Mercenary I am the king

Chapter 246 Circle

Chapter 246 Circle (3)

This is a room similar to a small theater, with a stage in the front. Unlike ordinary theaters, the seats here are not densely packed, with only a few circular booths distributed in different positions around the stage.

The booth is round, with a circle of sofas and a round table in the middle.

There was a performance on the small stage, and it looked like an opera. Song Heping didn't understand what it was, but he was sure it was an opera or something.

Foreigners like this tune.

But he didn't expect that in such a war-torn place, there would be such a complete replica of Western luxury.

There were already several people sitting in a circular booth in the middle, with red wine and cigars on the table.

There was a strong aroma of tobacco in the air.

Francis led the way to the booth, walked up to Robin, leaned over and whispered a few words.

Song Heping and the cook were standing next to the booth. The cook whispered, "Most of the big names in Yilige's PMC circle are here."

"is it?"

"Yes, the heads of the Irigo branch offices of AAFES, Blackwater, Spartan, KBR, and MVM are all here."

Although Song Heping had never met these people, he had heard of these companies. After all, he had been in the Green Zone for quite some time, and he had heard a little about some of the things in the Iligo PMC circle.

For example, the nature of KBR is quite special.

It is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and was once a division of Halliburton (Halliburton, founded in 1919, is one of the world's largest suppliers of products and services to the energy industry).

Therefore, KBR focuses on energy security business. For example, the security contracts for the two major oil fields in Song Heping's hands are similar to theirs.

Of course, there are many oil fields in Illyria, so KBR's main business is to protect Halliburton's own oil fields. After all, this energy giant currently has the most oil fields in Illyria.

In addition, they will also bid for oil field protection projects of other companies. In this regard, they are an expert and a long-standing brand.

Another example is MVM, whose background is even more mysterious. While not a large company, they often undertake high-stakes and high-risk businesses, including extensive collaborations with the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) and the NSA (National Security Agency).

Song Heping had never imagined that one day he would be invited to drink red wine and smoke cigars with these people.

But none of this matters.

Not important at all.

What surprised him even more was that the people from these companies could sit together so harmoniously, which was amazing.

After all, they are all in the same industry.

Colleagues are like enemies.

Can they actually sit together?
It's really magical.

When Francis whispered, Robin had already seen Song Heping and the cook. A smile appeared on his face, and he stood up and walked over enthusiastically.

"Mr. Song! Mr. Yevgeny! Welcome to our little gathering."

He extended his hand towards the booths: "Please, your seats are reserved."

Song Heping just noticed that there was a simple set of tableware and a glass of red wine in front of each person.

There are currently two empty seats next to the sofa.

Not bad.

It's quite particular.

Song Heping muttered to himself, but smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Robin, for your invitation."

After saying that, he and the cook walked to the sofa and sat down in their respective seats.

Robin's seat was very close to Song Heping. After sitting down again, Robin waved his hand and called the waiter over, whispering, "Serve the two distinguished guests."

"Yes, Mr. Robin."

The waiter left quickly.

Robin turned to Song Heping: "Mr. Song, do you usually watch opera?"

Song Heping shook his head: "I haven't seen it before. Peking Opera is very popular where we are."

Robin laughed heartily. "I've seen your Peking Opera in my country. It's a very unique artistic heritage."

"It's rare that Mr. Robin likes it."

Song Heping wondered if this guy had really read it, but it was better to just take it as a compliment.

Robin pointed at the actors on the stage. "Tonight's play is Hamlet. Even if Mr. Song hasn't heard of opera, he must be familiar with this great work of literature, right? It's Shakespeare's masterpiece."

Song Heping nodded: "I know that."

Robin asked, "What's your favorite line in the work?"

In fact, Song Heping has no artistic talent. He knows that "Hamlet" is a tragedy and that it is a work by Shakespeare, but he has never read it carefully.

But I do know the famous lines in it.

"To be, or not to be: that is the question."

Song Heping blurted out.

clap clap-

Robin clapped softly.

He turned to the stage and waved his hand, signaling to stop.

The actors immediately stopped performing, bowed, and quickly disappeared from the stage.

Song Heping immediately realized that something important was going to be discussed.

Suddenly, he shuddered.

To be, or not to be: that is the question.

This English sentence...

It seems to have some deep meaning...

Sure enough, Robin smiled and said to Song Heping, "Mr. Song's English is quite good, but I prefer another translation - survival or destruction? This is a problem."

Song Heping's heart moved slightly.

I actually guessed it right.

This Robin is indeed an old fox. He just set a trap for himself.

Both of these sentences are translated correctly and both mean the same thing as in Shakespeare's works.

The only difference is that the former is the original text, while the latter is another more straightforward extended expression, not the original text.

To be or not to be, that is the question.

Ha ha.

Song Heping thought to himself, isn't this just a show of force?

Let yourself choose "survival" or "destruction".

"It means the same thing. It's good as long as you understand the meaning." Song Heping answered calmly.

Seeing this, Robin did not continue the topic, but changed the subject and began to introduce other people present.

Introduce each person one by one and shake hands, all etiquette must be followed.

After the introduction, Robin said, "I recently heard that Mr. Song went to Afghanistan to assist the ISA in a mission, and was able to escape from the New Golden Moon region unscathed with the strength of three people. To be honest, I also come from a military background, and this is the first time I've seen someone as powerful as you."

"you flatter me."

Song Heping answered neither arrogantly nor humbly.

Just then, the food arrived.

There was a plate of ham slices and a piece of bread on a small plate with a pinch of something like salt powder piled next to the bread.

Robin's conversation turned to cigars and wine.

"This is Iberico ham flown in from Spain. Tonight we're drinking red wine from 96 from Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, and we're also drinking cigars..."

He opened an exquisite wooden box placed in the middle of the table.

"Cohiba 30th Anniversary Edition." He took out a cigar from inside, picked up the cigar cutter to cut the end, and handed it to Song Heping.

"Mr. Song, do you smoke cigars?"

Song Heping shook his head: "I don't smoke."

Robin smiled and said, "Cigars are not cigarettes. I think you should try them."

Song Heping hesitated for a moment and then picked up the phone.

Robin took up another one, cut it, and handed it to the cook.

The cook was not polite at all and took it without any hesitation.

Robin picked up the matchbox on the table, took out a match with a sense of ceremony, lit it, and handed it to Song Heping.

"High-quality cigars even use pure natural adhesives for their wrappers, so when choosing a burning tool, make sure it has no odor. This is a sulfur-free match, which is very suitable for lighting cigars..."

Song Heping was extremely annoyed.

Damn, it’s just smoking a cigarette, but there are so many rules and requirements.

It’s called a sense of ritual, but actually it’s just showing off!

After lighting cigars for Song Heping and the cook, Robin continued, "We hold this kind of gathering every once in a while to strengthen our relationship. They say that competitors are like enemies, but I don't think so. We can cooperate. Excellent and disciplined cooperation is in the interests of both parties."

Robin talked freely.

Song Heping thought, it depends on what the rules are, or who makes the rules.

I've heard that Westerners like to set up industry associations to prevent vicious competition.

It seems that the PMC circle is the same.

Are they trying to recruit me into their group?
"Just like the fact that we're able to sit at the dinner table proves that we have the ability to earn our own share of food, Mr. Song and Mr. Yevgeny have also demonstrated their strength through their actions. Therefore, I sincerely invite Mr. Song and Mr. Yevgeny to join us for this little gathering more often in the future. I wonder if you're interested?"

Robin seemed to have finally reached the climax of the scene.

Song Heping exchanged glances with the cook, then said to Robin, "Mr. Robin, I'm a rough man and I speak my mind directly. I'm of course very happy that you invited me to the party tonight. If you have anything to say, just tell me directly and we can discuss it. I don't think it's necessary to be so polite and try to find out the details of the other party. Musician Defense is a new company and we need the help of our seniors."

He picked up a glass of red wine and drank it in a very Chinese way.

"Look, everything I want to say is in the wine. This is how we Chinese speak. What do you think?!"

Everyone around was stunned.

I didn't expect Song Heping to be so direct.

The information originally collected showed that Song Heping had a strange tactical style and was ruthless, accurate and quick in his actions, so Robin arranged this.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he touched upon the topic, Song Heping directly revealed his cards.

Robin was a little caught off guard, thinking that this Song guy really didn't play by the rules...

"Well……"

He reached out and wiped his chin, his mind racing. After organizing his words, he said, "Mr. Song is a straightforward man... In that case, I won't beat around the bush."

The cook, who was eating slices of ham, laughed when he heard this: "Just don't beat around the bush. People in our company don't like beating around the bush."

Robin said with a slight embarrassment, "The military's outsourcing business in Irigo is currently a huge pie. Billions of dollars of reconstruction funds have been invested in PMC business, so it's very tempting. PMC companies around the world are eyeing this pie, but only a few can get a piece of it. Those who can sit here are all people with certain abilities or great potential in Irigo..."

Having said this, he glanced at Song Heping.

Obviously, Song Heping is the person he calls "very potential" rather than "capable person".

As he spoke, he gestured with his hands, making the shape of a cake.

"If we cooperate, the military's outsourcing business bidding in Yiligo will basically not fall into the hands of outsiders in the future. What we need to do is to retain some core business after we get it, and outsource some of the smaller tasks to others. This will create a trickle-down effect, avoid conflicts between us that affect each other's interests, and also satisfy the bigwigs behind us in the military."

His eyes never left Song Heping.

The person we need to convince tonight is Song Heping.

Of course, Robin knew that Song Heping would not refuse.

Because that's what a rules-based order is.

If you don't agree, you won't be able to survive in Yiligo.

"General Peter said that Mr. Robin might be able to help me with the funds I need after I win the transportation contract this time?"

Song Heping didn't want to talk about those big principles with Robbie at all.

Everyone understands the general principles.

I figured it out before I came here.

What I want now is affordability.

Cooperation must be beneficial. Without benefits, who would do it?

Robin's meaning was clear enough.

Join the circle, and then everyone will sit down together to discuss Irigo's future military contracting business and divide the cake together. Once you agree, you must abide by their rules.

We have to listen to who does what business and who can do what business.

This has its pros and cons, of course.

But I don’t have a choice right now.

Because Peter is obviously in the same group as Robin and the others. To be more precise, the military and Robin and the others are in the same group.

There's no harm in joining them.

In the contracting business, I can get a share of it in the future. How much is one thing, but it will be there anyway. And if I join the circle, I can use the power of the military to do other business.

For example, arms.

Arms is a big money business.

Iligo currently has a large amount of arms. If he can expand this business, it would be no problem if the military contracted the business even if the cake was smaller. It is better than offending the military and the bigwigs in the PMC world.

Before you become weak enough, be humble and behave yourself.

Song Heping's words silenced Robin again.

He originally wanted to explain the things in the circle slowly and step by step.

I didn't expect the other party to ask me to answer questions about funds directly.

"Of course... If you join us, Mr. Song, we will be family, and it's only natural that we help each other."

Robin gave an answer that made Song Heping very satisfied.

Song Heping is not stupid either.

Robin's willingness to provide funding was simply Peter's idea.

The reinvestment in the transportation business involves a conflict of interests between the military and politicians in the United States.

And my own company is just a very suitable smokescreen.

"That's no problem."

Song Heping poured another glass of wine and raised it.