Colossus

Wang Furong was just being polite.

Because he knew that someone like Zhang Yang would definitely have someone pick him up at the airport when he arrived in Gango, so he didn't need to worry about it.

The two chatted for a while on the plane, and then experienced a long flight.

Finally, the plane landed.

This is their destination: the Gangge Republic, specifically Kinshasa International Airport, the capital city.

Stepping out of the cabin, Zhang Yang looked around and frowned slightly.

The oppressive heat and the visible chaos... This is the capital airport of Gango. Any airport in any third- or fourth-tier city in China could easily surpass this.

It truly is the poorest and most chaotic country in Africa.

Some are extremely poor, while others are incredibly wealthy.

"Brother Zhang, you'll need to prepare some tips when you go through customs later. Gango is a rotten country, corrupt from top to bottom," Wang Furong said, standing next to Zhang Yang. "Money paves the way for everything, but you can't flaunt your wealth, or you'll get targeted."

During a casual conversation on the plane, Wang Furong mentioned a kidnapping case targeting Chinese citizens in the Gangge Republic a couple of years ago. It was said that the perpetrators ranged from soldiers to hotel doormen to drivers, Zheye lucky to escape with their lives.

"It's alright, we can't keep an eye on them," Zhang Yang said casually with a smile.

A moment later, the two followed the exit passage to go through the immigration process.

Over here at customs, a dark-skinned staff member was babbling incoherently.

The implication is that they just want to give some money as a token gesture.

Damn it, in other countries, VIP guests are treated like royalty, they even get tips? The staff practically fawn over them.

Wang Furong didn't waste any words with him and simply paid up the money.

"You..." Wu Qima looked at Zhang Yang again.

"Mr. Zhang!" At that moment, a shout came from afar, followed by a group of people walking over.

Zhang Yang glanced around casually.

A middle-aged man with black hair and black eyes was accompanied by a local man and several tall, imposing, and sharp-eyed companions.

The locals were dressed in suits and ties, with shiny skin and broad, burly figures. In Gango, sometimes being fat and plump is a symbol of status.

"Let them through!" he shouted.

The customs officer was startled and quickly stamped the document to let it pass.

Zhang Yang smiled and walked straight over.

"Mr. Zhang, I'm Lu Hang, the head of Kaiwei. These are people from Vanguard Security." The middle-aged man quickly greeted him with a smile and introduced himself.

The Vanguard Security also came up to greet Zhang Yang.

"Hello Mr. Zhang, we will be responsible for all your security arrangements in Gango."

Zhang Yang nodded and shook hands with her.

As for the local man, Lu Hang didn't introduce him, and Zhang Yang didn't pay him any attention either; he was probably some kind of person in charge at the airport.

Kaiwei Mining has been operating in Gango for many years, involving huge interests. They've already smoothed things over with all the upper-level connections. For a boss like him to have to give a tip at the airport is utterly ridiculous.

"Brother Wang, shall we go together?" Zhang Yang glanced at Wang Furong, who looked at him with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty, and said with a smile.

"Oh, okay, let's go together." Wang Furong snapped out of his daze and nodded hurriedly.

The group walked out of the airport.

Inside the airport, a trace of modernity still remains, but standing by the roadside and looking at the urban architecture of Jinsa, it's not even as impressive as the entire county town.

Low-rise buildings, potholed ground, and dilapidated cars passing by from time to time.

There were also groups of three or five dark-skinned, thin locals.

They stood together, glancing over every now and then, seemingly considering whether these people were suitable targets.

In the distance, a jeep approached.

"My men are here." Wang Furong instantly felt safe.

Inside the jeep were a driver and two armed bodyguards, the very people he had hired locally.

"Goodbye, I still have your contact information anyway." Zhang Yang shook hands with Wang Furong to say goodbye, exchanging a few simple and polite words.

Just then, the car that was supposed to pick up Zhang Yang arrived.

A military Humvee, a Dongfeng Warrior, and a Land Rover Defender that looks like it has been fitted with steel plates for protection.

"Mr. Zhang, please get in the car." The Vanguard Security the team opened the car door.

Several vehicles, accompanied by more than a dozen people, all of whom were armed and bulletproof security personnel.

The level of professionalism is overwhelming.

Wang Furong was dumbfounded.

What kind of formation is this?

Wait, those people look like they're from Vanguard Security?

Vanguard Security is a household name among those who do business and make a living in foreign lands, after all, this company specializes in providing professional security services to Chinese enterprises.

He immediately understood.

This Brother Zhang I met on the plane must have some huge business in Gango, an unimaginably huge business.

··

As soon as Zhang Yang got into the Land Rover Defender, he saw the blonde girl sitting next to him in the back seat.

This girl has tanned skin and is wearing a bulletproof vest; she looks quite dashing.

Vanguard Security employs people from all over the world, including various countries, but female employees are relatively rare in this industry.

"Mr. Zhang, please put on your bulletproof vest." The young woman handed him the vest, speaking in broken Chinese.

"No need, right?" Zhang Yang waved his hand. "Why are you so nervous in the car?"

"Mr. Zhang, your safety is our top priority. Please cooperate with us." The blonde woman frowned slightly, insisting on a businesslike approach, "We are responsible for your safety."

"Okay." Zhang Yang blinked and nodded.

Since we've chosen to let professionals do the work, we should just cooperate with them; that's a form of trust.

He casually put on the bulletproof vest.

The blonde woman's expression softened slightly. She nodded and continued to sit upright, looking ahead. Although she didn't say much, she appeared very professional.

"What's your name?" Zhang Yang asked casually, having nothing better to do.

"Chris, sir," the blonde girl replied, looking straight ahead and speaking in a measured tone.

"Your accent sounds a bit like London's," Zhang Yang smiled. "British?"

The blonde girl widened her eyes slightly as she looked at Zhang Yang, somewhat surprised. This was the first time she had shown any emotion outside of work.

Zhang Yang was certainly not speaking off the cuff.

His global language proficiency means he can communicate freely anywhere in the world, so when he heard the girl's accent, he immediately realized it was British.

There are many types of British accents. The Oxford accent is more sophisticated and is a symbol of high society. Compared to the refined Oxford accent, the London accent is more down-to-earth.

This girl has a London accent.

"You're right, sir," Chris said, regaining her composure.

"Tell me about your security details," Zhang Yang said casually.

"Yes, sir." Chris nodded, then began to stammer out the specific details in Chinese.

Zhang Yang found it rather unpleasant to listen to; every time he spoke, he was utterly accented with a thick Oxford English accent. "Just speak your own language, I can understand you."

Chris was slightly taken aback.

Looking at her employer, who possessed a face as handsome as the sun god, and listening to his accent, which was comparable to that of the British royal family, she instantly felt an overwhelming sense of nobility.

"Yes, sir." She bowed slightly, her voice softening. "We have made multiple preparations for your safety to ensure everything is foolproof."

She detailed their Vanguard Security's security measures for VIPs, including direct security, motorcade security, stationary security, and so on.

The entire set of measures is complex and meticulous, exuding professionalism and confidence in every aspect.

As expected of the renowned Vanguard Security in Africa, Zhang Yang was initially somewhat nonchalant when these security measures were explained, but as he listened, he couldn't help but feel admiration.

With this setup, unless targeted by a large-scale armed attack, ordinary petty criminals wouldn't even have the chance to get close.

Moreover...

Zhang Yang smiled slightly.

Everyone else just thought he was a boss who couldn't even kill a chicken, someone who needed protection.

In reality, he was the biggest trump card.

In theory, once the Injury-Free Card is activated, one becomes immune to all physical damage, from small bullets to large ones... The only drawback is the limitation on its duration and cooldown, but combined with his superhuman strength, he's practically invincible.

He relaxed completely and, through the car window, took a closer look at this notoriously poor country on the Africa continent for the first time.

The distance from Gango, the capital of Jinsa, to Sartori province is very long.

Vanguard Security has already established a considerable presence in Africa, possessing not only various weapons and equipment but also ground and air transport capabilities. Given the long distance involved, it's impossible to drive all the way there, so Vanguard Security arranged for direct flights well in advance.

The aircraft was a retired military plane rented by Vanguard Security, and it didn't fly very high.

Standing inside the plane, Zhang Yang had the perfect opportunity to overlook the land of this country.

An endless expanse of desolation.

The towns I occasionally passed through were scattered and small in scale.

I initially thought that Gango's capital was dilapidated, but now, compared to these cities that resemble villages as we pass by, Jinsa truly deserves the title of "capital."

"Lu Hang." Zhang Yang waved.

Lu Hang, who had accompanied him all the way, quickly came over to listen to the big boss's orders.

"Could you tell me about the specific situation in the mining area?" Zhang Yang said casually.

"Okay, Mr. Zhang." Lu Hang nodded quickly and began to give a detailed introduction to the mining area's production situation, personnel situation, and so on.

Zhang Yang listened while asking questions from time to time.

The situation was largely the same as what I learned at the Magic City office, except that Lu Hang, being on the front lines of production, had a more thorough and in-depth understanding of the local conditions.

The specific annual output value, profits, and the transfer of profits to local authorities.

What Zhang Yang was most concerned about was naturally the overall environment for production in the mining area, which, to put it bluntly, meant the stability of its continued operation.

How was the robbery of our mine employees handled recently?

"The injured person has been arranged to return to China. After the incident, we strictly managed safety in the mining area, strictly controlled personnel entering and leaving, and strictly prohibited employees from unnecessary travel," Lu Hang replied immediately.

"Who committed the robbery? Have you contacted the local government to request increased security?" Zhang Yang asked again.

"Mr. Zhang, the attack was carried out by a nearby village and an armed group from a neighboring province," Lu Hang said. "We have already contacted high-ranking officials in Salito Province, and they have agreed to send more troops, but..."

"What is it?" Zhang Yang pressed.

"It's just that... we have to pay for the extra personnel they send." Lu Hang looked troubled. "We clearly don't need that many people, but they sent a lot of them all at once. It feels like they're forcing us to buy their services."

"Right?" Zhang Yang nodded, his expression unreadable. "Consider it protection money."

The high-ranking officials in Salito Province are the biggest warlords in the area. They control everything, big or small, in both military and political affairs, wielding terrifying power. They might not even listen to the president.

He controls all the mining rights for various mines throughout the province; he can grant them to whomever he wants.

As for those mining companies, who knows how much they've been fleeced by him.

Going against them?

Are you kidding me? Gango's armed forces, no matter how disorganized, still number in the thousands, even tens of thousands. They have guns, cannons, armored vehicles, tanks, and even missiles. Mining companies have no choice but to "cooperate" with him. Go against him? Be careful, or you'll be left with nothing but ashes.

Zhang Yang's strength was enough for him to move freely and ensure his own safety, but his vast assets in Africa and his nearly two thousand employees did not have such protection.

Ultimately, people shouldn't have too many ties; once they do, they become restricted and constrained.

"I'll do it for the money," Zhang Yang muttered to himself.

Although he had to give up various benefits, the mine brought him a solid profit of over a billion yuan a year, which was real money, so he tolerated everything else.

Two hours later, the plane landed at the local airport.

The airport in Salito Province was even more dilapidated. After getting off the plane, the ground was in a mess. In the distance, there were local soldiers carrying AKs, wearing military uniforms, and looking rather nonchalant.

The soldiers seemed to recognize Zhang Yang and his group, and they started greeting them with smiles from afar.

Zhang Yang naturally had no need to interact with these people from the lower classes. He was simply surrounded by people from Vanguard Security and walked out of the airport without stopping, getting directly into the car that had been waiting outside.

This time, we naturally headed straight for the mine.

The entire production area and storage area of Noda Lithium Mine cover nearly 200 hectares, or two million square meters, making it a veritable behemoth.

After leaving the airport, Zhang Yang and his convoy drove for another half hour before finally arriving at this vast mining area.

The convoy passed through numerous checkpoints and finally entered its own territory, which was isolated from the outside world.

As the car door opened, all the Chinese managers from Kaiwei Mining, responsible for the Noda Lithium Mine, had lined up early to welcome them.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang."

"Welcome, Mr. Zhang, for your inspection."

One by one, the managers wearing white hard hats stepped forward.

Zhang Yang got down and shook hands with everyone, then, surrounded by the crowd, headed straight into the factory area.

Because the entire factory area is isolated from the outside world and has exceptionally thorough security measures, employees within the factory area are generally safe as long as they do not leave.

Therefore, at this moment, the members of Vanguard Security simply followed from a distance, their expressions relaxed.