Chapter 176 Father's Guerilla Squad

The gold mine was less than 40 kilometers away from the camp in a straight line.It took Joe Ga and his team over ten days to find the place by wandering through the jungle, but the helicopter could reach there in less than half an hour. The Mi-8's cargo capacity was impressive; three Mi-8 helicopters not only brought doctors, medicine, chefs, and food but also carried enough ammunition and fuel for a small-scale battle. The old guy 'Cobra' grew tired of playing the role of a scout in the Big Beak Bird, so he played rock-paper-scissors and beat 'Fat Goose,' earning the helicopter piloting rights for this fight. 'Ace' not only could fly fixed-wing fighters, helicopters were just like toys for them. Arriving fully armed and with their fuel, they certainly didn't want to take everything back when they left. Joe Ga admired these old guys, the only downside was that these old guys were really expensive to deploy in combat. Rocket nests were fine, those things were cheap. Why need anti-tank missiles? Can't two people sitting at the cabin door with machine guns kill enough? 12.7 mm ammunition, which vehicles in Africa could withstand that? Joe Ga took one more look at the costly Mi-8 and then, hiding his pain, welcomed the three old men into the barracks, which still smelled faintly of blood. He had Antar brew them a pot of bitter local leaf tea, watching the old men drink it and then insincerely compliment Antar on the good tea made Joe Ga feel a bit better. When he stepped out of the barracks, he saw Father Gamore, Jemma Alexander, and TC coming toward him. Father Gamore was the first to approach Joe Ga. He bowed his head and was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I'm sorry, I had some misunderstandings about you before. You've proven your goodwill toward this land…" On hearing this, Joe Ga immediately gestured with his hand and said, "No, I don't need others' approval, and don't put me on a pedestal. This is my turf, I of course intend to keep my goodwill here. If you truly feel sorry, then you should think about how to get those people back on their feet. Either they stay and continue working—I will provide fresh food and salaries. Or they need to leave quickly, as I can't afford to feed so many people for nothing; my money doesn't grow on trees." Father Gamore was taken aback and then said with a pained expression, "Those people need a long time for recovery and psychological treatment, or they'll never return to their former selves." Joe Ga laughed at Father Gamore's demeanor, spreading his hands and saying, "So should I find them a psychologist and give them an 80-day paid vacation too?" While shaking his head and sneering, Joe Ga said, "Man, although you've always been in the jungle, you seem not to understand poor people. The first thing they need is to 'stay alive,' then they can think about other things. People who have gone through such experiences can't ever return to their former selves, but they are still alive. To eat, they have to work. It doesn't have to be for me, but they can't just eat and drink at my expense. When they have saved some money, they'll inadvertently start considering what their life should be like. You have the right to pray with them, and I encourage you to do so, but if you want to turn them into parasites, nibbling at me, I can't agree with that. Because I don't have a budget for that and won't sympathize with those who can't stand up for themselves when they have the means. I don't discriminate against these people, but I won't help them." After finishing, Joe Ga looked at Father Gamore, who had a bitter expression on his face. Hesitating a bit, he said, "Maybe you're a good person, but you really don't seem to understand poor people. Poor people are like wild grass; give them a bit of nourishment, and they can grow. They never ask for much. I appreciate your goodwill, but I can't help you achieve it. Why don't you call the Vatican? I promise if they are willing to generously donate, then the support will reach your hands without any loss. Once you have the money, you can do whatever you want, and I guarantee I won't create obstacles for you." Father Gamore has that typical 'compassion' common among Europeans and Americans, similar to how dog lovers treat their dogs. Some of them are genuinely willing to spend real money to save dogs about to be put on the table; can you say they're not kind? These people have been spoiled by affluent lives, having a unique 'naivety'. It's irresponsible to dismissively categorize them as annoying virtue signalers. In fact, as society reaches a stage of wealth and people are freed from the troubles of poverty, this 'naivety' becomes quite common. Aside from those who preach ideologies but think of business, and keyboard warriors who only know how to condemn online, those who genuinely retain this 'naivety' are sometimes quite adorable. However, this 'naivety' needs the support of a stable environment, otherwise, it's viewed as 'arrogance.'" Even after spending a long time in the jungle, Father Gamore still possessed an 'altitude'. From Joe Ga's perspective, it wasn't uncomfortable to have private dealings with someone like Father Gamore; it's just that they weren't on the same wavelength and couldn't find a common language. These emotionally rich guys, with their empathy, could sense the pain of the workers, but still couldn't touch the workers' hearts because they had never truly felt boundless despair! After being rejected, Father Gamore bowed his head and pondered deeply for a long time, then seemed to think of something. His spirits lifted, and he said roughly, "You're right, finding them a psychologist is unrealistic, and giving them a vacation even more so." But we can make those who enslave them pay a price, and at the very least, allow these people to receive some compensation. I have a team, and as long as you can provide some ammunition, we can join you in action. God teaches us to be kind, but he has not instructed us to compromise with the devil!" Speaking, Father Gamo looked into Joe Ga's eyes, using a more serious tone than ever, and said, "My people are familiar with the jungle, and we can help you eradicate those drug traffickers." The changed attitude of Father Gamo finally showed a bit of the legendary 'Machine Gun Priest' style. However, Joe Ga really did not need him to help fight his own battles; he didn't even want to use them for free because instead of supplying them ammunition, he would rather persuade them to come here and help him mine. Joe Ga shook his head, refusing Father Gamo's offer, and smilingly said, "If you truly want to help, then bring a couple of jungle-savvy people to my base. We have drawn a digital map of the jungle, but there are many locations on it that we cannot discern. If you are willing to help, it will save us a lot of work. For me, that is enough! I remember telling you that I fight for pay; I care more about time than the combat power you offer." Speaking, Joe Ga pointed at the fully armed Mi-8 Hippo and Sanderson and his team, who were helping Xiao Hei peel cassava, and he smiled and said, "As long as I can discern the enemy's location, do you think anyone in this jungle can stop me? Buddy, I don't want to explain to you why I am eager to eliminate drug traffickers on my own territory, but I believe, the goodwill I hold toward this land should be recognizable. However, I didn't come to Africa to do charity work, and I'm certainly not the kind of wealthy magnate you imagine. I came with swords and olive branches, hoping to return home with ample wealth and honor. Whoever causes me trouble becomes my enemy!" Ever since Father Gamo offered to gather his team and help Joe Ga fight, it meant that he acknowledged the things Joe Ga was doing in this minefield. Providing medical care and food to the rescued workers, and not restricting their freedom, had already exceeded Father Gamo's best expectations. Now, having been refused by Joe Ga, Father Gamo wasn't angry but instead believed even more in what Joe Ga had previously said. In Africa, no one would turn away offered military power unless they genuinely had no intention of using people as cannon fodder. Having interacted twice, although Father Gamo suffered losses on both occasions, his character hadn't changed; it had only led him to a complete reversal in his perception of Joe Ga. Putting away his inherent "pride," Father Gamo truly began fulfilling a priest's duties, approaching the seemingly apathetic workers, and trying to make them feel better with comfort, prayer, and his medical skills. After seeing off the stubborn and naive Father Gamo, Joe Ga turned to Jemma Alexander, who looked rather plain, spread his hands, and smilingly said, "You were looking for me about something? You should have seen, I am very busy right now..." TC patted his fiancée's shoulder and then walked up to Joe Ga and gave him a firm handshake, saying, "Well done! Sanderson was right; you are a special team!" Hearing this, Joe Ga smiled and said, "Being recognized by a cowboy makes me feel delighted. But I think you didn't come just to praise me..." Always standing by TC's side, with a gentle expression, Jemma Alexander suddenly spoke up, "We want to cooperate with you... "Why?" Joe Ga spread his hands, somewhat baffled, and said, "What's the necessity? You're in Sangha Town, and if I remember correctly, I have already arranged for a hospital there for you. I have fulfilled my promises, and we already have a practical cooperation. What do you mean by telling me this now?" Jemma's expression turned a bit grave as she said, "We haven't been to Sangha Town yet, but following Father Gamo in the jungle, we saw many things we couldn't have imagined before. The child mortality rate here is very high; they need enough vaccines, and the adults need more medicines. I called my parents, and they connected me with several pharmaceutical companies, and convinced them to sponsor my efforts. But those pharmaceutical companies have conditions..." Joe Ga frowned and said, "What does that have to do with me?" Jemma slightly nodded, then shook her head, and with a slightly apologetic tone said, "Those pharmaceutical companies need sufficient publicity, but this place isn't particularly suitable because security cannot be guaranteed. We have faced three attacks in the jungle over the past twenty days, all targeting us for kidnapping, as those people thought they could use us to extract wealth..." Joe Ga waved his hand and said, "I still don't see, your fiancé is part of an elite air rescue team, even your nurses have stationed experience. seaʀᴄh thё nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If those pharmaceuticals want to come here to capture some material for publicity, they could just hire some PMCs. What does that have to do with me?" Jemma's face showed a hopeful smile as she said, "Listen to me..."