King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Joe Ga's communication with Lu Jun was going smoothly, as both parties were willing to consider each other's interests.

It was like discovering this morning that the ambassador had come to support him uninvited, a tacit understanding unspoken but mutually acknowledged.

The resource structure in Congo determined that Joe Ga could not control the upstream resources and integrate them to improve the downstream industries as he had done in Sangha Town.

The proposal made by Lu Jun in fact had increased Joe Ga's bargaining chips, shortened his capital return cycle, increased his profit margin, and most importantly, saved him a lot of trouble.

After approving Lu Jun's intentions, Joe Ga invited him to spend a few more days in Sangha Town. He then took the two ambassadors and the President of Central Africa to visit P.B.'s base and casually have a meal.

The President of Central Africa, Francois, had completely let loose, seizing the opportunity to corner the two influential figures to aggressively "beg" for help.

As they say about great nations, the Chinese ambassador could not resist the "pleading" and "grudgingly" agreed to provide an $80 million infrastructure loan, accepting a deposit of pyrolusite as collateral.

The $80 million was essentially a giveaway, as the project funds never actually passed through Central African hands but went directly into the accounts of China's Construction Company.

Speaking of infrastructure loans, naturally, they would be used for construction, and who could be more suitable for this work than China's Construction Company?

The "pyrolusite" deposit was essentially pushed onto China by the Central African Government, as it was not far from Sangha Town and could completely complement the industrial chain of Sangha Town.

Francois had thoroughly realized that all his efforts were aimed at expanding the reach of Sangha Town; he could not always expect Joe Ga to keep pouring money into it.

Seeing this situation, Joe Ga understood that this ambassador had come prepared; the $80 million was probably intended to support P.B.'s position, specifically to frustrate the French.

If the French made stringent demands, the negotiators from Sangha Town could present the investment plan from the Chinese...

"Daddy, you can't go too far, or the people of Central Africa will be heartbroken."

Thinking this, Joe Ga wanted to burst into laughter...

To intimidate him, the French had moved 300 men from the Foreign Legion from Niger, boosting their local numbers to 500.

Far from intimidating Joe Ga, they ended up having to pay him for food and drink.

Between 500 legionnaires and 500 UN peacekeepers, food alone cost them 300,000 euros a day. Because they were deployed in the jungle, P.B. even charged them an additional 20% for meal delivery.

With the continuous calls for helicopter and artillery support, at peak times, P.B. could earn up to 800,000 euros a day from these troops.

If the 'Ghost Mercenary Group' had been more effective, if they had held out in the jungle for a year, Joe Ga could have made a fortune just by handling logistics.

So many had come to demonstrate military power and gain an advantageous position in negotiations, but then the Chinese ambassador stepped in with an $80 million move, instantly undermining much of their efforts.

At this point, Joe Ga began to find Ambassador Steven slightly displeasing...

While leading the dignitaries to lunch in the mess hall, Joe Ga mockingly looked at Steven and said, "Mr. Ambassador, as a representative of America, seeing the poor state of Central Africa, don't you feel compelled to do something?"

Steven speared a chunk of greasy braised pork, frowned as he tried a bite, and then said, "Hmm, this is quite delicious. It's a pity that pork doesn't have a market in the Middle East; otherwise, it could be canned and sent there."

Seeing Steven quickly changing the subject, suggesting there were plenty of business opportunities in the Middle East instead of troubling him about Central African issues, Joe Ga smiled and said, "Actually, the beef and mutton here in Central Africa aren't bad either, especially water buffalo meat. Although it lacks fat, the taste is quite good.

The moment you mentioned canned food, I got it. I suppose, Mr. Ambassador, representing America, investing in a cannery wouldn't be a problem..."

Caught off guard by Joe Ga's random thrust, Steven felt somewhat helpless. Remembering his previously haughty demeanor, he now felt a bit sour seeing the smiling Chinese ambassador.

But typical of an American, thick-skinned, he sloppily scooped up some rice, drank a mixed juice, then marveled with a laugh, "Hu Lang, I came here alone, without the backing of industrial capital; I can't just write you a blank check.

You know my wife is a minor shareholder in ExxonMobil, and I still have some influence. So, do you think Central Africa has..."

"Yes!!"

Joe Ga and Francois said in unison, smacking the table: "Yes, not only are there oil fields, but there's also natural gas."

Steven looked at Joe Ga as if seeing a ghost, then said, "Current oil extraction costs are about $45 a barrel. Do you think it's worthwhile to invest in Central African oil and gas resources?"

As he spoke, Steven glanced at the Chinese ambassador, then the elegant Mr. Ambassador smiled shyly, sipped his vegetable soup, and suddenly frowned, stood up apologetically, and said, "I need to visit the restroom…"

Seeing the man known as 'Africa Daddy' among the Chinese withdraw, Steven looked at Joe Ga, spread his hands and said, "You see, business is business..."

Noticing Francois seemed somewhat disappointed at the side, Joe Ga subtly kicked him and then said to Steven, "Buddy, we are friends. The oil and gas in Central Africa might not mean much on the global stage, but don't you think their development could benefit the people of Central Africa?

Central Africa doesn't even have its own oil refinery yet. All their gasoline is imported, naturally making vehicle operating costs considerably higher."

This place was already poor, and without kind-hearted people like you, when could we ever truly step into modernization?

As America is the beacon of the world, and you represent that beacon, can you bear to watch this place remain in ignorance?"

Steven looked at Joe Ga as if he were seeing a ghost, then he noticed the sly expression in Joe's eyes, and suddenly realized something...

"Should I have my wife organize a delegation to come over and make a detailed assessment of the oil and gas resources in Central Africa?"

Joe Ga pointed at Steven and said with a smile, "Francois will organize a media meet tomorrow, I think it would be best if you could express that intention."

This time, Steven finally understood completely, his role was to stir the pot, to drive up the price of oil and gas resources in Central Africa.

The possibility of the French trade delegation being involved in the core projects of Sangha Town was small, so if they wanted to increase their influence, they could only focus on infrastructure or basic projects.

Joe seemed to want to sell the energy projects to France...

Look, Africa Daddy just mentions and takes away oil fields, how prestigious is that?

The future of the oil and gas industry in Central Africa would all be under the control of France, wouldn't that influence be substantial?

However, Steven, who was very knowledgeable about the energy industry, knew that the oil and gas in Central Africa were a losing game, as the reserves were not high, even building pipelines was not worthwhile, let alone constructing a refinery...

Natural gas, however, could be profitable, but it needed to connect to Sangha Town, then beg and plead with the locals to switch to natural gas furnaces, or simply build a natural gas power plant to generate and sell electricity for profit.

If you get involved now, it would be incredible luck to turn a profit within twenty years, but how long do typical companies last?

An uncompetitive product isn't valuable, it doesn't even qualify as a bargaining chip.

But once Steven 'retaliates' by involving himself in the energy sector of Central Africa, France would have to follow reluctantly.

Everyone knew Steven had been greatly humiliated in Libya, and now the higher-ups in America were coddling him; him causing a bit of trouble to disgust France was quite normal.

The French couldn't do anything about it, because America had already shifted its energy focus. At this point, offending Steven was like making a sworn enemy.

Having figured out Joe's 'scheme', Steven said with a smile, "How about we arrange a few paparazzi? I could 'accidentally meet' a representative of the French Energy Group and then show my anger and scorn.

My situation is indirectly related to them, so whatever I do would be justified."

Joe Ga nodded seriously, then added with a smile, "I think you should also express your desire for the oil and gas resources of Central Africa. Just because they're buried in Central Africa doesn't mean they should be discriminated against, they are definitely valuable...

The French want to take them at the price of cabbages, which is disrespectful to them.

They can be a bit cheaper than other places, but not too much cheaper, otherwise this wouldn't fit with the image of French liberty and democratic development, right?"

Steven nodded seriously and said, "France was once the colonial ruler of Central Africa, they plundered countless resources from here, now it's time for them to pay their debts.

Rest assured, I will absolutely not sit idly by and let 'plundering' happen again on this land!

Even if I have to pay out of my own pocket, I will drive up the prices of oil and gas, haha…"

Francois looked at the two taking turns to hand over Central Africa's energy projects to France as if he had seen a ghost. He thought for a long time and was just about to praise Joe for his brilliance when Joe had already stood up, pulling up the Chinese ambassador who had just returned from the restroom...

Since you're here, you might as well enjoy some shooting at the range, and if you want to fly a fighter jet, I can arrange that too...

The ambassador's secretary always watched carefully, which made Joe feel a bit sorry for him.

We're all in this together; if you're too shy to say it, then I'll take you to see everything openly. P·B has nothing to hide!

Just as everyone was having a good time, intelligence officer Thompson approached Joe Ga...

This elegant fellow had just finished chatting with the two ambassadors and the president, exchanging phone numbers, and then pulled Joe aside and said, "Boss, the French have handed over the 'Ghost's' testimony.

Mayor Lenore is trying to get the French to extradite those who surrendered, but progress isn't great."

Upon hearing this, Joe nodded and said, "We only want the people for revenge. With their testimony, we can start to act.

How are the preparations going in North Kivu Province?" Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

Thompson nodded with a smile and said, "The special forces team has been deployed there. We've identified the bases and homes of the two warlords collaborating with Walker Mining...

But I know you want a big spectacle, so I'm waiting for your command!"