Mercenaries, I Will Be King Chapter 1528 1246: The Empire's Compromise

Waited for a full two days.

A complete 48 hours.

No movent at all.

When the phone rang in the command post, the crisp ringtone shattered the silence in the command post, appearing particularly abrupt, and instantly interrupted Song Heping's ongoing tactical rehearsal.

No one had been idle these days. Before the Aricans officially conceded, all defensive asures had to be rigorous, and every contingency plan had to be thorough.

Song Heping spent each day simulating the ergence of different scenarios and devising strategies to respond.

The map spread open next to the wooden table was densely marked with red and blue pencil marks over the Mosul-Tetric region, with several key attack arrows and defense circles standing out sharply.

The ringtone abruptly ended the conversation among the three people.

This phone number was specifically for contacting Baghdad.

Its ringing often signified news from the U.S. side.

Song Heping's eyes flickered slightly, and Jiang Feng, sitting by the phone, reflexively picked up the special phone and quickly glanced at the number—

He whispered to Song Heping, "It's the Kote line."

Song Heping showed no surprise, as if he had already predicted the outco.

He leisurely picked up his teacup, blew on it, took a sip of the bitter yet unusually sweet tea, let the boiling liquid linger in his mouth for a mont, then slowly swallowed it, and nodded.

Jiang Feng pressed the call button without speaking, simply listening quietly.

Finally, a male voice with a Texas accent speaking Arican English ca from the other end of the line.

A few seconds later, Jiang Feng covered the mouthpiece, speaking even more softly, "Kote himself, asking specifically to speak with you."

Only then did Song Heping put down the teacup, stood up, and took the offered cellphone.

His movents were unhurried, not at all anxious, as if he was about to handle just an ordinary business inquiry, rather than a call that might determine their future fate.

"This is Song."

His voice was as calm as a deep pool, revealing no hint of emotion.

Colonel Kote's voice ca through from the other end of the line, and even though it was a bit distorted by the encryption, it was still possible to detect a slight, hardly noticeable concession hidden under the deliberately maintained official tone.

"Mr. Song,"

Kote skipped all formalities.

"After careful internal assessnt on our part and comprehensive communication with Washington, we agree in principle to hold face-to-face consultations with you in Hulmatu regarding the follow-up action plan for the Mosul-Tetric region and the misunderstanding between Delta Squad and your side from two days ago. The ti is set for two days from now. The higher-ups asked to contact you, to hear your attitude and opinions."

"Agreeing in principle to consult"—Song Heping understood clearly that this was rely a way for the U.S. side to save face. Their proposal for negotiations itself ant they felt the pressure and needed to sit down and talk.

Arican imperialism, when reasonable, is only because they have no other choice...

The words of the great leader echoed once again in his mind, and the corner of his mouth imperceptibly turned upward as he smiled:

"Yes, of course. Jiang Feng will confirm the specific ti and place with you later."

"Very well."

Kote paused as if he wanted to say sothing more but eventually only added formally, "I hope this eting will be constructive."

"I hope so too."

Song Heping responded indifferently.

"The Lord Dong does not like war, unless forced to, isn't that so?"

The implication of these words could not be clearer—it was you Aricans who stepped forward to cause trouble, not !

The call ended.

Song Heping put down the receiver and turned back to the table.

Samir and Jiang Feng were both watching him, their eyes filled with inquiry and expectation.

Samir was even impatiently tapping his knuckles on the table.

"Boss, what's the situation? What's that old rascal Kote said?"

Samir asked urgently.

Song Heping sat down without answering imdiately and instead picked up the cup of tea that had turned lukewarm, taking a large gulp as if trying to suppress the waves in his heart with the bitter liquid.

Then, under the burning gaze of the two, he slowly uttered a few words: "The Aricans can't sit still. Two days later, Hulmatu, negotiations."

"It's really happening?!"

Samir was montarily stunned, then suddenly slamd the table, making the teacup rattle, his face breaking into a broad smile of satisfaction, "Those bastards! They finally couldn't hold on anymore! These Washington lords finally have to bow their heads!"

Even Jiang Feng, usually calm, showed a spark of uncontrollable excitent in his eyes, the corners of his mouth relaxing slightly to reveal a touch of genuine smile.

He grabbed the coarse teapot on the table, refilled the cups of both Song Heping and himself with the thick red tea: "Tea in place of wine, this round, we've seized the initiative! Worth a toast!"

"Yes! A toast is a must! For these Yankees bowing their heads!"

Samir shouted enthusiastically, raising his teacup high, and without caring about the heat, gulped it down, as if it was the finest wine celebrating victory rather than tea.

Song Heping raised his cup, clinking it firmly with the others.

"This is just the beginning. The real contest will be the negotiations in two days. What we seek is not temporary compromise, but substantial strategic space and ti."

Jiang Feng analyzed: "The Aricans initiating negotiations indicates they indeed feel the pressure, possibly from international public opinion or perhaps their internal assessnt concluded that the cost of warring with us is too high; however, I think they will not easily make concessions, especially in areas of core interests. During the negotiations in two days, they will undoubtedly propose all kinds of harsh terms, perhaps even set traps."

"No problem."

Song Heping gave Jiang Feng an approving look.

"They want quick results to report back ho. But we cannot follow their pace."

He was well aware that his greatest leverage was precisely in "not achieving rapid victory."

Once the 1515 forces are swiftly eliminated in Northwest Illinois, the "irregular" ard forces he leads would rapidly lose their value to the Aricans, making it almost inevitable that they'd be discarded after serving their purpose.

He must prolong the clearing process, continuously consolidating his territory, expanding influence, accumulating strength, and binding himself more deeply with regional stability, making the U.S. realize that the cost of moving against him far exceeds the cost of tolerating his existence.

"We need ti."

Song Heping's finger heavily tapped the core area of the Mosul-Tetric region on the map, his eyes sharp as he said:

"At least three years! Three years to establish ourselves firmly. At the sa ti, we need to extend our reach further, like..."

He didn't say it explicitly, but Jiang Feng understood that the logistics transportation contract promised by the US Army to the Afghan military for cooperation was an excellent stepping stone and resource addition that must be secured.

"We must ensure they show sincerity and hand the business over to us," Jiang Feng reminded.

"Hmm." Song Heping looked at Samir: "Samir, these three years are also for you."

"For ?" Samir was sowhat astonished.

"That's right." Song Heping said: "To really establish a foothold in Illiguo, just relying on your militia forces isn't enough. You need to enter politics."

"Enter politics?" Samir's eyes were wide open.

"Yes." Song Heping said: "After the Illiguo war, your governnt is forming a cabinet, and those at the table voting and deciding policies are all local forces. If I help you establish a foothold in the Northwest Illiguo, expanding your team, then you will have the right to sit at the table."

"This..."

Samir was shocked and his heart raced.

It's not that he didn't have such ambitions.

It's just that the chances of realizing such ambition were very small, practically slim.

Currently, key mbers within the Illiguo governnt are leaders of major local forces, including military heads, sect leaders, and leaders of major local forces. Even the Kurd people occupy a place in the governnt due to the support of the Aricans and occupying Elbil.

But what am I?

A leader of a not-too-big militia organization.

At the table?

That was a goal he had thought about before but never dared to hope could be achieved.

"Boss... you're not joking?"

"Joking?" Song Heping sneered: "Samir, how long have you known ? Do you think I'm the kind of person who likes to joke about important matters?"

Samir paused.

Song Heping indeed never jokes, he ans what he says.

Moreover, he always fulfills his promises.

So...

He felt a surge of joy, his hairs stood on end from over-excitent.

"Thank you... thank you, Boss."

Due to excitent, Samir stuttered a bit.

"Don't thank . Let be honest, helping you is also helping . After all, with you having a place in Illiguo, I have a place to take refuge in the future, right?"

Song Heping's remark carried a hint of humor this ti.

But Jiang Feng on the side knew the old sergeant was definitely not joking.

Song Heping's business was too big, especially in defense and arms, surely offending many people.

Over the years, several big intelligence agencies were offended, and although now it seems relations with the Aricans are cooperative, cooperation wasn't new, from Illiguo to xico to Afghan, each ti starting with a honeymoon period followed by a face-off due to interests.

There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

Sotis in the PMC business, in this sowhat gray underground world, this is an ironclad rule.

After a brief conversation, the atmosphere turned heavy again.

Song Heping walked to the window, opened a window full of dust, and the hot, dry wind of Hulmatu in the afternoon imdiately rushed in, carrying sand and the distant market noise.

Winning the qualification for negotiation is just the first step.

The real tough battle is in two days.

He must make good use of every card in his hand—the initiative on the battlefield, a deep understanding of regional complexity, and the "dark materials" that can make so people in Washington restless—to carve out a bloody path at the negotiation table, securing valuable survival and developnt space for himself and the brothers following him.

"By the way, Samir, there's one more thing. Maintain high pressure at the front line of the Titrick defense line these days but control the scale, neither letting 1515 feel comfortable nor giving the Aricans the impression that we're eager for quick success."

Song Heping squinted at the blinding sunshine in the distance.

"Keep them hanging, like feeding a dog, not too hungry, nor too full. Hungry, it bites; full, it loses dependence."

"Understood! Leave it to !"

Samir grabbed the helt on the table, deftly snapping it onto his head, and strode out.

After he left, Song Heping turned to Jiang Feng.

"Jiang Feng, imdiately prepare the negotiation plan, analyze every clause that might be involved, especially the ti limit, action autonomy, resource support—these core points—and draft our bottom line and goals. Also, contact Henry, enhance intelligence collection, I want to know what kind of authorization Kote has this ti, and the specific background and negotiating style of the Washington envoy Winslow."

"Yes, I'll get on it right away."

Jiang Feng responded steadily.

Command issued, the two quickly departed, the safe house returned to silence.

Song Heping stood alone by the window, his shadow stretched long by the sunset.

He took a deep breath, the air mixed with the scent of gunpowder, dust, baked bread, and animal feces—this is the unique, brutal yet real atmosphere of Northwest Illiguo.

He knew he was about to step onto a battlefield without gunfire but equally dangerous.

But he had no choice.

"To live is to win."

He whispered to himself.

"And to live, one must win."