Selling oil across Libya

Chapter 37 Plans Can't Keep Up with Changes

Qin Rui was certain that even if Numidia Brigade were to fail, Ding Jian would not provide Numidia Brigade with any assistance that violated its principles.

This cannot be blamed on Ding Jian.

Although Numidia and Ding Jian have established initial trust.

Ding Jian does not owe Numidia Travel any money.

Whether it was the power plant or Numidia Avenue, the prices Ding Jian quoted made Qin Rui suspect that Ding Jian wasn't making any money at all.

It might even result in losses.

I asked Wang Hai and found out that many of Ding Jian's businesses were indeed unprofitable; they were just to bring business to the domestic factories so that they could survive.

While we're at it, we'll also help the workers find jobs so they can earn an income.

"President Qin, President Ding has no choice. So many eyes are watching. If he makes even the slightest mistake, he'll be condemned by everyone."

Wang Hai sighed: "Take the Peruvian air defense missile tender for example. The Qianwei-18 was priced at 8.98 yuan per missile and ranked first in all the evaluation projects. You would think that the order would definitely go to the Qianwei-18, right?"

As a result, the Peruvians bought the Divine Bow, which had inferior performance to the Vanguard 18 but cost more than twice as much.

The Divine Bow is priced at $19.9.

"I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shone on the ditch."

"These worthless bastards want to be friends with Boss Ding? He wouldn't even give them a second glance."

Wang Hai's words were like a wake-up call: "President Qin, if you want to buy weapons through legitimate channels, then why don't you just take over Benghazi?"

"It's not as easy as you say!"

Qin Rui was waiting for the right opportunity.

The opportunity came soon.

Negotiations between Haftar and British, American, and French oil companies are proceeding very poorly and are progressing extremely slowly.

On December 25, Bobo Ci once again revealed that the Libyan interim government was in contact with Russia in an attempt to purchase weapons from Russia.

Haftar has finally crossed NATO's line.

Haftar's engagement with Russia is aimed at reducing his dependence on NATO.

NATO spent billions of dollars to overthrow the colonel's toxic rule, and it certainly cannot let Russia reap the benefits.

On January 2, 2012, the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi held a New Year's dinner, which Haftar was invited to attend.

That evening, Haftar did not leave the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi.

On the morning of the 3rd, the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi was suddenly attacked by unidentified forces, and four diplomats, including Stevens, were killed.

The news shocked the world.

This is the first time since 1979 that a U.S. ambassador has died in a violent attack.

Even more serious than Stevens's death was the fact that, following the coup, the chaos in Benghazi escalated further and spiraled completely out of control.

On the 4th, Derek Payne arrived at Yuri's office.

"Colonel, if the Numidian Brigade takes Benghazi and kills those damned bastards, you will become the president of Libya."

Derek Payne tempted Yuri to send troops immediately.

Yuri was surprised and grabbed the remote control to turn the TV volume up to the maximum.

On television, Obama waved his fist at the camera, passionately declaring, "It's heartbreaking that Stevens died in a city he helped save."

This attack will not sever relations between the United States and Libya;

We will stand with the Libyan government to bring the perpetrators to justice!

"What do you expect him to say? Sever ties with Libya? Give up all interests in Libya?"

Or should we spend trillions of dollars to start a new war?

Payne swallowed the profanity that was on the tip of his tongue.

While it is impossible to sever ties, Washington has announced the withdrawal of most of its diplomatic personnel from Libya and the deployment of 50 Marines to Libya to bolster security for the remaining diplomats.

Britain and France recalled their ambassadors last night and withdrew all their diplomatic personnel.

The latest news is that Washington will send two destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles to Libyan waters to increase the deployment of US military forces around the country, and if necessary, to strike armed groups inside Libya.

"What I'm curious about is, what exactly happened?"

Isn't Haftar one of your men?

Why was he imprisoned by the CIA?

Yuri didn't know why the situation had suddenly deteriorated to this extent.

Around Christmas time, Stevens was still optimistic, saying that all parties were about to reach an agreement on joint development of Libyan oil.

"The situation is complicated, and I don't know either."

Payne's eyes flickered, and he did not answer Yuri's question directly.

Yuri was certain that this matter was almost certainly related to Mobil.

"Your president has stated that he will work with the Libyan government to bring the perpetrators to justice."

If we launch an attack on Benghazi, will we be targeted as the perpetrator and a prime target for attack?

Yuri was worried about being discarded after his usefulness was over.

"Absolutely not!"

Payne made a solemn vow.

"Sorry, I need confirmation at a higher level."

Yuri does not trust Payne.

Payne was merely the head of ExxonMobil in Tripoli and could not even represent ExxonMobil.

"Colonel, Washington is not going to give you any official promises."

Payne reminded Yuri that fortune favors the bold.

Washington simply couldn't offer any promises; Obama and Hillary were too busy with their own problems to make any progress.

The United States will hold a general election this November, and Obama is seeking re-election. The United States has just extricated itself from two wars in the Middle East and is unlikely to willingly enter a new quagmire.

Stevens' death became the best illustration of the Republican attack on the Obama administration's diplomatic missteps and ineffective counterterrorism efforts. Obama faced a congressional investigation, while Hillary Clinton faced severe accountability; neither of them had time to spare.

"I wouldn't take this risk if there weren't enough benefits."

Yuri wouldn't get up early without a reason.

Yuri's firm stance was based on Qin Rui's decision.

Regardless of whether Stevens' death was related to Haftar, this incident marks a complete break between Haftar and Europe and the United States.

Considering the previous rumors that Haftar was in contact with Russia, Qin Rui hoped to stir up more trouble in Libya in order to catch a bigger fish.

This year is indeed a turbulent one, with the United States holding a general election and France about to hold one as well, where Sarkozy is facing a strong challenge from Socialist candidate François Hollande.

Cameron, meanwhile, faces a Scottish independence referendum.

Two months ago, the Scottish National Party officially announced at its annual conference that it was launching a process to seek Scottish independence.

Obama, Sarkozy, and Cameron all hoped to gain greater domestic support through Operation Odyssey Dawn.

Now, not only have their hopes been dashed, but all three are also facing a crisis of trust in China to varying degrees.

"Isn't the presidency enough to motivate you to take action?"

Payne bargained, hoping to gain exclusive control of the Sirte oil fields at minimal cost.

"Whoever becomes president will become the next target of attacks. I am very satisfied with the current state of the Numidian Brigade."

Yuri won't act until he sees the rabbit.