King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Joe Ga, a bona fide Chinese national, also took some time to digest...

"Oh, it's the 'history' in 'historical', with a horizontal line above it, 'Zheng Chuli'!"

"That's right, that's right, Zeng Culi is me..."

After hearing this, Joe Ga laughed heartily and said, "Then you're truly a fellow townsman with Auntie Zhao; she graduated from Fujian Pyramid Scheme University and is now a well-known entrepreneur in Sangha Town."

As he spoke, Joe Ga glanced at a few Chinese who were clearly not workers not far away, and said to Zheng Chuli, "You don't look like you're here to work..."

With a helpless look, Zheng Chuli said, "It's all for 'my' trophy's sake, saying they got friends in Central Africa, that the pilfered chicken at Seesaw Ridge is particularly good, so they grouped up a lot of goods to bring here."

"I've been in 'Great-Horse-Poo', learning English and French, so I joined them, and as soon as we came here, we bumped into this big situation!"

Joe Ga found it strenuous to understand his fellow Fujianese's speech; it took him a while to figure out that this guy was saying his family elders had been duped by Auntie Zhao and thought the investment environment here was good, so they brought a batch of goods here to test the waters.

Once he understood, Joe Ga couldn't help but admire Auntie Zhao's level of deception.

In China, scamming pyramid schemes to send her back home with money was one thing, but now managing to con the famously shrewd Fujianese to come here, her skill was definitely at the Mahayana Realm level. The small pond of Central Africa simply couldn't contain her; she was bound to soar to the skies sooner or later.

Giving a thumbs-up to Auntie Zhao, Joe Ga smiled at Zheng Chuli and said, "I am also a Chinese national, but I have lots of things on my plate. You are here to do business, and if you need anything, you can seek help from the Sangha Town government. I guarantee they will treat you seriously.

Auntie Zhao used to do pyramid schemes, as long as you don't plan on dabbling in that in Africa, solid investment and doing real business should be profitable.

You've been here for quite some time, haven't you? It's true that many supplies are scarce here, but as long as you identify the right channels, making money is not difficult at all."

After hearing this, Zheng Chuli gave a bitter smile and nodded before suddenly saying in English, "My uncle is intent on moving our family's textile factory here; we brought two containers of clothes this time to test the waters."

While speaking, Zheng Chuli glanced at Dorian and Ayu, both fully armed, and the ring of armed militia around them, and said helplessly, "It was fine until the past two days...then this suddenly happened..."

On hearing that the other party was related to the textile industry, Joe Ga said cheerfully, "That's great news. I can't promise about other places, but setting up a textile and garment factory in Sangha Town is definitely profitable.

The cotton industry is also a mainstay industry in Central Africa. If you manage to adopt a vertical integration strategy, just starting with work uniforms can make you a tidy sum.

If you're not feeling secure, I can introduce you to Old Zhu from 'Giant Infrastructure Company'. There are quite a few Chinese in Sangha Town, it's about time we set up a chamber of commerce or something similar.

Having a chat with fellow countrymen will give you a deeper understanding of this place.

Don't worry, our countrymen here are not the same as those scoundrels in Myanmar and Cambodia.

Those dreaming of quick riches run off there, resorting to scams to get rich, losing their humanity in the process. They're a blight wherever they go.

It's different here; we're all fellow countrymen who get on with real work, and we support each other when needed."

While Joe Ga was talking, a series of gunshots rang out from downstream on the riverbank...

Zheng Chuli turned to look at his family and said helplessly, "We did not anticipate warfare in this place before coming here. Isn't there a consulate here? Why didn't anyone warn us before we arrived?"

This was a difficult conversation for Joe Ga to engage in. China's investment in Central Africa is not significant, and it's still mainly about trade, with most compatriots living in Capital Bangui.

Central Africa had not been very peaceful lately, and why the consulate overlooked it, Joe Ga didn't know either.

Given his special status now, there were some things he couldn't get involved in; meddling might lead to losing everything...

So faced with Zheng Chuli's question, Joe Ga smiled and said, "It looks like you've served in the military and are quite the fighter. If you really don't feel secure, just go to the gun store in Sangha Town to register and buy a gun for self-defense.

Of course, don't misuse it; you'll get into legal trouble if something happens. Usually, the judges here are quite rough."

Zheng Chuli, surprised, said, "We can buy guns?"

Joe Ga nodded and replied with a smile, "As long as you have a job or proof of residency, just bring your passport to purchase.

The P·B series, though rebranded for Seville, is of absolutely reliable quality, and they have all kinds of models.

Hey, where did you serve? If you have a favorite weapon, while helping out Auntie Zhao this time, I'll gift you a gun to play with. There's no rush to open the factory; first, go hunting to acclimate to the environment a bit..."

After hearing this, Zheng Chuli hesitated for a moment and said, "I served in the foreign legion...

Forget the gun, being unfamiliar with life here, carrying a gun might actually attract trouble."

Upon hearing that, Joe Ga knew this guy was an expert and had great confidence in his abilities.

Yet his background in the foreign legion left Joe Ga a bit puzzled...

"The foreign legion? Why did you join the foreign legion?"

Zheng Chuli definitely wasn't confronting such inquiries for the first time. He showed off the tattoo of a dragon's tail on his arm, then helplessly said, "When I was young and foolish, I thought getting a dragon tattoo would make me like Chan Honam, but when I wanted to join the army, they wouldn't have me. In the end, I went to seek fortunes with a fellow villager doing business in France. Unfortunately, he got caught up in lawsuits. In the heat of the moment, I ended up in the legion."

While talking, Zheng Chuli clenched his fists, revealing the calluses on his knuckles and said helplessly, "I've practiced martial arts since childhood, yet always ended up in fights."

"Every boy dreams of being a soldier with a gun, and once you have a gun, you want to go to war. That all came true in the Foreign Legion," he reflected.

Joe Ga could understand this sentiment; 'wanting to go to war once you have a gun' is a common reaction among hot-blooded youths.

However, judging by Zheng Chuli's expression, the fulfillment of his dreams didn't seem to bring him much joy.

Joe Ga turned and signaled for everyone to head back first. Noticing Bilus and the others looking very interested in Auntie Zhao's warehouse, he scolded with a mock warning, "Tomorrow I'll let her give you a discount. Now that the path has been cleared, are you still afraid you won't have anything to buy?"

Having said that, Joe Ga didn't bother with the local tribespeople any longer. He pulled Zheng Chuli aside to the outskirts of the storage area, observing the Foreign Legion squad performing blockade duty in the distance, he asked, "Do you know them?"

Zheng Chuli shook his head and replied, "Don't know them. They're probably from the Second Foreign Infantry Regiment. After I completed my training, I joined the Second Foreign Parachute Regiment."

Joe Ga nodded and curiously asked, "Why didn't you stay in the legion in the end?"

Awkwardly rubbing his nose, Zheng Chuli said, "One of my dad's friends was then doing great business in Malaysia. My dad didn't want me to make a living with a gun, so he asked me to leave the legion and head to Malaysia."

"To my surprise, my dad's friend turned out to be a big shot in the Qing Gang. I mingled there for a few years, but I couldn't stand it anymore and eventually returned to my hometown."

Saying this, Zheng Chuli glanced back at the few companions standing close by and added, "Just when I thought I could settle for a calm life, my uncle dragged me back into the fray."

Joe Ga gave a thumbs-up in admiration and said, "It's you Fujianese who dare to take risks.

"With guts and courage, and the right opportunities and environment, making a fortune isn't difficult for you guys."

Patting Zheng Chuli's arm with a laugh, Joe Ga said, "Alright, head back now!

"We're fellow countrymen. If you have any issues, just head straight to Sangha Town and talk to the person in charge. I guarantee that as long as you don't cause trouble, no one here will bother you."

Zheng Chuli nodded upon hearing this, then hesitantly looked into Joe Ga's eyes and asked, "Wolf, erm, I mean Brother Hu, do you think my uncle's plan can really succeed?

"I've looked around here, and it's clear they aim to develop the steel industry. If what you said is true, I'd like to deal with those goods through Auntie Zhao and then take my uncle and the others to Capital Bangui to have a look.

"After all, without raw materials, even if we set up factories, they won't last long..."

Joe Ga understood Zheng Chuli's concerns. His indirect way of speaking meant he wanted to dispose of the goods to ensure they didn't lose money and then head to the consulate in Capital Bangui to feel things out, ready to buy plane tickets home if things went south.

Joe Ga wouldn't push hard on these matters—after all, they weren't relatives or close friends, and seeming too eager might scare them off.

Joe Ga believed that consulate staff knew his situation well. This Zheng Chuli was akin to a pathfinder stone, easily able to gauge the consulate's stance.

Your journey continues at My Virtual Library Empire

If, after visiting the consulate, they decided to return to Sangha Town to invest, Joe Ga felt confident enough to call out in the long-inactive prestige group, stirring up a number of bosses to invest and reap dividends.

With them entering the picture, Sangha Town's industry chain disaggregation projects would soon take off, speeding up the development of Sangha Town and allowing Joe Ga, the boss, to take advantage of the industrial dividends a couple of years earlier.

After chatting with Zheng Chuli some more and even taking him to greet the members of the Foreign Legion, Joe Ga let him leave.

One had to admit, these Fujian people were truly resilient...

They had traveled miles from China, bringing two containers of clothing through Congo, drifting along the Congo River for a long time before finally reaching Sangha Town.

To save money, they didn't even stay in a hotel; they lived together with their cargo. That's why, when the local troublemakers stirred up a mess, they ran right into Zheng Chuli.

Joe Ga wasn't sure how well Zheng Chuli could fight, but the exaggerated calluses on his fists spoke volumes.

Back in his hometown, Joe Ga had encountered someone similar—a 30-year-old martial arts school instructor from the same village.

When he was younger, he caught a peeping Tom at the women's restroom and broke three of the perpetrator's ribs with a single punch. That incident ended up costing him 60,000 yuan and 15 days behind bars.

Later, to avoid trouble, he deliberately overate to cover his aggressive tendencies with bulk, ballooning from 170 pounds to 230 pounds. He transformed from a strapping young man of 195 centimeters to a broad-faced hulk, eventually earning the title of the most intimidating coach in the martial arts school—someone who was not only powerful but also highly resilient.

During the New Year, Joe Ga had drunk with the man a few times and heard plenty of 'martial arts legends,' including those about callused fists.

According to this 'master,' regardless of whether you've practiced martial arts, anyone who could work their fists to the point of developing calluses was not someone to take lightly in a fight.

Once, while intoxicated, he performed a brick-breaking display—not with finesse, but by smashing a red brick against the wall until it crumbled to pieces.

When asked about his training method, the man mysteriously shared his secret...

"Hold your breath, bear the pain, strike with force, and once you develop calluses, you're set.

"But don't try this unless you're fabulously wealthy. If your arms aren't broken by 30, you'll be inviting rheumatoid arthritis past 40."