Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 169: To benefit others, first sharpen your tools
The hunter paused for a moment, then spoke slowly, a hint of uncertainty in his tone. "With my M24, if equipped with top-tier ammunition, I can certainly hit the target at 1000 meters. In peak condition, even 1200 meters isn't out of the question. But that's at the limit."

Upon hearing this, the cook's voice suddenly rose considerably, sounding somewhat impatient. "What are you talking about! The two snipers on our team don't even have the same range as them. Isn't this clearly sending us to our deaths? Without adequate sniper support, won't we, the machine gunners and assaulters who charge into battle, become sitting ducks?"

Gray Wolf added thoughtfully, "I also feel that General Peter's arrangement seems to be to use us as bait for the Navy SEALs to draw fire."

Ferrari interrupted rudely, his tone firm: "Don't use the word 'seems'. This is the fact. We have been used as bait."

He turned to look at Song Heping, his eyes revealing a hint of worry: "This mission is well-rewarded, but not easy to obtain."

The cook was straightforward and said bluntly: "I don't think we should take this job."

Upon hearing this, Ferrari immediately retorted, "I strongly object! Chef, you haven't seen clearly. This contract is a touchstone for us to prove our strength and a stepping stone for us to break into higher-level circles. Peter hired us not just to deal with the current Mosul crisis, but more deeply, as a test for us."

"A test?" The cook frowned and asked after a moment's thought. "Are you saying they're worried there might be unreliable elements in our team?"

Ferrari nodded, and ran his fingers over the players present one by one. "Look, the Russians, the Caucasians, and you—"

He pointed at Song Heping and said, "A Chinese. In their eyes, such a combination is difficult to fully trust. Only if we can truly demonstrate our strength in Mosul and eliminate those resistance elements can we be considered "reliable" and qualified to take over more important tasks from their military. Let me tell you, do you know the value of the contract that Spartan Company recently signed to protect the overseas security of the interim government diplomats?"

Everyone looked at each other in confusion.

Ferrari proudly held up two fingers: "Two hundred million dollars!"

"Wow!"

Even though the team members present had just made a big profit and had seen a lot of money, they couldn't help but marvel at this astronomical figure. Even the usually calm Song Heping could not hide his shock.

At that moment, Song Heping recalled Yusuf's warning about the corruption and injustice within the Irigo Provisional Government—lower-level officials had no security, while only the top brass enjoyed comprehensive protection. This made him realize even more deeply that in the world they inhabited, strength and trust were equally important, and they stood at a crossroads, trying to prove themselves.

He originally thought it was a cost issue.

It seems not now!

"They have such ample security funds, why wouldn't they provide security services to Yusuf and his men? Diplomat security alone costs 200 million. How many billions would security for all the senior officials of the interim government cost?"

"How many billions?" Ferrari sneered. "At least $100 billion has been approved for reconstruction, and security alone accounts for a third of that. What do you think? Two hundred million is nothing. Damn! The little money we made before is nothing compared to the real big business. Blackwater's three-year contract to train the ISF in Irigaray alone cost $300 million, not to mention the costs of contracts with the CIA for black operations, arrests, interrogations, and detention."

He said, his eyes twinkling.

"Of course, this money is not as simple as you think. This is for consulting fees, understand? Consulting fees."

Song Heping couldn't help but ask, "What's the consulting fee?"

Ferrari said, "Let me give you an example. Why did Blackwater get these contracts? Because their consultants are all former senior military officers. What role do you think these people play for Blackwater? Consulting, of course. This is a very complicated matter."

"Congress allocates reconstruction funds, which then flow into military accounts here. The military then signs lucrative military contracts with PMC contractors. Blackwater takes the money, uses a portion to pay for operations and personnel salaries, and the remainder goes into the company's accounts as profit. Some is paid as consulting fees and advisory fees to retired senior military advisors, who in turn launder some of the proceeds through commercial means to the families of current senior military officers stationed in Iraq... It's not just the contractors who operate this way; the military-industrial complex corporations do the same. This is an American tradition—the revolving door!"

He became more and more excited as he spoke, and drew a circle in the air with his hand.

"A perfect closed loop! Now you understand why America loves war so much, right? What's the old Chinese saying? Gold makes a lot of noise."

He really considers himself Chinese, even though he is only one-quarter Chinese.

Song Heping couldn't help laughing: "When the cannon sounds, there will be a lot of gold!"

"Right, right, right! A cannon shot is worth a ton of gold!"

Ferrari laughed out loud.

The cook said impatiently, "What does what Ferrari said have to do with our contract?"

Ferrari spread his hands with an exaggerated expression and said, "Although this contract is risky, it's a stepping stone. In my opinion, Peter is looking for a trustworthy small company to make money for him. But this small company must have a certain level of strength and a clean background, and it must be able to handle some things for him that are inconvenient to be handled openly. Do you understand?"

Although his words were blunt, they revealed the unspoken rules for survival in this industry. They not only emphasized the importance of strength and trust, but also revealed the delicate balance between power and interest exchanges.

In such an environment, if small companies want to get big orders, they must learn to walk in the gray area, and at the same time have the ability to complete tasks that the authorities are not convenient to take direct action on, becoming invisible pawns in the game of power.

Ferrari's gaze turned to Song Heping again: "If Peter really gives us a big order in the future, you have to know how to do it to satisfy him. Don't eat it all by yourself. You have to share the spoils with the big guys. The generals will take the lion's share, and we will take the smaller share."

Song Heping said, "Don't worry about this, I understand."

As he spoke, he made an OK gesture.

"Okay, okay, let's stop talking about this." The cook said, "We haven't completed this mission yet. If the 'Hunter' is a sniper organization, how are we going to deal with it? Look at our two snipers--"

He looked at the hunter and the queen, and said with a helpless smile, "Our two snipers can't even handle targets more than a thousand meters away right now. Are we all going to die?!"

Song Heping said: "My highest record is hitting a target 1400 meters away with an SVD sniper rifle."

Everyone fell silent again and looked at Song Heping with strange expressions.

"Hahahahaha!"

After a long time, the cook's laughter finally broke the silence.

"Sang, are you kidding me?! You used an SVD to shoot at 1400 meters?! Are you sure you used an SVD?!"

"It's SVD, but..."

Song Heping wanted to say that the SVD could not actually be considered an SVD. It was just a modified version of the Type 85 sniper rifle with a modified barrel and specially made bullets. It could be said that it was no longer the same as the original version.

Besides, the gun wasn't his, so there was no point in explaining it now.

So he didn't refute or pay attention to the cook. Instead, he turned to ask the Queen and the Hunter: "If you use a Barrett large-caliber sniper rifle, are you sure?"

The hunter nodded confidently and replied, "If I use the Barrett M82A1, I can accurately hit the target at a distance of 1600 meters. That's no problem."

His tone revealed the calmness and confidence unique to a sniper.

Song Heping asked the Queen: "What about you?"

The Queen thought for a moment and said, "I personally prefer the handling of the SVD, but if necessary, I can try the Barrett. However, my strengths lie in quick reaction and accurate shooting at medium and short ranges. Beyond 1200 meters may not be my optimal combat range." Song Heping said, "Then you will be responsible for medium-range support, and the hunter will be responsible for long-range sniping. This is how our team will be divided up when the time comes. Cook, you and White Bear will be the machine gunners, and Gray Wolf, Disaster Star, and I will be the assaulters. Oh, and Disaster Star, you have good physical strength, so bring an M72 rocket launcher."

"No problem." said the disaster star.

Song Heping asked, "As for individual soldier equipment, let's take this opportunity to upgrade it. If we need to buy guns and individual soldier equipment, the company will reimburse us. We can't be self-sufficient in advanced equipment. Let's go to Harvey tomorrow and place an order as soon as possible."

He checked his watch. "As for the specific tactics, we'll meet up with the SEALs in Mosul and work things out. We'll then formulate a strategy and depart in two days. Everyone, take care of any personal matters during these few days."

"it is good!"

"no problem!"

The meeting ends here.

Early the next morning, Song Heping led everyone to Harvey's gun shop.

"Harvey, we're here to help you again," Song Heping said straight to the point. "This time we need some advanced equipment, including but not limited to the Barrett M82A1, extra ammunition, night vision goggles, a bulletproof helmet, and an M72 rocket launcher."

"Sang, I heard you've done some big things recently. You took down the Free Army headquarters in the north and wiped out the Salafi militia in Sherbut. I wasn't wrong about you. The first time you came here, I knew you were no ordinary person."

Harvey flattered him while staring at Song Heping with a barely perceptible smile on his face. "What big job did you take on this time? Why do you need so much heavy firepower?"

"Harvey, ask what you should ask, and don't ask what you shouldn't ask. Aren't you afraid of being killed if you know too much?" Song Heping answered half-jokingly.

"Ah..." Harvey was a sly old fellow. He laughed and said, "Then I'll go get you some equipment."

Soon, everything Song Heping needed was placed on the counter.

I have to say that AAFES is worthy of being a century-old institution in the United States.

They are definitely a giant in the military supply chain even in the world. Even in a place like Irigo, they can still get high-end equipment that other stores cannot get.

"A stock gun costs $2. If you want to add a scope, that's an extra $5000, so the whole set costs $2.5."

Harvey patted the Barrett M82A1 in the box, then turned around and took out a box from the cabinet behind him, placed it in front of Song Heping, and then opened it.

"I recommend the standard Unertl Mil-Dot 10X scope. $5000 is a real bargain!"

Before Song Heping could respond after hearing the offer, the hunter started cursing.

"Harvey, are you a descendant of black people?! Your hands are getting more and more ruthless! The Barrett M82A1 you bought for only eight or nine thousand dollars each, and you're selling it to me for twenty thousand? And that scope of yours, don't think I don't know, you bought it for two thousand five hundred dollars, and you're selling it to me for double that price?!"

Harvey chuckled and said, "Hunter, don't get angry. I won't tell you whether you can buy a Barrett sniper rifle elsewhere. Do you know how much it costs to ship a Barrett from China? Shipping, taxes, maintenance, labor..."

"FUCK YOU!" The hunter rudely raised his middle finger at him. "Stop talking nonsense. There's no need to double the price!"

"Do you think I run a gun shop or a charity?" Harvey snorted. "How about you look somewhere else and see if you can find something as good as mine? This gun is absolutely original and top-notch. Look at it! Look carefully! The original oil is all there. Why don't you try buying it from another company? I don't know if they have any stock, but can you buy an original one?"

Harvey was as calm as an old dog, looking like he had his hunter ready.

Because it is a monopoly business.

Harvey wasn't bragging about this.

Song Heping also knew that although the things here at Harvey were expensive, the quality was absolutely fine.

"okay."

He stopped the hunter who wanted to continue cursing.

"you get what you pay for."

Song Heping turned to Harvey and said, "Pack it for me first. Also, can you give me two hundred rounds of ammunition?"

"no!"

Harvey's refusal was as fast as light.

"Barrett sniper bullets are retailing here for $70 each!"

"FUCK! Why don't you just go and rob them!" The hunter went berserk again. "A 12.7 caliber Barrett bullet is only $38 on your American website! And it's double the price here!?"

Harvey continued to spread his hands, maintaining his usual style of "it's up to you to buy or not": "You don't have to buy it. You can go to eBay and place an order yourself."

After saying that, he turned around and picked up the coffee cup to drink coffee, looking indifferent.

Song Heping calculated the price.

200 bullets cost $1!
It seems that selling arms is not as profitable as selling ammunition.

Ammunition is a consumable item!
Depend on!
Learned something new!
"Okay, let's pack it together!"

Song Heping decided not to argue too much with Harvey about the price. In this environment, the choices are limited, and weapons of reliable quality are the most important guarantee.

"Please help me pack my things."

He motioned for Harvey to pack up the M82A1 sniper rifle and scope, and agreed to buy 200 rounds of ammunition, which, although expensive, was a necessary investment.

"Remember to give me a receipt and complete the registration and paperwork. When can I get it?"

Anyone who buys firearms and ammunition here needs to register and go through the registration procedures with the Joint Security Council, otherwise it is illegal.

"Within three hours, I'll waive the handling fee." Harvey smiled with satisfaction. "Your satisfaction is my greatest pursuit. Come back next time, I'll give you a discount."

There was a hint of cunning in his words, as if he had already anticipated that Song Heping and others would visit frequently in the future.

　It's the end of the month, please vote for me! Please vote for me!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)