Ramas's proposal was both within and beyond Song Heping's expectations.
However, on such a major issue, Song Heping didn't immediately make a decision.
After all, he didn't want to get involved in this kind of confrontation.
Ramas was a military bigshot after all, a real sharp one. He saw Song Heping's hesitation and added, "There are many ways to cooperate. If you're afraid of offending the CIA, we can adopt a proxy model. Like that Russian friend of yours ..."
He turned to Seras, "What's his name again?"
Seras promptly replied to his father, "Ivan, his name is Ivan."
"Right."
Ramas turned back to Song Heping, "He can handle the specifics, and our agreement will be a private gentleman's agreement. Americans won't have any suspicions about Russians working with us. As for how we operate, that can be discussed."
Song Heping said, "I need some time to consider."
Ramas's eyes swept back and forth across Song Heping's face, and with deep meaning, he said, "I know that in Illiguo you deal with the Americans and that you've just secured a piece of the pie in their military contract, but I must remind you, Mr. Song ..."
At that point, he paused, looking at Song Heping, as if waiting for a response.
Song Heping said, "Please speak, General."
Ramas said, "Based on my understanding of Americans, they don't just hand out a piece of the pie to outsiders so easily, especially to someone like you, a China Person."
He laughed, "I don't mean to be discriminatory; I'm just stating a fact. While I don't have any evidence at the moment, I must say this isn't simple. Haven't you thought about having a backup plan for yourself?"
This touched the most sensitive and worrisome part of Song Heping's heart.
In fact, ever since he got the $240 million contract from Peter, there had always been one doubt in his mind.
Why did this pie fall from the sky and smack him on the head?
Aside from his personal capabilities—what was the reason Peter chose him?
After the secret meeting with Robbin and others, Song Heping understood some things.
The reason for splitting the contract and cutting the whole pie into different pieces for different companies was entirely the result of their internal political struggles.
Song Heping had no intention to partake in the Americans' infighting, but Ramas was right—shouldn't he have a backup plan for himself?
"General, I still need to think about the details. I agree with your proposal. Of course, the company isn't just up to me alone; I'll discuss it with our shareholders after I return. Don't worry, I'll give you a satisfactory answer,"
By then, Song Heping had almost decided to make a connection with the Venezuelan military.
He couldn't immediately conduct a complete analysis of the benefits, but he felt that there wasn't much harm in doing so.
As for the CIA.
He wasn't too worried.
The US military, represented by Peter, seemed not to get along with the CIA.
Especially from the Afghanistan operation, one could see the rift between them.
And he could use this rift to his advantage.
Even if he didn't, the CIA probably wouldn't go easy on him anyway.
"Very well, Mr. Song, you're a smart man. Cooperating with a smart man will definitely be very enjoyable,"
Ramas, having received a satisfying answer, smiled even more cheerfully.
"However, there's a significant problem at the moment, and it's one that I can't deal with personally. If we do indeed cooperate, I think the first thing to resolve is this problem."
"What's the problem?" Song Heping asked.
Ramas said, "AUC armed forces."
"Them?" Song Heping frowned, "Did you strike first against them?"
Ramas said, "The AUC armed forces are essentially a dog of the Colombian Government Army, and the Colombian Government Army is an American's dog. The attacks and robberies against our arms and the kidnappings of Seras and Ivan were no coincidence; they were very targeted. To put it plainly, the CIA wants to use its dog to warn others not to disrupt the current balance of the arms market in South America. They are telling everyone who's the boss here. This matter has blown up quite a bit, and I believe if you and I continue to sell arms here, hardly anyone would dare to buy. Do you believe me?"
Song Heping suddenly thought of Sword.
Sword was an arms dealer he wanted to support.
If what Ramas was saying was true, then after investigating his background, Sword would probably not dare to take the merchandise.
However, Sword had not yet replied to him.
Probably, that fellow was now seeking someone to investigate him.
Let's wait and see what comes out of it.
"So what are you implying, that we should take out the entire AUC armed forces?"
"This isn't about waging war, after all, that's the Colombian Government's territory. Are we going to send tens of thousands of troops to eradicate the AUC? Impossible. I can't do it, the identity is too sensitive."
Song Heping sneered, "You mean, let me do this?"
He sneered because Ramas damn well made it sound easy.
He asked himself, could his small "Musician" Defense really take out a large armed organization of tens of thousands?
It was utterly fanciful.
"You can try to figure out a way. Any help you need that is within my power, I will support."
"Send me tens of thousands of regular troops and I might actually be able to command them to attack the AUC armed forces directly, and who knows, maybe even achieve total annihilation," Song Heping said with a hint of sarcasm.
Of course, Ramas caught the implicit meaning but didn't get angry. He spread his hands and said, "You could consider it. I've heard that you're a tactical master. The rescue operation at K1 base is enough to prove your strength. South America is a big arms market. Don't you want a share of the pie?"
Song Heping caught a certain implication in Ramas's words.
Apart from not being able to send troops personally, Ramas seemed quite sincere; he was willing to provide other help.
The map appeared again in Song Heping's mind.
The territories of various Colombian anti-government armed forces and drug trafficking groups were displayed on the map.
Thinking about it, it really was a complicated country.
Where there's chaos, there's opportunity.
It was genuinely worth a try.
After all, one can't always be stuck in Illiguo. If the company was to grow, it had to have business all over the globe.
Especially since Song Heping was naturally vigilant towards Americans.
Just as Ramas said, Americans aren't so kind as to let you have the meat for nothing.
A fattened sheep is eventually meant to be slaughtered.
"Alright, I promise I will consider your proposal very seriously, General. I will definitely contact you again. As for the AUC armed forces, to tell you the truth, since they dared to mess with my arms, of course this rescue operation can't be the end. I have one good quality: I repay favors and settle scores," Song Heping said.
Ramas lifted his coffee cup, "Pleasure doing business."
Song Heping also raised his coffee cup, "Pleasure doing business."