Mercenaries, I Will Be King Chapter 1282 - 1103: Strategic Patience (Part 2)

He walked straight towards the largest command post in the center of the camp, constructed from reinforced shelters and camouflage nets.

"Old Squad Leader, just got back?"

Jiang Feng pushed the door open and walked in, with Naxin appearing behind him.

Song Heping poured himself so water, glancing at the two of them.

"Still awake at this hour?"

Song Heping asked knowingly.

Both were likely eager to know the outco of tonight's negotiations.

"I was just checking posts and saw you returning by chance..."

Jiang Feng's excuse was weak.

"Can you co up with a better excuse?"

Song Heping laughed. "I've finished talking with Abu You."

He opened up honestly, "They want to cooperate. The conditions are favorable; funding, equipnt, intelligence—all can be shared."

With just a few words, the atmosphere in the command post beca lively again, and a look of longing flashed in Jiang Feng's eyes.

Naxin couldn't help but say, "That's great! We need these! The intelligence and equipnt of the Kurd people have been provided by the Aricans over the years, and we can't deny they're good stuff."

"But I turned it down."

Song Heping's next words were like ice water, instantly extinguishing the newly ignited fla.

Silence fell over the command post, only the low hum of the generator could be heard.

Naxin and Jiang Feng's eyes focused on Song Heping, filled with confusion.

Song Heping's gaze slowly swept over each person, recounting Samir's questions from last night and his own thoughts in more concise, direct language.

He emphasized the invisible yet incredibly strong umbilical cord between the Kurd people and the United States, pointing out the possible fatal reactions from the CIA and JSOC, analyzing the desperation or fraud behind Abu You's actions.

"Rember, we are not bandits. We are playing chess."

Song Heping's fingers heavily tapped the rough wooden table where an invisible strategic map seed to be laid out.

"At one end of the board are these Mad Dogs of 1515, on the other is the Arican behemoth, in between are the Kurd people, governnt army, and tribal forces. Also, there are people like us looking for opportunities. One wrong move and it's all over."

"What we need most now is not seemingly delicious bait, but 'strategic patience.' He reiterated these four words, "Strengthen ourselves, train more warriors."

He looked at Jiang Feng and Naxin, "We must build up our strength, weave the intelligence network tighter. Let the brothers keep their eyes wide open: the Arican satellites in the sky, drones, ground electronic surveillance, and any unfamiliar faces trying to approach the camp must be imdiately detected, reported, and handled."

"Survive, grow stronger. When the chips are plentiful enough to force the players to face us, or when the chessboard undergoes dramatic changes, that's when we strike."

Song Heping's voice was firm, "Now, everyone, execute the orders. Elevate the alert level to the highest."

No debate.

There was no more debate.

Jiang Feng and Naxin were not Samir.

Those who entered this core circle had been through enough life-and-death tests and were acutely aware that their boss's judgnt rarely erred.

Jiang Feng and Naxin silently nodded, leaving the command post one by one.

Four days later, the encrypted satellite phone rang again.

This ti, the signal source indicated the distant White Elephant Country, Goa.

Song Heping glanced at the number and quickly pressed the answer key. The receiver emitted Zayed's voice, filled with curry scent, mingled with enthusiasm and calculation, with faint ocean waves and music in the background.

"My dear friend Song, I hope the sands in Northern Illiguo haven't blinded your eyes."

Zayed, as usual, exchanged pleasantries, but his tone quickly turned serious. "Our business has encountered a bit... of trouble. That old dog Narendra seems to have gotten its tail stepped on and is acting insanely."

He began to vent, describing how the conflict with the Narendra family escalated to boiling point—dock gunfights, warehouse explosions, street assassinations...

Both sides were bloodthirsty. Narendra utilized all resources, biting down on each of his smuggling routes like a mad dog. Whenever discovered, he reported to the relevant departnts and even to countries concerned.

"The situation is too tight now, and the risk costs are frighteningly high."

Zayed sighed, his voice filled with "sincere" helplessness, "I know the quality of your goods from Persia is top-notch. But at this juncture, they're too hot to handle. Narendra's people have even started inquiring about your background, wanting to know where the formidable outsider giving such confidence cos from... In the short term, I can hardly find a safe way to convert them into the cash or equipnt you need."

Song Heping listened quietly, fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

He tasted the essence of it.

Zayed's complaints were genuine, and the difficulties were real, but the core purpose wasn't rely to shirk.

He was venting, but he was also hinting that the source of trouble was Narendra.

If Narendra were solved, the channels would naturally clear up.

He was leveraging, trying to use Song Heping's sharp knife to remove his serious problem.

It seed this guy learned from the last ti, knowing about Song's combat capabilities and what his people lacked the least.

He was making a request.

"Zayed."

Song Heping interrupted his ramblings, his tone calm yet full of insight, "Seems Mr. Narendra has been keeping you up at night. You want to solve this trouble and make it a prerequisite for our transaction, right?"

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, followed by Zayed's slightly embarrassed yet relieved laughter, "Dealing with smart people is refreshing, Boss Song. I know your 'Musician' Defense Company... has formidable power. Solving such local 'little troubles' might be easier for you than my maneuvers to avoid ten coast guard speedboats."

"Information."

Song Heping succinctly said, "I want all his information, everything about him, habits, frequent locations, bodyguard configurations, as detailed as possible, delivered to the usual place. I'll take on the task."

No bargaining, no hesitation.

The straightforwardness left Zayed montarily stunned, then he quickly agreed, his tone filled with delight and assurance: "Excellent! Boss Song, as long as you help solve this trouble, your goods will always be the top priority at mine, and we can discuss the commission percentage! I'll prepare the information right away!"

"We'll talk about the commission later, but I must warn you, Mr. Zayed, once I eliminate your opponent." Song Heping cleared his throat, speaking with crystal clarity, "If you fail to accomplish the task according to our agreent, you should know what the consequences are."

On the other end of the phone, Zayed's spine went cold, feeling his hair stand on end.

"I... I certainly know..."

He swallowed hard and said, "Rest assured, I'm still quite reputable..."

"OK." Song Heping laughed, "Then wait for your information and dossier, leave the task to , stay ho and stay safe, don't get out, don't let soone take you down before I take others down."

Communication ended.