Chapter Eighteen: The Executioner

  After Muhammad had completed all the formalities, Li Lan led General Ahmad into the hotel, while the other soldiers stood guard around the hotel.

  However, they did not immediately go to their room, but instead accepted the hotel owner's invitation and came to a very spacious living room.

  In the corridor leading to the living room, two white men in suits came face to face, but apart from sizing each other up, there was no conversation between them.

  After entering the living room, Li Lan was visibly stunned for a moment. He came to Bosaso and had too many new impressions. The decorations here were filled with European-style furniture and decoration styles everywhere, making him feel very uncommon.

  Luxury, this is the first feeling, noble, this is the second feeling. Although Li Lan was just an ordinary office worker before owning a base, it doesn't mean he's a person without vision. From his fluent English, it can also be seen that he's not a person who settles for mediocrity.

  "The exquisite wooden craftsmanship combines traditional techniques with modern advanced technology, its most distinctive feature is the clever use of golden ratio. The owner here is someone who knows how to enjoy life, and from the layout, also a meticulous person." By observing a small part, Li Lan quickly drew her own conclusion about the hotel's owner.

  "I'm a rough man, I don't understand these things, but this boss is also a patriotic person." Although Muhanmudi didn't know much about the hotel's boss, as long as he knew that the other was also a patriotic person, it was enough.

  "Oh, you knew him before?" Li Lan asked.

  "It can be said that there was a transaction! The weapons you had me sell on consignment before, I actually sold to him, and we're not even friends. This time he knew you were coming and specially entrusted me with the message that he wants to meet you." Muhanmu nodded.

  "It's like this, but the host seems to be lacking in courtesy. Our guests have all arrived, yet he is nowhere to be seen. Doesn't this seem to go against the Somali way of treating guests?" Li Lan didn't sit down by herself, instead she slowly walked around observing the furniture while speaking.

  "I'm extremely sorry, friends from the East, please accept my apology." Just as Li Lan's voice fell, a bright and clear voice came from behind her. The accurate English pronunciation made it sound effortless to Li Lan.

  When she saw the newcomer, Li Ran wouldn't go to judge, the first feeling that this person gave Li Ran was that he was very straightforward and not the kind of person who would beat around the bush.

  "Are you the owner of this hotel?" asked Li Ran with a smile.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, please take a seat. I'll serve tea! Bring out the precious tea leaves I've been keeping." The visitor didn't immediately respond to Li Lan's question, but instead politely gestured to the luxurious sofa on the side, inviting Li Lan and others to sit down, then shouted towards the door.

  Li Ran and Muhanmudi sat down generously, while Ahmad stood behind Li Ran, and the great general who had been following him all the time squatted beside Li Ran.

  As Ahmed didn't sit down or say anything, he introduced himself: "My name is Farah Adileh, you can call me Farah, a native of Bossaso. What should I call this guest from the East?"

  "Hello Mr. Farah, I'm Li Lan, as you know, I come from the distant China." Li Lan also didn't lose his politeness, and the other party seemed to have no malice either, so he would naturally treat him with friendliness too.

  "Mr. Li, may I address you as such?" Farah asked.

  "Mr. Farah, names are originally taken to be called by people, whether it's Mr. Li or directly calling me Li Lan, both are fine. I won't mind." said Li Lan.

  "It's always right to be polite," Farrah said, "at least that way you won't stir up unnecessary misunderstandings."

  "Hehe! Then I'll just follow your lead." Li Lan nodded.

  "I'm really curious, where did Mr. Li hire his bodyguard from? He looks so serious and confident, not simple at all!" Farah asked, looking at Ahmad who was standing behind Li Lan like a sharp spear.

  From Farah's few words, Li Lan understood that Mohammadi had not told this person about his situation, and this person did not understand his situation, possibly only knowing that he existed.

  "They are all my bodyguards, and do not belong to any force." Li Lan had no intention of hiding it, and guarding a lie that could be exposed at any time was not as good as saying it openly.

  Farah was taken aback at first, but quickly reacted and said: "Mr. Li is really young and promising."

  "Mr. Farah is not simple either, although you and I don't know each other, but you are the one who has contacted Somalis in Somalia and speaks English the best." Li Lan replied.

  At this time a hotel service staff member came in with tea leaves and boiling water, and when leaving, also casually closed the door.

  "I've lived in the UK since I was a kid, so speaking English accurately isn't anything strange. Compared to Mr. Li's achievements, my humble accomplishments aren't even worth mentioning." Farah said while tidying up the tea set.

  "Have you been to China?" The scene in front of him, Li Lan really had too many questions, because the way he brewed tea was exactly the same as the Chinese brewing method, and even the teacups had Simplified Chinese characters printed on them.

  "After a few days." Farah said with emotion while concentrating on making tea: "China is a beautiful place, whether it's the natural scenery or the cityscape, it makes me want to settle there permanently."

  "Why didn't you settle down then?" Muhanmadi, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but speak up after hearing Farah's words.

  "The Quran says: You should seek knowledge, even if it takes you to China." Farah then quoted a Quranic proverb and continued: "Acquiring knowledge is not just for the benefit of oneself, but also for the people around. So I sold all my foreign assets and returned to my birthplace, Bossaso, with my own faith and power, to change this place."

  "You are a great Muslim, forgive me for the previous question." Muhanmadi nodded in agreement and also apologized to Farah.

  "You don't have to apologize, actually I can feel it, you are also a real Somali, otherwise I wouldn't let you sit with me." Farah's attitude towards Mohamoudi was not bad and there were no signs of discomfort.

  "Now, taste this tea I brought back from distant China. Perhaps Mr. Li is already accustomed to drinking it, but it's a rare commodity in Somalia."

  "Thank you!" Li Lan did not refuse.

  "We yearn to change things here, but with our own strength alone, we are tiny and insignificant in the face of Somalia's overwhelming problems." Farah took a small sip of tea before continuing thoughtfully: "At the same time, we also yearn for outside forces to bring about change. We need international recognition and someone to convey the situation here to the outside world."

  Li Ran didn't say a word, the other party invited himself, obviously with an ulterior motive. Although he doesn't feel any malice now, he won't take the initiative to express anything before the other party states their purpose.

  "Alas!" Farah sighed, introducing slowly: "What Somalia needs most is not weapons. It's not that bringing countless weapons can change Somalia. On the contrary, a Somalia with widespread guns is even more unfavorable to Somalia's peaceful development. Even if more weapons are only for self-defense, after all, they are used for killing since their birth."

  We need real support. Medicine, technology, food. Diseases are tormenting us Somalis, on average out of every four children, only 2-3 manage to grow up, and at least one dies from disease."

  "As far as I know, many international organizations provide a lot of medical supplies and food to Somalia every year." Li Lan thought for a moment before saying.

  "Yes, that's true. We also have to thank these organizations. If it weren't for their help, Somalia's population would probably be only two-thirds of what it is now. Every year's drought takes the lives of many people."

  There's a very cold question, what is the most in Somalia? I would answer, it's not guns, nor pirates, but refugees. You may not see many refugee camps in Bosaso, but outside of Bosaso, other cities are filled with refugee camps everywhere. In Somalia, half of the population needs assistance. In other words, out of 5 million Somalis here, they are always facing the threat of hunger.

  "If disease is a butcher's knife, then famine is the executioner."