As Marulan smoked a marijuana cigarette, he looked through the hazy smoke at the Chinese man sitting opposite him nad Song Heping.
He was very young.
That was Marulan's first impression of Song Heping.
Although he had known Song Heping's age beforehand, he found him to be even younger upon eting him.
Over the years, Marulan had been through nurous negotiations, including those with governnt officials, yet this was the first ti he had such a young opponent sitting across from him.
"Want one?"
When Song Heping just sat down, Marulan offered him a marijuana cigarette.
"It helps to perk you up."
"I don't smoke cigarettes," Song Heping waved his hand with a smile, declining.
Marulan was taken aback for a mont.
Then he got the ssage.
Song Heping was not unfamiliar with what passed as a cigarette here.
It seed a bit impolite to directly refuse by saying he doesn't partake in this kind of thing.
After all, in Colombia, marijuana was as common as cigarettes.
Saying he doesn't smoke cigarettes ant he didn't partake in any kind of smoking, not just marijuana.
For Song Heping, this negotiation was quite an eye-opener.
A negotiation was, after all, a very formal affair.
Yet, here they were, smoking this stuff.
It was indicative of how rampant drugs were in this place.
As the person who arranged this eting, Morins introduced several people present and then handed the floor to Song Heping.
"Today's eting was initiated by Mr. Song; I'm rely the go-between. The content is about business, strictly business."
In the end, he didn't forget to clarify his own stance: "However, before coming here, Mr. Song discussed with , and I support his proposition. The rest is up to you two."
With that, Morins sat back in his chair and gestured to Song Heping to take over.
Song Heping nodded at him and turned his gaze to Marulan.
"Commander Marulan, and Mr. Autoneil, I'm honored to et two legendary figures from Colombia today. I'm here for the incident in xico, just like Morins said, in two words — business."
Marulan smiled and said, "I am already your client, Mr. Song. So of my key mbers are currently participating in training at your school; we've paid for that. I've heard your military command is very strong and professional, having a military background. Last ti, Morins survived a desperate situation thanks to you. Thus, I deeply respect your capability and would like to make friends with you. So when Morins said you wanted to et, I agreed without a second thought. To talk business? You an to expand enrollnt? I'm the largest anti-governnt ard force in Colombia. Are you daring to openly accept my n? Aren't you afraid of protest from the Colombian Governnt?"
He steered the conversation towards Song Heping's school on purpose, which imdiately allowed Song Heping to grasp this old fox's intentions.
The incident in xico had caused a big stir.
As the largest anti-governnt ard force leader in Colombia, Marulan must have heard about it.
Avoiding this topic obviously ant he didn't want to get involved in the ss.
After all, for anti-governnt ard forces like his, drug trafficking was only a part of their inco, and they had already established stable cooperation with xican drug traffickers over many years.
Now, a change in the wind?
Of course, he was resistant to that.
Song Heping didn't imdiately answer Marulan's question.
Since the other party was playing slippery, he would let him hang for a bit.
He gave enough respect to those who respected him.
But to those who belittled him, he would definitely respond with contempt.
Moreover, although Marulan controlled the FARC, which was the largest anti-governnt ard organization in Colombia, they were still rely anti-governnt forces, not the legitimate governnt.
If he could help Morins take down the AUC, he could also collaborate with the governnt army to take down FARC.
Furthermore, his two fighter bombers and two utility helicopters were stationed near the Colombia border, ready to fly low into FARC territory and bomb them whenever required.
If war were to break out over this matter, it wasn't impossible to request funding from the CIA. After all, it's the Arican lords footing the bill, so what was there to fear?
He turned to look at Autoneil, who was seated in another chair across from him.
"Mr. Autoneil, are you interested in discussing a new partnership between us?"
Autoneil was a major Colombian drug lord.
His Gulf Gang was currently the largest drug trafficking group in the country, and of course, there was no relation to xico's Gulf Group, just a coincidence in the gang's na.
As an old hand, Autoneil could see through Marulan's thoughts at a glance.
Since the largest ard group hadn't given their nod, he had no need to get involved. So he smiled and said to Song Heping, "Many of my plantations are in the territory of FARC, so I look to Commander Marulan. If he's interested, I certainly am."
To say Marulan was an old fox, Autoneil was also a crafty one.
He had heard about Song Heping.
Although he was personally strong and well-supported, he had no need to provoke such a formidable enemy.
A person who could fight against the governnt army and also take down AUC was not to be trifled with.
No need to rile up Song Heping.
Why not just toss the bla to Marulan and have him take the fall?
Marulan did react as he heard, rolling his eyes and quickly shooting a glance at Autoneil, cursing internally at this sly old fox!
Autoneil slightly sent him a smile, almost as if etching "I highly respect you" onto his own forehead.
Seeing how these two played good-cop-bad-cop and tai chi right in front of him at the start, Song Heping sneered inwardly.
Both of you are millennium-old foxes, what ghost stories are you playing at!
"Alright, it seems both of you are aware of my intentions and reasons for coming today. As such, let's be honest here, I'll lay my cards on the table."
Song Heping went straight to the point: "From now on, in your controlled areas, I'll take all the goods. I'm in charge of sales. After partnering with , cut off all trade deals with other xican traffickers. I guarantee your sales and profits won't be any less than before."
"Of course, you can disagree, but this won't only affect my arrangents in xico, it will also touch upon the interest of Arican intelligence agencies in xico. I think you both are smart enough to know how to choose."
"Are you threatening us?"
Autoneil's expression darkened.
Song Heping shook his head: "No, I'm simply stating the facts. The decision still lies in your hands."
Marulan, who was nearby, stayed quiet.
He looked from one to the other, his eyes hidden amongst dissatisfaction, twinkling with the cunningness of a seasoned sly dog.
Eventually, he suddenly asked Song Heping, "Song, are you an agent of the Aricans?"
"No."
Song Heping answered very certainly to this ard organization boss.
"I am the spokesperson of interests."
The air in the room froze.
Marulan was sowhat caught off guard.
He didn't expect Song Heping to negotiate so quickly.
And so directly.
Without any room for maneuvering.
He certainly could refuse.
This was his territory.
In Colombian land, the leadership of the FARC ard forces isn't even afraid of the governnt, why fear this young man in front of him?
But just like the last sentence Song Heping said.
He is just a spokesperson of interests.
Not an agent of the United States.
This he believed.
Otherwise, Song Heping wouldn't have helped Morins before, nor would he have assisted the ELN ard forces to rise to the position of Colombia's second-largest ard group.
Suddenly, his interest in Song Heping grew stronger.
He liked such a realistic fellow.
Dealing with this kind of person is simple and straightforward, only discussing interests.
If he were to oppose him...
Marulan weighed it in his mind.
Going through each point, there was not a single benefit.
"Can you really guarantee our profits and sales volu will not decline?"
"Of course, after all, this operation in xico is a contract between the Aricans and , and currently, the largest Sinoloa Group in xico and the most comprehensive drug trafficking and sales network are all under my control. What do you think?"
"Alright then."
Marulan stubbed out the cannabis cigarette in the ashtray and extended his hand to Song Heping.
"Pleasure doing business, Mr. Song!"
"Pleasure doing business!"
"Mr. Song, what about ?"
Autoneil also sensibly extended his hand.
"Pleasure doing business."
Half an hour later, when the group erged from the room and after saying their goodbyes got back into their cars, Song Heping picked up the phone and called Shorty.
"I'm returning to xico tomorrow. The flight lands at Monterrey Airport at seven in the evening, and I'll be taking a car back to Saltillo City, preparing for the handover procedures with the Balot Organization the day after tomorrow. Have soone pick up at the airport, and follow my instructions..."
"Ah? You're going to Monterrey?"
"Yes, why not? I'm not returning to xico City anymore."
"Alright, I'll take care of it."
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