After withdrawing from Illiguo to Persia, Song Heping and his team remained in the Persian military camp.
Firstly, there were too many wounded, and secondly, given the current circumstances, they couldn't leave Persia imdiately.
After all, having taken down two CIA "Watcher" teams and one mysterious squad of black-clad operatives, he could imagine the fury of Kelly and Pence.
The legitimate operations of "Musician" Defense Company were now entirely gone.
Oilfield contracts, transportation security agreents, and even Afghan military and police training collaborations—everything had been severed.
In the overall calculation of this bloody clash, Song Heping had a slight advantage.
That evening, with the assistance of the local rcenary corps of the "Musician" Defense Company, Samir decisively shattered Ahmair's forces entrenched in Iligobadi Town, driving them out of the Northwest Region.
The forces of the I5I5 organization had fled to Siria's territory, hiding in the northeastern mountains.
As a result, the Northwest Region was fully controlled by the Madheh Army and Samir's "People's Force," paving the way for Avanti's vision of integrating Persia, Illiguo, and Siria into an "Arc of Resistance."
However, for the CIA, the losses were enormous.
Over the past year, they'd invested so many resources, taken incredible risks to release Baghdadi from Guantanamo Prison, and poured funds and weapons into supporting the I5I5 militants, all of which had now gone up in smoke due to the fallout with Song Heping.
Both Kelly, the director of the Secret Action Departnt, and Pence, the deputy director overseeing operations, were now furious enough to want Song Heping skinned alive.
"Old squad leader, dinner's ready."
During dinner, Jiang Feng ca over to call Song Heping to eat.
Song Heping had been in low spirits the past two days, staying holed up in his room ssing with sothing, only coming out during als.
At first, everyone thought it was due to his injuries. In the previous operation, Song Heping had been hit by two pieces of shrapnel and had a bullet graze his shoulder.
Later, Jiang Feng discovered that his old squad leader wasn't recovering but sitting at his desk writing and sketching sothing.
Seeing Jiang Feng co in, Song Heping, still at his desk, didn't get up. He replied, "You go ahead and organize everyone for dinner. I'll co when I'm done."
"What've you been hiding in your room for these days?"
Jiang Feng curiously walked over to the desk and glanced at what Song Heping was working on.
On the desk were several spreadsheets and a thick stack of docunts, seemingly related to money and figures upon closer inspection.
"I sent the list of the fallen personnel to Ferrari. He's verifying it before approaching the insurance company for compensation. Then, our company will pitch in so money and send it to the families of the deceased."
Song Heping put down his pen and sighed. "Gabri didn't have any family."
Jiang Feng asked, "Then who's getting his money?"
"A girl. According to his previous will, it seems she was his girlfriend or sothing."
"Damn, this girl lucked into a fortune."
Song Heping asked, "By the way, do you have family back ho?"
Jiang Feng's face showed a strange expression before he shook his head. "No one left."
Song Heping frowned. "Not a single one?"
Jiang Feng nodded. "Yeah, all gone."
Song Heping sensed that Jiang Feng wasn't being entirely honest, but it was his private matter, so he didn't press further. Changing the subject, he said, "Anyway, organize a eting tonight to ease everyone's minds, especially the Falcon Special Combat Team. They're probably quite unsettled right now."
Jiang Feng said, "I've looked into it recently. They're mostly fine. Most of them have no ties left behind. Back when recruiting, Grey Wolf specifically chose orphans."
He couldn't help but complain, "Do you think Grey Wolf did it on purpose?"
Song Heping replied, "People with too many ties aren't suited for this line of work. How can you go all out if you have a family? It's better to be alone."
Upon hearing "alone," Jiang Feng's expression subtly shifted again.
"Heh, being alone isn't so bad."
He answered thoughtfully.
"Rember, our managent model should emulate the military system. Do you still rember the Four Skills teaching thod?"
"Of course!" Jiang Feng proudly answered. "I'll never forget—speaking, teaching, executing, and doing ideological work."
"Don't underestimate ideological work. On the first day I beca squad leader, the instructor told it's the magic tool for boosting morale, and morale is the key to combat effectiveness."
"Alright, I'll follow through."
Before Jiang Feng could finish, Song Heping's phone vibrated.
He picked up and answered. On the other end was Ferrari in Russia.
"FUCK! Song, we've got trouble!"
Ferrari cursed as soon as he spoke.
"What happened?" Song Heping's heart sank. "Calm down, take it slow. There's always a solution."
Ferrari said, "Our insurance money is all gone! Not a single penny. All those years of paynts were for nothing."
"What's going on?" Song Heping had a hunch. Such issues must have been orchestrated by Kelly's team.
The Aricans controlled the global financial system.
And the CIA could manipulate any company within it.
Especially in the insurance industry—they just needed to find out which company the rcenaries purchased their policies from, then conjure up a thousand excuses to deny claims.
"I asked them why, and they said our company has been blacklisted as a terrorist organization."
Ferrari couldn't stop himself from cursing again.
"FUCK! A terrorist organization?! This is clearly the Aricans' doing! They're the world's biggest terrorist organization! They support extre militants like the I5I5 group and then have the audacity to label us—the ones fighting the I5I5—as terrorists?!"
After venting, Ferrari quickly regained composure.
"Song, we need to prepare. Next, they'll likely freeze all our funds in the US dollar system."
"Wasn't this sothing we anticipated long ago?" Song Heping seed unruffled. "We've been planning for this scenario for two years. It's fine. If the insurance company won't pay, we'll pay ourselves. Even if they freeze all our company accounts, it won't cut us off entirely. Don't forget what we have the most of right now."
Ferrari replied, "Cash."
"Exactly," Song Heping said. "The fallen personnel are South Aricans, and their beneficiaries are there too. I'll make a call to 'Shorty' and have him deliver cash to Morins, who will ensure the money reaches the beneficiaries. We can afford this!"
Pausing briefly, he asked, "Are our company accounts frozen?"
"Not yet, at least there's been no notice. Probably because we have too many accounts and most of them are offshore. It'll take them ti to match everything, but it's coming soon," Ferrari said. "Still, they won't catch all our funds. Following your instructions, every flow of money Barrett was aware of has been used to bribe military officials and their kids. If they try to investigate, they'll find most of the trails lead to charitable foundations supporting the children of military bigshots."
"Heh."
Even Song Heping couldn't help but chuckle.
He pictured the CIA agents facing a long list of military officials during their investigation.
Let them dig.
Dig deeper!
From the very first day of cooperation with the military, he understood the importance of binding interests.
What are the Three Irons?
Shared prison ti, shared gunfights, shared loot.
Over the years, the network of people tied to him wasn't limited to the military—it extended to the legitimate foundations established in the United States. Those funds were tied to xico and invested in lobbying companies, which in turn used them to promote politicians.
Investigate away!
In the end, it'll all be a chaotic ss!
Even the Arican politicians and military bigshots like Peter who received the funds wouldn't know the money was funneled from xico. They probably thought it ca from their military contracts.
The money had already been laundered through countless banks and shell companies, washed so clean that it couldn't be traced.
The remaining clues were rely bait.
Let the CIA fools take the bait.
"Ferrari, how are things in Russia lately?"
"We're fine. The chef is thriving. You wouldn't believe it..." Ferrari said, "His influence now reaches the highest echelons."
"That impressive?! Really?"
Even Song Heping felt surprised.
It had been years since he'd seen the chef, and now he had made it big.
"That's right. He asked to tell you, if you ever find yourself struggling, co to Russia and join him. He said you're talented, and his company could use soone like you."
Ferrari couldn't help but laugh as he said this.
Song Heping asked, "That guy runs a food business. What could I possibly help him with? I'm not from the cook squad."
"That guy started a PMC company," Ferrari said. "It's expanding, providing protection for Russian enterprises overseas. Right now, he even has a lot of operations in Africa. He said Africa is a rcenary's heaven. If you find yourself unable to manage in Z-East, head over there—he'll arrange it."
"Ferrari, do I seem like soone with no ambitions?" Song Heping replied. "The chef started from scratch when he left, relying on himself. If I fail, should I just go freeload off him? I have my pride."
The two reminisced about the chef, and the atmosphere lightened up significantly.
Suddenly, a Persian officer glanced into the room and knocked lightly on the open door.
"Mr. Song, Mr. Avanti requests you and your n to co to the conference room imdiately."
"Conference room?" Song Heping knew sothing had happened. He told Ferrari, "We'll chat later; sothing urgent ca up on my end."
Ending the call, Song Heping followed the officer to the third floor of the barracks, arriving outside the conference room.
The room wasn't very large, packed with people—mostly Song Heping's subordinates, including Collins and Disaster Star.
At first, everyone's attention was focused on the large television screen at the front, not noticing Song Heping's arrival.
Finally, soone realized he was there and softly murmured, "The boss is here..."
Everyone instinctively turned around, their gazes fixed on Song Heping.
Spotting Avanti in the front row, the latter waved to him, "Song, co take a look."
Song Heping frowned. "What's there to see?"
Disaster Star abruptly shouted, "Boss, you're on TV!"
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