"What are you worried about? As long as you first officially recognize my legal rule over Sulawesi, I can just hire troops under my own name. If my reputation is bad, that's my problem... What do you have to worry about?" Josh looked at the Dutch ambassador in surprise.
The Dutch ambassador was speechless for a moment.
"You don't seriously think that I would hire an army with my own money just so you could take control of it, do you?" Seeing the ambassador's reaction, Josh was at a loss for words.
Was this guy really thinking like that?
Spending my money, hiring an army in your name, and then letting you control it? What kind of fantasy is that?
And if you change your mind later, who do I turn to? Knowing the Dutch, they would definitely do something like that.
Though a small country, the Netherlands had a reputation similar to that of France when it came to breaking promises and reneging on agreements.
They had a history of tearing up agreements with the Republic of Java within minutes of signing them. And as one of the world's first financial powerhouses, they even invented perpetual bonds.
What are perpetual bonds? They have no fixed maturity date or an extremely long one—essentially, they never need to be repaid, just the interest.
Although it was later adopted by many nations and given a respectable name, at its core it was just an ingenious way of avoiding repayment.
If Josh were to simply provide the funds and let the Dutch call all the shots, he would be the world's biggest fool.
Seeing Josh's blank look, the Dutch ambassador felt slightly embarrassed. The Dutch government had indeed considered using an empty promise to trick Josh into funding the campaign.
However, given Josh's status and influence in the U.S. government, the idea was quickly abandoned.
The Marshall Plan was about to be implemented as an open policy. All that remained to be decided was the distribution of the benefits. If the Netherlands offended Josh now, and he used his influence to stir up trouble in the U.S. government, the consequences could be severe.
"Mr. Kahn, you must be joking. We were only concerned if you could handle the international backlash..." The Dutch ambassador laughed and refused to admit anything.
"You don't have to worry about that. I can handle a little criticism." Josh didn't press the issue. The international backlash was inevitable.
If he wanted to officially take control of Sulawesi, there would always be some level of public condemnation. He couldn't avoid it simply by blaming it all on a private military force.
But so what? Would criticism from the international community take anything away from him?
And while he agreed to help the Dutch with their war effort, Josh also made up his mind—he would teach them a lesson when the time was right.
Huh, Sulawesi? Once he sent in his troops and took control, did they really expect him to give it back? Dream on!
After sending Franco and the Dutch ambassador on their way, Josh immediately took action.
He made a satellite call to an office building on a military base in Virginia—now that Boeing Aerospace had entered the space age, real-time transoceanic communications were something Josh could openly use.
But the base Josh was calling wasn't owned by the U.S. military. It was privately owned.
Its official name was Blackwater International Military Services.
This was the private military company that Josh had formed after reorganizing the Blackwater Gang.
In the original timeline, Private Military Companies (PMCs) began to appear in large numbers during the late Cold War period.
Private Military Companies were different from traditional mercenaries.
Not because they didn't do mercenary work, but because they offered a wider range of professional services.
And under Josh's leadership, Blackwater became an elite military services company ahead of its time.
Because of this professionalism, along with Josh's strong ties to the military and his influence in the U.S. government, the Pentagon was very interested in this new concept of private military services.
Blackwater had also hired many high-ranking officers who had been discharged as a result of military downsizing.
As a result, although Blackwater had been founded only two years earlier, it had already received Pentagon approval, secured several defense contracts, and was growing rapidly.
To facilitate its operations, the company's headquarters had been moved to Virginia, near the Pentagon.
In addition to government contracts, Blackwater had also gained some traction in private security services, thanks to promotions from the Continental Group.
Internationally, however, Blackwater was still relatively unknown.
Despite its name, it wasn't really "international" yet.
But in Josh's view, the war in Java was the perfect opportunity to put Blackwater on the world stage.
And this had nothing to do with his plan to recruit German Prisoners of War for battle.
Josh paid to hire Blackwater International, which in turn hired German prisoners of war as soldiers since they were cheaper. Is there a problem with that? No, not really.
That way, Josh would only be criticized for being a "colonial accomplice" and could avoid the blame for using war criminals as soldiers. (TL/N: Big Brain)
"Oh wow, big boss! What a rare guest! I thought your life was so sweet after you got married that you forgot about Blackwater International," said Aldo, Blackwater's CEO, as he answered the call, teasing Josh with a grin.
"No matter how sweet life is, I still have to make money for baby food. Aldo, I've got a big deal for you," Josh said directly.
"Oh? Who's the client? What's the job?" Aldo asked in surprise.
"I'm the client!" Josh replied.
"Uh... Josh, I work myself to death every day, not for you to mess with me..." Aldo was speechless. The company already belonged to Josh—he could just give orders. Why hire his own company?
"No, Aldo, I'm serious. As the hereditary count appointed by the Dutch royal family and the governor of Sulawesi, I am officially hiring Blackwater International to organize a military force. The objective is to eliminate the illegal government and armed forces in Dutch-controlled Java and secure my and the Dutch royal family's rule over the region," Josh explained, cutting him off.
Aldo was stunned. This guy was now tied to the Dutch royal family? Impressive!
As a Private Military Company, Blackwater was of course aware of the ongoing war in Java. Although it had nothing to do with them directly, Southeast Asia was a major hub for American shipping. Blackwater had already provided security services to many shipping companies and individuals in the area.
But he hadn't anticipated an opportunity for Blackwater to get directly involved in the war.
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