Personally Taking Risks

"Thanks, Chris." Zhang Yang stared at the paper filled with writing in his hand, lost in thought.

Personal specialized equipment and weapons...

It would be best to add some armored vehicles, or heavy firepower equipment, such as vehicle-mounted howitzers.

All things considered, the annual security budget of 300 million yuan seems like a lot. In such a short time, we need to buy full equipment for 500 people, as well as the firepower equipment we want. It's really a bit tight.

But is that a small amount? If the 300 million is used up this year, another 300 million will come next year. If they save up for a few years, they can equip not only with armored vehicles and heavy artillery, but also with tanks.

If this were in Africa, in Gango, with this kind of power, who would we need to fear?

To reiterate, all he wants is to protect his legitimate business and earn money steadily.

Unfortunately, he was surrounded by wolves and tigers. Anti-government armed forces would attack him from time to time, and the local government would take the benefits without doing anything and still want to continue to squeeze money out of him.

This was the only thing he could do.

The tasks given by the system were merely in accordance with his own desires, giving him a gentle push.

Looking up, Zhang Yang saw Chris staring intently at him, her eyes full of curiosity.

"Mr. Zhang, are you really planning to?"

"To be honest," Zhang Yang nodded, "The mine is in a very bad situation right now. We can't rely on others, so I have no choice but to build our own protective force."

He seemed to notice the slightly embarrassed expression on Chris's face, and added a comment.

"I'm not talking about you guys... Actually, to be frank, you're all quite dedicated, and I acknowledge your abilities."

If it weren't for the system giving him a buff, his mining protection team really wouldn't be a match for these elites. He shouldn't have dismissed their professionalism.

"Thank you for saying that." Chris paused for a moment. "If there's nothing else, I think I should..."

She pointed in the direction of the door.

"Okay, do as you please." Zhang Yang nodded.

A moment later, Chris left the office first.

Zhang Yang sat alone in the boss's chair, continuing to ponder and study the things on the paper. Finally, he took out a pen and wrote and drew, as if he had finally determined what he wanted.

··

In the following days, the pace of recruitment for the mine protection team was so fast that even Zhang Yang couldn't have imagined it.

One person can support three others, or one person can support four others.

On average, each mine protection team member has recruited additional personnel.

These people include their own friends and relatives, as well as members of the same tribe; they are all people who know each other very well.

Zhang Yang had complete confidence in the mine protection team members' judgment and selection abilities.

Because they are absolutely loyal to him, they would never recruit anyone who might be detrimental to him. Therefore, all the people they recruit are reliable, hardworking, and physically fit.

On this day, the recruitment of 500 people was finally completed.

In the open space of the mine, Zhang Yang walked past the large crowd in front of him and nodded to himself.

Under the scorching sun, this group of people stared straight ahead, their exposed black skin glistening with sweat, revealing strong muscles that looked shiny and slick.

This is his 500-man mine protection team.

Of course, it will take a considerable amount of time to train them before they can truly become combat-ready.

This is not difficult at all.

The original hundred men were all elite soldiers, and each of them was personally responsible for training a few people. Naturally, none of them were lacking in skill, so it shouldn't be difficult to see results.

Subsequently, Zhang Yang, through these one hundred elite soldiers, was naturally able to firmly control this five-hundred-man mine protection team.

Five hundred ragtag men are nothing, but five hundred elite soldiers armed to the teeth are a force capable of changing the course of events in Africa, in the Gangge Republic.

"Hello, Mr. Zhang!"

Various accents and intonations were uttered in unison.

The first thing these four hundred new recruits were taught was to be loyal to Zhang Yang and to Mr. Zhang.

The senior executives of Kaiwei Mining stood aside, their sense of security instantly soaring.

It's safe now, I feel much more at ease.

Even though I was in a mine in war-torn Africa, I always felt uneasy, especially after the incident involving the Chinese employees at the mine. My heart was constantly in my throat.

But what about now?

I won't go into the details of Vanguard Security's security measures.

Now, with the addition of this 500-strong mine protection team inside their own mine, look at their roaring spirits—their morale is incredibly high!

Each and every one of them felt a sense of pride.

At that moment, Zhang Yang finally received a notification from the system that the task was completed.

The annual security funding of 300 million yuan has been secured.

"It's time to significantly strengthen my mine protection team." Zhang Yang smiled slightly, his heart filled with boundless ambition.

"Lu Hang."

He looked at Lu Hang beside him and waved.

"Mr. Zhang." Lu Hang quickly stepped forward.

"Where is the person I asked you to contact last time?"

"Mr. Zhang, I was just about to report this to you," Lu Hang said quickly. "The person has come in person and is waiting outside now."

"Take him to my office," Zhang Yang said casually.

A moment later, in the office.

Lu Hang brought in a white man who was somewhat balding.

"Mr. Zhang, this is Daniel. Our mining team bought our AKs from him."

"Hello, Mr. Daniel, please have a seat." Zhang Yang extended his hand to shake his, and then Lu Hang to fetch a cigar box to serve the guest.

Chris stood to the side, because according to the security agreement, she was required to be present to ensure safety in any situation where there was a potential risk.

Although Zhang Yang didn't need it, he tacitly approved of her existence.

"Thank you." Daniel smiled, picked up his cigar, lit it skillfully, and glanced at Chris standing next to Zhang Yang. "Mr. Zhang, what about her?"

"This is someone I trust," Zhang Yang said casually with a smile.

Chris, standing to the side, slightly shifted her gaze.

"That's good." Daniel nodded. "Are you getting used to the AK I sold you earlier?"

"It works well and is quite reliable," Zhang Yang said. "That's why I've asked you to come and discuss our second business deal."

"Absolutely no problem," Daniel laughed. "Is it another AK this time? How many do you want? Since you're a regular customer, I can practically give you the bullets for free. How many rounds do you want?"

"I need quite a lot this time, I'm not sure if you have any here," Zhang Yang said.

"As long as you can afford the price," Daniel said without hesitation.

"These..." Zhang Yang spread out the papers and pushed them forward, "Give me a satisfactory price."

Daniel looked over with confidence and nonchalance, then his eyes widened and his expression changed instantly.

"These?"

"You don't mean there isn't one?" Zhang Yang asked, amused.

"No, we can certainly provide what you need, but it will take time." Daniel's expression suddenly became serious. "Besides, I don't have the authority to sell these to you; I need to report to my boss."

"Who is your boss?" Zhang Yang wasn't surprised.

What he wanted this time wasn't just ten or eight guns; it was equipment to arm five hundred men to the teeth, a huge order worth tens of millions of US dollars.

The person in front of me probably doesn't have that much power or influence.

"My boss is Mr. Hogni," Daniel said, picking up his phone. "Please excuse me for a moment."

As he spoke, he picked up his phone and walked towards the door.

"Mr. Zhang." No sooner had the man left than Chris bent down and whispered in Zhang Yang's ear, "The Hogni he mentioned is a major arms dealer in Africa. He has connections everywhere and can deal in anything. Many dictators, warlords, and presidents of small countries in Africa are his clients."

Chris couldn't possibly use idioms like "having connections to the highest levels," it was simply that Zhang Yang was fluent in all languages and automatically perceived Chris's language as his native tongue when they communicated.

"However, he rarely makes public appearances."

Chris talked at length about this major arms dealer.

Zhang Yang listened and nodded.

This Hogni is Africa's leading arms dealer, with his own airlines and transport planes. He made his fortune during the collapse of Russia and is known as Africa's biggest warmonger. To put it bluntly, given the backwardness of Africa, a significant number of countries wouldn't even be able to wage a decent war without the weapons he dumped on them.

A moment later, Daniel returned.

"Mr. Zhang, the boss wants to discuss this in person."

"A face-to-face meeting? Sure." Zhang Yang nodded without hesitation.

"Mr. Zhang, what I just said may not have been detailed enough." Daniel looked at Zhang Yang with a half-smile. "The meaning of 'meeting' is... you will go there yourself, with at most one or two people. We will arrange the meeting place."

"Mr. Zhang," Chris took a small breath, trying to remind him.

"Of course, it's entirely voluntary," Daniel continued with a smile. "If you feel uncomfortable, that's fine too. We can only say that we'll have the opportunity to work together again next time."

He looked at the incredibly young mine owner in front of him, seemingly having already anticipated the other's reaction.

After all, Mr. Zhang was about to face a major arms dealer who operated throughout Africa, a war profiteer, and a merchant of death.

Not everyone has the courage to go see them alone.

"You won't force me to buy or sell, will you?" Zhang Yang suddenly asked, half-jokingly.

Daniel paused, then realized what he meant and shook his head. "Any businessman should put reputation first, and arms dealers are no exception. A deal falling through doesn't affect making friends, does it?"

Zhang Yang gave a mocking smile.

Reputation?

Is this what they call credibility, selling weapons to both sides of a conflict? Well, it seems there's nothing wrong with what they do, since peace is the biggest enemy of arms dealers.

"Okay, I can go." Zhang Yang finally nodded.

Venturing alone into someone else's territory carries obvious risks, which seriously violates his principle of avoiding dangerous situations.

The principle of staying away from all potential dangers.

However, now, firstly, the mine urgently needs reinforcements and equipment, and secondly, external forces are eyeing it covetously, making the situation somewhat urgent.

Secondly, a security fund of 300 million yuan a year is an astronomical figure, and he does need a stable and reliable arms dealer to cooperate with, who can continuously provide him with weapons and equipment.

Therefore, he had a compelling reason to go.

Fortunately, he has many trump cards up his sleeve.

For example, his unparalleled individual combat strength, superhuman reflex speed, numerous Injury-Free Cards, and a Life Shield, etc., mean he's not worried.

"What?" Daniel was taken aback, thinking he had misheard.

Is this person really going? Their courage is truly astounding.

"Please arrange the details, I'll go alone," Zhang Yang said casually.

"Mr. Zhang, if you decide to go, please take me with you," Chris suddenly said without the slightest hesitation.

"You?" Zhang Yang stared intently at Chris. "You'd better not go."

What good would it do for Chris to go with him? If something unexpected happened, Zhang Yang could come and go as he pleased, but Chris might not be able to. Wouldn't that just be throwing her life away for nothing?

He had a good impression of this girl and didn't want her to die young.

"Mr. Zhang, it's my duty to accompany you," Chris insisted. "Besides, you need an expert in arms, and I should be able to help."

"Are you serious?" Zhang Yang asked again.

"Please take me with you," Chris said again, making it clear.

"Okay." Zhang Yang looked at Daniel. "It's just the two of us. Please make the arrangements."

"You can't bring any weapons when you meet," Daniel emphasized.

"You!" Chris in alarm.

"If you don't want to bring them, then you don't." Zhang Yang gently patted Chris's shoulder to reassure her. "I'm sure Mr. Hogni will ensure his guest's safety, right?"

"Of course." Daniel smiled.

A moment later, the two reached an agreement: Hogni's people would arrange for a car to pick them up.

We have no idea where or when we'll meet.

After Daniel left, only Zhang Yang and Chris remained in the office.

"Want one? It's one of our cigarettes, just to give you a taste of something different." Zhang Yang offered a cigarette, smiling at Chris.

"Mr. Zhang, I don't smoke." Chris pursed her lips and waved her hand. "I must say, it takes a lot of courage for you to agree to the meeting, but it's not wise. Do you know what kind of person Hogni is?"

"A businessman," Zhang Yang said, putting away his cigarette. "A businessman who wants to make money, a businessman who wants to do business with me."

"No... he is the source of many wars in Africa, a grim reaper who sells death and war. How could you dare to approach such a person? It's really..." Chris was at a loss for words.

"I have a compelling reason to go." Zhang Yang waved his hand, offering no further explanation. "But what about you? Why do you insist on making this trip?"

"According to the security regulations, I have a responsibility..." Chris began to recite as if she were reciting a memorized statement.

"Stop talking nonsense, it's your life." Zhang Yang interrupted her, "Are you short of money?"

"Lack."

How much is missing?

"So many, so many that I'd have to risk my life for them." Chris gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Mr. Zhang, how much do you think my life is worth?"

"Name your price, I'll buy your life." Zhang Yang casually lifted the chin of the blonde girl in front of him.

The face before me possessed an innate aloofness, and upon closer inspection, its excessively pale skin was dotted with a few barely noticeable freckles.

At that moment, her eyelashes were visibly trembling.