Chapter 425 - 371: The Cunning Rabbit Has Three Burrows

In the following days, Song Heping recovered well during his stay at the Army Hospital.

But he had Ferrari and the others return to Iligo first, leaving only Jiang Feng to keep him company.

With a big deal pending in Iligo, Song Heping felt somewhat uneasy leaving White Bear and his wife in charge of such a large operation.

If viewed from a combat perspective, White Bear and his wife were skilled, but when it came to managing the entire company's operations, Ferrari was still the one Song Heping relied on the most.

During his days in the hospital, Song Heping finally had the chance to calmly consider the future development of the company.

Running a PMC company was not as simple as leading a small mercenary team like before.

Especially now that "Musician" Defense was gradually entering the deep waters of the military defense circle, having come into contact with some deep issues beyond previous imaginings.

Without establishing the right direction for development and paying attention to resource allocation and management strategy, it could all too easily end up with a sudden rise and a sudden collapse.

He had considered calling the chef to discuss the company's future development.

But then he thought better of it.

For now, Song Heping let Ferrari make regular payments of the chef's share of profits to his account, especially after securing the transportation order from the US Army in Iligo, where Song Heping distributed the first payment after allocating profits to Peter and his team.

The net profit from the first payment was ten million, with three million kept as the company's working capital, and the remaining seven million was distributed by Song Heping.

Currently, the working capital of "Musician" Defense was very sufficient. After operating for so long and taking on so many orders, the biggest ones being the transportation contract with the US Army in Iligo and the profits from Sadam's gold, the company's account still had a full thirty million dollars in working capital. The only loss was the two million dollars' worth of military supplies hijacked in Colombia.

With so much cash on hand, Ferrari's suggestion was to make investments.

But what to invest in?

Stocks?

Funds?

These were the profit paths suggested by Ferrari.

It sounded rather ironic.

A guy who got rich off the business of war was now going to invest in finance.

Song Heping didn't agree immediately, firstly because he was unfamiliar with finance, and secondly, even though thirty million dollars seemed like a lot, compared to the big financial tycoons, it was still quite minor. The financial crisis of '97 was not long ago, and the way international financial giants manipulated the market had left a deep impression on him.

If small countries couldn't withstand it, how could a defense company's funds?

They say different trades are as different as mountains, and after discussing with Ferrari, Song Heping decided to invest part of the funds conservatively and not to participate in high-risk financial transactions.

Making money was still best done in the familiar field, relying on defense and arms deals.

This was the first tone set by Song Heping for his defense company. Ferrari teased that Song Heping was too conservative, completely different from his style in military operations.

Song Heping said it was better to be conservative, safer, "I come from a rural background and served as a soldier for a few years; I know what I am clear about. Invest in finance? Unless I have insider information, I definitely won't play that game. It is just a gambling house. Winning once or twice doesn't mean anything; don't start believing you're a gambling god."

After dealing with the company's investment direction, the second thing Song Heping considered was establishing new footholds.

"Musician" Defense made its fortune in Iligo, but Song Heping didn't believe it was a suitable place to take root.

Although Iligo currently offered many opportunities for PMC companies to make money, it was merely a place to earn money, not suitable for putting down roots.

Song Heping wasn't optimistic about Iligo.

The wars were incessant, and the place was unstable.

Even if one could find a backer there today, there was no telling if they might fall from power tomorrow.

Besides, there was another very important reason, which was the operation in the Tame Region.

Getting involved in the struggle between ELN and the government army was not what Song Heping wanted.

And wiping out a whole team of Green Berets was certainly not the outcome Song Heping wished to see.

He was only compelled by circumstances.

This left potential problems for the future.

Song Heping had received a typical Chinese education, deeply steeped in traditional Chinese culture—"without long-term planning, there will be immediate worries," a phrase firmly etched in the deepest part of his mind.

Although he was certain that he had conducted the operation very cleanly without leaving any trace, unless Ramas and Morins betrayed him, nobody should be able to trace it back to him.

But now he had tied Ramas to the same ship; if he was to be ruined, Ramas would have to die too, and he couldn't escape either.

Therefore, the secret of this operation would likely be buried forever in that primitive jungle.

But who could guarantee there were no walls without cracks in this world?

Song Heping had already started to consider his retreat.

Just as with the principle of planning special operations—never rely on just one plan.

If applied to the wisdom of China, it translates to—"a crafty rabbit has three burrows."

The deeper meaning behind cooperating with Ramas lay here.

He had his eye on Venezuela.

If I'm going to establish a foothold in South America in the future, I must have a base.

And Venezuela is undoubtedly the best choice.

Firstly, although the country is not large, it is also not particularly small.

Secondly, this country has always had a rocky relationship with Americans, being one of the rare ones that dares to confront them directly. In this regard, other South American countries, dubbed the United States' backyard, cannot do the same except for Cuba.

If I ever have a falling out with the Americans, fleeing here would be a very good choice.

The last reason is because of what Ramas said at the dinner table yesterday.

He mentioned that there is a special soldier training base near this hospital, which is even a collaborative project with Black Water Company.

This is interesting.

Could it be the one known as the "Hunter School," the Gogoya Army Special Soldier School?

I heard about this school when I was in the service. Every year, numerous special forces officers and soldiers from major regions of China are sent abroad to participate in various special forces joint training programs.

Among them, Venezuela's "Hunter School" is one of them. Although I have never been there, I heard the feedback from those who returned is not that high, but it indicates that Venezuela allows private PMC companies to operate such training base services within their territory.

Why don't I invest in a training base here?

For one thing, it can serve as a talent selection base for the company. What the "Musician" Defense lacks the most is talent. Most of the mercenaries are former soldiers of the Eligio National Army, and their combat qualities vary, not to mention they lack unified training.

If this base is established later, the company's promising members can be sent here for special combat training, undergoing intensive training for half a year or a year, just like those big companies that hold regular training sessions to improve their business level. The effect must be good.

Secondly, it can serve as one of my backup plans for the future. If I ever fall out with the Americans, running here would also be a very safe choice.

If China did not prohibit the existence of PMCs, going back to China would be the safest option, in Song Heping's opinion.

Unfortunately, there is no choice.

The last reason, of course, is to make money.

The future base can not only train our own people, but also undertake the training business for other mercenaries, and even provide special soldier training services for Venezuela. With Ramas' connections, this can definitely be achieved.

Once this idea took hold, Song Heping wanted to check out the Gogoya Army Special Soldier School, or at least scout it out and talk to Ramas along the way.

Just as he was about to call Ramas, a call came through on his cellphone.

When he looked, it was actually Morins' number.

He answered and took the initiative, "My dear friend whom I've shared life and death with, you've finally called me."

Morins, with a somewhat reproachful tone on the other end of the line, said, "Song, you said you'd let me bring people to find you that day. I later brought a company over, but you had already left."

In his mind, Song Heping thought that if he hadn't left, and allowed a whole company of soldiers to see his true face, he wouldn't know who in that company might be a traitor. And if he were sold out to the Americans, it wouldn't be fun at all.

"Morins, it was necessary for me to leave that day, do you know that the Green Beret Team members are all dead?"

"I know, of course, I know! Now you're a notorious figure in Colombia! Everyone knows about you! They say you're a veritable killing god!" Morins said, his voice growing excited.

Song Heping was startled by the response, "Right, they don't know who I am, do they?"

"Of course not, it's just a rumor," Morins replied, "Aren′t you planning to do the arms trade here? Now, if you show up, even the boss of FARC has contacted me, saying they'd like to meet you."

"Meet me?" said Song Heping, "I think we can spare that. I will offer my arms at a discount to you in the future, but I will not make a personal appearance. If you consider me a sincere friend, please keep my identity a secret. If my identity were to be exposed, it would greatly impact my business in other countries. You understand, right?"

Morins is a smart man; of course he knew this.

"I have been thinking about it all along, so I have kept silent about who you are. Nobody knows your true identity, except Ramas and me."

Song Heping said, "That's right, and in the future, if you run into trouble, having me hidden in the shadows to assist you will definitely be more useful than if I revealed my identity publicly."

Song Heping was actually hinting to Morins with this statement.

Morins had no obligation to keep his identity a secret.

The reason for secrecy was the life-and-death friendship between the two.

But in the mercenary world, friendship is unreliable. Besides friendship, there must be interest.

Morins is a member of the anti-government armed forces, and he could face danger at any moment. Nobody knows whether his organization would be able to survive long term without being eradicated.

If any trouble arises, getting assistance from Song Heping will surely provide an extra lifeline.

To disclose his secret means confrontation, resulting in one less lifeline.

That is the interest involved.

After reminding his life-and-death friend, Song Heping abruptly changed the subject, "By the way, you didn't call me just for a casual chat, did you? Tell me, do you need arms? I'll immediately arrange for the shipment to Venezuela, and then I'll have Ramas' son, Seras, smuggle them across the border for your use."

"Exactly, I am in great need of arms! I'm going to war with AUC! If I don't kill those damned bastards, I, Morins, won't rest!" Morins' voice was filled with fury even across the wireless signal.

"What happened?! What did AUC do to you?" Song Heping inquired curiously.