Chapter 1988 - 1443: Calculations on All Sides (Part 2)

A few pigeons landed on the windowsill, cooing as they pecked at the leftover breadcrumbs from last night.

Rashim looked at the pigeons and suddenly remembered three years ago, it was at this window that he witnessed a suicide truck crashing into the police station opposite the Ministry of Defense, turning the entire building into ruins.

The flock of pigeons scattered in fright, blood and flesh splattered, screams and gunshots echoed throughout the block.

How quiet Baghdad is now.

Unfortunately, this quietness is only superficial.

"Why don't we... send troops to assist Song Heping?"

Rashim repeated Faruk's cautiously proposed suggestion: "Which brigade to send? The Sixth Division? The Eighth Division? Or have the Presidential Guard escort this batch of military supplies?"

Faruk did not answer.

In fact, he already had the answer in his mind.

The commander of the Sixth Division is the brother-in-law of Deputy Minister Hashimi.

The Eighth Division was cut off by the Ministry of Defense with a quota of thirty M1A1 tanks last year when reequipping, and had been holding a grudge ever since, with Rashim's name signing off on the quota reduction.

As for the Presidential Guard, His Excellency the President would be very pleased to see the Defense Minister and the military contractor he signed a contract with bleed to the last drop on the escort route, then he would have a reason to kick Rashim out, and seamlessly appoint a new Defense Minister.

This is how chaotic the situation in Illiguo is currently.

Various interests are entangled, various calculations made in the dark.

"According to the contract..."

Rashim leaned back in his chair, his gaze directed at the ceiling.

"Before the signing of the delivery receipt in the ammunition dump, all risks associated with this batch of military supplies are borne by Musician Defense. If Song Heping dies on the road, all we need to do is find the next contractor, or explain to the American investigative committee why this batch of military supplies fell into the hands of tribal militants."

He paused.

Then continued, "If troops intervene, it's good news if the military supplies safely reach here."

His voice grew colder.

"And then what? His Excellency the President will praise me for my excellent command, but beyond that, there is no benefit. But if I dispatch troops and any batch of these military supplies suffers even a slight mishap, it's my fault..."

Upon hearing this, Faruk slightly nodded.

"Besides..."

Rashim stood up, walked to the window, and gazed into the distance.

"I also want to see if this Lord Dong is really worth the amount he signed on the contract."

Those who have crossed him say he's like a jackal in the desert, never confronting head-on, but biting the throat precisely when you are careless.

Others say he's lucky, always turning away before death arrives.

Luck.

Rashim never believed in luck.

He believes in interests, in fear, and that in Illiguo, only the most cunning foxes and the most ferocious wolves can survive.

This time is no exception.

He will not tether his political stakes to him.

At least not until he proves his capability, Rashim will not do so.

"What about the internal investigation?"

He suddenly remembered something and shifted the topic.

"The matter I asked you to prepare, how is it going?"

Faruk immediately straightened up, "It's all ready. The intelligence unit has been monitoring all personnel who have come into contact with the escort plan for three days now, cross-referencing communication records, office entry logs, even cafeteria dining times."

"And what about Hashimi?" Rashim continued to ask.

"The confidential secretary of the deputy minister's office..." Faruk lowered his voice, "his wife's account received an additional sixty-two thousand US Dollars last month. The source is a trade company registered in Dubai, which paid Blackwater Iraq Branch a consulting fee of one hundred fifty thousand US Dollars two months ago."

Rashim did not speak immediately.

The sunlight had fully risen, casting golden rays through the blinds, creating parallel shadows in the office.

He stood at the junction between light and dark, with half of his face hidden in the shadows.

Sixty-two thousand US Dollars.

Is Hashimi's man only worth sixty-two thousand US Dollars?

Humph!

It's certainly not just that.

Probably, this is just one of many transactions conducted over a long period.

"Continue monitoring," Rashim said, "until the escort is completed."

Faruk hesitated for a moment, "Your Excellency, if something happens on Song Heping's end..."

"He and we have no connection. Until the military supplies safely reach Baghdad for handover, we just need to sit here and monitor the development of the situation."

Rashim's voice was very calm.

"Whether Song succeeds or fails, as long as we maintain our observational stance, it is beneficial for us..."

He turned around, looking at his deputy.

"By that time, your investigation should have results, which I think will be the most beneficial outcome for us, wouldn't you agree?"

Faruk understood.

For this escort, whether the military supplies arrived safely was not important.

What's important is that beneath the shadow of these military supplies, a more covert hunt is being carried out.

The prey has long been targeted, traps are already set. Now all that remains is to wait for the gunshot to resonate.

Whether the fifteen billion in military supplies can be secured doesn't matter much to Rashim personally, but seizing this opportunity to eliminate Hashimi, that's the most crucial thing.

Rashim sat back behind his desk, taking a black pen from the pen holder, twirling it gently.

The metallic glint on the pen cap shimmered in the morning light.

"When is Song Heping scheduled to depart?"

"The scheduled time is six o'clock sharp."

Rashim glanced at the clock on the wall.

Five forty-eight.

The sky over Mosul should already be bright.

He imagined Lord Dong sitting in the co-pilot seat of a helicopter, checking communications equipment, then issuing the final orders.