"And the British."
Jiang Feng reminded, "In Africa, their influence is significant, especially around Sudan. I heard Henry mention they have their own Special Forces deployed here."
"I know, the SAS."
Song Heping sneered, "If that Lady M sitting in a London office isn't stupid, she'd better swallow the loss in Morocco silently. Otherwise, they will suffer even greater losses."
"What do you mean?"
"In Morocco, we did take advantage of them and eliminated their guards, but the loss of field agents is quite a normal occurrence. Besides, they shouldn't have targeted Henry. I threw out the bait, and they took it themselves. It's their fault for trying to exchange benefits with the Americans, thinking they'd found a fat sheep to fleece. Why else do you think they captured Henry? There was no conflict of interest between us before; Henry was just a bargaining chip. Intelligence agencies always have some resource exchanges, the British and Americans are old allies, but even brothers settle accounts clearly. That's why Lady M had a crooked idea."
He paused for a moment, then continued with a long sigh: "Did you notice any particular characteristics of the bodies you photographed at the joint command center this time?"
"Characteristics?"
Jiang Feng scratched his head again.
"Aside from them all being foreigners, all dead, all agents, there doesn't seem to be anything special."
"I had Henry post those photos on the dark web to offer a reward for their identification."
Song Heping smiled, turning his head to Jiang Feng: "Guess what result we got?"
"What result?"
Jiang Feng was very curious.
"The people you killed were all CIA and Mossad, not a single MI6 agent."
"Huh?!"
Jiang Feng was dumbfounded.
"You find it strange, right?"
"Very strange... I thought MI6 would surely get involved this time, at least to avenge their people."
Jiang Feng laughed.
Song Heping said, "You think too highly of people in the intelligence business. These old hands have been playing this game for years. Their decisions rarely involve personal emotions; it's all about interests..."
"Interests?"
Jiang Feng asked, puzzled, "You mean she knew sending people would result in certain death?"
Song Heping sneered, "Not certain death, but very likely. Plus, this matter indicates a clue—"
Jiang Feng quickly asked, "What clue?"
Song Heping said, "Lady M is a sly fox; she figured it out, understand?"
"Figured it out?" Jiang Feng was even more puzzled: "I don't get it."
Song Heping said, "When I got the information from Henry, I was stunned for a long time before I understood. The British don't want to get involved in the muddy waters between the CIA and Mossad. She's shrewd."
He gestured to himself.
"Why provoke me? Even if I'm just a defense company boss, I'm crazy enough. When she looks up my previous records, do you think she won't feel a chill down her spine? To deal with me with full force? The CIA and Mossad used all their resources to come after me, along with the so-called 'Elder Council' and their controlled 'Satan Corps.' Which one of them wasn't after my life? But in the end, didn't they all meet their end at my hands? She could certainly mobilize SAS or SBS to deal with me, but the question is, how many resources is she willing to spend on me, how many people die, and what's the benefit of it?"
Jiang Feng was stunned, unable to close his mouth.
"Well... we killed some of their agents, vengeance..."
"More people dying for vengeance, then letting the Americans reap the benefits?"
Song Heping laughed, "Mossad may care about face, but what's MI6's reason? Kill me, and the drug market profits in Mexico continue to be controlled by the CIA? The Americans silence me, and the dirty deals between us won't be exposed, maintaining the dignity of the Elder Council members. Hmm... and the British? What benefits do they gain?"
"..."
Jiang Feng was speechless.
"Seems like... not much benefit."
"Exactly, when analyzing these intelligence leaders, always look at it from the perspective of interests—political, economic, strategic. Only with value will they take action."
Song Heping continued, "Before I came to Africa, I had Henry prepare an African situation survey for me. Actually, since I was transporting SAM-9s there for Peter and the others in Illiguo, I knew the Americans, French, and British weren't as harmonious as they seem on the surface. They're currently competing for territory in Africa. When the Americans make a fool of themselves, the happiest are the British and French, understand?"
"I announced externally that I would make it difficult for the Americans to stand their ground in Africa. Do you really think I'm arrogant? I'm sending a message to the British and French that I'm a disruptor, but I'm not targeting you. I'm targeting the Americans and Mossad. You guess, if Lady M returns home and thinks it over, why should she continue to oppose me? Isn't it better to keep me around?"
Clap, Clap, Clap—
"Brilliant!"
Listening to Song Heping's explanation, Jiang Feng suddenly had an epiphany, giving a thumbs up: "Old leader, I never expected you're even craftier than them! How come I didn't think of that!?"
"If it were before, I wouldn't have thought of it either. I was forced on this path. Back then, when the cook left us and returned to Russia over personal pride issues, leaving me with this team, what choice did I have? I had to brace myself and go forward. After stepping up, the company grew bigger and bigger. Dealing with Avanti, maintaining appearances with the Americans, how could I not learn more about the situation and intelligence in this area?"
Song Heping sighed, "In life, many times you are forced onto a path you don't want to take. But you have to, just for survival."
"Hmm..."
Jiang Feng felt a deep resonance.
"I walked this path initially for money. I never expected that now that I have money, I can't return to my homeland."
"Your inability to return is not the main concern. What I'm worried about isn't this," Song Heping said. "Though our family members can't contact each other too much, at least we know they're safe back home..."
Saying this, he turned his head towards the camp.