Chapter 1116 - A Difficult Mission
Chapter 1116: A Difficult Mission
The car here was right-hand drive. Yang Ming was still not used to it when he got into the vehicle. However, there were not many cars on the road. Occasionally, some public truck or some military material transport vehicles passed by.
However, no matter what car it was, when they saw Yang Ming’s car with the military green and the special license plate, they avoided him. It could be seen that some towns and roads near the provisional government were entirely controlled by General Kars.
This car belonged to the government of General Kars, and these people were obviously very clear. Later, Yang Ming learned that this car was one of General Kars’ personal vehicles. No wonder it had such power and authority.
However, it could be seen that General Kars’ finances were really scarce. Even his own car was subpar. It was no wonder that he wanted to exploit the businessmen who had no backers and power like Huang Lele’s family when he just formed the provisional government.
Because Country X imposed martial law, soldiers were standing on the street separated by short distances. Yang Ming was driving smoothly along the way. No one was stopping him, even if he went at the highest speed.
However, when he reached Shoujie City, a pair of soldiers inspected Yang Ming’s car. Obviously, although they recognized General Kars’ car, they didn’t know Yang Ming and Wang Xiaoyan. They still checked Yang Ming to prevent accidents.
Yang Ming also cooperated by showing the authorization letter signed by General Kars. After the soldiers confirmed the authenticity of the authorization letter, they immediately saluted and let them go.
Yang Ming also knew that the car and document were effective nearby, but as they went further and further, these things will become less useful because General Kars did not control the few armed forces at the Country X border.
They gradually went further away from Shoujie City, the capital of Country X. Yang Ming also became low-key. According to the military map, this area wasn’t under General Kars’ control, and there were already vehicles with other military license plates nearby. Although these people didn’t react aggressively when they saw Yang Ming’s car plate, the expression in their eyes was weird. It didn’t show respect as before, but it reflected vigilance and caution.
After all, it was in the town. It nominally belonged to General Kars’ territory, but the people here no longer paid taxes to General Kars’ government. They paid money to the nearby armed forces instead.
Yang Ming found a place where no one was and got off. He took off the license plate and locked it in an iron box in the back of the car along with General Kars’ authorization letter. Then Yang Ming’s car became an unlicensed car.
Fortunately, traffic management here was very informal. All the cars had no driving licenses, and the license plates were internally arranged by various armed forces. Unlicensed cars like Yang Ming’s car were many. Most of them were private cars of the mine owners. These people didn’t belong to any armed forces, so it was reasonable to have no license plates.
After Yang Ming removed the license plate, the gazes of the passers-by became much more normal. After all, many Asian people were investing here. No one doubted the purpose of Wang Xiaoyan and Yang Ming.
After they left the last town, the place gradually became sparsely populated. There were no shops and pedestrians, only rugged dirt roads. Obviously, this was already in the territory of those armed forces.
“Later, let’s see if we can visit General Howton through the normal channels.” Yang Ming had already thought about how to approach General Howton when he was on the road, but he didn’t know if it would work.
“Normal channel?” Wang Xiaoyan was astounded and asked, “Meeting him directly?”
“Yes, we are here to see him using the identity of a businessman who wants to invest here. Let’s see if we can meet him.” Yang Ming said, “Logically, these armed forces need funds. They should provide a warm reception to foreign businessmen. Of course, after the reception, you would be trampled by these forces after you gave them money.”
“It is also true, but at least, before we invest, we should be treated with a friendly reception.” Wang Xiaoyan also understood the ugly faces of these armed forces. However, they were here to assassinate someone, not for investing. They would only dupe someone at most.
At noon, Yang Ming found a house nearby. He gave them some money and bought some food. In such a country, it was very difficult to find a hotel, except in the vicinity of the capital. The further away from the capital, the fewer the business districts. There weren’t even small shops that do business. If there were, it would be some processing factory or mining industry.
However, the people there were still relatively friendly. Yang Ming gave them ten dollars to ask them to get some food casually, and then he talked with them. “We are businessmen who want to invest here. To which sphere of influence does this area belong to?”
Of course, Yang Ming spoke in English, the official language of Country X.
“About the sphere of influence, General Howton manages more. Although General Kevin is also nearby, he rarely interferes with local government affairs.” The male owner was delighted to earn ten dollars, so he had a pleasant conversation with Yang Yang.
“That means, if we want to mine or do something here, we have to consult General Howton?” asked Yang Ming.
“It’s like this… but, ai, I think I shouldn’t say it…” The male owner shook his head and closed his mouth.
“Why don’t you say it? What happened?” Yang Ming asked curiously.
“Ai, look; General Howton and General Kevin are very powerful now, but maybe at some time…” The male sighed. “In fact, I should not say this, but I still want to remind you that must be cautious in your investments…”
After Yang Ming heard the words of the male owner, he smiled and said, “Do not worry. We are here for short-term investments.”
“Short term is better! If you are doing long-term, you should be careful.” The male owner sighed and nodded. “This country is such a small land, and there are so many civil wars. I don’t know when I can live a peaceful life.”
“Soon you can. This day will not be too far.” Yang Ming smiled and said.
The male owner thought that Yang Ming was comforting him, so he didn’t think much about it. He just smiled and nodded.
“Right, we are going to see General Howton. Will he see us?” asked Yang Ming.
“If you go to see General Howton, it will be a bit difficult!” The male owner thought about it and said, “The businessmen who come to invest are welcomed by General Howton’s lieutenant, Officer Wickson, who is the civil affairs chief.”
“Wickson?” Yang Ming frowned. “Isn’t this the government area of General Kars?”
“Nominally yes, but the people here have not paid taxes to General Kars’ government. Instead, they have been paying Officer Wickson,” said the male owner.
“It turns out to be like this.” Yang Ming nodded. It seems that the development of the matter doesn’t follow my expectations. If I want to see General Howton, it is obviously too far-fetched to use investment alone as an excuse.
However, no matter what, let’s try it first. Let’s take one step at a time. Maybe there will be a better opportunity.
“In fact, in terms of civil affairs, the words of Officer Wickson are equivalent to General Howton’s words. As long as he agrees with it, your investment will be completely fine. You don’t have to see General Howton.” The male owner thought Yang Ming was afraid that Officer Wickson’s words were not powerful enough, so Yang Ming was troubled by it.
“Hehe, that’s not it,” Yang Ming said with a smile. “I just think it’s better to see the highest person in charge for this kind of matter.”
“Yeah, but you can try. Maybe you will see General Howton.” Although the male owner didn’t know how much Yang Ming wanted to invest, he was sure it was not a small amount. It wasn’t wrong for him to be cautious.
After eating, Yang Ming and Wang Xiaoyan bid farewell to the host and went out of the house. Although the food was simple, it was very appetizing. Yang Ming didn’t need to eat any luxurious food, as long as his stomach was filled. At least, it was much better than some fast food.
“It seems that things aren’t easy.” Yang Ming said. “If we are just using investment as the excuse, we can’t see General Howton.”
“What do we do then? Let’s try it first.” Wang Xiaoyan didn’t make any suggestions in the house, but she also listened to what the male owner said.
Yang Ming originally wanted to see General Howton in the name of selling firearms, but he dismissed the idea after giving some thoughts. After all, they bought arms from fixed merchants. If he appeared suddenly to sell guns, General Howton could be alerted. It would be even difficult to assassinate him.
So, he would try out the usual investment reason.
In the afternoon, Yang Ming quickly found the location of General Howton’s garrison according to the instructions on the military map and the guidance of the male owner.
This garrison was built in a very empty open space. There were no buildings nearby and no places to hide the body. If the assassination were to be carried out in such a place, it would be even more difficult, unless he used missiles to barrage this place. But obviously, none of these armed forces could buy a missile. Otherwise, this country would certainly be in a mess.
Seeing the terrain, Yang Ming and Wang Xiaoyan also directly dispelled the idea of sneaking in to assassinate because it was utterly impossible unless they could be invisible. Otherwise, they would be spotted in the far distance.
Just like now, when Yang Ming was driving on the way to the garrison’s location, soldiers who were stationed had noticed them. Before going near the gate, a military jeep that was more worn than Yang Ming’s car stopped them not far away. A few soldiers jumped off and then signaled Yang Ming to stop.
Yang Ming didn’t want to have any conflict with them. It was a very unwise move to get into conflict with these people as a visible target. Therefore, Yang Ming stopped the car and jumped out according to the soldier’s instructions.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?” asked a lead soldier.
“We are businessmen who are planning to invest here. We want to meet General Howton!” Yang Ming replied amiably in English, and his expression was very natural.
The soldier assessed Yang Ming and Wang Xiaoyan up and down, then he nodded. “For investment matters, you should go to the Civil Administration and look for Officer Wickson.”
“Officer Wickson…” Yang Ming hesitated and said, “This is the case. After all, we are unfamiliar with this place, so we wanted to come and meet the top military commander, General Howton!”
“No need! General Howton is very busy! He doesn’t have time to see you!” The soldier waved his hand. “This is a military exclusion zone. Go back quickly. If you proceed further, we will shoot!”
“Well, if that’s the case, then forget it!” Yang Ming shook his head, returned to the car, and started it.
Apparently, his attempt failed. He was blocked before even entering the garrison base, but it was normal after thinking about it. General Howton wouldn’t meet anyone who came.
He was the top military commander of a place; he couldn’t be seen casually.
Yang Ming turned his car and left the military station.
“Failed.” Yang Ming shrugged. Although he had already expected such a result, Yang Ming was still somewhat depressed. If the direct meeting were unsuccessful, it would be difficult to enter the garrison using other means.
Yang Ming was an assassin, not a superman. Although under the strict training of Fang Tian, his Kung Fu was really good, he could not face numerous enemies alone at once. He was not invincible.
Now it seemed that they would be stopped before getting near the garrison. Yang Ming also observed the terrain of the garrison territory using his special abilities. After entering the wall, it was a large open space and military training site. The office was located in the center of the entire military base. If he wanted to sneak into it, he would definitely be discovered unless he sneaked in from the air or under the ground.
This also increased the difficulty of assassination. Yang Ming sighed. As such, he had to choose another method.
“You can’t say that,” Wang Xiaoyan said. “It’s our first day here. If this task were simple, we wouldn’t have the chance to take this mission. Someone else should have taken it.”
“It’s good that you have this mentality.” Yang Ming nodded.
Wang Xiaoyan was right. They were only there for a day; they weren’t eager to perform the mission. They should find a place to rest, then plan their next move.
Yang Ming drove the car and went to the nearest town in the vicinity with Wang Xiaoyan. It was also in General Howton’s territory and an area in which Officer Wickson was in charge.
The economic development here was obviously much worse than Shoujie City. It looked very desolate because very few outsiders came here. All the people here were locals.
After looking for a long time, they found a snack shop that could rent a room. The environment was still okay. Yang Ming paid the money and went upstairs with Wang Xiaoyan.
Obviously, no one had lived here for a long time. There should not be many guests in this town, and the main business of this store wasn’t a hotel but a small restaurant.
Yang Ming ordered some simple meals and carefully checked the room with Wang Xiaoyan.
Although there should not be any monitoring equipment in this place, it was still better to be careful. However, the result of the check was that there were really no monitoring devices.
“It seems that we are really too careful.” Wang Xiaoyan said with some self-deprecation. “Even General Kars’ presidential place didn’t have such monitoring devices. It is even more impossible in a hotel in this town.”
Yang Ming smiled. However, they were in a foreign country. It wasn’t wrong to be cautious. Moreover, they were usually talking about sensitive topics. If someone heard it, it wouldn’t be good.
After dinner that night, Yang Ming called Fang Tian to tell him everything that happened here. Fang Tian just told Yang Ming not be anxious and be careful. He didn’t say much else.
“What did your Master say?” After Yang Ming hung up, Wang Xiaoyan asked.
“He told us to be careful and not be anxious.” Yang Ming said, “What else would he say?”
“He has no other way?” Wang Xiaoyan asked.
“He didn’t mention any of that. But in this case, no one can do anything.” Yang Ming said, “We can’t just wait for General Howton to come out and kill him, right?”
“He comes out?” After listening to Yang Ming’s words, Wang Xiaoyan suddenly fell into deep thought. After a while, her face showed an unexpected smile, “Yes, just wait for him to come out! This is a good idea!”
“Wait for him to come out?” Yang Ming was dumbfounded. “You mean, lure the snake out of its lair?”
Yang Ming naturally wouldn’t be stupid enough to think that Wang Xiaoyan meant to just wait for their chance here because people like General Howton wouldn’t just simply go out. He didn’t have to do a lot of things in person, so it didn’t make sense for him to go out.
“En, it’s exactly luring the snake out of its lair!” Wang Xiaoyan nodded and said with some excitement, “Only this time is the best time to kill him.”
“Your thoughts are very good, but the key question is, how do we lure him out? There is nothing outside that can bait him, right?” Yang Ming wasn’t trying to pour cold water on Wang Xiaoyan. It was just that it wasn’t a simple task to entice General Howton to come out.
“This is, indeed, a problem. We need to plan it carefully.” Wang Xiaoyan nodded. “There is still time, so we aren’t in a rush. Let’s rest first. We are quite tired from these few days.”
Yang Ming nodded and let Wang Xiaoyan lie in bed first. He picked up the satellite phone and called Li Qiang. He told them to pack up and come to Africa’s Country X to meet him.
Li Qiang didn’t ask why. He just asked how many people he should bring. When he heard Yang Ming said all of them, Li Qiang only answered “okay.”
Yang Ming was quite satisfied with Li Qiang’s performance. What he wanted was absolute obedience to his orders. Li Qiang had obviously done it until now, but he still needed to improve his strength.
But then again, this war-torn country in Africa could significantly help to improve their strength. Yang Ming called Li Qiang to come because he wanted them to grow and develop here.