Chapter 791 Arms Race
After greeting Jiang Chen at the airport, Moro provided great hospitability.
The vehicle fleet consisted of the extended version of Black Lincolns, and the hotel where he stayed was the National Guest Hotel in Moro. Pa.s.sing through the emerald green lawn, under the guise of the honor guards, they set foot on pure white stone steps, the marble columns solemnly lined up, giving a Parisian Pantheon charm.
Seeing the flag of the rebel forces flutter as the national flag, the scene did stun Jiang Chen.
But then the only thought in his head was how corrupt they were!
Although the per capita income was only 800 US Dollar, this didn’t prevent the warlords that ruled MLL Island from living a lavish life. After spending many decades fighting a guerrilla warfare with the Country F government in the mountains, they finally achieved their long-cherished wish. How could they manage to control themselves from pursuing a better life?
In accordance with the requirements of Future Group, Moro in the Const.i.tution was defined as an elected government to prevent the criticism of Western countries. At the same time, they also wrote one condition in the const.i.tution. Special wartime regulations stipulate that the president’s term of office will be extended indefinitely during the war, and the top commander has the final say in wartimes.
By the way, the president and the top commander both were General Santos.
How did Santos exploit his people? Jiang Chen didn’t care.
He needed to be responsible only for the employees of Future Group, Celestial Trade soldiers, and the people of Xin on Pannu Islands. Therefore, he accepted the lavishness without feeling too guilty.
There were as many as ten maids responsible for taking care of his daily life, and their appearances were all among the finest. The decoration of the rooms was extravagant with fine wine and cigars in the display cabinets. Even Santos himself probably was too cheap to be this lavish.
While sighing at the generousity offered by Moro government, Jiang Chen was also wondering, did Santos need to ask him for something?
In the evening, Santos hosted a banquet in the banquet hall of National Guest Hotel to entertain Jiang Chen.
With the exception of Jiang Chen as the protagonist, all visiting guests were dignitaries on MLL Island. Among them were mostly military personnel, as well as some Moro real estate developers and gold mine owners. Most of the female guests were relatives of these officers and businessmen. Jiang Chen noticed that many young girls looked at him with pa.s.sion and fiery…
But the daughters of these aristocrats were not too beautiful, so Jiang Chen had no interest at all.
With cups clinging, and the symphony playing, the guests were all in a delightful mood.
After a couple of rounds, Santos beside Jiang Chen suddenly bloomed into a smile.
Seeing his expression, Jiang Chen knew that this guy must have something problematic that needed his help.
“Mr. Jiang, our enemies have recently been somewhat restless on the border.”
It must be said that this Santos was much more acute to the oblivious muscle man back then. He came to understand that ruling the country didn’t just rely on muscles. This opening uses of “our enemy” immediately pulled Jiang Chen to his own side. And this tone was just discussing about military intelligence with his allies, so he wouldn’t lose his face in front of his subordinates.
While Jiang Chen read this, he didn’t put too much thought into it. He took a sip from the gla.s.s and casually asked.
“Oh, what is Country F doing?”
“The Aquino government promulgated the new conscription bill. They declared that they will reorganize the beaten army and expand its military by 100,000.”
“Aquino? Didn’t the guy resign?” Jiang Chen frowned.
“The one who resigned was Aquino the Third, this is Aquino the Fourth who came to power…”
Okay, the Fourth.
Jiang Chen ma.s.saged his temples because of the effect of alcohol.
He didn’t really understand these people…
Santos carefully looked at Jiang Chen, then continued.
“In addition, Country F also announced that it will build a modern army with the help of the UA and purchase M1A1 main battle tanks and Apache helicopters…”
“M1A1?” Jiang Chen was slightly moved. His fingers gently tapped on the gla.s.s as he mocked, “Can they afford it?”
[How many bananas do they need to sell to buy one tank?]
Santos also sighed with a few scowls.
“I don’t know. The news we got from the informants on the other side of Country F was that they seem to have received a generous loan.”
Loan?
Putting down his gla.s.s of wine, Jiang Chen’s expression was a bit erratic.
“Is there any exact information on the amount and time of the loan?”
“The amount is about ten billion US Dollar, time… probably at the end of April.” After a quick exchange with his intelligence chief, Santos nodded.
At the end of April, it was almost when Jiang Chen and Freemasonry officially ended their honeymoon and when Future Mining and BHP Mining Group saw a crack in their cooperation.
Ten billion dollars, a decisive deal! An M1A1 tank only had a cost of four million If the money was spent on land force and air force, Country F could create a modern army.
When investing in military expansion, Jiang Chen couldn’t think of any other way except for war to recover investment.
Jiang Chen originally did not understand why the BHP Group proposed something that Future Group would never accept. They were also so calm after the contract renewal faltered. From the signs now, their plans should not be small.
After a moment of indulging, Jiang Chen gently pointed at the gla.s.s of wine on the table and asked in a semi-joking tone.
“Your military spending is not just used on this right.”
“Not at all! Our annual military budget accounts for 15 percent of GDP because we are worried that they will tear up the armistice agreement,” Santos replied hastily.
Jiang Chen didn’t ask him how much GDP per year was spend on enjoyment, he thought for a moment and said.
“From tomorrow onwards, Celestial Trade will help Moro establish a modern army to cope with regional tensions caused by the expansion of Country F. You don’t have to worry about military spending for the time being. We will lend you low-interest loans here. The total amount of loans is give billion US Dollar.”
Santos was seeing flying colors. The pressure on top of his chest was finally removed. He immediately got up and proposed a toast to Jiang Chen.
“Haha, thank you so much! Our friend, the MLL people will remember your contribution to our revolution!”
After the banquet ended, he declined the invitation of several famous ladies to visit their rooms and went straight back to the hotel.
He tossed his suit on a hanger and immediately contacted Celestial Trade about his decision to a.s.sist Moro’s military modernization.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Chen was preparing to change clothes and bathe under the service of the maids, but the Future around his wrist began to ring.
Looking at the words on the holographic screen, it was an unexpected number.
An international long distance call.