Chapter 1987 - 1443: Calculations from All Sides

At five in the morning, Baghdad was still asleep.

As Rashim's sedan drove into the Ministry of Defense's compound, the eastern skyline had just begun to glow a pale crab green.

The guard recognized the license plate, quickly saluted, and the electric iron gate silently slid open.

He did not close his eyes to rest in the back seat as usual, but instead looked through the tinted windows, observing the office buildings with blurred outlines in the morning fog.

Today was different.

Today was the day for transporting the batch of arms.

Arms worth a full fifteen billion dollars—this was the Iliko Government Army's largest arms order in the past three years.

If these weapons can be safely delivered to Baghdad and handed over, then they will quickly equip at least three divisions, turning these so-called semi-motorized infantry divisions into true mechanized infantry brigades.

Rashim paused for two seconds before opening the car door.

The leather seat made a slight friction sound, like a sigh.

The minister's office in the Ministry of Defense remained the same.

The Baroque-style chandelier was a relic of Saddam's era, its crystal pendants emitting a dim yellow light in the dawn.

Three maps hung on the wall: the complete territory of Illiguo, the Baghdad city district, and the border area between the northern Kurdistan Autonomous Region and the Sunni Triangle.

He stood before the northern map, his gaze falling on Mosul's location.

The Tenth Division's station.

And Song Heping.

This Lord Dong arrived in Illiguo two years ago as an unknown grocer, and within two short years formed his own defense company, maneuvering across the Middle East and North Africa, South America, finally returning to Illiguo, and within less than two years leaped to become the most powerful contractor in Illiguo.

Calling him a legend is not an exaggeration.

Even more surreal, Song Heping once "graced" the wanted list of the American CIA and counter-terrorism departments, ranking second highest in bounty amount, only after Brother Laden.

Unexpectedly, the largest arms disposal order in the US Army's withdrawal plan had fallen into his hands.

It's no wonder many people are envious and more are caught off guard.

Knock, knock, knock——

The office door was gently knocked on.

"Come in."

Lieutenant Colonel Faruk, the adjutant, held a stack of folders, with fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

This staff officer, who had followed Rashim for six years, was known for his calm demeanor, yet at this moment he appeared somewhat repressed and anxious.

"Minister, the situation is not very optimistic."

Without turning around, Rashim continued looking at the map: "Speak."

"The Dulaimi Tribe gathered to the west of Tal Afar last night, with at least 1,800 people, equipped with twenty armed pickups. According to the intelligence station's report, they've been setting up observation posts along Highway Nine for the past three days."

Faruk opened the first folder.

"The Juburi Tribe also showed movement, but on a smaller scale, approximately 950 people, concentrated near Hawija."

"Hawija." Rashim repeated the place name, his fingertip lightly tapping on the map: "That's Deputy Minister Hashimi's hometown."

Faruk paused for a moment before continuing: "Additionally, several smaller tribes in the Anbar Region are moving north, but their targets are unclear, possibly taking advantage of the situation, or maybe—"

"Or maybe they're employed by certain people."

Rashim turned around, interrupting the adjutant, then walked toward the desk.

He was well aware of these local tribes' petty schemes.

Their restlessness was long anticipated.

He wasn't interested in wasting time on these people.

"What about Song Heping's side?"

"He finished all vehicle preparations at dawn, started loading ammunition at four in the morning. Deployed about twelve thousand combat personnel, including two elite mercenary camps under his command, most of the Tenth Division's forces, the Kurdish Armed Ninth Brigade, and other armed forces..."

Rashim slightly raised his eyebrows.

It seems...

Song Heping went all out this time.

"One more thing." Faruk closed the folder, lowering his voice: "On the NATO system contractor side... someone is spreading news. Last night our informants in the Green Zone reported that in the Ashraf Hotel bar, a few Americans got drunk and mentioned that the Tenth Division would be transporting ammunition via six different routes today. They spoke with specific departure times, convoy formations, even the locations of some route checkpoints."

The office plunged into brief silence.

The air conditioning vent emitted a slight hum, sending dry cold air indoors.

Rashim slowly sat into the leather chair, his face turning colder.

In theory, transportation plans and schedules are top secret.

Yet it was unintentionally spoken from the mouths of a few Americans in a bar.

This shows that the plan and scheme Song Heping submitted to the Ministry of Defense was as publicly known as the headline news in the morning paper.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, cursing.

Illigo's political scene, Illiguo's military...

It's already like a leaky sieve, devoid of any secrecy.

"The bar at Ashraf Hotel."

He muttered, repeating this bar's name, it's a high-end bar frequented by foreigners.

"Americans again..."

"Yes, Minister. Our report from the hotel informant indicated that the speakers were three employees from the Black Water Company. They were clearly intoxicated, but their words were affirmative, not like hearsay."

"Of course it's not hearsay." Rashim's voice was light, as if talking to himself: "Transport routes and schedules are top secret, Song Heping would only report the complete plan to the Ministry of Defense, report to..."

He didn't continue.

Nor did Faruk press further.

Outside, the daylight gradually brightened, the morning mist began to dissipate.