King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

When Qiao Liang first discussed his ideals with his brother, he had arrogantly hinted that large-scale involvement in Central Africa's agriculture could somewhat influence local politics.

This was the fantastic idea that a college student concocted, inspired by hearing others extol the prowess of certain agricultural giants.

At the time, Qiao Liang got it all backward: it wasn't that intervening in agriculture could influence politics, but rather that one needed political influence first to have a chance to enter the agricultural market and, while expanding influence, ensure profitability.

Now, after hearing President Jin's plans, Qiao Liang finally understood what 'strategic thinking' meant.

This wasn't just simple business anymore; companies like Northern Industry, this kind of super state-owned enterprise, were fulfilling their responsibilities.

They were preparing to dive headfirst into Congo, to cultivate the market while also seeking exits for China's low-end manufacturing, fighting for time and money for industrial transition.

They would undoubtedly lose money in the short term. The internal river ports in Congo needed to reach a very high volume of cargo to turn a profit, and those investments would be in a loss-making state for the next 10 years.

But from a higher and longer-term perspective, China as a whole would not be at a loss and might even generate greater benefits due to increased industrial vitality.

Qiao Liang recalled how he once followed the crowd in the school cafeteria, lambasting so-called 'uncompensated aid' in the news as if it meant using the people's hard-earned money to curry favor with foreigners...

Thinking back on it now, Qiao Liang suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.

Qiao Liang was still a bit green. He hadn't realized that his attention had been sidetracked by the big picture painted by President Jin. Once persuaded, he would become a natural advocate...

However, President Qiao also had his time grappling in the business world, and while he agreed with President Jin's calculations, he hadn't forgotten his brother's matters...

After nodding in agreement with President Jin's words, Qiao Liang glanced at the representative from 'China Shipbuilding Defense', saying, "My brother is currently with several major clients, and he is waiting for my response...

Let's put the matter of Congo aside for now; I need to first understand the situation with the 056."

The man wearing glasses was Chen Xiaodong. After listening to Qiao Liang, he curiously said, "I wonder who the 'major clients' of President Qiao are?

Little President Qiao might not know, but trading navy ships involves political risks, especially for President Qiao.

Of course, we believe in his ability to navigate certain restrictions, but we need to understand the client information before we can think of ways to facilitate the trade.

Before coming here, Director Zhang from our shipbuilding company kept instructing me not to be greedy for money and to absolutely not let President Qiao bear unnecessary political risks.

I have two proposals in hand, but I need to understand the client information to make an accurate judgment."

Qiao Liang was stunned for a moment, guessing from Chen Xiaodong's words that a false move could implicate his brother.

After some uncertain deliberation, Qiao Liang finally said, "My brother is currently on vacation with people from the United Arab Emirates.

He said that if he could handle the overseas trade for the 056, by next year he could have the 056 participate in the Abu Dhabi Defense Exhibition.

Now it seems pretty risky from what you've said, I'm not sure what my brother thinks. You can tell me about your proposals first, and I can give him a call to ask..."

Upon hearing 'United Arab Emirates', Chen Xiaodong's eyes lit up...

This 'money-grubbing' young fellow quickly pulled out two documents from his bag and handed them to Qiao Liang. Just as he was about to speak, the door was pushed open...

Tong Tong poked her head in and said to Qiao Liang, "How're the bosses doing with their meeting?

There's a Miss Yuan who would like to invite you all for a meal. She's now in the tourism business.

Are you interested in learning about hunting trips in Africa?"

President Jin certainly knew who this quirky character was. Glancing at Qiao Liang, who was reading documents, he laughed heartily as he stood up, saying, "Perfect, I'll treat!

Let's give Little President Qiao some time to discuss with President Qiao."

Shaking his head at the restless Chen Xiaodong, he took the lead to the door, smiling at Tong Tong, "I wonder if Director Tong has time; I'd like to invite him for a meal too..."

On hearing this, Tong Tong blinked and said, "Old Tong? He's definitely got time; I'll call him right now.

Looking after the emerging tourism companies in the area is Old Tong's responsibility!"

President Jin was amused by this character; he laughed and said, "Then I should also take care, especially since our company has a business plan for Africa. If you can help us arrange the itinerary, it would be perfect..."

Tong Tong seriously nodded and said, "You can count on us for the travel arrangements.

I'll personally lead the group, responsible for ensuring everyone has a great time eating, drinking, and playing at the Ndele resort..."

Yuan Ya, seeing Tong Tong take on business without even a shadow present in the company, sighed and pulling the character aside, whispered, "Let's have meal first and talk on the side. Starting a company still requires Uncle Tong's agreement..."

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong unhappily said, "Old Tong may stop me from doing business, but can he stop you?

I'll work for you as the CEO, hmm, one day I will make everyone take note of me..."

Qiao Liang didn't concern himself with Tong Tong's career ambitions. He sent the guests out and instructed his bodyguard Victor to buy several takeouts, sent one downstairs to Mama Yang, then he ate his meal while sending pictures of the 'sales documents' provided by Chen Xiaodong to his brother.

About half an hour later, Joe Ga made a video call to Qiao Liang...

.........

Joe Ga had not anticipated that a single phone call from him would stir up such a huge wave within the country...

Initially, he merely wanted to make a quick profit by flipping a few boats, but instead, people were ignoring the easy money in favor of bringing large sums of capital into Congo.

This was truly a big business, buying boats in Congo was more profitable than selling cars!

Moreover, producing armed speedboats, doesn't it require a lot of weapons and matching equipment...

As long as this deal went through, China's arms could logically enter Congo and then spread along the waterways to the surrounding areas.

Joe Ga had the authority to decide on this matter because patrol boats wouldn't provoke a backlash from the outside world.

As for the market for light weapons, the Congo military used whatever President Qiao said, as they were short on money.

A large portion of Congo's limited defense budget was allocated to P.B., and if they wanted to re-equip, they needed President Qiao to find the money for them from the ground...

The plan proposed by the Northern Industries was very much in line with President Qiao's personality and logical development; besides, when someone was willing to fund the project, how could he reject such a good opportunity?

This level of business required a long time to plan and operate, and it involved bringing the Congo Government into the negotiations. One or two years might pass without seeing any results.

But President Qiao wasn't in a hurry, as long as he didn't have to pay out of his own pocket and it benefited the overall situation, he was willing to get involved and ensure its smooth sailing.

Some hidden benefits, President Qiao couldn't enjoy, but Qiao Liang could!

The turnover of Jia Liang Trade would shrink sooner or later, so a transformation was necessary to consider.

By investing more effort now to expand influence, he could avoid being abandoned once his usefulness ended.

Compared to the grandness of the Northern Industries, 'China Shipbuilding Defense' was a bit more amusing...

It seemed like they weren't in it for business, presenting plans that were overly considerate of President Qiao, as if they were afraid he would step over the line and get into trouble...

In reality, where was Joe Ga fearful of this?

A 1300-tonne frigate, or even an offshore patrol vessel, was really not worth making a big fuss over.

As long as they could get the American election right and Steven became the Ameri-con Secretary of State.

With a portion of diplomatic clout held by Steven, P.B. could traffic a few of these low-tonnage frigates in various ways without anyone bothering him.

The reason why Joe Ga wanted to land the deal in next February was that he was waiting for the election results this November.

If the old lady won, then there would be nothing to talk about, better to retract the American business cleanly and just mingle within France's sphere of influence.

But if that Catfish Depp won, then anything could be discussed!

Joe Ga had not expected the people within China to be even more cautious than himself...

They proposed two plans, one was to sell the boats through a partnership.

That is, President Qiao would buy the hull himself, and then all the weaponry and electronic systems would be transported to a French shipyard for NATO standard refurbishment.

On one hand, it was to use France to withstand potential pressure from America, and on the other hand, it was because the purely Chinese-made ships might not be compatible with their systems within the American military's influence zone.

Moreover, American arms sales always come with many political strings attached. If they didn't find a way around, the buyers might not be resolute enough to spend the money.

In the Middle East, the Shah including the United Arab Emirates was even more problematic; they wanted to purchase F-35s to update their air forces, and such requests could be easily choked by America.

If they wanted to procure purely Chinese-made ships, they first needed to ask if America would agree.

The folks at China Shipbuilding had thought through things more than Joe Ga and were more thorough. Exporting the Type 056 was inevitable, and they also wanted to promote it as safely as possible.

But the precondition was that President Qiao, the double national of Monaco and Greece, mustn't encounter any issues!

Handing over a portion of the profits to the French shipbuilding industry would simplify matters.

This was one of the plans, and the other was much more complicated, involving not the simple Type 056, but the construction of the 055 destroyers priced over 1 billion US Dollars...

Joe Ga, a person known for his bold courage, was overwhelmed by the fantastical plans of 'China Shipbuilding Defense'.

They were unaware that President Qiao's customers were from the United Arab Emirates, but they also had their targeted customers, and they had already had several rounds of contact.

These folks aimed to take a roundabout way to save the country, using an unimaginable method to pre-sell an 055 destroyer...

They had always struggled to find the right 'middleman'. Now Joe Ga had stepped forward, granting them an opportunity!

That Chen Xiaodong was not just a simple salesman for China Shipbuilding Defense, but someone with a special identity.

According to the second plan, not only could the destroyer deal be realized, but it could also grant P.B. a tremendous benefit, not only avoiding offending America but perhaps even making America appreciate P.B. even more...

Having reviewed the proposals, Joe Ga thought the world was filled with wonders...