Volume 1: The Fierce Tiger Leaves Its Leash Chapter 27: Before the Rain Comes (Part 2)

  Zhou Guohui helped Huang Longfei flip through the file to the last few pages and pointed out a title on it.

  "Take a closer look at this." Zhou Guohui leaned back on the sofa. "The US is making excuses for itself. Do you know about Sandline company?"

  Huang Longfei thought quickly and then shook his head. In all the international companies he was familiar with, there wasn't one like that.

  "This is a private defense contracting company founded by mercenaries. Ten years ago, it was involved in a scandal in Papua New Guinea."

  "Are you referring to the incident where the Papua New Guinea government hired mercenaries to take over a copper mine?" Huang Longfei immediately reacted. At that time, the rebels occupied an extremely important copper mine, and the Papua New Guinea government invested $36 million to ask Sandline to send troops to take down the copper mine. As a result, the incident was exposed, and the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea resigned, and this matter is still being widely discussed.

  "Yes, later South Africa joined the international anti-mercenary legislation, and Sandline transformed into a private defense contractor, but in essence, it was still a mercenary army. Zhou Guohui sneered, "The US government provided assistance to the Afghan resistance organization through Sandline Company, while Blackwater, also known as 'Blackwater' company, acted as an intermediary. Blackwater obtained funding from the US government under the guise of defense contracts and handed it over to Sandline to purchase weapons and ammunition, which were then transported to Afghanistan via Pakistan. The resistance organization exchanged these weapons and ammunition for drugs, mainly heroin, and cultural relics. Sandline Company sold the drugs and cultural relics on the international black market, laundered the money through a series of financial means, and paid part of it to Blackwater Company to purchase the next batch of weapons and ammunition, while most of it went into Sandline's pockets as commission."

  "This is a deal that benefits all four parties." Huang Longfei's eyes were very accurate, and after listening to Zhou Guohui finish speaking, he immediately discovered the sinister relationship within.

  "Yes, in this way, all four parties involved in the transaction have benefited. Most importantly, the Afghan resistance organization has obtained sufficient weapons and ammunition to continue fighting, and the US military also has a reason to stay in Afghanistan. Of course, the US government provided the first start-up funding, and it was paid to Blackwater company through a formal defense contracting contract, so even if there is a problem, it will only be traced back to Blackwater company, and will not implicate the US government."

  "Is this an arrangement of the US government?" Huang Longfei was still thinking, if he got involved in such a scandal, then the US military would necessarily withdraw from Afghanistan, and the risk was still not small.

  "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. After all, the Afghan war has provided at least $50 billion in annual income for America's arms dealers; with such a large interest group, perhaps there is no need for the US government to take action."

  Huang Longfei nodded slightly, and it made more sense for the military-industrial complex to plan and promote such a secret transaction. This way, the US government could completely stay out of it.

  "The intelligence in your hand was snatched back by Tian Xiang from the US military." Zhou Guohui pointed to the document in Huang Longfei's hand, "This is just a part of it, and there are many more materials being processed."

  "So why not use these materials to force the US to withdraw?"

  "Is it that easy?" Zhou Guohui smiled wryly.

  Huang Longfei immediately understood that the whole thing had almost nothing to do with the US government, so it was impossible for this to be used as a handle to force the US to withdraw from Afghanistan.

  "In fact, you shouldn't blame Tian Xiang either. If it wasn't for his actions, we wouldn't have obtained such crucial intelligence. Moreover, Tian Xiang also saved his partner. Without his efforts, our operation would have completely failed, and Wei Daming, who fell into the hands of the US military, would have become evidence of our involvement in Afghanistan. The US would have used this as leverage against us. It can be said that from start to finish, Tian Xiang knew what he was doing and what he should do. He remained calm and composed throughout, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to return alive from Afghanistan. Previously, I also blamed him, but thinking back now, if it wasn't for his efforts, we would already be in a very passive situation."

  "Big brother, you don't have to speak up for him." Huang Longfei couldn't help but smile. Although he didn't admit it out loud, after Zhou Guohui said that, Huang Longfei also realized that his son had indeed grown up and was much more mature than he thought. This might be what Huang Longfei wanted to see most. "Big brother, I think always being passive and just responding isn't a good solution."

  "I know what you're thinking. Actually, I've been considering this approach all along." Zhou Guohui saw right through Huang Longfei's thoughts at a glance.

  "Money is not a problem, I can provide the initial funding. And private defense contractors are regular companies, as long as the business expands later, they will be able to become self-sufficient, and if necessary, I will continue to provide support." Huang Longfei did not beat around the bush, "The main problem is that we need suitable personnel, especially combat personnel, which is something I cannot provide."

  "This is also the reason why I haven't told you about this matter all along." Zhou Guohui sighed, "Talent is more important than funds. Of course, if you're willing to invest, then the Republic can also adopt a detached identity and play along with the rules, so as not to get stained by the bloody smell."

  "So I'll have Minghan go investigate the 'Heishui' company's situation first, set up a framework, and when the time comes, as long as there are suitable personnel, it can be established immediately."

  "Alright." Zhou Guohui stood up with him. "First, let's get the preparations done well, and I'll hurry to help you find suitable candidates on my side."

  "I'll head back today then." Huang Longfei walked to the front of Zhou Guohui. "Big brother, I'll temporarily leave Tian Xiang with you for now. After your side's operation is over, I'll come pick him up again."

  "Aren't you going to say goodbye to Tian Xiang? Otherwise, I'll call him in and you two father and son..."

  "No need, Tianxiang is already a grown-up, he knows what to do and I also believe that he has the ability to judge his own behavior and make the right decisions. In the past, I controlled them too tightly, now I should give them more freedom, shouldn't I?"

  "You'd better come to your senses, and it would be even better if you could also come to your senses on the matter of your own marriage."

  The two brothers burst out laughing, Huang Longfei didn't take Zhou Guohui's words to heart. If it weren't for the adopted sons and daughters like Ling Tianxiang, he would have considered getting married. But now, he felt there was no need to consider this issue at all. With so many children already, he was more than satisfied.