America: Starting with Daily Intelligence

Chapter 188 Escort Mission

The next day.

When Zhang Ailun woke up, he felt refreshed. He turned around and found that Reina was no longer there. Even her toolbox and toys were packed away, so she must have gotten up and gone downstairs to make breakfast.

I took out my phone and glanced at today's daily news.

[Daily Intelligence: A group of black drunks caused trouble at Sanji's bar in the early hours of last night, but your capable henchman Richie single-handedly subdued them, dragged them out, and gave them a sound beating in an alley. The black men of the Fifth District tremble with fear at the mere mention of your name.]

Zhang Ailun: ...

[Daily News: A shootout involving a gun deal occurred last night at the Ranch on Rocky Beach Highway 426 in the suburbs. The scene yielded $20 worth of weaponry, a damaged armored van, $2 in cash, a 1787 Château Lafite Rothschild bottle, and twelve cows.]

[Details: The buyers of the firearms were the Hagen family, owners of a suburban ranch, while the sellers were Johnny's team, an unlicensed private arms dealer. A conflict arose over price, and the Hagen family attempted to steal $20 worth of weapons. Johnny, the arms dealer, retaliated by leading his men into the ranch at night. A fierce gunfight ensued, resulting in heavy casualties. A total of 26 cows, 36 sheep, and 57 ducks were killed, and 18 people from both sides perished.]

Zhang Ailun: ?

I almost lost my composure. What animal killer? So those twelve cows were survivors after all?

What a talent! To actually manage to take someone down with him is a rare feat. In this day and age, are there still such courageous arms dealers (or idiots)?

What deep-seated hatred could lead to such a fight over tens of thousands of dollars in the suburbs?

Alright, alright. I will take your inheritance; you need not worry.

[Daily Intelligence: An arms procurement opportunity is available online. Firefox PMC Security has issued a joint commission to transport two sniper aiming systems, along with Remington 700 sniper rifles, .308 caliber ammunition, an AWP sniper rifle, an SVD sniper rifle, and a contraband encrypted document. The mission involves transporting the system to the security branch in Palm Valley and delivering the document to Harry, the manager of the insurance company. The reward for the arms transport mission is $15000 USD, with a further $30000 USD reward for successful delivery of the encrypted document.]

[Details: This mission requires at least one armored armored vehicle, two armed escorts, and heavy firepower. Paper documents contain highly explicit photos (three-star color grading). Insurance company manager Harry, wanting to eliminate his former rival and competitor, has obtained evidence of the rival's infidelity and plans to take advantage of the situation, but his plans are leaked. A small probability of unforeseen events may occur during the mission.]

Zhang Ailun fell into deep thought.

I long-pressed and clicked to download the private photos with a three-star rating for color intensity. After glancing at them, I couldn't help but gasp. These people are really something else!

They managed to get something inside such a big beer bottle.

This color intensity is definitely more than three stars, isn't it?

Even the Grand Master has never done such a thing.

Zhang Ailun logged into the Opportunity Network using the mobile app, found this affordable job, and decided to book the escort job.

Their armed nation has just opened for business and is in its early stages. They have no goods, no reputation, no large orders, and can't afford to hire professional PMC members for armed escort. They have to do everything themselves. It's more reassuring to use their own people.

If an unexpected situation occurs during the employment process, such as the last time when someone dies, we will have to pay medical expenses and compensation to those cowards. We won't even have enough money to cover the costs, and we simply can't afford to go through all that trouble.

The daily intelligence report also suggested a bulletproof armored escort vehicle, which would allow two people to handle the mission. This indicates that even in the event of an emergency, they would not be chased and mowed down by thugs driving pickup trucks with AKs like last time. At most, they would be armed with small-caliber weapons.

What's there to be afraid of? If any foolish motorcyclists dare to intercept our goods, the leader will drive his armored car straight into them.

Crush them!!

Let's do it!!

That's $45000 in income, after all. It also helps build a reputation in the industry and make a name for yourself! Once you have a good name in the industry, you won't have to worry about not getting big jobs.

One must eat one bite at a time, and walk one step at a time. Getting to the island is not difficult; it only requires a determined mind.

Zhang Ailun thought about it. Bowhead Whales had become famous in Little Rock, but their reputation was mixed in the industry. Trying to settle accounts for others by chance was a bit unreliable. They probably wouldn't get a single job for ten days or half a month.

It's the kind of business that doesn't open for six months, but once it does, it feeds you for three years.

The risks are also quite high.

Although the other employers have all heard about the business Bowhead Whale has been doing in Little Rock, they certainly don't know the actual situation, nor do they understand how many regular members Bowhead Whale has, or whether there are twenty people.

Now, all we have is Old Jack; even the Grand Master is an unofficial member.

That bonus is enough for old Jack to live comfortably for a while; he'll deal with any new assignments that come his way.

[Daily News: A victim was found naked and tied to a bush in a rocky area on Highway 163 in the suburbs, with no one rescuing him. Rich man Jenny, pranked by his friends, got drunk and drove recklessly on the highway, offending a motorcycle gang, who robbed him of everything, including his Porsche 911 and his girlfriend. Details: Help him get his car back and regain his dignity. There's a chance you'll receive a random luxury car from his private mansion as a reward.]

What an unlucky friend!

You can actually make friends with this kind of person?

Zhang Ailun glanced at the time; it was only eight in the morning, still a long way from sunset, and the other person was not in any immediate danger.

Let this rich young master enjoy the breeze in the suburbs first; the savior doesn't have time to save him right now.

[Daily News: The Wally Recycling Station in District 6 has opened for business, and you'll receive a pickup quest. The employer's warehouse is stockpiled with beverage bottles and collectible coins, and your supervisor, Leo, will be lucky enough to snag a coin from the 1906 Titanic disaster.]

Coins from the Titanic victims?

Zhang Ailun did a search and found a similar news story on the front page of a newspaper. The same coin had been auctioned off and bought by a collector for $75000!

The recycle bin is overflowing with coins again.

Zhang Ailun was in a good mood and immediately sent a message to Leo, asking how his work at the WALL-E recycling station was going.

Leo: Boss, I'm doing great here. Monica is helping me out too. Thank you for trusting me and giving me this job!

Zhang Ailun: Do a good job. If you encounter any problems, you can consult Dominic. He is more experienced in this area.

Leo: I will.

After chatting with Leo for a few more minutes, Zhang Ailun ended the conversation.

He then sent a message to Sig: "I've taken on an armed escort mission on Opportunity Network. Firefox Security needs to transport some equipment, with a little bit of smuggled goods mixed in. Someone from them might come to your door to discuss business later. Remember to open your shop in Armed Nation as soon as possible."

Sig: What kind of escort mission? Are there any risks involved?

Zhang Ailun sent the details and information to Sig: the reward for the mission is $45000. Don't worry, it's just transporting a batch of sniper rifles and confidential envelopes; there won't be much risk.

Sieg: The employer offered $30000? That's generous? He must have a grudge! Most people probably wouldn't be able to get the goods to him, so they used our armored truck to deliver them.

Zhang Ailun was pleased: "It's good that you understand. Why not take advantage of this business opportunity that's practically handed to us? Do you really want to sit in an empty shop and sell goods?"

Sig: I can get a batch of hand-modified second-hand firearms from my friend at a low price and sell them at a lower price.

Zhang Ailun: There's no need for that. I already have a supply chain, and the retail price is as low as half a tank of gas. I'll even throw in a few cows; each cow is worth at least $600 on the market!

Sig: I can understand the sourcing channels, but where did the cows come from?

Zhang Ailun: I have an old friend whose legacy is waiting for me to receive.

Sig: ...

You're using this trick again?

Zhang Ailun put away his phone, got dressed, washed up, and went downstairs.

Reina had already prepared breakfast and greeted Zhang Ailun as he came downstairs, "Honey, you're awake? Come and eat quickly. The shelter will be opening soon. After you finish eating, you can go back to your work."

"Okay." Zhang Ailun didn't refuse and sat down at the table to enjoy breakfast with Reina.

They didn't talk while eating or sleeping, and the battle was quickly over. Zhang Ailun wanted to help Reina clean up, but she refused. So he gave her a warm kiss and hug, said goodbye, and left the shelter.

Zhang Ailun sent a message to Melvin from his car, asking for his current coordinates, and then drove over to pick him up, asking him to come with him to the suburban ranch to receive his good brother's inheritance.

Melvin got into the car, fastened his seatbelt, and Zhang Ailun started the car again, driving away from the city and heading to the ranch on Highway 426 in the suburbs.

After spending several tens of minutes, we arrived at a relatively remote ranch. We parked the Wrangler by the roadside and looked at the barbed wire fence and railings marked with high-voltage electrical warnings. I couldn't help but sigh, "No wonder no one ever comes here. The safety measures are so good. If someone dies, their body could rot inside and no one would even notice."

"Boss, what are we doing here? Are we planning to steal those two cows?" Melvin asked, a little puzzled.

"If I wanted to buy cattle, would I need to be so secretive? It's not like I can't afford it. And I don't even need to buy any; do you believe a dozen cattle will just come to my door?"

Zhang Ailun locked the doors and windows of his Jeep Wrangler and began searching for a way in along the path.

"How could I possibly believe that?" Melvin expressed his skepticism about the Grand Master's words.

"We'll see." Zhang Ailun walked halfway around the barbed wire and fence and finally found the gap that had been smashed open. It seemed to be the loophole that the arms dealers had pried open yesterday.

He bent down and squeezed through the gap to go inside, with Melvin following closely behind.

As the two walked across the ranch's grassland, Melvin noticed the dead ducks on the ground and asked curiously, "What happened? All the farmed ducks here are dead?"

As I walked along the path, I came across another sheep carcass. I glanced at it and noticed that there were bullet holes in the carcass, and the fur was all puffed up.

Melvin couldn't help but fall into deep thought, unable to understand why anyone would use a 5.56 bullet to kill a sheep.

They initially thought the deaths were accidental, but the road ahead became increasingly horrifying. They discovered more than one carcass of cattle and sheep by the roadside, all killed by gunfire. The animal welfare officials were moved to tears by the sight.

Soon enough, it wasn't just the carcasses of cattle and sheep anymore; there were even human remains.

Melvin was shocked. Looking at the man lying on the ground, dressed in overalls and yellow rubber boots, he was clearly also from the ranch. He quickly went over to check on him and found that the man was no longer breathing, already completely cold, and showing signs of rigor mortis.

"Boss, I feel like there was a fierce gunfight here!"

"I don't need to feel it. I can see it with my own eyes." Zhang Ailun looked at the series of gun holes on the wall of the ranch's stable. There were also many yellow bullet casings on the ground.

We soon arrived at the area where the wooden houses were built, which was also very quiet.

"Hey! Is there anyone here who can talk?" Melvin pulled out his gun.

But the only response he received was a moo from a cow.

Thankfully, it was just a cow mooing; if someone had made a sound, the Grand Master would have turned and left without a word.

It's haunted here even in broad daylight! The yin energy is too strong.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Ailun rushed over and went into the shed. He found more than a dozen cows tied up in the shed, staring at the two of them with their big, piercing eyes.

"Good, good, good! You're really good, I'll let you all out in a bit."

Zhang Ailun walked over and patted the cow's head, grinning broadly. "Then we'll take you to a ranch in a remote town next door and sell you for a good price. Look at those big muscles on your bodies, I'm sure a slaughterhouse owner will offer you a high price!"

I checked the price, and it's $4 per kilogram of meat. This large carcass definitely weighs more than 150 kilograms. The price of a cow is around $600.

Twelve live cows are worth more than dead cows; they could fetch at least $7000 if sold!

Niu Niu: ...

Seriously. Have some decency.

I should have died in last night's gunfight.

Melvin was also surprised by what he said and couldn't help but say, "Boss, so many people have died here, it's a bit unlucky. It's best not to touch the stuff, right? There's no need to sell these cattle to the slaughterhouse; it would be better to sell them to the ranch owners."

"Don't worry, someone will notice this place sooner or later. These cows will be taken away by others if we leave them here. It's better to give them to us cheaply." Zhang Ailun waved his hand to indicate that his worries were completely unnecessary.

All the people are dead, and there are only a dozen or so cows that can't talk. Where would there be any eyewitnesses?

Even if they looted everything, no one would know they had been here if they left no clues.

As for whether to sell to a slaughterhouse or a ranch, of course, it's up to the highest bidder.

Pushing open the door, I saw several people lying haphazardly, tables and chairs overturned, looking like the house had been violently demolished. The people were all dead, completely cold.

Zhang Ailun put on gloves and a mask, signaling Melvin to try searching the body and looting the bag, while he went to other rooms to look for clues. He soon found several green armor boxes stored in a stairwell.

I took it out and opened it for a look. Sure enough, it was full of gleaming MP5 submachine guns, as well as Vector submachine guns and Remington shotguns. The other boxes contained several AR-series assault rifles and a few AKMs. The other boxes contained various kinds of ammunition. There were also goggles, helmets, and tactical boots.

The small box contained fragmentation grenades, smoke grenades, gas grenades, and tasers.

Melvin also made a new discovery and gained something: he found several rolls of cash and a briefcase in a drawer inside the room, which he took back and handed over to the Grand Master.

Zhang Ailun opened his briefcase, glanced at the bright green banknotes, grabbed a handful, and smiled. "Not bad, there's at least $2 here!"

"Boss, I also found an armed escort van in the backyard, but it wasn't bulletproof. The tires were all shot out, and I guess even the license plate is fake." After a thorough search, Melvin quickly made another discovery.

(End of this chapter)