Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 326 - 310 Just Need Money

Chapter 326: Chapter 310 Just Need Money

"Let Joelson do his thing and bring in Grasse to discuss strategies," he had said.

Grasse had also climbed up from the bottom, but his starting point was much lower than Joelson’s.

Joelson had previously been an assistant to Crawford, who had once been a head of a department with real power, so Joelson’s starting position as an assistant wasn’t considered low.

Grasse, however, had moved several times between the most basic positions, where he couldn’t even meet an official, but Grasse and Martin belonged to that type who had strong abilities, just stunted by the platform they were on.

Gao Yi felt if there was any clever trick to deal with a superior, it would be Grasse and his ilk who would know it.

When he explained the current situation, especially Crawford’s personality, Grasse, looking tense, interrupted before Gao Yi could finish, "Trouble, Crawford is a black man? You didn’t mention that initially."

"Black man... don’t be racist."

Grasse looked helpless and said, "It’s not about discrimination, but haven’t you heard that black people can’t borrow money? Okay, this is discrimination, but I’ve always known, never engage in financial dealings with black people, they don’t pay back!"

Gao Yi whispered, "I’ve already given him ten million, Crawford was very satisfied, extremely satisfied. Now, the main issue is how we can move Crawford aside and let Joelson make direct contact with Panetta."

"This is just the normal superior-subordinate relationship, what status Panetta holds, how could he possibly make direct contact with a frontline agent? He can only issue commands through Crawford, trying to bypass Crawford..."

Grins pondered deeply, while Gao Yi whispered, "Exactly, so we need a way to remove the obstacle that Crawford is, I was thinking, create a big crisis, something so daunting that Crawford wouldn’t dare to interfere."

"That might work, but it tests his resilience. What if Crawford thinks he can handle it, or what if he is simply unaware of the crisis? Then he just fails to report it to Panetta, who remains ignorant of what’s happened, and we’re still stuck with Crawford, aren’t we?"

Gao Yi was taken aback, then nodded, "Yes, that’s possible, so what do we do? Joelson isn’t authorized to contact Panetta directly, nor can he reach him."

Suddenly, Grasse said, "There’s a way, it’s quite simple to solve, if Joelson can’t initiate contact with Panetta, let Panetta initiate contact with Joelson. As for the method, it’s simple, ask for money!"

Gao Yi puzzledly asked, "Ask for money? We ask Panetta for money?"

"Yes, because in this system, the hardest part is always getting the funds, especially when field agents execute missions, they always need money."

Grasse grinned bitterly, "Every day I worry about how to get funding, wanting to initiate any work without money is too hard, no need to think about creating a big mess for Crawford, just let Joelson ask Crawford for a large amount of money. Crawford definitely can’t give it, he will need to apply to Panetta, this should be the normal process."

"Then what?"

"Then, Panetta needs to know what this money is for, he has to clarify it; no one likes being played for a fool by their subordinates, so Panetta will most likely have to personally inquire Joelson about it. This is the most secure, safest method."

Gao Yi thought for a bit, then said, "How much should we ask for? It can’t be too little, if it’s too little, Crawford could just give the money himself and that would be troublesome."

"He giving the money himself? Haha, if your description of Crawford’s behavior is accurate, I’ll eat my hat if he would even dish out twenty thousand dollars. Trust me, ask for twenty million dollars, say with that amount we can annihilate Freedom Wind, without it, we can’t proceed. As for why you need this money, just say it’s confidential, don’t give a reason. Once Crawford hears this figure, he’ll be scared, either he decides to instantly kill you or he’ll rush to report it and throw the problem to Panetta to deal with."

Gao Yi nodded, "We just need to ask for funding, that does sound a lot simpler."

"Of course it’s simple, don’t always think about using your own money to solve everything. Also, you think money isn’t an issue, but it’s always a big issue for everyone, so just follow the normal process to request funds from above, and let the message reach Panetta eventually."

After finishing, Grasse smiled, "Just say this, trust me, if things go fast, you could contact Panetta by tonight."

Gao Yi hesitated, "This arms deal we’re doing, the intention was to let the brothers make some money while dragging Panetta down, but if we ask Panetta for money, wouldn’t this arms deal be exposed? Even though we are so wealthy, why still apply to Panetta for operational funds? Doesn’t it seem illogical?"

Grasse looked at Gao Yi strangely, "Do you like to use your own money to cover other people’s tasks?"

Gao Yi suddenly realized.

Grasse shrugged, "Business is business, private matters are private. Even if you have one hundred billion, one trillion, but if you’re solving the Freedom Wind problem for Panetta, should the money still come from you? Just directly tell Panetta you need twenty million to help solve the Freedom Wind, shouldn’t you? Isn’t that normal?"

Gao Yi had placed himself in the position of a financier.

In other words, Gao Yi had misplaced himself.

In front of Crawford, Gao Yi could play the rich benefactor, but in front of Panetta, he was a subordinate, and if it’s a subordinate, isn’t it logical to ask for money to get things done?

Again, Gao Yi had been an assassin by profession, so it was only natural for him to take money for his services.

"I actually forgot that I’m an assassin, not some arms dealer or secret agent... I was confused!"

Gao Yi called Joelson and asked him to come over immediately.

When Joelson arrived, Gao Yi calmly said, "Have you contacted Crawford?"

"I called him. Crawford was happy; he said it was very necessary, and finally progress had started from your end."

Gao Yi waved his hand, "Good, tell him we need twenty million dollars in operational funds."

Joelson was immediately taken aback, but before he could say anything, Grasse suddenly said, "You just called Crawford, right? Then don’t let him talk; you talk directly to Crawford. Tell him that our relationship is ’in-house,’ but Panetta isn’t, so you need to start working now, and you must make Panetta pay."

Gao Yi nodded.

Grasse continued, "When will there be a break in the chain of command? Trust me. You mention other things; Crawford will conceal whatever he can, deal with whatever he can on his own, but if you ask for money, his instinctive reaction will be to hurry up and pass this trouble onto his superiors. If you imply that Crawford could get a share of the funds, he’ll find a way to make Panetta contact you directly and even help you demand funds from his superiors. Trust me, just tell him directly."

Asking for money was enough, it was that simple.

Joelson wasn’t stupid, he just lacked experience in this area. Listening to Grasse explaining to Gao Yi, he suddenly realized, and said to Grasse, "That’s right, man, you’re really good!"

Joelson truly admired Grasse. His expression was slightly exaggerated, his actions a bit mismatched, but his attitude made up for these.

Grasse smiled, "It’s nothing, just a few more years of experience."

Joelson sincerely said, "Man, if there’s a chance in the future, could you teach me more? I lack experience and capability; I really need someone as formidable as you to guide me."

Gao Yi knew from one look, Joelson was beginning to play his part.

Feng Biao was the mentor, Gao Yi himself was the master, which left Joelson as just a disciple in Wind Vane, but Carlson was learning quite fast. Though his maneuvers were heavily patterned, they were still effective.

Grasse’s fondness for Joelson increased, and he laughed, "We’re all in this together, ask whatever you don’t understand, and I’ll of course help if I can."

Gao Yi chuckled, "Right, we’re all in this together. Don’t talk; I’ll make the call."

Gao Yi had Crawford’s phone number; he just hadn’t initiated contact with Crawford recently. Now dialing, after a short wait the call connected.

"Hello, it’s me, Wind Knight."

Crawford breathed a sigh of relief, pleased, "Hello, I’ve been waiting for your call. Joelson just contacted me; are you planning something big?"

"Yes, I’ll show up in Baghdad and lure Freedom Wind there, but now there’s a problem; I must have a good reason to appear, right? I also need to arrange sufficient manpower to ambush Freedom Wind. Otherwise, just drawing Freedom Wind out without any way to counter them, what would be the point of exposing myself? Just to get killed?"

"Um, yes."

"But doing these things requires money, a lot of money! I’ve found the right help, but I need a minimum of twenty million dollars in funding. It can’t be less. If we can ask for more from the higher-ups, that would be our profit. I think asking for fifty million from the higher-ups and finally settling for thirty million is an acceptable figure. What do you think?"

Crawford fell silent, and Gao Yi said softly, "Please sort out the funding issue as soon as possible."

Crawford whispered, "Don’t you have a lot of money? Could you possibly advance..."

Without hesitation, Gao Yi said, "What do you think? Am I supposed to risk my life and also pay out of my own pocket?"

"Sorry, I just said it casually."

Crawford promptly apologized, then he whispered, "I’ll apply for your funding right away, but twenty million seems difficult."

"It’s not just twenty million. Don’t you want a profit? You get a thirty percent cut of the extra."

Crawford took a deep breath, then he whispered, "Okay, I’ll get in touch right away, but it might need you to talk to the higher-ups personally. Uh, wait for my call, I’ll contact you in a bit."

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