Chapter 1758 - 1361: Shifting Winds in the Council (Part 2)

Qadir frowned, "Why not? He gets along well with the highest commander of the Persian Revolutionary Guard, Avanti..."

"Getting along well doesn't mean he'll become someone else's henchman."

Hashimi interrupted, "I've studied this Lord Dong. He came here in '04 to do small business, later moving from a small security contractor to today's 'Northwest King'. It's not by picking sides, but by balancing. He collaborates with everyone, but is controlled by no one. Americans, Persians, Kurds, Shiye Sect, Sunni Sect... he can do business with all, but never fully leans to any one side."

Jassim nodded thoughtfully, "So he needs this new force to maintain some independence. Neither fully obeying Baghdad, nor fully obeying Elbil..."

"Exactly." Hashimi sat down again, leaning forward, his gaze fixed on Qadir: "This is the opportunity we should see. Since the motion has become a done deal, opposing it is meaningless. We might rather change our stance and actively support it, and be the first to express our support."

Zayed was still unconvinced, "Isn't that the same as surrendering?"

"It's not surrender, it's a transaction."

Hashimi's eyes turned sharp.

"By supporting the motion, we can gain influence in the formation of the new force. More importantly, we can use this to improve relations with Song Heping. Even if we can't build a good relationship, we certainly shouldn't offend him. Zayed, what good do you think it will do to offend him?"

He paused, his tone becoming even more profound:

"Do you know what the American Embassy is doing now? My informant tells me that Ambassador Stevenson has already tried three times to contact Song Heping, inviting him to 'lunch together'. The Turkish ambassador, the Persian chargé d'affaires, the Camel Family's ambassador... everyone's schedules prioritize meetings with Song Heping. Even the Russian commercial representative office sent a message wanting to discuss 'security cooperation'."

"The whole world is re-evaluating this person's value."

Hashimi concluded, "And as an important political force within Iligo, if we persist with our original stance at this time, we will be marginalized. What is politics? Politics is standing beside the right person at the right time."

The office remained silent for a full minute.

Finally, Qadir spoke first, "I agree with Hashimi's assessment. Changing our stance now will allow us to gain the maximum benefits. Waiting until the motion is about to pass to support it will just be adding icing on the cake, not sending charcoal in the snow."

Jassim also nodded, "Intelligence shows that the Maliki Prime Minister's Office is already prepared to invite Song Heping to serve as a special advisor to the Ministry of Defense once the motion passes. If we get ahead..."

"Then we might as well get ahead now."

Hashimi picked up the desk phone.

"Get me Song Heping's satellite line. Just say the Sunni parliamentary group leader Ali Hashimi congratulates him on his victory and hopes to speak with him when convenient."

He pressed the speakerphone button, allowing everyone to hear the upcoming conversation. The waiting tone before the call connected seemed particularly long in the silent office.

At the same time, forty kilometers west of Elbil, a temporary prisoner of war camp.

The noontime sun shone directly on the Mesopotamian Plain, baking the sandy soil to a scorching heat, with heatwaves distorting the distant scenery.

The temporary prisoner of war camp covered about twenty hectares, divided into three areas by barbed wire: the officer area, the non-commissioned officer area, and the soldier area.

Each area had watchtowers equipped with machine guns, though the muzzles pointed upwards.

This was Song Heping's order.

"Muzzles up, indicating we have control but not aiming to abuse."

He told the officer in charge of vigilance.

"Muzzles down, that's intimidation. What we need is order, not fear."

At this moment, Song Heping stood in the shadow outside the command tent, watching the scene in the soldier area in the distance.

Thousands of prisoners were lining up for lunch.

Simple flatbread, chickpea paste, a bit of olive oil, and pickles.

The line moved slowly but orderly, most prisoners kept their heads down, with only a few occasionally sneaking glances at the armed soldiers outside the alert line.

The phone vibrated in his pocket.

Song Heping took it out for a glance, it was an encrypted number from Baghdad. He moved to a more secluded place and answered.

"General Song? I'm Ali Hashimi, a member of the Iligo Council."

The voice on the other end was courteous, with the smoothness typical of politicians.

"First of all, allow me to, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, congratulate you on your brilliant victory. The quelling of the Barzani rebellion is a major contribution to the unity and stability of Iligo, and all of us who cherish this country are sincerely grateful."

Song Heping's lips curled slightly into a smile.

Hashimi, he certainly remembered him.

Previously, during the Defense Committee hearing about incorporating Samir's irregular forces, this Sunni leader was one of the most vehement opponents.

At that time, he was on TV denouncing the integration plan as "a conspiracy by Prime Minister Maliki to expand Shiye sect military control", even suggesting it could lead to "a new round of sectarian conflict".

"Thank you, Congressman." Song Heping's voice was calm as water, "I just completed the agreed task."

"You're too modest." Hashimi's flattery was palpable even through the airwaves, "It's not just completing a contract, it saved thousands of lives, prevented Kurdistan from falling into full-scale civil war. History will remember your achievements today."

Typical political flattery.

Like a sugary sweet candy.

Song Heping remained silent, waiting for the other to get to the point.

"In fact, the reason I'm calling is to express our full support for your work."

Predictably, Hashimi shifted the conversation:

"Especially concerning the motion to incorporate General Samir's 'Liberation Forces' into the Defense Army's Border Defense Tenth Division. After careful research and discussion, my colleagues and I believe this is a wise decision in line with national interests. We will withdraw our previous opposition and vote in favor during the parliamentary vote."

Song Heping could almost picture the scene on the other end of the call:

Hashimi sitting at that mahogany conference table, surrounded by his core aides, all holding their breath waiting for his reaction.

The sudden and complete change only had one explanation.

They calculated the votes and knew opposition was pointless, it was better to show goodwill ahead of time, aiming for future benefits.

"I am grateful for the Congressman's support."

Song Heping remained unaffected, "I believe General Samir will be pleased to hear this news too. He has always hoped for his troops to serve the country formally."

"Of course, of course." Hashimi hurriedly said, "General Samir is a patriot, and his forces have made significant contributions in fighting 1515 and maintaining local stability. Such a force should naturally be included in the national system."

He paused, his tone becoming more amiable, "Actually, if possible, I would like to have the opportunity to visit you and discuss some potential cooperation face to face. For instance, many outstanding young people from our Sunni community are willing to serve the country during the new force formation. They've been educated at military academies, have leadership qualities, but just lack opportunities..."

Typical political bargaining.

Hashimi wanted to plant his own people into the new force, expanding Sunni influence, while also building a favor account with Song Heping.

"I welcome the exchange." Song Heping gave a non-committal response, "But currently, military affairs are busy, with prisoner processing, equipment inventory, troop reorganization... myriad tasks. Once the situation stabilizes, we can arrange a meeting."

"Completely understandable, completely understandable."

Hashimi immediately replied, "You focus on your important tasks. I'll have my office stay in touch with your assistant, and we'll meet whenever you're free. Once again, congratulations on your victory, General Song. You've done a great thing for Iligo."

The call ended.

Song Heping returned the phone to his pocket, standing still in place.

In the distance, a small commotion occurred in the prisoner's line.

Someone cut in line, getting shoved by other prisoners, and a sentry immediately blew a whistle, two soldiers running over to maintain order.

Soon, order was restored.

Is this what victory feels like?

Song Heping thought.

Not just the smoke and blood on the battlefield, but also the eager flattery from politicians over the phone, the realignment of various forces, the silent redrawing of the power map.

Abu You wants to return to the Military Committee, Samir wants official status, the Kurds want political return, now the Sunnis also want a share...

Everyone is calculating, everyone is transacting.

And he's become the central hub of this complex game, unintentionally.