Chapter 1482 - 1222: Raise the Stakes, We Must Raise the Stakes!

His voice suddenly rose a few degrees: "My men bled, brothers died to seize Kirkuk from the enemy with brute force! And with one lazy word 'withdraw,' you want me to spit out the meat in my mouth? Why should I? Just because you're Americans? Just because Washington makes a few phone calls and sends some files?"

"This isn't about who is whom!"

Simon tried to persuade the other party with logic and rules, though he himself felt the argument was somewhat feeble, "The Kirkuk Oil Field Area, its ownership itself is an extremely complex historical and political issue, it wasn't yours originally..."

"Not in the past."

Song Heping rudely interrupted him, his tone filled with the disdain unique to a victor, "But now, it's mine. Don't believe it? You can call your 'allies' in Elbil, or send someone directly to the oil field area to see which emblem those on guard have on their chests! Is it my 'Musician' defense's wolf-head insignia, or your Stars and Stripes, or is it the banner of those gentlemen in Elbil!"

Simon was at a loss for words, his cheeks faintly flushed with embarrassment and anger.

Facts speak louder than words. In this land of Illigo that only believes in power and bullets, so-called legality and history are vulnerable when faced with established facts.

Now, the gun's baton is in Song Heping's hands, the oil field is under his actual control, and that's the greatest rationale.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice, "Song, I understand your... gains. But these terms are too insane! Too harsh, and too greedy! Washington would absolutely not agree! Plus, the Kurds wouldn't agree either! It's their traditionally managed territory, their lifeline!"

"Kurds?"

Song Heping sneered, leaning comfortably against the chair, even leisurely crossing his legs, showing a look of "I saw through you already".

"Yesterday, you were also resolutely against my proposed terms, your attitude as tough as stones in the Illigo Desert. So what about today? Why did you take the initiative to board a helicopter, risking being hit by stray bullets, to come negotiate with me, this 'greedy', 'crazy' person?"

He extended his index finger, rhythmically tapping the mottled wooden table, the "thud, thud, thud" sound seemed not to strike the table but directly on Simon's heart, unsettling him.

"My energy is limited, the lives of my brothers are worth more than any document in your Washington office! Today, I am sitting here calmly talking with you on Simon's face! Otherwise, what if we don't talk? Would the US Army come down personally in M1A2s to fight me? Or in F-15s to bomb me? Don't forget the mess in Hulmatu that's left you guys frustrated, still awaiting this old man to clean up! Without me, your 'Furnace Plan' is just a joke that can't even melt sand!"

These words tore their faces apart, utmost insult, displaying the posture of a victor with absolute advantage vividly.

He was using the most straightforward language to disdain the United States, the most powerful military dominator on this Blue Star.

In this mud pit of Illigo, even Americans had to bow their heads to him, this mercenary leader with elite troops, occupying key positions, and honestly begging for cooperation!

Simon felt his lungs were set afire, the burning fiery rage surged inside his chest, nearly bursting through his throat.

But he bit hard on his molars, forcefully suppressing these flames that could burn away his rationality.

Because he knew better than anyone, Song Heping was speaking naked truth!

Without Song Heping's support, the 'Furnace Plan' couldn't even be talked about!

The enemy in Hulmatu would spread like cancer cells; by then, the cost would be much more than just one Kirkuk!

He could only forcibly restrain himself, using the so-called "big picture" to persuade, "Song, I understand your stance and your... yield. But we are the United States! International prestige, political influence…these you can't completely disregard! The Kurds are our important allies in the Middle East, an irreplaceable cornerstone in the counterterrorism blueprint. By violently seizing their long-managed territory, we can't account for this externally, it would severely impact the trust between strategic partners, tearing apart the counterterrorism alliance's unity!"

Song Heping stared at Simon for a good ten seconds, that gaze seemed to penetrate human hearts.

Suddenly, he grinned and said, "Oh... I understand. After all this talk, it's not because of how crucial the bit of black gold under Kirkuk Oil Field is, but because the Kurds are your hand-raised underlings, you guys feel embarrassed, right? Afraid to chill your little brother's heart, making it hard to lead the group in the future?"

Simon was directly exposed for his most genuine inner thoughts, his face instantly became extremely ugly.

Ultimately, he nodded as if to concede Song Heping's words.

In the face of absolute power, all intricately woven diplomatic rhetoric and strategic consideration seem so pale and ridiculous.

"Haha!"

Song Heping suddenly clapped his hands loudly, as if solving a long-troubled century-old problem, "Then it's simple! Problem solved!"

He suddenly stood up, walked several steps to the enormous military map on the wall, and pointed firmly at the location of Kirkuk:

"I only want half of Kirkuk's territory, let the Abu You Brigade garrison there. Externally, you can totally announce that it's being co-defended by the Kurd Armed 'Abu You Brigade', jointly maintaining the oil field area's safety and stability!"

Upon saying this, he couldn't help laughing once more.

"By the way, is Abu You real Kurds? Yes! His ancestors are! Only now he chooses to cooperate with me, listen to my command. Isn't it settled? It protects your Americans' pathetic face and that of your Kurd allies, we get the actual benefits. Win-win! Winning wildly! It's simply a perfect solution!"

"Abu You Brigade?!"

Simon was stunned, eyes wide open.

He instantly understood Song Heping's calculation.

The Abu You Brigade is nominally indeed Kurd Armed, its designation unchanged.

But within the circle, who doesn't know this unit was completely integrated and reformed by Song Heping in the last half year, becoming one of the sharpest ground blades under his command!

Letting Abu You Brigade garrison, nominally controlled by Kurds, but actual command, income distribution rights, which one isn't tightly held by you Song Heping?

Isn't this the most typical name change without change in essence, turning a blind eye to reality?

This idea...

Is so damn ridiculous! An absolute insult to Washington's IQ!

But...

This thought just arose, and another voice echoed in his mind: It seems... it's not completely unworkable…