Chapter 471

Chapter 471: Shielded from Bullets

Those who can survive in such places are as slippery as eels in oil, and Mari clearly understands the nuances of coming and going.

With a face that revealed his ferocity, Longbu’s expression relaxed slightly. He shoved his gun back, ready to eliminate anyone who dared to make a move.

“Settle the accounts now. I’m in a hurry. My crew at home needs the money to keep things calm; otherwise, if I can’t control them, you’ll have a big problem. If you want to keep doing business, do as I say. Otherwise, I promise you that no one will take your business again—absolutely no one.”

Longbu’s tone dripped with deep threat. Mari was just a lucky nobody who had connected with an “agent” in the Middle East, a guy named Yadin Morgan, becoming the other’s pawn. Although he seemed to be doing well, he was just a piece that could be discarded at any moment.

“Alright, alright, what’s the rush? I’ll count the money for you!” Mari tilted slightly, lowered his headscarf, and turned his body to a position visible only to himself and Longbu. He pulled out a sheepskin pouch revealing green, crisp U.S. dollars.

“Look, ten thousand, twenty thousand, thirty thousand… Hey, hey, what are you doing!” While Mari was still counting, Longbu suddenly hurled a teacup at him, snatching the money and the pouch.

Stuffing the stolen cash into his pocket, Longbu grinned ominously, “That’s enough counting. I’ll save you some effort; this is plenty.” He had gauged the amount while Mari was counting, concluding it was more than double the remaining payment, so he simply seized it.

“You, Longbu, give it back! There’s still my share in there!” Mari panicked, trying to reclaim it. He didn’t want to give that bastard any more money; he had already conceded a little but hadn’t agreed to this much.

“Hey! Mari, I’ll treat you to tea another day. Don’t worry; everything I promised will happen. I’ll gather enough people in the next few days and arrive at the agreed time. Remember, don’t send any of that garbage weaponry; I want real stuff. Otherwise, I’ll just leave. I’m definitely making a profit off your money, haha, my lovely dollars.” Longbu didn’t concern himself with Mari’s shouts as he turned to leave with the money pouch.

People who don’t seize cheap opportunities are fools. What face, credit, brotherhood, or politeness? In front of the greenbacks, it’s all nonsense. For armed militants fighting for their next meal, all they need is money.

Those who have never gone hungry or lived under the threat of a gun can’t understand how terrifying life in this hell is.

No one wishes to return to such a life; ensuring their comfort and ease requires money. That essential tool, especially in the form of greenback currency, is vital.

After America intervened in Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban regime, the dollar has remained relatively strong locally, while government-issued currencies, like the new Afghani, are weak by comparison.

“Longbu, you bastard! May the Almighty blow off your other hand!”

Mari, infuriated, was furious. What a despicable man to take so much! Initially, he hoped to scrape together sixty thousand dollars from Longbu, but now, thanks to Longbu’s outrageous grab, he could only settle for forty thousand.

Damn it, what did he toil so hard for? It was all about this money! If he could earn enough soon, he planned to buy a farm in Australia and live a carefree life without worries.

Having lost out again, Mari finished his last cup of tea, pulled out a few crumpled new Afghanis, and tossed them into the teacup with a cold smile while turning to leave. That guy just couldn’t resist temptation.

Countless pawns like Mari roam inside and outside Afghanistan, working for agents like Mr. Yadin to connect with various armed factions, waving green cash to enlist these outlaws to do things that international powers can’t publicly undertake.

A grand game is in motion around the Dragon Party and the Dragoon Consortium. The warlord in the northern mountains of Afghanistan will face tremendous challenges, drawing interest from many international forces and organizations.

They are eager to see how far the politically-charged Dragoon Consortium can go, as it directly impacts their interests and policy changes in Afghanistan.

Perhaps the Dragoon Consortium will crumble and fade into dust like many local forces in Afghanistan, becoming mere history.

Or, like the Taliban, it may secure a position of power within the country’s upper echelons.

Without enduring storms, how could one expect to see a rainbow?

Based on their expansion and potential, uniting Afghanistan isn’t impossible; the key question remains: where do they acquire their equipment and combat capabilities? From America? Russia? Europe? Japan? Or China?

Sally, CEO of the Dragoon Consortium, remains unwavering, brandishing guns and money while her company and control zones are eyed by greedy individuals.

She rallies allies, targeting those who threaten her, raising her flag and dignity amidst blood and fire.

Unlike other local Afghan forces, the Dragoon Consortium is fortunate, pledging loyalty at the cost of all its assets, backed by abundant mineral resources and a sufficient population base, in addition to the lucrative nature of gems, which are always favored by armed militants.

Money, guns, people, and land—all the elements are in place. Facing the surrounding forces—greedy and oppressive—even without ambition, the Dragoon Consortium must cultivate ambitions.

In this chaotic landscape, outside countries quietly provide weaponry and training support, enabling the Dragoon Consortium to sweep away all surrounding powers. Despite constant friction at the borders and countless attacks from other armed militants, this commercial consortium begins to take on the characteristics of a military organization and a political party.

Furthermore, the strong support from their powerful backer subtly indicates that a pro-China Afghanistan is more beneficial for China’s interests.

The Dragoon Consortium has hardly ever stopped its growth, and everyone within the consortium understands that without their powerful backing, they would have likely been devoured, leaving no bones behind.

An unexpected breakthrough gives China a new opportunity in the Middle East.

……

Switching back to Paris, while the last group of Chinese exhibitors was arriving, trying to adjust their sleep schedule, the entire continent of Europe remained almost entirely awake.

During the day, the astonishing footage from Bourget Airport replayed repeatedly across television stations worldwide. Aviation enthusiasts, military aficionados, high-ranking officers from various air forces, and aviation experts couldn’t resist jumping into discussions, using the video to voice opinions and raise their own profiles during this rare opportunity.

The most discussed topic among the military worldwide was probably the Su-27 Guardian, a model on the brink of being replaced yet seemed to be rejuvenated.

However, rather than feeling proud and pleased, everyone at Sukhoi wore gloomy faces, reflecting a dismal atmosphere.

The Chinese pilot showcased extraordinary maneuvers while flying the Su-27. This should have been a point of pride for Sukhoi, and on the surface, it indeed looked that way.

Yet those with insight realized it wasn’t a good sign; it was, in fact, a disaster.

Success stands out, but it is also met with storms.

Every manufacturer knows not to showcase their best products and the most brilliant maneuvering tactics, lest they draw jealousy from competitors or hostile forces.

This footage attracted unnecessary attention to Sukhoi. If Russian fighter jets truly possessed such strong capabilities, competitors would surely start thinking about suppressing them.

If the pilot had been Russian, it would have been something to boast about. However, he was merely a Chinese pilot in transit, leaving Sukhoi with a tarnished reputation instead of a polished one.

Having a name without the corresponding strength is self-sabotage, leading to unwarranted praise that can turn toxic.

It is akin to taking fire for another.

Aviation is a serious field that leaves no room for error. If you can perform spectacularly without possessing the genuine maneuvering skills, clients will not simply overlook it; they buy not just products but also services.

Hiding such excellent dogfighting techniques can attract jealous eyes, which is a frightening prospect.

Whether it’s Sukhoi or Russia, the tragedy lies in the fact that no pilot possesses the capability to master such high-level maneuvers.

If they can no longer create such maneuvers in the future, it could be attributed to reckless luck, and such a stark psychological gap likely wouldn’t be accepted by the local population.

This video alone has overshadowed numerous fighter jet manufacturers, stealing much of the spotlight from the exhibition, inadvertently raising the bar in the minds of military procurement teams and audiences, pushing Russia to the outer fringes of attention without any gain in return.

If more miraculous performances were to occur from the Chinese, it would genuinely leave the Russians carrying the blame while the benefits all went to the Chinese.

Their strength is clear, making Bourget feel like their home turf.

Many Russians will harbor resentment, wondering why their country does not produce such exceptional pilots.

After experiencing such a shadow, Sukhoi will probably never allow a Chinese pilot to operate their fighter jets in public again.