The opposition core was angry, but they could also tell that Hamid was just showing off his combat power.
However, Hamid had just proven with actual actions that his army’s combat power was indeed much stronger than theirs.
At this time, Hamid proposed that they make a gesture. Extorting money was only one part, more of it was for humiliation.
This was like the powers in the 19th century, invading a country, and after agreeing, still making that country pay war reparations.
The opposition core had all risen through rebellion. If it were in the past, with their grassroots origins and insufficient sophistication, they naturally could not swallow this anger, and would fight him to the death even if it cost their lives.
But now the situation was different. They held the state power in their hands. If they still recklessly fought to the death at every turn, this country would probably be lost in less than two years.
So, the leader directly took the phone and said, “Hamid, let’s not play riddles anymore. Just name your price for how much money you want!”
Hamid thought about it. Since the other party said so, it meant they agreed to accept this humiliating compensation, which equaled him winning another step.
However, how much to make them compensate, he also needed to have a moderate degree. If he asked for too much, it might re-ignite the other’s anger. If he could negotiate a suitable price.
After considering for a moment, Hamid made his demand, “You injured three of my brothers. Give me three million US dollars in cash, and this matter will be written off.”
Three brothers for three million, and in US dollars. This offer made the opposition leader furious.
But then he heard that three million would write it off completely, and this offer instantly made him feel it was very cost-effective.
Three million US dollars was nothing to him. Although many people in Damascus were still hungry, they controlled the economic lifeline. Three million US dollars was just a drop in the bucket.
He asked Hamid, “Give you three million, and this matter is truly written off? You won’t attack our oil fields in the future, won’t attack our strongholds, our troops?”
Hamid laughed and said, “Of course. I’m different from you people. First, I value the spirit of contract very much. Second, I don’t have such great ambitions. I don’t want your territory. I just want to manage my own territory well, and not let it face danger. So in the future, as long as you abide by the promise, we won’t interfere with each other!”
“Good!” The opposition leader immediately said decisively, “Three million it is. I’ll have someone prepare the cash and send it to you right away!”
A few hours later, an old US-made Humvee off-road vehicle, raising several metres of dust, came all the way to the outside of Hamid’s base.
The vehicle stopped steadily at the entrance to the mountain of Hamid’s base. Two soldiers got out from the back seat, each carrying a huge military green canvas bag filled with the cash to be handed over to Hamid.
Hamid did not show up, but sent several subordinates to the mountain entrance for the handover. After getting the money, the subordinates conducted a very careful search of the bags containing the cash, confirming there were no bombs, no listening devices, before bringing the money back to the base.
Inside the base, Hamid, following Ye Chen’s suggestion, was holding a commendation conference.
This time, he wanted to commend the elite members who performed outstandingly in the attack on the oil field, as well as the three heroically injured soldiers.
In the past, Hamid’s army consisted mostly of scattered soldiers and guerrillas, with chaotic and lax management, unclear internal organisational structure levels, and unclear promotion ladders for soldiers and officers.
The appointment of several leadership positions was also decided by Hamid alone based on his personal preferences, lacking sufficient credibility.
This time, he decided to follow Ye Chen’s instructions to take the opportunity to promote the military merit system. In the future, in the team, whoever makes contributions will be awarded medals; whoever is awarded medals will be promoted, and whoever is promoted will get rich.
In Ye Chen’s view, managing an army absolutely cannot rely solely on interest-driven methods. The more you reward those officers and soldiers with money, the more it will make them inwardly tend towards mercenaries.
Mercenaries always put personal interests first in fighting, and absolutely cannot have any spirit of sacrifice and dedication.
