Chapter 1755 - 1360: Winner Takes the Throne (Part 3)

Saeed said worriedly.

"Now."

Old Masood repeated, his tone permitting no discussion.

Twenty minutes later, Saeed's car drove into the Green Zone Allied Army General Hospital.

After passing through two security checks, he walked into Old Masood's special ward escorted by special service personnel.

There was only a bedside lamp on in the ward, and the light was dim.

Old Masood was half-reclining on the bed, his face appeared especially pale under the light, but his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's.

"Your Excellency." Saeed greeted softly, pulled a chair to the bedside and sat down, "You should rest early."

"Some things are more important than rest."

Old Masood signaled the special service personnel to leave the room and only continued to speak after the door was closed.

"Saeed, I need you to draft a contract."

Saeed took out a computer from his briefcase: "What type of contract? With whom?"

"Defense advisor contract. Party A is the Kurdish Autonomous Region Government, and Party B..." Old Masood paused, then gritted his teeth and said, "Song Heping, or his Defense Company."

Saeed's fingers paused on the screen, he looked up, a hint of confusion flashed behind his glasses:

"Defense advisor? Song Heping? Your Excellency, he just helped us quell the rebellion, we do owe him a favor, but to use a government contract form... "

"It's more than just a favor." Old Masood interrupted him, leaning forward slightly, although the movement made him frown, "Don't you understand? The battle is over, but the real war has just begun."

He motioned for Saeed to come closer and lowered his voice: "Barzani is dead, but his power network is still there. How many of his people are in the army? How many in the government? And how many in the intelligence department? Even our own people are not clean. I am cleaning up these tumors this time, and I also want to take this opportunity to reform the armed forces, but I am worried about causing new unrest, so I need a sword, a fast and sharp sword, to deter those ambitious guys."

Saeed was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly: "You want Song Heping to be this sword."

"Not just a sword," Old Masood said, "I want to borrow his prestige. Think about it, if we start purging Barzani's remaining forces internally, will those Generals, those Ministers, those MPs submit? They will resist, play tricks, and may even rebel again."

He paused, taking a breath:

"But if we have Song Heping involved in the purge, who would dare act? Who would dare cause trouble under the Northwest King's watchful eye? He is someone who dares to fight both the Americans and the 1515 Armed."

Saeed understood.

He quickly jotted down the main points on his tablet:

"So this contract, on the surface, is a defense advisor contract to assist us in training troops, and strengthening defense construction..."

"In fact, it is a protection contract."

Old Masood chimed in: "I want him to have legitimate involvement in Kurdish military affairs. The contract can state: The advisor has the right to attend Military Committee meetings, the right to propose suggestions for military reform, the right to..." he thought for a moment, "the right to establish a special advisor office, equipped with necessary personnel and resources."

Saeed's fingers quickly swiped across the screen, already starting to draft an outline: "Contract term? Budget?"

"Sign for three years first. Budget..."

Old Masood closed his eyes and calculated: "Fifteen million US dollars per year. No, twenty million US dollars. This money comes from special security funding. Tell the Ministry of Finance it's a necessary expense for post-conflict reconstruction."

"Twenty million US dollars..." Saeed hesitated for a moment, "There may be questions from parliament. After all, it's not a small amount."

"Let them question."

Old Masood opened his eyes, his gaze as sharp as a knife: "You just say, this money is to prevent a second Barzani remnant rebellion. Do you think those MPs, after experiencing this turmoil, would dare oppose strengthening security investment? Moreover, twenty million to buy an elite force that's ready to be deployed at any time for a year, to buy an advisor even the US Army is wary of, it's worth it."

Saeed nodded and continued taking notes: "Specific responsibilities? I need more detailed clauses."

Old Masood pondered for a moment, then began to list them one by one:

"First, assist the Ministry of Defense and the Military Committee in formulating military reform plans, including command system reorganization, equipment standardization, training syllabus updates."

"Second, participate in the follow-up handling of the Barzani rebellion, including prisoner screening, military tribunal trials, security purging actions— this one needs to be worded mildly, just say 'assist in maintaining internal security and stability'."

"Third, have the right to propose adjustments to current military deployments, especially the defense arrangements for key areas."

"Fourth..." he emphasized, "The advisor's office has the right to access non-classified military and intelligence documents to fully understand the security situation."

"Fifth, during the contract period, the advisor and his designated personnel enjoy security and legal protection equivalent to diplomatic staff."

Saeed recorded while contemplating the legal wording.

This contract certainly walks in a gray area.

It's called a defense advisor, but the actual power is already close to the level of a National Security Advisor.

But he understood Old Masood's dilemma, after this rebellion, the old President no longer dared to trust anyone internally.

As an outsider, Song Heping is instead more reliable because of being an "outsider."

He has no local faction entanglements, the interest relationship is simple and direct.

"One more question." Saeed looked up and asked: "Will Song Heping accept? Didn't he just leave the front line, saying this is an internal matter of the Kurds and he won't interfere?"

Old Masood laughed, it was the laugh of a politician: "He won't interfere because he wants to avoid suspicion, he wants to wait for us to invite him proactively. It's the rule. But if we formally extend an invitation, in the form of a contract, pay him, give him a title... he'll accept. Because he needs this title."