Chapter 476 - 422: Giving Too Much

"Old squad leader, you're really something, just a phone call and General Ramas is inviting you to dinner."

En route to Ramas's home with Song Heping, Jiang Feng couldn't help but express his excitement, "How many people find it difficult to even get a glimpse of him. If it wasn't for his help over the past month, we wouldn't have been able to hire so many local workers at the construction site, and things wouldn't be going so smoothly."

Song Heping scoffed, "Our company is now their God of Wealth. If we couldn't help General Ramas make money, do you think he'd give us a second glance?"

Jiang Feng asked, "Why would he deal in arms when he's got a good thing going as a general?"

"Money," Song Heping replied. "No one would say no to more money. It's one thing to fish in your own pond and quite another to fish in someone else's. Ramas is a smart man; he's also using us to make money, to create a safety net for himself abroad. With the current situation in Venezuela… you never know when things might go awry."

Song Heping had noticed significant shifts in Venezuela's situation over the past two years. Even though it seemed like the country didn't have any major economic or political issues at the moment, there was an undercurrent of tension hidden behind the facade of peace and tranquility, like lightning waiting to strike from behind dark clouds, ready to explode at any moment.

"The situation looks pretty good to me right now… Is there a problem?" Jiang Feng was a bit puzzled.

It wasn't surprising that he was confused.

At that time, Venezuela's public welfare was exceptionally good, the top leader's approval rating had reached a new high, and being an oil-producing nation to boot, it seemed like they were being fed by God Himself. Why would there be any instability?

"Jiang Feng, haven't you been following the local news and international affairs?" Song Heping countered.

Jiang Feng was puzzled, "Why should I look at that stuff? I'm a mercenary, not a politician. It's not my business to pay attention to such things."

Song Heping gave a bitter smile. He wanted to give Jiang Feng some advice, but then he thought better of it.

After all, what Jiang Feng said wasn't wrong.

As a mercenary, why bother with international politics and current events?

From a mercenary's point of view, it indeed seemed superfluous.

But as a PMC boss, you can't afford to be so rash and thoughtless.

Like Song Heping choosing Venezuela as one of his global bases, it wasn't a decision made lightly, but a calculated one.

Starting from 2003, Venezuela had launched a series of social welfare programs named "The Bolivarian Missions."

These programs aimed to provide the lower and middle classes with medical care, education, food, housing, and other social services, as well as setting up numerous investment funds related to social development. Essentially, these were welfare projects to increase the well-being of the public, with all aspects of national life guaranteed by the government. It was truly comfortable.

But such policies cost money, a lot of it.

And money doesn't fall from the sky; there has to be a source for that wool.

Song Heping learned that the "Mission" welfare projects needed to draw over seventy billion US dollars or even more from the national treasury each year to subsidize the difference.

Such a substantial budgetary expenditure put immense financial pressure on the government. Song Heping knew from what Ramas had mentioned that because there were conflicts in the region of Illiguo and oil prices had skyrocketed, Venezuela was temporarily coping. But oil prices couldn't remain high forever. Once they dropped, it would be a devastating blow to the entire country.

It's easy to transition from frugality to luxury, but hard to return to frugality from luxury.

Slashing benefits that had increased would definitely cause turmoil.

That was Song Heping's judgment.

And once there was turmoil, given Venezuela's usual practices, power would likely become more centralized. By then, the government would depend even more on the loyalty of its military forces.

So, choosing to cooperate with someone like Ramas was akin to finding shade under a large tree.

Looking at Jiang Feng, Song Heping couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy.

Sometimes, it was a blessing to be a simple person, without grand ambitions, and to consider things plainly. At least you wouldn't face the enormous pressure he did, having to think three steps ahead with every move, cautious as if on the brink of a precipice.

In the evening, Song Heping arrived at Ramas's home.

Ramas had already notified the guards at the entrance, so Song Heping was granted access almost instantly without any body search.

"My old friend!"

In the courtyard, as soon as the car stopped, Song Heping got out and saw Ramas coming out of the villa's gate with open arms.

"General, it's a pleasure to see you again."

Song Heping also went forward and readily accepted Ramas's embrace.

"I have prepared a lavish dinner for you, please come inside."

Ramas appeared to be all smiles, his warmth spilling out of every wrinkle on his face.

He valued Song Heping very much.

Because this young man from China was his God of Wealth.

Just as Song Heping had surmised, Ramas had his own calculations in mind.

The Ramas family's entanglements were not limited to the military; many held seats in Venezuela's political landscape.

About last year, he learned from his politicized relatives that the head of state's welfare projects had depleted the national treasury. Even with high oil prices, the fiscal situation was dire, and finding money to sustain the welfare project was a burning issue.

Thus, at the domestic policy meeting, someone proposed a bold idea—nationalization of foreign enterprises.

The idea was to transform key industries such as oil, electricity, telecommunications, food, cement, and steel, currently controlled by foreign capital, to be led by the Venezuelan government.

If they could control these industries, their coffers would become the state's coffers. They could then subsidize the welfare projects, maintaining the policies, and thereby gaining a higher approval rating.

The idea sounded good, but Ramas wasn't a fool; he knew full well that it would cause issues down the line.

Therefore, he had to prepare for both eventualities.

To protect his interests in Venezuela, Ramas had to express full support for his current leader, but behind the scenes, he began planning for his own backdoor exit.

The reason he had his son, Seras, dabble in the South American arms smuggling market was also to take advantage of the geographical conveniences and the power at his disposal, to carve out a niche in the South American underground market, establish his own overseas financial reserve, and ensure his family's future prosperity.

However, the South American market was already saturated; making inroads was akin to carving flesh from another's body.

Especially since the CIA controlled most of the South American arms market, even as Commander of the Venezuelan Army, it was not something he could simply take over.

The emergence of Song Heping, however, had given Ramas hope, and he naturally treated him as an honored guest.

"Song, you said you needed to see me urgently, is it about the school?"

Once the two were seated by the dining table, Ramas took the initiative to ask.

"Yes," Song Heping did not shy away from the topic: "Morins has asked me to train fifty military command cadres for two months. However, they can't enter Venezuela through official channels, so I came to you today to ask for a small favor at the border to let them through."

"This..."

Ramas showed a troubled expression upon hearing this.

These were armed personnel.

Armed forces of an anti-government faction from a neighboring country.

If this were to be exposed, the consequences would be substantial.

"Isn't your school unfinished? How have you begun enrolling students already?"

Song Heping saw through Ramas's thoughts.

He had pondered beforehand over how to persuade the General.

"General, if it really won't work, I'll turn him down. Even though the pay is substantial, I understand the risks are too great..."

Song Heping spread his hands, pretending to agree with Ramas's concerns.

"Wait a moment..." Ramas suddenly took interest: "How much is he paying you?"