633: Chapter 626: Dividing the Spoils 633: Chapter 626: Dividing the Spoils Dawn broke, and after all the pirates and the British had surrendered, the remaining members of the Somali Youth Party also chose to surrender.
After the Skull Gang took full control of Gesale, the dust of this battle settled.
With the war over, it was time to do what needed to be done.
Clearing the battlefields and managing the prisoners were the Skull Gang’s responsibility.
For Gao Yang and the others, the priority was—dividing the loot.
To put it more nicely, it should be called the division of spoils, but after Uriyangko and Djo Malthael made a deal and thoroughly screwed the British with a conspiracy, Gao Yang still felt that ‘dividing the loot’ was a more appropriate term.
Destin had taken everyone away before dawn, leaving the loot to be divided among three parties: Uriyangko, Gao Yang, and Abu.
Because many things must not be known by too many people, the looting council was convened only among the four of them.
Too many mouths can lead to unwanted leaks of sensitive information.
The four sat on seats made of stacked ammunition boxes, each wearing a face full of joy.
The battle of Gesale had given each person exactly what they wanted, so this was a win-win-win cooperation.
Abu’s smile was radiant.
Though he hadn’t closed his eyes all night, his spirits were still surprisingly high.
After sitting down, Abu immediately chimed in energetically, “Ram, three million dollars in cash has already been prepared for you guys.
Just take it with you later.
Also, those three tanks are yours.
How do you plan to transport them?
Maide and I discussed it.
We don’t need to keep the tanks, so we won’t be buying them.
Otherwise, we’d have bought the tanks that belong to you, and you could just walk away with the cash, haha.”
Gao Yang waved his hand and laughed, “No problem, I think someone will be very happy to buy them.”
Uriyangko laughed heartily, “Of course, of course.
I’d be very happy to buy your tanks.”
After a good laugh, Uriyangko waved his hand and said, “According to our agreement, we should collect six hundred thousand dollars for helicopter rental fees.
But, since we’re old friends, considering our very good and pleasant collaboration, we’ll waive the fees.”
Uriyangko and Polovich came to war mainly to make some money through selling weapons and renting helicopters, but they hadn’t expected to get four armed helicopters for free.
A conservative estimate was that the helicopters would earn him and Polovich more than ten million dollars in pure profit, so waiving the rental fee was the right thing to do.
Abu also laughed heartily, “Alright, thank you very much.”
Polovich gave Gao Yang a sly smile, “Ram, you just said you want to sell the tanks.
One million dollars, I’ll buy all three tanks.
That’s the friendly price.
What do you think?”
One million dollars for three tanks, Gao Yang felt the price was a bit low.
Although the M60A3s were second-generation tanks, a price of only about three hundred thousand dollars each was still too low.
Before Gao Yang could speak, Uriyangko was already shaking his hands, saying, “No, no, one million for three tanks is too low of a buying price.
Listen to me, buddy.
Ram and I have a much better relationship with Grand Ivan than you think.
We’re offering the real friendly price.”
After voluntarily raising the price and explaining it to Polovich, Uriyangko turned to Gao Yang and said, “I’ve already inspected the tanks.
All three are equipped with disruptor-type laser rangefinding fire control systems and have reactive armor installed.
Moreover, the condition of the engines is very good, as if they had just been overhauled not long ago.
Even though they are old tanks, they’re still quite valuable.”
Having said that, Uriyangko stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before speaking firmly, “Considering the tanks’ configurations and maintenance condition, the normal price for one tank should be 1.2 million dollars.
However, if we want to sell them quickly, the most we could get per tank is one million dollars.
Taking into account our regular profit and costs, how about this, we’ll buy each tank from you for six hundred thousand dollars.
What do you think?”
Uriyangko certainly wanted to make a profit too.
A buying price of six hundred thousand dollars per tank was reasonable.
Other arms dealers would never offer such a high price, since the demand for tanks is quite limited, and they’re not easy to sell.
One hundred eighty thousand dollars for three tanks was a substantial extra income, putting Gao Yang in a very good mood.
He immediately extended his hand and, after shaking hands with Uriyangko, he laughed, “Deal.”
Polovich shrugged, “Sorry, I really didn’t realize the friendship between you two was this good.”
Gao Yang shook his head, indicating it was no problem, then Abu, eager to continue, said, “Alright, that’s the valuable items taken care of.
Now let’s talk about our business.
Now that we have six big guns, just having guns is not enough—we need shells too.”
Uriyangko spread his hands, laughing, “Don’t worry, you pay and I’ll provide the shells.
As long as you have the money, I’ll deliver as many as you want, and I guarantee a fair price.”
After another round of hearty laughter, Gao Yang nodded at Abu and said gravely, “Have you gotten in touch with the British?
What did they say?”
Abu said with disdain, “I made contact, with a guy who claimed to be named John.
He said if Skull Gang doesn’t want to be wiped out immediately, they’d better release all their people right away.”
Gao Yang frowned and asked, “That assertive?
What did you say?”
Abu replied with a smug look, “I told him that all of Holmesny’s mercenaries had been killed, and if he didn’t want the remaining ones dead, he’d better pay a ransom of twelve thousand US dollars per person.
We don’t have surplus food to feed freeloaders.
If one dime less is sent for anyone, we off one.
Forty-eight hours, if the money doesn’t show up, they can come collect the bodies.”
Abu’s response was even tougher, and Gao Yang was really afraid he might have blown the negotiation with the British, so he quickly asked, “How did the other side respond?”
Abu laughed, “What else could they say?
Of course, they’re paying.
That guy nearly cried, insisting on a ransom of ten thousand US dollars per head.
Damn F**k, if you’re not brave enough to fight, don’t talk tough.
I’ve roamed the seas for many years, I’m not scared of his bluffs!
In the end, we settled on ten thousand US dollars a person, plus a thousand for every hour they’re late after forty-eight hours.
If they’re over twelve hours late, we’ll kill all the captives, and they won’t have to pay a single dollar.”
Finally, they reached an agreement, and Gao Yang breathed a sigh of relief, “Good, the British shouldn’t dare default now.
Just wait and collect the money.
With this ransom, you won’t come out at a loss from this battle.”
Abu laughed heartily, “At a loss?
How could we possibly be at a loss?
After capturing Gesale, the entire eastern coast will soon be all ours, and it won’t be long before we get the west.
Then, the money will flow in like water, haha.”
After his triumphant laughter, Abu grandly waved his hand and declared, “Ram, we’ll split the captives’ ransom fifty-fifty.”
Gao Yang frowned, but he did not accept Abu’s generous offer.
There was no better employer than Skull Gang.
Whatever Gao Yang said was the final word.
If he wanted to buy intelligence, Maide would pay right away.
If he wanted to rent a helicopter, Gao Yang himself could decide without even having to ask Maide or Abu.
During battle, Maide and Abu were guaranteed not to utter a single word.
Although he was hired to command, having such complete trust and autonomy with a band of mercenaries was rare.
Conventionally, after receiving a salary, one shouldn’t share in the spoils with the employer, that’s the rule—unless there’s a prior agreement, which is why Gao and his team had taken three tanks.
However, captured prisoners were the employer’s property, after all.
If even the ransom for war prisoners had to be split with Skull Gang, that would be going too far, not something friends would do.
Gao Yang gestured with his hand, “We won’t take a cut of the ransom for the captives.
You are in need of cash right now, and we’ve captured two hundred ninety-four prisoners in total.
Let’s say we can get three million US dollars from them.
That money actually isn’t much.
You better keep it for yourselves.
You haven’t paid for the intelligence yet; we can’t drag that out.
Plus, we need to replenish ammunition, which also costs money.
Most importantly, with heavy casualties in this battle, you need to provide promptly for the soldiers who were killed or wounded.
With all these expenses, won’t your finances be stretched?”
With that said, Abu also frowned and pondered for a moment before nodding, “You’re right, we do have many expenses.
But Maide also said, we are true friends.
We still owe you money.
No matter what, this time, we should let you take more of it.”
Gao Yang smiled, “There will be plenty of time in the future, no rush.”
Abu, being a straightforward person, slapped Gao Yang on the shoulder and declared loudly, “Alright, then this time it’s settled.
Next time we need your help, we’ll make sure to prepare more money.”
Taking what must be taken and refusing what must not—this was Gao Yang’s principle.
Seeing Abu no longer insisting, Gao Yang felt pleased; this way, everyone made money, and no one had to feel uncomfortable.
After a brief chat and laugh, Abu stood up and said, “I can’t stay and talk with you any longer.
I need to go check on the prisoners.
The British need to be released, but the Somalis can’t be.
Maide said I need to work on the prisoners first, to win them over and get these men to join us.
Alright, you guys chat, I’ll take my leave.”
Gao Yang also stood up and said, “Wait a second; I understand everything you’ve just said, but I want to know, do your ‘prisoners’ also include members of the Somali Youth Party?”
Abu nodded, “Yes, of course, it includes them.
These men, how should I put it, are very tough; even the British surrendered, but they wouldn’t.
So I think if they swear allegiance, they will make good soldiers.”
Gao Yang shook his head repeatedly, “No, no way, you can keep anyone, but you absolutely cannot keep members of the Young Party.
Abu, trust me, if you allow members of the Young Party into Skull Gang ranks, the end of Skull Gang will be upon you.
Trust me, these people cannot stay; the best choice is to kill them all.”