Chapter 9

In March, there were still many places in the Northern Hemisphere where snow was falling. Although Gao Yang had turned the car's air conditioning to the maximum, the dry and scorching heat still surged in like waves.

Gao Yang leaned back in his seat, expressionless, quietly gazing at the large river by the roadside.

"It's the dry season now, so this dirt road is barely passable. Once the rainy season comes, it turns into a swamp. Only American-made off-road vehicles can manage it; Japanese cars would all break down," James chatted away while driving, talking about all sorts of things.

On both sides of the riverbank were dense tropical rainforests, occasionally echoing with the roars of unknown animals.

"Four years ago, I came here on a mission. The environment here is complex, with various tribes feuding, and anti-government militias and poaching gangs roaming around," James said seriously to Gao Yang. "Boss, I hope you will follow my arrangements for safety; it concerns all of our safety." James paused and continued, "Here, kids learn to handle AKs at the age of 7 or 8."

"Sure, I'll leave all safety matters to you," Gao Yang said with a smile.

By evening, the group arrived at a small but prosperous town by the roadside. It was over 200 kilometers from the port and served as a crucial supply point for inland poaching gangs. Another 100 kilometers inland was Gao Yang's destination, a small diamond and gold mine.

Gao Yang found this place through Origin's search. He needed an identity to cover the source of his money and precious metals. Starting a company in the mine and hiring locals would provide a place to receive goods from other places.

The group drove to the tallest building in town, which was also the largest hotel, a four-story building with a parking lot.

"This is the safest place in town," James said.

After getting out of the car and arranging accommodation, Gao Yang, who had a single room, took a comfortable hot shower and declined the various services offered by the attendant. Looking at the beautiful sunset outside the window, Gao Yang began to quietly think about his future plans.

Why was he doing all this? For money? With Origin and the ability to time-travel, Gao Yang could easily obtain more money than he could spend in several lifetimes. For women? While money can't buy love, it certainly doesn't lack for women. For power? What's the point of conquering the world if you still sleep in the same bed?

Gao Yang was a smart child from a young age. After all, how could a child who could get into a university in the capital without money for tuition or connections not be smart? Even though it was a second-tier university, it was still better than a top-tier university in the province.

Since leaving home to attend university, Gao Yang had lived independently, enduring many hardships and learning a lot. The sharp edges of his personality had been smoothed by life, and he had long buried his former fantasies deep in his heart. He had intended to live a simple and peaceful life, but the appearance of Origin had reignited his heart.

Smoking quietly, watching the sun disappear below the horizon, Gao Yang stubbed out his cigarette, got dressed, and walked out.

James led six people, all armed, following Gao Yang. They entered a bar in the town center.

Bars around the world seemed to be the same? Dancers in revealing clothing, drunk men, and thugs selling pills in the dim light.

Gao Yang drank his alcohol, watching the black pearls dancing in the dance floor, looking very interested. James glanced at him with a strange look, thinking, "Is this guy into the same thing as me?"

Two well-dressed black uncles approached and said to Gao Yang, "Sir, our boss invites you for a drink."

Gao Yang nodded at James and got up to follow the black uncles to a VIP room. James and the others followed behind. Gao Yang, with his energy shield ring, paid no attention to these small scenes.

In the VIP room, a middle-aged white man greeted Gao Yang, "Sir, I am Carlos, the manager here. It's our first meeting, may I know your name?"

"Smith, just call me Smith. What do you want?" Gao Yang sat down and lit a cigarette.

"Mr. Smith, may I ask what brings you here?" Carlos sat down opposite Gao Yang.

"Are you asking me to report to you?" Gao Yang said with a frown.

"Mr. Smith, don't misunderstand, we have no ill intentions," Carlos waved his hands and continued, "We have some good things here. Are you interested?"

"What kind of things?" Gao Yang asked.

"Ivory, rhinoceros horns, crocodile skins, and various crafts," Carlos pitched to Gao Yang. "Would you like to see the goods?"

"I'm not interested," Gao Yang stubbed out his cigarette and got up.

Carlos got up and smiled, "Mr. Smith, if you need anything, feel free to contact me." He handed over a business card.

Gao Yang took the card, smiled, and left the bar.

On the way back to the hotel, James said to Gao Yang, "Carlos is the local boss; there's almost nothing he can't do here." Gao Yang nodded without a word.

The next morning, the group drove to the mine. By noon, they arrived at the mine at the foot of the mountain, where luxurious courtyards dotted the shantytowns. Black uncles with hurried expressions were everywhere, and the distant mine echoed with the roar of heavy machinery.

They were welcomed into a luxurious courtyard by the owner.

Blowing cool air conditioning, they sat down in the living room. The owner, Richard, an Englishman, owned a company and mine here. Due to personal reasons, he could no longer continue operating here. Through the president's introduction, Gao Yang took over Richard's company for 37 million pounds. The original price was 40 million pounds, and the president took a commission and waived the tax for the year.

The transfer procedures were quickly completed. After transferring the money, Richard raised a glass of champagne to Gao Yang, "The output here is good. I heard the exploration team say there might be oil in the valley across the river. This house is a gift. Good luck."

Gao Yang smiled and clinked glasses with Richard, "Good luck."

There was nothing much to do with the company; it could continue as before. Gao Yang increased the salaries of the management and technical staff by 15%, arranged production, and left the mine to return to Libreville. Before boarding the plane, he said to James, "In three months, the rotating mercenaries will replace you. If anything happens at the mine, use money to solve it. If money doesn't work, use your guns. If that still doesn't work, call me."

"Yes, boss," James said seriously.

Gao Yang returned to Bern and received a call from Sotheby's manager Rong. The three artworks Gao Yang brought back from 1924 had been auctioned, with prices far exceeding the collateral value, especially the tea set, which sold for over 6 million euros.

After deducting the collateral and interest, Sotheby's transferred the remaining money to Gao Yang's account.

Gao Yang hurried back to 1924, made a brief appearance in Feng County, and arranged some official business before returning to the original timeline. After flying back to the capital, he went home to explain to his parents that he had won a huge lottery prize and had already arranged for the family to immigrate. With his parents' surprised looks, he flew to the capital to handle the immigration procedures and then rushed back to Bern.

After settling his parents in a villa and helping them learn foreign languages, Gao Yang, who had been flying back and forth, finally had a break. In the following weeks, Gao Yang, apart from occasionally making a brief appearance in 1924, focused mainly on accompanying his parents.

His parents, who had never traveled abroad, found foreign life very unfamiliar, so Gao Yang spent more time with them. They visited famous attractions and major cities, and the family had a great time.

As for the Japanese people who went crazy in the Zhaobei and Shun warehouse in 1924, Gao Yang stood them up. Not only could the Knob armor not be given to the Japanese, but given their nature, they would not offer more gold and would instead try to capture him to get back their previous gold.

He would take advantage of the Japanese once and then wait until he had enough strength to do so again.

General Yamashita was demoted to the reserves, Major Nakamura was reassigned to a traffic boat to signal, and Consul Takeda returned to Kai to farm. The Japanese, who lost five tons of gold, were almost driven mad. They were used to the Empire taking advantage of others and never expected to be tricked. As for the information they obtained, it was ignored.

After settling his parents, Gao Yang went to Libreville, collected the mining equipment into his storage space, and returned to 1924's Feng County.

The county was busy with spring plowing, with no other major events. The security team's camp had rows of houses, and the team had grown to over 5,000, which was far beyond what the county could support through taxes.

Gao Youcai was appointed deputy commander, and the other officers were assigned to battalion and company positions. Most of the platoon that escorted the weapons stayed in the Feng County security team, mainly because of the high salaries and the opportunity to be squad leaders. Gao Yang's bio-soldiers served as cultural instructors in the companies, teaching the new recruits to read and write and promoting national and ethnic ideals.

Gao Youcai reported that there were not enough weapons and ammunition, with several people sharing one gun and not enough ammunition even for training.

Gao Yang traveled to Shanghai, found Manager Luger, and replaced the guards with bio-soldiers. He loaded 120 pistols, 5,000 Mausers, 20 Maxim machine guns, 12 76mm mortars, and 20 units of ammunition into his storage space and brought them back to Feng County.

The next morning, Gao Youcai, following Gao Yang's instructions, opened the warehouse and was shocked by the full stock of weapons. Gao Youcai, who had been in the military, swore he had never seen these weapons brought in. Gao Yang told him not to worry about it and to focus on training.

Bringing the mining equipment to the mine, Gao Yang realized an important issue he had overlooked. There was no electricity! The high-pressure water guns and other equipment he brought were useless without a basic energy supply.

With no choice, Gao Yang returned to the original timeline and ordered a 220MW coal-fired power plant and related boilers, cables, and power distribution equipment from a factory in the south.