Chapter 159

In the end, Leonard chose to reach a series of agreements with Wang Liumei.

He was getting a bit tired of pure arms deals, and the more powerful the independent government was, the more worth it would be for him to infiltrate.

Investing in and controlling a powerful hegemonic government in a region was also quite an interesting thing.

Besides, being able to get a piece of the pie from such a large oil field was still quite tempting.

After collecting the deposit, Leonard left with his subordinates.

The things Wang Liumei needed included quite a few items outside his usual business, requiring him to personally operate through the channels of other Amalgam cadres.

Of course, to gain the trust of the Resistance, he left behind two subordinates as hostages after collecting a substantial deposit.

Li Boyong looked speechlessly at the twin sisters left behind by Leonard; these weren't hostages at all, they were basically two ticking time bombs.

"Arrange accommodation for them, provide them with good food and drink, but keep them under twenty-four-hour guard. Don't let them leave your sight."

Li Boyong instructed his subordinates to get the twin sisters settled.

After the subordinates took them away, Wang Liumei asked Li Boyong, "Where did you find them? Are they reliable?"

"They found me themselves." Li Boyong shrugged and spread his hands, "Speaking of which, you paid the deposit before asking this?"

"Opportunities are rare. If I can really get those things, I can revitalize the regional economy in a short time, and only then will you have the money to reorganize the army."

Wang Liumei mimicked Li Boyong's gesture and spread her hands, "Speaking of which, you were the one who recommended them to me. If something goes wrong, you'll have to take responsibility, Lao Li."

This girl!

"Don't call me Lao Li." Li Boyong flicked Wang Liumei's forehead, "And, you're not allowed to copy my gestures."

"Ouch!" Wang Liumei covered her forehead, pouting and shouting at Li Boyong, "Lao Li, if you flick my forehead again, I'll go complain to Shihe."

"Whatever..." Li Boyong wasn't afraid at all, and took the opportunity to flick the back of Wang Liumei's hand as she covered her forehead, slipping out of the independent government's office amidst her exasperated cries.

Although Shihe was a bit biased toward Wang Liumei, she wouldn't neglect her boyfriend over such a small matter.

EMMM... it should be boyfriend, right?

"Idiot."

Wang Liumei watched Li Boyong's retreating back and muttered to herself.

If he understood even a little bit of a girl's heart, he wouldn't still be making such slow progress with Shihe.

She had figured it out: a virgin military rogue like Li Boyong, who grew up among old veteran soldiers, might talk a big game, but he was a total coward when it came to the crunch.

With a cold snort, Wang Liumei gently touched the back of her hand that had been flicked, her gaze gradually becoming distant.

Last time, it seemed it was also this spot that guy took a bite of.

Really, I hate him so much...

————

A month later, Li Boyong led a force composed of the AS team and combat vehicles to the vicinity of the Ankra region's border.

After staying there for two days, he waited for Leonard and the first batch of goods he had transported.

"I am truly sorry; we encountered a sandstorm while passing through Helmakistan, which delayed us for some time," Leonard said apologetically upon meeting.

"To express my apologies, I intend to give you some gifts." As he spoke, Leonard signaled his subordinates to bring over an exquisite gift box.

He opened the box, which contained a golden Desert Eagle pistol, "It's crafted from pure gold; I believe you will like it."

"No, I don't like it at all..."

Li Boyong shook his head like a rattle, "I really can't appreciate this kind of Middle Eastern nouveau riche aesthetic."

"Hahaha, just a joke." Leonard put away the gift box, "Come this way, this is the gift I truly wanted to give you."

Li Boyong followed the other party into the transport convoy, and Li Boyong signaled his subordinates to open the door of a large truck.

"RG-61 anti-aircraft missiles; they can be deployed on land or on top of armored vehicles," Leonard said. "You wouldn't want the factories you spent so much money to build to be easily destroyed, would you?"

Li Boyong looked at the thing and almost drooled, but he forced himself to stay calm, "Indeed, it's not bad. Thank you for your kindness."

Who would have thought Leonard would follow up with, "Of course, what I'm gifting is only the missiles and the launchers; you'll have to find a way for the supporting radar and armored vehicles yourselves. If you want them, I can give you a discount."

This profiteer!

Looking at Leonard's smiling face, Li Boyong wished he could tear that doll-like, exquisite face apart.

Never mind, if you hate him, just let him be your brother-in-law.

Li Boyong complained to himself and led his troops to escort Leonard's convoy.

Then, for some reason, Leonard, this profiteer, suddenly went into chatterbox mode along the way.

"Speaking of which, the land in Helmakistan I passed through is even poorer than yours, but their arms trade is booming; the transaction volume each time is much higher than yours."

"Heh."

"By the way, are Yufang and Yulan doing well?"

"Mm-hmm."

"I let them stay with you as guests; have you been treating them well?"

"Yes, yes."

Li Boyong didn't want to waste any breath on him and very decisively deployed the multisyllabic words that could kill any conversation.

"You really are more boring than I imagined, but also more trusted by that Saintess than I imagined." Leonard seemed completely unaffected and continued to chat through the communicator with Li Boyong, who was piloting his M6.

It probably wasn't an illusion.

Li Boyong always felt that every time Leonard mentioned Wang Liumei's title, there was an indescribable sense of mockery.

"I heard you used to be a servant in that family, and your current lover is too," Leonard continued in a tone of chatting about family matters.

"Mm." Li Boyong gave a simple grunt. This was the identity setting given by the system, and he wouldn't deny it, but he was frantically complaining in his heart: You're the servant, your whole damn family are servants.

"How about it? Have you ever thought about making that once high-and-mighty young lady your servant?" Leonard said words that bewitched the heart.

Hey, hey, what dangerous things is this young man saying?

That girl isn't even an adult yet?

No, that doesn't seem to be the point.

Li Boyong almost didn't react for a moment, imagining Wang Liumei in a maid outfit, before realizing the other party's intention.

Is this the start of the infiltration?

And he chose me as the target.

What makes you think you can win me over?

Because you have eyes in the Resistance and often see me and Wang Liumei bickering?

Seeing Li Boyong silent, Leonard thought he had spoken to Li Boyong's heart, chuckled, and continued to bewitch him: "You are a very excellent commander; the Ankra region's ability to gain independence is largely due to your contributions."

"But now, she wants to suppress the development of the military."

Suppress? Li Boyong was dumbfounded.

"Isn't that so?"

"Once she develops the economy, the next step will naturally be the reorganization of the military. By then, with the power of the purse, she will become the true owner of the military."

"Are you willing to see that happen?"

"If that happens, she will truly become someone you can never reach."

"You want her, don't you, that Saintess?"

"If you are willing, I can help you. As long as you are willing to serve the organization behind me, we will also provide you with corresponding convenience."

"With your military talent, plus our assistance, even unifying the entire territory of Shawute Stan wouldn't be a difficult task."

"By then, the name 'Tiger of the Middle East' will resound across this land."

It's strange to say, but even though Leonard used a flat tone, the scene he depicted gave people a feeling of blood-boiling excitement.

It must be said that even Li Boyong felt a bit restless hearing this.

But unfortunately, that girl Wang Liumei is already my follower; I don't need your methods.

However, I'll accept this temptation; otherwise, who knows which elder in which clan you'll go to next.

As for moles and such, I'd better handle them myself.

"I'm very interested in what you said; let's have a chance to talk properly."

Li Boyong responded to Leonard in a hoarse voice.

Leonard gave a cold snort, a mocking sneer hanging on the corner of his mouth.

Sure enough, humans are always so ignorant and base.