King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Joe Ga didn't talk much with Old Chen and Uncle Qing...

Old Chen had his own responsibilities, and Uncle Qing's men needed to support their families; they couldn't simply abandon the assets they had acquired at Joe Ga's word and pull out.

With the frequent turnover of personnel within the Liberian government, if you can't finalize your footing early and leave undeniable evidence, those people might just turn their backs and deny everything later.

Just having an agreement isn't enough; neither is a bare piece of land. If they later deny your claim and point you to another piece of land, you've got no recourse.

First get the ground hardened and build the buildings, then hoist the national flag and take pictures. No matter how the Liberian government changes after that, they'll have to consider the cost of breaking a contract. After all, breaking a contract and reneging are not the same, and China isn't really that easy to talk to sometimes.

This is the approach taken to snatching chestnuts from the fire in a war-torn country—not safe, but already the best option for businesses. After all, if the other party wants recognition from the international community, they still need to maintain basic appearances.

To be able to collect debts to this extent, Old Chen was truly remarkable.

Because, as Joe Ga knew, China did not have diplomatic missions such as embassies or consulates in Liberia for the time being.

Although the Liberian government was shouting about resuming work and production everywhere, their internal warlords were numerous, and they were only shouting a few words to international media. In actuality, they had little control within their own country.

Joe Ga guessed that Old Chen's arrangement with the Liberian government was made by exploiting loopholes. If proper ties weren't made with the local warlords, without giving them enough benefits, they might be harassed even before chaos erupted in Benghazi.

Once home, Joe Ga couldn't sleep. He simply called Lieutenant Belic at the base and instructed him to prepare four experienced Seville paratroopers and sixteen men called Xiao Hei with their equipment to be flown to Benghazi early the next day on his two planes.

But just these men wouldn't be enough; it wouldn't do for soldiers to land without vehicles.

Joe Ga didn't know any locals in Liberia, but CIA's Eric had been mingling there for several months. It should be no issue to get a few vehicles, so he made a call to Eric.

Eric, on the other side of the phone, wasn't asleep either. Answering the call, he said very anxiously, "Hu Lang, has something happened?"

Joe Ga laughed and said, "Nothing has happened yet, but sooner or later, it will.

I just don't understand why you guys would send an ambassador to Liberia.

That place is the French's turf. Sending an ambassador with an energy background is just too obvious an intention to stir up trouble."

Now, Eric couldn't even run if he wanted to. If he fled, he'd definitely lose his position at the CIA, and he'd be hung out to dry for the next five years, or even longer.

For a politician over 40 with no family backing, this was unacceptable.

He had to withstand the attacks and secure some evidence so that the group represented by his higher-ups could strike back in America.

That's the tragedy of the little guy; to secure his future, he had to take risks. Having seen the view from the top of the pyramid, he couldn't settle back into an ordinary life anymore.

In the face of Joe Ga's mockery, Eric said helplessly, "Stop laughing at me. It wasn't me who sent the ambassador. America and France are at odds over many issues. The ambassador is a chess piece thrown out by the White House to put pressure on France.

Can you believe it? That guy, to show his closeness to the local government, is actually living in the former consulate in Benghazi, with only six bodyguards.

He's handed over his external security to a bunch of government soldiers. He wants to make himself out to be a peace ambassador, but I think he won't live long.

Now, whenever I see any stranger, I think they could be a bomber.

Hu Lang, if you have any bad news, please let me know. Things can't get any worse here."

The information Eric had was not entirely consistent with what Joe Ga had gotten from Aaron.

Whether that ambassador was a scapegoat sent by Harlotte and others or was coincidentally caught in the mix, Joe Ga didn't know.

But he wasn't too interested in high-level gambits because he genuinely couldn't intervene, and more importantly, even if Joe Ga interfered and won, he didn't have the ability to convert that level of political gain into benefits.

Making a bit of money or getting a little business felt like a chicken rib to the current Mr. Joe, as the risk and reward were not proportional.

Previously, his only thought was to save Eric's life, to get him back safely to America. If possible, he could support him, helping him climb a few more rungs and conveniently gain a staunch ally.

To accomplish this, 'Spur' and 'Orange Cat' working in Benghazi and the Frenchman known as Cyclops from 'Iron Wall Mercenary Corps' had already discussed several plans to ensure they could escort Eric out of Benghazi if danger arose.

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Now the situation had changed slightly, but it shouldn't affect the big picture. Only P.B.'s work increased a bit, and some adjustments were needed in some places.

Joe Ga sensed the pessimism in Eric's voice and said with a laugh, "No bad news for now, just that I've taken on a job near Benghazi, so I wanted to check in with you about the situation there, and see if you could help arrange some vehicles for my guys to use.

I don't want any run-of-the-mill pickups; my people's lives are too valuable. I need reliable military vehicles."

Excited, Eric responded, "You're expanding your business in Benghazi? That's good, the more people the better…"

Upon hearing this, Joe Ga laughed and said, "Don't get your hopes up too high. This time P.B. is bringing over 20 people, mainly as security for the gas field.

Their work location is 80 kilometers away from Benghazi…"

Curious, Eric asked, "The gas field? The one to the southwest of Benghazi?

Is it commissioned by the Italians or the Chinese?"

As soon as Joe Ga heard this, he curiously said, "Your information is pretty good, getting interesting just a few months into the job..."

Eric, excited, replied, "Interesting? The CIA's secret base is right near them.

From my location to the Italians is 50 kilometers, to the Chinese oil fields 35 kilometers; if the roads are good, it's just a half-hour drive either way.

Hu Lang, send more people over, I've been having nightmares lately, I have a bad feeling."

Speaking of which, perhaps worried Joe Ga wouldn't take it seriously, Eric earnestly added, "Ever since I found out I might be in trouble, I've mobilized all my resources to investigate the France attack that happened six months ago.

At the same time, I've been tracking the missing uranium material through the underground weapons network.

I've already made some progress, so Harlotte's people won't let me off the hook.

Hu Lang, what I'm facing is not only revenge from the France people, but also the silencing operations from Harlotte and his group."

Eric spoke seriously, and Joe Ga involuntarily sat up straight, saying, "Buddy, you've been on the job just over two months and you've already dragged everyone at the intelligence station down with you.

Should I praise your ability to use people, or should I despise your tricks for trapping people?"

Eric seriously replied, "Hu Lang, I'm doing things by the book, investigating the ins and outs of the incident is the responsibility of the CIA Africa Branch."

Joe Ga knew the guy was full of it and said with a laugh, "You're not afraid of those CIA agents shooting you in the back? You're leading them into the fire pit."

Upon hearing this, Eric fell silent for a moment and then said, "I've replaced most of the people in the Africa Branch, everyone working for me now are fresh graduates from the academy, along with some technical staff who aren't aware of the full story.

I never thought about getting them killed, it's the job!"

Joe Ga listened and, snickering, said, "That's none of my business, just make sure you arrange vehicles to accommodate 20 people. My guys will arrive in Benghazi by airplane tomorrow."

Eric, decisive, replied, "I'll take care of arranging the landing airport. The Italian Iveco Company delivered a batch of LMV military armored vehicles to the Liberian government, but they were seized by a warlord.

I know the guy and can buy a batch of LMVs for a low price.

I'll cover the cost, but Hu Lang, you've got to..."

Joe Ga, laughing, replied, "I said my people would do their best to ensure your safety. At worst, you'd just have to flee to Central Africa and wait for your big boss to pull you out.

You know I have some connections in the Justice Department. I don't have the power to make them cross with the people behind Harlotte, but to keep you from false accusations is no problem.

That's all I can do..."

"That's enough! That's already enough!"

Eric had been waiting for those very words from Joe Ga, and excitedly said, "That's enough, the evidence I've collected is already enough to implicate my predecessor, but it's still not quite there. I've tapped a few key figures' phones—if I catch them, I can bring down the people behind Harlotte.

Then, whether it's negotiating or clashing, I personally will be safe!"

Joe Ga was somewhat skeptical about Eric's overly optimistic statements; they had together experienced a 'negotiation' with a big shot in America. They had no visibility into conflicts of that level.

One moment their subordinates were fighting brutally, and the next everyone had made peace and was shaking hands.

That eerie feeling was indescribable; Joe Ga felt he'd never get used to it, which is why he had deliberately provoked Harlotte even after both sides had stopped fighting.

Joe Ga needed to define an enemy as well as clarify his own stance, not just for show but also to prevent getting tangled in their schemes. He aimed to simplify complex situations as much as possible; that was Joe Ga's way of handling uncertain situations.

Eric made a similar decision to Joe Ga's, but his current position was special. His primary concern should not be taking someone down but rather saving his own life while grabbing some bargaining chips.

However, this did not conflict with what Eric was currently doing, so Joe Ga didn't remind him.

Having finalized tomorrow's matters with Eric, Joe Ga finally relaxed.@@novelbin@@

Just as he was about to rise from the couch in the study, the door to the study opened...

Kitten entered wearing a silk robe...

Seeing Joe's eyes widen, Kitten pulled open her waistband to reveal her petite, perfect body.

Kitten tiptoed towards Joe Ga, seductively opened her robe and sat on his lap, hands cupping Joe's cheeks, and after a forceful kiss, she said, "You wanted me to find you, here I am...

Don't you dare look at my ears..."

Joe Ga couldn't even recall when he had said that, but one does not spoil the mood.

Refusing Monica would feel good since she's thick-skinned and plays the part well.

Refusing Kitten was not an option; Joe was worried that hurting the girl's pride would end in getting a bullet in his back...

So, let's go ahead...