Stepping out of the car, the cold raindrops struck Song Heping as he followed Rash to the front of the wooden hut.
Two soldiers stood in front of the door, Rash explained their purpose in Spanish and then turned to Song Heping, saying, "You wait here for a moment."
With that, he pushed the door open and entered.
After a short while, Rash reappeared at the door and gestured to Song Heping, "You can come in now."
Song Heping knew that the notification was complete and that he could now meet with the renowned Colonel Morins.
Walking into the house, the first impression was that it was spartan.
Inside was a small hall with wooden chairs and tables, resembling a dining area; maps hung on the walls, and there was a door to the right that appeared to lead to a bedroom.
A middle-aged man dressed in camouflage walked out of the bedroom and extended his hand to Song Heping, "Welcome to Colombia, Mr. Song."
Song Heping smiled and shook hands with him, "It's an honor to meet you, Colonel Morins."
Colonel Morins had a big beard, and possibly because he lived in the jungle for many years, he looked more like a mountaineer, and his hands were very rough.
"Sit."
Colonel Morins led Song Heping to the table and pointed to a chair.
Understanding, Song Heping took his seat independently.
Colonel Morins asked Rash, "Is it time for the meal?"
Looking outside, Rash nodded and said, "That's right, Colonel, they should be starting breakfast soon."
"Then let's have a portion of our camp's breakfast for our esteemed guest as well."
After saying this, Colonel Morins smiled at Song Heping.
Song Heping felt there was something strange and meaningful in his eyes.
"Thank you, Colonel."
He politely expressed his gratitude.
Once Rash had left, Colonel Morins sat opposite Song Heping and asked as his first question, "Are you Chinese?"
"Yes," Song Heping nodded.
Colonel Morins said, "I greatly admire your great man, sir."
Knowing about ELN's beliefs, Song Heping was not surprised, "Before coming here, I had heard a bit about that."
Pointing outside, Colonel Morins asked, "Do you know what the founding idea of our organization is?"
Song Heping responded, "To unite the people of the world?"
Colonel Morins laughed, "No, it's the other line—"
Song Heping was somewhat surprised and taken aback.
Colonel Morins said, "I can recite the entire collection."
This caught Song Heping off guard, as he had come here to discuss an arms deal and did not expect to be given a theoretical lesson.
"That's right, the enemy can't understand your words," Song Heping said, "So you need more 'barrels'."
This comment finally steered the conversation back to the topic of arms.
Colonel Morins laughed heartily and nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, but Mr. Song, please tell me, if you can't even protect your arms, how can you talk about power? Talking about this requires strength."
It was at this moment that Song Heping realized that the Colonel Morins in front of him was not as simple as he had imagined.
And that made sense.
To lead a left-wing guerrilla group like the ELN, you needed more than money to win people's hearts. You needed a set of revolutionary theory; otherwise, why would thousands follow you into the jungle to live through hardship and play with their lives against the government army?
He couldn't help but regard the middle-aged, somewhat portly uncle in front of him, the leader of the armed organization, with newfound respect.
Colonel Morins was obviously alluding to the arms that the AUC had intercepted from Song Heping before, that botched deal.
So far, the two million dollars that were lost have not been returned.
"How do you have the nerve to come here and negotiate a new arms deal with me?"
Song Heping said, "I admit, my two million dollars' worth of arms were stolen by AUC, and my people were taken hostage, but I managed to rescue my people from their camp with just a few men, and moreover, I killed dozens of them along with two government helicopters and two platoons. I think I am qualified to talk about strength."
Colonel Morins' gaze fell on Song Heping's face and didn't leave for a second.
The two men looked quietly at each other, until finally Rash interrupted, carrying in breakfast for each, placing it before Song Heping.
The atmosphere seemed to ease up a bit.
Rash glanced at the two men and tactfully left again.
Colonel Morins made an inviting gesture, "Let's talk while we eat. The breakfast here in camp is very simple. In fact, just between us, it's a mix of leftovers from last night's dinner and some bread. I hope you don't mind, these are the conditions we live in."
Song Heping looked down at the food in the plate, a messy mix of everything indeed, just like a hodgepodge.
One could make out potatoes, soup, some beef bones with a bit of meat clinging to them, bits of corn, and a kind of bread ripped apart and thrown in.
As Colonel Morins had said, it looked like a bunch of leftovers thrown together haphazardly and scooped onto a plate.
That Colonel Morins actually ate this made Song Heping even start to doubt whether the other party had the money to buy arms.