King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Ambassador Steven's sycophantic drivel in the latter half went in one ear and out the other for Eric, but the first half made it clear that his goals had been achieved.

In fact, America's main strategic objectives in Iraq had been fulfilled. With the demise of old Sadaam, who clamored to uncouple oil and the US Dollar, every day spent in Iraq was a drain on American resources.

Their long-term military presence was to ensure the 'gold and silver' they obtained in exchange for troops, weaponry, the US Dollar, political support, oilfield shares, and 'democracy and freedom.'

But reality taught them that merely smashing a country and propping up a puppet government couldn't stabilize the situation nor allow for easy money-making.

What was needed there now was construction, employment for the locals; otherwise, the region would forever serve as a breeding ground for terrorists.

Iraq's oil production capacity had dropped to a dangerously low level, and even the Iraqi Government was growing impatient, leading to the withdrawal of the United State Army, followed by a series of lawsuits, including the high-profile case against Blackwater.

Against this backdrop, the Ambassador had the capacity to mobilize his connections to secure a low-cost contract for the oil fields to Hu Lang because leaving them idle was hemorrhaging money daily.

If sold off, as long as Joe Ga put in the effort and the Chinese were reliable, this deal could net a huge sum of capital.

According to Eric, these funds would be entirely converted into goods in China and pumped into the relatively void Iraqi market, rendering the political dividends that would stem from 'Princess Amina's humanitarian corridor' all too tempting.

The Iraqi Government would gain massive amounts of goods to stabilize civilian life and maybe even establish a suitable pricing system, whilst American oil corporations would secure substantial returns.

With the unstable political factor of old Sadaam out of the picture, oil was merely business.

This was a win-win transaction!

Once the Ambassador could broker this deal, he'd be able to enjoy Joe Ga's protection in good conscience and might even hitch a ride on the Princess's coattails to extend his political influence.

For an American to be favored in the Middle East was no easy feat. If he could pull it off, he'd gain countless opportunities, resources, wealth...

Seizing resources with a military force was no talent; extending American products into the market with charismatic charm—that was the Ambassador's duty.

Don't think too highly of the American Ambassador; in truth, they are but high-end trade representatives wielding power, who usually discuss business and occasionally engage in verbal political spats.

The fundamental job of the Ambassador should involve integrating resources, expanding markets, and fostering win-win cooperation.

Ambassadors from powerful nations can spit insults at the presidents of their host countries, but they're all business when it comes to making deals!

As the world's acknowledged superpower, American Ambassadors don't need much in the way of expertise.

Their habit, facing uncooperative governments, is to call the CIA and then try to subvert from within...

If you don't open your product and capital markets to me, I'll just find someone who will.

Ideology is their weapon, and many of those subjugated even hold it as sacred.

Many believe war is invasion, but in reality, they have no great demands for territory.

When most politicians are puppets, they can draw your blood as they wish without any responsibility!

That's when Ambassador Steven saw his chance, an opportunity for mutual gain!

After all, the link between the US Dollar and oil effectively ensured Iraq could never escape the grip of American capital.

And the American oil consortiums had already reaped sufficient dividends; it was time to harvest.

No form of reaping surpasses 'charity'!

At that moment, the Ambassador realized that Princess Amina's card was practically tailor-made for the Middle East.

Her identity, upbringing, democracy, freedom, women's rights, kindness, compassion, willingness to contribute, all these mainstream ideals of virtue, Princess Amina had them in spades!

She's an Ace—an Ace that's not much use in the hands of the ordinary, but with ample protection and support, it's a trump card that dominates everywhere it's played!

P·B's influence wasn't quite enough; the Ambassador felt he could stoke the fires a bit more!

Survive and return, then achieve great things!!!

As for 'revenge,' it could go on incessantly from dawn until dusk.

The life-and-death struggle against political adversaries is much crueler than most can imagine.

If you wish to physically eliminate me, you've set a dangerous precedent—there will be a bad ending, if not for you, then for me!!!

That's part of the unwritten rules!

............

Joe Ga listened to the conversation between Eric and Ambassador Steven in the car, and when he heard the Ambassador make up his mind, Joe Ga took the initiative to hang up the phone, as he was no longer interested in the rest of the content.

At that moment, Joe Ga admitted that Eric was more capable than he had imagined!

This guy had been guiding Ambassador Steven's thoughts all along, leading him to make the decision himself; it was a tremendous skill.

The most interesting part was that throughout their conversation, Ambassador Steven never once doubted Joe Ga's skin color.

With Eric's influence, the Ambassador automatically categorized Joe Ga as part of the capitalist class—wild capitalists with guns.

In today's world of globalization, capital bears no national allegiance; where there's interest, there's capital.

Business is business!!

At this point, Joe Ga's skin color was irrelevant!

The situation was better than Joe Ga had anticipated, with Eric playing a significant role in the success.

Joe Ga hadn't had an in-depth conversation with Old Chen yet, but just the intent alone had already gotten him enough chips, and the chances of success for the matter at hand were multiplying.

It was like that famous business story…

A poor kid ran to the president of JPMorgan Chase, saying he wanted to be the general manager because he was going to be Gates' son-in-law. After getting a similarly tentative response, he then ran to Gates saying he was the general manager of JPMorgan Chase, wanting his daughter…

Boss Joe was doing something similar, which involved wisdom, connections, strategy, negotiation, formality, human touch…

Then, a balloon that originally didn't exist was inflated bigger and bigger!

Such things were not uncommon in the financial market, but there were just too many swindlers there, and everyone thought they were the chosen ones who wouldn't end up as the last to be scammed. The game of passing the parcel always ended up with a mess.

To be like Boss Joe, who plunged into the tangible and energy markets, and was able to enlarge the cake, was truly a rare breed.

Because truly capable people no longer bothered with this, why wrestle here when money comes quicker, more fiercely, and more easily in financial markets?

Capable people could even make a bike do tricks…

That's the typical mindset of financial capital. Financial capital knows no borders; people are just following the capital's greed!

I don't even want a face, I just want money. This is the true nature of financial capital!

There was someone who always said 'there are no good people in the finance circle,' and played reverse psychology.

He ran classes to curse the financial circle, talking about various financial traps, and in the end, attracted a bunch of fans who he swindled out of several billion and then ran off.

His rants were on point and heartfelt, but unfortunately, those who attended the classes just didn't take it in.

Boss Joe wasn't like that. He was enjoying the thrill of creation!

The value of life can sometimes be tricky to gauge. Joe Ga didn't specifically know how far he would go, but he was certain he was enjoying his current state immensely.

Every step benefited many others, every step expanded his influence, every step made him feel good about being a good person, and each step brought him huge profits…

Perhaps because his starting point in life was so low, Joe Ga felt with every step he took that he was winning. Such pleasure could be addictive!

The convoy sped along the highway, and all the militiamen, thugs, and even terrorists they encountered consciously made way for them.

The fighting around Benghazi had spread over a large area, and the National Army's decline gave people who usually had a hard life a glimpse of opportunity. They started to take up arms and went out, targeting anything of value.

But P·B's convoy looked too fierce, and the heavy machine guns mounted on the roofs made everyone feel that any contact would tear them to shreds.

Might makes right; that was the norm in Liberia!

For the roughly 30 kilometers, it took the convoy about 40 minutes to arrive.

As the convoy passed a sign marked in both Chinese and Arab, Joe Ga signaled for the convoy to slow down and then made a call to Old Chen…

Five minutes later, the convoy turned onto a relatively smooth dirt road and soon saw P·B's soldiers.

Following Xiao Hei's guidance, the convoy entered an area fenced with wire mesh and stopped on an open space.

Old Chen, full name Chen Daorong, was in his early fifties, slightly overweight, and had a very amiable smile when he laughed.

He actually knew Joe Ga; back in the day, his daughter would bring Joe Ga home every other day to fix appliances for a clear purpose.

He didn't stop her at the time because he thought Joe Ga was a good young man.

Now, Old Chen realized he had underestimated Joe Ga...

Watching a group of normally silent but very professional Xiao Heis rapidly assemble, coming to attention, and saluting crisply when Joe Ga got out of the car...

Old Chen shared a look with AVIC's Li Weiguo beside him, then said with a smile, "How about that? Interesting fellow, isn't he, my young friend?"

Li Weiguo, tasked with an urgent and heavy responsibility, wasn't in the mood for jokes with Old Chen. Watching the tall, strong and fully-armed Joe Ga, who looked like he stepped out of a movie, he sighed and said, "It's the private bosses who are willing to spend money. The outfit alone costs hundreds of thousands of dollars; it looks formidable, and the fighting capability must be top-notch..."

As Li Weiguo watched Joe Ga holding Uncle Qing's hand and talking incessantly, he was just about to praise him for being sentimental when he noticed foreigners getting out of the Coaster and the Mercedes nearby, and curiously said, "What's up with this group of foreigners?

My God, it's America's Ambassador Christopher Steven, wasn't he trapped in Benghazi? How come he is in the convoy as well?

What's the plan here, evacuating with America's ambassador together?"

Joe Ga reassured a slightly panicked Uncle Qing, promising to safely take him and his workers back, then turned to Old Chen and Old Li, who were exchanging puzzled glances, and laughed, "Don't mind it, the guy is just a commission I picked up on the way...

I figured, why not let the American ambassador experience our country's grandeur?

And also, a person of his status can be useful as a shield if push comes to shove, don't you think? Haha..."

Old Chen was a bit lost by the act Joe Ga put on, rubbing his hands and saying, "What should we do? We don't know anything about diplomatic protocols. Let's not make a faux pas and look bad."

Joe Ga was amused by Old Chen's concern and laughed, "Just give me face and treat him like a person.

The vehicles are theirs, but whatever treatment the workers get, that's what he gets.

Or just treat him like a refugee, prioritize our own people first, and let him see for himself how we do things!"

Upon hearing this, Old Chen smiled at Joe Ga and said, "Boss Joe keeps saying 'our', 'our'; do you have something good in mind for me, Old Chen?

You left in such a hurry that year; my girl missed you so much that she couldn't think of tea or rice for a long time. How about you video call her?

I'm telling you, my girl has slimmed down a lot and has become very pretty..."