American Fortune Life

"We will do our best to get them released..." The spokesperson of CBS TV looked at the interviewing reporters in front of him and said clichés that he couldn't believe.

Thinking of what the boss said "according to the usual practice", he knew that the big boss behind the scenes would not "do his best". If the local government and police station in Iraq really had the ability to save people, they would not let the reporter be kidnapped.

"Will CBS pay ransom to free kidnapper?"

Faced with this question that will inevitably arise and is also a headache to answer, the CBS spokesperson used very familiar words, "We will do our best to get them released. At the same time, we hope that the local government and the police department can..."

In the morning of the next day, Lei Shidong, who was wearing a nightgown and eating breakfast, watched the news report of his own TV station, his face turned ugly, and he walked out of the independent breakfast room.

Stepping out of the foyer, stepping on the cashmere carpet decorated with luxurious velvet embroidery, came to an antique golden telephone, picked up the phone and called the CEO of CBS TV station.

"Any updates?"

"Boss, news came from News Weekly this morning that they have contacted the other party through a local intermediary. Their reporter was kidnapped together, and the other party offered 10 million US dollars..."

"It seems that it is abducted for sure. Ten million for four people? We don't care about the locals..."

"Boss, it's a person..."

Lei Shidong combed the meticulous blond hair back, moved slightly, raised his eyebrows, and said calmly: "Nothing!"

Listening to the crisp hang up sound and the long busy tone, the CEO of CBS TV Monforth shook his head with a bitter expression, and hung up the phone slowly.

"It's nothing..." He slumped on the boss chair helplessly, recalling Daniel Pearl whose throat was brutally cut in 2002, and the French newspaper Le Figaro and TV station who disappeared in 2004 The whereabouts of the two journalists whose whereabouts are still unknown. In 2006, there were 2 reporters from Fox TV in the United States, 1 reporter from Spain and 1 reporter from Agence France-Presse.

If there is a ransom, it is possible to come back alive. The most fearful thing is that there is no news. The BBC reporter Alan Johnston was released four months after paying the ransom. Without the ransom, the body could only be collected.

"To be successful, you must live dangerously."

"As long as the danger is reasonably acceptable, as long as the rewards far outweigh the risks.

"

He still clearly remembered the first time he encountered such a war reporter being kidnapped. The big boss was sitting on a chair, smoking a cigar, and watching what he said indifferently.

"NO! I have hundreds of journalists all over the world. If I pay a penny, the rest of my staff will be kidnapped."

Then the reporter of their TV station was confirmed to have had his throat cut after a few months.

Newsweek Building.

In the bright office, Andy on the computer monitor watched through the camera that Jon Meacham, who was sitting opposite with a disdainful expression, hung up the phone and waited quietly for his retelling.

"Mengfors thanked us. As for the payment of the ransom, they are a bit troublesome and unable to participate in this rescue. I said earlier that Summer Redstone would not pay the ransom. This is not the first time gone."

"In fact, once kidnapped, if the ransom is paid, the kidnapper may be encouraged in a disguised form, thus putting more war reporters in danger." Andy also knows the consequences of such a compromise.

"No, no, boss, your worry and Mr. Redstone's thoughts are two different things. This statement is just an excuse used by Mr. Redstone as a shield.

In theory, governments are unwilling to negotiate with kidnappers. But many countries will do it secretly. Most of the people who are released have paid ransoms, and the government is unwilling to make high-profile announcements. After the hostages are released safely and return home, all parties involved in the rescue will sign a non-disclosure agreement. In particular, the amount involved in the ransom is even more secretive.

As for Mr. Redstone, and Mr. Murdoch of Fox, hehe, they have long lost their awe. What they have is endless greed and trying to use their cleverness to get away with it and force the government to step in. What is left in their minds is to earn profits in the fastest way to get fast. "

Andy was a little surprised to see Jon Meacham complaining about these two media kings with a mocking expression on his face. To be honest, if you really want Andy to pay a ransom of 10 million, Andy really dare not pay it openly. , This is definitely a Pandora's box, as long as you pay, the war reporters under your banner will really become fat sheep.

After pondering for a while, Andy said solemnly: "Let the people in Iraq bargain with the other party first, 10 million is too high..." Looking at the time on the clock marked with the word Iraq, "My people are almost It should also be in Basra, let the people from the newspaper office contact them. They will take over the matter in an all-round way.”

"Boss, did you send someone there?" Jon looked at his boss in surprise. He didn't expect the boss to move so fast, but the doubt on his face never dissipated.

"It's the representative of my security company's branch in Iraq."

"..." Jon Meacham's mouth twitched slightly, and he thought to himself, the war jackal looked at the young boss in front of him with a dark and complicated look.

"Our people must be rescued. This is not only about life, but also about the reputation of the newspaper, and it is also about public opinion. First use bargaining to hold the other party down, and then see if we can rescue them by force. If we can't Secretly pay the ransom!"

The more Andy got to the end, the colder the eyes were, the more cold and shuddering he felt.

Basra is the second largest city in Iraq and the largest port city in Iraq. It is 120 kilometers away from the Persian Gulf in the south and is the only hub connecting the Persian Gulf and the inland water system.

This former "Venice of the East" has become a "thirsty city" and has long been devastated.

Sitting in a speeding SUV covered in mud, Roberts looked at the safety zone next to the US military station that was getting closer and closer, and his tense heartstrings relaxed. As a war correspondent for Newsweek, he has always According to the report with the army, the security is also a little stronger, but the kidnapping of his friend Charlie is like a bolt from the blue.

Fortunately, his newspaper had a very reliable new boss. He thought he would lose his friends, and he received a call from the New York headquarters, asking him to find a way to find a local middleman and contact the group of militants.

As long as the boss is willing to talk, Charlie may be rescued. As long as the other party does not aim to kill Americans, there is hope. Sure enough, the other party offered a high ransom.

"boom!"

Roberts handed the ID to the sentry to check, then got out of the car and closed the door, and walked quickly into a building that looked like a school.

"Roberts?"

"Yes, sir, may I ask who you are?"

"Free Eagle Security Company (Liberty Eagle) Major White." Seeing that the other party confirmed his identity, White shook hands with him with a smile, and said with a blank face: "Come on, tell me what you know! "

Roberts and the major in camouflage uniform with a black eagle armband pasted in front of him walked into a two-story building on the side and opened the door. Roberts saw all kinds of advanced computers, satellite receivers, satellite Busy scene on the phone.

"This way."

Roberts followed White into an office in the middle, where two strong men in the same camouflage uniforms were already sitting there waiting.

"Tell us all that you know."

. . . . . .

"coffee. "

"Thank you." Smelling the strong aroma of coffee, Roberts, who was speaking a little dry, couldn't help but his eyes lit up, and he sighed in his heart. The treatment of this group of war jackals is really good. It is high-end goods.

White looked at the two men who were already in deep thought, and his own brows were also frowned. He always felt that there was something wrong with this kidnapping case, so he couldn't help asking: "Richard, the reporter from the CBS TV station who was kidnapped at the same time, what do you have?" His information?"

"Yes. It's in the bag. I'll get it for you." He said, put down the coffee cup, picked up the backpack, took out a file bag from it, and handed it to White.

White reached out to take it, pulled out the file, and quickly browsed through it. There was no problem with the file. He was a British nationality and a war photographer for CBS TV.

"Roberts, you can stay here first. I'll ask someone to take you to find a room. In the next few days, we will ask someone to go with you to meet the middleman and protect your safety by the way."

"Okay, thank you." Roberts breathed a long sigh of relief. To be honest, his trust in the locals has dropped to the lowest point. He didn't even know that he was sold. Now he can finally Don't worry.