King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

When Sayyid saw Al Sani's appearance, he got up intending to leave...

Joe Ga shook his head and smiled, pulling Sayyid back, and said: "Sit down, we are all friends here. What can't be said openly?

I might not be able to do everything, but when have you seen me let a friend down?"

Al Sani nodded in agreement with Joe Ga's words. He walked over to the liquor cabinet and, unexpectedly, picked up a bottle of whiskey, poured a full glass, and drank it down...

Then the prince, under Boss Joe's strange gaze, sat on the sofa beside him and said: "I've communicated your proposal back...

The Qatari Royal Family still needs to conduct some investigations and assessments, but I think Shah won't give us much time to consider."

Joe Ga listened and nodded slightly; Al Sani has a bit of political acumen.

Pulling allies to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar, and incidentally kicking Qatar out of the Gulf Cooperation Council, poses no psychological obstacle for Shah.

The difference lies in whether everyone can maintain fundamental tacit understanding.

The first option is, of course, to turn against each other directly, Shah stubbornly holds onto his position as leader of the Gulf Cooperation Council and boots out the emerging tycoon, Qatar, completely isolating them.

The second option is what we discussed earlier: after I kick you out, we show on the surface that we don't get along, but can maintain covert cooperation. You need to act independently to uphold the interests of the petroleum family.

The benefits of this approach are well known to everyone; the only dispute is what kind of compensation Qatar, as the aggrieved party, can receive, while also avoiding being left with nothing by Shah.

When Boss Joe put forward this approach, as Shah holds the initiative and core interests, he would definitely push for this plan's execution.

This is the source of Al Sani's anxiety!

Without sufficient assurance, if Qatar is kicked out of the Gulf Cooperation Council, they will immediately fall into encirclement. Who wouldn't be afraid in that situation?

Seeing Al Sani's anxious expression, Joe Ga laughed and said: "Then what exactly are your thoughts?

If you are unwilling, I will notify Eric to leverage the current military procurement to exert pressure on Shah.

During the elections, they backed the wrong horse; now they need favor. I might be able to mediate."

Listening, Al Sani shook his head slightly and said: "The conflict between us and Shah runs deep, some areas are almost impossible to reconcile.

Even if you don't mention it, once Shah has the capacity, they will kick us out anyway.

Actually, your proposal has one thing right: wanting influence, Qatar cannot act in Shaw's shadow, as this would not only displease Shaw but also undermine our efforts.

Following your suggestion is actually most beneficial for us, because only by stepping out of the existing framework can we conveniently seek influence.

The only question now is how to ensure Shah adheres to the agreement?"

Joe Ga, watching Al Sani's eyes fixed on him, spoke a bit helplessly: "What can I do for you?"

Al Sani looked earnestly into Joe Ga's eyes and said: "The American troops stationed in our country cannot be trusted; England's promises are merely verbal.

We need a military force that can support us in critical moments!

This force doesn't need to go to the front battlefield; they just need to strongly repel probing attacks."

Joe Ga listened and said, pointing at his nose: "Me? You want me to send people over?"

Al Sani nodded vigorously and said: "40 billion, 40 billion US dollars over four years!

If you're willing to send people over, we'll offer you a four-year, 40-billion-dollar contract!"

As he spoke, Al Sani looked into Joe Ga's eyes and said: "Hu Lang, you told Shah's Dvali about the suggestion, you must help me!"

Joe Ga responded with resignation: "40 billion is a big number, but do you think sending a few special forces teams over is worth you spending 10 billion a year?"

Al Sani shook his head and said: "Hu Lang, don't underestimate yourself!

Once Shah cuts ties with us, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates will follow suit.

At that time, we'll be surrounded in the Persian Gulf!

If we seek help from certain major countries, whether it be China or Russia, we'll face more pressure, and they won't be willing to affect their relationship with Shah for us.

But you can!

You were the one who suggested it to Shah, and it's for the oil alliance's interests. They must support you.

Moreover, your influence in Iraq is sufficient to deter Kuwait from acting recklessly."

As he spoke, Al Sani glanced at Sayyid before solemnly saying: "You're friends with Tahnoon and collaborators with Sayyid, so the United Arab Emirates won't give you trouble.

The only remaining concern is Bahrain...

Hu Lang, you have enough influence in America, you can completely expand your military forces.

If you're willing to open the Princess's sea patrol investment and expand the escort routes to the Persian Gulf...

We can offer you a 60 billion-dollar investment to expand your fleet size.

If we unite, we can make Bahrain hesitate to act!"

Listening to this, Joe Ga looked at Al Sani as if he were seeing a ghost and said: "Are you planning to spend 10 billion dollars on insurance with me?"

Then Joe Ga watched Sayyid subtly gesture away from Al Sani's sight and laughed, saying: "Don't hide it, we're all friends here.

Even if Qatar wants to expand its navy, that's something for your folks to worry about. Are you short of money?

And I will not agree!

Thinking you can build a navy with 6 billion is nothing but a pipe dream. My core territory is in Central Africa, and its output can't sustain a fleet.

Sea boundaries have been set for many years, and I cannot shake that.

Relying on escorts to get by, a fleet is just a depreciating asset!

Right now, I have one Hamilton-class and three Sea Hawk-43s, and that's just enough. Anything more, and I couldn't support it."

Al Sani, unwilling to accept this, said, "What if we're willing to cover your costs?"

Joe Ga chuckled, looking at Al Sani, and said, "If it were that simple, why wouldn't you do it yourselves?

You want to pull me in, use me to enhance your naval power, so you can bypass American scrutiny and avoid restrictions from surrounding countries.

In the end, all conflicts would fall on me. How long could I hold out?

Buddy, I consider you a friend, and I'm happy to help you, but you can't ask me to do something I can't."

Al Sani felt a bit ashamed and nodded slightly, saying, "You're right, we're asking too much!

But you understand our concerns, don't you?

'Hu Lang,' we can put the navy issue aside for now, but about the security contract..."

Joe Ga listened and smiled…

You must be joking, 4 billion over four years, what level of contract is this?

If not for the American military-industrial complex wanting more, the 7,000 American troops stationed in Qatar would readily risk their lives for such money.

As for Boss Joe, as long as Big Mouth Tang is in office and Steven is Secretary of State, he can pressure America to stop Shah from bothering Qatar.

This poses no obstacle, as the split within the Gulf Cooperation Council is something America itself wants to see.

They only want division, not to see Shah grow stronger.

Joe is well aware, but Al Sani and those behind him dare not take the risk, because the price is simply too high!

The 4 billion from Qatar is more like a lobbying fee given to Boss Joe than an employment contract.

This money is, of course, time-limited, and linked to Big Mouth Tang's term and future developments.

Sending people over is just a formality; Al Sani and those supporting him want to spend money to buy peace of mind.

As Sayyid said, at this point, if you don't take their money, they won't feel assured.

Nodding in agreement with Al Sani's request, Joe Ga extended his hand to the still slightly uneasy Al Sani, and said, "Deal, I'll send a few special forces to station in Qatar and help train some elite special forces for you!

I provide additional services, is it too much to ask you to lend me a base capable of handling transport planes?"

Seeing Al Sani nod but still appear worried, Joe Ga shook his head with a smile, and said, "Aren't you just worried Shah will regret it a few years later, completely isolate you, even swallow you up?

I need a luxury private jet; if you're willing to cover the cost, I'll give you some advice.

I guarantee that as long as you don't mess up yourselves, the Qatari regime will have no problems for 30 years."

Upon hearing this, Al Sani stood up and said, "I've ordered a Bombardier Global 8000, it will be delivered in two months.

'Hu Lang,' you're about to have a son; this plane is a gift for you.

I also have a Riva yacht, I've only used it once; I'll give it to you too!

We're friends, so tell me, what's the plan?"

Joe Ga was pleased with Al Sani's attitude, because he said 'send,' and the reason was that his son was about to be born...

There's a lot of nuance there; if it were a transaction, it wouldn't feel right!

Al Sani understands that being 'Hu Lang's friend is far better than being his business partner.

Because the development history of P.B. tells him that Hu Lang has never let his friends down!

Seeing Al Sani appearing restless, Joe Ga stood up, poured him a glass of 'juice,' and said with a smile, "You know, I realized the logic of monetizing influence a long time ago.

But only recently did I fully grasp the core value of 'money'!"

Seeing Al Sani's curious expression, Joe Ga continued with a smile, "Those green papers not only can buy valuable assets, seek appreciation and risk aversion, but can also buy influence, and it's an influence so huge that no one can ignore it!"

Al Sani frowned and said, "Are you saying we should increase our arms purchases to seek protection from America?"

Joe Ga waved his hand and said, "That's one route, but it's not the right way to expand influence.

If you can't profit from military power, no matter how much you buy, it's just a batch of depreciating assets.

Only by doing things openly and spending money transparently can you let the world understand your presence."

Al Sani listened and said helplessly, "Hu Lang, stop beating around the bush..."