973: Chapter 958 Boring Tricks 973: Chapter 958 Boring Tricks Was Ludwig not qualified enough?
Of course not.
A seasoned mercenary like Ludwig, albeit slightly older, was still physically outstanding and would be welcomed anywhere.
Gao Yang just felt that Satan didn’t need to recruit more personnel for the time being.
Moreover, after three months of joint training in Israel, the Satan Mercenary Corps had become a cohesive unit, a system.
Introducing someone new might not enhance their combat effectiveness, and might even disrupt it.
But Gao Yang definitely wasn’t really looking down on Ludwig.
If he truly had no regard for Ludwig, he wouldn’t care whether Ludwig went back to prison or died.
The solution to employing Ludwig without having him join Satan was the proposal that Gao Yang had put forward.
After his confidence was severely struck by Li Jinfang, Ludwig replied listlessly to Gao Yang’s questioning, “Why wouldn’t I do it?
Fighting in a war is always much more interesting than being in prison.”
Gao Yang smiled and asked, “Great, then how much payment do you want?”
Ludwig still replied listlessly, “What’s the going rate now?
Back in my day, it was three hundred a day, with bounties for special missions.”
Gao Yang frowned and said, “Three hundred for full-time?
Okay, I’ll give you five hundred a day plus a bonus, but we take part in every mission, so you can’t desert when it’s time to fight.
I’ll pay you more if it’s dangerous, but you can’t refuse to fight because it’s risky.”
Ludwig remained listless as he replied, “Five hundred?
Not bad, let’s go with that.
You guys are the bosses, and if you dare to go, what reason do I have not to?
But what about normal times?
How much do I get normally?
You’ve got to give enough money to live on.”
Gao Yang was taken aback and said, “The five hundred I mentioned is for regular times.”
Ludwig looked at Gao Yang in surprise and exclaimed, “The same whether fighting or not?
F**k, you’re really generous.
I’m in.
Who the hell wouldn’t be?”
Ludwig’s monthly salary was fifteen thousand, and if he didn’t encounter any particularly dangerous battles, it would still be fifteen thousand at the end of the month.
Gao Yang thought he got himself a bargain by hiring an expert for fifteen thousand, and Ludwig thought he’d stumbled on a great deal as well.
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “You have no gear—night vision devices, bulletproof vests, guns, communication equipment—all of that costs money.
You needn’t worry about it; we’ll provide them.
But you only have the right to use them; just return them if you leave.”
Ludwig laughed and replied, “Fine, but forget the night vision gear; that stuff’s too unreliable.
It’s a burden to carry, and I can’t be bothered to use it.”
Gao Yang, with his hand on his forehead, said, “Buddy, your experience is out of date.
Night vision being unreliable is old news.”
Ludwig shrugged and replied, “Maybe so, I’ve been off the battlefield for a long time, but unreliable electronics is one thing that never gets old.
Fine, if you insist on giving it to me, I’ll take it.”
Clapping his hands, Gao Yang declared, “Alright, you’re now an employee of mine.
Your salary starts today.
It’s not convenient to do cash transactions, so later our broker will set up a card for you.
Your salary will be paid daily.
Any other questions?”
Ludwig gave a thumbs-up and chuckled, “Quick and easy, no problem.
You’re much more straightforward than Tomler.
Now that you’re the boss, then, boss, is it possible to get an advance on a few days’ salary to enjoy myself a bit?”
Gao Yang looked at Little Donnie and instructed, “We won’t be departing within ten days; give him an advance for a month’s salary, let him have some fun.”
Ludwig’s smile narrowed his eyes to slits as he threw another thumbs-up, exclaiming, “Man, that’s really cool!
Buddy, no, Boss, you’re too kind!
Are we going to war in ten days?
I’ve got myself a real deal.
If I get killed the moment I hit the battlefield, this month’s salary would go to waste.
I have to say it again, Boss, you’re too kind.”
Gao Yang waved his hand dismissively and asked, “You’re called Ludwig Hunter, so what’s your nickname?”
Ludwig answered, “My nickname is Sea Wave, and some people call me Big Mister because I’m quite large.”
Gao Yang frowned and said, “Your nickname is too cumbersome.
Let’s opt for something simpler.
Alright, go rest in another room for now and think of a new nickname.”
Gao Yang and the others had matters to discuss, and Ludwig understood what that meant.
He cheerfully said, “Alright, you’re the boss; what you say goes.
I’ll think of a new name and see you guys later.”
Ludwig got up cheerfully to leave, and at that moment, Number Thirteen also stood up to go.
After taking a glance at Number Thirteen, Gao Yang hesitated before speaking firmly, “Number Thirteen, stay put.”
Number Thirteen stopped in her tracks, waited for Ludwig to leave, and then asserted, “I’m not one of you, so I can’t listen to your secrets.
And I don’t earn your money, so why should I stay?”
Gao Yang furrowed his brow and asked, “Are you sure you want to stick with us?”
“Not you all, just you.”
Gao Yang spread his hands and said, “You don’t have to do this just to find your sister.”
Number Thirteen looked at Gao Yang seriously and said, “Then tell me now.”
Gao Yang shook his head helplessly and replied, “Forget what I said.
Just stick with us.
As agreed, you’ll be an auxiliary member.
You’ve insisted on not being paid, but you seem quite poor right now, right?”
“Yes, I’m out of money.”
Gao Yang waved his hand and said, “Then I’ll also issue one to you.
You’ve got to be able to eat, right?
I’ll give you five hundred a day for living expenses.
Hmm, you have a special identity and special responsibilities.
You’re not of much use on the actual battlefield, but you can provide us with a very valuable escape route.
So, you stay.
From your perspective, give us some advice on our decision-making.”
Number Thirteen reached out his hand and said, “No problem, advance me a month’s salary.
I’m going to put a bounty online to find my sister; you don’t need to set up an account for me, I have one.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “I’ll give it to you in a moment.
Number Thirteen, if you’re to mix with us, what’s your name, and what’s your nickname?”
Number Thirteen spoke solemnly, “I’ve said before, I have no name and no nickname.
Number Thirteen is me, and I am Number Thirteen.”
Gao Yang frowned and said, “That won’t do.
Mercenaries and assassins are different.
With us, you’ve got to frequently interact with others.
You can’t always be called Number Thirteen in front of people.
You need a proper name.”
Number Thirteen thought for a bit and said, “You named me Leonard.
When I’m with you, I’ll just go by Leonard from now on.”
Gao Yang laughed and said, “That was just a joke.”
Number Thirteen smiled and said, “It’s just a code name, whatever it’s called doesn’t matter.”
Gao Yang laughed again, “Alright then, Leonard it is.
What about a nickname?”
“Whatever, you guys can call me whatever you like.”
Gao Yang nodded and said, “Fine, we can talk about the nickname later.
Now let’s get to some serious matters.”
After clapping his hands and coughing twice, Gao Yang lifted his head, looked around at everyone in the room, and said in a solemn voice, “Guys, Tomler has been wiped out.
Operating on the principle of starting with the easier tasks, we are going to Syria next, in ten days.”
Frey waved his hand and said, “Why wait ten days?
We’re free now; we can leave anytime.”
Gao Yang gestured with his hand and said, “Hear me out.
This is how it is, guys.
I’m announcing that, as of this moment, Satan Mercenary Corps is officially disbanded.”
When Gao Yang finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
Jansen asked in bewilderment, “Boss, sorry, but I’m a bit confused.
What do you mean by officially disbanded?”
Gao Yang spoke gravely, “It means the Satan Mercenary Corps has ceased to exist, gone, no more, become a term of history.”
Glolov gave a dry laugh and said, “Disbandment is fine.
The name ‘Satan’ has become too infamous.
It’s better to change the name.”
Gao Yang shook his head and said, “No, it’s not about changing the name.
I mean we’re breaking up.
Everyone goes their separate ways and heads home.”
Glolov’s mouth fell open as he said, “What…
what do you mean?”
Everyone was shocked; Eileen said in a trembling voice, “Boss, have you gone mad?”
Jansen was very perplexed and said, “What does it mean?
We’re not going to take revenge for Bruce?
But you just said we’re going to Syria.
Boss, have you lost your mind?”
Gao Yang spoke softly, “Guys, Bruce is dead, and we’re all very upset.
But, taking revenge for Bruce is not your responsibility.
None of you are obligated to risk your lives without compensation in the name of avenging Bruce.”
Li Jinfang grew anxious.
He stepped forward, but Cui Bo pulled him back, “Listen to Brother Yang finish speaking.”
Gao Yang exhaled and said, “Guys, I don’t want to manipulate you with morality or bind you with any illusory sense of brotherhood, nor do I want the name of Satan Mercenary Corps to bind your remaining lives.
Therefore, I announce the dissolution of Satan.”
Cui Bo waved dismissively and said indifferently, “I knew you had something like this up your sleeve.
Get on with it; look what you’ve done.
You’ve scared everyone.”
Cui Bo knew Gao Yang the best.
Gao Yang smiled and said, “Like I said, Satan is officially disbanded.
In ten days, Satan will be reorganized.”
Gao Yang clapped his hands and said with a serious tone, “Guys, you each have your families, your dreams.
If you choose to avenge Bruce, you not only won’t earn any money but might also die.
Now, I’m giving you ten days.
If you come back, consider those ten days as making arrangements.
If you don’t come back, there’s no issue.
Since Satan is disbanded, you’re not betraying Satan or letting down Bruce; no one will blame you.
But, if you do come back, the money will go towards avenging Bruce, and you may well sacrifice your life.
Think about it carefully.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Eileen gave Gao Yang the middle finger, her face full of anger, “Boss, this is for you, f**k you!”
Glolov smiled, “I really thought you’d gone mad there.”
Understanding Gao Yang’s intention, everyone looked relieved and dismissive.
At that moment, Number Thirteen commented emotionlessly, “A silly farce.”
Number Thirteen’s words resonated with the others, and all at once, they voiced to Gao Yang, “Really, a silly farce.” (To be continued.
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