Go head-to-head with him?
That would be a disaster for France's influence in Africa.
These days, the French are already overwheld by the constantly changing situations in Africa and the awakening consciousness of the African people. On top of that, they have to guard against being backstabbed by their so-called "allies," the Aricans and the British, who might push them out of their traditional spheres of influence. And if they fall out with a crazy yet competent rcenary Leader...
It seems that no matter how you calculate it, this business is a losing deal.
"Mr. Song."
Shire's voice was sowhat stiff due to extre restraint, "Your...'suggestions,' I will truthfully convey to Paris. But the decisions of the French Republic will not be based solely on the threats of an individual."
"Of course, it's not a threat, my old friend."
Song Heping's voice resud its calm, even carrying a faint, almost imperceptible smile, as if the cold threats just uttered were never spoken.
"It's an analysis of pros and cons. A realistic choice. I believe your governnt will make a wise decision that aligns with France's long-term interests. After all, the sun in Africa is fair; it shines on friends and foes alike. Goodbye."
The phone was decisively hung up.
The busy tone beeped, sounding exceptionally sharp in the quiet office.
After idly staring for a few seconds, Shire suddenly slamd the satellite phone in his hand hard onto the thick carpet.
He sprang up, his chest heaving rapidly, eyes burning with the fire of humiliation and a deep sense of powerlessness.
He rushed to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the orderly streets of Paris below, as if trying to draw strength from the familiar scene.
"Arrogant! Shaless! That damned rcenary Leader! Who does he think he is?!"
Shire spun around, lowly yelling at his trusted assistant Reyno, who sat quietly on the sofa. His voice trembled slightly with anger.
Reyno is known within the DGSE as a "think tank."
He pushed up his glasses, his tone calm: "He is indeed arrogant, Chief. But what he said...is the truth."
He picked up the briefing on the table, "Hafter's forces now control over 70% of the territory, including almost all the oil fields. Benghazi, Sebha, Obari... The collapse of the GNA happened ten tis faster than we anticipated. Sayif is now holed up in Tripoli, with nothing but a handful of ragtag soldiers and Western 'moral support' that's only on paper. The Aricans have clearly abandoned him. The British? Look at the recent moves of MI6; they are more concerned with safely withdrawing their people before Tripoli falls."
He stood up, walked to Shire's side, speaking in a low tone: "Song Heping's threat is not just empty words. His influence in the Sen Republic is far greater than what we see in the Paris archives. The president he supports practically listens to him in everything. If we offend him by supporting Sayif, with just a re gesture, the iron ore mining rights in Central Africa and our military base deploynts there...will face trendous trouble. He might even really bring the British back, or support a regi that is entirely in his favor, thoroughly pushing us out of the core interest circle."
The anger on Shire's face gradually receded like a tide.
He finally cald down, tugging at his tie: "So we just bow to him? Let a...a rcenary Leader call the shots in France's traditional sphere of influence? This is simply a great humiliation!"
"This is not bowing down."
Reyno analyzed calmly.
"This is cutting losses, a strategic withdrawal, a choice to maintain France's core interests under new circumstances. Sayif has no investnt value anymore, continuing to support him would only waste resources, provoke Song Heping, and in the end, accomplish nothing but making us a laughingstock. And the olive branch extended by Song Heping, although thorny, at least ensures our basic interests in Libya, especially the oil contracts. More importantly, his promises in the Sen Republic are sothing we absolutely cannot afford to lose."
He paused for a mont, gazing keenly at his superior: "The president and the foreign ministry are under imnse pressure as well. Dostically, public opinion is very averse to getting deeply involved in the Libyan quagmire again, especially after the Aricans made such a big ss. Accepting Song Heping's 'peace' now, although it doesn't look good on the surface, at least preserves our substantial interests. If we hold out and lose in the end, we'll lose far more, and neither the president nor the minister is willing to bear that responsibility."
Shire fell silent.
He walked back to his desk, collapsed into his chair, vigorously kneading his pounding temples with his fingers.
After a long pause, he let out a deep breath, as if he had used up all his strength.
"Looks like I need to make a trip to the director's office..."
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