Chapter 1979 - 1438: Better Safe Than Sorry

After the meeting, Song Heping returned to his room.

It was a suite at the end of the third floor of the command center, transformed into a space that served both living and command functions.

The room was simple to the point of being almost bare.

A field bed, a metal desk, two encrypted computers, a weapons rack, and a safe in the corner.

The only luxury was a small fridge stocked with mineral water and a few cans of beer.

Just as Song Heping took off his bulletproof vest, the satellite phone rang.

Picking it up and glancing at the screen, the caller ID showed Nura, responsible for arms sales in North Africa and the Middle East.

Yes, the only Bedouin woman in the company.

Song Heping answered the call: "Nura."

"Boss!"

Nura's excited voice came from the other end.

"I have earth-shattering news! News that'll make you laugh for three days and nights!"

"Let's hear it."

Song Heping responded briefly as he opened the encrypted communication software on a computer on the desk.

"The sensitive equipment in your hands, I've found a buyer! A real buyer, not those intermediaries who only haggle!" Nura's voice was sharp with excitement: "Stingers, Javelins, Spring Blades, four-eye night vision goggles... they want it all! And the price will blow your mind!"

Song Heping's nerves instantly tightened, but his voice remained steady: "I asked you to handle more than four hundred million in conventional equipment bound for Africa, mainly liaising with Haftar's people. Why are sensitive equipment involved?"

"I know, I know." Nura quickly explained, speaking as fast as a desert storm: "I was originally talking to a general on Haftar's side about the Hummers and mine-resistant vehicles. During the chat, he casually asked if we had anything 'more exciting.' I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask, so I mentioned your batch of sensitive equipment. And guess what?"

"Guess what?"

Song Heping asked, fingers quickly tapping on the keyboard, pulling up Nura's communication records and recent activity logs.

"He said he knows a big buyer specializing in South America business, named Fadil. This person is particularly obsessed with high-end US-made equipment and never haggles!"

Excitement was palpable in Nura's voice.

"I contacted Fadil's representative through an intermediary, and upon hearing the equipment list, they immediately expressed interest in buying it all. The price? Boss, hold steady! It's 560 million US Dollars! Cash, gold, diamonds, or cryptocurrency—your choice!"

560 million?

Song Heping's fingers paused on the keyboard.

The figure echoed in his mind.

320 million worth of equipment, 560 million bid, a premium over seventy percent.

On the black market, sensitive equipment indeed carries a premium, but typically it doesn't exceed thirty to forty percent due to few buyers, immense risk, and requiring complex laundering and transportation channels.

A premium above seventy percent means only one thing—the buyer is in extreme urgency, or...

This is a trap.

"How much do you know about this Fadil?"

Song Heping asked with no detectable emotional fluctuation in his voice.

"Well... to be honest, not much." Nura confessed, her excitement slightly waning: "He's introduced by Haftar's people, reputed in North Africa and the Sahel Region as an arms dealer specializing in the South American market, with a good reputation. I checked, the circles indeed have records of him, clean transaction records, timely payments."

"Have you met him or his direct representative?" Song Heping asked.

"No, it's all through encrypted communication and intermediaries," Nura said. "But Haftar's people vouched for him, saying they've worked with Fadil multiple times without problems. And this time, they're willing to pay thirty percent upfront, then immediately settle the balance upon validation and dispatch."

Increasingly suspicious.

Song Heping furrowed his brow.

Paying upfront?

On the arms black market, this is an exceptionally generous offer.

The usual transaction model is for the buyer to confirm goods before delivery and then payment.

Alternatively, through third-party escrow, but at steep commissions.

Paying upfront means the seller can abscond with the money anytime, leaving the buyer with all the risk.

Unless...

The buyer isn't worried about the seller disappearing because they have absolute confidence in controlling the situation.

"Nura, listen to me." Song Heping's voice became serious: "Tell the intermediary that I'm very busy right now, handling a major order from the Ministry of Defense. Regarding that batch of sensitive equipment, we'll talk in a month."

Two seconds of silence from the other side, followed by Nura's incredulous voice: "Boss! 560 million! This kind of opportunity may only come once! Fadil said if you agree, they can prepare the full payment in a week! He even hinted that the price can be negotiated further!"

"I said wait." Song Heping's tone was undeniable: "Nura, you've been with the company for years, have you ever seen me make a rash decision?"

"...No." Nura's voice lowered.

"Then trust me this time." Song Heping said: "Tell the intermediary I need at least a month to handle the Ministry of Defense's order. If Fadil genuinely intends, he will wait. If he is unwilling to wait... then it indicates he has other motives."

A long sigh came from the phone: "Alright, boss, as you say. But I really think this is a great opportunity... 560 million, enough for us to open ten new routes south of the Sahara."

"Opportunities often come with traps." Song Heping said: "In a place like Illiguo, caution is never too much. By the way, how's the negotiation with Haftar's people on that conventional equipment bound for Africa?"