"Since then, the mining site hasn’t been peaceful, frequently harassed by small private armed groups. Three of the security personnel we hired have been killed."
General Manager Li frowned and asked, "The government did this?"
Ye Hanwen sneered, "I’ve negotiated with the government people, but naturally, they won’t admit to such things. Though those armed groups officially have no ties with the local government, anyone can see who they’re taking orders from."
The room fell silent.
Qi Yun understood what was going on. Small countries like this love pulling these stunts; the news is always full of reports about them; they’re experts at burning bridges.
General Manager Bi tapped the table and spoke, "The key is the deposit at that mining site. We’ve had agencies measure it; it’ll last at least another ten years. Recover it for thirty million USD? They think we’re a charity or something?"
General Manager Li turned to look at Ye Wenhuan and asked, "So is there any solution now?"
Ye Wenhuan sighed, "The only solution I can think of is to keep strengthening our defense forces. The other side might care about their reputation and won’t dare push too hard. So, they probably won’t deploy large-scale armed forces."
"As long as our stance is strong enough, the other side might compromise."
"You mean hiring more security?" General Manager Li asked.
Ye Wenhuan shook his head, "Increasing security costs too much, one death requires compensation of a hundred thousand USD. I’m more inclined to collaborate with local tribes."
"East of the mining site is Kubu Clan territory. They have AKs and RPGs; if negotiated well, they can act as bodyguards."
General Manager Li and General Manager Bi nodded in agreement.
"What’s the price the Kubu Clan wants?"
Ye Wenhuan sighed, "That’s unclear for now. Their chieftain is currently holding a wedding for his seventh wife. I visited a couple of days ago but didn’t get to meet him."
"After we discuss this, I’ll return to South Africa this afternoon to negotiate with them."
General Manager Bi nodded, "Alright then, let’s proceed with this approach for now."
After saying that, he turned to look at General Manager Li and Qi Yun, "Any objections?"
General Manager Li slightly nodded, indicating agreement.
Qi Yun naturally had no objections; he hadn’t spoken a word the whole time.
After the discussion concluded, everyone went their separate ways.
Qi Yun didn’t choose to leave but went to the restroom first before heading to General Manager Bi’s office.
"What’s up, anything else?" General Manager Bi looked at him and asked.
Qi Yun nodded, "Yeah, there’s something I’m unsure about and I’d like your opinion."
After the two sat on the sofa, General Manager Bi handed over a cigarette and smiled, "Haha, let’s hear it."
Qi Yun took the cigarette, lit it, inhaled twice, and pondered his words.
"I heard from a friend that there are two people looking to sell a piece of mammoth ivory, but the origin of this ivory is somewhat questionable. Do you think we should get involved?"
General Manager Bi’s eyes lit up, "Mammoth Ivory?"
Qi Yun nodded, "Yes, supposedly just excavated from the permafrost, and the quality isn’t bad."
General Manager Bi took a puff of his cigarette and continued, "That’s good stuff."
"Mammoth Ivory is best when excavated from ice layers in Siberia and Alaska; secondly, those buried in permafrost in Jiang Province and Northeast. Our company sells mammoth ivory jewelry; they’re all premium goods and priced high."
Qi Yun flicked his cigarette ash and sighed, "It’s good stuff, but isn’t there a legal risk?"
General Manager Bi laughed and replied, "This kind of thing is actually quite common; the genuine mammoth ivory sold domestically rarely have compliant origins."
"However, personally getting involved does pose a risk. How about this? We go together and buy with the company’s name; you take the main share of the profits, and I’ll give you a cut when we divvy up."
Qi Yun pondered briefly and asked, "Is that appropriate? Won’t it bring trouble to the company?"
General Manager Bi dismissively waved his hand, "Did you forget who our shareholder is? No one will check us for such small things."
Qi Yun was slightly taken aback, thinking about how he was just contemplating how to use connections yesterday, and today he’s actually doing it.
"Alright, I’ll make a call now."
Saying this, he took out his phone and dialed the number from the intel.
The call was quickly connected, and a slightly hoarse voice came from the other end, "Hello, who is this?"
"I heard from a friend you’re selling mammoth ivory, is that right?" Qi Yun asked directly.
As soon as the other end heard it was an ivory buyer, enthusiasm rose, "Yes, yes, are you interested in buying?"
"Yes," Qi Yun replied, "Where are you now? Let’s meet and discuss, and let me see the goods."
The other end quickly replied, "Sure, sure, I’m in Xinhe Village, come over now, I’ll wait for you."
Qi Yun was slightly stunned, Xinhe Village again?
However, he didn’t overthink it, hung up the phone, and said to General Manager Bi, "All set."
General Manager Bi extinguished his cigarette and stood up, "Alright then, let’s head over now, nothing much to do anyway."
"Okay."
With that said, the two left the office and headed to Xinhe Village.
The village wasn’t far from the train station, the street sides were lined with small motel signs, some with towels hanging at the entrance.
As they passed by a motel named "World of Five Lakes," Qi Yun’s gaze sharpened.
The two hired killers were staying here.
The car drove for a few more minutes, making several turns before finally stopping at a gate of a courtyard with bungalows.
Upon hearing movement at the gate, a large face immediately peeked out from behind the iron gate, "Boss, was it you guys who called earlier?"