336: Chapter 334: A Very Promising Investment 336: Chapter 334: A Very Promising Investment Gao Yang’s words had barely left his mouth before all eyes turned to rest on him.
Li Jinfang asked anxiously, “What method?”
Gao Yang replied with a smile, “Actually, running a defense company is a very profitable business.
Aside from risking our lives, the only other expenses are for buying equipment and recruiting personnel.
Speaking of which, Jiang Yun, what scale are you planning for?”
After some thought, Jiang Yun said, “It’s not certain yet, but the scale will definitely not be small in the future.
However, to start with, it’s better to have fewer people, probably around forty or fifty.”
Gao Yang nodded, “Assuming fifty people, the cost of fully equipping each person won’t exceed five thousand US dollars, which is already quite good.
Let’s add in some high-end equipment and say fifty thousand dollars should be absolutely enough.
Aside from the cost of equipment, there’s the payroll.
In Africa, if there’s no warfare, a monthly salary of a thousand US dollars is definitely enough.
Even for missions with high risk, five thousand dollars per person should do.
If we calculate based on the cost of recruiting elites and the high wages for dangerous missions, ten thousand US dollars per person per month is more than enough.
Moreover, in security jobs, half the payment is usually given up front.
After receiving the commission, you can pay the employees’ salaries, so having an operational fund of half a million dollars is sufficient.”
Jiang Yun frowned, “That would mean an investment of a million dollars upfront, not to mention the need for a facility.
If we’re recruiting, we’ll need a site for training and accommodation, right?”
Gao Yang laughed, “It depends on where you want to build your base.
If it’s in Africa, a hundred thousand dollars a year is the absolute maximum.
In reality, with a hundred thousand dollars, you could buy some land and build a training camp.”
Sighing, Jiang Yun said, “Hearing you talk about it, an amount of over a million dollars doesn’t seem like much, but the problem is the budget has just exceeded by more than a third.”
Gao Yang gestured dismissively, “Don’t worry, the cap for the fee to Coleman Company is two million.
If you start with only thirty to fifty people, you won’t need to pay that much.
I guess a few hundred thousand should do.
Later, I’ll have my friend make an introduction, and then we’ll know after negotiations.”
Jiang Yun said solemnly, “Well, in that case, our company should be able to start up soon.
It’s okay if the funds are tight; as long as we can get things done, that’s good enough.”
Li Jinfang immediately said, “Captain, I’m telling you, I’m now worth millions, in US Dollars!
So here’s what we’ll do: I won’t give you much, just a million dollars.
If it really doesn’t suffice, consider it a loan, okay?
It’s still better to have more money prepared.
What if something happens and we don’t have the funds?”
Jiang Yun shook his head, “How can you not understand?
We can’t get you involved in this, it’s not about the money.”
Gao Yang laughed heartily, “It’s simple.
If Toad wants to give you money, then just take it.
If Toad can’t be involved, find someone who can be and hang their name on it.
The key is whether you can really find alternative funding sources like a proper company.”
Still hesitant, Jiang Yun was about to speak when Li Pengfei couldn’t hold back, “Captain, if it won’t expose Toad, why not just let Toad take a share?
It would be great for all the brothers to work together on something.”
After a moment of silence, Jiang Yun hesitantly said, “Regarding the funding, I actually did inquire about it.
The higher-ups said they wouldn’t interfere at all and left us to do as we see fit.
It doesn’t matter even if we really lose two million.
But I’m afraid that if we inadvertently involve Toad in this, it would cause big trouble.”
Li Pengfei replied immediately, “Come on, the mountains are high and the emperor is far away.
What could happen?
In the end, we just need to pay back the two million.”
With a smile, Gao Yang said, “Honestly, given your backgrounds, you won’t lack for business in the future.
Once things get on the right track, there’s no worry about not growing big.
Even if you have to spend two million dollars a year, you’re sure to make money.
To tell the truth, I’m even thinking of investing myself.
So if Toad wants to give money, and you need it, then use it.
Don’t worry; I’ll find someone to invest on our behalf, which will help dilute your Huaxia background.”
After Gao Yang finished speaking, Li Jinfang nodded repeatedly, and Jiang Yun slapped his hand down, “Alright, we’ll take the money.
Ram, if you really think we’ll make money in the future, seeing as you’ve helped us a lot, you’ll have a share.”
Gao Yang chuckled, “Toad and I already take money lightly enough, but you’re even more extreme.
Just like that, you’re offering me a share.
If you do business this way, you’re bound to lose money.”
All of them laughed heartily.
Jiang Yun said loudly, “Do any of us look like businessmen?
We’re simply guided by the idea that not making a loss is good enough.
To be honest, we’re still just ordinary citizens, and the reason we’re willing to come out here is to put to use what we’ve learned and, ideally, make a contribution to the country.
Making money is secondary.”
“Rest easy, you can serve your country and make money at the same time.
If you trust me, I’ll recommend someone to negotiate with the Coleman company.
You won’t have to show your faces for business dealings anymore.
Of course, for commanding in battle, training, and other sensitive matters you’ll naturally have to handle those yourselves.
Aside from those things, just manage the overall situation and that will be enough.”
Upon hearing Gao Yang’s words, Li Jinfang said in a heavy tone, “Brother Yang, are you talking about Little Donnie?
Indeed, with Little Donnie around, the captain and the rest will have an easier time.”
Jiang Yun said gravely, “That’s not a problem, but we can’t just decide on this now.
The key is to clarify what this person you mentioned can do for us.
Let me sort out what I can delegate first, and then we’ll talk about it in detail.”
Gao Yang responded in a deep voice, “Of course, it depends on your needs.
He can come over at any time.
However, I suggest that for negotiations with the Coleman company, you leave it to him.
Just oversee and make the final decisions.”
After Jiang Yun nodded, he raised his hand and said again, “As I said before, Ram, when our company gets going, you’ll have a share.
Brothers, any objections?”
Everyone laughed uproariously, and Wang Laohu said with a laugh, “We’ve been busting our asses off to no avail, yet Ram has everything arranged in no time.
We’ll definitely need to trouble him for big favours in the future.
He’s a god of fortune; anyone who objects is a fool!”
Gao Yang had mentioned getting shares just offhand, but Jiang Yun and the rest took it seriously.
They were straightforward and truly trustworthy people.
And besides, for Li Jinfang’s sake and the fact that Gao Yang genuinely had confidence in Jiang Yun’s company, there was no reason for him not to agree.
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “I definitely don’t want the non-contributory shares.
How about this, I’ll put in five hundred thousand, and Toad will also put in five hundred thousand.
We two can pool together a million to invest in the shares.
As for the share distribution, you guys can decide later.”
Jiang Yun slapped his hand and said, “Alright, that’s settled.
I don’t understand business, nor do I get all this share stuff.
But we’re all brothers here, no outsiders.
Let’s keep it simple: nine people, one share each.
We split the earnings that way, and if there’s a loss, we bear it together.”
Li Pengfei laughed heartily and said, “When brothers unite, their strength can cut through steel, and besides, do we even have a reason to lose money?
No, rest assured, we only have reasons to make a big profit; there’s no chance we’ll lose money.”
At this moment, Wang Laohu said urgently, “Brother Yang, I reckon you’re older than us, so I’ll just call you that.
Brother Yang, don’t just talk about the company, what about weapons?
I haven’t touched a gun in a year and now I can only use these lousy AKs; I’m nearly desperate.
You have to help, not to mention anything else, but you have to get me a sniper rifle, a good one, the best out there.”
That evening was Gao Yang’s time to shine.
He smiled smugly and said, “Tell me what gun you want; just name it.
There is nothing you can think of that I can’t find.
Tanks, planes, cannons, missiles, anything you want, I’ll introduce an arms dealer to you.
Guaranteed quality and good price, he’ll definitely meet all your needs.”
Everyone, including Jiang Yun, lit up at those words.
Li Pengfei slapped his hand and said, “Ah, this is finally something uplifting.
Can we get one of each of the world-renowned guns?
Oh, I want an assault rifle, same as Toad; I’m a firepower assault man.”
Seeing others about to speak, Gao Yang gestured with his hand and said, “If you’re just looking for guns and not asking for fully custom-made ones, that arms dealer has everything.
No need to ask, he’ll definitely satisfy all of your needs.”
Having made such promises, of course, Gao Yang was confident.
Being acquainted with the arms dealer Uriyangko, arranging for some weapons for Jiang Yun and his team was just a matter of a few words.
If there was business to be done, Uriyangko himself would come running eagerly.
Zhou Zhou immediately said, “I want cannons, recoilless cannons, mortars, and grenade launchers.
Can you find them?”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “No wonder they call you Three Cannons; you ask for three types of cannons right out of the gate.
No problem at all, didn’t I say anything’s possible?”
For a group of soldiers, there’s nothing that captivates them more than weapons, and after Gao Yang’s promise, they were beyond thrilled.
Looking at the joyful expression on Zhou Zhou’s face, especially when thinking of his nickname Three Cannons, Gao Yang suddenly remembered something important.
“Right, there’s something serious I need to talk to you guys about.”
The moment they heard there was serious business, everyone sat up straight, and Jiang Yun spoke with gravity, “What is it, you tell us.”
Gao Yang pondered for a moment and then said solemnly, “We spent some time in Somalia recently, training a group of soldiers for an armed organization called the Skull Gang, and also leading the Skull Gang to capture Bosaso.
The Skull Gang’s power is quite significant in Somalia now.
My opinion is that the Skull Gang really has a chance to unite Somalia.
Another key point is that the controller of the Skull Gang studied in Huaxia and speaks fluent Chinese.
He is very pro-China, and with our influence, the entire Skull Gang is pro-China now.
I think you can continue to train the Skull Gang and if you manage to turn them completely towards Huaxia, it could very well mean that the whole of Somalia might lean towards Huaxia in the future.
I believe this is a big deal that could influence the future.”(To be continued.
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