Speaking of which, he turned to White Bear. "White Bear, the aning of what you just said wasn't that you think we're making too much money, right? If you have sothing to say, just speak up."
Scratching his head with a smile, White Bear said, "Boss is really sharp in understanding people! Actually, I was thinking, now that our company is gradually stabilizing, is it ti to arrange vacations on a rotating basis? Otherwise, we're earning money with nowhere to spend it, always stuck in this godforsaken oil field where money can't even be spent!"
After saying that, he looked towards Hunter, as if seeking his support.
Hunter said, "Don't look at like that, I don't have a woman to support."
White Bear said, "Then why the heck are you working so hard to make so much money? Planning to use it to light candles in church?"
Hunter said, "I'm saving up to buy a ranch back in my hotown, that's my dream."
"Country bumpkin!" Unable to resist mocking him, White Bear blurted out, "You don't even have a woman, what do you need a ranch for? Just to be lonely and die alone!"
"Alright, enough," Song Heping said. "I've heard your suggestion, White Bear. I'll discuss with the cook later and see about arranging a few days off for you guys each month."
Seeing that Song Heping agreed, they were naturally happy, and after chatting a bit more, they left.
Only after receiving Avanti's paynt did Song Heping feel the pressure on his shoulders lighten considerably.
With this eight hundred thousand US dollars, the company could sustain its operations for a while, and the security fee from Wood Company was about to co in.
Once there was more money in the account, he planned to acquire so arms from Yusuf, stir things up a bit; the profit margins in arms trading were extrely high, and now with Yusuf as a resource, it would be a waste not to be in that business.
Song Heping thought it would be good to find ti to visit Baghdad to et the other party, and also organize a gathering with friends from the Brotherhood to maintain relations.
In places like Illiguo, personal relationships and social etiquette were highly valued, which was evident from the rituals involved in their etings.
For example, when visiting Yusuf's family, upon entering, you couldn't rush straight to talking business in a room. First, you had to visit the living room to et the elders and other family mbers of the household, greet everyone, and if you brought gifts, you had to present them – specific gifts for the elders, children, and won respectively.
Only after performing such elaborate courtesies would the man of the house feel greatly honored, and discussions would be much more effective.
Thinking of Yusuf brought the sandalwood in the lumber factory to mind, so he quickly called Old Demon to inquire if there was any demand for it.
Upon hearing about it, Old Demon asked for the price and imdiately exploded.
"Thirty US dollars per cubic ter?! Are you sure you're not making an international joke?"
"That's the price I heard last ti," Song Heping said. "If you need it, I can check again."
"Do you know how much this kind of wood costs per cubic ter in China now?" Old Demon said, "I have a few friends in the furniture business; this stuff, the raw wood costs at least around three thousand per cubic ter. Thirty dollars is practically giving it away!"
Song Heping asked, "There's a batch right here in Baghdad. The quantity seems pretty substantial too, piling up an entire factory. It was previously bought by Sadam for building palaces, but now that he's overthrown, the Temporary Managent Committee wants to get rid of it. If you're interested, co over and I'll take you to have a look."
Old Demon said, "I'd certainly be interested in looking, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy to get it out, right?"
Song Heping said, "You just take care of the import paperwork, I'll handle the export procedures on this end."
Laughing, Old Demon remarked, "In just a month I haven't seen you, Heping, you sound totally different! Is it really that easy to be a rcenary? At first, I was worried about your safety, but hearing you now, seems you're riding high!"
Song Heping inwardly smiled wryly.
He really couldn't tell Old Demon how much money he had made.
And definitely couldn't tell him what kind of jobs he had done.
Otherwise, it would scare the living daylights out of him.
"It's just a stroke of luck here, I t so locals who have the ability to help you, if you're interested, co and check out the goods."
"Fine!" Old Demon said through gritted teeth, "I don't have that much capital anymore, but if your goods are real, I can bring people over to look, just make a little on the difference..."
Old Demon's words made Song Heping feel a bit sad.
Although Old Demon's situation was better than his own, after his last business failure, he too rolled back ho empty-handed, at least he hadn't accumulated debt.
"First, co over and have a look, you have money for the plane ticket, right?"
"I can still afford the ticket."
"Then good, you co over first; if it looks right, then contact the buyers back in China."
"Alright, I'll co over and have a look at the goods."
Once the matter was settled, the two chatted for a while longer.
Song Heping asked Old Demon what his future plans were.
Old Demon said he was planning to take a break for a while and if this timber deal went through and he made so money, he would head to Africa.
"What are you going to do in Africa?" Song Heping asked.
Old Demon said, "I have a relative who runs a gold mine over there. I'm going to join him and invest."
Song Heping's heart twitched at the ntion of a gold mine.
A gold mine, was it really sothing ordinary people could get involved in?
"Old Demon, you should still be careful, that's not sothing ordinary folks can just touch."
"Don't worry," Old Demon replied calmly, "My relative knows a few generals over there. He just ca back ho to visit, and he even showed a photo of him with the general. With a general looking out for us, what's there to fear?!"
Song Heping fell silent.
Now that Old Demon was brimming with confidence, let him be.
It certainly wasn't the ti to dampen his spirits.
The next morning, bright and early, Song Heping got up, hopped in his car, and headed back to Baghdad.
All the munitions had been bought up by the cook; now even the ammunition was scarce. He needed to et with Yusuf and the guys in his circle once again and also buy so cheap arms on the side—not to ntion reselling them, but his company's two rcenary platoons also required a lot of ammunition for training.
Training was essential.
For a Defense Company, without training, there's no way to improve combat effectiveness, and combat effectiveness is the asure of your worth; no combat effectiveness ans no high price tag.
You don't realize how expensive everyday expenses are until you run a household.
Now that he was the boss of a Defense Company, Song Heping understood just how costly it was to maintain a rcenary force. Every day began with expenses!
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