After eting with General Ramas, Song Heping and his entourage imdiately boarded the flight that day, embarking on the journey back to Illiguo.
The plane had just landed when Song Heping's phone rang, displaying the na Sword.
Just as General Ramas had predicted, Sword politely yet firmly declined the proposal Song Heping made to cooperate in arms trafficking during the call.
The reason he gave sounded very polite, stating the amount of arms Song Heping offered was too large, and his own forces were unable to absorb such a vast quantity of goods.
Song Heping naturally did not puncture this pretense. Outwardly, he repeatedly agreed, suggesting the possibility of future cooperation. However, deep down, he had a general premonition and judgnt about Sword's rejection.
He guessed that Sword had definitely conducted an in-depth investigation into his background and, after much deliberation, concluded that Song Heping's background and capabilities in South Arica were insufficient to shake the current situation, hence the tactful refusal.
Such is the harsh reality, especially in the sensitive and highly profitable arms industry. Without strong backing, it is almost impossible to establish oneself in such chaotic places as South Arica.
Song Heping was well aware that the situation in South Arica had been chaotic for a long ti, with each country having nurous gangs and anti-governnt ard forces, and a huge demand for arms. The market was already very mature, and it was fanciful to think of getting a foothold without strong backing to support him.
As General Ramas had said, the biggest arms dealers in South Arica are controlled by the CIA behind the scenes, and other channels are minor; he couldn't make a move without strong backing.
Moreover, the arms shipnt overseen by Ivan had been hijacked, which was a public slap in the face for the Defense Company. Without absolute power, no one would take him seriously, nor would they risk their lives for the marginal profits of collaborating with him.
Song Heping had already made up his mind. To get a share in the arms market of South Arica, he must first set an example by making an example of AUC's ard forces.
The AUC ard forces were no ordinary group; they comprised a regular army of eight thousand n, with an additional affiliated ard force of twenty thousand.
Even if Song Heping were to airlift the entire military power of the Defense Company to Colombia, he could not contend with the AUC ard forces.
However, this ignited Song Heping's will to fight.
He knew very well that the more difficult the task, the higher its value, and the greater the risk, the larger the returns.
He had firmly resolved to eliminate the AUC ard forces and wash away past humiliations. From the mont he hung up the phone on Sword, this resolution had deeply rooted in his heart.
Still, Song Heping was clear that now was not the ti to handle the AUC ard forces. He had to secure the 240 million US Dollar transportation and security contract first—that was the foundation of his company's growth, the first step in achieving his goals.
When he returned to the company, he saw a swarming crowd at the entrance, a dense throng of three to four hundred people lining up.
Inside the company, he noticed many new faces, constantly busy moving around.
In the office, two young won wearing headscarves were working on computers at the desks.
It had to be admitted, in Illiguo, this was quite a striking scene.
After all, this had been a relatively conservative place where it was rare to see won working.
The cook whispered to Song Heping, "Are these the two chicks hired by Ferrari?"
Even the cook, daring as he was, Song Heping could hear the concern in his voice.
The Green Zone, although a secure area and a core location of the US Army base, was still in Illiguo. If won worked without their family's consent, it could easily lead to big trouble.
"Song! You're back?"
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Ferrari ca out from the back and loudly greeted Song Heping and his group.
When he reached them, Song Heping pulled him aside and asked quietly, "Are these two the chicks you hired for office work?"
Ferrari turned to look at the two Illiguo girls and proudly asked Song Heping, "How about them?! Fresh university graduates, beautiful, right?"
Song Heping sized up the two won, and truly, although they were cloaked in robes that covered their bodies, leaving only their faces and hands visible, their skin was pale and delicate, seemingly soft enough to squeeze water out, with typical Arabic features lending them an ancient and noble charm.
He still couldn't help but remind, "You do realize you can control yourself, right? You invited them to work here. Do their parents know? Do they agree?"
After all, Song Heping ca from a military background, where relationships with local young won were strictly forbidden; conservatism had beco ingrained in him.
Ferrari glanced at Song Heping exaggeratedly, "What do you take for? I'm trying to help. Look, they just graduated and then war broke out; if they work here for a while, I can help link them with schools in Europe, help them grab the chance to get out of here! Song, you're really disappointing by thinking of this way..."
Seeing Ferrari's little expression, Song Heping knew that the guy was feigning ignorance, so he scoffed, "How novel, since when did you beco the great savior, rescuing damsels in distress from the fire? Aren't you the one who's notorious for leading decent won astray?"
Caught with his ulterior motives, Ferrari beca slightly embarrassed and shifted the conversation, "I just got back, let's not dwell on these minor issues. Co on, I'll update you on the work progress of the last few days. You don't know, while you were gone, how many employees our company has added. Look at the people lining up outside; we're still recruiting. In just a blink of an eye, we've added hundreds of mouths to feed. While we've grown, if business doesn't keep up, we could collapse just as quickly."
After placing their luggage upstairs, they returned to the first floor, and once they sat down, a middle-aged Illiguo woman ca in with coffee and lunch, setting it in front of everyone.
Song Heping looked at the local woman in surprise, and after she had left, asked Ferrari, "Was it you who hired her?"
Ferrari responded, "Yeah, this ti I hired ten chefs, one stationed at our company and the other nine at the garage. You know how providing logistical support to the US Army is an around-the-clock job. Setting up a canteen there, ensuring good living conditions so they're willing to work hard for us. As for our company's guys, they might be very busy later, and alternating cooking shifts might not be feasible. Better to hire a cook, saving their ti from being wasted in the kitchen, right?"
Song Heping's eyes lit up, and he gave Ferrari a thumbs-up, "I should make you the political commissar."
When the company was smaller, there was a fridge in the kitchen packed with food, and whoever was hungry would cook sothing for themselves. Occasionally, a cook would make a al for everyone or it would be done on a rotating basis.
Back then, when there were fewer people, it didn't matter what they ate.
The situation had indeed changed now; the company expected to scale up to seven or eight hundred people. During major transport operations, at least one or two staff would need to track responsibilities, so who would have ti to cook?
Earlier, Song Heping had planned to discuss this matter when he had ti, but Ferrari had considered everything for him.
Once again, Song Heping felt that spending a large sum to bring Ferrari back had been more than worth it.
"After the eting, let's go check out the new garage."
"Is the location selected?"
"It's been chosen."
Ferrari said, "It's next to the Green Zone, very safe, a whole two acres."
Song Heping realized Ferrari kept glancing by his side and suddenly rembered that he hadn't introduced Dominic yet.
"This is a new mber of our company, and oh, Ferrari, when you do the payroll, add him to it. He's a pilot, with a base salary of twenty thousand."
"A pilot?" A spark flickered in Ferrari's eyes as he turned to Dominic, "Which unit did you serve in before?"
"I'm Dominic, nicknad Lynx, forr French Air Force pilot." Dominic extended his hand.
Ferrari shook hands with Dominic, then turned to ask Song Heping, "It looks like you plan to buy a helicopter?"
"Right, not only do I plan to buy, but I might also sell in the future," Song Heping laughed.
Ferrari exclaid, "Selling planes? Where are you getting them?"
Song Heping said, "Right, I haven't gotten a chance to discuss this with everyone yet, but after our transport business stabilizes, I plan to focus on arms trading. This venture will be one of our key sources of future revenue."
The news Song Heping announced was so sudden that everyone present was stunned, their eyes all on him.
The cook asked in astonishnt, "Song, where are you getting the supplies from?"
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