"A setup?"
The chef began scratching his bald head again.
Suddenly, Song Heping changed the subject and said, "Tell your thoughts on the Cria incident earlier this year."
"Why ask about this?"
The chef was even more bewildered.
"Why do you think your president decided to send Little Green n to the Peninsula and directly orchestrated a referendum to annex it into your country earlier this year?"
The chef replied helplessly, "If you talk to about making Borscht or even waging a war, I understand. But discussing these matters, well, I'm not really interested in studying them. But I think..."
He finally stopped scratching his head, took a big gulp of mineral water, and then said, "We have our naval base there, which is the only gateway to the Black Sea, and besides, it was originally the legacy left to us Russians by the Great Empress Catherine, only during the Forr Soviet Union era, it was Khrushchev, that traitor, who assigned it to Ukraine."
After a pause, he continued, "Song, you might not know, but during the division in the nineties, many generals within our upper echelons opposed handing the Peninsula to Ukraine. However, due to the circumstances of the ti, various factors combined forced us to let Ukraine retain the Peninsula, but we reached an agreent with them to maintain our military base and interests there. But earlier this year, look at what happened, they purged the pro-Russian faction and clamored to join NATO. If successful, not only will the exit to the sea be questionable, but even the security of our borders will be jeopardized."
The chef wasn't naive; his analysis was accurate.
However, Song Heping wasn't looking for this, he wanted insights into the thoughts of the Russian top brass at the ti.
So he smiled and said, "I'm not discussing these topics with you, but rather why your president made the decision earlier this year. This is very similar to the current situation, chef, you really should study international politics, you can't just be a fighter."
"Why should I learn those useless things?" The chef was dismissive, "I'm just a businessman! I don't care about those bureaucratic matters!"
Song Heping felt a bitter smile inside.
It seed that the chef was beyond persuasion.
In fact, having a foundation in international politics research allows one to judge the strategic direction of the broader situation, especially for both Song Heping and the chef who are engaged in international defense business; it's very useful.
"Back then, your president actually had several choices, and the final decision to deploy troops and seize Cria was to cut losses."
"Cut losses?"
"Yes, cut losses."
Song Heping gently tapped his fingers on the table.
"At the ti, the person you supported had already fallen, and things happened suddenly. Sending him back to regain power would be too costly, requiring military occupation of the whole area, which wouldn't hold up to international moral standards. However, just capturing Cria posed no problems, and it had historical ties there."
He pointed to a map of Siria on the wall.
"It's the sa here. Learning from earlier this year's lessons, I predict your leader won't sit idly by and watch Hafez fall and lose the diterranean exit. He will also need to cut losses, especially after already tearing relations with NATO. There's no room for any illusion now."
"But I've inquired and heard no intentions from the Kremlin about deploying troops," the chef said.
Song Heping replied, "Originally, my prediction was that your leader would dispatch troops to intervene these past few days, but it seems that the victory at Halaib and Dehuk gave them hope. They expect you and to risk our lives with our resources here to stabilize the situation for them..."
The chef fell silent.
Song Heping's words were circling in his mind, slowly being digested.
The more he thought, the more he felt Song Heping was right.
"What should we do then?" The chef asked, "Should we withdraw and force them to intervene?"
"Withdrawal is not an option, I can, but you can't..." Song Heping pointed at the chef, "You have a contract with the Kremlin, if you withdraw, that's a breach of contract, and you can forget mixing in Russia."
"Do you have a plan?"
Seeing Song Heping calmly poised like a fisherman waiting for a catch, the chef seed to grasp sothing.
"Hmm, since they expect us, let's put on a good show for them," Song Heping said confidently, "You should rest now, I have so tasks to handle here, and once I have the plan figured out, I'll notify you."
The chef opened his mouth to say sothing, but upon thinking, realized he couldn't be of any help.
He had strong faith in Song Heping's abilities.
Believed he would definitely co up with a solution.
This was Song Heping's usual style, no need to worry at all.
After the chef left, as he awaited Henry's latest intelligence, Song Heping closed his eyes to relax, although his brain was swiftly processing, simulating every aspect of the plan and anticipating any potential surprises.
An hour later, Henry's encrypted docunt arrived right on ti.
Song Heping quickly browsed through the data on the screen—
Deputy Director of CIA Operations, Jackson, a forr Delta officer who joined the CIA Operations Division after retirent, known for his ambitious and ruthless thods. Due to his outstanding performance in several covert operations, he was exceptionally promoted by Kelly, regarded as Kelly's "Butcher" and successor.
After Kelly beca a vegetable, he took over as acting director, eager to make achievents to secure the formal position.
Personality analysis data indicated that he was extrely arrogant, possessed an almost fanatical loyalty to Kelly, and viewed eliminating Song Heping as his top priority and personal obsession...
"Just as expected..."
Song Heping's lips curled into a hint of a cold smile.
Obsession and impatience are cardinal sins in agent operations and a fatal weakness that can be exploited.
He picked up the satellite phone once again and dialed Simon's number.
The phone rang several tis before it was answered, Simon's voice was very low, with a quiet background, obviously in an absolutely private setting.
"You shouldn't contact at this ti. What's up?"
A hint of imperceptible tension and resistance was present in the tone.
"Relax."
Song Heping's tone seed very relaxed, as if chatting with an old friend.
"I just want to check on my 'health' issue. Over at Jackson's side... how's the plan about my 'accidental death' progressing? Is he anxious about not finding a chance to poison ?"
Simon was silent for a few seconds, seemingly assessing what to say: "…Your information is very well-inford. Jackson is indeed anxious, he has mobilized several insiders, even tried to bribe the servants around your residence, but you and your people are too strict in defense, your food is specially inspected, your whereabouts unpredictable, they have not found a safe opportunity to act. He was just complaining to , saying you are like a slippery eel."
"Looks like Jackson needs a bit of help."
Song Heping chuckled lightly, "Subordinates who always disappoint their superiors don't have a bright future, especially in a place like Langley."
Simon did not respond, seemingly speculating on Song Heping's true intentions.
Song Heping no longer beat around the bush, directly throwing out the bait: "Listen, Simon. I want to make a deal. I can give Jackson an opportunity he can't refuse to perfectly resolve . A seemingly foolproof opportunity."
"What?!" Simon's voice was full of shock and suspicion, "Are you crazy? What are you trying to do?"
"I'm not crazy."
Song Heping's tone suddenly cooled, "I know Jackson really wants my life, but I want to see if he and his people have the capability. I need you to cooperate and 'accidentally' leak a piece of 'classified' intelligence to the action departnt."
"What kind of intelligence?" Simon asked cautiously.
"Very simple."
Song Heping slowly said, every word exceptionally clear, "In two days, I will invite Hafez to my residence, under the guise of discussing the northern battle, and will also arrange for dinner. I will instruct the kitchen to purchase more food that day, especially so imported food, like the Chef's favorite caviar, which is scarce in Damascus now. People on your side should be able to sniff out the opportunity... "
The implication was already very clear.
Song Heping believed that soone as intelligent as Simon would understand right away.
Simon coldly said on the other end of the line: "Are you using yourself as bait?! You want to lure Jackson's assassination? And then? You surely have an ambush! To capture the assassin?"
Song Heping laughed secretly in his heart, overestimating Simon.
Unexpectedly, a CIA Deputy Director didn't guess his plan to kill two birds with one stone.
Forget it.
No need to explain too clearly to this guy.
"Whether there's an ambush is my business."
Song Heping coldly said, "What you need to do is ensure that this intelligence is received by Jackson with absolute certainty in so 'accidental' manner. And emphasize that this is the only opportunity in the short term, if missed, I don't know how long I will stay in this safe house."
"You're putting on the hot seat too." Simon said discontentedly: "Aren't you worried that Jackson will suspect afterward?"
"You?" Song Heping couldn't help but burst into laughter: "You old fox, dealing with soone like Jackson with well-developed limbs and an operation team, still worried about him grasping your handle? Don't be ridiculous! Simon, I know you have your private intelligence network in the Middle East and have your own soldiers, all your people. Adding a bit of private goods in this network, slipping in a fake intelligence ('alside'), couldn't be simpler, now Jackson is already anxious with his forehead sweating, once he sees this intelligence he'll likely act imdiately, how does this have anything to do with you?"
Simon was silent.
He clearly felt it was a huge trap.
Song Heping must have another move.
But what other move?
He himself couldn't think of it montarily.
More importantly, if he refused Song Heping, those critical handles of his would imdiately appear on the desks of CIA inspectors or even the dia.
"…How do I know you won't sell out afterward?"
Simon asked with difficulty.
"Simon, do I still lack things in hand?"
Song Heping's voice carried a hint of mockery.
"Moreover, your mishap doesn't benefit at all."
After hearing Song Heping's mocking remarks, Simon knew there was no way out for him.
"…Alright. I'll do as you say. I will manage the source and the transmission thod of the intelligence, ensuring it appears flawless. But… I hope you know what you're doing."
"Of course I do."
After Song Heping finished speaking, he directly hung up the phone.
After pondering for a mont at the table, Song Heping got up and walked to the door, shouting towards the Chef's room: "Chef, co over, let's discuss sothing!"
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