King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Lenore, as the mayor of Sangha Town, had invited a bunch of educated second-generation tribespeople to form a negotiation team, which had been wrangling with the French trade delegation for quite some time.

In fact, both sides were aware that until Boss Joe formally nodded his approval, the negotiations on the surface were merely a formality.

The process of negotiations was basically one where you ask for the sky, I spray you with a 'wishful thinking' then storm off, and we start over the next day.

This time it's my turn to present an outrageous proposal, and then you mock me with a few 'out of your mind' before walking out in protest, and after we've eaten and drunk our fill, someone sends a message to talk, and we all sit down to continue the discussion.

These second-generation students may be good for nothing, but they did have one advantage — Africa's brothers were not at all afraid of France.

There is a strange phenomenon among these brothers; they never consider the advanced, democratic France as their spiritual homeland, even if some of them hold French passports.

After nearly half a month of this tug-of-war, Lenore gradually started showing her 'sincerity,' laying out the industrial projects planned by Boss Joe and truly adopting an attitude to attract investment.

During this prolonged period, the patience of the French trade delegation had worn thin.

If Sangha Town wouldn't budge on the core industries, they had to work harder on the supporting industries.

Boss Joe, deeply understanding the mindset of "Africa Daddy," offered key support facility projects that would certainly meet the 'influence' requirements.

Energy projects, wastewater treatment projects, telecommunications projects, water conservation projects, highway infrastructure projects...

All of these had tremendous influence, and as long as cooperation could be reached with the local government, they would be of great long-term benefit.

In fear of scaring away France, Joe Ga even added a few mineral resource sites near Benghazi as a sweetener.

Big projects came with a buy one, get one free offer, ensuring you wouldn't leave empty-handed!

Only when Sangha Town put their cards on the table did the negotiations enter the actual bargaining phase.

Anyone sensible knew that while these projects were called civil projects, on a larger scale they could also be related to national security, so it was impossible to give all the shares to the French.

The local government participating with land as its investment, how much of a stake they could hold, how much management authority they could obtain, and how long it would take for these projects to officially start — these were the real cores of the negotiations.

Both parties were holding firm, but Lenore knew that the French were waiting for Boss Joe to 'offer concessions.' P·B had to adjust its attitude and show more sincerity for these 'bad deals' to finally be concluded.

Lenore didn't know what kind of 'sincerity' France wanted, but she was aware that ever since the Chinese ambassador came to Sangha Town, and then the American ambassador was brought in by Boss Joe, the attitude of the French had begun to soften.

'Ghost' had been captured for a week now, and the interrogators from outside had not disclosed any progress. Lenore had hit several roadblocks at the outsiders' camp previously, but as soon as Boss Joe returned, the outsiders promptly delivered the confessions.

Lenore realized this was France signaling to Boss Joe, but she just couldn't understand — Joe Ga had already drawn the negotiation's bottom line, and although she hadn't revealed it yet, the French could also guess a bit.

Now Colonel Kongde from the outsiders was holding onto the people of 'Ghost' and wouldn't hand them over, strongly implying that only with Boss Joe's personal appearance might there be a chance of release.

Lenore understood the French wanted to force Boss Joe to step in, but she didn't understand what exactly they wanted.

From her many days of dealing with the French, Lenore was certain that France wanted more than just Central Africa's meager offerings.

Baffled, Lenore wanted to ask Boss Joe for clarification when she discovered that the boss had 'disappeared.'

President Francois and Ambassador Steven, however, were unusually active.

The Chinese ambassador had returned to Bangui for work but had left behind a gift valued at 80 million.

While Francois was promoting this, American Ambassador Steven welcomed a survey team that had flown in from South Africa and publicly announced a thorough exploration of Central Africa's oil and gas resources, and if possible, ExxonMobil would enter the energy industry in Central Africa...

Meanwhile, news came from Liberia that the Devil Bird had once again launched an excessive bombardment on Tubruq, precise air-to-ground missiles making life miserable for Qaeda members, and a refugee crisis began to emerge in Tubruq.

P·B then set up a humanitarian corridor between Tubruq and Byrdi.

Every five kilometers there was a supply point, where refugees' identities were registered while they were provided with food, drinking water, and clothing, and soldiers were always patrolling the route, escorting those escaping Tubruq to Byrdi for temporary shelter.

Haftar of the National Army immediately delivered a speech, highly praising P·B's actions and commending the role of England, France, and America in the war.

Lenore wasn't sure if it was just her impression, but the French seemed to be getting restless, and the previously casual pace of negotiations had picked up.

It wasn't until the French and Sangha Town finalized a major wastewater treatment project that Boss Joe appeared in Sangha Town, with his first stop being to visit the 'arduously fighting' soldiers from the outsiders.

Lenore rushed to the entrance of the outsiders' camp as soon as she received the news, but she wasn't permitted entry and could only sit stupidly in her car waiting.

Several hours later, Lenore saw Joe Ga's official car driving out from the camp. She got out of her car and ran over to stop Boss Joe's vehicle, opened the door, and got in, her first words were...

"Boss, how did you manage to do it?"

Joe Ga was taken aback, looked back at the cars following, then said with a smile, "I just went in and had a chat with the people from the outsiders, and they were very accommodating, immediately handing over 'Ghost's people to me."

Upon hearing this, Lenore shook her head and said, "Boss, I'm not talking about this, but about the negotiation...

The French have given in, but why did they do that?

"Did you do something? I need to know some inside information, or else I..."

"Or else what?"

Joe Ga smiled at the black woman elite, saying, "I've given you the bottom line. What you should do is argue your case and try to finish the negotiation above that line, not come asking me questions."

Upon hearing this, Lenore said aggrievedly, "But if I don't know anything, I can't fight for anything..."

Joe Ga shook his head with a wry smile, gesturing and saying, "Some things, even if you knew them, you wouldn't be able to use them because those are not matters that can be discussed openly on the table.

Do your job well, and I'll be responsible for providing as much leverage as possible for Sangha Town's 'unreasonable demands.'"

Lenore was the kind of person who truly had ambition. She clung to Boss Qiao's arm, pleadingly saying, "Boss, I need to know what exactly happened?

I know China's infrastructure projects have put pressure on France, and they also provided us with bargaining chips for a tug-of-war.

I know Ambassador Steven has been giving the French Energy Group a hard time, seeming to possibly push up the value of the oil and gas projects.

But these are not enough to make the French concede!

Boss, they signed a contract with us for a sewage treatment project yesterday, and we got a great deal.

It doesn't make sense!

There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world, they must want something, I need to be prepared mentally."

Joe Ga nodded slightly after listening and then said, "The French want me to compromise!"

"Compromise what?"

After thinking for a moment, Joe Ga said with a smile, "They want me to send Ambassador Steven packing.

It's not because he's causing trouble for the Energy Group, but because the Devil Bird's progress in Liberia is going smoothly.

If Steven isn't sent packing soon, France's influence over the National Army will be overtaken by America and the UK.

You should listen again to Haftar's speech. He expressed appreciation for P·B's actions but thanked America, England, and France in that order, which is hurtful to the French since they have provided the most support to the National Army but received the least influence in return.

If this situation continues and Tubruq is taken down at a low cost, with the refinery and port back in operation, the huge profits once formed may cause America to waver in its internal energy strategy once again.

So Ambassador Steven must go, and the sooner, the better. Otherwise, once the British mix in, France's interests in Liberia will be severely damaged."

As he spoke, Joe Ga looked at Lenore, who appeared bewildered, and said with a smile, "See, you still can't grasp it even after I explained; all you need to understand is that Devil Bird's progress in Liberia is affecting France's interests.

Compared to Liberia, Central Africa is insignificant!"

Looking incredulously at Joe Ga like one would at a deity, Lenore said, "So, Boss, you brought Ambassador Steven to Central Africa already anticipating these developments?"

Joe Ga shook his head frankly and said, "Not really, at least I didn't expect your boss's wife to be so ruthless.

Those missiles were all paid by me, 24 cluster missiles for $48 million at the outset, 120 Blue Sword 7 missiles still cost $5 million after a discount, and yesterday they launched another 120 Blue Sword 7..."

Speaking of this, Joe Ga painfully rubbed his temples and said, "In the past week, your boss's wife, amidst a storm of criticism, has spent $58 million in Liberia, and she's planning to invest another $5 million tomorrow...

You go and negotiate with confidence, I reckon the harder the Devil Bird hits, the faster the French will progress in the talks.

Anyway, as long as the French take over those projects and ensure they are grounded, their strategic goals will have been achieved.

When you encounter a problem, hint that Ambassador Steven will leave Africa as soon as the negotiations end."

After hearing this, Lenore said with a bit of insecurity, "Boss, are you really not going to intervene?"

Joe Ga shook his head with a wry smile and said, "If I don't intervene, that gives you more room to maneuver.

Remember, you're representing Sangha Town and even the Central African Government; you handle the issues on the surface, I'll deal with the ones beneath it."

As he spoke, Joe Ga looked at Lenore, who suddenly understood, and said with a smile, "You get off here at the front..."

"I'm going to Congo tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow, you're responsible for releasing 'Ghost''s confession to the media.

Ambassador Steven will hold a press conference to denounce those mining companies that fund mercenaries, and then his mission will be over.

I borrowed a private plane from a friend in Dubai; when the time comes, you announce Ambassador Steven's itinerary.

Don't worry, you'll win!

This time it really isn't my credit, it's all thanks to Devil Bird!"