Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 249 - 236: Tacit Understanding

Chapter 249: Chapter 236: Tacit Understanding

Mu Tianwen was young and had little means, but his teacher was a different story.

This was like asking for advice without meeting, as Gao Yi believed that Mu Tianwen’s teacher was no ordinary person and could provide an extraordinary solution.

The time was short, only about ten minutes, when Mu Tianwen called Gao Yi.

"I called my teacher and explained the situation in detail, and then, my teacher said just one sentence; he said to buy the F-10."

"F-10?"

"Yes."

Gao Yi wasn’t able to grasp the meaning at the moment.

After thinking for a while, Gao Yi puzzledly asked, "Did your teacher explain further?"

"No, my teacher said as long as I convey this message to Shaman, he will definitely understand."

Shaman might understand, but Gao Yi did not—at this rate, this advice-seeking would be quite uncomfortable.

"Do you understand it?"

"I think I understand."

"What do you mean?"

Mu Tianwen paused briefly, then spoke softly, "From the top comes the middle, from the middle comes the bottom. If one seeks from the bottom, there shall be none to find."

Gao Yi roughly understood; it meant what Mu Tianwen said was a bit convoluted, so he needed to think it over.

Gao Yi, after briefly pondering, listened as Mu Tianwen continued, "Seek the top and gain the middle, seek the middle and gain the bottom, seek the bottom and gain nothing; ultimately, this still revolves around a contest of powers, where the United States is unwilling to let France earn money that should belong to the United States, but it’s even more unacceptable for another country to take this money, so, do you understand now?"

"I understand, it’s like although France is a competitor, they are ultimately our allies, and now realizing that the money might be earned by an enemy, no, it’s not just about the money being earned, it’s about the enemy gaining influence, and that definitely can’t be allowed."

"Yes, that’s the idea," Mu Tianwen whispered.

"But are they willing to sell?" Gao Yi couldn’t help asking.

Mu Tianwen chuckled, "This is where political wisdom comes in. Even if knowing that Saudi wouldn’t actually purchase the F-10, as long as Saudi shows interest in buying, the other side will surely cooperate because this is not just a transaction, it’s mutual aid among friends, do you understand? Hence, no need for further explanation, Shaman will surely understand once you mention it."

So, this was not only advice-seeking from afar but also a collaboration without the need for explicit communication.

Gao Yi thought of an appropriate idiom and whispered, "Understood, it’s like the unspoken understanding that should be grasped intuitively, right?"

"Uh... I think ’tacit understanding without declaration’ might be more appropriate."

Comparing idioms was not as smooth as a foreign kid, and Gao Yi felt somewhat uneasy, so he whispered, "Hmm, got it. Study well over there, and that’s it then, thank my teacher for me and of course, thank you for your help."

"Your problems are my problems, brother; we don’t dwell on formalities."

Gao Yi felt like laughing; Mu Tianwen learned these phrases quite quickly.

After hanging up with Mu Tianwen, Gao Yi turned to Abdulla and said, "There’s a way."

"What way?"

"Call His Highness, just say the situation can be solved by buying the F-10."

Abdulla paused for a while, and Gao Yi had to say, "Do it now; trust me, His Highness will be pleased upon hearing this."

Scratching his head, Abdulla still made the call, and moments later, he whispered, "Your Highness, um, there’s a way to solve our current predicament, which is to buy the F-10 fighter jet."

Shaman was silent for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, "Good idea!"

Hearing this, Abdulla couldn’t help but feel joyful.

Immediately, Shaman said, "Buying the F-10, yes, why not buy the F-10, the Americans of course won’t agree, but if it’s between buying the Rafale or the F-10, the Americans would obviously prefer us buying the Rafale. A strategy not thought of by yourself."

Shaman was much shrewder than Abdulla.

It was a strategy even Shaman could think of himself, though it might take a few days, perhaps suggested by an adviser, but with the United States just beginning to obstruct and France just leaking secrets, Abdulla immediately providing a good strategy certainly wasn’t his own idea.

Abdulla wasn’t trying to take all the credit, he whispered: "This was thought of by your good brother."

Taking a deep breath, Shaman said, "Truly talented, let me speak to him!"

Abdulla handed the phone to Gao Yi, who took it, and heard Shaman whisper, "Brother, your approach is excellent! I didn’t expect you to be only brave but so wise as well."

Gao Yi had a particular trait that those unfamiliar with him wouldn’t know.

What trait?

It was that Gao Yi truly enjoyed helping people out, gladly making wedding dresses for others, willing to lift his friends into the saddle and send them on their way.

All kind words, just that Gao Yi is a man of great vision, willing to seize every opportunity to create opportunities for his friends.

"Brother, this plan isn’t something I came up with," he confessed, "I asked Muhan about it, but it wasn’t his idea either. How could a kid like him come up with such a brilliant strategy? It was his teacher’s idea."

Don’t gamble on human kindness, and there’s no need to gamble on human malevolence.

Muhan, also known as Mu Tianwen’s father, posed a threat to Shaman’s throne, but Mu Tianwen did not. However, Mu Tianwen, being a member of the Royal Family, might one day aspire to the throne.

Regardless of how slim the chances are, their existence alone is a threat.

As the proverb goes, a tree that stands out in the forest is often blown down by the wind. If Mu Tianwen were to appear too capable at such a young age, and especially if he demonstrated exceptional political acumen, it wasn’t certain if Shaman could tolerate his presence until adulthood.

Therefore, Mu Tianwen’s role must be highlighted and praised, but not overly so.

This is a difficult balance to achieve.

But eliminating hidden dangers is simple, make Mu Tianwen someone useful to Shaman in the future, without posing a threat.

The most suitable role is to make Mu Tianwen act as a bridge, though this is a matter for the future. Gao Yi believed that Mu Tianwen had a mentor behind him, who would advise him on these matters in the future. There was no need for him to solve Mu Tianwen’s problems now, he just needed to ensure he didn’t praise Mu Tianwen too highly.

Indeed, Shaman pondered for a long time, then said, "Muhan... I see, he is a clever little fellow, smarter than his father."

Gao Yi found himself unable to respond to this.

Shaman was his elder brother, but Harold was also a good elder brother. He couldn’t just abandon the old love for a new one, no, forget his elder brother.

Shaman sighed, "Now I know how to negotiate with France. Just wait a bit longer. As long as France still wants to make this deal, they’ll have to think of a proper method. At the very least, the French will have to ensure your protection. Otherwise, we can scrap the whole deal. I won’t buy from anyone."

"Thank you, Brother!"

Shaman whispered, "I’ll get in contact soon. Wait for my news."

Gao Yi handed the phone back to Abdulla. Abdulla sighed and said, "I’ll remember this favor."

Abdulla owed a debt of life-saving grace, but his mention of the favor now clearly indicated his gratitude for Gao Yi letting him convey this good method.

After all, Gao Yi could have called Shaman himself.

Now it was just a matter of waiting to see how France would respond to the move by the United States.

About an hour passed, which wasn’t actually that short.

Gao Yi called Mu Tianwen, who in turn called his teacher. After receiving advice, Mu Tianwen called back, and so through these many steps, it only took ten minutes to finalize.

But for the French, completing all these actions within an hour from receiving the news was impressively quick.

After all, the Americans had acted ruthlessly, issuing a no-fly order, and probably CIA agents and assassins were already on their way.

This time, someone personally boarded the plane to visit.

It was the same man Gao Yi had met once before, the man in a suit who had taken him out of the police station.

"Hello, I am Jean Lemerre, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

He hadn’t introduced himself the first time they met, but this time he did, making it clear there was a change in his status.

Lemerre first shook hands with Abdulla, then with Gao Yi, then he bowed slightly, "I’m sorry, this cooperation... has encountered some unintended complications."

Abdulla said nothing, and Gao Yi naturally wouldn’t say anything either. Seeing that neither was speaking, Lemerre suddenly clapped his hands, "But, we must make amends for our mistakes. Given the current situation, we sincerely invite you and your injured companion to be guests at the Elysee Palace."

Hearing the name Elysee Palace, both Gao Yi and Abdulla were momentarily stunned.

Lemerre smiled and continued, "Of course, staying at the Elysee Palace is temporary, but we will definitely have a better place to accommodate you all, allowing you to rest and recover well."

Abdulla suddenly said, "I trust there is no security concern at the Elysee Palace, but it’s not quite suitable for my friend and his companion to go there."

Lemerre, without hesitation, replied, "It’s only temporary, just visiting the Elysee Palace. There will be no other activities or arrangements."

After hesitating for a moment, Abdulla nodded, "Alright, then we’ll go to the Elysee Palace first."

Lemerre checked his watch, then in a low voice said, "Alright, I’ll wait for you under the plane."

After nodding, Lemerre walked away.

Gao Yi swallowed, "The Elysee Palace, never thought I’d get to enter it in my lifetime."

"It’s not necessarily a good thing, but there’s no better option right now. The French lack confidence, worried that arranging you elsewhere would be unsafe. Most importantly, the French need to provide His Highness with an explanation."

Abdulla finished speaking, then suddenly said, "Ha, French men are like women, French women are like men."

"Why do you say that? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

With a look of disdain, Abdulla said, "Because if France let women manage, I mean replace all officials with women, things would definitely be easier than now, these useless people!"