Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 915 - 920 Temptation and Intimidation

Chapter 915: Chapter 920 Temptation and Intimidation

"Deyo died, and I knew it as soon as he passed away. Then Nicholas called Barbosa that same day. At the time, I was with Barbosa."

Swallowing nervously, Mughal subconsciously touched his own neck and continued, "Nicholas said that since Deyo was dead, someone had to continue leading the group. He felt Barbosa was very suited for the role because the Middle East market was the best-performing one, and so he hoped Barbosa would take over Deyo’s mantle."

With a wave of his hand and a helpless look on his face, Mughal said, "But Barbosa, of course, knew this was just a clumsy probe by Nicholas. So he told him that if Nicholas was willing to let her continue managing the Middle East market and distribute profits at the same ratio as before, then he was ready to fully support Nicholas."

"Just like that?"

"Oh no, it was not just that, of course. Whoever took over Deyo’s place had to be responsible for supplying the goods, and Nicholas had the support of the Americans. He could get military equipment from them."

"And then?"

"Then Nicholas asked Barbosa to meet him in South America, a gesture of sincerity on Barbosa’s part. And indeed, Barbosa went. He returned from South America just yesterday. They struck a deal; the distribution ratio would remain unchanged. My share and Barbosa’s share would stay the same; although this means Barbosa will earn a bit less, he no longer has to personally deliver weapons to the clients. You understand, the Middle East is chaotic right now. Running around in a war zone is definitely dangerous, and Barbosa no longer needs to maintain the market himself."

Yang Yi nodded and said, "Very well, things seem straightforward. So what are you going to do next?"

Just as Mughal was about to reply, Yang Yi waved his hand and said, "Wait a minute, don’t bother telling me all this. That’s Jethro’s job, not mine. I can’t be doing Jethro’s work as well. Let’s talk about the matters that are my responsibility. How many of Barbosa’s men are in Baghdad? How many more do I need to kill to stabilize the situation?"

Mughal chuckled, then said ingratiatingly, "You don’t need to worry about that. I can handle it. You see, some are loyal, and others are only loyal to money. But whichever type it is, a dead person can’t command loyalty, right? I just need to show the money, and I can pull Barbosa’s people over to my side. It’s as simple as that. Who would resist money, right? Times are tough and jobs hard to come by. No one wants to be out of work."

Yang Yi replied with a smile, "You’re right. Times are hard for everyone. Business is lucrative, but the risk always accompanies it. Arms dealing is especially high-risk. Deyo is dead, and Barbosa is dead. Nicholas will die too; he has to. But times are about to get better, pal. Deyo’s and Big Ivan’s war is over. We should be looking ahead, thinking about how to collaborate. Since Big Ivan has monopolized the Russian goods, we’ll get our supply from him. And I should remind you, Nicholas won’t be able to get his hands on Big Ivan’s goods."

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Just then, Paul, who was keeping watch outside, said, "Jethro’s here."

Yang Yi said with a smile, "That was quick. Alright then, greet your new boss."

Mughal stood up, and Yang Yi did as well, as Jethro entered with the imposing Tuya. Mughal’s smile grew even more subservient.

Jethro walked into the room, took a look around, and then spread his hands, "It looks like everything is settled."

Yang Yi smiled and said, "Pal, I’ve more or less convinced Mughal. Now it’s up to you to make a decision."

Jethro was going to take charge of this arms group, so Yang Yi had to give him face. The kind of behavior that always seemed to put oneself above everyone else was actually very foolish and was bound to lead to division in the future.

Now, Jethro was a bare-poled commander; no, he had Tuya and Boyata with him, but that was almost the same as being a bare-poled commander anyway.

But Jethro did not act like a bare-poled commander. He swaggered over and sat next to Yang Yi. After looking straight at Mughal for a while, he finally said, "Mughal?"

"Yes, it’s me. Hello, Mr. Jethro, I’ve long admired your reputation."

Jethro curled his lip and then he looked at Yang Yi, "Since he’s still alive, does that mean you think he’s okay?"

Yang Yi shrugged, "I think so, but of course, it’s up to you to decide."

Jethro laughed heartily, "You’re my business partner, and since you think it’s fine, then of course, I have no issues. I respect your opinion, and from now on, we’ll see how Mughal performs."

Mughal just smiled nervously.

Jethro looked at Mughal, thought for a moment, and suddenly said, "Now that we’ve lost Barbosa the middleman, let’s go for a sixty-forty split, you get forty, I get sixty. Besides the deceased Barbosa, we will both gain more."

Mughal was stunned, then quickly nodded, "Thank you for your generosity."

Jethro laughed, "Sit down, no need to be so tense or polite. From now on, we’re family. Well, Nicholas has to be taken out, but that has nothing to do with you. Now tell me, do you have any orders? What supplies do we need?"

Mughal immediately replied, "Yes, there are orders. Syria wants five thousand AK47s and a hundred million bullets. We only have a thousand rifles in stock, and just a few million bullets left. They also want a hundred anti-aircraft missiles. I know an armed faction just received three hundred million US dollars in aid from Shah. They have money, and frankly, as long as the goods can be delivered to Syria, they’ll want everything!"

Jethro said with interest, "Is the market shortage that significant?"

"Not extremely, but it’s always more demand than supply. This war will still go on. The conflict with Big Ivan has caused a severe market shortage, and many armed groups are using their strategic reserves. If we could supply them, those groups’ financial backers would rather pay for arms than send their own reserves to Syria."

Jethro thought for a moment, "Within a month, I’ll get you the supplies to Iraq, and you take care of the rest. Also, I want half the deposit upfront. Any problems with that?"

Mughal hesitated, and Jethro, with a stern voice, said, "Speak freely, we are partners now. There’s no need to worry."

In a low voice, Mughal said, "Well then, the situation is a bit chaotic right now, most buyers are skeptical, and getting them to pay half upfront is unlikely. However... I do have some influence here. I think we could negotiate a thirty percent deposit."

Jethro smiled, "Thirty percent deposit? That’s acceptable. Go contact your buyers, make a list and bring the deposit to me."

Mughal replied immediately, "Absolutely no problem, it’s just..."

"Speak. You have nothing to fear."

Mughal bit his lip, "Is the war with Big Ivan really over?"

Jethro smiled faintly, "Yes, the war with Big Ivan is over, but the war with Nicholas has just begun. And we’ve now joined forces with Big Ivan. So, we have to do business and fight the war with Nicholas. The only thing you need to worry about is not getting killed by Nicholas while doing business."

Mughal nodded, biting his teeth, "Alright, I understand. To be honest, I feel like standing with Big Ivan gives us a better chance of winning. I know whose side to take. Rest assured, I know whose side to take!"