While Blackwater International was in chaos due to a conflict with Kurd Armed Forces, in the living area of Hassan Oil Field, the cook prepared the finest food he could find to welcome Hunter home.
"Hunter! This bottle is to honor you!"
The cook had a high alcohol tolerance and started off with a bottle.
Looking at the more than half-full bottle of vodka in front of him, Hunter hesitated for a moment but then took it.
"I'll drink first as a toast!"
The cook threw his head back and began to guzzle down another bottle of vodka as if he was drinking mineral water.
Many Russians have a fondness for drinking, it's their tradition.
Without vodka, they'd even dare to drink pure alcohol.
They only drink with you if they respect you, and only if you can drink do they really look up to you.
Song Heping said to Hunter, "This is the initiation drink, you have to drink it."
After finishing the vodka, the cook slammed the bottle onto the ground, shattering it, and looked at Hunter, "Today, you proved yourself with strength, you're truly one of us now!"
Hunter, seeing this, didn't say much more and just grabbed the bottle to chug it, managing to finish the vodka in one go.
The cook laughed heartily and gave Hunter a hug, "In life and death together!"
Hunter was clearly influenced by the atmosphere as well, hugging the cook tightly and patting his back forcefully.
"In life and death together!"
After drinking, everyone burst into laughter together.
Grey Wolf was gnawing on a piece of lamb leg with a dagger stuck in it and said, "I can already imagine what the situation at Cook Oil Field is like for Lars and the others now. You think..."
He paused and swept his gaze over everyone, "Lars might be dead too?"
The question from Grey Wolf made everyone freeze for a moment.
Eventually, Song Heping shook his head, "I don't think it's that easy."
Hunter said, "When I left, I saw his men dragging him desperately towards the armored vehicle; one of his men took a bullet for him, I didn't see him get taken down."
"Forget it," said the cook, "Even if he doesn't die, he'll be skinned alive. Fighting with the Kurd Armed Forces, even Blackwater will have a headache."
In fact, the cook wasn't exaggerating.
Blackwater International does have military support, that's true.
But the Kurd Armed Forces are currently being courted by the Americans.
After all, given the current situation in Illiguo, the Americans need the support of all the local armed factions.
They overthrew Sadam, dissolved all the previous administrative bodies, and even disbanded the former military.
If they want to extract oil profits from Illiguo, they need a stable situation. Despite the strength of the US Army, if the entire Illiguo can't maintain a certain degree of stability, they can't secure more interests for their domestic companies here.
Therefore, someone will definitely have to take the blame tonight.
Song Heping sorted through his thoughts and then started making judgments, "I estimate that Lars and his men won't last half a month. The Kurd Armed Forces have suffered a big loss and will retaliate against them like crazy. By then, they'll definitely fall out with Black Water Company and even with the US Army, constantly attacking Cook Oil Field.
Our pressure will be significantly reduced for the time being. In half a month, Wood Company will surely cancel the contract with Blackwater International, and then we could secure the security orders for two oil fields."
"I'm not at all worried about the orders. After tonight's events, the cooperation between Blackwater and Wood Company is probably doomed. Wood Company isn't stupid, they hired Blackwater because of the company's big name and deep background in Illiguo.
If they get involved in these troubles, Wood is merely a businessman, he doesn't want trouble," the cook said, "I'm sure the contract will fall into our hands."
Upon finishing, he made a gesture with his hand.
"A contract of 1.8 million dollars a month, our company can expand now! Fantastic! This is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of before coming to Illiguo!"
Everyone couldn't help but laugh again.
Indeed.
So much money.
With only 8 core team members in the company currently, a monthly salary of $20,000 per person amounts to $160,000 in expenses. Even if another 100 local employees are hired, it would only add about an extra $100,000 a month in expenses. Discounting various miscellaneous costs, the company would profit at least between $1.3 and $1.5 million a month.
Even if only 10% is set aside as a commission salary, each individual could still get a bonus of over ten thousand dollars. With the core team members earning more than $30,000 each.
With the remainder flowing into the company's account, it would be managed by Ferrari, with a portion being distributed as dividends each quarter. After personal income averaging, the monthly income would probably reach $50,000 or even more...
Just thinking about these figures made everyone feel delighted.
For anyone, this is a substantial income.
Song Heping suddenly felt a bit regretful.
Previously, starting a sundries business here with Old Demon, he thought the income was quite good. But compared with running a defense company now, it's like heaven and earth, mosquitoes to cattle, not even on the same level.
People truly cannot earn beyond what they know.
I never knew running a defense company could be so lucrative.
Although it was a bit dangerous, Song Heping felt it was worthwhile whenever he thought of the income.
"I think everyone is perhaps celebrating too early,"
Queen Julia reminded everyone.
"Even if we secure the contract for Cook Oil Field, do you think the Kurd Armed forces will let go of that oil field? Once Lars leaves, they'll definitely turn their sights on us. Then we'll have to confront them directly. Song He, you've done tactical analysis before; how will we defend ourselves by that time?"
Her words were a wake-up call to all.
The laughter once again subsided.
Song Heping said, "There's an old saying in my country: 'The boat will find its way to the dock when it reaches the bridge.' We'll surely find a way when the time comes."
In fact, he had been pondering the hint his old squad leader had given him—stir the waters.
Since the northern region of Illiguo was already so chaotic, why not let it be even more so?
Enough chaos could actually be advantageous for him.
There were so many armed factions in this area.
If true chaos ensued, they would all fight among themselves.
If they fought among themselves, his own pressure would be reduced.
But how to make them fight each other?
Crisis within opportunity.
Opportunity within crisis.
Song Heping was constantly thinking about this problem.
But he couldn't come up with a solution right away.
Therefore, he could only take one step at a time.
However, he suddenly had a new idea.
Samir.
That's right.
Song Heping had a feeling that Samir could be very useful to him.
This person…
Needed to be won over and brought into his inner circle, to become one of his own.
"There's something I need to say here. We've had our drink, we've enjoyed the meal, but I need to remind everyone about something. Tonight's matter is top secret. If it gets out, we'll probably all end up on Black Water's hit list in the future."
"Don't worry! We're not that dumb."
"Exactly, we won't mention it again."
Everyone reassured Song Heping.
Song Heping also trusted this team.
After all, they were all involved in tonight's affair.
If something went wrong, no one could save themselves alone.
"Hunter, come here for a moment, I have something to discuss with you,"
Hunter approached with a look of confusion.
Song Heping pulled him over and whispered, "The intelligence this time was provided by Samir, we need to give him a share according to our rules."
One good thing about Hunter was that he was never stingy with blood money.
"Sure, you make the call. We should give him some money. Once he takes it, he's part of our crew. If things get out, he's done for too."
"Exactly, that's what I was thinking," Song Heping said with a smile. "The best way to shut someone up is to pull him into the gang and share the loot with him, then we all go down together."
Hunter said, "No, the best way to make someone keep quiet is—"
He raised his hand in the shape of a gun, and lightly mimicked firing with a soft "pop" sound.
"To get rid of him."
Hunter's words sounded so reasonable that Song Heping felt he couldn't argue with that this time.