294: Chapter 292: Not a Bad Harvest 294: Chapter 292: Not a Bad Harvest Maide finally arrived in Bosaso.
He had thought the battle would be difficult, but it went too smoothly.
In charge of various logistics in the rear, Maide wasn’t fully prepared to take over Bosaso.
It was only after receiving Gao Yang’s call that Maide rushed over to Bosaso.
After meeting Gao Yang at the dock, Maide’s face was nothing but excited.
He shook Gao Yang’s hand and said somewhat incoherently, “Ram, I knew it, I knew you guys would succeed, I also knew you were making smooth progress, but I didn’t expect, how is this possible, that you took Bosaso in less than twenty-four hours, this is a miracle, this is indeed a miracle.”
Gao nodded and replied, “There’s nothing surprising about it.
The enemy’s combat power was weaker than we had anticipated.
It’s just that the two mercenary groups caused us significant casualties, especially the Instruction Platoon suffered heavy losses.
However, after this battle, the Instruction Platoon has matured.
Once the wounded rejoin, you’ll have a real seed force at your disposal, they can now train others.”
Maide sighed and said, “On the path to pursuing our ideals, sacrifices are inevitable.
Their sacrifices provided us with a good start, securing Bosaso, we’ll have more people under our control, and most importantly, Bosaso can serve as a real base.
We will soon become a significant force in Somalia.”
“Now there are many things you need to take care of.
We’ve taken control of two cargo ships hijacked by the Mokadi Faction, plus over thirty crew members.
Also, we’ve found a place with women who were captured by Mokadi.
It’s very tragic.
We haven’t allowed them to leave yet, you should go handle it yourself later.”
Maide’s face changed as he said solemnly, “I will immediately send someone to rescue them, find out where they came from, and send them home…”
“Hold on.
I don’t know where those women are from, but logically, it’s highly likely they are locals from Bosaso.
We only have men, and many things are inconvenient to do.
Also, I think you should use this to your advantage, look for some local women to take care of those poor women, and then, I believe this matter will inevitably spread and cause anger among the local people.
You need to take advantage of their anger to propagate the principles of the Skull Gang.”
After Gao Yang laid out his plans, Maide stared in silence for a moment, then said with a hint of surprise, “I hadn’t thought of these things, I hadn’t considered other aspects, but what you say makes a lot of sense.
This is a good way for the people of Bosaso to quickly accept us.
Ram, I must say, you think more comprehensively than I do.”
Gao Yang shook his head with a wry smile and responded, “Although you have studied in Huaxia for several years, you are not a Huaxia person after all.
Winning over the hearts of the people—how many Huaxia people can’t do that?
You are already a liberator, but you need to make people aware of it.
You need to make the people of Bosaso distinguish the Skull Gang from other pirates or disorganized armed groups.”
Maide nodded repeatedly and said, “Exactly, exactly, I’ll get right on it, personally.”
Gao Yang nodded and asked, “Additionally, how do you plan to deal with those two cargo ships and their crew?”
Maide’s face showed some difficulty.
After a moment of silence, he replied solemnly, “Ram, according to our agreement, you take the lion’s share of any spoils from Bosaso, and those two hijacked cargo ships are definitely part of the spoils, and they’re worth a lot of money.
But, I’ve been wanting to disassociate the Skull Gang from the pirate organizations, so I’m considering releasing the ships and crew, telling them about the principles of the Skull Gang.
I think it’s a propaganda opportunity for the Skull Gang, to make the world aware of our existence, to draw international attention to the Skull Gang.”
Gao Yang had expected Maide’s approach and simply nodded, saying in a low voice, “Are you planning to bring the Skull Gang to the forefront officially?
I mean, to the international stage, to catch the world’s attention.
Are you prepared for this?”
With a resolute look, Maide said, “Yes, I believe we are ready.
I think that while the Skull Gang’s actions have hurt many interests, mainly those of pirates and security companies, for shipping companies, as long as piracy is not eradicated, what the Skull Gang does is beneficial to them.
So, stepping onto the international stage officially, regardless of the controversy it may cause, it should at least make those foreigners think twice before moving against us.”
After a pause, Maide confidently added, “As long as there is no foreign intervention, just dealing with piracy alone, I’m now completely confident in handling them.”
Gao Yang shook his head and remarked, “I think you’re overestimating how much public opinion constrains those countries.
If the Skull Gang really affects the interests of major powers, do you think they will worry about whether the Skull Gang draws attention or not?
Don’t joke.
When it comes to their interests, everything else is secondary.
Even if you had the support of the whole world, what would it matter?
Not to mention that it’s unlikely you’ll get much support.”
After speaking, Gao Yang patted Maide’s shoulder and sighed, “The Skull Gang can mess around on a small scale, but if you truly control the Gulf of Aden and affect the shipping of the Suez Canal, do you believe the Americans won’t be the first to come and wipe you out?”
Maide fell silent for a long while before he finally nodded and said, “You’re right, if we really took control of the entire Gulf of Aden, then indeed we would have to face the rage of the entire world.
But rest assured, I have no intention of letting the Skull Gang collect tolls indefinitely.
This method is basically extortion, just slightly more moderate than hijacking merchant ships.
It’s feasible in the early stages, but once the Skull Gang really gains power, we will definitely have to find other ways to survive.”
Gao Yang spoke with a grave tone, “It’s good that you understand.
Actually, we’re just mercenaries and can’t boast much wisdom.
But having known each other for so long, I might say things that aren’t exactly right, but I still have to say them.
Of course, whether they’re right or wrong, that’s for you to decide.
Just don’t expect a mercenary to offer you any profound strategy.”
Maide nodded, “No, your advice is of great help to me.
We all have our own strengths.
Your insights and experiences are something I lack, so your suggestions can cover flaws that I wouldn’t even be aware of.”
Gao Yang waved his hand dismissively, “As long as you know what you’re doing, that’s all that matters.”
After hesitating for a moment, Maide spoke seriously, “Now let’s continue discussing those two ships.
I plan to release them, but I must have your consent to do so.
Here’s what I’m thinking: I’ll give you all the remaining cash of the Skull Gang in exchange for those two ships.
When you called me about this, I had already made up my mind, so I’ve brought all the cash with me.
You know that we don’t have much left now, only $3.2 million.
I’m aware this is a lot less than the ransom we could get for the two ships.
So, if you disagree, we can continue to discuss other methods.”
Gao Yang waved his hand, “We’ve known each other for a long time, and we can be considered friends now.
It really doesn’t matter, honestly.”
Maide gave a bitter smile, “I’ve always thought we were friends, good friends in fact.”
Gao Yang smiled and nodded, “You’re not wrong, we’ve actually been friends for quite some time.
Although I’ve always intended to act as an outsider, it now seems that’s impossible.
Whether I realized it or not, we’ve indeed considered you as friends a long time ago.
The money issue is a trifle.
Besides, more than $3 million is already a lot.
There’s also the cash salvaged from the sea, but the exact amount is still unknown.
I was planning to count it after you arrived.”
Maide waved his hand, “No need to count it, all of it is yours.
You’ve already lost a lot, it’s merely a small compensation.”
Gao Yang knew Maide’s character.
Maide truly didn’t care about money, so his actions were within Gao Yang’s expectations.
Gao Yang himself didn’t particularly value money either.
His principle was to be more stingy than those who were stingy and more generous than those who were generous.
Gao Yang was aware of the Skull Gang’s financial situation.
The gang had nearly spent all their money attacking Bosaso, and Gao Yang had been in charge of making the purchases, so $3.2 million really was all that the Skull Gang had left.
Maide giving them all this money meant that there would be little left for the gang.
Gao Yang frowned, “There will be many expenses in the future.
If you give us all the money, what will you do for the upcoming needs?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Maide still waved his hand, “Don’t worry about it, we’ll soon be collecting tolls at sea again, and we’ll have money then.”
Gao Yang wanted to tell Maide to keep the money, but the problem was that it wasn’t his money to keep.
Strictly speaking, the money paid by Maide, although substantial, was rightfully theirs.
Gao Yang could decide for his own share but couldn’t give away others’ money.
Choosing not to involve themselves in how to deal with the two ships hijacked by the Mokadi Faction had been a consensus reached by everyone from Gao Yang’s side.
Maide offering $3.2 million as compensation was already a high price.
Coupled with the salvaged cash, their total earnings from the battle for Bosaso would likely exceed $4 million—a very decent haul.
“Alright, that settles it.
$3.2 million, plus the salvaged money, these will be our spoils of war.”
Maide, with a smile, shook hands with Gao Yang again, then said, “Although it costs a hefty sum, I must say, paying you guys is always a pleasure, and I am grateful.
I really must thank you, thank you very much!” (To be continued.
If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote, recommend tickets, monthly tickets, and your support is my greatest motivation.
Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)