The temporary dical station on the east side of the Bayji refinery was filled with the mixed sll of blood and disinfectant.
Song Heping stepped across the blood-stained ground, his gaze sweeping over the line of stretchers.
Over a dozen severely injured soldiers were undergoing ergency surgeries. The makeshift operating tables were improvised from oil barrels and doors. Military doctors and dics sent by the Persian Revolutionary Guard, along with dical personnel from various combat units, were busy.
Outside the dical station, those slightly injured either sat or lay down. So silently smoked, their eyes vacantly staring at the sky.
In the distance, the engineering corps was handling the bodies of the fallen, identifying and preparing them for burial.
Avanti approached with a heavy expression and said, "Song, your casualties this ti are severe... We're running out of dical supplies. I've ordered a batch from the border camp, estimated to arrive by dawn."
Song Heping was silent for a mont, then nodded and said, "Thank you, you've been a great help."
"We are friends," Avanti said sincerely. "Besides, you know very well that it's not just helping you, you're also helping . Do you know how long I've been setting up the situation to open up in the Northwest Illinois? But I never found a wedge to embed here. You helped find the key to open this door."
This was not simply politeness.
Avanti knew Song Heping was a smart person.
In the presence of smart people, it's best to avoid platitudes.
At the most critical mont in this battle, Avanti led the Holy City Brigade for rescue. But without this aid, perhaps they might never have had the chance to infiltrate the Northwest Region of Illinois, never able to open the strategic corridor adjoining Siria, never able to realize the idea of the "Shiite Arc."
"Mutually beneficial cooperation," Song Heping smiled. "It's just a matter of taking what we need."
"Exactly," Avanti agreed. "But we have many challenges ahead, for example, you've now acquired parts of the oil-producing areas in Bayji, Mosul, and Kirkuk, setting up a triangle stronghold in Northwest Illinois. But stabilizing this triangle is crucial, not only are the Aricans eyeing it, but the 1515 Ard may also not let you gain a foothold here."
"I know." Song Heping took out so gum, chewed it for a while before saying, "That's why I need your help, with funding, technical personnel, and, of course, the military power of your Holy City Brigade."
The two walked to a relatively quiet corner.
"Song, a question." Avanti suddenly said, "Why are you fighting so hard? For money? Or sothing else?"
Song Heping gave a bitter smile, "It started for money, but later... haha..."
He suddenly countered, "You're so old now and still on the front lines, are you doing it for money? For power?"
Avanti didn't expect Song Heping's counter-question and was montarily stunned, not knowing how to answer.
The question he asked was actually a subconscious reflex.
It stemd from his own inner confusion.
That's why he asked the question.
Just like Song Heping.
For money?
Song Heping had more than enough.
Even if he broke his legs, he'd have nothing to worry about financially for half of his life.
He could have retired, gone back to East University, and beco an invisible tycoon.
The problem was, he chose to stay in the defense industry and took a path much more challenging than others, even opposing the Aricans.
Choosing submission and dependence might have been easier.
But Song Heping didn't do that.
In this respect, how similar was he to Avanti?
In the end, Avanti nodded thoughtfully, as if he found the answer, yet seed more confused.
So, he chose to change the subject, "Our higher-ups have approved the reconstruction plan. The first batch of engineers will arrive in three days, and the refinery equipnt will be shipped from our country, arriving in five days. Considering the current damage at Bayji, it's not too severe, and partial production capacity is expected to be restored within three weeks."
"What about the cost?"
"We'll cover 75%, and you can deduct it from the crude oil output portion over the next three years," Avanti said frankly. "It's a win-win situation. Tehran's money cannot be given for free, and you need to quickly rebuild the refinery as an economic pillar."
Song Heping did not imdiately respond, his gaze passing over the refinery towards the further fortified defense installations.
Cranes were erecting concrete barricades, engineers were laying mines, and soldiers from the Persian Revolutionary Guard were instructing the local Bayji militia on how to operate the newly arrived anti-aircraft guns.
"Deal," Song Heping finally said, "but there's a condition—the security of the refinery must be led by our people, with your forces as support."
Avanti laughed, "Of course, it's your 'territory' after all."
After discussing business and saying their goodbyes, Jiang Feng quickly approached with a tired but spirited expression.
"Old squad leader, the dical supplies have arrived, along with a batch of food and drinking water."
"Distribute them, prioritize the wounded," Song Heping instructed and then turned to Avanti, "General, I'd like to have a private talk with my deputy."
Avanti tactfully left.
Song Heping signaled Jiang Feng to follow him, and they walked towards the central control building of the refinery—which now served as the temporary command center.
In a third-floor room of the control building, a large map of the Northwest Illinois was spread out on the table, with the various factions' territories marked in red and blue pencil.
Song Heping poured a glass of water for Jiang Feng: "Sit. How's the injury?"
"Just a scratch, nothing serious." Jiang Feng took the water and drank it in one gulp, "Just a bit tired. Haven't had much sleep in the past two days."
"Have a good sleep tonight." Song Heping stood in front of the map, "I called you here for a private discussion about future arrangents."
Jiang Feng straightened his posture: "Go ahead."
"Kirkuk will be handed over to the Abu You Brigade."
Song Heping drew a circle on the map with a pencil.
"They have seven thousand n now, just right for guarding a Kirkuk Oil Field Area. Mosul will be handed over to Samir's 'Liberation Forces.'
Jiang Feng frowned: "Samir's n suffered heavy losses this ti, they're down to around five thousand, can they hold Mosul? That's a big city."
"That's why we need to arm them," Song Heping said, "The weapon support promised by the Persians will start arriving tomorrow, all for Samir."
"What about Bayji?" Jiang Feng asked.
"Our company's rcenaries will guard it together with the Persians."
Song Heping pointed to Bayji on the map, "The refinery is here, it's the economic lifeline. The Persians will invest funds to rebuild, we handle refinery security, they take care of regional defense, and the output is split evenly."
Jiang Feng hesitated: "Commander, sharing a strategic location like Bayji with the Persians, might it... I an, they're foreign powers, could it be risky?"
Song Heping turned around, looking at Jiang Feng: "Jiang Feng, how long have you been with ?"
"Over eight years."
"Over eight years, you've grown from a regular rcenary to a commander," Song Heping said, "But you can't always see yourself as just a rcenary commander. The company will have more business in the future, and you'll have more space to expand. You need to learn not just warfare, but also managent and leadership, to have strategic vision."
He walked to the window, pointing outside at the construction site: "Look, how much does it cost to rebuild a refinery? At least a few hundred million dollars. Do we have the money? No. The Persians do. Why do they invest? Because of interests."
"Cooperation requires understanding of conceding interests."
Song Heping continued, "If they have no interests, why would they invest huge resources supporting us? Just because of a common fight against 1515? Don't be naive. Politics is politics, business is business."
Jiang Feng seed thoughtful.
"Using others' money to get things done, while relying on the power of the Holy City Brigade to guard Bayji is most cost-effective for us."
Song Heping walked back to the map, "We currently have insufficient manpower, Abu You Brigade needs to guard Kirkuk, Samir needs to guard Mosul, if we greedily spread ourselves to Bayji, ultimately none can be held."
He tapped the table: "Greedy trying to chew too much doesn't work anywhere."
"I understand." Jiang Feng nodded, "What about our two regints then..."
"Stay in Bayji," Song Heping said, "But not just as combat units. From today, you're responsible for the security system and daily operational managent of Bayji refinery."
Jiang Feng was taken aback: "? Commander, I only know warfare... ""
"So you need to learn," Song Heping's tone brooked no dispute, "I used to not understand either, and wasn't I forced to learn? Who's born with the knowledge? Ferrari can now independently manage the company's security contracts in Africa's three mining areas. You can do it too."
He walked up to Jiang Feng, patted his shoulder: "Jiang Feng, you can't be a rcenary forever. Our company needs to transform, from a purely ard contractor, into a comprehensive PMC (Private Military Company). This requires talent, needing people who can manage and operate."
"For a long ti coming, Northwest Illinois will be in a stalemate," Song Heping's gaze returned to the map, "Although 1515 was heavily damaged, they haven't been eliminated. Thunder Defense supported by Aricans is watching eagerly in Hulmatu. Kurd people have their own plans in the north. Various forces are intertwined, none can easily swallow the other."
"What we must do is hold Bayji and Mosul, control Kirkuk. With these three pivots, we have the leverage to watch the chaos elsewhere."
Song Heping's eyes sparkled, "Once the refinery resus production, the Persians will find sales channels, it can bring us tens of thousands of US Dollars in inco daily. With money, we can arm more troops, build more solid defenses."
Jiang Feng took a deep breath, "I'll try my best."
"Not just try, you must succeed."
Song Heping handed him a folder, "Inside is basic information on the refinery, the reconstruction plans provided by Persian side, and a draft security plan. Review it tonight and give feedback tomorrow."
Jiang Feng accepted the heavy folder, feeling the weight on his shoulders increase considerably.
"One more thing," Song Heping said, "I estimate Kote will soon contact us, urging us to attack Titrick."
"Are we going to fight?"
"Fight?" Song Heping sneered, "Let the Arican's lackeys fight. We've just had a bloody battle with 1515, suffered heavy losses, need to recuperate. That's a good enough reason."
"But Kote..."
"He can't do anything to us," Song Heping said, "Now Bayji is in our hands, Kirkuk is with Abu You Brigade, Mosul is with Samir. These three places form a chain, Aricans can't penetrate the Northwest without going through us. Kote can only throw tantrums, maybe threaten a bit."
Jiang Feng laughed: "So we're hiking the price now?"
"No, we're waiting for the right price," Song Heping corrected, "But rember, our true partners are the Persians, not the Aricans. Our relationship with the Aricans is mutual exploitation, keep that clear."
The two talked for more than an hour, discussing Bayji's defense setup, refinery security details, and ways of cooperation with the Persians.
When Jiang Feng left, it was already pitch dark outside.
Song Heping stood alone in front of the map, his fingers slowly moving from Bayji to Titrick, then south to Baghdad.
Illiguo's chess ga is now set, his plan has just begun.
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