Ultimate Firepower
Chapter 407 - 389 Features

Chapter 407: Chapter 389 Features

Gao Yi didn’t want Green to know all his cards.

Adults playing around in the Underworld, dealing with one of its most unpredictable groups—how could Gao Yi not be extra cautious? How could he naively show his hand right as they started dealing with each other?

So, when Gao Yi and his contacts were trading information, he made sure Green stepped out for a bit.

Now that the negotiations were nearly done, Green could be let in.

After inviting Green into the room, Gao Yi asked casually, "So, does the KGB have a reputation for being unreliable?"

He was just curious, so he asked Green, an expert in the field.

Green frowned slightly and replied, "Why do you ask? Is there a problem with the KGB?"

"It’s not exactly a problem, uh, it’s just that the middleman doesn’t quite trust the KGB to pay the finder’s fee, so he wants it to be included in our asking price."

Green understood and then said calmly, "It’s not about the KGB having a reputation problem."

"Oh?"

"They essentially have no reputation at all."

"Ah?"

Gao Yi, puzzled and astonished, asked, "Is the KGB’s reputation that bad? Why?"

"Why pay for something if you can just take it?"

Seeing Gao Yi still didn’t get it, Green explained evenly, "Let me put it this way—in a word, to sum up the characteristics of the major intelligence agencies: the UK steals, the United States cheats, Northeastern University buys, Russia robs."

"That’s the first time I’ve heard this. Tell me more."

"The main way British acquire intelligence is by stealing, of course. I’m talking about their first choice, a subconscious reaction, the preferred method of action, not the only way. You get that, right?"

"I get it, but what exactly does ’British stealing’ mean? Don’t they take by force?"

"After World War II, Britain mainly acquires intelligence by stealing. If they can steal it, they won’t buy it, rob it, or cheat for it because Britain might not be able to promise much in return—they can’t deceive very well.

The United States is different. As a superpower, the beacon to the world, many pieces of intelligence will be delivered willingly to the CIA at the mere beckoning of their spies. However, Americans won’t easily keep their promises. They often write checks they can’t cash, yet everyone around the world believes in their IOUs. There are too many people cheated to death by Americans—hence, America cheats.

Northeastern University buys. Militarily and politically, they can’t compare to the Soviet Union or the United States and lack an appealing ideology. Skin color barriers also make it difficult for them to infiltrate like the British, Americans, and Russians. So, Northeastern University relies on purchasing intelligence and, of course, this ’buying’ isn’t just about cash—it’s about exchanging favors for information.

Speaking of buying, Northeastern University’s reputation is excellent. They didn’t start buying only after getting rich. Many years ago, even when they were poorest and most struggling, they were willing to spend money. They pay generously and have a strong reputation. There’s a consensus in the industry—if your information is of value to Northeastern University, you might as well have cash in hand. With this approach, Northeastern University’s intelligence work has always been solid.

Russians rob. If a Russian can take by force, they won’t consider stealing. If they can’t steal, they won’t consider cheating. If they can’t cheat, they won’t think about buying. And even if they must buy, they will try to drive a hard bargain. Even if they can’t get the price down, they will find a way to take back the money they paid. That’s their fixed mindset, their nature.

Basically, we don’t deal with Russians. You can rob them, or be robbed by them, or if that doesn’t work out, just trade—information for information, but you should never think about selling for cash."

After finishing, Green said with some emotion, "Considering the intelligence you have, I don’t think the Russians would buy it. They might agree to a trade, but they’ll definitely try to kill you and take the goods during the transaction."

Gao Yi responded with surprise, "Are Russians that dangerous?"

"You can’t think about doing business with a robber, because why would they pay for something they can take for free?"

Gao Yi took a deep breath and then expressed his confusion, "I’ve dealt with Russians, and they seemed... okay."

"It’s not that you can’t do other business, Russians are crude, reckless, arrogant, and conceited, but they’re also easily fooled. If Russians think you’re a good friend, they’re willing to give you everything. If they view you as a good robbery target, they will condescend to you while robbing you of all your belongings and then kill you. Isn’t that clear enough?"

Green spread his hands and said, "Russians can never be good businessmen. They can’t grasp that a good deal can be profitable for both sides. They would rather be robbed by you than feel short-changed in a profit-making deal."

Taking a breath, Green smiled and said, "People know that the KGB has gained many benefits from Military Intelligence Sixth Department, but they don’t realize how much Military Intelligence Sixth Department has gained from the KGB. Do you know what that is? It’s exploiting the Russian psyche—just make them feel like they’ve gotten the better end of the deal."

Gao Yi followed suit and spread his hands, "I’ll be more cautious in the future."

"Actually, dealing with Russians is easy. Just remember one thing—the Russians are the best pawns, the best cannon fodder. If you can stand their coarseness and arrogance, then Russians can also be the best partners."

Listening to these words is better than a decade of study. Although Green was describing a group image, a stereotype, one must admit that there’s a reason such a profile exists.

After thinking it over, Gao Yi asked, "What about the other countries? What about Germany, for example?"

"Germany is defensive, and the Germans can barely keep their secrets and intelligence from being taken by others. On the whole, Germany’s intelligence agencies have always played a passive role in defense."

"What about Ah San?"

Green laughed, and then he said with disdain, "Ah San is begging, as in begging for alms. In my impression, Ah San’s spies are nothing but a bunch of beggars who can’t cheat, steal, or rob, so they have to resort to begging."

"Hahaha, beggars... What about Ben?"

"Ben is about giving. Whatever the United States wants, Ben just hands it over. If they don’t give it to the United States, they just keep it for themselves. What can you say about a Ben that has no independence?"

"And the club?"

"The club? You’re asking about the club?"

Green seemed somewhat astonished; he paused for a while before finally saying, "If this world were a dining table, then the countries mentioned before would be the people sitting and eating at the table, while the club would be the dog tied to the United States’ chair. Do you understand what I mean?"

"I understand..."

Gao Yi sighed, saying, "Okay, so this is the world through the eyes of spies. Wait a minute! What about France?"

"You finally remember France."

Green said with a smile, "Completely inconspicuous. If I really had to define France, it would be waiting, the French like waiting for pies to fall out of the sky, right into their mouths."

The UK steals, the United States cheats, Northeastern University buys, Russia robs, France waits, Germany defends, Ben gives, Ah San begs, and the club isn’t even worth discussing.

With this basic understanding, things became easier to handle.

Gao Yi said seriously, "Knowing the style of the Russians, I know how to deal with them. I won’t sell intelligence to the KGB; I’ll trade with them. Be it intelligence or technology swaps, as long as I’m not selling, I won’t have the KGB coming after me for trouble."

Green indifferently said, "You could completely use this intelligence to get military support from the KGB. As long as it doesn’t involve money, they’d be very willing to trade with you. It just depends on what you need."

Gao Yi started to ponder what else he could ask for from the KGB if he didn’t want money.

At that moment, Gao Yi realized he had been too hasty in agreeing to Sherkin’s ten million reward.

The key point was that he had not known about this Russian quirk before. If he had known, why would he have offered a hundred million? He could have directly asked for something else.

"What else can I ask from the KGB, and what can I get in exchange?"

"You have to ask the KGB that, don’t you? You also need to ask yourself what you want. What’s the use of asking me? But if you ask me, I suggest you ask the KGB for some people."

"Ask for people? People?"

Green nodded, then said seriously, "The KGB is always laying off staff, transferring them to different units, or making them retire early. For other countries, the idea of kicking out their spies to fend for themselves is inconceivable, but Russia really does it. They don’t care, and they can’t control it. Ask the KGB for a few people to work as assassins for you, and they’ll probably give them to you."

Gao Yi nearly cursed out loud, not out of anger, but excitement.

They say a starving camel is still bigger than a horse, but if it’s truly starved to death, its size is utterly useless.

Gao Yi actually had a good impression of Russians, but thinking back, doing business with them indeed has that vibe Green mentioned. For those he knew in the Underworld making a living, whether they were selling arms or their lives, the focus was on selling; never buying.

"Damn, can it really work like this?"

Gao Yi scratched his head, whispering, "Let me think, let me think... Maybe I should make contact first, see what’s available to trade before making a decision."

"You have to act fast, you’ve already put out a hundred million as your price. It’s very likely the KGB is now considering how to rob you."

"You should’ve told me something this important earlier."

"This is all common knowledge. How was I supposed to know you didn’t even understand that?"

At this point, Gao Yi suddenly said, "I still need to find a way to explain to France."

Green laughed, his face full of scorn, "What’s there to explain? Lost is lost. The French know there’s no finding what’s lost. What they want now is dignity, face. You taking down Iron Fist George has already restored their honor. If they really wanted to prevent the technology leak, they should’ve contacted you earlier to buy it back for a high price."

It seemed to make sense.

There was no need to consider France’s feelings anymore; they had already got what they wanted, and for all he knew, they were popping champagne in celebration right now.