Hu Qiang gave a wry smile, tinged with a hint of envy, as he looked at Xu Ze. “General Zuma is indeed very generous to his friends… Major, do you know what he said?”
“What?” Xu Ze asked curiously.
“General Zuma said… if you agree, he will formally request the Chairman of China—in the name of being China’s most loyal partner—to assign you to a permanent post in Lima, at an annual cost of two million US dollars paid to your country. And he will personally pay you a salary of five million US dollars per year to serve as his private medical officer and combat instructor for his troops.”
After saying this, Hu Qiang chuckled enviously. “I think that once General Zuma makes this request to the Chairman, and given that Lima is one of our most important allies in Africa, the Chairman will likely approve it and station you here permanently. That five-million-dollar annual salary is entirely yours… If you stay in Lima for a few years, by the time you retire and return home, you’ll be a billionaire…”
“Ah…” A look of surprise crossed Xu Ze’s handsome face. He hadn’t expected General Zuma to hold him in such high regard, nor that he would go to such lengths—and expense—to secure his services.
Seeing Xu Ze’s astonishment, Hu Qiang lowered his voice and laughed. “Major… you should really consider this. Although General Zuma has already given you a diamond mine, the income from that mine isn’t guaranteed to be yours. As a gift from a foreign head of state, it’s typically nationalized, and if you’re lucky, you might get ten percent of the proceeds.”
“Moreover, the mine only generates income while General Zuma remains in power. If he falls from office, the mine is no longer yours. But if General Zuma formally hires you now, that salary is solidly your personal income…” Hu Qiang said, his tone tinged with genuine envy.
“So only ten percent actually goes to me…” Xu Ze sighed inwardly, feeling a slight pang of disappointment. Although he had expected as much, knowing that millions a year would suddenly shrink to a few hundred thousand was still a bit disheartening.
He blinked and glanced over at General Zuma, who was smiling at him patiently, waiting for his answer. Then he turned back to Hu Qiang with a puzzled look. “He wouldn’t really pay that much just because I shot down a fighter jet with a single rifle, would he?”
“Of course he would, Major—what you’ve shown him is worth every penny,” Hu Qiang explained in a low voice. “Right now, the rebel forces in Lima are still quite strong, and the U.S. is covertly backing them. The assassination attempt against General Zuma was originally meant to be a sure kill—but the U.S. wanted to frame China and stir up hatred between the Lima military and China, killing two birds with one stone. That’s why they arranged it on Chinese soil. If it had happened inside Lima, General Zuma would already be dead.”
“So, while General Zuma will certainly conduct a major purge after returning to secure his safety, having a top-tier medic like you by his side means that even if something like this happens again, his life will be much better protected. And with your combat skills, if you can train some of his elite troops to even sixty or seventy percent of your level, that alone would be worth every dollar.”
Hu Qiang smiled and added, “Paying seven million dollars a year for an extra layer of protection and for training his men—it’s actually a bargain for him.”
“I see…” Xu Ze quickly grasped the reasoning. The five-million-dollar annual salary was certainly tempting and made his heart stir a little. But after a brief moment of hesitation, he made up his mind.
“General, I’m truly honored by your high regard. However, due to certain personal reasons, I cannot be stationed in your country long-term,” Xu Ze replied with a careful, polite smile, gently declining the general’s generous offer.
After Jida translated his words, a flicker of surprise passed through General Zuma’s eyes. He didn’t understand why Xu Ze would turn down such a lucrative opportunity. Though disappointed by the refusal, he didn’t appear overly upset.
He simply smiled at Xu Ze and said, “Xu, through this time we’ve spent together, I’ve seen how you treat your friends and my men. I can tell you are a trustworthy person. You saved my life—not once, but twice—by risking your own to escort me back to my country. And because of you, my nation will not fall back into chaos, and my people will once again enjoy peace and happiness.”
“So, Xu, I won’t force your decision. You will always be a friend to me, Zuma, and to my country.”
The general sighed with emotion and continued, “My country has lush rainforests, vast grasslands, and majestic mountains—so different from China. This time, I’ve received many promises of support from your country. Once I’ve completely rooted out the rebels and restored peace and tranquility to my nation, you and your family will always be welcome to visit Africa—to visit my country.”
“And I, Zuma, as your best friend in Africa, will give you and your family the finest treatment, allowing you to fully experience the beauty of Lima and all of Africa. Whenever you need help, you can reach out to me at any time—and I will do everything in my power to assist you.” General Zuma looked earnestly at Xu Ze and extended his hand. “This is my promise to my best friend.”
“Based on comprehensive analysis, what this old black man just said has over 85% credibility… Xu, you’ve gained a powerful true friend. You’ve hit the jackpot this time,” Xiao Dao remarked in the virtual space, clicking his tongue in admiration. “A dictator who wields the power of an entire nation—though his country isn’t particularly large, with your nation’s backing, you can’t imagine the extent of his influence and reach.”
Compared to Xiao Dao’s exaggerated awe, Xu Ze remained much more composed. Looking at General Zuma’s earnest expression, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. To be treated as such a good friend by a national leader—especially after turning down his offer—was genuinely rare and commendable.
He solemnly reached out and shook General Zuma’s hand. Meeting the general’s dark, sincere eyes, Xu Ze smiled and replied firmly, “General, I’m honored to have a friend like you. I’m not a pure soldier, and my capabilities are still limited. But as your friend, if you ever need me, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to offer whatever modest help I can.”
“Haha!” General Zuma laughed heartily at Xu Ze’s words, slapping him on the shoulder with great cheer. “Xu, I’m very glad you consider me a friend. I can also tell you’re not just an ordinary soldier. Your age and rank already astonish me. I’m sure you will rise quickly in your own country as well.”
With General Zuma’s Lima forces now in high spirits, they smashed through the Dragon Lion Army’s resistance with overwhelming force. In just over an hour, they had left Tamata behind and entered government-controlled territory.
Once inside the government-held zone, the pace of their advance quickened. Escorted by several armed helicopters, over a dozen armored vehicles, and tanks, they pushed toward the capital, Kouda, through the night.
At dawn, the convoy finally reached Kouda. General Zuma, now fully mobile, embraced Xu Ze before departing with his trusted aides to begin planning a full-scale counteroffensive against the Dragon Lion Army.
Xu Ze and the Wolf Fang squad were given excellent accommodations—the most luxurious rooms in the general’s residence.
The two wounded soldiers, Li Hu and the other with the leg injury, received top-tier treatment at Lima’s military hospital.
The general’s residence was sprawling and beautifully situated, with vast green spaces and fresh, clean air. The Wolf Fang soldiers could finally rest easy. Throughout the entire journey, they had been on edge, with little to no sleep—even in the armored vehicles, they hadn’t dared to fully relax. Now that they were finally safe, after a hot shower, they all slept soundly.
Xu Ze, however, didn’t let his guard down. The energy expenditure from all the healing and combat along the way had been enormous. Though the spiritual energy at the general’s residence was thinner than in the forests and grasslands, he still continued his energy-circulation exercises, striving to store up as much as possible. In a country still at war, maintaining ample energy at all times was essential.
Within two hours of General Zuma’s return to the capital, the revitalized government forces launched a major counteroffensive against the Dragon Lion Army. Within a single day, they had driven the rebels back into their original strongholds.
Meanwhile, back in the conference room of China’s General Staff Headquarters, the room was filled with beaming generals. Deputy Minister Wang said excitedly, “General Zuma’s safe return this time marks a major victory for China against the U.S. With our support over the next two years, his regime will stabilize completely, allowing us to lay an even stronger foundation in Africa—further strengthening ties with African nations and giving us greater global influence.”
“Yes—this is a significant victory for us,” Minister Yang Guanglian said with a satisfied smile. “The outcome really took us by surprise. Not only did Zuma’s itinerary leak, leading the Dragon Lion Army to deploy massive forces to intercept him, but the U.S. even risked sending two F-16s to take him out. Yet he still managed to return safely and retake control. Just thinking about it makes my heart race.”
