Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1285 Interests and Cooperation

The temporary medical station on the east side of the Baiji oil refinery was filled with the smell of blood and disinfectant.

Song Heping stepped across the blood-stained ground, his gaze sweeping over the line of stretchers.

A dozen seriously wounded soldiers were undergoing emergency surgery. The makeshift operating table was pieced together from oil drums and door panels. Military doctors and nurses from the Persian Revolutionary Guard, as well as medics from various combat units, were busy at work.

Outside the medical station, the lightly wounded sat or lay down, some silently smoking, staring blankly at the sky.

In the distance, engineering troops are processing the bodies of the fallen, identifying them, and preparing for burial.

Afanti approached, his face grave, and said, "Song, your casualties this time are very serious... We don't even have enough medicine. I've ordered someone to immediately transfer a batch from the border camp. They should arrive by dawn."

Song Heping was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you, you've helped me a lot this time."

“We are friends.” Afanti looked very sincere. “And you know very well that this isn’t just me helping you, it’s you helping me too. Do you know how long I’ve been planning to open up this situation in Iligo? But I haven’t been able to find the wedge to embed here. You’ve helped me find the key to open this door.”

This is not a polite statement.

Afanti knew that Song Heping was a smart man.

Don't say polite things in front of smart people.

In this battle, it was certainly Afanti who led the Holy City Brigade to the rescue at the most critical moment. However, without the rescue, he might never have found an opportunity to infiltrate the northwestern region of Ilig, never have been able to open up the strategic passage to the border with Silia, and never have been able to realize the concept of the "Shia Crescent".

"Cooperation for mutual benefit," Song Heping said with a smile. "It's simply a matter of each party getting what they need."

“That’s right,” Afanti agreed. “But there are still many things to face. For example, you have now acquired some of the oil-producing areas in Baiji, Mosul and Kirkuk, which means you have established a strong triangle in northwestern Iligo. However, the key is how to stabilize this triangle. Not only are the Americans eyeing you covetously, but the 1515 armed group probably won’t let you gain a foothold here.”

“I know.” Song Heping took out a piece of chewing gum, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and then said, “That’s why I need your help: funds, technical personnel, and of course, the military strength of your Holy City Brigade.”

The two walked to a relatively quiet corner.

"Song, I have a question," Afanti suddenly spoke up, "Why are you working so hard? Is it for money? Or something else?"

Song Heping smiled bitterly, "At first it was for money, but later... hehe..."

He suddenly retorted, "You're so old now, yet you're still on the front lines. Are you doing this for money? For power?"

Afanti was taken aback by Song Heping's question and stood frozen in place, unsure how to respond.

Asking the previous question was actually a subconscious, conditioned reflex.

It is precisely because he also felt this kind of confusion.

That's why that question came about.

Just like Song Heping.

For money?

Song Heping has done enough.

Even if you break your leg, you won't have to worry for half your life.

He could have easily retired gracefully and returned to Tokyo University, becoming a reclusive tycoon.

The problem is that he chose to stay in the defense industry, and chose a path that was more difficult than others, even going against the Americans.

Choosing to kneel, choosing to submit, might be easier.

But Song Heping did not do that.

How similar this is to myself?
When the time came, Afanti nodded thoughtfully, seemingly having found the answer, yet also seemingly more confused.

So he changed the subject: "Our senior management has approved the reconstruction plan. The first batch of engineers will arrive in three days, and the refining equipment will be shipped from our country and arrive in five days. Judging from the current damage to Baiji, it is not too serious, and we expect to be able to restore some production capacity within three weeks."

"What about the cost?"

“We’ll cover 75%, and you can offset that with your crude oil production share over the next three years,” Afanti said bluntly. “It’s a win-win situation. Tehran’s money can’t be given away for nothing, and you need to quickly rebuild your refineries as the backbone of your economy.”

Song Heping did not answer immediately. His gaze passed over the oil refinery and looked towards the fortifications being reinforced in the distance.

Cranes are lifting concrete obstacles, engineers are laying landmines, and soldiers of the Persian Revolutionary Guard are instructing local militia members in Baiji on how to operate newly arrived anti-aircraft machine guns.

"Deal," Song Heping finally said, "but on one condition—security at the refinery must be led by our people, with your troops providing support."

Afanti laughed: "Of course, this is your 'territory'."

After the two finished discussing business and said goodbye, Jiang Feng walked quickly from a distance, looking tired, but his eyes were still bright.

"Old squad leader, the medical supplies have arrived, along with a batch of food and drinking water."

"Distribute them, prioritizing the wounded," Song Heping ordered, then turned to Afanti, "General, I'd like to speak with my deputy alone."

Nasreddin wisely left.

Song Heping gestured for Jiang Feng to follow him, and the two headed toward the control building in the center of the refinery—which was now the temporary command post.

In a room on the third floor of the control building, a huge map of northwestern Iligo was laid out on the table, with the territories of various factions marked on it in red and blue pencil.

Song Heping poured Jiang Feng a glass of water: "Sit down. How are your injuries?"

"It's just a scratch, nothing serious." Jiang Feng took the water and drank it all in one gulp. "I'm just a little tired. I haven't slept much for the past two days." "Get a good night's sleep tonight." Song Heping stopped in front of the map. "I called you here to talk privately about our future plans."

Jiang Feng straightened up: "Please speak."

"Kirkuk will then be handed over to the Abuyu Brigade."

Song Heping drew a circle on the map with a pencil.

"They now have seven thousand men, just enough to guard the Kirkuk oil field area. The 'liberation forces' that Mosul handed over to Samir."

Jiang Feng frowned: "Samir's men suffered heavy losses this time. They only have about five thousand left. Can they hold Mosul? That's a big city."

"So we need to arm them," Song Heping said. "The weapons aid promised by Persia will arrive in batches tomorrow, all of it for Samir."

"What about Baiji?" Jiang Feng asked.

"Our company's mercenaries are guarding the area alongside the Persians."

Song Heping pointed to Baiji on the map, "The oil refinery is here; it's the economic lifeline. The Persians will invest in its reconstruction. We'll be responsible for the refinery's security, and they'll be in charge of regional defense. The output will be split 50/50."

Jiang Feng hesitated for a moment: "Commander, is it... I mean, they are, after all, a foreign power, wouldn't it be risky to share such an important town as Baiji with the Persians?"

Song Heping turned around and looked at Jiang Feng: "Jiang Feng, how long have you been with me?"

"It's been more than eight years."

“Over eight years, you have grown from an ordinary mercenary into a commander,” Song Heping said. “But you can’t always see yourself as a mercenary commander. In the future, the company will have more business and you will have more room to maneuver. What you need to learn now is not only how to fight, but also how to operate and manage. You need to have a strategic vision as a leader.”

He walked to the window and pointed to the construction site outside: "Look, how much will it cost to rebuild the oil refinery? At least several hundred million dollars. Do we have the money? No. The Persians do. Why are they investing? Because of profit."

"Cooperation requires the willingness to make concessions."

Song Heping continued, "If they have no interests to gain, why would they invest so many resources to support us? Just to jointly deal with 1515? Don't be naive. Politics is politics, and business is business."

Jiang Feng seemed to be deep in thought.

"Using other people's money to do things, and being able to rely on the strength of the Holy City Brigade to defend Baiji, is the most cost-effective thing for us."

Song Heping walked back to the map. “We are currently short of troops. The Abuyu Brigade has to defend Kirkuk, and Samir has to defend Mosul. If we greedily divide our forces in Baiji, we will end up not being able to defend either.”

He tapped the table: "You can't bite off more than you can chew. That principle applies everywhere."

“I understand.” Jiang Feng nodded. “Then our two battalions…”

“Stay in Baiji,” Song Heping said, “but not just as a combat unit. From today onward, you will be responsible for the security system and daily operations management of the Baiji refinery.”

Jiang Feng was taken aback: "Me? Commander, all I know is how to fight..."

“So you have to learn.” Song Heping’s tone left no room for argument. “I didn’t understand before either, but I was forced to learn, didn’t I? Who is born knowing everything? Ferrari can now independently manage the security contracts for the company’s three mining areas in Africa. You can do it too.”

He walked up to Jiang Feng and patted him on the shoulder: "Jiang Feng, you can't be a mercenary forever. Our company needs to transform from a simple armed contractor into a comprehensive PMC (private military company). This requires talent, people who can manage and operate."

“For a long time to come, the northwest of Iligo will be locked in a stalemate.” Song Heping’s gaze returned to the map: “Although 1515 was severely damaged, it was not destroyed. The American-backed Thunder Defense is eyeing Hurmatu. The Kolds have their own plans in the north. With all the forces intertwined, it won’t be easy for anyone to swallow the others whole.”

"What we need to do is hold onto Baiji and Mosul, and control Kirkuk. With these three strongholds, we will have the capital to watch from the sidelines."

Song Heping's eyes gleamed. "Once the oil refinery resumes production, the Persians will find sales channels, bringing our company hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue every day. With that money, we can arm more troops and build a stronger defense."

Jiang Feng took a deep breath: "I'll do my best."

"It's not about trying your best, it's about making sure you succeed."

Song Heping handed him a folder. "This contains basic information about the oil refinery, the reconstruction plan provided by the Persian side, and a draft of the security plan. Review it tonight and give me your feedback tomorrow."

Jiang Feng took the heavy folder and felt a greater weight on his shoulders.

“There’s one more thing,” Song Heping said. “I estimate that Kurt will contact us soon, urging us to attack Teterrick.”

Should we fight?

"Fight?" Song Heping sneered. "Let the Americans' lackeys fight. We just had a bloody battle with 1515 and suffered heavy losses. We need to rest and recuperate. That's a perfectly valid reason."

"But what about Kurt..."

“He can’t do anything to us,” Song Heping said. “Now Baiji is in our hands, Kirkuk is in the hands of the Abuyu Brigade, and Mosul is in the hands of Samir. These three places are connected, and the Americans can’t get into the northwest without going through us. Kot can only throw a tantrum and make a few threats at most.”

Jiang Feng laughed: "So we're now raising prices on the spot?"

“No, it’s about waiting for the best price,” Song Heping corrected. “But remember, our real partners are the Persians, not the Americans. We’re just using the Americans; make that clear.”

The two talked for more than an hour, discussing in detail Baiji's defenses, the security details of the oil refinery, and the way to cooperate with the Persians.

It was completely dark when Jiang Feng left.

Song Heping stood alone in front of the map, his finger slowly moving from Baiji to Titrick, and then to Bakda in the south.

Iligo's chessboard is now set up, and his own plan is just beginning.

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)