812: Chapter 803: The Twelfth Member 812: Chapter 803: The Twelfth Member People often say ‘Comparing oneself to others will only leave one in despair.’ Compared to how Sadiq treated these people, Gao Yang could indeed be considered a saint.
Instead of treating these people as slaves, he chose to grant them their freedom, provided them with food, clothing, and medical care, and even paid salaries that were considered high in Africa.
If that’s not saintly, what is?
To bring these laborers back to the camp would be a waste of time, but with around a hundred people involved, Gao Yang, although in a hurry, truly couldn’t just leave them behind.
He asked the Chieftain to wait at a distance.
Gao Yang, Bantuna, and Jansen returned by car to Sadiq’s mining camp, and then the three of them took three trucks back to where the laborers waited, picked them up, and returned to the camp.
After such a roundabout expedition, by the time they delivered the people, the sky was already dark.
No one had arrived at the camp yet, so it was temporarily still safe.
They arranged for the weaker ones to cook and those who were physically stronger to bury the bodies.
Once everything was more or less taken care of, Gao Yang finally left.
Only Bantuna stayed behind with the laborers.
Gao Yang was still worried.
Staying in the camp could hardly be considered safe.
Now, he valued Bantuna very highly and repeatedly cautioned him that if there were any signs of trouble, he should leave immediately, and then he and Jansen left the camp again.
After driving away with Jansen for some distance, the driving Jansen seemed to have made up his mind and suddenly said to Gao Yang in the passenger’s seat, “Boss, is Bantuna going to work for you permanently from now on?”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “Yes, that’s right.”
After hesitating for a bit, Jansen awkwardly said, “Boss, uh, do you think I could work for you?”
Gao Yang glanced at him, but it was too dark to see Jansen’s face.
After thinking about it, Gao Yang said in a deep voice, “Of course, but it depends on what job you’re willing to do.
If you’re willing to stay here and look after my diamond mine with Bantuna, I’d be happy to pay you a salary.
However, you know exactly what I do, right?”
Jansen immediately responded, “Yes, you are Ram.
You have a very famous and strong Mercenary Group, and the Mercenary Group is actually your main business.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “That’s right.
So, I actually have two job positions for you.
One is to stay here and look after the diamond mine, and the other is to join the Satan Mercenary Corps.”
Jansen immediately exclaimed in surprise, “Can I?
Am I qualified to join Satan?”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “You’re lucky because I am in need of someone who can provide aerial reconnaissance.
We have a very good Gunner.
Can you provide aerial reconnaissance for a Gunner and also provide him with shooting coordinates?”
Jansen excitedly said, “Of course I can, I definitely can.
There’s absolutely no problem with that!”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “That’s great, then you can choose a job position now.”
After hesitating for a bit, Jansen then asked, “Can I ask how much I can make at the diamond mine, and how much I could make in the Mercenary Group?”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Here, as long as no one comes to take over the mine or starts a fight, it’s ten thousand US dollars a month with paid vacation.”
Jansen swallowed and said, “There’s also no one here to tax my income, ten thousand dollars a month is a net income.
F**k, that’s equivalent to an annual salary of a doctor or a lawyer.
I must admit, that’s a high salary, very tempting high salary.”
Ten thousand a month, which is one hundred twenty thousand US dollars a year.
Gao Yang did not know about Europe, but in America, an annual salary of one hundred twenty thousand US dollars was definitely considered high.
Those famous big doctors and lawyers certainly made more than this, but among the overall industry of well-paid doctors and lawyers, earning a net annual salary of one hundred twenty thousand was indeed quite a lot.
After a moment of excitement, Jansen again spoke with expectancy, “Then, what if I join the Satan Mercenary Corps?”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “A trial monthly salary of ten thousand plus bonuses.
If you qualify for a share of the commissions, then you will lose the basic salary and bonuses, but you will get a share of the commissions and the right to share in the spoils of war.
The cost is that you must join us in adventures all over the world, and fighting is involved.
You should understand, joining Satan means you’re always at risk of losing your life.”
After swallowing, Jansen asked, “If I may be so bold, how much does a member typically earn in a year?”
Gao Yang was stumped by the question.
He scratched his head and finally said in a low voice, “I haven’t really calculated that, but from what I recall, up to now, each individual might have made about two million US dollars this year.
We’ve never really calculated it.
I’d need to figure it out precisely to know for sure.”
“No need to calculate, no need to calculate!
I’m in, I’m in, I’m in!”
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Sorry, you can’t just join like that.
I haven’t finished speaking yet.
Yes, we indeed need someone who can do drone surveillance, but what we really need is a versatile person who can do surveillance and fight.
I know your drone skills are qualified, but I don’t yet know about your combat abilities.
So, you must pass a test first.”
Jansen said nervously, “What kind of test do I need to take?”
“Our people are receiving training at a training camp.
I can take you there for a trial training.
If you qualify, you will get a probation opportunity.
If we think you’re not qualified, then I’m sorry, you can choose to work here with Bantuna or find another way to make a living.”
“Boss, I can take the test anytime, I’m ready.”
After speaking nervously to Gao Yang, suddenly Jansen said, “Sorry boss, I’m just curious, you don’t have to answer if it’s inconvenient for you, uh, Bantuna, has he joined Satan yet?
I just think, he’s really impressive, maybe he didn’t need to take the test.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “No, Bantuna hasn’t joined Satan.”
Jansen was very surprised and said, “No?
I thought he wouldn’t miss such a great opportunity.”
Gao Yang sighed and said, “I’ve discussed this issue with Bantuna, but Bantuna is only suited to terrains similar to this one.
If it were somewhere else, his strength wouldn’t be as great as it is here.
Our Mercenary Group operates globally—cities, deserts, rainforests, mountains, plains, cold regions; these places could all be our battlefields.
And Bantuna, his level of combat would drop a lot if he left here.”
Jansen was stunned for a moment, then said, “He’s so impressive and still not suitable?
Well then, I, I’m starting to feel not so confident about myself.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “No, Bantuna’s biggest problem isn’t here.
How should I say it, it’s not possible for our people to be familiar with the terrain of every corner of the globe.
Others are like Bantuna; they have their strengths and weaknesses in different terrains, but Bantuna’s biggest issue is that he’s illiterate.
You know, we need to use a lot of high-tech equipment.
Each person needs to be able to operate independently and complete tasks on their own.
Being illiterate greatly affects Bantuna’s abilities in this area.
He can’t use GPS, can’t understand maps, and can’t even read street signs.
That’s just not feasible.”
Jansen murmured, “That’s true, but it’s such a shame.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “It’s not too bad.
I’ve already discussed it with Bantuna.
He’s considered an informal member of the Satan Mercenary Group.
If we come to fight in Africa, he will participate.
If there are fights in unexpected places in Africa, he will stay here to help me.
Thus, Satan Mercenary Group already has a combat expert for the African Rainforest, which is great.
Now, Satan Mercenary Group not only has experts for the Amazon Rainforest but also for the African Rainforest.”
Jansen made a clicking sound with his mouth and said, “That sounds impressive.
Everyone knows rainforests are the most dreadful terrain.
Having a jungle warfare expert is really good.
Well, I hope I will eventually qualify to join Satan, though I still think it’s such a pity for Bantuna.”
Gao Yang also felt it was a pity, but illiteracy was a significant flaw.
It was somewhat unrealistic to expect Bantuna, who was nearly forty, to start learning from scratch.
After hearing Gao Yang sigh with regret, Jansen said, “I’m still not very familiar with Bantuna.
The deepest impression he made on me is that he’s very capable and commands respect.
The people he leads obey him without question.
Bantuna also likes to lay things out upfront.
If you want him to do something, you pay.
Once paid, he’s exceptionally diligent.
All in all, I think he’s a reliable person.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “Getting paid to do the job.
That’s how mercenaries work.
But discussing money upfront and then ensuring the task is completed no matter what, that’s something only a good mercenary can achieve.
Jansen, I have high hopes for you.
Your combat skills might be lacking, but I’m very optimistic about your character.
Don’t let me down.”
Gao Yang was barely two years older than Jansen.
They were both still considered young, but Gao Yang could speak to Jansen like an elder, and Jansen took it as a matter of course.
Indeed, status makes a difference.
In the normal world, Gao Yang might not be a celebrity; nobody would know his name.
However, in the world of mercenaries, Gao Yang is a big shot, and the Satan Mercenary Group is a famous mercenary group.
If Jansen wants a career as a mercenary, he has to look up to Gao Yang and maintain ample respect for him.
Specialization is key.
Jansen isn’t a marksman or a sniper yet; he caught Gao Yang’s eye as a technical talent.
If Jansen were a marksman, his relationship with Gao Yang wouldn’t just about respect.
Either he would idolize him, or he would resent Gao Yang, wishing to prove himself over Gao Yang’s dead body.
Jansen stopped talking and focused on driving, very excited about the opportunity to join the Satan Mercenary Group, and Gao Yang was also very happy.
Although initially, he hadn’t specifically planned to recruit a skilled drone operator, discovering Jansen’s potential to aid in combat and his reliability prompted Gao Yang to quickly decide to bring Jansen into the fold.
Now everything seemed to be going smoothly, which delighted him.
Of course, if Jansen turned out to be unqualified to join Satan, then Gao Yang would have to find someone else who was qualified.
So, Gao Yang was quite hopeful that Jansen’s combat skills were as strong as his surveillance capabilities.
(To be continued.
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