Mercenary’s War
Chapter 1340 - 1323: First Contact

Chapter 1340: Chapter 1323: First Contact

Rick looks like he’s in his thirties, built solid and rugged, sporting a bushy beard that gives him a rough demeanor, and his speech and mannerisms indeed showcase his rugged side.

He may look like a brute, but Gao Yang wouldn’t dare treat Rick as one, so he smiled and said, "Security services? Of course, we do."

Rick immediately clapped his hands and said loudly, "Great, let’s find time to discuss it at my office, or I could visit you at your office. Our company needs to send a batch of staff to Iraq for equipment installation and debugging, and their security has been a constant headache for me, buddy. I believe that a boss with good gunmanship would have equally adept personnel under him, don’t you think we could collaborate?"

Gao Yang smiled and said, "Getting business is always great, but I don’t quite understand. In such situations, wouldn’t security be provided by Iraq or the U.S. Government? Why would you need to pay for security yourselves?"

Rick shook his head and smiled, "Well, we always have Iraqi security forces providing external security, and American PMC provides inner-layer protection. But you see, buddy, this time we’re supplying equipment through interest-bearing loans, which we’ll repay with extracted crude oil gradually. Few companies are willing to do business this way, so since we agreed to this cooperation model, we naturally have the right to make demands regarding security. That’s why I’m considering asking the Solar System Company to provide security services for us now."

Gao Yang was a bit excited—business was coming to him, after all. Manpower wasn’t the issue; even the old PMC Company recruited temporary workers to be dispatched to Iraq for single missions under one contract. Simply put, they just needed to hire some temps for it.

Gao Yang spread his hands and smiled, "Sure, we can thoroughly discuss this issue when we have time."

Rick raised the bottle and announced, "Drinks! Let’s not talk business today."

When Gao Yang and Rick put down their bottles, they heard someone speaking behind them, "Gentlemen, you seem to be having a pleasant chat. May I interrupt for a moment?"

Gao Yang turned slightly, to see the very person he intended to meet—Andrew.

Andrew offered a hand to Gao Yang and laughed, "Let me introduce myself, Andrew Quincy Adams. Mr. Gao, allow me to compliment your gunmanship."

Gao Yang stood up and shook hands with Andrew, smiling warmly, "Hello, Mr. Adams."

Andrew chuckled, "Just call me Andrew. I won’t interrupt your conversation with Mr. Perry anymore, Mr. Gao."

Rick merely nodded at Andrew with a smile, without inviting him to sit down, while nearby, Morey suddenly called out, "Hey, Andrew, sit down, have a taste of my barbecue."

Andrew seemed a bit flattered, so he quickly said, "It’s such an honor to taste Mr. Perry’s cooking."

Morey’s barbecue event invited many people—it had the same purpose as a party in New York, being a relaxed and informal setting. However, not just anyone qualified to sit down and casually grab Morey’s personally grilled meat, and as an upcoming guest, Andrew clearly was not yet qualified.

As Andrew eagerly picked up his plate, Morey handed him the rack, smiling, "Have a steak."

After placing a steak on Andrew’s plate, Morey turned to Gao Yang and smiled, "Gao, you should chat more with Andrew, as your political stances are quite similar. Oh, let me add, Andrew is a Congressman candidate."

Morey’s words were full of implications; they could be seen as him speaking on Andrew’s behalf or as extending help, providing Andrew with the opportunity to converse with Gao Yang. That’s how it was.

And from Gao Yang’s side, Morey’s brief sentence also served as an endorsement for him. If he were just a nobody, Morey wouldn’t bother to make him chat with someone, so Morey’s comment elevated Gao Yang’s status, conveying to Andrew that he was someone significant or capable.

With one sentence, Morey was able to make both appreciate his favor, and a single sentence further emphasized that Gao Yang and Andrew might have shared interests. Despite his appearance of an ordinary Texas farmer, Morey was shrewd beyond imagination. Gao Yang never judged people by looks, but this moment reaffirmed that significant figures were never simple.

Gao Yang didn’t have a political stance to speak of—Morey was making it up. He followed along opportunistically, so he raised the bottle, smiling at Andrew, "Oh, Mr. Adams is running for Congressman? Then may you succeed in your election."

Andrew set down his plate, picked up his bottle, and laughed, "Thanks, furthermore, just call me Andrew."

The two clinked bottles and took a sip; suddenly Rick seemed to have noticed something. He stood up smiling, "Sorry, folks, I need to greet a friend, you two carry on."

Rick walked away, leaving Gao Yang and Andrew space.

They couldn’t start by discussing campaign funding, even though Gao Yang wanted to give, and Andrew was eager to receive. There had to be a process first. So they started chatting about shooting and then moved on to Texas customs, eventually discussing Texas’ three basketball teams—the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks. Actually, Andrew preferred to talk about football, but Gao Yang didn’t know much about it. Yet Andrew definitely had something to converse with Gao Yang about, even if there was nothing, Andrew always found something to say.

Remembering basketball, Gao Yang suddenly thought, if Frey wants to play baseball, the first team he’ll join would definitely be the Texas Rangers. So he suddenly got excited and smiled at Andrew, "You know, I have a brother who is a genius pitcher. He’s definitely going to join the Texas Rangers. When he does, you can cheer for him. Believe me, he’s truly talented. The owner of the New York Yankees dreams of signing him. We’ve talked several times, but for now, my brother isn’t planning to play professional baseball. However, I’m hoping he can enter Major League Baseball this year."

Speaking of Frey, Gao Yang couldn’t help but smile, a look of parental pride, as if talking about a successful son, despite Frey being his brother rather than his son.

Andrew was momentarily stunned, then exclaimed in surprise, "Are you serious?"

Gao Yang nodded, "Of course, I’m absolutely serious, buddy. I know you may not believe it, but what I’m saying is completely true. I don’t know when you’ll be able to see him play, but you definitely will—it’s only a matter of time."

Andrew slapped his leg and said with excitement, "I’m from Arlington, Gao, I’m from Arlington! Buddy, the Texas Rangers’ home field is in Arlington, and I’m from Arlington. I’ve always been proud that Arlington has a top league team. Although the Rangers’ performance isn’t stellar, I must be loyal to my hometown’s team. So, buddy, I’m a die-hard team fan."

Whether Andrew is truly a die-hard fan matters little; he could be passionate about basketball or football. The key point is he needs to express a passion for that sport to Gao Yang. Judging from Andrew’s attitude, Gao Yang figured maybe Andrew really was a baseball fan; after all, having a Major League Baseball team in the small satellite town near Dallas, the people of Arlington do feel proud.

Feeling a bit closer now, Andrew raised his bottle and laughed, "Here’s to your brother joining the Texas Rangers soon!"

They clinked bottles again, Gao Yang smiling confidently, "He’ll definitely join, just like you’ll definitely be elected as a Congressman."

Andrew shrugged and said wryly, "Maybe your brother will indeed back the Texas Rangers, but I’m not so certain. In fact, I’m not too optimistic about my political career."

Gao Yang set down his bottle, asking seriously, "Why do you say that?"

Andrew shrugged, "It’s quite simple. My opponent is very powerful, and I need a lot of campaign funds to have a chance at improving my odds."

Gao Yang gestured between him and Andrew, saying seriously, "I think we’re already friends. Wouldn’t you agree?"

Andrew smiled, "Of course, we certainly are friends. That goes without saying."

Gao Yang nodded and solemnly said, "As a friend, I feel obliged to offer some small help. Well, I can’t help much other than providing funds, so I’m willing to sponsor your campaign."

Andrew looked overjoyed; he shrugged, sighed, and then solemnly raised his bottle and said, "I have nothing more to say. Thank you for your generosity, friend."

After drinking with Andrew, Gao Yang pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "I’m willing to offer a million US dollars for your campaign. Though I may not be able to attend your fundraising events to donate, let’s do this—please give me one of your fundraising accounts."

No need to elaborate; what follows isn’t important—once Gao Yang stated his intention to contribute, that would suffice. Both sides knew exactly what to do and how to proceed.

Andrew was genuinely happy, because a million US dollars is a hefty sum for a campaign fund, especially for a congressional campaign—it’s an irresistible windfall.

The atmosphere became even more harmonious and lively, and Gao Yang and Andrew chatted for about forty minutes before finally wrapping up the conversation. The party was just the first step in connecting; more discussions would follow at leisure.

After successfully initiating contact with Andrew, Gao Yang started meeting new "friends." As he wandered over to Morgan’s side, Morgan quietly said with a smile, "How did it go?"

"Great, very smooth, everything went as planned." (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com), your votes and monthly tickets are my greatest source of motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)