Chapter 1946 - 1426: Business Is Business

The faint click of the phone receiver settling back on its base sounded particularly clear in the silent room.

Song Heping did not immediately rise. He remained seated on the edge of the bed, slowly contemplating in silence.

The invitation for a meeting from Defense Minister Abdul Rashed, transmitted through Yusuf's voice, a mixture of excitement and caution, had now evolved from a simple message into a scale of repeated weighing in his mind.

It was placed on one end of the scale. On the other end was that batch of arms, slumbering in a warehouse on the outskirts of Mosul, of incredible value, along with countless pairs of eyes lurking in the shadows.

Opportunity.

Indeed, this was undoubtedly a huge opportunity.

Reaching a deal with the current government of Iligo, and directly with the Ministry of Defense, such a core powerful department, meant much more than just a mere arms deal.

This signified a stable, efficient, and officially endorsed supply channel.

The batch of equipment was vast in quantity and diverse in category, ranging from individual weapons to armored vehicles, like a giant whale pending disassembly and digestion.

Through the Ministry of Defense, at least those fitting Iraqi Army standards or urgently needed could be swiftly and entirely "absorbed" like nutrients absorbed through veins, rapidly generating cash flow, alleviating the heavy burdens of inventory and security.

More important is that once the deal is struck, a certain "relationship" is established.

On this land, "relationship" often holds more weight than the ink on the contract.

It is an invisible covenant, a tie grounded in common interests.

With this relationship, the future path might be smoother, information more accessible, and some troubles potentially dissolved silently at their inception as "favors".

As ancient Eastern wisdom describes, wherever there are people, there are affairs, and affairs are never just about swords clashing; it's more about the intertwined human relations and dealings.

In this global gray zone, who can truly be above worldly concerns?

Establishing an implicit "understanding" with officials is at times a necessary survival strategy.

However, risk accompanies opportunity equally, if not more covertly and lethally.

Dealing with the government, especially one like Iligo which has been mired in internal factionalism and external forces since post-war reconstruction, is akin to building a fortress on quicksand—one wrong move, and everything could be lost.

Behind every smile might be hidden calculations; beneath every promise could lay snares.

Minister Rashed represents the central government, the nominally most legitimate force. However, differing voices exist within parliament, traditional powers within the army, local leaders reigning over territories, not to mention those lurking in the shadows, eyeing any large movement of resources—the tribal militias and extremist organization remnants.

This batch of arms is invaluable, attracting not only the gaze of budget officials at the Ministry of Defense.

Behind every gun, every vehicle, different factions could be stirred, touching upon some people's sensitive "cheese".

He, an outsider, suddenly introducing such vast resources is akin to a gigantic boulder plunged into an already turbulent pond, the ripples spreading unpredictably, potentially hitting hidden reefs.

Trouble?

He is not afraid of trouble. Years spent teetering on the edge between life and death, navigating through profit fields, have accustomed him to dancing with trouble.

Yet, once trouble is entangled, even if it can ultimately be shed, it drains precious energy, time, and resources.

His principle of action is—risk can be taken for sufficient profit but trouble should not be invited, especially those trouble emerging from internal strife and political whirlpools.

The transaction with the Iligo Ministry of Defense must be as precise as a surgical operation.

He slowly picked up a bottle of mineral water, sipping it as if tasting a cup of strong tea.

The pros and cons gradually clarified in repeated weighings.

The risk is controllable, the opportunity rare.

The key lies in the grasp of details, measurement of scale, and choosing a reliable "bridge".

This "bridge" is Yusuf.

This vice speaker and Defense Committee member, greedy but knowing restraint, ambitious but with weaknesses, is the most suitable intermediary for the moment.

With the direction established, the pressure on his heart seemed to lighten a bit.

He rose, walked towards the window, and slightly pulled open a slit in the curtain.

Outside, the silhouette of Mosul lay sleeping, scattered lights in the distance, and further away, a pitch-black desert.

Tomorrow, he would head south to Baghdad, stepping into what is known as the "Green Zone," the political heart, facing another smoke-free negotiation.

The next afternoon, Baghdad, west side of the Green Zone.

Unlike the majority of government departments within the Green Zone, which exhibit a stern, utilitarian, even slightly oppressive militarized or bureaucratic style, the new government building housing Yusuf's office showcased a Western-influenced luxury from its appearance.

Marble external walls reflected dazzling white light under intense sunlight, tall arches, exquisite carvings, and the security personnel in well-tailored uniforms at the entrance, all highlighted the power and status of its internal inhabitants.

Yusuf's office occupied half a floor. Upon pushing open the door, the coolness felt was in stark contrast to the outdoor heat, the central air conditioning system silently operating.

"Song! My dear friend! Sunshine and Allah be with you!"

Having just been led in by the secretary, Song Heping was warmly greeted by Yusuf from behind his enormous desk.