King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

In fact, the more Joe Ga told Komi not to be nervous, the more nervous he became.

If Joe Ga had behaved like a traditional warlord and forced Komi to submit, he might have surrendered with bravado, but when Joe Ga showed his kind side and handed over the "decision-making power" of his own fate, Komi felt overwhelmed.

Sometimes overthinking and fear of loss can break a person's willpower.

When Komi got caught up in the vortex of "how should I respond to keep what I have," he had psychologically surrendered completely.

After drinking two whiskeys in a row and when his emotions had stabilized slightly, Komi looked at the composed Mr. Joe and hesitantly said, "Sir, our land contains very valuable minerals, and the source of chaos in North Kivu Province stems from those mining companies and warlords…"

As Komi said this and faced Joe Ga's half-smiling gaze, he took another sip of whiskey and then nervously added, "Of course, I too am a mil, a warlord…

To calm North Kivu Province down, we first need to calm the warlords down, but to make the warlords quiet, we need the cooperation of those mining companies.

Many of those mining companies have not invested a penny into North Kivu Province; they prefer to pay some warlords to clandestinely mine the minerals and then sell the products to them…"

So, to control North Kivu Province, we need to stop those mining companies.

If, if you need it, I can…"

Joe Ga listened and decisively gestured with his hand to stop Komi from continuing.

Komi hadn't exactly spoken to Joe Ga's heart, but he honestly described the situation in North Kivu Province.

The mining companies here are either big-headed ones like the former Belgium Mining Company or Walker Mining Company, willing to invest with confidence in long-term returns.

Or they are mining companies that buy mines from the Congo Government and then hire warlords to extract the minerals, which is still reasonable.

The worst are those mining shell companies!!

They set up an office in Butembo and collaborate with the local warlords, providing them with weapons to mine the minerals and then carry out low-price acquisitions.
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They don't care who provides the minerals; this approach results in the local people of North Kivu thinking that as long as someone has guns, they can seize the minerals, convert them to money, and the never-ending chaos ensues.

Those mining companies that actually drive the chaos in North Kivu can comfortably sit in Butembo, cherry-picking the minerals provided by those messy warlords to buy.

To stabilize North Kivu Province, it's necessary to clean up those mining shell companies.

But the reality is that the Congo Government has no effective means against those "white masters"; even the Butembo Government relies on their support to exist, let alone control them.

Actually, Komi's words were hinting that if necessary, strong measures could be used to purge those mining shell companies, and he could lead the charge.

This was somewhat like submitting his resume because if he did so, it meant that he had only one path to follow in the future.

Joe Ga had made great efforts to bring Komi over, certainly not to breed a rabid dog, so after sensing Komi's resolution, he decisively stopped him from continuing.

Looking at the 'big shot' Komi, so nervous that he couldn't control his sweating, Joe Ga suddenly smiled and said, "I can feel your sincerity!"

"Yesterday, I met someone named Ngonga, Samuel's most trusted aide, and then I thought he would be a great candidate for the new mayor of Butembo.

But as a newcomer, his power is too weak; I think the armed forces in Butembo need someone to support them."

"Butembo needs a strong government to manage the affairs of North Kivu Province!"

"Mining companies are indeed a cancer, but if they can't find gangs or warlords to collaborate with, they will need to act according to the rules we set if they want to profit from North Kivu Province.

"I always think that walking on two legs is steadier, what do you think?"

Komi's mind was in turmoil because he could roughly understand what Mr. Joe was saying, but he found it unbelievable.

Komi knew Ngonga and knew that Ngonga was Samuel's most trusted aide.

Now, Joe Ga was planning to promote Ngonga to the position of mayor of Butembo.

That was not hard to understand; supporting a local is simpler than starting all over.

What Komi couldn't comprehend was that Joe Ga seemed prepared to entrust him with Butembo's armed forces…

What was this all about?

P·B itself was the strongest force, but now it seemed to be supporting him; what was his motive?

Komi did not understand that Joe Ga needed P·B to exist as a 'third party' to maintain a superior position and stance.

Mr. Joe wanted a powerful North Kivu Province government that was willing to listen to his advice, which meant not merely treating them as puppets but enriching the government's body in various aspects.

When the rules were established, this government needed to be able to enforce policy independently.

When faced with insurmountable problems, they could delegate them to P·B for resolution.

This approach aligned with P·B's interests as well as those of the local Congolese!

The usually silent Prime Minister Minam was now viewing Joe Ga with increased favor.

Hu Lang truly lived up to his reputation!

What he was doing was actually what the Congo Government had wanted to do but was unable to accomplish.

But according to the current situation, it seemed that even after the success of the plan, the power would still be in the hands of the local people, and the mutual restraint between Ngonga and Komi would make this power even more stable.

The new government needed the recognition of the Congo Government, and if Joe Ga succeeded, the Congo Government, represented by Minam, would be the ultimate political beneficiary.

If North-Kivu could shake off the gloom and get back on track, even if it paid only a few hundred thousand in fiscal revenue each year, it would be like recapturing the sovereignty of a province that was de facto independent, a great political triumph that would suffice for Minam to boast for a lifetime.

As for Joe Ga's influence in North-Kivu, neither Minam nor the President of Congo cared.

Because these were things they had never owned in the past, and now they were true allies with "Boss Qiao", and were solid partners tied together by shares in a mining group supported by six tantalum mines.

Boss Qiao was rectifying the chaos and clarifying the source of the problems; he was always considering Congo's interests, ultimately minimizing the local political backlash, and even factually securing the 'most authoritative' say for himself.

The only thing now standing in the way of Boss Qiao was those mining companies!

Killing them was impossible because doing so would inevitably bring foreign intervention, something Joe Ga was least willing to see.

When Joe Ga was forced to speed up his actions after shooting Samuel, he had to decisively tackle everything quickly and efficiently.

Congo's minerals were too valuable; Joe Ga absolutely did not want to give Africa Daddy, the English, or even the Americans a chance to pick the fruits.

Looking at the anxious Komi, Joe Ga smiled and said, "Mr. Komi, according to my intelligence, you have nearly 2,000 armed forces at your disposal."

As Joe Ga watched the panicked Komi try to stand up, he smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't misunderstand, I have no other intentions. I just want to say that in the future, there should only be one legitimate armed force in North-Kivu, and that is the North-Kivu Provincial Army.

Out of your 2,000 men, I estimate no more than 500 are truly commendable. My idea is, if you agree, you can pick some of them, and then integrate them with the remaining personnel from the former Butembo government to form a new team of 1,500 people.

As your friend, I can provide military training for your men, even offer the kinds of weapons a regular army should have.

Of course, these services are charged, but this part of the fee can be covered by the new Butembo Government.

I need you and Ngonga to cooperate with each other to get North-Kivu on the right track while ensuring that all the common people of North-Kivu benefit as well.

Buddy, winning alone is not really a skill!

The interests in the mining industry chain are too numerous to count; we couldn't get them in the past, but now we can let those benefits go where they should.

Keeping those civilians free from hunger, illness, and death, that is what a 'big shot' should do!"

Joe Ga looked at Komi's large face. It was hard to see a black man blush, but his trembling lips and reddened eyes betrayed his emotions...

Facing an excited Komi who was somewhat lost for words, Joe Ga smiled and extended his hand, saying, "Buddy, we both have more money than we could ever spend in our lifetimes. If you just want to enjoy life, then leaving here wouldn't be a bad choice.

If there's something in your heart that you still want to do, then you should follow your feelings.

The people of North-Kivu need help, and you are the person who can help them!"

Komi stood up carefully and took Joe Ga's hand, his expression complex as he said, "Can I really do it? I..."

Joe Ga gripped Komi's hand firmly and shook it as he smiled and said, "A single person can't do much, but if we work together, we can establish a new, unexploited mining order for North-Kivu.

Based on this order, we can change the future here!

As long as you stick to it, maybe in ten years, maybe in twenty, when people here mention 'the big shot' Komi, they will point to your statue and tell those curious outsiders...

'That's our leader; he saved our lives'!"

Since last night, Komi, whose feelings had been like a rollercoaster, now seemed brainwashed as he looked fervently into Joe Ga's eyes and excitedly said, "Sir, I don't know what I should do, you tell me..."

Upon hearing this, Joe Ga laughed and said, "Then welcome to our ranks, Commander Komi!"

As he watched Komi's lips tremble with excitement, Joe Ga smiled and said, "I need you to bring over your best men; our new mayor Ngonga needs strong figures to support him.

P·B's position is unsuitable, but you can make it!

A helicopter is waiting outside for you; you can leave at any time..."

Seeing Komi nod vigorously and turn to leave, Joe Ga quickly grabbed his arm, pointing at his family with a chuckle, saying, "Buddy, aren't you forgetting something?"

Upon hearing this, Komi grinned and said, "Sir, I heard that Sangha Town has developed very well. There are free schools and hospitals there, and I would like you to help me settle my family there.

I expect North-Kivu won't be calm for the next six months, and I want my wife and children to have a home there..."