Let oneself choose between "survival" and "destruction."
"The aning is the sa, it's good as long as you understand it," Song Heping calmly provided his response.
Seeing this, Robbin did not continue on this topic but instead changed the subject and began introducing the other people present.
Introductions and handshakes one by one, the essentials of etiquette should not be neglected.
After the introductions, Robbin said, "Recently, I heard that Mr. Song went to Afghan to assist ISA with a mission and managed to retreat from the Xinjin Moon area with just three n unscathed. To be honest, I'm also from a military background, and this is the first ti I've seen soone as formidable as you."
"You flatter ."
Song Heping replied with neither arrogance nor humility.
Just then, the food was served.
A plate of sliced ham, and a small dish containing a piece of bread, next to which there was a small pinch of sothing resembling salt powder.
Robbin shifted the conversation to cigars and red wine.
"This is Iberico ham flown in from Spain, tonight's wine is a '96 vintage from the Mouton Wine House of the Bordeaux region, and the cigars..."
He opened an elegant wooden box placed in the center of the table.
"Habanos 30th anniversary edition."
He took out a cigar, clipped the tip with a cigar cutter, and handed it to Song He.
"Mr. Song, do you smoke cigars?"
Song He shook his head, "I don't smoke."
Robbin laughed, "Cigars are not cigarettes. I think you should give it a try."
Song He hesitated for a mont, then accepted it.
Robbin took another, clipped it, and handed it to the chef.
The chef was not shy at all, taking it imdiately without any hesitation.
Robbin picked up the matchbox on the table, struck a match with a sense of ceremony, and extended it toward Song He.
"Top-quality cigars use only natural, organic substances even for the glue of the wrapper, so when selecting a lighting tool, you must ensure the tool does not have any off-flavors. This is a sulfur-free match, very suitable for lighting cigars..."
Song He was utterly annoyed.
For Christ's sake, it's just smoking a damn cigar, so many rules and requirents.
They call it a sense of ceremony, but isn't it just showing off?
After lighting the cigars for Song He and the chef, Robbin continued, "We hold these gatherings periodically to enhance our mutual understanding. People say that those in the sa trade are rivals, but I disagree. Colleagues can cooperate, and a good, rule-based cooperation is in the interest of both parties."
Robbin spoke at length.
Song He thought, it depends on what the rules are, or rather, who sets them.
I've heard that Westerners like to form trade associations to prevent cutthroat competition.
It seems this PMC circle is the sa.
Do they want to pull into their association?
"Being able to sit at this dining table proves that we have the capability of taking our own share of food from it, and both Mr. Song and Mr. Yevgeny have proven their strength with their actions. Thus, I sincerely invite Mr. Song and Mr. Yevgeny to join our small gatherings more often. Are you interested?"
Robbin seed to finally get to the at of the matter.
Song He exchanged a glance with the chef and then said to Robbin, "Mr. Robbin, I'm a straightforward man and I speak directly. I'm of course happy to be invited here tonight, and if you have sothing to say, just say it. We can discuss it. I don't see the need to beat around the bush checking each other out. 'Musician' Defense is a new company and needs help from our seniors."
He picked up a glass of red wine and drained it in a very China manner.
"Look, what I want to say is in this wine, it's the way we China people speak. What do you think?"
Everyone around was stunned.
They didn't expect Song He to be so direct.
From the information they had gathered, Song He was known for his unpredictable tactics and decisive action, which was why Robbin had arranged this eting.
However, as soon as Robbin broached the main subject, Song He laid his cards on the table.
Robbin was taken aback, thinking Mr. Song really doesn't play by the book...
"Hmm..."
He rubbed his chin, his mind racing, then organized his words before speaking, "Mr. Song is a straightforward man… Since that's the case, I'll cut to the chase."
The chef, who was eating ham, laughed upon hearing this, "Straight to the point is good, none of us in the company like to beat around the bush."
Robbin replied with slight embarrassnt, "Currently, the military's outsourced operations in Illiguo is a huge cake—tens of billions are invested into PMC operations, which is very tempting. PMCs around the world are eyeing this cake, but only a few can actually taste it. Those who can sit here are people with certain capabilities or great potential in Illiguo..."
At this point, he glanced at Song He.
It was clear that Song Heping was the one with "potential," not the one who was "capable."
As he spoke, he gestured with both hands to outline the shape of a cake.
"If we cooperate, we can ensure that future military contracting bids in Illiguo won't fall into the hands of outsiders. What we need to do is keep so of the core businesses after securing them and outsource the smaller tasks to others, creating a trickle-down effect. This will avoid conflicts between us that could affect our mutual interests, and also keep those powerful figures behind us in the military satisfied," he explained.
His gaze remained fixed on Song Heping the entire ti.
Song Heping was the one he needed to convince tonight.
Of course, Robbin knew that Song Heping could hardly refuse.
Because this was the order based on rules.
Without agreent, one couldn't get by in Illiguo.
"General Peter said that after I take on the transportation contract, I might require financial support. Perhaps Mr. Robbin could assist ?"
Song Heping didn't want to get into a protracted discussion with Robbin about the grand principles.
Everyone understood the grand principles.
He had already thought it through before coming here.
Now, what he wanted was tangible benefits.
Cooperation needed to be beneficial; without benefits, who would bother?
Robbin's intentions couldn't have been clearer.
Entering the circle ant sitting down together later for military contracting in Illiguo and dividing the cake together. After agreeing, one had to follow their rules.
Who would take on which business and who was allowed to do so would all be decided by them.
This naturally had its pros and cons.
But at the mont, he didn't have a choice.
Because it was obvious that General Peter and Robbin were in cahoots, or more precisely, the military and Robbin were in cahoots.
Joining them was not without benefits.
In contract business, he could get a slice of the pie in the future, and how much didn't matter as there would certainly be so. Plus, by entering the circle, he could leverage the military's power to engage in other businesses.
Like arms dealing.
Arms dealing was lucrative.
Presently, Illiguo had a large stockpile of arms. If he could expand this area of business significantly, the military contract business could be a bit less profitable and it would still be fine, certainly better than offending the military and the big shots in the PMCs sitting before him.
Before gaining enough strength, one had to be humble.
Song Heping's response left Robbin at a loss once again.
He had planned to gently and progressively explain the matters within the circle.
But the other person imdiately asked him about the financial issue.
"Of course... if Mr. Song joins us, then we are family, and it's only right that we help each other," he replied.
Robbin's reply was highly satisfactory to Song Heping.
Song Heping was not foolish.
Robbin's willingness to provide financing was clearly Peter's intention.
The re-tendering of the transport business involved conflicts of interest between the military and the politicians in the United States.
And his company was just a very suitable smoke bomb.
"Then there will be no problem."
Song Heping poured another glass of wine and lifted it.
"To our cooperation, cheers."
However, Robbin picked up a piece of bread and dipped it in salt.
The others followed suit.
Song Heping looked at the chef with suspicion.
The two of them could only put down their glasses and, mimicking Robbin, did the sa.
"Eating bread and salt under the sa roof makes us family," he stated.
Robbin lifted the slice of bread.
"To a pleasant cooperation, welco to the fold!"
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