"Song, you describe the situation here as so terrible, yet you just let those guys go?"
The cook rembered when Song Heping let Naxin and his few people go.
In his view, since the defense of the oil field was so difficult, why release the enemy's scouts and make it even harder for themselves?
The cook couldn't understand Song Heping's thinking.
Catch an enemy, just kill him, why all the twists and turns?
He couldn't comprehend the war thinking of Song Heping, an Easterner.
But he couldn't just ignore Song Heping's orders.
After all, before Song Heping ca to the "Musician" organization, he and White Bear were always hanging out in the Green Zone, begging for leftovers, so miserable they were almost ready to go back to their old jobs.
Song Heping was not only smart but also undoubtedly a bringer of good fortune.
Since he joined, they got a defense company, and in less than half a month, they made over five million US dollars, unimaginable in the past.
Despite bragging about making big plans, the cook knew it was all just talk, unsure if it could ever be achieved.
So, he had to listen to Song Heping.
His instincts told him that following Song Heping's words would lead to at on the table.
"Letting them go is to kill even more of them," said Song Heping. "Ever done fishing? When you fish, you also have to bait the spot. Without baiting, will any fish co? Naxin is from the Persian special forces unit. They suffered badly here last night, and I even humiliated him a bit.
I can guarantee they will co back within a week, and they won't just fire a few rounds and leave. They will have to fight us head-on, otherwise, how can they save face for the Persians?"
The cook said, "Are you sure they will co?"
"Isn't it even better if they don't co?" Song Heping countered.
The cook: "..."
Song Heping felt sowhat stifled as he and the cook couldn't discuss to a point of agreent.
The situation was now clear.
If it were a few months later, once the allied forces had completely taken control of Illiguo's situation, the Alliance Conference would surely deploy ICDC and ISF troops across the country to maintain order. Places like the Hassan Oil Field would definitely have troops stationed nearby.
By then, with a large number of troops nearby, they might stand a chance to hold the fort. Although the combat resolve of the ICDC troops was as reliable as ice cream under the sun, it was better than nothing.
The most pressing issue now was to hold out for these few months.
Especially to keep the contract.
Turner also said, Wood decided to hold a competition for the post.
The Hassan Oil Field in their hands and the Cook Oil Field controlled by Lars would compete. Whoever was more formidable would, after half a month, take over the security orders for both oil fields, unlike now where a defense company was responsible for one oil field.
If they won this competition...
That would be 1.8 million US dollars a month in security funds.
With this money, they could recruit more soldiers, expand the team, upgrade their current obsolete equipnt, and even eventually buy a helicopter.
In Song Heping's eyes, the Defense Company and the previous shop he ran with Old Demon were not much different.
It was all about securing a foothold, seeking business, acquiring initial capital, and then aiming for greater developnt.
Since he was in this line of work, Song Heping decided not to dwell on it any longer. He'd focus on making more money first. As for the fact that people in his ho country were asking about him, he'd deal with that later. If he couldn't return, then he wouldn't for the ti being.
He could wire money back to his brother and sister, much better than the ager savings from scrimping and saving in the past, where he would rather buy mineral water to save two yuan instead of treating himself to a bottle of cola.
His specialty was combat.
It was impossible to earn money with this skill in his ho country.
Here, it was legal, so why not do it?
Do it!
And do it the best!
Just like Blackwater International, a major defense company with tens of millions in profits each year, truly living the good life.
After lunch, he walked out of the warehouse and made his way to a high tower in the oil field, climbing up the stairs.
Once at the top, Song Heping sat on the scorching tal surface and surveyed the terrain, beginning to contemplate his strategy.
It was one of his habits.
Whenever he encountered a problem that he couldn't figure out, he would find a secluded spot and look at the surrounding landscape to calm his mind.
Often, tranquility could bring inspiration.
As he sat and watched, suddenly, brilliant ideas would spring up in his mind.
The satellite phone suddenly rang.
Song Heping looked at the number; it was Ferrari from the camp in the Green Zone.
He answered, "Ferrari, what do you need?"
"About the mortars, I've asked around," Ferrari said.
This was sothing that Song Heping had just assigned that morning.
He hadn't expected Ferrari to have an update so soon.
It seed it had been a very wise decision to recruit Ferrari as a cook.
"What's the situation? Is there any stock? And what about the prices?" Song Heping's current main concern was this issue.
"There are different models, from 60mm to 120mm calibers. The prices for Arican and Soviet ones vary, with the Soviet being cheaper and the Arican being too expensive. They are all from the AAFES company, and the price for a single cannon ranges from 2,000 to 20,000 US Dollars," Ferrari explained.
"The price..." Song Heping frowned and said, "is sowhat expensive."
"Expensive?" Ferrari said. "The mortar shells will cost you a fortune! The cheapest Soviet 60mm mortar rounds are 500 US Dollars each, and the Arican ones with guidance functions cost 10,000 US Dollars apiece. These arms dealers make more profit than bank robbers!
Especially those Soviet mortars, AAFES company gets them through military contacts from the previous governnt army's arsenal, and their purchase price is only one-tenth of the retail price. Hmph! I knew about these dirty dealings when I was at the United Security Council."
Shells are expendable items; three guns in a platoon firing five rounds in rapid succession ans 15 shells, aning that in less than a minute, 7,500 US Dollars would be consud.
Indeed, waging war is like burning money.
This kind of expenditure might not be much for a country, but for a small defense company like his, it was like cutting flesh.
900,000 US Dollars a month for security services seed like a lot.
But that was barely enough for 120 rounds of volley fire...
Damn it!
Song Heping cursed inwardly.
He had heard that the arms business was profitable, but he never realized it was to such an extent.
"Ferrari, you worked at the United Security Council before, right? Do you have connections to get firsthand supply?" Song Heping said, "We should save where we can, with the funds we have."
Ferrari said, "I'm not sure about that. Do you know who AAFES company is? They are a century-old military resource enterprise. Many retired high-ranking officers go to work as consultants for them—revolving doors, do you understand? They get millions in consulting fees a year without doing anything. What could a small company like ours offer to turn the wheel?"
"Indeed..."
Song Heping laughed at himself.
He had dared to dream such dreams.
The company had been established for less than a week.
And he was thinking about getting firsthand sources?
He thought too highly of himself.
AAFES company probably made purchases amounting to tens of millions of US Dollars at a ti; how much could he bring to the table?
He could co up with one million, but without long-term cooperation, who would pay attention to him?
"Alright, keep looking around and see if there's a way. If there's really no way, then buy three Soviet 120mm caliber mortars and 150 rounds of shells."
"Going big!" Ferrari said. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, three mortars and 150 standard rounds," Song Heping confird.
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