Control

"Mr. Zhang?"

The figure in front turned around, revealing a grin that showed off white teeth on a dark face. Although the person was smiling, their eyes gleamed with greed and cruelty.

In recent decades, Africa has seen a rise in dictators, each more cruel than the last, with some even feeding people to lions.

General Zabol was based in Salito Province and held absolute authority throughout the Salito Province; his methods were certainly not benevolent.

Zhang Yang glanced at the lion in front of him.

I wonder if this lion has ever eaten a person?

"Hello, General Zabol." Zhang Yang nodded and stepped forward.

The straight-line distance between the two is decreasing.

It was almost within a meter.

Suddenly, the lion, whose eyelids had been drooping, opened its eyes and let out a deep roar, as if it had instantly seen some great threat.

"Huh?" Zabol, who was walking forward, suddenly narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat surprised and uncertain.

His outstretched hand hesitated instinctively for a moment.

Come here.

At this point, Zhang Yang stopped pretending.

In an instant, he took a step forward, closing the distance to within one meter. Immediately, the system indicated that the "Recruitment Order" item was available.

Before him, Zabol's eyes seemed to flash with a kind of terror.

Subconsciously, he seemed to have a premonition of something.

"Use the Recruitment Order!"

Without hesitation, Zhang Yang used the Recruitment Order on Zabol.

Time seemed to stand still.

It might be a fleeting moment, or it might be a very, very long time.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Yang finally heard the pleasant notification sound from the system in his mind.

The Recruitment Order has been issued.

Target successfully recruited: Zabol

Target's identity: High-ranking official in Salito Province, Commander-in-Chief of the Salito Provincial Government Army

A moment later, in the garden.

Zhang Yang stood still, touching the lion beneath his hand.

The lion lay prostrate at Zhang Yang's feet, trembling all over.

Zabol stood respectfully to the side, his head slightly bowed, his expression one of humility.

"So, your original plan was to wait for me and those armed forces to wear each other down until both sides are exhausted, and then take the opportunity to put pressure on me and make exorbitant demands?" Zhang Yang asked.

"Yes, please forgive me, Mr. Zhang," Zabol said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

The Summoning Order is so magical that it can guarantee the self-awareness of the summoned individual while also ensuring their absolute loyalty.

Do you think these system-generated items are a joke?

"Hmm, break off one of your fingers as a token gesture," Zhang Yang casually ordered, raising his eyelids.

"It's Mr. Zhang." Zabol didn't hesitate for a moment, casually took out his Golden Desert Eagle, and was about to fire at his fingertips.

"Alright." Zhang Yang raised his hand, and the gun was in his grasp.

He certainly didn't intend for Zabol to actually punish himself, because there was no point in disciplining an absolutely loyal subordinate.

He just wanted to test the effects and clever uses of this Recruitment Order.

In retrospect, it has indeed far exceeded expectations.

I reckon he wouldn't hesitate to die even if I told him to.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Zhang," Zabol said, bowing his head.

"Okay, let's talk somewhere else. Behave yourself in front of others," Zhang Yang advised.

After all, Zabol couldn't act like a subordinate in front of others.

That's too conspicuous.

Even though Zabol is now completely under his command, some things still need to be done gradually, at least on the surface, according to the rules.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang," Zabol said, bowing his head.

Inside the mansion, it was naturally a scene of dazzling gold and splendor.

Zhang Yang also saw several of Zabol's wives. Although they were all Black, aside from their darker skin, they had bright eyes and white teeth, exquisite features, and amazing figures.

She is absolutely different from the stereotypical image of an Africa woman.

Zhang Yang couldn't help but glance at it a couple more times.

"Mr. Zhang, she's a Somali supermodel. If you'd like, I can have her keep you company tonight," Zabol whispered, observing the situation.

"No need." Zhang Yang waved his hand and gestured with his eyes.

Just kidding, even if Zabol didn't mind, Zhang Yang wouldn't do such a thing, okay?

Having sex with his subordinate's wife?

Even if Zabol were completely obedient to him, it wouldn't work.

"You all go out, Mr. Zhang and I have something to discuss." Zabol waved his hand.

His wives immediately stood up obediently, bowed to Zhang Yang, and then left the house.

In an instant, there was no one else in the house.

The topic of conversation invariably revolves around profit.

The country of Gango is known as the world's raw material warehouse, with oil, various metal deposits, and even gold mines. Among them, cobalt and copper are the richest non-ferrous metals. Gango has the world's largest reserves of cobalt and is one of the countries with the world's largest copper reserves.

It's like gold is everywhere.

According to Zhang Yang, there are many non-ferrous metal mines that have already been explored within the Salito Province.

Zhang Yang knew that one cannot become fat in one bite, so he planned to acquire the mining rights to two more small to medium-sized copper mines in Salito Province for the time being.

He had already researched those two mines beforehand. They had a very high grade, reaching 2.7%, and low mining costs, with a net profit margin of over 20%. Once the two mines were put into production, the annual capacity could be increased to over 100,000 tons in no time.

The combined net profit of the two mines could easily reach nearly two billion yuan.

"Mr. Zhang, no problem. I'll arrange for someone to contact your mining company immediately and transfer the mining rights to you," Zabol said without blinking.

This is no difficult task at all.

If Zhang Yang were to ask for a mine with massive reserves, an annual output of hundreds of thousands of tons, and an annual net profit of tens of billions, then he would really be in a difficult position. After all, such a conspicuous matter would attract too many eyes.

After all, he was still just a high-ranking official on the surface, even though he held sole military and political power in the province.

But these two mines were no problem at all. He simply nodded and said he'd give them to whomever he wanted, and no one could say no.

"Okay, by the way, there's one more thing," Zhang Yang added, "Have you arrange for more people to take over security at the mine under our company's name."

Previously, Zabol had only provided manpower without contributing any real effort, and had been constantly exploiting him, so naturally he wanted to develop his own armed forces.

As for now, there's no need to station personnel at the mine. Security at the mine can be handled by having Zabol station personnel stationed there to ensure the mine is not invaded by any armed forces.

As for his 500-strong, heavily armed mine protection team? That's where his next plan comes in.

Since Zabol is now completely under his command, naturally, the more secure his position and the stronger his power, the more benefits Zhang Yang will indirectly receive.

His 500-man mine protection team would be better suited to be placed within Zabol's army.

Especially those one hundred elite soldiers, they could be scattered and deployed among them.

Given their strength and military prowess, achieving military merits would be effortless for them. This would not only help Zabol expand his power, but also allow them to climb the ranks and hold important military positions.

Imagine that by then, not only will Zabol be his man, but also a large number of high-ranking officers in the tens of thousands of troops in Salito Province will be his men.

Isn't that wonderful?

What's the point of a mine protection team of a few hundred people? Is it more meaningful to have an army that indirectly commands tens of thousands of people?

Bite!

The system has triggered a random task.

Mission objective: Help Zabol eliminate all armed insurgents in Salito Province and enhance Zabol's prestige within Gango.

Mission Rewards: The number of Loyalty and King of Soldiers templates has been increased to one thousand.

Zhang Yang blinked, accepted the cigar respectfully offered by Zabol, and fell into thought.

This task?

Enhance national prestige? Why not enhance provincial prestige?

Could it be...?

Instantly, Zhang Yang's eyes widened slightly.

Could it be that the system means...?

Okay, okay.

He thought his ideas were bold and audacious enough, but he never expected the system's ideas to be even more...

"Zabol, have you ever thought about running for president of Gango?" Zhang Yang's eyes were somewhat burning.

Gango's political situation is quite chaotic. The national government army is filled with various armed factions, and as for the president, frankly speaking, whoever has the biggest fist gets the position.

The current president Gango, is the former vice president.

As for how he rose to power?

Without a doubt, it was through a coup.

However, this person's position is far from secure. During his years as president, anti-government armed groups have frequently risen up in various places. With his term coming to an end and the election imminent, it is highly likely that he will lose the election and be ousted from office.

When the time comes, a sufficiently strong new president will naturally take office.

Zabol, the chances are very good!

He was already a high-ranking official in Salito Province, and his prestige in the local area was beyond question. If he could completely eliminate the anti-government armed forces in the province, his prestige in the country would be unparalleled for a time. If he then took the opportunity to run for president, he would very likely be able to take the position!

The rewards for completing the task are crucial.

The loyalty and elite soldier templates will be expanded to one thousand people.

In other words, as long as Zabol can wipe out all the anti-government armed forces in the province, Zhang Yang's side can have a full thousand elite soldier slots, and they will be absolutely loyal to him.

Can you imagine a thousand absolutely loyal elite soldiers?

With a thousand elite soldiers protecting him, how could he not be elected president?

Once Zabol successfully takes power, he can further place these thousand elite troops into various key positions within the national government army. In this way, with military power in his hands, his regime will naturally be extremely secure, and he can bring all other domestic forces under his control in the name of the government.

If there's opposition, just defeat it.

The Gangge Republic unified, and Zabol was now in complete control.

Zhang Yang, from then on, became the biggest winner and the biggest mastermind behind the scenes.

Seriously, just thinking about it is exciting!

Of course, all of the above are the most idealized scenarios. Whether we can ultimately reach this point remains to be seen.

"Mr. Zhang, I have indeed considered it." Zabol nodded without hesitation in response to Zhang Yang's question, "But not the president, but the vice president position."

"I don't want the vice president, I want the president." Zhang Yang waved his hand. "But it's too early to talk about that now. I have a task for you."

"Mr. Zhang, please give your orders!" Zabol immediately saluted and put his legs together.

"I want you to wipe out all anti-government armed groups in Salito Province. My men will do everything in their power to assist you!" Zhang Yang said.

The most urgent task is to complete the mission and secure the spot for one thousand elite soldiers.

Absolute power is the foundation of everything.

"Yes, Mr. Zhang!" Zabol carried out Zhang Yang's arrangements without hesitation, almost without any doubt.

Later that evening, Zhang Yang stayed at the general's residence and had dinner at Zabol.

The two waved away the others and chatted about the details while eating.

"Mr. Zhang, there are still some local forces in our Salito Province," Zabol mentioned, "Local chieftain forces."

The chieftain system in Africa has a long history, predating modern civilization, and wields considerable power.

Those chiefs, also known as land kings, were practically kings within their jurisdictions or tribes, possessing absolute power and holding the power of life and death over their territories. Even in modern society, in order to maintain control over the lowest levels of society, governments can only restrict, modify, or utilize the chieftain system.

Even today, in some isolated and remote areas, chiefs still possess supreme power.

"They obey our management, but sometimes, in certain aspects, our government has to respect them and grant tribal chiefs certain privileges," Zabol added. "Some mineral deposits are located within tribal territory, and the mining rights are in the hands of the tribe. In that case..."

"We'll see when the time comes..." Zhang Yang waved his hand, not taking it seriously.

The Africa continent is dotted with tribes, and countless chiefs of all sizes. This is deeply ingrained in the essence of Africa civilization and is a symbol of backwardness and primitiveness.

However, in the face of the torrent of history and the overwhelming trend, everything is just fleeting smoke.

Later that evening, after the dinner, Zhang Yang was driven back to the mine by a car arranged by Zabol.

Everything seemed calm and peaceful.

"Mr. Zhang." That night, Chris climbed into Zhang Yang's bed. "What about General Zabol?"

Zhang Yang stroked Chris's blonde hair like he was petting a kitten.

"Nothing much. We've reached a temporary cooperation agreement with General Zabol. Starting tomorrow, all security at the mine will be handled by the government troops. From now on, the mine can focus on production."

"What about the mine protection team?" Chris asked, her eyes wide.

"Naturally, they'll be incorporated into the government army," Zhang Yang said with a smile. "Do you think the government would allow me to possess such a powerful private armed force?"

"But this is our strength to protect ourselves."

"If we don't hand it over, we can protect ourselves? We can fight against the government army?" Zhang Yang laughed. "Don't be silly, we can't fight against them. In exchange, General Zabol promised me the mining rights to two other copper mines."

He certainly couldn't tell Chris the truth, or anyone else.

The words he speaks now will be the appearance that everyone will see in the future, and the fact that everyone will believe.

The mastermind behind the scenes is a mastermind because they are well hidden.

Zhang Yang is determined to remain a behind-the-scenes boss and make a fortune in silence!