Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 211 Asking for help
From then on, Lu Lin had a figure dressed in a white robe by his side.

He really couldn't go against this. Even the Sheikh family, who had repeatedly compromised at the negotiating table, wouldn't budge an inch on this point, and even Muhammad maintained a tacitly acquiescing attitude.

As for Taimiye, if he didn't have so much work to do right now, he would probably have taken over the job from Yagubu himself.

Fortunately, Yagubu was not unreasonable. He would always avoid Lu Lin when he was with his family or when he was meeting Yehena in private.

But when it comes to military or political meetings or official business, he will appear in the corner on time, notebook in hand, watching his every word and action.

This kind of gaze made Lu Lin feel somewhat uncomfortable, and he subconsciously became more cautious in his words and actions.

"Yagubu, can I take a look at your little notebook?"

"No."

"I'll trade mine for yours."

"Uh, that won't work either!"

"How dare you! What if I command you as an angel?!"

"That's fine, but I will also record your orders afterwards."

"."

Lu Lin was out of ideas.

These religious believers always have a kind of inexplicable stubbornness, regarding the practice of certain beliefs as their lifelong pursuit, even above life itself.

He ultimately chose to give up.

Oh well, you'll get used to it.

Since Muhammad succeeded to the throne, the new governor of Riyadh has been replaced by Prince Abdul, who was previously the deputy governor. His promotion was expected.

The new crown prince is Prince Durrah, who is tenth in line. However, it is obvious to everyone that the current crown prince is just a figurehead.

Before Muhammad, the crown princes of Shuangzhi held very high positions, essentially serving as "the king's deputy."

Just like Shams, who served as the governor of Riyadh and the Minister of Petroleum before ascending the throne, he was practically a king.

However, since Walid succeeded as crown prince, the actual power has been basically handed over to Muhammad by Shams. And it was even worse for Prince Durah, who had almost nothing except the title of crown prince.

It is said that after succeeding as crown prince, Durah has only met his brother Muhammad in public, and has not even had the chance to be summoned in private.

This suggests that the king may have only regarded his younger brother as a "transitional figure".

As for who the transition will be given to, everyone knows the answer.

Lu Lin also moved his office into the National Defense Administration building, where he also served as the governor of the northern border region in addition to being the Minister of National Defense.

It sounds like it was quite a difficult task, but because the Ministry of Defense was full of Sudri faction loyalists, coupled with his own military achievements and status, the handover process was exceptionally smooth, and it was impossible to tell that a new leader had been appointed.

As for the northern border region, although it is one of the thirteen provinces of Shuangzhi, there is actually not much to worry about.

The entire territory covers 100,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Zhejiang Province, but it only has three counties. Most of the people living here are concentrated in Khafbar, and the number of soldiers is even smaller.

Previously, the royal family had a deputy governor, as well as corresponding ministers and ministers, but it was later found that these people were all superfluous.

I never met the deputy governor, Lu Lin, from beginning to end. He was said to be obsessed with religion and hadn't set foot outside Medina for several years.

Early in the morning, Lu Lin received a phone call from Ibrahim.

Having not heard the other person's voice for a long time, Lu Lin smiled and said, "Yibo, my old buddy, how's the situation at the front now?"

"Apart from the constant cold wind and the occasional rain, everything is fine."

Ibrahim said, "If you want to wait until spring to launch an attack, my advice is to send more fuel and cotton clothing—I've almost forgotten when I last wore a khadura."

Lu Lin nodded: "I'll figure out the fuel. As for the cotton-padded clothes, I'll contact Surria for you. We should be able to get a lot of cotton-padded clothes from Ant, and the quality will definitely be very good."

“Then there’s no problem. But I suspect the Ant people are so resistant to the cold because they drink a lot of vodka.”

Ibrahim continued, "Oh, by the way, there's another thing I need to tell you during this phone call: the Zion prisoners we captured in Damascus are being sent back home in batches."

Lu Lin asked curiously, "By the way, how many prisoners did we capture this time?"

"The number is enormous."

Ibrahim replied, "I don't know if Surria has secretly detained a group of people, but we alone have more than 10,000! And that doesn't even include those who died in battle. I estimate that at this rate, Zion will be wiped out by the end of its generation!"

This analogy is a bit exaggerated, but it definitely dealt a real blow to Zion, and these soldiers were the best-looking, youngest and strongest lads.

Ibrahim: "These more than 10,000 people are just 10,000 mouths to feed. How to deal with them depends on His Majesty the King's decision."

Lu Lin coldly stated, "In my opinion, send them to the Nedev Desert to build the railway! What Shuangzhi needs most right now is free labor. As long as they don't die from overwork, they can go."

At this moment, Lu Lin remembered that there was another pair of eyes watching him intently from behind, so he changed his words and said, "Let's give them a chance to atone for their sins through labor!"

Back then, Ant also sent Prosen's prisoners to dig potatoes in Siberia, which is following the historical trajectory. "Their crimes won't be so easily atoned for."

Ibrahim continued his report: "For the past two days, we have been using our geographical advantage to bombard the Galilee Plain. The Zion garrison has begun to consolidate its defenses and retreat to the outskirts of Haifa, but they have laid countless landmines."

Lu Lin frowned: "Is this something a human being would do? At this rate, Galilee will be uninhabitable for at least several decades!"

This was once the most fertile soil in the entire Levant region, but now it has become a forbidden zone where humans cannot survive.

"This isn't the only despicable thing they've done; at least this time they didn't harm our land."

Ibrahim initially dismissed the idea, then brought up another matter: "However, there is some good news. Since the colonial empire announced the cessation of supplies to Zion, some dissenting voices have emerged within Zion itself. Those who are non-partisan or dissatisfied with Hilbert have formed a political party called 'Likud,' but I don't know the specifics."

Likud?
Lu Lin caught another familiar term.

"In addition, I have also heard about the situation in China."

Ibrahim paused for a moment: "If there's anything you're unsure about, just call me anytime. That's all."

Lu Lin smiled and said, "I'm doing alright here, but there are still some things I need to take care of. Once the situation in the country is completely stable, I will return to the front line immediately."

"I hope so."

At this moment, Fahd knocked on the door and came in, saying to Lu Lin, "Your Excellency Marshal, Pierre, the leader of the Phoenician Falange, has sent a telegram."

Lu Lin frowned: "The Long Gun Gang? Why are you calling me?"

Fahd shook his head.

Lu Lin hesitated for a moment, then said, "Never mind, let's answer the phone."

After a few brief busy tones, the call was connected, and Lu Lin said, "This is the Shuangzhi Defense Headquarters. I am Amir bin Mohammed."

"Your Excellency General,"

A weary male voice came from the other end of the phone: "I am Pierre Germiro."

"I am listening."

Pierre smiled wryly and said, "I'm making this call because I have a favor to ask."

Lu Lin smirked: "You wouldn't be asking me to mediate the Phoenician civil war, would you?"

Pierre's voice was hoarse: "Yes... Your Excellency, if this continues, Phoenicia will collapse."

Lu Lin said coldly, "But you haven't forgotten that you ordered the massacre of Arafat's refugee camp, have you?"
This action indirectly led to a fierce resistance from the Zionist garrison in Damascus. Do you know how many Arabs you have killed?

Pierre remained silent.

There were many reasons he couldn't bring himself to say.

It was as if they had originally intended to take in homeless Arafatians, but who would have thought that these uninvited guests would not be satisfied with just a place to stay, and would even use guns to drive the homeowners out.

For example, on that day he was taking his grandson to be baptized. Then, a merciless bullet tore the church apart, taking the lives of his son and grandson.

They later asked the Surrians to intervene and mediate, but that only resulted in inviting trouble.

The Longgunners must not cooperate with Zion against Arafat and Surria.
National and personal grievances—this tangled mess is beyond anyone's comprehension.

Pierre took a deep breath: "This is all my fault, but if this civil war can be ended, I, Pierre Germireau, hereby promise that I will immediately withdraw from politics and never participate in any Phoenician political affairs again; secondly, the Falanges will lay down their arms and accept a political solution; thirdly..."

His tone hardened: “Once a ceasefire is achieved, the Phoenicians will fully assist the Arab coalition in its fight against Zion! Our ports, airports, and all military facilities will be open to the allies. There are also three intact oil depots in Tripoli, with enough fuel to support your armored forces as they advance 100 kilometers toward Tel Aviv.”

Lu Lin fell into a brief silence on the other end of the phone.

This was a gamble of epic proportions; Pierre practically staked his political life and the very existence of Phoenicia on the negotiating table.

Pierre said, “The Phoenicians have shed too much blood, Your Excellency Commander-in-Chief. Now, only you have the ability to end this war. Not for me, but for all the people on this land who are still suffering.”

Whether Phoenicians or Arafats, we are all victims of war.

Lu Lin rubbed his temples: "How can you expect me to believe the words of a group of people who have cooperated with the Zionists? Is whether you define yourself as a victim?"

His voice gradually turned cold: "Building trust comes at a price."

Pierre's heavy breathing came from the other end of the phone.

Lu Lin continued, "If you really want to end this war, then hand over everyone involved in the Beirut massacre—no matter what your reasons are, those women and children are innocent. Let them surrender to the United Nations and stand trial; that's the prerequisite for everything!"

Lu Lin dared not gamble.

He didn't want any risks to ruin the current excellent situation.

But he also wanted to know how much a person was willing to pay for their beliefs.

A long silence fell on the other end of the phone. After a long while, Pierre said softly:
"I will think about it."

(End of this chapter)