”

Song Heping glanced at the tranquil night outside the window and the document on the table that marked Hurmatu's fate. "It couldn't be better. Don't worry, as long as this matter is handled well, I believe we will meet openly in the United States soon, and I will take you to Miami Beach for a vacation."

"Take care, darling." "Take care, my baby."

After hanging up the phone, Song Heping let out a long sigh of relief.

With this move, his contest with the Americans is no longer limited to the desert northwest of Iligo.

The battlefield has extended to newsrooms in New York, the public sphere in Washington, and the screens of netizens around the world.

He had just picked up the intelligence report about the secret passage to study it carefully when the satellite phone, which had been silent for a long time, suddenly started vibrating rapidly and continuously.

Song Heping glanced at the encrypted code on the caller ID, his face showing no surprise.

Who called was all within their own predictions.

He picked up the receiver, and a thick Slavic accent immediately came through.

"Song! My dear friend! I am Nezov!"

"Good evening, General."

Song Heping's tone carried just the right amount of surprise, feigning surprise that he hadn't expected Nezov to call.

"What wind woke you up so late at night?"

"What other wind could it be? It's that evil wind blowing from the northwest of Iligo, of course!"

General Netsov's voice was loud and clear, even on the phone, and he launched into a tirade of profanities without any attempt to conceal his true feelings.

"Americans! Those despicable Anglo-Saxon bastards! Song, we know what happened in the Tuz Valley! How dare they use such underhanded tactics to betray their allies at a time like this! They've trampled the word 'trust' into the mud!"

He cursed with righteous indignation, as if it were his own elite troops who had suffered the loss.

"I have personally contacted the commander of our Khmeimim base in Sylvia! Effective immediately, our Russian reconnaissance satellites in the Iligo theater will prioritize providing battlefield intelligence support to your troops! Get rid of those American liaison officers in your command! The satellite imagery I'm providing will guarantee you satisfactory resolution! Those Americans need to know that not everyone treats allies like doormats!"

Song Heping held the receiver, his face expressionless.

He has a clear mind.

This polar bear had to call at the perfect time – right after I had met with Afanti and made it clear that I would watch the Americans suffer.

Before the ambush in the Tuz Valley, would Netsov have been completely unaware of it, given the Russian intelligence network in Iligo?
He didn't believe it at all.

This bear spirit is something else!
He didn't say it at the time, but he actually had the same thoughts as Afanti.

He was simply looking for a spectacle, perhaps even hoping that the US and Song Heping would completely fall out so he could take the opportunity to win them over.

Now that they see themselves in contact with the Persians and that the Americans are about to get into trouble, they immediately jump out to curry favor, denouncing the Americans as shameless, while offering the "generous gift" of satellite intelligence.

Like Afanti, his goal was to win over, sow discord, and deepen the rift between himself and the Americans, ideally to completely align himself with Moscow—or at least, to maintain hostility towards the United States.

These people are all cunning foxes, each one a thousand-year-old fox.

However, Song Heping did not intend to point it out.

Turn against the Russians?

No need.

There's no need for it, at least not now.

The Persian intelligence network penetrated deep into the grassroots, while the Russian satellites provided a comprehensive overview of the battlefield. Only by combining these two approaches could the most complete battlefield vision be achieved.

Of course, if Americans were to be honest and not so despicable, their intelligence would actually be better than those two.

However, those Onsa people are indeed untrustworthy and should be treated with caution.

Therefore, if we were to turn against the Americans in the future, having the Russians and Persians as our cards to play would always be a good thing.

You can never have too many chips.

"General, your words have deeply moved me."

Song Heping's voice was filled with sincere gratitude: "At such a difficult time, to receive such firm support from you and your country, I, Song Heping, will remember it forever! Please rest assured, I will have my technical lead immediately connect you with the satellite intelligence data link. I will keep this kindness in my heart; I don't like owing favors, and I will definitely have a chance to repay you in the future!"

His tone sounded exactly like that of a "lost sheep" who had finally found a warm harbor after being betrayed by Americans.

Netsov on the other end of the phone was clearly very satisfied with Song Heping's reaction. He exchanged a few more pleasantries and emphasized the unbreakable bond of "Russian-Song friendship" before hanging up the phone with satisfaction.

After hanging up the satellite phone, silence returned to the command center.

Song Heping walked to the window, opened it, and let the cool night air in. He lit a new cigarette, the red glow flickering in the darkness.

Dagula remained asleep, peaceful beyond belief.

He knew in his heart that, compared to the peace here, hundreds of kilometers away in Baghdad's Green Zone, the command center that symbolized the highest power of the United States in Iligo was probably already in an uproar.

　It's the end of the month, please vote for me! Please vote for me! Give me all the votes you have! I've only been updating twice a day for the past few days, but each day has been a long chapter, over 8,000 words.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)