Honestly speaking, Jiang Chen did not care about the goddamn place known as Kane. He only wanted to buy some experienced soldiers and train a mercenary force loyal to him to complete his “island capture” plan. But at the moment, he was tricked by the dumbass Robert’s information, Markanov’s hidden identity made the situation much more complicated.
Because of the KGB agents, as well as the Willie Society agents going head to head, he was forced into this hidden conflict.
The fortunate part was, all these problems were resolved.
Whatever conspiracy the Willie society had, KGB can worry about it.
He walked with Markanov’ along the 92nd mechanized infantry base as the two chatted together.
Nick followed behind them because Markanov’s English was not too bad, so he didn’t even need to translate. He just continued to walk along in his usual silence. As to Ayesha, Jiang Chen stationed her in the distance, just in case.
Although they were not in the most dangerous area, it was considered the frontline. The conditions here were quite harsh. The soldiers would usually sleep by the dug trench, the wooden boxes used to store ammo were used as tables, they sat around eating cold canned food, chewing black bread.
Seeing the soldiers’ living condition, it was not even comparable to the survivors in the Fishbone base. Jiang Chen had the illusion that he was too generous.
“There’s plenty of great guys here at the 92nd mechanized infantry. If you see anyone you like, let me know. I’ll chat with them. Of course, as long as he is not too dumb, he won’t reject the offer.” Markanov laughed.
Seeing the general finally coming to the front line to check them, a lot of the listless soldiers regained their focus and saluted when he walked by.
Seeing the soldiers, Jiang Chen was skeptical if they could actually defend against the civil force’s attack. But his face remained expressionless.
“Oh? If I take the aces from your force, are you not going to get a heartache?” Jiang Chen half-jokingly said.
The man has a pointed nose and sharp sight, with a faint scar the side of his face. He looked like he had a fit physique. At a glance, Jiang Chen couldn’t relate him to a corrupt official that sold national assets.
He was also the confidant of the new president.
“What’s there to have a heartache about?” Markanov shrugged and laughed. “What if you give me 100 aces, would they beat the “volunteers” from Russia? The outcome of the war never swayed towards us from the beginning. Let’s not talk about that. Let’s speak of something more practical. My own salary has been held back for a few months already. If I don’t sell equipment, how would I pay the people under me?”
He didn’t say anything. The gold worth one million USD was enough for him to spend the rest of his life comfortably in any country. So what if he is a confidant of Poroshenko? He had too many confidants. This guy didn’t care about being alive or dead. Once he has the money, he doesn’t care about what this god forbidden place would turn into.
Jiang Chen didn’t respond.
Before he came, he already came to an agreement with Willie society.
He would leave Kane within three days. The purpose of the trip was to hire some mercenaries as bodyguards. The deal was personal. Although he did have an undisclosed organization behind him, they had no intention of stepping into Kane’s mess.
The sniper he captured would be returned after he safely leaves the country. If something unexpected happened to him in the next three days, the sniper’s location would automatically be sent to Russia. The hostage would be transferred to the Russian side.
Vasily didn’t know he was injected with truth-telling liquid. Willie society, therefore, wouldn’t know part of their information was already leaked to the Russian side. Therefore, there would still be value in the sniper.
Hence, to prevent anything unexpected from happening to Jiang Chen in the next three days, Willie society even sent a few agents to protect him, in case the KGB secretly want to cause interference. But clearly, they overcomplicated the situation as Jiang Chen already reached an agreement with KGB. Even if there were still agents following him from afar, they would not make a move.
“Other than soldiers, do you need a tank? AT-64. I’ll sell it to you for one million USD.”
“Tank? Where would I even put that?” Jiang Chen jokingly cursed.
[You must be joking. You think I don’t know that that’s the historic remains from the Soviet? 400 T-64s lie in the tank graveyard at Kharkov with who knows how thick of dust covering them. It would be a miracle to find one that is still moving. Those things were scraps that even the steel factory wouldn’t want.]
He followed the trench to the empty ground. Markanov and a second in command looking person exchanged a few words in whispers. Then, he grabbed two chairs and sat with Jiang Chen, smiling.
The 92nd mechanized infantry soldiers were interviewed in groups, with Nick the veteran making the call. Jiang Chen only sat on the side, doing some simple verification. To prevent agents from other organizations, he would only need to use some truth-telling liquid to ask them a few questions later.
After around two hours, they finally finished the troublesome process.
Kane had no special forces, but there were still a few experienced soldiers with skills comparable to special forces mixed in. Mostly comprised of Khanstanese, they were natural warriors with superior individual combat ability.
Their equipment was taken off, and Jiang Chen took the group of soldiers already removed from the force to an abandoned warehouse two kilometers away. Jiang Chen signaled Nick to translate.
“I know you must have a lot of questions in mind, such as being forced to join the army and then somehow removed from the force,” Jiang Chen stood on top of a broken shipping container and yelled at the lost soldiers.
“You already shed enough blood for your home country. Regardless if it is still worthy of your allegiance, you all did an excellent job. Now, we should talk about something practical.”
“A ten-year work contract, and a salary of one hundred thousand USD a year. Fight for me, not the Poroshenko who can’t even pay you,” Jiang Chen said firmly as he scanned the eyes, filled with differing thoughts.
Like a rock thrown into the middle of a tranquil lake, the soldiers all began to discuss. Jiang Chen patiently waited for them to come up with a result. No matter who, the decision that would change their lives would make people unsettled and lost.
“How do we know you are telling the truth? People in Veit tricked us to the front line, and we had a pity 1500 hryvnia last month. We didn’t even get paid anything this month.”
“So what’s your plan?” Jiang Chen spoke calmly.
“Leave here, to Poland, since my name is already removed. Thank god,” the soldier said without hesitation.
“If you see these things, do you still have the same plan?” Jiang Chen shrugged and signaled Nick to take out the suitcase.
The suitcase opened.
Filled with stacks of USD bills. Instantly, everyone held their breath.
“This is private work. You fight for me, and I’ll pay your salary. Poland? You become a refugee without dignity in another country. Utilize your only strength with me. Work for ten years, take your saving and enjoy the rest of your life in any country. The opportunity is right in front you, and the door is behind you. To stay or to leave, you guys can decide.” After saying this, Jiang Chen patiently looked at them and stopped saying anything.
Ten years! One million?!
Not even one million, they haven’t even you seen ten thousand Franklins stacked together.
The soldiers erupted, but no one wanted to leave. They were still skeptical of Jiang Chen’s generous offer.
“Can I ask a question?” Finally, a middle-aged man with a rigid face stepped out and tried to ask a question.
“Of course,” Jiang Chen examined the person and said nonchalantly.
“My name is Ivan,” Ivan courteously stated his name, then said with a firm tone, “Before accepting your offer, can we know where we will be serving?”
“Africa, training mercenaries for me,” Jiang Chen answered straightforwardly.
When they heard that they were not being dragged to an unstable area as cannon fodder, they looked more relieved.
Even with a lot of money, they had to be alive to spend it.
“Another question. How are you planning to pay our salary? A lot of us have family here-”
Jiang Chen interrupted him as he waved his hand in dominating fashion, “Cash, transfer, whatever you want. Paid every half a year. I only have one requirement. Your contribution must be worthy of your salary. The conditions I gave must be met.”
He paused, Jiang Chen scanned these people, and then continued, “I know a lot of you have a family. You can choose to move them to the family area at the base, or you can opt to leave them here, or whatever. I’ll prepay ten thousand in salary. I want all of you to show up at Boris Boer International Airport three days later. If someone runs away with this ten thousand USD-”
Said in a cheerful voice, “Then wouldn’t that be embarrassing for me? The remaining nine hundred thousand USD will be the bounty for your head.”
When Nick explained Jiang Chen’s last words, everyone gasped.
Not because of the threat, but rather the Eastern boss was willing first to pay them ten thousand for their families?
He could not be more compassionate!
With such a genuine offer, who would leave? If someone did, they definitely had their head kicked before.
Seeing no one posed any objections, Jiang Chen indicated to Nick to take out the contract. Once they signed, they could receive ten thousand USD in cash as money for family accommodation.
After everything was taken care of, Jiang Chen immediately dismissed them.
“You are quite generous.” Nick smiled, as he gave the suitcase with nine hundred thousand USD back to Jiang Chen.
“Haha. Are you interested in working for me? I’ll give you one million in salary.” Jiang Chen laughed.
Nick shook his head.
Jiang Chen expected his response, that was a joke.
“Although Robert’s head is pretty abnormal, he has his ways of looking after people,” Jiang Chen passed him a cigarette and jokingly cursed.
Nick grabbed the cigarette as he lit it up.
“Are you not smoking?” He raised his eyebrows and blew a ring.
“Here and there, but rarely now.” Jiang Chen shook his head, touched his ear, and alerted Ayesha, “Mission complete, come back.”
“Okay.”
After being injected with the genetic vaccine, he was no longer addicted to smoking. The powerful metabolic process meant that the toxins built up in his body would be eliminated through his digestive system. Precisely speaking, even if he constantly smoked, it would not affect his health.
He could smoke freely now, but there was no reason anymore, so naturally, he stopped.
Before it was a way to alleviate stress, but now, life seemed to be good?
Just a bit busy.
“What’s next? What are you planning to do for the next three days?” Nick asked casually.
He laughed, as Jiang Chen took out a stash of bills and stuffed them into his hands.
“This is your bonus. Finally came out of the country, how could I not enjoy myself?”
Nick cracked a smile as he didn’t reject the money. Then he looked at the slim figure walking through the door.
Black cape, while holding a sniper rifle. It looked comical against her size.
“Spend time with your girl?” Nick mocked him.
“Mhmm.” A rare softness appeared on Jiang Chen’s face as he looked at Ayesha in the distance. “Time to make it up to her.”