The most eye-catching thing is the huge map of Illiguo on the wall behind the desk, marked with various colored pins and lines denoting the control zones of different factions.
"Sit." Duke motioned for the two to sit on the sofa while he pulled over a chair and sat opposite, "Would you like sothing to drink? Coffee? Tea?"
"Tea would be fine, thank you," said Song Heping.
Duke pressed the intercom on the desk: "Three cups of black tea, please."
During the brief wait for the tea, no one spoke first.
The atmosphere in the office was subtle and tense.
Samir could sense that, although Duke appeared courteous today, the politician-like enthusiasm from previous etings had faded, replaced by a soldier's unique calmness and vigilance.
After the tea was brought in, Duke placed it in front of the two of them personally, then got straight to the point: "Mr. Song, you said yesterday you needed ti to consider the matter in Hulmatu. Coming here early today surely ans you've made a decision?"
"I can take on the defense of Hulmatu," Song Heping picked up the teacup and lightly rotated it without drinking, "but I have a condition."
Duke slightly raised his eyebrows: "Please speak."
"I want the Illigo governnt to formally incorporate the 'Liberation Forces', including it in the Defense Army ranks, granting them official status and pay."
Song Heping's voice was not high, but each word was clear and forceful.
"At the sa ti, grant Major General rank to Samir, responsible for the defense in the Northwest Border Region."
The air in the office seed to freeze.
The smile on Duke's face slowly disappeared, his hand holding the teacup stiffened in mid-air.
He hadn't anticipated that Song Heping would throw a bomb at him right off the bat.
Leaning back in his chair, his gray-blue eyes tightly fixed on Song Heping, as if assessing the true intention and weight of his words.
After a full ten seconds, he slowly spoke: "Mr. Song, you have quite the appetite."
"It's not about having a large appetite, it's about practical needs," Song Heping t his gaze, unyieldingly said: "'Liberation Forces' currently controls nearly 400 kiloters of border lines, a key barrier to prevent 1515 from receiving reinforcents and supplies from Syria. But they are militia, without formal status, stable supplies, or compensatory guarantees. Can you expect such a troop to hold out long-term?"
Duke did not answer imdiately, instead sipping his tea to buy ti for thought.
Setting down the cup, he said: "This matter is very complex. Incorporating a force of nearly ten thousand into the Defense Army ans tens of millions of US Dollars in annual salaries and equipnt expenses. The Illigo Council is currently financially strained, and I'm afraid they won't pass such a plan."
"If the US military supports it, the difficulty of passing it in the Council will be much less," Song Heping pointed out directly: "General, we all know the influence the United States has on the Illigo governnt. As long as you express support, the politicians in Baghdad will at least consider seriously."
Duke smiled, but his smile lacked warmth: "Mr. Song, you seem to oversimplify this matter. Even with US support, will the Kurd people agree? Will the Sunni Sect politicians agree? Will the generals in the Ministry of Defense agree? Suddenly adding a troop to share the budget, share power, touches too many interests."
"That's why we need a deal."
Song Heping leaned forward, his tone still calm.
"General, let's be honest. You are willing to hand Hulmatu over to not because you trust , nor because you think I am reliable, but because this is the choice that best aligns with US interests right now—maintain stability in Northwest Illinois with minimal cost, curb the expansion of 1515."
Duke's pupils slightly contracted but he did not deny it.
Song Heping continued: "Thunder Defense was severely damaged in 'Balance Beam Operation', already proving they have no capability to hold Hulmatu. How many resources must the US Army continue to pour into supporting them? New equipnt, new personnel, more air support... And even if they invest, can they guarantee holding it? Hulmatu is too close to Titrick, too far from Bayji, an isolated protrusion. Without my coordination, it's a piece of fat that can be swallowed by 1515 at any ti."
"Thus, handing over Hulmatu to is outwardly cooperation, but in reality, it's shifting the defense pressure and financial pressure to . And you only need to provide so intelligence and limited air support, and so funding much less than what you invest in military expenses to reap all the benefits."
Song Heping paused, "Am I right?"
Duke's expression beca serious.
He found himself gravely underestimating this Oriental man before him.
Though he knew beforehand that Song Heping was not easy to deal with, and even checked the background investigation.
But facing Song Heping's direct confrontation, he still felt underestimating the other party slightly.
Song Heping not only saw through the surface deal but also discerned the strategic calculation behind the United States.
"Given that," Duke slowly said, "why would you still accept?"
"Because Hulmatu also holds strategic value for ," Song Heping said frankly, "Controlling Hulmatu, along with Tuz and Feihate, I can form a complete arc-shaped encirclent north and west of Titrick, thoroughly locking down the Ahd Tribe. This aligns with my interests."
He shifted his tone: "But Hulmatu alone is not enough. To stabilize the Northwest long-term, I need 'Liberation Forces' to have formal status. Otherwise, this force will always have unstable morale. Can you count on an unstable force to defend the border long-term?"
Duke listened silently, his mind racing.
Song Heping's logic was flawless, but he could not easily agree.
Once 'Liberation Forces' are formally incorporated, and Samir receives the rank of Major General, it ans Song Heping's power officially enters Illigo's military-political system.
In the long run, this may cultivate a formidable opponent that is difficult to control.
"Mr. Song, your analysis is very persuasive," Duke said cautiously: "But this matter involves too much, my personal authority cannot decide. I need to report to the Pentagon and listen to the opinions of the Ministry of Defense and State Departnt."
"Understood." Song Heping nodded with a smile: "But I hope the General can objectively analyze the pros and cons when reporting. And help convey a few of my words to the decision-makers in Washington."
"Please go ahead."
Song Heping raised one finger: "First, if the US Army wants to completely change the situation in Northwest Illinois, there's a way—mass redeploynt of troops, re-enter Illinois. But the problem is, withdrawing from Illinois was Mr. President's political commitnt, returning now equates to admitting withdrawal was a mistake; this will bring significant dostic political consequences, General you should be clearer than ."
The second finger rose.
"Second, even without considering political factors, how much military spending is needed for re-deploying heavy troops in Illinois? With the prolonged stalemate in Afghanistan, will Congress approve such a massive expenditure? Will the Elephant Party spare no chance to attack President Obama?"
The third finger stood up.
"Third, stepping back, even if Congress approves, how long would redeploynt take? Three months? Six months? In the anti, what will 1515 do? They might have already taken over the whole Northwest, even threatening the surroundings of Baghdad. By then, trying to manage the situation will be tenfold or hundredfold the current cost."
Song Heping put down his hand, looking at Duke: "So the realistic choice is to find a reliable local force, provide limited support, let them handle 1515. And we are the most suitable choice. Supporting the formalization of 'Liberation Forces' may seem to help , but in fact, it's helping yourself—with the least cost, maintaining stability in Northwest Illinois, curbing the spread of terrorism."
The office plunged into silence again.
The sunlight had risen higher outside, casting stripe-like shadows of alternating light and dark through the blinds onto the floor.
Duke took a deep breath, got up, walked to the window, turning his back on the two of them.
He needed ti to digest Song Heping's words, and more ti to balance the pros and cons.
Minutes later, he turned around, his expression restored to calm:
"Mr. Song, I will faithfully convey your words to the Pentagon. But I must remind you, the decision-making power lies in Washington, not here with . And even if the Pentagon agrees, it requires coordination with the State Departnt and White House National Security Council, the process might be long."
"I can wait," Song Heping also stood up, "but I hope the wait won't be too long. 1515 won't give you much ti."
"Understood." Duke ca over, shook hands with Song Heping, "As soon as there's news, I'll notify you imdiately."
"Thank you." Song Heping turned to Samir, "Let's go."
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