153: Chapter 153 Forming a Mercenary Group

It was a little past three in the afternoon when Chen Hu arrived in Shenzhen.

Li Xin was waiting for him at One Shenzhen Bay. Before long, Chen Hu walked in. He was wearing a black jacket and carrying a briefcase. He had lost some weight since they last met, but he seemed more energetic.

"Boss." Chen Hu walked to the seat opposite Li Xin and pulled out the chair to sit down.

"Is everything set up in Cambodia?" Li Xin looked up at Chen Hu, getting straight to the point.

"It's done." Chen Hu replied, his tone crisp. "The company is registered in Phnom Penh. The business scope is listed as security consulting. On the surface, we provide security training, but in reality, we can take on a wide range of business."

As he spoke, he pulled a file from his briefcase and handed it to Li Xin with both hands. "This is the detailed information. Please take a look."

Li Xin took the file and flipped through a few pages. The registered capital, shareholder structure, and business scope were all listed clearly and concisely, with no omissions.

"Who is the legal representative?" Li Xin asked, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table and looking up.

"A local." Chen Hu said with certainty. "I found a retired Cambodian military officer. He's reliable and trustworthy."

Li Xin nodded slightly, then turned to the core issue. "How is the recruitment going?"

"We've recruited twenty people so far, all veterans with solid backgrounds. Once the subsequent equipment arrives, we will slowly expand the scale." Chen Hu replied truthfully.

"I will transfer another group of people to you. You should take the existing team and start training them immediately." Li Xin instructed in a deep voice.

Chen Hu nodded immediately, his tone sharp and decisive. "Understood."

Li Xin handed the file back to Chen Hu and gave his instructions in a deep voice. "Qiang Zi has found an abandoned factory building. You should go and take a look at the site later. You can share this venue for subsequent training, but the two teams must be managed separately. Keep the boundaries clear; don't mix them up."

Chen Hu took the file and put it away, then asked in a low voice. "Does Qiang Zi know about my affairs?"

"He only knows that you are in charge of another line of business; he is completely unaware of the specific details." Li Xin said in a flat tone. "Don't let him know the details for now."

Hearing this, Chen Hu stood up, his posture upright. "Alright, then I'll go check out the site first."

In the evening, Li Xin's phone suddenly rang. The caller ID showed Qiang Zi. He pressed the answer button, and Qiang Zi's voice immediately came through the receiver.

"Brother Xin, Brother Chen just left. He went to see the factory building and said the location and size are suitable. However, the security facilities need to be reinforced. He also made a list of rectifications for me to follow."

"Just do as he says; he knows his stuff." Li Xin instructed in a flat tone.

"Got it." Qiang Zi replied, then continued. "Also, the brothers below are all asking when we can officially start work."

Li Xin pondered for a moment before giving a definitive answer. "Next Monday."

After giving brief instructions, the call ended. Li Xin sat alone on the sofa, looking up at the ceiling in silence, not moving for a long time.

He was thinking about what Chen Hu had said—a team of three thousand, armored vehicles, helicopters, drones. These things weren't just for show; they would be useful in the future.

He picked up his phone and sent a message to Chen Hu. "The target scale for Xinfeng is three thousand people. There is no upper limit on equipment. Armored vehicles, helicopters, drones, intelligence systems, medical evacuation—equip everything that can be equipped."

It took Chen Hu over ten seconds to reply. "Boss, three thousand people—that's not a small scale."

"I know. That's why you need to take it slow. Build the backbone first, then expand."

"Understood. What about the equipment?"

"You make the list, I'll approve it, and you find the channels to buy it yourself."

"Alright."

Over the next few days, Li Xin didn't stay idle. He visited the factory twice to check on the construction. During the first visit, they were tearing down walls, and dust was everywhere. Qiang Zi was wearing a mask, directing the scene, his voice already hoarse. By the second visit, the project had entered the plumbing and electrical phase. The foreman, Li Gong, was comparing the blueprints and discussing construction details like partitions and suspended ceilings with Qiang Zi.

Qiang Zi looked confused, turning to look at Li Xin from time to time. Li Xin didn't intervene, letting him make his own decisions.

Chen Hu was also recruiting. He sent over a list—resumes for twenty people, all veterans. Some had served in special forces, others had been security instructors; their backgrounds were quite good.

Li Xin flipped through them and replied with three words. "Keep recruiting."

Chen Hu asked, "How many should I recruit?"

"Recruit one hundred first, then expand later." Chen Hu didn't ask again.

News also came from Li Jiayi. The registration progress of the family office was faster than expected. The trust structure in Singapore would be approved next month, and the procedures for three private banks were also underway. The one in the Bahamas was the fastest; they would get the license by the end of the month.

Li Xin replied, "Good." Things were moving forward one by one, steady and unhurried.

On Friday night, Qiang Zi came again. He was holding a file and handed it to Li Xin as soon as he entered.

"Brother Xin, please take a look at this."

Li Xin took it; it was an organizational chart for the security company, drawn on an A3 sheet of paper, with neat handwriting and clear logic.

"Who drew this?"

"Brother Chen. He asked me to show it to you."

Li Xin looked it over. The chart was divided into several layers. The headquarters had a general manager and a deputy general manager, with operations, training, equipment, and intelligence departments underneath. The responsibilities of each department were written very clearly.

"Not bad." He handed the file back to Qiang Zi. "Just follow this."

"Brother Chen also said that he needs to recruit people on his side and wants to transfer a group from Xindun."

Li Xin glanced at him. "What do you think?"

"I said it was fine at the time. We're all brothers; it's the same regardless of which side the personnel are used for. There's no need to draw such a clear line." Qiang Zi rubbed his hands. "But Brother Chen said no. He specifically instructed me that the two teams must be managed separately and absolutely must not be mixed together."

"He is right."

"Then I will listen to him."

Li Xin nodded. He stood up, walked to the desk, took an envelope from the drawer, and handed it to Qiang Zi.

"This is the first batch of startup capital. Fifty million. It will arrive tomorrow. You first register the company, then buy equipment and recruit people."

Qiang Zi took the envelope, feeling a bit excited.

"Brother Xin, this is so much money…"

"Is it?" Li Xin smiled. "If it's not enough later, we can add more."

Qiang Zi put the envelope away and stood up.

"Brother Xin, there is something I want to tell you again."

"Go ahead."

"I don't want to be any general manager. I just want to follow you."

Li Xin looked at him. "You will be the general manager. That won't stop you from following me."

"It's not the same." Qiang Zi shook his head. "Being a general manager means sitting in an office, looking at reports, and attending meetings. I can't do these things."

"If you can't do it, learn."

Qiang Zi opened his mouth, then closed it.

Li Xin patted him on the shoulder. "Your task is to first manage the safety of my domestic industries and personnel. This is more important than following me around."

Qiang Zi was stunned for a moment. Then he nodded heavily.

"Don't worry. As long as I am alive, you don't need to worry about things domestically."

Li Xin smiled. "Alright, stop making declarations. Go back and get to work."

Qiang Zi grinned and turned to leave.

The next morning, Chen Hu arrived on time. He was wearing a deep blue jacket, his hair shaved very short. He looked even more capable and sharp than before.

"Boss, the location for the overseas training base has been decided."

Li Xin looked up, concise and to the point. "Where?"

"Yemen, a port city near Socotra Island. It's remote, with loose control and no one watching. It's the most suitable place for secret training."

Li Xin pondered for a moment and asked in a deep voice. "Is it safe?"

"There is a local armed force, and we have already negotiated cooperation. We pay the fees, and they are responsible for providing the venue and ensuring the safety of the base."

Li Xin nodded slightly and asked again. "What is the annual cost?"

"Five million US dollars."

"This cost is fine. Make do with it for now. You go and investigate; we will purchase a few more islands as secret bases."

"Alright, Boss." Chen Hu nodded in acknowledgement.

"You will coordinate directly with Li Jiayi. When you find a suitable island, have her transfer the money directly to buy it."

Li Xin gave a few more instructions and asked, "By the way, regarding the equipment, have you made a list?"

Chen Hu replied, immediately pulling a file from his briefcase and handing it to Li Xin with both hands.

Li Xin took it and opened it, his fingertips sliding across the paper. The list was extremely long, with detailed categories. From basic individual combat gear to armored vehicles, helicopters, drones, and even professional intelligence systems and medical evacuation equipment—everything was there.

He closed the list and asked, looking up. "What is the total price of this list?"

Chen Hu said in a steady tone, reporting the figure. "Preliminary estimate is around one billion US dollars."

"Alright, buy according to the list. I will give you ten billion US dollars as startup capital." Li Xin returned the file to him. "You go find Li Jiayi then. I have already spoken to her; she will use the offshore fund to transfer the money to you."

Chen Hu nodded. "Boss, does President Li know the purpose of this money? Do we need to keep it confidential from her?"

"She doesn't know. I told her I have other uses for it overseas. The 'Xinfeng' mercenary organization must only be known to you and me. This is top secret."

"Alright, Boss. There is one more thing."

"Go ahead."

"You said before that you would give me a group of people to serve as the backbone of our mercenary organization. When will they arrive?"

Li Xin pondered for a moment and spoke slowly. "They will come to find you in a couple of days. You can arrange them directly then."

"Alright, Boss. Can I know who they are? Do I need to pay attention to loyalty issues?" Chen Hu asked, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"They are just like you, absolutely reliable. They are all at the level of special forces kings, and they are also proficient in various special operations, assassinations, and intelligence." Li Xin said indifferently.

"Understood."

Chen Hu stood up and turned to leave.

"Chen Hu." Li Xin suddenly called out to stop him.

Chen Hu paused and turned around, responding, "Hmm?"

"This team of three thousand must be able to fight tough battles. I want enemies to tremble whenever they hear the name 'Xinfeng' Mercenary Group." Li Xin's tone was steady, without the slightest hesitation. "Don't save money on equipment. Arrange the best configuration for me."

Chen Hu looked steadily at Li Xin, his expression solemn. "Boss, I want to ask you one thing."

"Hmm, go ahead."

"Who is our opponent?"

Li Xin was silent for a few seconds, his eyes cold. He spoke slowly, word by word. "Not anyone in particular, but anyone who might threaten me, my family, or my property."

Chen Hu nodded, asked no more, and pushed the door open to leave.

On Monday morning, Xindun Security was officially established. There was no ceremony, no ribbon-cutting, not even a flower basket. Qiang Zi stood with the brothers at the entrance of the factory, took a group photo, and sent it to Li Xin.

In the photo, more than thirty people stood in three rows, all with short hair, standing straight. A brand new sign hung on the factory gate—white background with black characters: "Xindun Security".

Li Xin stared at the photo for a long time.

He replied, "Very good." Then he put down his phone.

The sunlight from outside shone in, bright and glaring. The sky in Shenzhen was grey, but the light was very bright.

He stood up, walked to the desk, and opened the drawer. Inside was a world map. His finger traced the area around Asia and stopped in the northeast direction. Japan.

He stared at that place for a few seconds.

Then he took out his phone and sent a message to Qiang Zi. "I'm going to Japan in a few days. Arrange a few people to follow."

Qiang Zi replied instantly. "Why go to Japan?"

Li Xin thought for a moment and typed a few words. "To relax, and incidentally check on the situation there."

Qiang Zi replied with one word. "Understood."

Li Xin put his phone on the table and leaned back in his chair. The sky outside was grey, but the light was bright.

He closed his eyes, his mind turning. The matter in Japan was not urgent. First, he needed to sort out things with Qiang Zi and Chen Hu, and get the family office affairs settled. Then, go out.

He opened his eyes, picked up his phone, and sent a message to Li Jiayi. "Regarding the progress of the family office, give me a detailed report next week."

Li Jiayi replied with one word. "Good."

Li Xin put down the phone, stood up, and walked to the balcony. The wind wasn't strong, blowing coolly on his face. The office buildings in the distance shimmered in the sunlight, and the traffic below formed a long line.

He lit a cigarette and smoked it slowly. The smoke dissipated in the sunlight and soon became invisible.