"As you wish!"
Xia Yu arrived in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which was formed in 2016 by the merger of two regions and borders Switzerland and Italy, aboard an Army NH-90 transport helicopter.
The name "Alps" reflects the region's geographical features; it is more undulating than the flat Mecklenburg, and its winter snow makes it a popular ski resort in the country.
Looking down at the mountains and forests ablaze with color, Xia Yu could imagine what it would be like here in winter.
He also mentioned going to Switzerland or Austria for winter God training. With this office in the country, employees can conduct training locally, which is convenient and quick.
The helicopter continued its journey and arrived at a small town near the Italian border.
Beyond the town lies a castle hidden among vineyards, blending Italian and French architectural styles.
"So this vineyard is ours too."
Xia Yu asked the person in charge.
"Yes, Mr. Sherlock, the castle and the surrounding land were acquired by the government in 1958 and listed as a historical monument. After restoration, it was opened to the public for a fee, but because of its location, very few tourists are willing to drive here."
The person in charge briefed Xia Yu on the local situation.
Anything becomes commonplace when there are many of it, and European castles are a prime example.
To maintain even the bare minimum of operation of this ancient castle, a ticket price of 3.5 euros is far from enough, not to mention that they only open it for three months a year in order to cut costs.
The income from the vineyard in Xia Yu's field of vision basically covers the expenses, but on weekdays it is just simple minor repairs. After 60 years, it is about time for a major overhaul.
So, the bills were paid using government appropriations.
No, no, no, this isn't Mont Saint-Michel Castle. The right thing to do is to sort out the national assets and dispose of them. We can't keep throwing money into a bottomless pit.
However, the same downsizing process, when sold to a private tycoon, has much stricter requirements: this can't be touched, that can't be demolished, it's simply about finding a buyer to maintain the castle.
This also aligns with the country's policy of imposing high taxes on the wealthy. You want to buy a castle and become a nobleman in the new century? Well, I'll stab you in the heart and see how fast I can bleed your cash flow.
However, the behavior of operating a castle not as a large villa, but as a means of production, should be encouraged to boost GDP.
With the change of purpose, many protection clauses for historical sites will be relaxed to varying degrees.
Some people have taken over the castle to open hotels and guesthouses, while others have converted it into a local specialty workshop and started a tourism business.
It's quite rare for Xia Yu to be acquired and then converted into an office for a private military contracting company, because this directly restores the military attributes that weren't considered during the castle's construction.
"Splash splash"
The helicopter landed in front of the vineyard. The castle, which had closed to the public two weeks ago, was almost deserted, and everything around was very quiet.
"This stable looks really tall. Even with the 3-meter height of the VBCI turret, it doesn't feel cramped at all."
Whenever Xia Yu visited a castle, the first thing he would look at was the stables. The stables at Mecklenburg were not only low, but also had to be crossed over a stone arch bridge. Even a small weasel could only stop on the other side of the castle.
The one in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is much better. If you don't keep horses, you can park three or four large eight-wheelers, but if you're doing counter-terrorism related business in Europe, two vehicles are enough.
If that's not enough, Xia Yu also has the An-124 which can be deployed quickly, just like this time.
"Boss, northern Italy is less than 5 kilometers east of here. We can also take on jobs there."
Mariano gazed in the direction of his hometown.
He's from southern Italy; extremist groups wouldn't even consider such a poor, remote place for carrying out terrorist attacks. They'd choose the more developed northern regions.
"Of course, that's what the French think. We can't be too close to Bali, but we can't be too far away either. This kind of border between several countries is the best choice."
Seeing that the head of the work group had gone to the restroom, Xia Yu did not hide it from the employees.
“By setting up an office here, we can take on business from Italy and Switzerland, and the three AS550s that the French promised me will also be left here.”
The Fennec Fox is very suitable for the Alpine region, but the number of them in the military equipment is a bit small. The 10 we acquired from them are only enough for our own fire defense and cannot be sold to other countries.
Therefore, when Xia Yu acquired the tough-class AS550, he pre-ordered the remaining AS550s from the military in Kuo County.
There are 20 in total. After some maintenance, they can be sold as an upgraded version of the Gazelle to customers with a certain level of purchasing power.
Of course, the naval version of this thing, AS555 Little Fox, was also produced by the Germans under license from the Japanese, but unfortunately it didn't get to be deployed on ships. Otherwise, it would have been great to just print it on the São Paulo.
"At least 70% of the staff in the branch offices will be recruited from mainland China."
Xia Yu continued muttering.
Jihuo Defense has no employees of any nationality, but its subsidiary, Afica War Museum, has hired double-digit numbers.
Now, the operations department, at least the European branch, must recruit a similar number of elite former soldiers in order to operate the two VBCI infantry fighting vehicles.
It wasn't that Xia Yu was prejudiced against those outside the law; because of their previous collaborations, Xia Yu preferred to hire members of the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment.
Mechanized infantry special operations are also a specialty of Jihuo Defense. Two squads of 18 people are enough, but after being formally recruited, they will be taken to the head office for 3 to 6 months of pre-job combat training.
Yes, as a rotating force of the four digital groups, Jihuo Defense has been deployed very intensively for the past two years. Even now that they are resting, everyone's nerves are still on high alert during the deployment period.
Having rotating troops is ideal. At headquarters, Xia Yu will not be adding any new infantry fighting vehicles for the time being; four digital squads paired with three infantry fighting vehicles are sufficient.
He won't consider ordering another Weasel S30 until next year at the earliest, but he definitely needs to place an order for the air defense vehicle this year so that it can be delivered and put into use next year.
"And the Leclerc UAE, whether it's for counter-terrorism or for destroying personnel and soft targets at long range in the Afica battlefield, the programmable grenades are quite effective, especially since the VBCI can't fire programmable grenades."
Xia Yu added.
Even a 12.7mm coaxial machine gun has an effective firing range of less than 2,000 meters, but the HM3M can fire at 4,000 meters.
This is the most effective way to replenish firepower after the attack helicopters have emptied their ammunition and withdrawn from the battlefield, since the 120mm caliber is there, and even machine guns can't provoke them.
“Retraining the crew members would be too much trouble; we should just hire Frenchmen.”
Xia Yu kept this matter in mind.
Even if the front-haired military vehicle crew is not very skilled, they are still better than the UAE's tank crew that throws tanks, and the Yogi crew that has not yet finished its equipment conversion training.
While chatting with several employees about the company's upcoming plans, he toured the interior of the castle.
The main building is three and a half stories, plus a basement. The auxiliary building can also be used for living. It will take at least a year to renovate the whole thing. We can only say that we will take it slowly.
There are helicopters available, and the office staff can be temporarily housed in Mecklenburg.
After visiting the castle and the nearby town, on the way back to Bali, Xia Yu began to think about the next steps.
That's a multi-figure order, and the level of danger isn't too high. The key is to maintain a balance between the National Army and the Government of National Accord.
Of course, there were also the remnants of Ace who fled to North Philippines.
Salim came from this group, but fewer than 100 body bags were used in total for this terrorist attack, and many more AceAce members were scattered throughout Libya.
These things, like yellowcake and abandoned weapons, serve as proof of Xia Yu's progress in receiving project payments.
Oh right, I almost forgot about the Tuareg people.
They couldn't possibly empty an armory. They took all the light weapons and ammunition they could, but the remaining heavy equipment, except for the ones they sold, remained in Libya.
This deployment might even lead to a clash between Jihuo Defense and the Azawad Coordination Movement.
By the time Xia Yu finished taking stock of all the potential targets in Libya, they had arrived in Bali.
Unaware that he had narrowly escaped disaster, Philip Stark called to say that the second version of the private jet design had been completed.
It wasn't easy. In this revised version, Xia Yu went through a boring fishing trip, experienced the two-seater Rafale at the Air Force, and then something happened in Libya, so he rushed over to investigate the case.
Until they caught a big fish, they successfully prevented a terrorist attack.
Now all he wants to do is go to Germany to reunite with his wife and children after the celebration banquet.
[...According to the Ministry of the Interior's interrogation of the captured militants, the plot to attack Bali was orchestrated by Salim, a mid-level leader of Essex, and was left behind during the time of Gaddafi's abduction...]
Television news is reporting on a dirty bomb attack that was thwarted two days ago by the Malaysian military, Bali police, and a private military contractor.
Well, since they used all French equipment, the French military was the most outstanding.
The Leclerc main battle tank, its UAE designation blurred, powerfully intercepted an attacking convoy in the suburbs. Fragmented video footage sparked heated discussions, with numerous media outlets wanting to interview the heroic crew.
The problem is that the tank commander and gunner are German, and the driver is an Afika (Black). Is it really acceptable to interview such a tank crew?
The military declined media interview requests, citing the need to prevent leaks, but promised that the president would award them medals.
"...The enriched uranium and small arms left behind in Libya are threatening Europe, and we need to take action..."
After discussing the second version of the design, Philip took it back to revise the third version. When he returned to Xia Yu at Villacoubla Air Force Base, he saw his buddies watching TV, with Little Ma giving a passionate speech on the screen.
The groundwork for this Libya deployment has already begun, but fundraising will be a long process.
"Boss, what should we wear to the state banquet tomorrow?"
Upon seeing Xia Yu return, Hans asked the boss.
In this situation, one would normally be dressed in formal attire, but they rushed into the country with nothing but their combat uniforms.
It's too late to order a custom-made one, but his old federal military uniform with his rank insignia removed is still at his hometown, so wearing that will do.
"Just wear combat uniforms, have a simple meal, no need for formalities."
Xia Yu made the decision directly.
After removing their bulletproof vests and helmets, the combat uniforms underneath are the formal attire of all employees of Jihuo Defense, symbolizing their readiness to solve their employer's problems at any time.
"Also, there are no spoils of war for this deployment, but I cannot ignore your contributions. The company will reward all employees who participated in this counter-terrorism operation with $200,000."
Before he could finish speaking, he continued to announce the rewards for this deployment.
Upon hearing that each person would receive $200,000, everyone present erupted in cheers and jubilation, especially Group 4, who were receiving such a large reward for the first time.
The sight of green banknotes is more appealing than any state banquet or medal; Xia Yu doesn't play games with his own people.
This round of spending only cost five or six million, but it motivated all employees and inspired them to give their all in the next deployment.
"Yes, boss!"
After hearing Xia Yu's encouragement, everyone responded in unison.
"Splash splash"
Three days later, two NH-90s landed one after another on the tarmac of the Élysée Palace. Xia Yu, dressed in combat uniform, led his employees, who were dressed in the same attire, out in single file.
No luxury cars or red carpets—that's the style of Focus Fire Defense, or rather, PMC.
The two military vehicle crews that were working with them, all dressed in military uniforms, entered the Élysée Palace together.
Like the Kremlin and the White House, this palace is the official residence and office of the president. Although it is not very large, it remains magnificent after hundreds of years of weathering.
"Welcome to the Élysée Palace to our heroes who defeated the terrorists."
Little Ma, who had been waiting for a long time, greeted everyone.
"Only the Legion of Honor is worthy of your heroic and fearless actions."
First came the awarding of medals, then the meal; everyone was given a perfectly clear schedule.
Christian, standing in the crowd, was not dealing with such a grand occasion for the first time. The Queen awarded him a medal, which directly led to his early retirement.
Fortunately, this time the Germans awarded him a medal, so he no longer needs to leave the Firepower Defense.
After listening to Little Ma's polite words, the awarding ceremony officially began.
The group lined up, and he first awarded medals to his own men. The driver and gunner were awarded the entry-level Knight's Medal.
The two tank commanders were awarded officer's medals. The same was true at the concentrated fire defense unit. Most people had knight's medals, and only employees in key positions who made high contributions received officer's medals.
For example, there were several snipers, and Hans, the commander of the Leclerc UAE.
Xia Yu, who was ranked last, successfully earned Xiang Shou's Commander's Medal thanks to his MPV-level output and contribution in tracking the target.
Just like the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, it is worn around the neck.
Many Chinese have received this level of honor, but only one micro-management master has ever received the Grand Officer's Medal and the Grand Cross Knight's Medal, which are above that level.
Of course, even the puppet emperor Guangxu was given one as a gift.
"Mr. Sherlock, thank you for everything you have done for the people of the country."
After pinning the Commander's Medal around Xia Yu's neck and adjusting it, Little Ma smiled and shook hands with him.
"It is my honor to fight against extremist groups and maintain regional peace."
At this moment, everyone tacitly refrained from discussing money, because they had already discussed it earlier.
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