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Chapter 81: Heading to Baghdad

Dongming Lane

This place is a well-known embassy district in Jingcheng. From the Republic of China era to the Qing Dynasty, it has always been a gathering place for foreigners.

Around seven in the evening,

Nie Zhenbang had already arrived here, less than five hundred meters from Dongming Lane, at Halal Restaurant, a well-known Islamic restaurant in Jingcheng. Practically everyone who believes in Islam, likes to eat here.

As Nie Zhenbang entered, those who were dining inside looked up at him. It’s rare for non-Muslims to come here, especially a Han like Nie Zhenbang.

The waiter welcomed him with a smile, saying, “Sir, are you here to dine? Since you’re here, please be careful with your words. Please be mindful of Islamic taboos.”

Nie Zhenbang nodded and replied, “No problem, I came here at the invitation of Mr. Abdullah. May I know where his reserved room is?”

The waiter’s expression became respectful upon hearing his words. Abdullah

Yarabrum Sumaida was a familiar face in the Halal Restaurant. His identity as Ambassador of Iraq to Huaxia, and frequent visits to the restaurant eventually led everyone there to know Abdullah.

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s request, the curious spectators retracted their gaze.

Guided by the waiter, Nie Zhenbang went directly to the second floor and sat in a private room filled with strong Islamic decor.

About half an hour later, Abdullah appeared at the entrance of the private room. Seeing Nie Zhenbanz, Abdullah greeted him in accented Chinese with a smile, “Excuse me, are you Mr. Nie? Mr. Li told me that Mr. Nie is an extraordinary figure in Jingcheng, but I did not expect him to be so young.”

Nie Zhenbang also stood up, extended his hand, and said, “Mr. Abdullah, I’m delighted to meet you here. Mr. Li was overly generous. I don’t have as much influence as he described. It’s just that I have some small connections.”

Abdullah, dressed in a very Muslim style, was wearing a white, wide robe and a white turban on his head. His beard and appearance highlighted the typical Middle Eastern style.

Upon hearing Nie Zhenbang’s reply, Abdullah laughed. He motioned Nie

Zhenbang to sit down, and after the waiter had finished serving the dishes, Abdullah said with a smile, “Mr. Nie, according to Huaxia customs, you like to discuss affairs at the dinner table. Can we have a good talk before dinner? Do you have any matters to discuss since you reached out to me through Mr. Li?”

Abdullah, also an Asian, was very direct. He got straight to the point in less than two minutes.

Nie Zhenbang chuckled and looked at Abdullah, “Honorable Ambassador Abdullah. To my understanding, your homeland is currently at war with Iran, and the flames of war have spread to your country, haven’t they?”

At this moment, Abdullah was not at all surprised. The Iran-Iraq war had been going on for nearly seven years. It was not a secret. However, when talking about the war in Iraq, Abdullah looked desolate. It was fleeting, and then, Abdullah’s face was filled with a confident expression: “Yes, Mr. Nie. The damned Iranians, with the support of the Soviets, have invaded my homeland.

However, I believe that with the mediation of the United Nations and the support of the United States, we will ultimately win the war.”

“Of course, it is undeniable that at this time, due to the United States’ interests in the Middle East, they must support you. But it seems the United States would not dare to directly confront the mighty Soviet Union. Your country is still in the midst of war. There is an old saying in Huaxia, ‘without long-term considerations, there must be immediate sorrows…”

Before Nie Zhenbang could finish his sentence, Abdullah directly interrupted his words. In later years, the Middle East region experienced many terrorist attacks, including the notorious uncle who gained fame in the early 21st century. These people were fanatic religious extremists, and their mentality was difficult for ordinary people to understand.

Abdullah also had these tendencies. Perhaps Nie Zhenbang’s words had provoked him. Abdullah’s face darkened, and he cautiously said in a calm voice, “Mr. Nie, what are you trying to say?”

Nie Zhenbang smiled and said, “Mr. Abdullah, don’t be impatient. I have no other intentions. The purpose of reaching out to you through Director Li is simple. I think your country must need weapons. AK-47 assault rifles produced by the Soviet Union, single-soldier rocket launchers, and even including Sam shoulder-fired missiles. Of course, if you need them, T72 or Katyusha style weapons are also possible.”

At this moment, Abdullah stood up. Who is this Mr. Nie, and what does he do? A Soviet? Impossible, he has such a typical Huaxia face. But how could he get so many Soviet-style weapons?

The T72, a tank currently in service with the Soviet army. Moreover, Director Li was very mysterious and vague when he introduced him, only saying that someone wanted to discuss military affairs with Iraq. But he did not specify who Nie Zhenbang was or his background.

After a moment of silence, Abdullah also said solemnly, “Mr. Nie, this is a significant issue. I can’t make a decision right away. Everything will have to wait until I get a response from the President back home.”

Soon, Abdullah stood up, turned around, and walked out. Being a well-known Halal restaurant, people like Abdullah certainly have some special emergency phone lines here. Otherwise, what if Abdullah had an emergency while eating here? Could he let the President wait?

After a while, Abdullah came back into the private room, looking much more relaxed. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Abdullah said, “Mr. Nie, I just contacted the authorities in my home country and had a direct phone call with the President. The President said that if this matter is true, there would be absolutely no problem on Iraq’s side. But the President hopes that you could go to Baghdad in person and discuss the matter with him. What do you think?”

In fact, for any ordinary arms dealer, such conditions are quite presumptuous. After all, this is only the first exploratory contact, and neither side has established a relationship of trust. No one would take such a big risk to negotiate and trade with a country.

However, Nie Zhenbang was initially prepared to go to Iraq. He clearly understood that relations between Iraq and the United States were not as close as before once the Iran-Iraq war started. Instead, Iraq began extensive military trade with the Soviet Union, leading to the Gulf War several years later. Iraq was completely at odds with the United States. Considering all these factors,

Saddam was eager to acquire military weapons from other sources besides the United States. It was safe for him to go there.

With this in mind, Nie Zhenbang nodded and said: “Of course, Mr. Abdullah, I would be honored to go to Iraq. I believe that our cooperation will be very pleasant.”

Abdullah also nodded, being a very decisive person himself. Right then, he stood up and said, “Good, Mr. Nie, please give me your passport and those of your companions. I will arrange a Visa for you immediately. There is a direct flight to Baghdad in three days. I wish you a smooth journey in advance..”