Samir did not directly refuse this ti, he just said, "My troops are fighting the 1515 Ard every day, and people are dying every day. We are not good at putting on a show."
"There's no need for a show." Yusuf said seriously, "We just need to let the outside world see the truth. I'll arrange for a few reliable journalists to go to the front lines to conduct interviews and take so real footage. Sotis, the truth is the best propaganda."
Concerned that Samir might dislike these matters, he emphasized, "This is the ga rules of the political circle. I know you don't like this sort of thing, but you have to abide by it. Nobody likes a player who doesn't follow the rules."
Song Heping raised his teacup, "Then it's settled. Yusuf is responsible for pushing the bill in Baghdad, and Samir will cooperate to ensure the appearance of things is fine. I will coordinate relationships with the Aricans and Kurd people to ensure this can be achieved."
The three clinked cups with tea instead of wine.
The latter part of the dinner was noticeably more congenial.
Yusuf enthusiastically shared various inside information he heard in parliant, discussing which parliantarians might support, which ones needed to be taken care of, and which conflicts could be exploited for division.
Though Samir still didn't talk much, he occasionally interjected with specific questions.
When dinner ended, it was already nine in the evening.
Yusuf personally saw the two to the door, and just before parting, he took Song Heping's hand and whispered, "Song, rest assured, I will definitely get this done. However... you also need to make an effort on General Duke's side. If the Aricans support, the fence-sitters in parliant will lean over."
"I will handle it." Song Heping nodded, "You need to move quickly. The situation could change at any mont, and we need to finalize these things before the next storm hits."
"Understood!"
Yusuf nodded emphatically, then looked at Samir, "Cousin, take care. The front line is dangerous, be careful. Once this is done, I'll personally inspect your troops!"
Samir nodded, his tone sowhat softened this ti, "You be careful too, Baghdad... isn't safe either."
In the car on the way back, Samir looked at the night view of Baghdad outside the window and suddenly spoke, "I still don't like him. But you're right, we need him."
Song Heping didn't look out the window, he just leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed, "That's politics, sotis you have to work with people you don't quite like. What's important is the goal, not personal likes or dislikes."
"Do you think this will work?" Samir asked.
"Seventy percent sure." Song Heping opened his eyes, "Yusuf has the motivation, I have the pressure, and Duke's side needs us to maintain stability in the northwest. These three forces together are enough to push this matter forward. But..."
"But what?"
"But you need to be prepared."
Song Heping looked at Samir, "Once the 'Liberation Forces' are incorporated into the governnt army, you won't just be a military commander. You will enter Baghdad's political chessboard, with more eyes watching you and more people wanting to win you over or bring you down. The weapons on the battlefield are visible, but the weapons in the political scene are invisible. This path may be more dangerous than fighting at the front line."
Samir was silent for a mont, then said determinedly, "As long as my soldiers get what they deserve, as long as I can make my country better, I am not afraid of anything."
The convoy headed toward the hotel.
Tomorrow morning, they will return to Bayji.
But this trip to Baghdad has already thrown a new stone into the undercurrents of Illiguo's political situation.
The transition in Hulmatu, the normalization of the 'Liberation Forces,' the tentative engagent with the new commander of the US Army, the alliance between Yusuf and Samir as cousins...
Each of these actions quietly alters the internal power balance of Illiguo.
anwhile, in Titrick, Ahd is reorganizing the troops; in Raqqa, the 1515 leadership debates fiercely about the next step strategy; in Tehran and Moscow, decision-makers are reevaluating the situation in Northern Iligo.
How long can this fragile balance last?
Nobody knows the answer.
But Song Heping knows that before the next storm arrives, he must hurry to consolidate everything that has been achieved.
In the north, more challenges await him.
User Comments
0 comments from readers