Chapter 64: Sentimentality is a Must!

  On the main streets of Baghdad, people suddenly felt a difference from usual days. On the main road of the central street, every few meters, there was a soldier standing upright in uniform, holding a rifle.

  "What's going on? Is some grand ceremony being held? A military review?" someone asked.

  "You don't know yet, do you? Our troops have won a great victory in the marshes. The victory was led by Saddam's second son Qusay, and it is said that they annihilated an entire Persian armored division."

  "Really? A whole division, that's tens of thousands of people! What a great victory."

  "It's not just the army, it's said that many tanks and armored vehicles were also captured. Now, they are welcoming Al-Khansa back in triumph."

  As expected, before they had finished speaking, the soldiers on guard raised their steel guns above their heads in unison, a pleasing and delightful sight.

  In the distance, a convoy was approaching.

  At the very front were two captured Chieftain tanks, using these two tanks as vanguard, the significance was obvious, in the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq would surely win!

  Behind the tank were two escort vehicles.

  Next was the familiar number one car, President Saddam's limousine, a German-made armored Mercedes-Benz.

  There must be the meritorious general of this battle, Saddam's own son. Everyone is looking at him with envy, the return of a war hero.

  Zhang Feng didn't want to make such a big show, sitting in the car and looking at the cheering crowd outside, he felt somewhat uneasy. Now is wartime, if there are Iranian spies, they don't need to mix with the crowd, just hide a sniper at some high point, that's enough for them to get what they want.

  However, it's hard to refuse such a warm invitation! Especially since this was personally arranged by Old Man himself, and even the car was his, how could he decline?

  As the ruler of Iraq, Saddam was a born fighter and a wise politician who clearly saw that due to the war being stuck in a stalemate, some negative emotions might be brewing domestically, and a victory was badly needed to prove Iraq's strength.

  As a result, this victory came, so suddenly and so timely.

  Publicize this victory extensively and it will have a great effect! Inspire the enthusiasm of people all over the country, stimulate confidence in the victory, and gather the spirit of the nation.

  There was another purpose, the first achievement of this victory was his own son, Qusay. The war had caused many casualties among soldiers, and Saddam wanted to tell the whole nation that his own son was also on the front line, fighting against Iran!

  He personally ventured into the swamp, with dozens of soldiers, destroyed the Iranian stronghold, blew up their ammunition and fuel supply base. To rescue several seriously injured soldiers, he disguised himself as a crashed helicopter pilot, tricked down a helicopter, personally piloted the helicopter, and sent the wounded soldiers back to the rear base, saving their lives.

  Where is the helicopter? Isn't it in the sky? Look, that large helicopter with propellers front and back, that's the Iranian Chinook!

  At this time, Shahrbaraz also flew back to Baghdad and publicized Khusrau's achievements.

  Inside the Republican Palace, jubilant atmosphere, at the end of the red carpet, standing today's highest ruler of Iraq, President Saddam and his senior officials.

  They stood at the entrance of the conference hall, waiting for Kusay's arrival.

  On this day, all Iraqis were murmuring one name: Qusay Abdullah.

  Wu Dai stood behind many people, his eyes already red, he really couldn't understand why his father had to make such a big ceremony to welcome a young boy who was still wet behind the ears!

  Kou Sai's halo has overshadowed his own brilliance, which is something he cannot tolerate.

  The fleet drove all the way to the Republic Palace. Zhang Feng jumped off the car and felt a dazzling array of lights. What? Such a big ceremony?

  Looking at the newly laid red carpet, Zhang Feng couldn't bear to step on it, what a waste, it would be better to exchange it for weapons and ammunition!

  "Kusayang, down!" a guard said.

  Zhang Feng tidied up his clothes and walked in with big strides.

  Old Dad Saddam, Uncle Adnan, Uncles Wattban and Barzan, oh no, it should be President Saddam, Minister of Defense Adnan, Minister of Interior Wattban, Director of Intelligence Barzan, and Chief of Staff Hazraji, Commander of the Republican Guard Rashid, and many other high-ranking officials he didn't know were already standing there.

  When was it that we received such treatment? I'm afraid it's when the US President comes to visit, bringing a large amount of military aid, and even then, there wouldn't be such a grand ceremony.

  A sense of pride arose spontaneously.

  Zhang Feng walked up to his father with big strides, saluted him: "Reporting for duty, Deputy Director of the 35th Division of the Southern Military Region, Lieutenant Kusay Abdualla, has arrived as ordered!"

  Saddam's face broke into a joyful smile: "Welcome our hero, the hero of this time's Susanggilde blocking battle!"

  As Saddam's voice rose, everyone applauded.

  "This victory was achieved by the collective efforts of all officers and men of the 35th Brigade, under the command of the Southern Military Region, with the strong support of the Air Force. This is a glorious moment for the 35th Brigade, for the Southern Military Region, for our entire Iraqi army, and for us, the descendants of Babylon! Long live great Iraq! Long live the Almighty!" Zhang Feng exclaimed loudly.

  Hypocrisy is a must! Zhang Feng knew that taking credit for oneself and being arrogant would never gain respect and admiration from others. Being humble is the excellent tradition of that great ancient country.

  As expected, Zhang Feng said so, some people were shocked and dropped their eyes, while others sighed in their hearts. In an instant, everyone applauded even more enthusiastically.

  Saddam's eyes shone with a sharp light, looking at his second son, the words he had just spoken made him feel elated, especially when he said we are descendants of Babylon, implying that we want to restore the glory of the ancient Babylonian Empire!

  What a pity! He is just too young. If Uday had such ideas, he would be even more delighted.

  "Come on, let's go into the hall," Saddam pulled Zhang Feng's hand and walked in.

  The others immediately made way and followed behind, entering the hall.

  Zhang Feng looked at Saddam's performance and knew that his own performance had made the president very satisfied, so the next goal would be easy to achieve.

  When he received the order from the President to return to Baghdad for a commendation ceremony, Zhang Feng did not want to go because he knew that time was running out.

  On September 26, at dawn, the five infantry divisions and large armored and artillery units totaling one million people who had gathered on the opposite bank of Bahmanshir River in Abadan launched a surprise attack on the Iraqi troops besieging Abadan after crossing the river. After three days of fierce fighting, Iran achieved its first "major victory" since the start of the war, driving the Iraqi army across the Karun River and retreating to Khorramshahr, lifting the siege of Abadan, opening up transportation routes to Ahvaz, Masjed Soleyman, and Dezful, and annihilating an Iraqi division.

  This was a turning point in the Iran–Iraq War, as from this battle onwards Iraq's advances were halted and it entered a defensive, withdrawing phase until it withdrew back into Iraqi territory, with the war starting to burn its own soil.

  Zhang Feng has been working hard in the Southern Military Region, rewriting the history of the Battle of Abadan!

  However, he finally found that facing many obstacles, the most troublesome one was the air force.

  In modern warfare, the air force plays a crucial role. Last time in Susangilder, without air support, even if we had blown up the enemy's oil and ammunition supply base, the enemy would still have transported enough supplies by helicopter, and the 35th Brigade would still have been annihilated.

  After the air force intervened, the battle became one-sided.

  But that was an exception, and even for this exception, it took an entire afternoon plus one evening.

  Although there is also an air force base in Basra, any combat plans of the air force need to be reported to the president for approval, resulting in very low efficiency. Even the army often receives direct intervention from the president, and these interventions have often had a counterproductive effect.

  From this point of view, his old father is somewhat similar to the little mustache during World War II and the person who always liked to call "Nanxi Pi" during the Anti-Japanese War.

  To fight a battle, one must dare to delegate power; those who are on the battlefield have the most say.

  Zhang Feng had no choice but to return to Baghdad, also with his own purpose in mind. He wanted to make the old man happy and not let him interfere with the specific command of the army. The key was to hand over the air force of the southern military region to himself for command, and not to hold onto power so tightly.

  The ultimate goal is still to bring victory to Iraq! Emotional arousal, that's a must!

  Thanks for the reward from book friend "friefhr"!