Ye Chen did a quick calculation. “Five to six thousand barrels a day, that’s about two million barrels a year, around twenty to thirty million tons. That equals over one hundred million dollars in annual value. Deducting various costs, the net profit should still be several tens of millions.”
He then instructed, “Brother, speak directly with the opposition core. Tell them clearly they must give you compensation for this matter. If they ask what compensation you want, tell them you want the oilfield closest to you.
If they give you the oilfield, then fine, you will still be considered part of them in name, and when foreign enemies appear you will still fight alongside them.
If they refuse, say nothing more. Lead your troops and attack every oilfield within one hundred kilometres except that one.”
“How am I supposed to fight, brother?” Hamid exclaimed. “Do I just march straight in with my men?”
“Yes!” Ye Chen said firmly. “Go in directly with your men. They cannot react as quickly as you can. One hundred kilometres is nothing, you can strike fast and take one in a few hours. You have raised so many troops, it is time to put them to use. If they stay in the mountains eating imported flour for too long, they will forget how to fire their guns!”
“Fine!” Hamid said without hesitation. “Then I will smash them. Anyway, my defences are solid. After striking I will withdraw, they will not be able to retaliate!”
“Exactly. When it is time to act, act. Gather your troops and get it done.”
Hamid asked, “To what extent should I attack?”
Ye Chen said sternly, “You must hit their oilfields until they are completely paralysed, until they cannot be restored without spending huge sums and a lot of time. For you it is just normal wartime damage and casualties. For them, losing one oilfield could mean several hundred million dollars in lost revenue over the coming years. So however you fight, it will be worth it.
Your base is strong and unassailable. They could not touch you anyway. Those oilfields are close, you can fight with guerrilla or lightning tactics. One strike and the money-printing machines will all shut down. If they will not let you eat, then no one eats.”
Hamid was fired up by Ye Chen’s words. “Brother, you are absolutely right. If they do not let me eat, I will smash the pot so no one eats!”
Ye Chen added, “If you win this strike, it will also give other opposition warlords an idea. Many of them will then want to split off and establish themselves. This will greatly weaken the opposition core. Once everyone wants to divide the land, they will not be able to hold control. One by one they cannot afford to fight, and their chances of winning are slim. In the end, to protect their core interests, they will have no choice but to accept.
Sometimes safety does not only come from strengthening yourself, but from weakening your enemies. If you can dismantle their power from the inside bit by bit, the gap between you and them will shrink. In the future they will naturally not dare to underestimate you. So this battle must be fought, and fought quickly!”
Hamid grew more eager, his voice full of excitement. “Good, brother. It seems this battle is inevitable. I will contact the opposition leaders shortly. If they dare reject my terms, I will launch a devastating strike on all the nearby oilfields!”
