Chapter 21: Collecting Protection Fees

  P.S. Regarding the issue of too much information, I actually consulted many book friends a long time ago about this problem, and they all think that putting it in the main text makes it look more coherent.

  Somalia, many people actually only know that there are pirates, what else! In fact, Huali also doesn't know much, and going to the library can only find very little information. Most of the information is still seen online, in order to let everyone see a more real Somalia, so the main text will interspersed with some data. If there are book friends who have personally been to Somalia, please come and tell me, or if there are any mistakes, please point them out, Huali will correct them as soon as possible.

  Please go ahead with your original text. I will translate it into English language.

  Cheng Xi was the inevitable route for Li Ran and his group to return to their base, while the hotel in Bossaso's port location made it impossible for them to avoid each other on their way back. Given that they had to sneak around anyway, they might as well go and experience Somalia's underground society openly.

  For this decision, Li Lan did not think he was reckless, because he didn't want to retreat anymore. Destined to take the road of contending for power and influence, he also had no way to retreat. Because he feared that if he retreated, he would lose the courage to face more difficulties.

  This choice is also a test of Li Ran's courage to himself, he decided to walk out of the mediocre life for twenty years. He believes that as long as he can bravely face the challenges ahead, he can truly get rid of the shadow of his past.

  The decision has been made, but Li Ran still needs to prepare a bit.

  Having the courage to face it is one thing, but being fully prepared is another.

  With Ahmed's help, Li Lan put on a bulletproof vest and then wore a suit over it. Although it was very hot here, Li Lan had to endure it anyway.

  "Muhanmudi, you just stay in the hotel and wait for us to come back. If by tomorrow we still haven't returned, then you can go back alone." Li Ran said to Muhanmudi who had been silent all along, after adjusting her clothes.

  "This...", Muhanmu seemed to hesitate for a moment, after hearing Li Lan's words, as if he had made up his mind, said: "I'll go with you."

  "Haha!" Li Ran burst out laughing and walked out with a swing of her leg, General and Ahmed closely following behind her.

  At this time, thirty mobilized soldiers who were on guard outside were fully armed and waiting for Li Lan and others to get on the bus before departing.

  After leaving the hotel, Li Ran did not hesitate at all and got directly on the off-road vehicle. After everyone got on, the fleet slowly left the hotel.

  On the hotel floor, watching the departing convoy, Farrah was a little distracted. After a long time, he sighed and said: "They are all real soldiers, not ordinary people can have, Lava is going to be defeated. I really hope you're not a devil who came to Somalia to suck the blood of Somalis."

  Li Ran did not know Farah's thoughts, because since getting on the car, he had been listening to Muhammad introducing the basic situation of Lava.

  Muhammad said: "The city west we are going to is fifteen kilometers away from the hotel, that area is in the outskirts of Bossaso, because further west is Bossaso airport, so there is a bit of oil and water. Rawa had accumulated some wealth by engaging in piracy for several years, bought many weapons, and gathered an armed force in the chaotic city west. Through continuous integration, Bossaso city west is basically his territory. The government army of Bossaso also has no interest in competing with him for control because there are refugee camps everywhere, so they let him develop.

  He usually relies on extortion to get rich, if the refugees didn't have anything of value, he wouldn't let them go either. As for us herders, he only collects a certain amount of tolls from us every year and won't bother us at other times."

  "It's just like wool growing on a sheep's body. A little bit of collection can make a steady stream." said Li Lan.

  "Right!" Muhamed nodded, somewhat helplessly, and continued: "The current Bossaso is much better than before. A few years ago, this place was basically no different from Mogadishu now, with a few foreigners being killed every day. Many of them were because they refused to pay protection fees, which led to their downfall. Now those people dare not be so arrogant, although there are still frequent deaths, but very rarely targeting foreigners."

  "Didn't those countries react when their nationals were killed in the past?"

  "How can there be no response, but who can find the murderer? In the end, it's usually just a scapegoat to get by. The real murderer is never found." Muhanmudi said: "And this Rava, he doesn't play by the rules at all. If we refuse his request later, he won't take action against us on his own turf, but he'll keep causing trouble for us. And once we're out of his sphere of influence, it's not certain what will happen. Maybe there will be unknown bullets or human bombs, or maybe rocket missiles - Rava dares to use any means necessary. So this time, we need to be extra careful."

  "Hmm, I don't want to die here, at that time there won't even be anyone to collect the body." Li Lan nodded.

  The 15-kilometer journey will soon come to an end.

  As the convoy entered the west of the city, a modified armed pickup truck came to guide them. Under their leadership, the convoy quickly arrived at a building with a unique Islamic style. The round tower in the middle of the house is its representative, resembling a palm tree. Palm trees were once meritorious for conveying messages. In the early days of Islam, the top of the palm tree was both a high point for calling Muslim brothers to pray and a watchtower for observing infidels launching attacks.

  In the empty space in front of the building, many vehicles were parked, most of which were old pickup trucks. Nearly half of the pickup trucks had heavy machine guns mounted on their rear compartments. Many armed personnel holding old AK-47s were also scattered around.

  Li Lan's motorcade stopped in front of the building and waited until all the soldiers got off before she stepped out of the car door.

  Before Li Lan could take in the surroundings, a Somali man walked up with a big laugh and said in not very fluent English: "Mr. Li! Let me introduce myself first, my name is Lawa, I am the de facto controller of this area. I also have quite some influence in Bosaso, with my help, you will definitely be safe in Bosaso."

  He came very directly, without being invited in, and without any courtesy.

  Since you're being direct, Li Ran didn't beat around the bush either and replied: "I believe you're very omniscient, knowing my name even before we've met."

  "Haha, in Bossaso, I want to know what's going on, it's just a matter of minutes." Lava accepted Li Ran's "praise" without any modesty.

  "You're so capable and powerful, can you tell me why you invited me here? The sky is almost dark, I think I shouldn't stay any longer." Li Ran also put on a nonchalant attitude.

  "I like to be direct, let's put it that way! You know we Somalis are very poor, when people reach the end of their tether, they do some irrational things, and I'm here to help Mr. Li, drive away those irrational people. As for the price, it's very reasonable, $100,000," said Rawa.

  "You see, I already have a protective force by my side. I believe my safety is guaranteed." Ten million dollars, let alone Li Ran couldn't take it out, even if he could, he wouldn't give it to him, because through simple conversation, Lava's attitude of "I'm the boss and you're second" had already made Li Ran very unhappy.

  "Believe me, young man! Once you leave here, the price for the second talk won't be $100,000 anymore, but $1 million. One hundred thousand or one million, you choose." Rava still looked like he was smiling, seemingly not angry at all. However, the armed personnel around them had already begun to gather.

  The mobilized soldiers on Li Lan's side also opened the safety of their AK-47s and surrounded Li Lan.

  "What if I don't give either of them?" From the decision to come here, Li Ran had never thought about compromising, and she wouldn't compromise now.

  "Haha, since you won't give it to me, I won't force it. Believe me! You'll be a millionaire if you come down." Rava laughed and still didn't show any anger on his face. He gazed at the armed personnel surrounding Li Lan for a moment, then waved his hand at the surrounding armed personnel and said, "Disperse, don't scare our friend."

  "Since it's like this, can we leave now?" Li Lan said calmly after glancing around the situation.

  "You can leave anytime, you can even stay here if you want." Rava said.

  "No need to bother, let's go." Li Lan said, and directly sat back into the off-road vehicle.

  Others also got on one after another, and the fleet left in less than five minutes after arriving here.

  Watching the departing convoy, Lava's smile on his face gradually disappeared. He beckoned to an armed personnel: "Immediately investigate for me which force these people are from. They don't seem simple. Also, order as usual."

  Lava couldn't help but feel suspicious, as he found that the armed personnel brought by Li Lan didn't follow the rules and were all unfamiliar faces. According to past practices, these hired armed personnel would remain neutral, but now they had made things difficult for him.

  However, despite this, he still didn't give up. In his eyes, it was rare to encounter such a fat sheep once a year, and if he didn't slaughter it, it would be a waste.