The Ultimate War Of The Apocalypse
Chapter 323 - 316: Easy to Translate

Chapter 323: Chapter 316: Easy to Translate

Negotiations began.

Ashraf, holding his Mosin-Nagant, sat against a stone on the ground, his face wrought with distress but still trying hard to squeeze out a smile, much like an old farmer who toiled all day but could not sate his hunger.

Atiq wore a white robe, a new one; he didn’t carry a rifle on his shoulders, nor did his son accompany him, but there were two extra young men in camouflage behind him.

Judging by the bulging clothes of the two young men, they were either carrying grenades or bombs underneath, clearly prepared to part ways in a blow if the talks failed—that is, ready for everyone to perish together.

As for Andrew, he donned a camouflage uniform but with military rank insignia, and it was the rank of brigadier general.

Gao Yuan, acting as the intermediary, stood in the middle, with Atiq on the left and Andrew on the right, and facing him was Li Yang.

There was only one translator this time because only Li Yang could speak English, Pashto, and of course, Chinese.

Four people, three languages, the negotiations began.

"You must lay down your weapons and surrender!"

Atiq went straight to the point with his first sentence, then Andrew looked toward Li Yang.

"You must leave the air base."

Andrew nodded, addressing Atiq, "No problem."

"No problem."

Atiq appeared somewhat surprised by Andrew’s attitude, then after some thought, he said, "You must lower the military flag, apologize, hand over the weapons, and then leave."

Li Yang looked at Andrew and said, "He wants to exchange sidearms with you."

Andrew shrugged his shoulders, then nodded, "That’s not a problem, but does he have guns to exchange? What a joke."

Li Yang looked at Atiq and said, "He’s willing to surrender to you privately here, but he can’t lead everyone to surrender to you. He hopes you can understand the situation—if it’s forced upon everyone to hand over their weapons, it’s impossible. So, can we just resolve the surrender ceremony here? After all, when it comes down to it, we are still cooperating."

Atiq frowned and said, "Did he say that much?"

"Yes, I’ve just explained in more detail and expanded a bit."

Andrew also addressed Li Yang, "What are you saying? You seem to have said quite a bit?"

Li Yang smiled and said, "I did an extended explanation for him."

After speaking, Li Yang turned to Atiq, "He hopes to end this with dignity, so he’s willing to hand over his sidearm. But after you receive his sidearm, could you perhaps bestow on him another weapon in return? Any gun will do; I think this would be beneficial for everyone."

Atiq frowned and said, "A surrender doesn’t require a return gift of weapons; that isn’t a surrender."

Li Yang earnestly said, "Please consider the bigger picture, think about the general’s dignity. He’s willing to surrender privately."

Atiq nodded, and at this point, Li Yang smiled, "We’re moving a bit too fast here, we haven’t even properly introduced your identities. General Andrew, this is the commander of the Afghan Salvation Army, Atiq Tain Masood."

Andrew said, surprised, "Masood? What is his relation to that Masood?"

Li Yang looked at Atiq and said, "I have introduced your identity, and this is General Andrew Marshall from Kandahar Air Base. He expressed his respect for General Masood and asked what your relationship is with General Masood."

Atiq gave a slight smile and said, "We are from the same tribe, and I was once his warrior."

Gao Yuan looked at Andrew and said, "He said he was once General Masood’s warrior, so, to some extent, you are not enemies."

Andrew nodded repeatedly, pointing first to himself and then to Atiq, and said, "Yes, yes, we were allies with General Masood, it’s a pity he was assassinated."

Li Yang translated Andrew’s words accurately, and Atiq nodded continuously, even the expression on his face softened a great deal, revealing a smile.

Li Yang turned to Andrew and said, "General, please take out your sidearm; I think now is a good time to exchange sidearms."

Andrew thought for a moment, placed his hand on his waist, drew his pistol, but didn’t hand it over, and said, "What about this guy’s gun? If he wants to exchange, he has to do it simultaneously, otherwise that won’t work."

Li Yang smiled and said, "It’s just an exchange of sidearms, be friendly, General. They are very rigid, while we are very flexible aren’t we? Our goal is to get these men to fight those other Afghans, so you need to show some attitude, to express some sincerity."

After thinking it over, Andrew removed the magazine, pulled the slide back, ejected the bullet from the chamber, then reversed the grip, holding the barrel and handed the butt of the pistol to Atiq, then he spoke loudly, "My sidearm, I’m giving it to you."

Atiq reached out and took the pistol, surprised that things were going so smoothly, then he took the magazine that Andrew handed over with his left hand.

Having received both the gun and magazine, Atiq pondered for a moment, then turned and said to the two young men, "The Americans have surrendered, we have won..."

The two young men cheered extremely excitedly, feeling true joy from the bottom of their hearts.

Andrew felt that something was a bit off, he looked at Li Yang and said, "Why are they so happy? It’s just an exchange of sidearms, what are they doing?"

Li Yang smiled and said, "They’re happy that you’re willing to exchange sidearms."

"So where is this old guy’s gun? I’ve already been very accommodating; where’s his gun?"

Andrew looked somewhat displeased, and Li Yang turned to Atiq and said, "Commander, the General wonders if you could give him a pistol in return."

Atiq’s face beamed with a smile as he slowly drew a pistol from his breast pocket; it was a Makarov PM pistol, widely issued to officers during the Soviet era.

The pistol was very old, with very clear signs of use. Atiq held it and said with emotion, "This gun was captured by me. We killed a Soviet major and I got this pistol. I have been using this gun for more than thirty years; it’s very old but still works very well."

Li Yang translated Atiq’s words faithfully, and Andrew was nodding continuously.

Finally, Atiq spoke with great emotion, "But today, I’m willing to give my pistol to a general who has surrendered to me, because I will be using a general’s pistol. We defeated the Soviet Union, now we have defeated America."

The two young men were beyond excited, and one of them said urgently, "Give it to him, elder, you got the sidearm surrendered by a general, this gun is your glory and you must carry it with you to proclaim your victory and honor!"

Atiq too reversed the pistol, extending his Makarov PM to Andrew, and then said in the tone of a victor, "This gun is yours now, because I don’t need it anymore."

After Andrew accepted the pistol, Li Yang said solemnly, "He says he hopes the General will take good care of this pistol, it’s a witness to history, and his glory, for the sake of friendship."

Andrew whistled lightly, then addressed Atiq, "I will cherish this pistol, for friendship."

Atiq and Andrew both started laughing, and they even reached out and shook hands at the same time.