Satan earned his current fortune through strength, opportunity, connections, luck, and reputation. Not one of these can be missing.As a mercenary group, relying on strong capabilities to earn large commissions can lead to great wealth. However, to strike it truly rich, one needs opportunities and luck. For instance, the money made by the Satan Mercenary Corps so far doesn’t compare to what was earned from defeating Major General Shah in that battle. Five hundred million dollars, plus over 600 million distributed among Grand Ivan and others—isn’t it fair to call this an astronomical figure?
Horses don’t get fat without night grass, and people don’t get rich without windfall profits. Satan is never short of money now because Gao Yang manages things well. Not to mention, his relationship with Grand Ivan, Morgan, and Justin reflects his connections, something Nate can’t learn.
Under Nate’s leadership, Angel can be a top-tier mercenary group. They’ve already proven themselves. But to manage a mercenary group as a financial conglomerate, Nate really isn’t up to the task. He can’t do it.
That’s why Gao Yang was puzzled by Nate’s question. He isn’t a deity; he can’t turn stone into gold. Lending Nate some money is feasible, but teaching him to make money isn’t possible.
"Actually, we haven’t really been a mercenary group for a long time because we haven’t earned any commissions for a while. Satan now exists merely as a combat and interest group in the form of a mercenary group. Do you understand...?"
Nate gazed at Gao Yang and said solemnly, "You’re not mercenaries anymore?"
Gao Yang scratched his head and uncertainly said, "Well, in some aspects we aren’t, but in other aspects, we are still mercenaries."
"Put it bluntly, are you or aren’t you."
Gao Yang sighed and said, "Don’t you understand? Satan has evolved. Now Satan has become the boss of mercenaries, meaning we don’t rely solely on employers’ commissions for earnings. We’ve surpassed the commission phase; we directly reach out for greater interests—more than just money, anything valuable. But, ultimately, all these valuable things become money, reflecting our combat value. So, we’re getting richer, while you, you’re still just a mercenary group."
Nate, still in deep thought, heard Gao Yang’s soft voice say, "Think about it, you’re just earning commissions. Besides occasionally seizing a chance to extort big money, typically, a ten-million-dollar task is already huge, right? Angel has dozens of people to divide the money, how many tasks can you take in a year? How much can each person get? For a mercenary, for an individual, the earnings are enough for a lifetime of lavish living. But you want to rely on wealth accumulated from commissions to support a war? Frankly speaking, you’re paupers."
The Angel group isn’t normal; they fight for the sake of battle. Their ideal is to run a small country, though that ideal is impractical, it is indeed their dream.
Given the Angel Mercenary Corps’ financial capacity, they are considered wealthy among mercenaries. But when it comes to realizing ideals, it’s like throwing money into water without even a ripple.
Nate transformed from a contemplative look to confusion, and then he softly asked, "So, what exactly should we do?"
Gao Yang extended three fingers and said solemnly, "I have three suggestions, First, you need to profit in wars, use war to sustain war.
Second, give up on fantasies, no, give up on ideals, and quickly leave Ukraine to do what you should be doing.
Third, find a strong sponsor, someone to finance you."
Nate said with a serious expression, "We can’t leave Ukraine; the second suggestion is off the table. For the third one, the current sponsor is Russia. Although Russia cannot give much, it can meet our needs. However, cooperating with Russia means handing over control, which I cannot accept, so only the first one remains to consider. How should I proceed?"
Gao Yang spread his hands and said, "Buddy, I can only provide a broad direction suggestion. Asking me how exactly to make a fortune, I really don’t know."
Nate frowned, and Gao Yang sighed, "Actually, as we reached this point, many times someone was pushing us from behind. Just relying on ourselves, we’re just a bunch of soldiers, no different from you, lacking paths to fortune. Do you have friends especially good at making money? Ask them; maybe you’ll find an answer."
Nate immediately showed a bitter expression, opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.
"Oh, I forgot, you have no friends, right? Then there’s no way."
Nate, looking frustrated and vexed, said, "I’ll look for professionals; someone must know how to profit from war."
Nate was tangled; he only had employers or targets, really no partners or friends. Even if he goes to find so-called professionals for profitable paths, where should he look?
Gao Yang cautiously said, "In fact, very few people can profit from war. But I happen to know a few. Hmm, hmm, if you have weapons or equipment you can sell, I know some arms dealers who can buy your unused military gear to exchange for money. Although their purchase price is very low, it indeed can be converted into precious cash."
Nate softly replied, "Our ammunition is just enough for consumption. If there are captured arms, they can be used to arm more militia and expand our strength."
Gao Yang sighed, "See, you’re doing it wrong; you can organize a group of elite soldiers to deliberately fight battles that can earn money."
Nate frowned, "Battles are about consumption and destruction; our opponent is the Western Ukrainian Government Army. At most, capturing some weapons satisfies our consumption. How is it possible to make money?"
Concerning profiting from war, Gao Yang is of middle-level knowledge. He knows captured items can be exchanged for money, but systematically profiting from war requires guidance from professionals like Morgan.
After considering and finding no good routes, Gao Yang helplessly said, "I can introduce you to some professionals for guidance; they charge fees, you know. Hey, right, since you’re mercenaries, why not help others fight for money?"
Nate dismissively replied, "We’re busy to death now; where’s the time to fight for others."
Gao Yang slapped his hands and said, "You haven’t accepted Russia’s aid and command, but other armed forces have. You help other forces fight, then let them pay, isn’t that feasible?"
Nate replied disgruntledly, "Every force here is poorer than the next; who pays whom? Russia’s aid is just arms and supplies; do you think Russia can give money?"
Gao Yang stroked his chin, much absorbed, saying, "Let me think. Otherwise, I’ll ask professionals for you?"