Chapter 1366 - 1148: Showdown in the Radio Waves (Part 2)

"Mr. Minister, this is an equal trade, and the value of the bargaining chip depends on the urgency of the demand. Currently, my arms transport route relies on sea transportation, which is relatively costly and risky. If I can ship to the Middle East via land, the safety and stability will be significantly higher. You know I have some business in Africa and the Middle East, and I need a large amount of arms."

"Didn't you previously have a steady source of arms in Illiguo? As far as I know, Sadam's armory was essentially your private arms stash."

Zhaoyi Valley's words were loaded with meaning.

Song Heping caught the undertone.

This was a subtle reminder to him.

After all, his transactions with Yusuf were extremely secret, and Zhaoyi Valley was showing off their intelligence capabilities to Song Heping.

At the same time, it was a warning to Song Heping—We know all about your dealings!

"That's right." Song Heping didn't bother to hide anything, replying directly: "That was in the past; you're aware of Illiguo's current situation. The chaos caused by 1515 is too intense, and the local government in Illiguo has already used the armory's supplies to arm themselves. Even the landlord's family doesn't have any surplus. I can't get more goods; now I have to order from underground factories on the Peshawar-Afghan border. I need a new route."

Another suffocating silence followed.

Evidently, Zhaoyi Valley didn't expect Song Heping to be so transparent and chose not to avoid the issues.

The worst opponent in negotiations is one who lays all their cards on the table.

Daring to show all their cards means they're not afraid of yours.

At this moment, Song Heping could imagine Zhaoyi Valley and his advisory team at the Kremlin or Ministry of Defense's command center making quick evaluations.

Finally, Zhaoyi Valley's voice carried a decisive steadfastness: "Agreed. I partially consent to your requests. Specific route details, security measures, and coordination processes will be finalized by our highest-level specialized personnel once the mission is successful and the target is secure. But all this is predicated on the mission being one hundred percent successful. You must prove your value."

"That's fair, I have no problem, deal."

Song Heping's reply was smooth and unquestionable.

"I will immediately mobilize my forces in Northern Illiguo, establish secure reception points at the border zone, and provide real-time intelligence support and evacuation guarantees. However, the core rescue operation deep inside Al-Hasakah Province's Latamira Village must be carried out by your team."

"Naturally. Major Petrovsky and the SSO Squad will be responsible for penetrating, identifying, and extracting the target. Your value lies in peripheral assistance and your profound understanding of the complex power landscape from the Persian Plateau to Northern Illiguo."

Zhaoyi Valley confirmed the division of labor and added a critical arrangement, "Given the mission's extreme uniqueness and your influence on local asymmetric forces, I have a request: you must personally participate in the operation. In the overall action strategy, Major Petrovsky will fully consider your suggestions. But in the specific tactical execution, rules of engagement, and other military aspects, he will have the final say."

This is a balanced arrangement, giving Song Heping enough input while ensuring the military operation's professionalism and the unity of the command chain.

"Understandable, let the professionals handle professional matters." Song Heping accepted, "But I have an additional condition. Once inside Illiguo's borders, my decisions take precedence."

"No problem."

Zhaoyi Valley responded plainly.

The core transaction had been reached, and Song Heping tried to push further to obtain more information to reduce uncertainty: "Mr. Minister, for task risk assessment and rescue plan optimization, can you disclose more about the rescue target? Who exactly is he? Why is he of such high value?"

Zhaoyi Valley's answer turned icy and firm, carrying top-secret confidentiality: "Mr. Song, all you need to know is that he is critically important to us. More information on his identity and background is highly classified and cannot be disclosed until the mission is complete. Major Petrovsky will provide you with need-to-know intelligence fragments depending on the situation once the operation begins."

This extraordinary level of secrecy dropped like a heavy stone into Song Heping's heart, stirring ripples.

This instead confirmed his suspicion—that the dimensions involved in this operation likely reach a level that could influence regional strategic balance.

"I understand. So, what is the timeline for the action?"

Song Heping refrained from further questioning.

"Immediately, right now." Zhaoyi Valley's voice was firm and unyielding, "Major Petrovsky's team is on highest alert. He will arrange everything, just follow his lead."

"OK." Song Heping gave his final answer: "Then I'll go grab some gear and contact my people in Illiguo to prepare them as well."

"Great. Good luck, Mr. Song. Russia will remember the sacrifices of true friends."

Zhaoyi Valley's words held a formulaic sense of conclusion, and the call was promptly cut off without an extra word.

Putting down the receiver, Song Heping let out a slight sigh of relief.

Negotiating directly with the pinnacle of power drained more mental energy than an intense gunfight.

He turned to look at Petrovsky: "Major, you heard everything."

Major Petrovsky's expression was complex, higher-ups' orders had to be obeyed, but having an outsider, especially a boss of a private military company with such a complex background, deeply involved in a top-secret operation instinctively made him wary and uncomfortable.

But as a professional soldier, he had no choice, so he nodded, tone official: "Heard everything, you go prepare. I'll wait for you here."

Song Heping didn't say more, quickly leaving the communication room to return to his command center.

The clock was ticking; through multiple encrypted channels, he contacted Jiang Feng, issuing a series of orders: instructing his most elite squads, familiar with the Illiguo and Siria border terrain, to secretly gather in the border areas; establish forward observation posts and at least two concealed reception points; activate a network monitoring all armed forces' movements in the region.

Once everything was arranged, Song Heping summoned Hunter.

"Hunter, there's a tough battle ahead. The target is near Latamira Village in Hasakah Province. We need to work with the Russian SSO to rescue someone."

Hunter listened silently, without unnecessary questions.

After hearing everything, he asked: "SSO? Hasakah? Kurd and ISIS territory? Plus, Americans involved? Interesting... Do I need to bring any special equipment?"

His tone was calm yet conveyed absolute confidence.

"Travel light, bring extra ammo, especially sniper rifles and night vision equipment. This time it's long-range infiltration, high chances of direct combat."

Song Heping instructed.

"Understood." Hunter nodded, turning to prepare.