King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Inside the luxury hotel in downtown Kinshasa...

Joseph, the head of Africa Division of the International Health Organization, paced like a cat on hot bricks in the meeting room...

He's from South Africa, educated in England, holding a degree in clinical medicine.

Except he didn't become a doctor but joined the International Health Organization, spending 5 years to become the head of the Africa Division.

Alongside him in the meeting room sat 4 expert consultants, 2 temporary consultants, and 12 staff from the International Health Organization.

They have been trapped in the hotel for 9 days now...

The incubation period for the Marburg virus is generally 7 to 12 days, and although today is only the ninth day, Joseph was already growing impatient.

He wanted to convene a meeting with everyone to discuss how to escape this damned place.

Since being trapped, the hotel's supply of food and water remained sufficient, but lacking electricity, they completely lost contact with the outside world after the third day.

Joseph thought about the promises made by the people he contacted for help, and looking at his current situation, he began to regret his decision.

As a member of an international organization, he should not have meddled in politics, much less come to the Congo for interests...

Seeing the silence among the crowd, Joseph clapped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, now is not the time for despair. We can basically confirm that we are not infected with the Marburg virus, which also means that Congo is illegally detaining us.

We should stand up bravely, negotiate with the other side, let them release us, and allow us to fulfill our duties."

Joseph's words invigorated everyone in the meeting room simultaneously; the past nine days of torment had been quite unbearable for them.

Particularly knowing they might have been infected with the Marburg virus almost drove some psychologically fragile people to collapse.

Fortunately, there were experts in infectious diseases among them, and most of them had medical backgrounds, so they managed to endure the extremely hot hotel caused by the power outage.

Joseph suggested taking the initiative to negotiate with the Congolese, and many people began feeling eager.

Just as Joseph wanted to speak again and rally everyone to negotiate with the Congolese, the door of their meeting room was knocked on...

"Knock knock knock"

Joe Ga, wearing a white shirt, entered the meeting room holding a document...

Seeing a group of people looking at him with complex expressions, Joe Ga wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief in his hand and tossed the document onto the meeting table. He turned to look at a Congo major and said, "Buddy, turn on the power. I need the air conditioning to provide some cool air—it's damn hot here..."

With that, Joe Ga pushed aside Joseph, who opened his mouth to speak, and sat at the head of the meeting room. He fanned himself with the collar of his shirt a few times and then said to Joseph, "You guys are having a meeting? Am I interrupting you?

You may continue!"

Joseph looked at the rare sight of an Asian person in Africa, Joe Ga, and frowned, saying, "Are you 'Hu Lang'?"

Seeing Joe Ga nod in affirmation, Joseph suddenly, excitedly said, "You have no right to detain us; there is no Marburg virus here at all. You are abusing force.

We are members of the International Health Organization; our responsibility is to combat public health crises.

Restricting us here is simply nonsensical!"

Joe Ga glanced at the commotion caused by Joseph's shouting. After a slight cough, Dorian and Ayu, stationed inside the meeting room, simultaneously cocked their guns...

With a "click," the meeting room quieted down.

Joe Ga smirked as he looked at everyone, seeing their furious yet silent expressions...

He smiled and spread his hands, saying, "Gentlemen, I'm saving your lives..."

After Joe Ga finished speaking, an elderly black man with graying hair and a grave expression spoke, "I don't see how you're saving our lives.

Sir, you're delaying our work, actually hindering our duties.

We can't do anything while stuck here...

Those infected with the Marburg virus need our help!"

Joe Ga glanced at the elderly black man, then flipped through the document, nodded, and said, "Professor Gabriel, epidemiologist, full-time consultant for the International Health Organization.

I believe what you said was sincere, but could you explain to me…

Why was the Marburg virus discovered a week and a half ago, yet you all arrived in Kinshasa twenty days ago?

As far as I know, the Africa headquarters of the International Health Organization is across the river in Brazzaville, the Capital of Congo Braze.

You arrived in Kinshasa early and even pre-booked a yacht to the Central African Capital, Bangui. Oh, you call it a workboat."

With that, Joe Ga looked at the suddenly dumbfounded Professor Gabriel, and he smiled, saying, "You are a respected expert and scholar with extensive knowledge. Tell me, is the International Health Organization capable of predicting the time and place of a virus outbreak?

Of course, the Marburg virus didn't reach Bangui; it was discovered by me along the way, forcing me to settle nearly two thousand people on the spot.

You tell me, how did you know a virus would follow the ship to Bangui?"

Professor Gabriel hesitated for a moment, then said, "We received a report. Suspected Marburg virus cases were found around the Kinshasa dock..."

As he spoke, the old professor realized something was amiss; they hadn't discovered any Marburg virus cases upon arrival, nor had they conducted thorough work in that area…

At this moment, the old professor turned his gaze towards Joseph…

Joseph saw that most were looking at him. He excitedly said, "I have been communicating with the people at Kinshasa Hospital; many things were done by the local hospital."

At this moment, Professor Gabriel realized something; he didn't question Joseph further but sighed and said, "According to standard procedure, we only intervene when there are confirmed cases and signs of mass transmission..."

Joe Ga glanced at Joseph, who looked uncomfortable, slapped the meeting table, gave Professor Gabriel a thumbs up, and then rummaged through the file to produce a photocopy of an email handed to Joseph, grinning as he said, "Sir, can you tell me why the press release from the International Health Organization was prepared before the Marburg virus had even appeared...

And it explicitly stated that the outbreak location was in Central Africa's Bangui, right on today's date.

I checked your yacht reservation; it should have departed a week ago and, by estimation, would have arrived in Bangui yesterday..."

With that, Joe Ga saw Joseph's face turning a shade lighter, and he smiled, saying, "Bro, do you think my holding you here is saving your lives?

If not for my actions, wouldn't you all be doomed?"

Joseph's legs went soft, and he barely managed to support himself on the meeting table to prevent sitting on the ground…

Seeing Joe Ga's sarcastic expression, Joseph loudly said, "That's my private email. Without a court order, investigating my emails is illegal.

I've never even seen this email—this is slander..."

Joe Ga dismissively waved his hand and said, "You can leave now and see if you can make it to the airport or dock."

With that, Joe Ga looked at the others present, his expression serious as he said, "This is an extremely severe poisoning incident, and most of you are Africa people. You are Africa's elite; it's time to showcase your professional level...

Now the Marburg virus is rampant in a town called 'Newborn,' with hundreds fallen ill as a result.

I dare not let them into Central Africa or other cities, so I had to spend my own money there.

We have made many preparations and invested enormous resources, but people are still dying there every day.

Gentlemen, your roles are not glamorous!

I don't know how many among you are Joseph's accomplices, but I don't care. Very soon, someone will lead you to the dock to board your pre-booked yacht to 'Newborn' Town.

If you can survive and help mitigate the virus's harm, only then will you have the right to defend yourselves in the future."

With that, Joe Ga stood up with open arms, looking at the bewildered members of the health organization, he smiled and said, "This is what you do for a living—don't make me doubt your professionalism."

Joe Ga's words brought a sinking feeling to the hearts of those in the meeting room. Entering a Marburg-affected area under harsh conditions was a life-threatening endeavor.

The Marburg virus is a virulent infectious disease; even in Europe and America, where medical industry thrives, the fatality rate hovers around 10%.

With such a high mortality rate, in the eyes of laypeople, even the Virgin Mary would need to don protective gear and a diaper to venture in.

Professor Gabriel looked at the resistance in the young people's eyes, he chuckled bitterly and shook his head, looking at Joe Ga, he said, "Sir, we were unaware of Joseph's actions.

We are willing to assist 'Newborn Town,' and I am willing to go, but please let these young people stay. They will contact the International Health Organization headquarters, and soon doctors and medical supplies will arrive.

This would be more beneficial for Newborn Town!!"

Joe Ga glanced at the other consultants who remained silent and a few terrified staff. He shook his head and forcefully threw the materials on the table, scaring everyone upright from their seats…

"Are you scared?

Even you professionals are scared?

In Joseph's plan full of holes, did none of you notice?

For the assessment group of 7, one leader and six experts, it requires a majority vote to designate Bangui as a high-risk area, to issue warnings and restrict exchanges there with the outside world.

Among you, some may not understand politics, and some may be fooled, but so what?

If you make a mistake, you must pay the price!

Sending you to do the work that is rightly yours is my utmost patience with you."

Joe Ga's words brought a few young people to tears, with one of them shouting at him, "I won't go. You're sending me to my death…"

Joe Ga felt a surge of anger from this. He grabbed an ashtray on the table and smashed it into the face of that guy, pulling him by the collar and pressing him on the meeting table, roaring, "I'm sending you to your death?

My brother is there, my buddies are there, countless people are running around gathering resources for there, and hundreds of patients need rescuing…

This damn thing is your job!

When you realized something was wrong, why didn't you stand up and speak out?

Don't you know the harm of the virus?

Watching those worthless civilians die, your conscience is clear, is that right?"

Joe Ga's roar brought silence to the scene...

Looking at the guy crying with his hands over his face, Joe Ga sneered and said, "If you understand the harm of the virus, then do your work, lead by example to tell those around you how to respond.

For the near future, besides helping out, your primary task is to think about how to face external scrutiny, find the culprits, then you may have a chance to escape. Otherwise, you are accomplices to crimes against humanity!

I have given you a chance. Whoever doesn't want to go, raise your hand now. I'll let you accompany Joseph.

Tomorrow there will be a trial. Anyone not going will stand on the defendant's stand with him…"