Breaking One's Word

Along the way, Zhang Yang witnessed firsthand everything inside the fortress.

Armored gate.

Double walls.

Guns covering an entire wall.

Further inside, ivory and animal hides are everywhere, Persian carpets cover the entire floor, and the decorating style is not concerned with aesthetics but is full of a strong sense of money.

Daniel led Zhang Yang and the others to a large reception room and then left.

"Please have a seat, my guest." A figure emerged from inside. "What would you like to drink? Red wine or spirits? I have vodka."

The newcomer had a thick beard and deep-set eyes, typical of a Slavic person.

Comparing the photos with those that had been leaked before, Zhang Yang immediately recognized the man in front of him as Hogni, the big arms dealer who was making waves in Africa.

"Perhaps champagne?" Zhang Yang smiled.

"Of course... I made preparations in advance," Hogni laughed, "But only after we finalize the deal."

A moment later, Hogni invited Zhang Yang to sit in the drawing room.

Inside the reception room, there was a huge world map, with stars pasted all over the map of Africa.

"My business empire." Hogni opened his cigar box, took one for himself, and then pushed it towards Zhang Yang. "Everyone thinks I started wars, but in fact, I'm a pacifist. I advocate peace and love nature."

"Indeed, I can tell." Zhang Yang looked at the entire lion skin that was sitting under Hogni's buttocks.

"I hope Africa can return to its primitive state, so I sell them weapons to help them achieve a quick victory." Hogni, cigar in hand, laughed until his beard trembled. "And on the side, I'll earn some extra money... My guest, tell me what you're going to do with these weapons."

"Arm ourselves up and protect our industries," Zhang Yang stated bluntly. "I'm sure you've done your own investigation."

"Of course," Hogni said. "I even know who those armed groups that attacked you are... In fact, they are all my clients. You know I never discriminate when it comes to selling weapons; those countries, organizations, and even individuals under international sanctions are all treated the same to me."

"What did they buy from you?" Zhang Yang asked, half-jokingly.

"AK47s, bullets, RPGs, machine guns, that's all. You know, they're poor." Hogni shrugged. "These organizations are interesting. They use all sorts of names like freedom, democracy, and peace, but what they do has nothing to do with those things."

He stood up and looked at Zhang Yang.

"And you, my friend, deserve better equipment to protect yourself. Perhaps you could take a look at my armory?"

Zhang Yang nodded, knowing that they were about to get down to business.

Selling weapons is essentially selling goods.

Car dealerships have display models, mobile phone dealerships have demo units, and since he sells weapons, he naturally needs to have some real weapons for people to see.

After passing through a long corridor behind the reception room, one is surrounded by bodyguards.

Finally, the view opened up before me.

At the end of this passageway was a huge warehouse.

The warehouse is filled with everything from small to large items; it's truly breathtaking.

"M134, Vulcan Garnet complete system, $200,000 per set."

"If you think that's too expensive, you could also consider the M2 Heavy Machine Gun, which is only $14,000, or this M240 Machine Gun?"

"How about this one? RPG7, very affordable, discounts available for bulk orders."

··

As Zhang Yang watched, he whispered to Chris beside him.

After equipping 500 mine protection team members, the annual security fund of 300 million yuan was not much left. However, the weapons and equipment were much cheaper than he had imagined, practically cheap. Buying them as consumables would not be bad.

There are expensive ones too.

For example, Stinger Missile set costs $120,000, which is a man-portable air defense system specifically designed to shoot down aircraft. A set costs nearly a million dollars, which is quite expensive.

As a major arms dealer's arms exhibition hall, in addition to the common items, there are also many large and rare items.

Rocket launchers, armored vehicles, tanks... and even a fighter jet.

"The MiG-29 is still usable. We'll throw in missiles and a pilot; the price is a steal at five million US dollars," Hogni said with a smile. "All equipment, military aircraft included, shipping and after-sales service covered."

Zhang Yang naturally wouldn't need these big machines in the short term.

He had made up his mind that all military expenditures would come from the annual security fund of 300 million. After purchasing 500 sets of individual soldier equipment this time, he only planned to continue buying some individual weapons or vehicle-mounted weapons. Rocket launchers and tanks were not necessary for the time being.

Limited budget is one factor.

On the other hand, he only intended to arm the mine protection team, not to actually raise an army... Well, although with this arming, his mine protection team would only retain the name of a mine protection team, but in essence it would become a whole battalion of special elites.

As for the future... that's hard to say.

After all, there are 300 million yuan every year. Even if the equipment and weapons are damaged or phased out, it is impossible to update and iterate every year. Excluding consumables such as ammunition, he estimates that he will eventually need to acquire some large-scale equipment.

So, Zhang Yang asked Chris, who was standing next to him, and already had an idea in mind.

"Mr. Hogni, five hundred sets of individual combat equipment. Oh, and these reductions, and these replacements..."

The original set of individual soldier equipment was too high-end and was really unnecessary in Africa. There are much cheaper and more practical alternatives available, and some components and modules are completely unused and can be removed.

"Okay." Hogni nodded.

"Five Vulcan Gatling, please," Zhang Yang continued.

This thing isn't meant for individual soldiers; it requires power and is usually mounted on vehicles, so buying too many won't get you anywhere.

"M2 Heavy Machine Gun, come on..."

"And RPGs, give me five hundred sets..."

"AK47s, one thousand of them."

The AK47 is the cheapest weapon available. Its international price is no more than three hundred US dollars, and its price on the black market is ridiculously cheap. It even comes with bullets, so cheap that it can be used as a consumable item.

Zhang Yang listed the figures, calculating that he had spent almost exactly 300 million yuan of the security fund.

"That's all. Give me your lowest price, Mr. Hogni?"

Hogni beckoned to someone nearby, and someone handed him paper and a calculator, which he quickly listed and calculated.

"Almost at cost price, and I can also throw these in for free... plus lifetime after-sales service, absolutely great value for money." Hogni presented a bunch of free consumables. "This price could arm an army with this kind of weaponry. Listen, you're making a killing!"

Zhang Yang remained unmoved, continuing to haggle over the price.

"I don't see any sincerity in your offer... Perhaps this price would be more appropriate."

He gestured with his hand and stated his price.

"NO! That's impossible!" Hogni suddenly snapped, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Zhang Yang. "My champagne is for guests who are truly sincere... and you don't seem ready to drink it."

He tried to find a trace of unease in the eyes before him.

But to his disappointment, all he saw was calm; there was not a trace of unease, let alone any disturbance.

Upon hearing this, several bodyguards in black immediately placed their hands on their waists.

Seeing this, Chris stepped forward and stood in front of Zhang Yang.

"Don't be nervous." Zhang Yang smiled and gently put his arm around Chris's shoulder, pulling her aside. "Mr. Hogni, is this your way of treating guests?"

"You have no right to bargain with me." Hogni exhaled smoke and waved his hand. "Bullets or champagne, the choice is yours."

He puffed on his cigar with a half-pressuring air, looking at Zhang Yang with a half-smile, as if he had already foreseen the final outcome.

"Chris, let's go." Zhang Yang glanced at Chris.

"Send that female bodyguard a bullet." Hogni glanced at the person beside him.

Immediately, the bodyguard next to him drew his pistol.

A soft sigh drifted through the air.

A figure flashed by, and the gun in the bodyguard's hand had vanished.

"Mr. Zhang!" Chris exclaimed.

Zhang Yang fiddled with the gun in his hand, glancing around at the numerous bodyguards who were still stunned and hadn't reacted yet.

With his lightning-fast reflexes, even before the gun was pulled from their bodies and aimed at him, or even with his finger on the trigger, it would all be in slow motion for him; there was still plenty of time.

"You've taken this joke too far, Mr. Hogni," Zhang Yang said, glancing at Hogni.

Hogni certainly wanted to do business with him.

But big arms dealers, naturally, tend to be a bit arrogant and domineering. They tried to use both soft and hard tactics on him, even considering shooting Chris to intimidate and pressure him.

Have you been doing too well in business these past few years? Don't you know the saying, "Even those closest to you can become your enemies"?

"Shot!"

"Mr. Hogni!"

A gasp of surprise rippled through the crowd.

Zhang Yang smiled, his leg muscles twitched slightly, and he instantly stepped forward, cocking his gun and pressing it against Hogni's temple.

"Hogni, it's my turn to ask you, do you want bullets or champagne?"

"Champagne! I want champagne!" Hogni quickly reached out to stop everyone. "Zhang, it's a pleasure doing business with you. We'll go with your price?"

Zhang Yang scoffed.

He's just a coward!

Yes, this once-powerful arms dealer in Africa has also walked through gunfire and survived countless life-or-death situations, but he is no longer the same person he once was.

Wealth, power, and fame made him a frequent guest of presidents of countless small Africa countries.

All of this had long since robbed him of the courage to fight desperately.

He's very afraid of dying now.

"Where is the exit? What's the map route to get out?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Go get it!" Hogni glared at the bodyguard beside him.

A moment later, the bodyguard quickly handed over a detailed map and route map.

"Chris, pack your things and come with me." Zhang Yang gestured to Chris beside him with his eyes. "Take a gun."

"Okay!" Chris snatched the pistol from the bodyguard beside her.

Since their boss's life was in the other party's hands, they naturally dared not resist and obediently handed over their guns.

"Walk."

Zhang Yang, holding a gun and pressing it against Hogni's temple, walked out with Chris.

I'd only taken a couple of steps.

The alarm was blaring!

Zhang Yang and Hogni looked at each other at the same time.

"Did you warn your people?"

"No, absolutely not!" Hogni's forehead was covered in sweat as he hurriedly explained, "Mr. Zhang, this is an alarm signaling an invasion by foreign enemies... You, you wouldn't know?"

"Then you've misunderstood. I came here with sincerity from the very beginning, hoping to make this deal with you." Zhang Yang chuckled. "What a joke, you think I brought this person here?"

The words had barely left his mouth.

Gunshots rang out in the distance, growing louder as they approached.

A violent roar.

A dull, tremendous tremor resounded from the ground.

This is far more than just a simple invasion by a foreign enemy.

"BOSS, air attack! And ground attack too!"

Daniel barged in with a group of people.

When they saw Hogni being held hostage by Zhang Yang, they were stunned and instantly became suspicious.

"External attacks are none of my business. Where's the safe passage? Lead the way!"

Hogni made this fortress look like a tortoise shell; there must be underground passages or safe passages, and he might even have prepared escape equipment.

Just go.

To my utter surprise, what I thought would be a safe trip turned out to involve external forces.

"Daniel, listen to him," Hogni ordered in a trembling voice.

A moment later, the group arrived at an armored door.

After iris and palm print verification.

The armored door opened, revealing a narrow passageway.

"Tell your men not to go in." Zhang Yang glanced at him.

This passageway is the escape route.

Faced with life and death, he began to doubt whether Hogni's men could continue to obey orders.

"Get out!" Hogni continued to command.

The group exchanged glances, hesitated, and then retreated obediently.

This surprised Zhang Yang a bit.

I never expected that Hogni's men would be so obedient in the face of life and death. I wonder how he trained them.

The alloy armor door closed.

The passageway was completely silent.

"What backup plans have you prepared for yourself?" Zhang Yang asked.

"The safe house, food, weapons, and escape equipment are all up ahead," Hogni quickly answered the question. "Mr. Zhang, I suggest we escape as soon as possible; the intensity of this external attack was somewhat unexpected."

"What happened to your eloquent speech?" Zhang Yang mocked. "Do you even know who's attacking?"

"Yes..." Hogni's expression froze for a moment, "I've offended too many people, damn it... it must be him."

"Who?"

"Uganda Freedom Liberation Organization!" Hogni gritted his teeth. "Last week, I just sold them a batch of anti-tank weapons and howitzers."

"The Freedom and Liberation Organization also bought your weapons, didn't they?" Zhang Yang asked with a half-smile.

Hogni paused, then nodded somewhat awkwardly.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang smiled.

Sure enough, selling weapons to both sides will eventually backfire.

It's possible that this so-called Freedom and Liberation Organization made it possible that their condition for buying his weapons was that he not sell weapons to their opponents.

Hogni broke his promise, which naturally led to a terrible retaliation.

The three of them finally reached the end of the passageway.

At the far end, the lights were on, and the ground was covered with various emergency food supplies. In one corner, there were guns, ammunition, and man-portable missiles—it was practically a small armory.

Zhang Yang released the Hogni from his hand and went to check the supplies.