Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 161 "Have a Safe Journey"

When Lu Lin woke up in the morning, he felt sweaty all over. It wasn't just from the heat, but also from a sticky, uncomfortable feeling that enveloped him.

After passing the Hashim River Canyon, the surrounding climate changed abruptly, from dry and hot to mild and humid, and even the vegetation on the ground began to transition from typical desert to short grassland.

"Orderly!" he called out, and a young soldier immediately came in carrying a basin of water and a towel.

Lu Lin wiped his cheeks and neck with a damp towel, which made him think of Yehena. If it were her, he would definitely be able to get a dry new set of clothes right now.

At this moment, Chief of Staff Ibrahim lifted the curtain and walked in. He had gotten up very early. Seeing Lu Lin wiping his sweat, he smiled and said, "The Levant has a typical Mediterranean climate, and the climate varies greatly in different areas. You'll get used to it. When we get closer to the Golan Heights, the humidity will double. Most of the rain from the Middle East will be poured onto that 'water tower'."

Lu Lin took the new towel from the orderly and casually said, "I'm more worried about the condition of the soldiers and weapons. The damp weather is okay in the short term, but in the long term it can easily cause malaria and various skin diseases, resulting in non-combat casualties. We need to remind the medical officer to prepare enough medicine and also make sure the soldiers pay attention to personal hygiene."

Ibrahim nodded and then reported another matter: "President Duleva of Masr has privately sent word that he is willing to support us in our fight against Zion and has secretly provided us with an armored division, including two fully-equipped T-62 armored brigades, a mechanized infantry brigade and three artillery battalions."

Lu Lin raised an eyebrow.

Did they come to place bets because they saw their first victory?

Since their defeat in the last Yom Kippur War, Masr has not dared to provoke Zion openly, but this does not prevent them from wanting to reclaim the Sinai Peninsula deep in their hearts.

This is not only about the country's reputation, but also about reclaiming the Suez Canal.

According to statistics, before the Third Middle East War, the Suez Canal accounted for 40% of Maasri's foreign exchange earnings, or about one-tenth of the country's total income.

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Masr was plagued by severe inflation and heavy war debts, pushing the country's economy to the brink of collapse.

In this context, the recovery of the Suez Canal becomes particularly important.

However, it is unrealistic for Masr to expect Zion to return the territory voluntarily. In addition, the United States, which he had just contacted, was involved in the Watergate scandal. Therefore, the only thing Dullwa can rely on now is the Arab coalition.

Ibrahim asked, "Shall we accept it?"

"Take them in. Why not take troops that are delivered to our doorstep?" Lu Lin said without hesitation. "Tell them that we welcome any sincere Arab brothers, but once they come, they must obey our command system."

Unless they feel they haven't lost badly enough the first two times.

Masr proved with his actions that he indeed didn't even have a capable general.

Well, that's not entirely accurate. Actually, there is one: Aaronmes, who devised "Operation Badr".

This man was a staunch advocate of war. He devised a plan to "ambush Suez on Yom Kippur and overwhelm Bar-Lev with high-pressure water cannons." After gaining an advantage in the first phase, he decided to launch a full-scale attack on Tel Aviv.

However, the plan was halted by Dureva at the time. Due to their differing opinions, Aronmes, the commander-in-chief, was dismissed on the spot, and the Second Army was replaced by Major General Salmon, who was completely unfamiliar with the battle situation. As a result, the entire army of Masr was almost wiped out in the Battle of Seres Farm.

"How are things on the other fronts?" Lu Lin asked.

"The 10th Al-Iraq Mechanized Infantry Division and the 4th Arab Armored Mixed Division are engaged in firefights with Zion on multiple fronts."

Ibrahim looked admiringly at him: "The command strategy you set earlier was very effective. You didn't give the coalition forces complicated instructions, but only designated their operational area and ultimate objective. How they fought was left to them to figure out. Judging from the current situation, they are indeed fighting quite well."

"The prerequisite is that you have to keep winning."

Lu Lin calmly said, "Let them fight. It will save us some of the United States' shells."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Masr, Cairo.

President Duleva secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Shuangzhi's affirmative reply.

If Amir accepts the army, and assuming the Allied forces do defeat Zion, Masr could potentially add a clause to the reparations terms regarding the "return of the Sinai Peninsula".

The problem now was who should lead Masr's armored division to support the Allied forces. He thought it over and over, and finally realized that he didn't seem to have a choice.

“Contact Aronmes,” President Dureva sighed. “I will personally apologize to him and ask him to return to command.”

The secretary asked with some concern, "What if he doesn't agree?"

Duleva remained silent for a while before speaking: "Then tell him that if the Arab allies win this time, Masr can regain everything he lost in the previous two wars and return to the Arab brothers' family."

He then added, "If that's not enough, tell him the army needs him, the people of Masr need him."

The secretary immediately did as instructed.

Duleva gazed silently at the national emblem on the opposite wall. He had dedicated his life to protecting Masr's interests, even at the cost of his own reputation and dignity, but in the end, he gained nothing.

A moment later, the secretary reported: "Your Excellency, Aronmes has agreed."

Duleva nodded slightly, his tense shoulders finally relaxing.

I hope I didn't make the wrong choice this time.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

At a newly built field repair depot on the west bank of the Hashim River, Abu Jamal, an elderly man from Hashim, was deftly fiddling with the engine of a broken-down truck, a self-rolled cigarette dangling from his lips.

"The valve spring is broken, and the piston rings are probably in bad shape too. No wonder it won't start."

He reached his finger deep into the engine and pulled out a twisted, broken piece of metal wire. He said to the soldier beside him, "But don't worry, it'll be fixed soon."

Commander Amir personally requisitioned many trucks and tractors from Hashim, and now these old things have become sought-after items for various units.

It is proficient in everything from troop transport to ammunition handling, and has almost no drawbacks except for its slow speed.

A soldier standing nearby looked at the busy repair shop and couldn't help but wonder: "Master, your skills are indeed unparalleled, but at your age, why don't you stay at home and enjoy your retirement, instead of coming to the battlefield to suffer?"

The old man stopped what he was doing, wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and said without looking up, "This used to be my home."

The soldiers froze in place.

"Before the war broke out two years ago, I lived in a village nearby, doing jobs such as repairing machines and drilling well pumps. Later, when the war broke out, I was lucky enough to escape to the east bank, but my old house, the olive trees planted by my grandfather, and my family and good friends were left there."

The old man skillfully replaced the spring, cleaned the grime off the engine, and continued, “You take up guns to fight for Allah and the Arabs, I take up a wrench so I can go home and see my family. We’re just doing the same thing in different ways.”

The young soldier didn't know what to say, so he took off his precious water bottle from his waist and handed it to the old man.

The old man looked at him, took the kettle, and took a small sip.

A dozen minutes later, Abu Jamal patted the repaired hood, and the engine immediately emitted a powerful and steady roar, as if responding to his call.

“Alright,” the old man said to the soldier, “it can run again, and it can help you deliver more shells to the front. Go on, son, have a safe journey.”

The soldier jumped into the truck, waving goodbye to the old man before leaving. The truck then roared away from the repair shop, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The old man watched the truck drive away until it became a tiny black dot.

"Have a safe journey." The old man looked away.

A moment later, another mechanic appeared in the repair shop, working diligently with his head down.

(End of this chapter)