"Business?" Sikinkov was puzzled.
Su Mo smiled slightly, "That's right, business. To put it bluntly, the ultimate goal of this operation is not to defeat the Crow's Nest, not to kill a certain number of thugs, but to rescue the maximum number of hostages with the least casualties."
"In the language of business, it ans—achieving the greatest return with the smallest cost."
"So, what's important is how to rescue more people. As for whether the tactics are good, whether the force is strong, whether the Crow's Nest thugs live or die, it's fundantally unimportant to us."
This sounded sensible, and everyone nodded in agreent.
Sikinkov: "Continue."
Su Mo: "Since it's a business, naturally, it requires a businessman. Mr. Deputy Speaker, who do you think is the best at doing business in New Moon City? A rchant? No, it's not."
"In my view, the best at doing business are rcenaries. Because every minute and every second since we entered the field, we've been doing the sa thing—gaining the most reward with the least effort."
"The essence of this rescue operation is the sa. The more hostages that survive, the smaller the price paid, the less pressure on you, the higher my reward."
"In such a field we excel at, why don't you seek out business-savvy rcenaries instead of the Anti-Violence Fourth Section?"
Sikinkov pondered for a mont and looked at Ivan: "Based on your assessnt of the site situation, if you led the Alpha Squadron into action, what would be the loss?"
Ivan looked at the holographic image, thought for a while, and said, "There would be at least a 50% casualty rate. If the thugs use hostages as shields or booby-trap them, the losses could be higher."
That shocking number left everyone disheartened.
Sikinkov couldn't help but clench his fists, and after a mont of silence, he asked Su Mo, "If you were to lead the operation, what do you think the losses would be?"
Su Mo held up three fingers.
"30%?!" The crowd exclaid.
That's almost half!
A 20% reduction in casualties ans over sixty more children surviving, which is over sixty elite families! The future impact is imasurable!
Ivan shouted sternly, "Bullshit! Given the situation at the Xinghai Cinema, no matter who goes, casualties can't be less than 50%. Where does your 30% co from?!"
"Sorry, what 30%?" Su Mo had a mysterious smile on his face.
He still held up three fingers, and his next words completely shocked everyone:
"What I an is, at most, we might lose 3 hostages."
"And I'm confident that there is a high probability that not a single hostage will die."
Previously, everyone mistakenly thought Su Mo was talking about a 30% casualty rate, plunging the room into shock.
And now he said at most 3 would die, with a high chance none would die, yet the reaction was indifferent.
The reason is simple; everyone thought he was bluffing.
With 314 hostages at the Xinghai Cinema, 28 elite Crow's Nest thugs, and treacherous terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack, the other side had absolute control.
A Captain of 27 years said at least half would perish, and you're an inexperienced rcenary saying none will die? Who are you kidding?
Ou Chenyu thought: Is this guy brain-dead? In this day and age, can intelligence-disabled people beco rcenaries?
Zhou Hanyan thought: These newcors are outrageous, spouting nonsense effortlessly, learning from who...
Dress thought: Old Su, what grudges do I have with you, for you to set up like this? My reputation is ruined because of you.
Even Audiana, who knew Su Mo the earliest, thought: Youngsters these days, boasting is one thing, but you can't go overboard...
Ivan looked at Su Mo like he was an idiot and said to Sikinkov, "I request this person be expelled from the room. Talking to him feels like an insult to our intelligence."
Su Mo quickly said, "Oh? Captain Ivan is very confident. So, are you willing to make a bet with ?"
Ivan frowned, "What kind of bet?"
Su Mo: "In this rescue operation, if I keep the casualties under 3 people, you have to agree to one request of mine unconditionally in your personal capacity."
Ivan glanced at him sideways, "I don't ss around with fools."
Su Mo: "Are you afraid?"
Ivan: "Who are you calling afraid?!"
Su Mo: "So, do you bet or not? Just one word."
Ivan's face twitched, pointing at Su Mo's nose, "Kid, I won't babble with you. If you can even match , keeping the casualty rate around 50%, I'll already think highly of you."
Su Mo calmly said, "3, just 3, rember my words."
Seeing Ivan speechless, Su Mo pressed, "So, do you bet?"
Ivan clicked his tongue and said heavily, "Bet! But if you lose, I want you to leave New Moon City forever and never return, do you dare?"
Su Mo smiled, "Why wouldn't I dare? It's settled then. Rember, if you lose, you have to agree to one request of mine, don't back out."
After speaking, he gave Ou Chenyu a aningful glance.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
Sikinkov tapped the table again, impatiently said, "I repeat, this is a combat eting, not your stage for performance! If you want to argue, get out!"
Ivan was so angry his head hurt, secretly regretting talking with a fool, really degrading himself.
He turned back and said, "Sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker, let's continue discussing the plan, ignore this kid."
Sikinkov originally didn't want to pay attention to Su Mo, given that his words were so absurd, completely like a fairy tale.
But he accidentally t Su Mo's gaze and found that Su Mo's eyes were firm, clear, conveying a kind of silent strength.
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