The Mi-171 helicopter landed on the hospital's helipad, and General Ramas descended from the cabin, then passed through the ergency building to the inpatient departnt, and went up to the second floor of one of the wards.
In the ward, he saw Song Heping, who was already sitting in a chair waiting for him.
"You look very spirited, my friend."
Ramas opened his arms.
Song Heping stepped forward and gave him a hug, performing a cheek-to-cheek greeting.
"General, I'm so hungry I could eat a cow. I was about to go grab sothing to eat, but when they said you were coming, I waited here for you for twenty minutes."
Song Heping didn't hide his complaint one bit.
Because he knew very well that an old fox like Ramas had seen too much of worldly cunning, and sotis being too polite in front of such people could actually make the interaction seem distant and awkward.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ramas burst into hearty laughter, making a welcoming gesture, "Please, Mr. Song, I've instructed the hospital to prepare a feast for you."
The two of them went downstairs and made their way to the dining room.
In Venezuela, military ranks are regarded with great importance and are strictly observed.
There is no equality between officers and enlisted personnel.
An officers' dining room is for officers, and an enlisted dining room is for enlisted; they are not at all on the sa level.
Recently, Venezuela's economy has been growing well; with the war in Illiguo led by the Aricans heating up, oil prices have been soaring. Venezuelan oil, although not as high quality as the light crude from the Middle East, had no trouble finding buyers, hence the GDP growth rate reached 12% that year.
This economic prosperity was evident on the dining table.
Their lunch ranged from oysters to carpaccio, from cheese-drenched lobster to traditional avocado and palm heart salad, a full spread of cold and hot dishes, even including a bottle of white wine.
"I've t people from East University before; one of them really likes our oysters here. He claims they're great for potency," Ramas said as he picked up an oyster and a slice of lemon, squeezed a bit of juice on it, and said, "These are authentic Caribbean Sea oysters from here, very delicious. Give it a try."
Hungry as he was, Song Heping didn't care much for etiquette anymore. He nodded with a smile as he agreed, then picked up an oyster, skipped the lemon juice, and drizzled a bit of olive oil on it before slurping the whole oyster into his mouth.
"Not bad."
Song Heping comnted, "Indeed, the oysters from the tropical seas are much plumper than those from cold waters, but they're a little less refreshing."
Ramas's eyes lit up, "I didn't realize Mr. Song was such a connoisseur."
"That's what I was told by our company's executive director, Ferrari; I'm just parroting his words and making a fool of myself."
Song Heping replied with a sheepish smile as he picked up sothing resembling a rolled-up pastry, whose na he didn't even know, took a big bite, and it looked very filling indeed.
As expected, it was filled with minced at, mashed potatoes, and so vegetables.
"This is good," he said.
Ramas explained, "This dish is our national snack, called empanada, similar to dumplings in your country, or you could compare it to a xican wrap."
Song Heping focused on tackling the empanada, nodding in satisfaction while his mind was actually pondering what Ramas would bring up for discussion next.
Of course, it was about business, the arms trade.
"Speaking of Mr. Ferrari from your company, he made quite an impression on . He actually dared to threaten ," Ramas said, his eyes flashing with a hint of lethal intent.
Song Heping noticed this but dismissed it casually, "Are you referring to the helicopter incident?"
Ramas scoffed, "Yeah, you want to know how he threatened ?"
Song Heping replied, "Actually, I'm not interested in knowing."
As he spoke, he swallowed the last bite of empanada and picked up another oyster.
"If you're willing to help him get helicopters, it ans it's worth it, and also implies that even if there's an issue, you've got a way out."
Ramas didn't imdiately respond but watched Song Heping eat another oyster.
"That's correct."
Only then did he continue the conversation.
"The helicopter I loaned him wasn't from the military, but one from a private special soldier training center nearby. If anything happens, it won't get back to ."
Song Heping thought of the gunshots he had heard during the day and asked, "I heard gunshots nearby. They were coming from that training center, right?"
"That's right. It's a private special soldier training center operated by Black Water Company, in collaboration with our military. Even if the Colombians find out about the aircraft, their investigation will lead them only to the Aricans," explained Ramas confidently. He appeared to have a contingency plan ready to disassociate himself at any mont.
Such an old army head would naturally be crafty, ensuring not to ntion that the loan was for a cross-border rescue or to involve the pursuit battle in the Ta Region. Most importantly, he would not leave any evidence that could be traced back to him.
Song Heping suddenly also thought of his future arms deals.
So he said, "General, I know you didn't co here just to have lunch with . Let's get down to business and talk about our cooperation."
"Thrilling!" Ramas regained his smile, "Your trip to Colombia this ti has truly opened my eyes. An entire squad of Green Berets gone, and AGLAN lost a squad too..."
"Wait a minute."
Song Heping interrupted him.
"General, please don't bring those matters up because they simply don't exist."
As he spoke, his gaze turned toward Ramas.
Ramas looked back at Song Heping, visibly surprised.
After being taken aback for a while, Song Heping spread his hands, "There is no evidence proving I've ever been to Colombia."
He made this assertion with conviction.
Ramas continued to be stunned for a bit longer.
He suddenly realized that this young man was not just more than twenty years his junior but was definitely not a greenhorn.
"Hahahaha!"
Ramas eventually burst into laughter, "That's right, there's indeed no evidence. The deaths of those n have nothing to do with anyone in this room."
He got the point.
Song Heping's refusal to acknowledge the incident was not only to distance himself but to distance Ramas as well.
It must be rembered that he was the one who facilitated the connection with ELN. If Song Heping was identified as the man who wiped out the squad of Green Berets, then he'd also be considered an accomplice.
What could be better than distancing oneself from the affair?
"However..." Ramas, after laughing for a mont, sobered up, "Now, only you can tie up this matter. ELN's Morins called , he's very anxious, asking if there's any news about you. I told him you're safe. He's very eager to et you in person, to thank you himself."
Song Heping waved his hand, "I won't et him for the ti being. I'll leave Venezuela in a few days when my injuries are a bit better."
Ramas asked, "Are you afraid of getting involved in this?"
Song Heping replied, "An entire squad of Green Berets died. The Colombian Military is probably dealing with a headache right now, trying to figure out how to explain it to the Aricans. My not showing up is a good thing to avoid getting entangled."
Ramas said, "But now, besides you, Morins doesn't want to deal with anyone else... "
Song Heping responded, "Here's the deal, General. I'm a businessman, I sell arms, but there are certain things I'd rather not get too deeply involved in. I know a dragon cannot suppress the local serpent. Coming here to do business, I can't monopolize it all myself. I am very happy that you want to cooperate with , I need friends like you. So, I think from now on, you and your son should take charge of the business here. I'll call Morins and ask him to cooperate with you properly. He will definitely buy arms from you. As for expanding the custor base, any business in South Arica should co to you, we split the profits fifty-fifty. I will establish an offshore account for your son abroad and set up a legitimate company to launder the money cleanly for you. When you need it, you can use it with total legitimacy. How's that?"
Having finished explaining his thoughts in one breath, Song Heping continued to eat, leaving Ramas to digest his words and wait for him to put forth his conditions.
Business is, after all, negotiation.
You start high with your demands, and then co down to the paynt.
The details of the cooperation could be discussed, but Song Heping had decided that he couldn't always be at the forefront, nor could he handle everything personally. He perhaps needed to cultivate so frontn.
And Ramas and his son, who had always wanted to be an arms dealer, were the best candidates for this role.
After all, even if the Aricans beca aware of a new arms dealer here, any investigation would only lead to Ramas. And even if they did find out, they wouldn't be able to touch him.
After all, this is Venezuela, a place the Aricans can't infiltrate.
Ramas was, indeed, contemplating.
He was digesting and pondering over Song Heping's words.
A fifty-fifty split.
The division of profits was more than fair.
Moreover, his involvent in arms dealing wasn't just for personal gain. With Song Heping as a contact, the Venezuelan military could get hold of otherwise embargoed equipnt in the future.
Now that he was being offered such a share of the profits, all of it was private wealth.
No one would complain about having too much money, and Ramas was no exception.
The only thing required from him was his role and status.
Otherwise, Song Heping could simply operate without him.
Collaboration is all about leveraging each other's value, and sentints such as friendship are secondary.
His role and status were the aspects of himself that could be leveraged.
"Song, you've made an offer I can't refuse," he said.
With that, he lifted his glass.
"Let's do as you suggested. I'll manage the sales and transportation in South Arica, and you'll handle the supply and buyers."
"A pleasure doing business!"
Song Heping also picked up his glass, touching it lightly against Ramas's.
A new arms dealer on the South Arican continent was born in this small private room.
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