Northern Darfur.
Liu Guangyu finally got permission to move freely. He put his camera on his back and walked out of the room. Following Khalifa's instructions, he started taking photos near the base.
Of course, these photos can be said to have been taken entirely in accordance with Khalifa's requirements.
Soldiers standing straight, people smiling, smoke rising from the kitchen, and the construction site in full swing
If these reports were published, I am afraid everyone would be surprised.
"Darfur? Isn't it a war zone? How can it be so prosperous and lively?"
——
Probably many people will think so.
Later, they will begin to feel annoyed by their prejudices, reflect on who is the just party, and begin to support these unfairly treated "revolutionaries" internationally.
Liu Guangyu thought it was ridiculous.
This is how public opinion is manipulated.
Only those who are here know what kind of doomsday scene this is.
Behind the soldiers standing guard was the wounded barracks. The floor was covered with flies, blood was flowing everywhere, and there was not even the most basic disinfectant alcohol.
It was said to be a wounded barracks, but in fact it was just a place to throw the injured soldiers together and let them fend for themselves.
As for the smiling people?
There is no doubt that they are all actors.
There is no steaming food at all under the smoke. What is cooked in the pot is a cake made of tree bark and soil. The person who eats it may be able to barely maintain his life, but at the same time he will inevitably die.
In contrast, there are mountains of food piled up in the Revolutionary Front base.
"Military rations."
Only those who sign up can receive military rations.
This leads to a strange phenomenon: the number of Boy Scouts in North Darfur is much higher than the average in other chaotic areas.
Because military rations were distributed per capita, children ate less, and the leftover food they ate could be distributed to their families.
Therefore, if the adult labor force is expected to "join the army", it is better to let one's own children go
Finally, there are the construction sites.
All construction sites are actually building water conservancy facilities, and this may be the only project that actually benefits the local area.
But the irony is that this project was built with assistance from China State Construction Engineering Corporation back then.
After they left, there was no progress on these water conservancy facilities for more than ten years, and they were just patchwork based on the unfinished projects of China Construction Engineering Corporation.
Thinking of this, Liu Guangyu couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
I don’t know how long the suffering here will last.
——
Perhaps, until a certain force is completely pulled off the altar, there will be no chance to truly achieve peace here.
After all, if the world is at peace, why fish in troubled waters?
Looking at Khalifa who was still not far away directing the "actors" to arrange various scenes, Liu Guangyu stepped forward and said:
"General Khalifa, today's filming is done here."
"I'm going to be here for a long time, there's no need to do everything in one day."
"In addition, taking too many pictures in one day will affect my thinking and the effect will be bad."
After hearing his words, Khalifa nodded understandingly, and then replied:
"Then do as you say, Mr. Liu."
"There is still time, you can take a walk around the base - but don't go too far, the area is not safe after all."
Liu Guangyu quickly agreed that this was the free time he really wanted.
So, he quickly replied:
"I understand, but if possible, can you send me a soldier as a security guard?"
"certainly."
Liu Guangyu's move of retreating in order to advance played into Khalifa's hands. In fact, his allowing Liu Guangyu to move freely was essentially a test.
There will definitely be many people secretly monitoring him. If Liu Guangyu takes any action that is detrimental to the base and the revolutionary front organization, he will deal with this person without hesitation.
It is actually quite reasonable for a war reporter to die due to various accidents in a conflict area, right?
No one will trace it to his own head.
——
Of course, such troubles can still be minimized. Since Liu Guangyu is so honest, there is no need to be too nervous.
Therefore, accompanied by guards, Liu Guangyu finally got rid of Khalifa's direct surveillance for the first time.
He did not dare to go to those sensitive areas, but wandered around the city in the center of Fasher.
Although the situation is chaotic, business here still maintains basic operations.
Like all "no man's lands" in war zones, the most in-demand commodities here are cigarettes and alcohol, followed by food, and finally weapons.
Liu Guangyu deliberately showed himself to be extremely novel about everything here, and even took out his camera and took many photos.
At the same time, he kept chatting with his security personnel.
With his proficiency in Arabic and the US dollars in his hand, Liu Guangyu established trust with the security personnel in a very short period of time.
The latter even took the initiative to introduce him to the various firearms in the weapons market - this was the only thing he was familiar with.
Liu Guangyu not only showed his admiration appropriately, but also bought a few cigarettes in a small shop for the guard, which further narrowed the distance between the two.
By the time the two returned to the base, they had talked about everything like friends.
This kind of progress makes Liu Guangyu very satisfied.
It was getting dark. After walking into his room, Liu Guangyu began to sort out the gains of the day.
He turned on his computer, exported the photos from his camera, and pretended to start editing the document.
But in fact, what he was writing was something else.
"Discovered on October 11th."
"The weapons circulating in the weapons market are significantly different from other similar regions in terms of completeness, newness, and types."
"In addition to the most common AK-47, there are also many AK-74 and Uzi submachine guns for sale here."
"These weapons should not have entered the civilian market on a large scale."
"It is certain that other weapons did take their place."
"According to military personnel, they have indeed upgraded to new weapons, but the specific types are still unknown."
"No clues have been found about the inflow of other heavy weapons, chemical weapons, or weapons of mass destruction."
"In terms of people's livelihood, the real situation in North Darfur is worse than what is described in the international news."
"A large amount of relief food has been monopolized by armed groups, leaving the people struggling to survive."
"Today we observed a United Nations rescue vehicle driving directly into the Revolutionary Front base and unloading a large amount of food at the base."
"This grain comes from the United States and has never reached the market."
"This is not humanitarian relief, this is targeted assistance."
"So far, no evidence has been found of contacts between the Revolutionary Front and other legal or illegal armed organizations."
"However, Arabs were indeed found in the base. It is not certain whether they are from Egypt or the Middle East."
After finishing writing, Liu Guangyu secretly saved it in the encrypted folder of the camera's memory card, and then put the memory card back into the camera.
He was in no hurry to pass on information because his chances were few.
Unless he gets key information, he won't take risks
On the other side, in Khalifa's office.
The security guard accompanying Liu Guangyu stood upright and answered Khalifa's questions.
"So, he just walked around the market and didn't do anything else and didn't ask you any questions?"
"mentioned."
The guard said quickly.
"He asked a lot of questions about firearms and you could tell he was very interested in it."
"In addition, he also asked about our future plans."
"He seems to want to figure out whether we intend to engage in peace negotiations with the authorities or whether we want to directly overthrow the current rulers."
"He repeatedly confirmed this issue many times."
"He visibly relaxed after I answered."
The guard at this time had a calm expression and sharp eyes. Compared with him who was standing next to Liu Guangyu and leading the way with simple eyes and seemingly unsuspecting eyes, he was almost the same as two people.
If Liu Guangyu could see him at this time, he would probably praise him for his "very good acting skills".
"How did you answer?"
Khalifa demanded.
"Answer according to the standard."
"I told him that the reason why we are fighting again is not because we don't want peace, but because the authorities reneged on the previous peace agreement and failed to meet their commitments, leaving the people here in trouble again."
"The fight is not to seize power, but to demonstrate our strength and gain more bargaining chips."
"Our ultimate goal is to have a seat in government and be able to speak for ourselves."
"However, if the situation continues to deteriorate, we do not rule out the possibility of fighting to the end."
Hearing the security's answer, Khalifa nodded with satisfaction.
"That's a good answer. This is what we want to convey to the outside world."
"Liu Guangyu, how did he reply to you?"
After thinking for a moment, the guard replied:
"It's hard for me to describe his reaction."
"It should be said that his answer to us was expected."
"However, he showed no suspicion."
"By the way, he said something."
"He said, 'It doesn't sound like justice, but it's a reasonable approach.'"
"I think that as a citizen of a peaceful country, he actually does not really agree with the strategy we are talking about. However, his experience in different war zones allows him to 'accept' it."
"That's his attitude."
"enough."
Khalifa lit a cigarette and whispered thoughtfully.
He doesn't need Liu Guangyu to really recognize him, nor does he need him to become his "brother".
As long as it can be confirmed that he is not here for some ulterior secret, it is enough.
Now it seems that Liu Guangyu's performance is indeed that of a qualified war reporter.
Thinking of this, he ordered:
"Keep an eye on him."
"The surveillance cannot be relaxed, but at the same time, we must also give him some opportunities."
"clear!"
The guard turned and left, while Khalifa, who stayed in the office, was lost in thought.
This reporter's problem must be solved within a few days. He and his reports will be an important bargaining chip for him to obtain more assistance.
If he could be fully utilized, maybe by this time next year, he would be sitting in his office in Khartoum.
After all, there is a powerful organization behind him now.
On the other side of the sea, in May Club's office.
Houston was sitting behind his desk as always, but now compared to a while ago, he finally seemed to have regained some confidence and had a smile on his face.
He smoked a cigarette leisurely, looked at the assistant who was sorting documents aside, and asked:
"So, the strategy for Darfur has basically been deployed?"
The assistant stopped what he was doing and replied:
"Yes."
"The weapons circulation path has been basically opened up, and there are currently a total of three black market arms dealers working for us."
"They have successfully transported two batches of equipment to the Darfur region. The combat effectiveness of the Revolutionary Front has been greatly improved, and the situation has also changed."
"Now, Hamidi is no longer satisfied with just reaching a peace agreement and getting 30% of the government seats."
"His goals have been refocused to 'overthrow the Bashir regime,' and that's exactly what we want."
After hearing his words, Houston breathed a sigh of relief and then said:
"hope everything is fine."
"As long as Hamidi can sit on the Sultan's throne, we will have a springboard for all our subsequent actions."
"Egypt, Mali, Chad, Congo, and even Ethiopia. All these countries within Sudan's radiation range will in fact fall under our control."
"Especially Ethiopia."
"The Chinese people are too mature in their operations there. Once the major events in Sudan are settled, we must be the first to attack Ethiopia."
The assistant nodded solemnly and replied:
"Indeed."
"Sudan is our springboard, and Ethiopia and South Africa are their springboard."
"Now, let's see who moves faster."
"Do not worry."
Houston smiled contemptuously and said:
"Compared to their economic penetration, our method is simpler and more direct."
“Even later, we can leverage Congress to end sanctions on Sudan early.”
"By that time, we will definitely gain a devoted ally - they will be willing to do anything for us."
"Um"
The assistant looked a little hesitant, and after a moment, he said:
"But right now, we're not without risk."
"China seems to have begun to intervene. According to our intelligence, they seem to have the intention to carry out military observation in the Darfur region."
"If this happens, our plans may be hindered."
"Military observation? Stop joking!"
Houston put out his cigarette, shook his head and said:
"They lack the necessary long-range projection capabilities and it is simply impossible to maintain the deterrent effect of military observation."
"Even if the proposal is indeed passed, the final result will be nothing more than a joke."
"What if they had?"
the assistant asked rhetorically.
"Yes? You mean, the strategic bomber they are planning?"
The assistant nodded again, but Houston still looked disdainful.
He stood up, stretched his arms slightly, and then said:
"Do not worry."
"Strategic bombers are not that easy."
"Even we took nearly twenty years to actually complete the manufacturing of the B-2 bomber."
"And they... they face too many technical hurdles."
"If they want to create a bomber that can compete with the B-2, the aerodynamics and flight control alone will be enough to consume several years of their time."
"By the time that plane takes off, it will be too late."
(End of chapter)
