34: A sure win

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that this cake cleverly depicted the terrain of Irako.

The table was laden with a dazzling array of delicacies and beverages, yet that cake remained untouched, no one daring to cut into it.

Xu Ning also mingled among the guests at this grand event; he was graceful and quickly blended in with everyone.

In contrast, the accompanying Xiao Jianhao seemed somewhat out of place.

He held a piece of cake in each hand, eating with relish, and muttered, "These people are really too extravagant, leaving so much delicious food untouched."

Xu Ning ignored his complaints, simply skillfully peeling an Australian lobster, dividing the tender meat into two, handing half to Xiao Jianhao, and teasing, "Try this, it's quite expensive."

In fact, their presence at this reception was purely coincidental.

Originally, Xu Ning had not been invited, but coincidentally, the two soldiers at the door had been Xiao Jianhao's subordinates.

Although the embassy's security personnel were mostly sent by their respective countries, they sometimes recruited locals.

These two soldiers happened to be specially recruited by Irako after retiring and came here.

It was precisely because of this connection that Xu Ning and Xiao Jianhao were able to blend into the reception.

After finishing the cake, Xiao Jianhao licked his fingers, seemingly relaxed and content, but in reality, his gaze was sharp, constantly observing the surroundings.

He asked Xu Ning curiously, "Xu Ning, why is that the only person wearing a white headscarf at this event?"

Xu Ning explained, "That's called a Keffiyeh, it's very common in aka bo language."

I put in a lot of effort to get along well with the Aka people.

Didn't you notice?

Apart from the two of us, almost everyone here has European faces."

Only then did Xiao Jianhao realize that although people from the Middle East and Europe had similar skin tones, a closer look at their features revealed subtle differences.

He pressed on curiously, "What's going on?"

Xu Ning explained, "Because most Aka countries in the Middle East follow the lead of Eagle Country, they are currently busy preparing for war with Irako, so they naturally have no time for other matters."

Xiao Jianhao frowned upon hearing this, "Isn't Europe the same?"

Xu Ning couldn't help but laugh, "Although Europe has been riddled with holes by Eagle Country's infiltration, they themselves don't see it that way."

He pointed to the line on the cake near the coast and said, "Do you see that line?"

Xiao Jianhao naturally knew that it was the famous Saddam Line; he had simulated it on a sand table many times.

He sighed with emotion, "That defense line was personally set up by Old Sa and is heavily guarded, making it impregnable.

To the west is a vast desert, difficult for ground troops to cross; the air is protected by a strict air defense system.

To the east, Persia and Western countries are irreconcilable and will not allow passage.

Although Tuhachi to the south has closed the oil pipeline, it has not joined the anti-Irako coalition forces.

Therefore, the northern coast has become the only breakthrough point, yet at this moment, it is also guarded by Old Sa as if it were an iron barrel."

He shook his head and continued, "Without using nuclear weapons, I really can't figure out how to breach such a defense line."

Xu Ning gazed at him and said lightly, "Do you think Saddam has already secured victory in this situation?"

"Of course." Xiao Jianhao said confidently, "If he can lose in this situation, I'm willing to stand on my head and open champagne to celebrate."

Xu Ning looked at his confident appearance, secretly amused, but didn't say anything more.

He just silently wished him well in his heart, hoping he could really perform such a difficult feat when the time came.

"Have you ever thought about it?" Xu Ning suddenly asked, "Why is such confidential military information being widely publicized, and why is such a large strategic deployment map being specifically displayed at this reception?"

This question stumped Xiao Jianhao.

He could speak a bit about military matters, but he had never deeply considered this question.

Xu Ning didn't deliberately keep him in suspense, "Saddam believes he possesses the strength of the world's fourth-largest military power and doesn't put the winner who defeated us in the last Vietnam War in his eyes at all."

He paused and continued, "But what he's truly afraid of is Eagle Country's economic blockade.

A country can lack many things, but it absolutely cannot lack money!

Now everyone is keeping their distance from his country's oil; what do you think he should do?"

Xiao Jianhao said with sudden realization, "So that's why he wants to tell the whole world how he plans to fight this war, to clearly tell everyone that he won't lose."

Xu Ning nodded in satisfaction, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, and said, "Exactly, they will only help whoever wins."

After hearing Xu Ning's analysis, Xiao Jianhao couldn't help but admire him and said, "This Old Sa is indeed not someone to be underestimated."

"Hmm." Xu Ning responded, but in his heart, he knew the final outcome of this war better than anyone.

However, he also knew that with his involvement, who could say for sure what the outcome would be?

After successfully persuading another Gaul ambassador to leave, Ambassador Hassan felt his hand holding the wine glass couldn't help but tremble.

The higher-ups had never felt military pressure because they firmly believed that Eagle Country would never dare to attack easily.

And Saddam Commander even boasted that if Eagle Country wasn't afraid of death, they could come and attack such a defense line.

Now, what was causing them the most distress was the strict economic blockade.

Irako held abundant oil resources but suffered because no country dared to buy it.

This was like holding a mountain of gold but being unable to find a buyer willing to take over; the helplessness and anxiety were imaginable.

Seeing their foreign exchange reserves vanish like flowing water, their hearts became increasingly uneasy.

After all, funds are the lifeline of war.

It was precisely for this reason that Hassan meticulously organized this reception, intending to test the attitudes of various parties and hoping to seize the opportunity to sign a few orders.

However, after much talking, his mouth was dry, but he still made no progress.

What's more, some people were taking advantage of the situation, offering ridiculously low prices, almost like getting it for free.

"These arrogant pigs, wait until you return disappointed, see if you'll come crying and begging for our oil!"

Hassan angrily smashed his wine glass, drained the wine in it, and left in a huff.

He didn't notice that a figure had quietly followed behind him, leaving the noisy hall together.

Hassan walked into the restroom, found it empty, chose a spot casually, and began to vent his dissatisfaction.

He was about to continue cursing those arrogant Europeans when a handsome young Asian man walked in.

Although he was somewhat drunk, Hassan had not yet lost control; seeing a stranger enter, he immediately closed his mouth.

However, the young Asian man's subsequent actions left him astonished, even feeling a hint of fear.

He saw the young man push open the doors of the other toilets one by one, carefully checking each cubicle.