Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 1286 Multi-party game
As expected, Afanti's efficiency was unlike that of other Persians that Song Heping had met, who were slow and inefficient.

The promised weapons from Persia arrived on time at noon the following day.

A convoy of twenty heavy trucks drove into the temporary square next to the Baiji oil refinery.

Samir and his commanders had been waiting for a long time, and when they saw the tarpaulin covering the truck being lifted, even these battle-hardened militiamen couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

“God…” Samir murmured.

Under the sunlight, the brand-new weapons gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen.

It has Russian-made PKM general-purpose machine guns, RPG-7 rocket launchers, Persian-made "Thunder" anti-tank missiles, and even ten 120mm mortars and their accompanying ammunition.

Song Heping and Afanti walked side by side.

Afan instructed the Italian soldiers to begin unloading: "The first batch is enough to arm two infantry battalions. There are more armored vehicles to follow, but it will take time to deploy them."

Samir strode over to a truck, gently stroking a PKM machine gun as if caressing a lover: "These...are they all for us?"

“It’s all yours,” Song Heping said. “To make up for your losses this time.”

"Great! Excellent! Very good!"

Samuel seemed somewhat agitated at that moment.

In the pursuit battle three days ago, his "Liberation Forces" suffered nearly two thousand casualties.

Those were veterans who had fought alongside him for many years, and many of them couldn't even have their bodies recovered.

“Song… I don’t know what to say.” Samir’s voice choked with emotion. “My brothers will not have died in vain.”

“Of course they won’t,” Song said calmly. “But these weapons aren’t free. Mosul is in your hands now. I want you to turn Mosul into an ironclad fortress within two months, so that anyone who tries to take it will have to break a few teeth.”

“I swear!” Samir straightened his body. “As long as I have a breath left, Mosul will not fall!”

Song Heping nodded, signaling him to continue examining the weapons.

The soldiers began unloading, counting, and registering the goods in an orderly manner.

Soon, "small mountains of munitions" were piled up in the square.

Afanti handed Song Heping a list: "As per your requirements, the light weapons are mainly Russian-made, with highly compatible ammunition that is easy to resupply. In addition, we have also provided 500 sets of individual soldier communication equipment and 20 sets of field radios."

"Very thoughtful." Song Heping glanced at the list. "What about training? We need to familiarize ourselves with this new equipment."

“We will send instructors to assist, but it won’t be long,” Afanti said. “Tehran hopes you can quickly become combat-ready. Intelligence shows that 1515 is gathering reinforcements from Syria. They will not be willing to give up the northwest region, not to mention that Ozam and Titrick in the east also need reinforcements.”

During their conversation, Samir had already personally tested several weapons.

He hoisted an RPG-7 onto his shoulder, assumed a firing position, then put it down and checked the scope and firing mechanism.

“These are all good stuff.” Samir walked over, a smile finally appearing on his face. “They’re much better than the old antiques I used to use.”

“There’s even better news,” Song Heping said. “I will transfer the $20 million in aid from the Persian side to you in a week. Use this money to recruit new soldiers and replenish our losses. Remember, quality over quantity; I need soldiers who can fight, not just filler numbers.”

Samir's lips trembled slightly.

Twenty million US dollars is enough to arm an army of tens of thousands in Iligo.

Of course, he couldn't recruit that many people—he couldn't afford to support them.

With this money, he could at least restore the "Liberation Forces" to a size of eight thousand men, and equip them with better gear and training.

“Boss, you are the most…” Samir searched for the right word, “the most special person I have ever met. While others are trying to squeeze money out of their subordinates, you are giving it away.”

“Because I know what long-term investment is,” Song Heping said. “Samir, you are not my subordinate, but my ally. Only when my allies are strong can I become stronger.”

Afanti listened from the side, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

This guy from Tokyo knows how to survive in Iligo—not through brute force, but by weaving a network of relationships and building a community of shared interests.

The weapons distribution lasted for a full half day.

Samir's commanders received their equipment according to their respective losses, and each of them beamed with excitement.

These weapons mean they can survive longer in the upcoming battles.

By evening, most of the weapons had been loaded onto trucks belonging to Samir's troops, ready to be transported to Mosul.

Before leaving, Samir found Song Heping. The two stood under the tallest cracking tower in the oil refinery, watching the sunset gradually sink into the desert.

“Boss, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you,” Samir said, “What is your ultimate goal? To control the entire northwest of Iligo? Or…”

Song Heping did not answer immediately.

The wind blows, bringing the coolness of the desert night.

"Samir, what have you been fighting for all these years?" he asked rhetorically.

“It started as a rebellion against the Americans, and now it’s to prevent those lunatics from ruling my homeland,” Samir said simply. “I want my children to grow up in a peaceful country, without having to worry about bombs and bullets every day.”

"A very good goal."

Song Heping nodded. "My goals aren't that lofty. This is your motherland, not mine. I'm just the owner of a defense company, wanting only to establish a base. Everything I've done here is for profit, of course..."

He reached out and patted the other person on the shoulder.

"Undeniably, we have a certain connection and a deep friendship."

Samir remained silent.

"Let's talk about your future. Right now, Baiji, Mosul, and Kirkuk are connected, forming our base," Song Heping continued. "With a base, we can talk about the future. We can plan like normal people, what to do tomorrow, next month, and next year, instead of waking up every day and the first thing we do is check our weapons and prepare for battle. Once this place is truly stable, perhaps I'll take you to Bakhta to meet your cousin, Yusuf."

“Yusuf?” Samir’s expression turned strange, and he said with disdain, “He’s nothing but a spineless bureaucrat.”

"Stupid!" Song Heping couldn't help but berate Samir: "You don't even know how to enjoy the shade of a big tree. You think Yusuf has little influence in Bakhtar after holding such a high position in the government for so long? Don't you want to change your country? To make it better? With your militia? With guns? Remember, you fight with guns, but you govern with pens. The bureaucratic system isn't entirely useless, understand?"

Samir vaguely sensed something amiss.

Song Heping's intention is probably to allow himself to participate in politics in the future, to govern the country, and at least to secure a place in the future political arena of Iligo.

"Boss...I..."

"What do you mean, 'I'? You want to tell me you can't do it again, like Jiang Feng did?" Song Heping sneered. "Sometimes I get really annoyed with you guys. If you were even a little bit better, would I be so tired?"

Samir blushed.

indeed.

The boss has repeatedly covered up his own messes.

Looking back on the grand words I made when I left the "Musician" defense and said goodbye to Song Heping, I am now so ashamed that I want to crawl into a hole in the ground.

Back then, I was really ambitious!
In the end, it was his boss, Song Heping, who helped him time and time again, teaching him step by step.

"I understand, boss. I'll do whatever you say."

He no longer questioned or inquired, but simply nodded to express his obedience.

The two shook hands and said goodbye.

Samir's troops set off under the cover of night, their headlights forming a long line as they headed northwest toward Mosul.

Song Heping watched the convoy drive away until the last headlight disappeared into the darkness.

"He's very good at winning people's hearts," Afanti's voice came from behind.

“It’s not bribery, it’s an investment,” Song Heping corrected. “Samir is a man of great loyalty. If you give him one point today, he’ll return ten points to you tomorrow. There aren’t many people like that left in Iligo.”

“Indeed,” Afanti agreed. “So, let’s discuss the specific defenses for the refinery. My men have discovered a few vulnerabilities…”

The two walked side by side toward the command post, their conversation gradually fading into the distance.

Outside the refinery, beams of searchlight swept across the desert, and soldiers vigilantly watched the darkness from newly deployed sentry posts.

The night in Baiji was still filled with the atmosphere of war, but this time, the defenders had stronger fortifications, better weapons, and a clearer mission.

On the morning of the third day, Kurt's call came as expected.

Song Heping was inspecting the progress of the oil refinery reconstruction when the satellite phone rang. He glanced at the number, smiled at Jiang Feng beside him, and said, "Coming."

When the call connected, Kurt's voice sounded urgent: "Song, are you aware of Tetrick's situation?"

"I know a little bit." Song Heping walked to a relatively quiet corner. "What's wrong, Colonel?"

"what happened?"

Kotter raised his voice, “You’ve won a great victory in Baiji, now is the time to press your advantage! Titrick is the last major stronghold in Salah al-Din province in 1515. Take it, and the entire situation in the Northwest will change!”

Song Heping said slowly and deliberately, "Colonel, I understand your eagerness. But you may not be clear about our actual situation."

"What's happening?"

"In the battle three days ago, my side lost more than two thousand men, and the remaining lightly wounded also need to recuperate."

Song Heping feigned helplessness, saying, "My troops are severely depleted and extremely fatigued, and we need to replenish our ammunition. Attacking Tetrick at this time would be tantamount to suicide." There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line before Kurt's voice turned cold: "Song, let me remind you, we have a cooperative relationship, we have a signed agreement. The Pentagon is satisfied with your operations in Baiji, but that doesn't mean you can stand still."

"This is not stagnation, but a necessary rest and adjustment."

Song Heping's tone remained calm. "Colonel, if you were truly following the battle, you should know that the air support we requested during our engagement with 1515 never arrived until the end of the battle. If it weren't for your mistakes and inaction, would so many of my men have died? I haven't even held you accountable, yet you have the nerve to come here and demand an explanation?"

This statement struck a nerve with Kurt.

Why air support wasn't deployed at the time is something only he and Song Heping know.

None of them are fools.

They're all old foxes, so let's not sing any ghost stories.

“That…that was an accident.” Kurt’s voice sounded somewhat unnatural. “Airspace coordination takes time, you know that.”

“Of course I know.” A cold smile crept onto Song Heping’s lips. “So you should also know that my troops need time to rest. Soldiers aren’t machines. After a tough battle, they need to replenish their ranks, refit their equipment, and restore morale. All of this takes time.”

"How long do you need it?"

“At least two months,” Song Heping said. “And I need to replenish my weapons and ammunition. The equipment you provided last time was consumed in great quantities during the battle, especially anti-tank missiles and mortar shells. More importantly, I lost too many men.”

Kurt fell silent again, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

In the end, he compromised: "Alright, I can coordinate the weapons and ammunition and deliver them within a week. But the rest period you requested is too long. 1515 may use this time to strengthen the defenses of Titrick or to send reinforcements from Celia."

"That's something your military intelligence department should be worried about."

Song Heping was blunt: "My duty is to be responsible for my soldiers. I can't send them to their deaths without adequate preparation."

“Song, watch your tone,” Kurt warned. “Don’t forget who’s backing you.”

“Of course I haven’t forgotten,” Song Heping said. “But Colonel, don’t forget that Baiji is now in my hands, Kirkuk is in the hands of my allies, and Mosul is also in the hands of my allies. If I can’t hold out, these places could fall back into 1515’s control at any time. How will the Pentagon evaluate your work then?”

A naked threat.

But it works.

Kurt took a deep breath: "Okay, one month. But after one month, you have to take action against Tetririck. That's the bottom line."

"Two months, and it might not even work. I will make a judgment based on the actual situation."

Song Heping did not fully agree, saying, "If the conditions are right, of course we will take action. But if 1515 sends too many reinforcements, or my troops are not prepared, then we can only postpone it."

"Song..."

“Colonel, we are all soldiers. We should know that the worst thing to do on the battlefield is to rush blindly.” Song Heping interrupted him. “Tetris will be fought sooner or later. The only question is when! I am the front-line commander, and you are not? If you think you can replace me, I am willing to step down. You come here, and I will leave.”

Having said all that, Kurt knew that further pressure was useless; Song Heping simply wouldn't listen to him.

He concluded by saying, "Song, don't think the world will stop turning without you! We'll see!"

"Then I'll wait and see."

Without saying a word, Song Heping hung up the phone.

Jiang Feng walked over: "The talks broke down?"

"When has it ever not collapsed? It's always been oscillating between collapsing and not collapsing."

Song Heping snorted and said, "What Kurt wants most right now is to take advantage of the fact that we have severely damaged Titrick's 1515 armed forces, and take over the place in one fell swoop, so that he can claim the credit for himself."

"Then let's..."

“We’ll hold our positions,” Song Heping said, “but we have to be careful that Kurt doesn’t find someone else.”

He thought for a moment and said to Jiang Feng, "Contact Samir and have him set up spies in the Hurmatu region to closely monitor Thunder Defense's movements. The only people Kote can use right now are Thunder Defense's mercenaries and some special forces they've deployed here."

"Do you think Kurt will allow Thunder Defense and Special Forces to attack Teterrick alone?" Jiang Feng asked.

"He might try."

Song Heping analyzed, "Thunder Defense has about 1,500 people in Hurmatu, well-equipped, and supported by armored vehicles and helicopters. If they cooperate with the US air force, they do have a chance to take Titrick."

"Wouldn't we be doing all the work for someone else?"

“Not necessarily,” Song Heping smiled. “Although Titrick doesn’t have many defenders, its fortifications are strong. 1515 has been building up there for two years, with a complex network of underground fortifications. If Thunder Defenses launch a direct assault, they will certainly suffer heavy losses. Besides…”

Jiang Feng's eyes lit up: "Besides what?"

“I heard that Bakdadi keeps trying to send reinforcements into Ilig…” Song Heping said something surprising: “We should help 1515 out.”

"What?" Jiang Feng was stunned. "Help 1515? This..."

"Let me finish," Song Heping gestured for him to calm down. "If Thunder Defense easily takes over Tetris, then Kurt's next target will be Baige. But if they suffer heavy losses and get wrecked in Tetris, then Kurt will have to continue relying on us. Do you understand this?"

Jiang Feng suddenly realized: "So we need to secretly provide intelligence to 1515 and cause Thunder Defense to stumble?"

“It’s not about providing intelligence.” Song Heping shook his head. “That’s too risky. We just need to… have Samir’s men spread some news in Hurmatu that we have a breach in our defenses somewhere in Mosul, and that we can get through there to Titrick…”

"Using someone else to do the dirty work." Jiang Feng understood.

"Mutual checks and balances are essential for long-term stability." Song Heping looked into the distance. "In this game of Yilige, the various forces must maintain a relative balance so that we can maneuver with ease. If one side becomes too powerful, we will be in danger."

"I understand! I'll get on it right away!"

Soon, Jiang Feng went to Samir and conveyed Song Heping's instructions.

Samir understood immediately and arranged for men to go to the Hurmatu region.

Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the Baiji refinery was fully underway.

The Persian engineers brought professional equipment and blueprints, and the locally recruited workers, under the protection of mercenaries, began clearing the ruins, repairing pipes, and replacing damaged equipment.

As Song Heping walked through the construction site, he could hear the roar of machines and the shouts of workers.

This sound is much better than the sound of gunfire; it represents construction, not destruction.

Colonel Afanti found him and handed him a report: "The situation is more serious than I thought. Initial estimates suggest that the refinery will need four months to repair. But if only partial capacity is restored, it can be done within two months."

“Then let’s restore some production capacity first,” Song Heping said. “We need to produce as soon as possible, even if it’s only a few thousand barrels a day, that’s money, that’s cash flow.”

“Agreed,” Afanti said. “In addition, Tehran has asked if you are interested in expanding the scope of cooperation.”

"for example?"

"Similar security cooperation has been established in Kirkuk and Mosul, for example."

Afanti put it bluntly: "We can provide funding and technology, and we can discuss the profit sharing."

Song Heping stopped and looked at Afanti seriously: "Colonel, do you know what this means? If we cooperate fully in the Northwest, it's tantamount to openly taking sides. The Americans won't be happy."

“The Americans are already unhappy,” Afanti shrugged. “From the moment you accepted our aid, Kotter has already categorized you as ‘pro-Persian.’ In that case, why not solidify the cooperation and gain more tangible benefits?”

That's very true.

Once a political stance is chosen, there is no turning back.

Rather than wavering between two sides and pleasing neither, it's better to stand firm on one side and gain real support.

“I need to think about it.” Song Heping did not agree immediately. “This is not a small matter; it involves the future of my entire team.”

“Of course, you can take your time to consider it,” Afanti said. “But Tehran’s sincerity is sufficient. If you agree to expand cooperation, we can provide more weapons assistance, including even tanks and artillery.”

This offer is quite tempting.

On the battlefield in Iligor, armored forces and artillery were decisive.

"I will seriously consider it," Song Heping said solemnly.

The two continued to inspect the construction site.

The core area of ​​the refinery has been cleared, and large cranes are hoisting new cracking tower components.

The Persian engineer gave instructions in a mix of Persian and Arabic, and the workers were busy but organized.

“You know what, Song,” Afanti suddenly said, “I admire you very much. A foreigner, in such a short time, was able to gain a foothold in Iligo and even have the Abuyu Brigade and the Samir’s liberation forces willing to follow you to the death. This is not something an ordinary person can do.”

“I simply know how to respect,” Song Heping said. “Respect their culture, respect their beliefs, respect their interests. It’s that simple.”

“Simple?” Afanti laughed. “The hardest thing in this world is the word ‘respect.’ So many people fail here because they don’t understand respect.”

As the sun set, it cast long shadows of the two of them.

In the distance, soldiers on guard posts changed shifts, their commands clearly audible in the twilight.

Baiji is being reborn.

But Song Heping knew that the real challenge had only just begun.

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

　　
　
(End of this chapter)