Samir fell silent.
"Let's talk about your future now. At present, Bayji, Mosul, and Kirkuk are connected together, which is our base." Song Heping continued, "With a base, we can discuss the future. We can plan for tomorrow, next month, next year like normal people, rather than waking up every day to check weapons and prepare for battle. Once this place truly stabilizes, perhaps I will take you to Baghdad to see your cousin Yusuf."
"Yusuf?" Samir's expression became strange, and he said disdainfully, "He's just a spineless bureaucrat."
"Fool!" Song Heping couldn't help but scold Samir, "You don't even know how to enjoy the shade under the big tree you're leaning against. Yusuf has been in a government position for so long, do you think he has little influence in Baghdad? Don't you want to change your country? Make it develop better? With your militia? With guns? Remember, you use guns to conquer the world, but to govern it, you need a pen. The bureaucracy is not entirely useless, understand?"
Samir vaguely sensed the implication.
Song Heping probably intended for him to enter politics in the future, to govern the country, at least to hold a position on Illiguo's future political stage.
"Boss...I..."
"What about me? Do you want to be like Jiang Feng and tell me you can't do it?" Song Heping sneered, "Sometimes I'm quite annoyed with you. If you all had the tiniest bit of progress, would I need to be so exhausted?"
Samir blushed.
Indeed.
The Boss has had to clean up his mess multiple times.
Reflecting on when he left the "Musician" defense and said his grand words when bidding farewell to Song Heping, now he feels ashamed with nowhere to hide.
Back then, his ambitions were truly sky-high!
In the end, Boss Song Heping had to help him time and again, teaching him hand in hand.
"I understand, Boss, I'll follow whatever you say."
He no longer questioned nor asked but nodded to express his submission.
The two shook hands to say goodbye.
Samir's forces departed in the dark, their headlights forming a long line heading northwest towards Mosul.
Song Heping watched the convoy until the last light disappeared into the darkness.
"You're good at winning hearts." Avanti's voice came from behind.
"It's not winning hearts; it's investing," Song Heping corrected, "Samir is a person of emotional loyalty. If you give him one today, he'll return it tenfold tomorrow. There aren't many people like him in Illiguo anymore."
"Indeed." Avanti agreed, "Now, shall we discuss the detailed defense plan for the refinery? My men have discovered a few loopholes..."
The two walked side by side towards the command post, their discussion fading into the distance.
Outside the refinery, the beams of searchlights swept over the desert, and soldiers in newly deployed guard posts vigilantly watched the darkness.
In Bayji's night, the scent of war still lingered, but this time, the defenders had sturdier fortifications, better weapons, and a clearer mission.
On the third morning, Kote's call came as expected.
Song Heping was inspecting the reconstruction progress of the refinery when the satellite phone rang. He glanced at the number and smiled at Jiang Feng beside him, "It's here."
Answering the call, Kote's voice sounded urgent, "Song, are you aware of Titrick's situation?"
"I know a little." Song Heping moved to a relatively quiet corner, "What's up, Colonel?"
"What's up?"
Kote raised his voice, "You had a major victory in Bayji; now's the time to pursue the victory! Titrick is the last significant stronghold of 1515 in Salah al-Din Province. Seize it, and the entire northwest situation changes completely!"
Song Heping spoke calmly, "Colonel, I understand your urgency. But you may not be fully aware of our actual situation."
"What situation?"
"In the battle three days ago, I lost over two thousand men on my side, and even the slightly injured must recuperate."
Song Heping showed a helpless expression, "Now my forces are severely reduced and extremely fatigued, and ammunition needs replenishment. Attacking Titrick at this time is akin to courting death."
The phone went silent for a few seconds, and Kote's voice cooled down, "Song, I remind you, we are in a cooperative relationship, under agreement. The Pentagon is very satisfied with your actions in Bayji, but that doesn't mean you can stagnate."
"This isn't stagnation; it's a necessary respite."
Song Heping's tone remained calm, "Colonel, if you truly care about the battle situation, you should know that during our engagement with 1515, we requested air support, which never arrived until the battle ended. If it weren't for your mistakes and inaction, would my people have died so much? I didn't even hold you accountable, yet you audaciously blame me?"
This statement struck Kote's vulnerable spot.
Why there was no air support at the time, he knew, Song Heping knew.
No one's a fool.
All are old foxes; let's not pretend.
"That... that was an accident." Kote's voice was slightly unnatural, "Airspace coordination takes time, you know."
"Of course, I know." Song Heping's lips formed a cold smile, "So you should also know, my forces need time to rest now. Soldiers are not machines; after a tough battle, they need to recruit men, prepare equipment, and restore morale. All these need time."
"How long do you need?"
"At least two months," Song Heping said, "And I need to replenish weapons and ammunition. The equipment you provided last time was heavily consumed in the battle, especially anti-tank missiles and mortar shells. More importantly, manpower, my people suffered too much loss."