Mercenaries, I Will Be King Chapter 540 - 484: Be Friends or Enemies?

"I wouldn't do it for less than 500 million US dollars,"

Song Heping's tone didn't seem like he was joking.

This made Kelly sowhat surprised.

Was this guy serious?

Was it really all about money to him?

But that price...

It was just ridiculously high.

"You've given an impossible price."

Song Heping said, "Don't you want to fight drug trafficking? Let put it this way, I checked the funds you've invested in Colombia's drug eradication programs this year, which amount to 700 million US dollars. The Colombian governnt army received so much money from you—look what they have done with it? My asking price of 500 million US dollars is fair and reasonable; it's basically a bargain. Any problems?"

Kelly's gaze had never left Song Heping's face.

It was the most typical Eastern face.

She tried to find a hint of lying on the young man's face.

But in the end, she saw nothing.

In fact, she even thought this guy was telling the truth.

And what embarrassed Kelly the most was that Song Heping's asking price left her without a rebuttal.

Because so reasons couldn't be openly discussed.

Song Heping, of course, knew these reasons.

The United States Governnt was very enthusiastic about foreign aid.

It looked very generous, even sowhat saintly from the Great Arica.

But if one looked through the facts to the essence, it amounted to nothing more than a wealth transfer ga.

Having spent a lot of ti in Illiguo, Song Heping was familiar with dealing with the military leaders and the temporary governnt there, so he clearly understood what was involved.

For example, out of the 700 million US dollars in aid, first there was training, which was provided by the Green Beret Special Forces from the Army for special Forces of the Colombian governnt army, like the AGLAN troops, or the whole CCOPE combat group—these were all training provided by the US Special Forces.

This training could be priced in US dollars.

Next ca technical support, like the previously dispatched electronic reconnaissance aircraft, fuel costs and wear and tear, and personnel attendance subsidies, which could also be quantified in US dollars.

And the biggest part was weapons and equipnt.

Here's where it got interesting. The weapons were all produced by the Arican military industrial complex, and the sponsors supplied Arican-style equipnt, so effectively these dollars were just placing orders back into the hands of the military industrial complex, never leaving the United States.

And finally, there were the operational expenses. These were just so crumbs for the high officials and military leaders in the Colombian governnt.

The commissioners from Great Arica also had a share in this, but ultimately, they needed to give a little incentive to the Colombian officials who signed the cooperation agreents, because even puppets need to be paid, right?

A huge amount of funds, in the end, just ant Great Arica paid, Commissioner Smith and the arms dealers divided it up, the Special Forces involved in the operations got a subsidy, and as for what could be achieved with the 700 million dollars?

Why worry about the results?

This was big business.

It was profit!

If they actually eradicated drugs in South Arica, the business would dry up, the profits would vanish, the revenue sources would disappear.

Without those, how would Commissioner Smith in the congress get anything?

How would the arms behemoths get anything?

How would the puppets in the Colombian governnt get anything?

Song Heping knew exactly how things worked, which was why he dared to quote his price.

His own, a Defense Company, didn't need any arms sponsorship or military training, and being a private company it wouldn't embezzle its own funds—the only thing to take care of was the commissioners in the congress, military, or intelligence agencies.

Clearly, this would displease the bigwigs of the military-industrial complex.

If the bigwigs weren't happy, neither would the days of commissioners like Smith.

So for soone like Kelly, sitting opposite him, agreeing to Song Heping's plan was out of the question, unless they really faced an insurmountable issue and couldn't resolve it through supporting the local governnt, then perhaps they would consider outsourcing the task to such "black gloves" like himself.

Song Heping accurately understood his own and his company's position, which made it easy for him to hit Kelly's sore spot.

"Are you not afraid I'll agree and let you do this?"

There was a threatening tone in Kelly's voice.

Of course, it was a threat.

If the ELN ard forces were Song Heping's clients, then by having him eliminate his own clients, in Kelly's view, this would damage the reputation of Song Heping's company.

But she underestimated Song Heping.

She was not aware of the wisdom of Eastern people.

Song Heping grinned, very affirmatively saying, "As long as the money is paid, as long as the funds are transferred, I will definitely do it. Don't worry, I wouldn't dare to scam money from the United States Governnt, right? I'm more worried about you globally prosecuting ."

"Saying you're afraid doesn't necessarily an you are really afraid," Kelly said. "Sotis those who say they aren't afraid are actually the ones who are truly scared."

Song Heping asked, "So, do you agree?"

Kelly said, "I don't have the authority to move 500 million US dollars. If we were to really proceed, it's not sothing that can be settled now."

Song Heping smiled as he looked at the white-haired witch sitting opposite him.

He had investigated this woman's background.

He knew she was naturally suspicious and ruthlessly decisive in her actions.

But one thing was certain, she would never agree to this deal.

Because it was a decision to be made by her superiors.

Even if she really gave her approval and the money actually ca in, Song Heping was not worried at all.

Five hundred million US dollars, heh.

He would discuss with Morins, stage a play where ELN pretends to be defeated, just like the AUC declaring dissolution, what then?

Five hundred million dollars was enough to rebuild another ard organization.

ELN was just a code na.

What's most important in organizing anti-governnt ard forces?

People!

And money!

With people and money, was there fear of not being able to organize an anti-governnt ard force in a place like South Arica?

This trick was learned from the Aricans.

After all, business ant long-term gains.

One ELN dissolved, another ALN erges, if ALN falls, then form a BLN.

Doesn't the US Army stationed in Iraq play this kind of trick when exterminating anti-Arican forces?

Fostering enemies to strengthen oneself.

That's the essence of the Arican war gas.

A nation built on war was like a drug addict, addiction was inevitable.

"Let's get back to the main subject," Song Heping said. "About this operation of your small squad, do you plan to befriend , or will you burn bridges and fight to the death?"

Kelly thought for a mont and answered, "To be friends, you need to show so sincerity."

Song Heping was very generous, "Okay, as long as you promise not to bother in the future, I'll imdiately release the guys and have the ship sent here."

Kelly pondered for a mont internally, then nodded, "Deal."

She thought Song Heping was soone who operated based on money, not necessarily harmful, and quite useful to her.

"Since we have a deal, then I can go now."

Just as Song Heping stood up to leave, he turned around but heard Kelly calling him from behind.

"Mr. Song, wait."