Middle Eastern tyrants

Chapter 36 The Banquet (Part 2)

Is this some kind of obedience test?
Lu Lin pointed to the remaining whole roasted lamb and said, "You can have as much as you want, as long as you're full."

Through the conversation just now, he was able to confirm that old Muhammad was more capable than he had imagined. He wasn't worried that Muhammad didn't have the ability; he was just worried that he didn't have the courage to ask for it.

Everyone was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and Enshium seemed particularly surprised.

Wasn't it said that his younger brother was a notorious coward?
"Ha ha, alright!"

Prince Muhammad was very satisfied with Lu Lin's answer. He personally used a knife to slice off the fattest parts of the sheep from the loin, belly, and hind leg, and then cut off the whole foreleg of the sheep, placed it on a plate, and handed it to Lu Lin.

"Eat up, there's more if you're not full!"

Under everyone's gaze, Lu Lin didn't stand on ceremony and directly grabbed a leg of lamb, starting to eat heartily.

Prince Sultan, however, thought his younger brother was putting on an act, so he whispered, "Father, I think your previous suggestion was quite good: have little Amir return from the front lines and serve as your advisor in the Ministry of Defense."

Old Muhammad watched Lu Lin wolf down his food, his smile undiminished: "Why did you bring Amir back? Are you jealous of your brother's talent, or do you think he lacks ability?"

This was a rather pointed question, but Sultan's expression remained unchanged. Instead, he retorted to his father, "It is precisely because he is my brother that I made this suggestion to you."

You often taught us the importance of sharing honor and disgrace within our family. Amir has already brought honor to this family once; how could we possibly push him into the fire again?

Old Muhammad did not look at his son, but disappointment was evident in his eyes.

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Lu Lin quickly tugged at Sultan's sleeve and shared his mutton with him, whispering, "Stop talking, eat your meat."

He could tell that Sultan genuinely cared for him and wasn't a hypocrite. However, the body in this person's body was no longer that of his cowardly younger brother.

"Sit down," Prince Muhammad said, too lazy to explain.

However, for the first time without his father's words, Sultan seemed to be supported by immense courage and continued, "I have already looked at the military map. His Majesty wants to send Amir to the northern border region, but to the west there is the Kingdom of Hashim, to the north are the three provinces of Al-Ilag, and to the east is Kerwit, all of which are enemy-occupied territories of Zion!"

This danger is far greater than that of Nukoshir. Amir is still young and inexperienced. His death is a minor matter compared to losing the border. I implore Father to persuade His Majesty to rescind his order!

Prince Muhammad slowly wiped the grease off his hands, then tossed the napkin onto the plate and said casually, "It's been a while, and you've dared to talk back to me now. You've improved quite a bit."

Sultan's shoulders trembled upon hearing his father's words.

Enshium, standing to the side, chimed in and reprimanded Sultan: "His Majesty's decree was delivered in front of all his prince uncles. How can it be taken back so easily?"

Or do you think it's more worthwhile for Father to take a risk and plead with His Majesty?

Upon hearing this, Sultan could no longer hold on and slumped into his chair.

Lu Lin was just about to confess to Sultan that he had spoken with the prince earlier, but unexpectedly, the prince pushed the mutton back at him and said with a wry smile, "It's because your brother is useless."

Seeing that Sultan had given in, Enshum assumed that his persuasion had worked, and changed his tone, smiling:
"But fourth brother, you don't need to worry too much. Maybe the Zionites aren't as strong as you think. Perhaps Amir will get lucky and make a great contribution like this time!"

Does this mean I win battles entirely by luck?

Lu Lin couldn't tell for a moment whether the other person was mocking him or just being stupid.

"If you think you're lucky, why don't you go to the front lines yourself?" Sheila said abruptly, picking at the vegetables on her plate with her fork.

Enshium was somewhat embarrassed, but in order to demonstrate his abilities, the eldest son of the Muhammad family said, "I have actually done some research on Zion's attack on the border, and I feel that it is quite feasible."

"The terrain of the Nukoshir outpost is relatively flat and open, and it is protected by the Harisi base and the Rasifa base on both flanks, so we can move our defenses forward to an open area that is advantageous for the enemy tanks." "That's a full thirty kilometers!" Lu Lin said coldly.

In desert environments, for every additional ten kilometers, each armored vehicle needs an extra 15% of its cooling water supply. Without motor vehicles, ordinary soldiers are even less able to move.

When Enshium saw that it was Lu Lin who was refuting him, he still spoke righteously: "So what? Modern warfare is about strategic deterrence. We need to show a tough enough stance so that the Zionites know that we have enough confidence to win!"

Lu Lin suppressed his anger: "Then we'll be completely exposed to the enemy's air and ground strike range. Zion's artillery can fall on our heads across the Gulf of Aqaba, and many people will die!"

"In war, someone always has to make a sacrifice."

Enshium said dismissively, "How can a commander be merciful?"

squeak----!
The chair scraped loudly on the floor.

Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Amir strode towards Nshum, then swung his arm and delivered a powerful blow to the latter's face.

"Snapped!!"

Enshium was spun around like a top by the tremendous force, and then fell off the chair to the ground.

He was completely stunned by the slap.

How dare he? How dare he?
I'm his older brother!
"A person like you is not fit to be a general, not even a cook!"

Lu Lin looked down at his nominal brother, taking in the other's confusion and fear, and spat.

"If you ever say such stupid things in front of me again, I'll knock all your teeth out and use them as a fence on your butt!"

"Father."

Enshium covered his swollen left cheek and looked at the chief, but all he received in return was a pair of emotionless eyes.

The expected scene of his father presiding over justice did not occur. Prince Muhammad did not offer any opinion, but instead said to him:

“Go back, Enshium.”

Enshium was speechless for a moment, then got up and slunk away first.

On the way back, humiliation and resentment welled up in Enshium's heart, and he made up his mind to take revenge on his arrogant younger brother.

But the thought of Lu Lin's cold expression and the stinging handprint on his face made him shudder.

Musta stared wide-eyed at her somewhat unfamiliar son.

As for Sultanhira and his sister, they looked at each other in bewilderment.

Lu Lin used a fork to pick up the lamb breast that Enshium hadn't yet touched: "If he won't eat it, I will."

Prince Muhammad looked at his sixth son for a long time, and finally sighed: "After all, Enshium is your brother."

"Yes." Lu Lin stuffed the mutton into his mouth, making a muffled sound.
He still owes me an apology.

(End of this chapter)