American Gossip King

Chapter 277 Goodbye Saddam

Four days later, Ian and the White House reached a preliminary agreement.

Ian founded an oil exploration company called Carl Oil, but it was essentially a shell company.

The White House will grant the exploitation rights of the Missan oil field complex to Ian's Carnegie Oil Company, while allowing Ian to subcontract part of the project to Chinese oil companies. However, major U.S. oil companies will also need to obtain no less than 25% of the Missan oil field complex.

Of course, their 25% is not the distribution of profits from mining rights, but rather the percentage of investment. This means that oil companies still need to make investments, but that has nothing to do with Ian.

Ian's share of the profits remains unchanged, but the costs will increase slightly. For example, the profit of $8 will drop to $7, and a profit of $1 means no profit or even a loss. The bigwigs at the oil companies are currently focused on the engineering revenue of the Missan oil field, not the oil field revenue, so they are offering various high prices.

But Ian accepted it because he had signed a time-based pricing agreement with the other party, which would take up to five years. After five years, when production had fully increased, the other party would no longer be entitled to a share of the profits.

China accepted it, and was even quite happy about it... It was a good opportunity to learn something from the American oil companies, and besides, they didn't have any time constraints.

China is currently learning from the Americans, so they don't mind exchanging money and labor for technology. The lazier you are, the happier I am. I'll do the work, and you teach me the technology!

Isn't that how it always is when a master teaches an apprentice?

Everyone was very happy!

Ian is essentially a middleman, a general contractor, who then distributes the work to various parties.

Besides that, the military gives Ian's arms company a $5 million project every year, mainly for making military water bottles and such. And let me tell you, the profit margin on that stuff is really huge.

Of course, this deal couldn't be handed over to Blackfire, which was destined to go bankrupt, so Ian immediately established a new company called Joel Corporation, which specialized in military projects.

The operation involved taking on projects from the Iraqi military and then subcontracting them to Blackfire Company. Blackfire Company was responsible for the "design," and the military water bottles also needed to be upgraded. However, the design was actually tailored by China for the needs of the United States and given to Blackfire for free. Blackfire then subcontracted the work to Chinese factories.

Both Joel Corporation and Blackfire Corporation are essentially subcontractors.

Throughout the entire process, it would be good if 50 million of the 500 million military supplies were actually used for cost. Another 50 million would be used for bribery. As a token of gratitude, Ian would naturally give the two big shots some extra personal benefits, and he would also have to pay some of his own money to show his friendship.

But Ian didn't expect to gain more market share from this. Military orders were all placed by military enterprises, and this 5 million was an extra part... Who wouldn't inflate the consumption figures?

After the general direction was agreed upon, Ian left.

He wanted to go back to see Saddam.

………………

A day later, Ian arrived at a village.

A Saddam soldier dressed in civilian clothes was already waiting for him there.

Once in the car, he directed Ian to drive off into the distance.

Ian said, "You drive."

The soldier didn't understand English and looked at him in confusion. Ian jumped into the passenger seat and gestured for him to sit in the driver's seat, and the soldier finally understood.

Ian rubbed his eyes and sighed deeply.

Who can understand the pain of driving when you're nearsighted?

Fortunately, there are basically no traffic lights in this area, and the continuous stream of minor news stories from China has also helped his eyesight recover somewhat.

Because of the language barrier and the lack of communication along the way, they finally arrived at a village after a day's drive.

When Ian saw the team lineup, he felt a mix of joy and unease.

The good news is that Saddam's entourage has dwindled to just over 150 people, but the bad news is that his assets are also decreasing.

It's only been twelve days in total, how come another truckload is missing?

I'm in a difficult position to explain this to Paul Bremer and the others!

Forget it, we'll redistribute it later, and load fifteen carts into sixteen.

A car is a vague unit of measurement, which I like!

Saddam was also excited to see Ian return.

He went over to Ian himself and gave him a warm hug: "How are you?"

Ian nodded: "They originally planned to launch a full-scale offensive in a month, but it's been suspended now. On the surface, they'll still be hunting you down, but they won't be in such a hurry. I've bought you six months; you have time to reorganize your forces and launch an underground resistance. However, you can't use that money for now; you'll have to send some over later."

Saddam shook his head repeatedly: "Six months is too short."

Oh my god, you've fallen into a state of insecurity again?

Ian put his arm around his shoulder: "Don't worry, things will work out step by step. Today we're pausing the pursuit for six months, and after six months I can get them to continue the pause. You know I have that capability. And with me here, I can guarantee you'll leave Iraq alive, even in the worst-case scenario!"

Ian has now completely positioned himself in the insurance business.

Ankang Insurance!

The best protection for your life!

While talking to Saddam, Ian learned about the recent situation.

As expected, Saddam Hussein kept sending people out to organize various forces across the country in an attempt to launch a counterattack.

But this kind of organization is truly fucking useless!

In the original timeline, Saddam Hussein was on the run for more than half a year and never organized a decent counterattack. However, Saddam never gave up and always believed that he could recreate the miracle of China, which is why he never left Iraq.

You're not a teacher!

Even your toenails are better at fighting than you are, and more charismatic than you are, okay?

Saddam Hussein's biggest problem was his lack of self-awareness, a fact he unfortunately never realized until his death.

So Ian said seriously, "While the US military won't be attacking the north right now, I suggest you send out more skilled men to contact all sides!"

Saddam said sadly, "I don't have that many people left."

The latest novel is first published here!

Ian laughed and said, "We don't need that many people to protect us. The more people there are, the greater the chance of being exposed."

There's something wrong with that statement. You've already said that the US military won't be pursuing me for the time being, so why bring up the possibility of exposure?

But Saddam didn't realize this. He thought carefully and nodded, saying, "Alright! I'll send half my men out. Iraq will fight back. My people everywhere are waiting for me to lead them and defeat this invasion!"

Ian smiled and nodded: "Of course, you are the one everyone wants!"

My eyes don't hurt.

There's no need to hypnotize this guy anymore; Ian's brainwashing is already deeply ingrained.

………………

During their escape, Ian could no longer enjoy the comforts of a palace and was left with only an ordinary house.

Bloodstains still remain on the wall.

Bridexon told him that Saddam was becoming increasingly brutal, especially after he learned that Ian was going to bribe the officials. He was unwilling to spend the money, so he chose to kill some uncooperative villagers directly.

The good news is that all of these were captured on film.

"Fuck!" Ian exclaimed angrily.

He exclaimed, "Then why is a cartload of goods missing?"

Bledsson: "..."

I thought your anger stemmed from Saddam Hussein's indiscriminate killing of innocent people.

This is so Ian Carl!

Van Nistel said, "Most of what was used to bribe those armed groups outside was gold. Antiques and paintings were left untouched; these things aren't worth much at this stage."

"That's good." Ian breathed a sigh of relief.

Gold can be recovered, but antiques are a different story. As long as the bigwigs' personal pockets remain intact, he can easily explain himself.

Then he looked at the girls in the room and asked in confusion, "Why are there only two now? Where's the other one?"

Clark said, "They were sent away by Saddam. Women are a resource too."

Ian's face darkened: "Go tell Saddam that he can't take my share. Make him pay me another one!"

Pity.

Ian originally intended to save these girls, but ended up saving one less.

Then we'll just have to find another one from Saddam's side. I don't mind if you've used him before, we're brothers!

(End of this chapter)