Chapter 1786 - 1370: Reaching Consensus_3

This was a more direct test, concerning Song Heping's personal motives and the true intentions of the forces behind him.

Song Heping chuckled inwardly.

Duke probably never imagined that he was doing this at the request of his old instructor.

He wouldn't know that everything he did was also contributing to his homeland in some way.

This was thanks to the image he had cultivated over the years—a military contractor and arms dealer who only looked at profits.

Quite good.

The Old America would never think in that direction.

For him, this was absolutely a good thing.

So, facing Duke's gaze, he deliberately squeezed out a look of helplessness on his face and said:

"General, on the land of Illiguo, idealism and realistic interests have never been mutually exclusive. A stable, safe Northwest Region that is no longer ravaged by 1515 conforms to the interests of the people of Illiguo, the interests of an efficient Baghdad Central Government, the US and its allies' anti-terrorism and security interests, and of course, my own and my partners' basic interests."

"Eliminating 1515, the largest source of instability and common threat, is the prerequisite for achieving all these interests. If we succeed, Samir and Abu You's positions in Illiguo and the Kold Autonomous Region will be more stable, which enhances their ability to control the Northwest Region and helps local stability. Isn't this a virtuous cycle?"

He said earnestly: "General, we are in the same boat, though perhaps aiming for different ports. But now, there is a big hole in the hull, and we must first work together to patch it before we can discuss which direction to row. Otherwise, if the ship sinks, it's no good for anyone."

Facing him, Duke was silent again.

He was always wary of Song Heping.

He hadn't forgotten how Kote died before.

Before coming here, he'd gone through all the background and analysis on Song Heping, always tied to one word—cunning!

After a whole three minutes of silence, Duke finally reached out and pressed a button on the internal communicator.

"Mary, inform the Central Command Forward Command (CFC) that I need an immediate initiation of a preliminary assessment and coordination for an air support plan. Also, arrange my video conference with Illiguo's Defense Minister Khalid Obaidi and the Prime Minister's security advisor, set it for today... before six in the evening."

Replacing the receiver, he looked at Song Heping and spread his hands as if to say—settled.

"Alright, Song. In principle, the US Army agrees to provide the air support and intelligence sharing you requested, but the level and details need to be hammered out by the operational commanders."

His tone turned official.

"However, I have two non-negotiable conditions: first, this operation must be fully integrated into the official task sequence of the Illiko Government Army. It needs to be formally announced by Prime Minister Abadi or the Defense Minister as a government-led military operation aimed at liberating the territory. All participating forces, at least in name, must accept coordination by the Illiko Joint Operations Command (JOC). This concerns the legitimacy of the operation and post-war political arrangements."

Song Heping sighed with relief, knowing that the most critical hurdle was crossed.

Duke's implication was actually to grab power.

He didn't want this merit to fall on himself.

In plain words, he wanted the credit while he wanted the substance.

Heh heh.

This is the hypocritical Old America's bureaucratic officers.

He stood up, extended his right hand: "I fully agree, General. Happy cooperation!"

Duke also extended his hand, and shook with Song Heping.

The handshake was brief and firm—a temporary alliance based on current mutual interests between two old opponents was thus formed.

Both of them were actually well aware that this alliance was fragile and filled with calculations.

After the Tikrit campaign, the games surrounding Ozham, Illiguo's future political arrangements, and the ebb and flow of Persian and American influence would only intensify.

But at this moment, at least in this game, they temporarily placed down pieces of the same color.

As they left the Green Zone, the setting sun dyed the sky west of Baghdad in a magnificent yet tragic red and orange.

The convoy drove down the highway back to Hulmatu, and the scenes on either side quickly blurred in the twilight, leaving only the silhouettes of concrete barriers and checkpoint towers like tombstones standing on ruins.

The indicator light on the vehicle's encrypted satellite phone started flashing.

Song Heping pressed the answer button.

"How did the talks go?"

Lei Ming's voice came through, with slight distortion and delay due to encryption and possible multiple relays.

Song Heping instinctively glanced out the car window.

He had just left Duke's office, and Captain Lei had already called...

Damn...

Song Heping felt a slight chill down his spine.

"In principle, Duke agreed. The condition is to fully integrate the operation into the Illiko Government Army framework and have international oversight of post-war arrangements."

Song Heping briefly reported.

"As expected. Legitimacy is their precondition for participating in the game and also the amulet you need."

Lei Ming's voice revealed little emotion.

"The domestic diplomatic resources are already in motion. On the UN side, we will push for a new statement or draft resolution, emphasizing support for Illiko's sovereignty and anti-terrorism efforts, and calling for civilian protection and humanitarian access. The Special Envoy for Middle East Affairs' visit to Baghdad next month has been confirmed, during which an economic reconstruction and people's livelihood assistance plan will be announced, focusing on newly liberated areas."

"Then I consider myself to have done a good deed for the Illigos."

Song Heping exhaled deeply.

"And also for your own country." Lei Ming said: "Peace, you should be different from those American contractors; they disregard humanity. Occasionally, you have to act like a human being. After all, you're a Lord Dong, not like those Angsa worms."

"Heh heh." Song Heping couldn't help but laugh: "Captain Lei, I guess what you're saying is I didn't act like a human before."

"Heh heh." Lei Ming also laughed: "Doing some good can never be wrong, it accumulates virtue. At the very least, we won't forget those who have helped our country."

This sentence was rich in meaning.

Song Heping understood it.

Ending the call, putting down the phone, Song Heping leaned back in the seat, feeling a wave of fatigue but an exceptionally clear mind.

The barren lands of Illiguo outside the car window had completely lost their outlines in the night, merging with the darkness, leaving only a small stretch of road ahead illuminated by the car lights, rugged and unknown.