Soldiers stationed in Shatat Arabia, watching the sky filled with yellow sand being blocked by a blue-purple light screen, showed excited expressions.
The previously somewhat low morale soared again. Waving their weapons, they once again raised the banner of "Justice and Democracy" and began a new round of purges.
In contrast to the advancing American soldiers, Shatat Arabia, after receiving aid materials from the Dragon Country, was bewildered.
The King of Shatat Arabia, Gulian Rahman, found the Dragon Country captain, Zhang Long, and asked, "Friends from the Dragon Country, we are very grateful for your assistance! However, although the desert temperature drops rapidly at night, it generally does not go below eighteen degrees Celsius."
"These winter clothing materials sent by your country, we really can't use them!"
"Normally, they indeed wouldn't be needed," Zhang Long first affirmed, then his tone shifted. "However, Professor Jing is currently regulating the weather, and Shatat Arabia will soon experience a significant temperature drop and a blizzard."
"To avoid unnecessary losses, please distribute the winter clothing materials as soon as possible."
Seeing Zhang Long's firm attitude, Gulian Rahman hesitated for a moment. Considering that the Dragon Country had just created a super large sandstorm across the entire territory of Shatat Arabia, he half-believingly agreed.
Due to the American invasion, most of Shatat Arabia had retreated into towns, and the materials were quickly distributed.
A farmer from Shatat Arabia, looking at the materials just received, was completely bewildered.
"Officer, what is this clothing? It's so thick?"
"This is a cotton-padded jacket, this is a down jacket. It's going to snow and get colder soon. When that happens, wear these to prevent frostbite!"
"Snow? What is that! I've lived for over fifty years and never seen snow in the desert!"
The person responsible for distributing the clothes was also confused: "I don't know what the higher-ups are thinking. Anyway, it's free. Just take it. What if you need it?"
While Shatat Arabia was distributing winter clothing, on the other side, on a desert highway, the American's Team 935 was moving forward under the sandstorm. Looking at the raging yellow sand being blocked by a shield, the new recruits were full of excitement.
"I never thought our technology had developed to such a terrifying extent. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it."
"With this, I want to see what Shatat Arabia will use to resist the Army of God! Don't you think so, Captain?"
"Don't be careless," the American captain slapped the recruit. "These shields have limited strength and can't block bullets! The Dragon Country has already started supporting Shatat Arabia. Their mechs are far more powerful than you can imagine."
The recruit, fearless due to his youth, took out a fist-sized metal accessory from his pocket and attached it to his gun. "What's there to fear! We have special weapons specifically for mechs. If they come, they won't be able to leave."
As the recruit was showing off his new equipment, he suddenly shivered and instinctively tightened his collar.
"Captain, I suddenly feel a bit cold. Are you cold?"
The captain also shivered: "It does seem a bit cold. What the hell, isn't this the desert? Why is it so cold!"
The recruit looked up, wanting to see if the weather had changed.
As soon as he looked up, he discovered something very strange. The originally black and yellow sandstorm had, at some point, been tinged with a grayish-white.
Under his gaze, the white area grew larger and larger, and the temperature dropped lower and lower. After an unknown amount of time, countless white snowflakes fell through the protective shield. He reached out to touch one, felt it melt in his palm, and his eyes widened.
"Snow? Snow!"
"It's snowing!"
Facing the temperature plummeting to sub-zero levels, the steel rifles in the hands of these American soldiers, the steel helmets on their heads, and the bulletproof vests they wore seemed like ice blocks, insidiously absorbing their body heat.
To survive, these American soldiers had to shed their armor and helmets and flee in disarray, ultimately suffering considerable casualties before barely escaping back to the camp.
But what use was that?
The American army had not prepared enough winter clothing for this invasion of Shatat Arabia. The barracks were simple canvas tents, and the soldiers' packs only contained a thin blanket, which was utterly incapable of resisting the bone-chilling cold.
They could only huddle together, extracting precious fuel from their military vehicles, and gathering useless debris to make fires, trying to keep warm.
Enthusiasm begets courage, but repeated setbacks lead to weariness, and weariness breeds defeat.
Their offensive was repeatedly thwarted, and they were forced to retreat before even catching sight of the enemy. With losses in men and equipment, the morale of the American army had plummeted to its lowest point. At this moment, even if the United States delivered winter supplies, the American army would not be able to launch another offensive anytime soon.
What's more, Jing Mingqiu had used the weather controller in advance to stir up a massive tornado in the sea near Shatat Arabia, both to transport water vapor and to block American naval fleets from delivering supplies.
The American base was like a living hell, while the cities of Shatat Arabia were filled with laughter and joy.
A group of children, wearing thick cotton-padded jackets and warm gloves, were having a blast playing snowball fights and building snowmen on the streets.
The parents of the children stood on the street, in small groups, watching the falling snow with eyes full of shock.
"Is this the legendary snow? It's so beautiful!"
"It's actually snowing! The Dragon Country is truly amazing!"
...
The King of Shatat Arabia, Gulian Rahman, stood by the window, appreciating the rare snow scene for a moment. The Dragon Country captain, Zhang Long, came to bid farewell.
"Your Majesty Gulian, the supplies have been delivered. I am preparing to return."
"So soon, why not stay a few more days and let us fulfill our duties as hosts," Gulian Rahman smiled. "If it weren't for your help this time, we would truly have faced the fate of our nation."
"You are too kind," Zhang Long repeatedly waved his hands. "I am merely a messenger. This is all Professor Jing's merit. Is there anything else you need? I will report it back."
Upon hearing this, Gulian Rahman deliberately put on a difficult expression. "Brave warrior, due to the destruction caused by the American army, our country's industrial facilities have been severely damaged, and our farms have also suffered greatly. We need many things now."
Zhang Long gently shook his head. "Many things? That's a bit troublesome. Maritime transport is currently obstructed, and our aerial transport capacity is truly limited."
Hearing him say this, Gulian Rahman quickly assured him, "Don't worry, we won't take advantage. We are willing to pay with oil!"
"You misunderstand," Zhang Long quickly explained. "This is humanitarian aid. We do not accept money."
Gulian Rahman, who had defeated so many brothers to ascend the throne, was certainly not a fool. He clearly understood that pies don't fall from the sky, and what is free is often the most expensive.
"I understand, I understand! For the friendship between our two countries, I am willing to donate the oil fields of Svita and Loris to the Dragon Country free of charge."
The Svita oil field has an annual output of eleven million tons, and the Loris oil field has an annual output of thirteen million tons. Together, these two fields have an annual output of a full twenty-four million tons.
Putting aside the terrifying value of this oil, it's important to note that the Dragon Country's annual oil output barely exceeds two hundred million tons. After acquiring these two oil fields, the Dragon Country's annual oil production will increase by ten percent!
As oil is the lifeblood of industry, obtaining these will allow the Dragon Country's industrial development to reach a new level.
"I apologize," Zhang Long quickly adjusted his emotions and cupped his fists in a salute to Gulian Rahman. "This matter is beyond my authority to handle. I will take it back and ask the leaders for their opinion."
Gulian Rahman, with a face full of smiles, imitated Zhang Long and returned a cupped fist salute. "It's alright, no hurry. You tend to your business first. I will have the Prime Minister send you the list of required materials later."
After Gulian Rahman left, Zhang Long immediately reported this news to the higher authorities. Everyone was ecstatic at first. When the staff officers took out a map and saw the locations of the Svita and Loris oil fields, they fell into a collective silence.