75: Start racing in the Emerald Ocean

Pierpoint Space Station, Strategic Investment Department conference room.

Topaz stood before the holographic star map, her fingertip gently tapping the projection of the Blue Star.

The Emerald Ocean region flickered with dense data streams, with the Siam Strait in the southern Golden Buddha Federation particularly highlighted.

"The time is ripe," she said, turning to Emerald, who was seated at the conference table.

"The whole world is currently focused on the Eastern Federation's superconducting power grid and the Interstellar Peace Corporation, led by Ada Wong.

We can add more fuel to the fire in the Emerald Ocean."

Emerald's slender fingers glided across the Cochinchina Tri-Delta, and pale green light points condensed at her fingertips, forming strategic markers: the Siam Strait of the Golden Buddha Federation, Penang Port of the Gemini Islands, and the Sunda Strait of Thousand Island Asia.

Each shipping lane was precisely marked.

"According to Bronya's intelligence analysis," Emerald's voice was as clear as iced champagne, carrying a hint of confident composure, "three factions within the Golden Buddha Federation Government Army are already willing to accept our 'special cooperation.'

They are Commander Songti of the Army's Third Military Region, Surayut, leader of the Southern Industrial Group, and..." She tapped her fingertip, and a photo appeared, showing a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, "Basong, Chairman of the Golden Summit Holy City Bank Board."

Aventurine toyed with the chips in his hand, his golden pupils reflecting the constantly shifting power distribution map, a playful smile on his lips: "The Red Khmer State's Senhong family is asking for too much; it's better to directly support the opposition."

Topaz suddenly looked up from the projection of the financial data interface: "Budget overrun warning.

If we launch the three-country plan simultaneously, our quarterly cash flow will fall below the safety line."

The conference room door slid open silently, and Chen Hao walked in, wearing a simple black uniform.

The smart-brain bracelet on his wrist projected a live stream of a recruitment fair for Eastern Federation universities.

Thousands of fresh graduates crowded the stadium, their eyes gleaming with aspirations for the future.

"Money is not an issue," he said, gently tapping the table.

The holographic projection immediately switched to a set of financial statements, with numbers scrolling like a waterfall.

"Over the past three months, Bronya has doubled the profits we've gained in the Emerald Principality so far by shorting Western pharmaceutical stocks."

"Ada Wong has also completed the commercial chain for the Interstellar Peace Corporation's Eastern Federation headquarters, providing a significant amount of funds each month."

Emerald smiled knowingly, drawing a circle in the southern Golden Buddha Federation with her fingertip: "The boss means..."

"You eat one bite at a time, but you can use a bigger spoon," Chen Hao said, pulling up two top-secret documents.

The projection switched to a 3D model of a university stadium.

"Two-pronged approach.

The Strategic Investment Department is responsible for the Emerald Ocean, and Ains will lead the university recruitment in the Eastern Federation.

We need at least ten thousand fresh graduates to fill future entry-level management positions."

Aventurine suddenly slammed a chip onto the location of the Golden Buddha Federation Bay, his golden pupils gleaming with shrewdness: "Casino license.

If we get this, we can break even within three months."

"Rejected," the remaining people in the conference room and Bronya, who had just appeared, said in unison.

"If you're itching to play, go to Phantom Gold Vegas and New Macau, don't mess around on the company's turf," Chen Hao directly ruled Aventurine's little cleverness as 'dead on arrival.'

"Alright, fine."

Emerald nodded slightly, drawing a line across the Siam Strait with her finger: "Separatist forces in the southern Golden Buddha Federation have been active for decades.

We can use them to make the Golden Summit Holy City Government 'voluntarily' invite Titan to intervene in security matters."

Chen Hao's gaze fell on the projection, deep in thought: "The Siam Strait Canal... What will the Eastern Federation think?"

Emerald chuckled: "Lin Mo from the Eastern Federation's Mandalay office has already sent us word; they are willing to talk."

Aventurine raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Hasn't the Eastern Federation always opposed external forces intervening in the Emerald Ocean?"

"They oppose the Nova United States, not us," Chen Hao said calmly.

"Besides, once the Kra Canal opens, the strategic value of the Thousand Sails Gorge will significantly decrease.

This may not be a bad thing for the Eastern Federation."

Topaz's projection flickered again: "But what if the Eastern Federation demands joint management of the canal?"

Chen Hao smiled slightly: "Then give them a portion of the shares.

Anyway, the canal is meaningless to us."

"That's right," Topaz realized, thinking of the transport ships in Pierpoint Starport.

Emerald's finger gently swiped across the projection, and the map of the Golden Buddha Federation was divided into two halves.

The north belonged to the Golden Summit Holy City Government, while the south was marked as the "Titan Special Economic Zone."

"Within three months," she said softly, "half of the Golden Buddha Federation will be ours."

"That's not necessarily true."

"Hmm?" Everyone present was surprised by Chen Hao's words and cast him questioning glances.

"It's simple.

Four words: geopolitical strategy," Chen Hao shrugged, explaining, "No party would allow a commercial entity to control a shipping lane that could influence the world order, especially if that commercial entity is independent.

But establishing a city dependent on the canal route, that impact is much smaller."

"This is our true goal."

Emerald Principality - Golden Buddha Federation border, night.

In the pitch-black rainforest, over a dozen modified pickup trucks rumbled over muddy mountain roads, all their headlights extinguished, with only night vision goggles emitting a faint green glow.

"Boss, the Golden Buddha Federation border outpost is just ahead," the skinny monkey in the passenger seat whispered, clutching a CK-47 with dried blood still on its barrel.

The man in the back seat—Wu Kun, the former leader of an Emerald Principality telecom fraud group—slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, his eyes sinister: "Damn it, those sons of bitches from Titan took down all our territory."

A month ago, the Titan Group, under the pretext of "cracking down on transnational crime," joined forces with the Emerald Principality Government Army to launch a comprehensive crackdown on telecom fraud parks.

Wu Kun's criminal group bore the brunt; all bank accounts were frozen, arms depots were blown up, and even his powerful protectors, several high-ranking Emerald Principality military officials, vanished overnight.

They couldn't understand why Titan had suddenly erupted at this time, after nearly a year of peace.

"I heard there are still connections on the Golden Buddha Federation side," the skinny monkey licked his chapped lips.

"As long as we can get through, we can re-establish contact."

Wu Kun sneered, pulling out a crumpled map from his Huai Li.

It had the names of several towns in eastern Golden Buddha Federation marked on it: "Titan thinks driving us out of the Emerald Principality is the end of it?

Heh, the Golden Buddha Federation isn't their territory."

The convoy slowly stopped, and the Golden Buddha Federation border outpost was vaguely visible ahead.

The sentries leaned lazily against the railing, seemingly unprepared.

"Prepare to move," Wu Kun ordered in a low voice.

"Leave no survivors."

The outpost's lights were dim, and two Golden Buddha Federation border soldiers leaned against the railing, boredly smoking cigarettes.

One of them yawned and complained, "This damn weather, more mosquitoes than bullets."

The other was about to reply when he suddenly frowned: "Hey, did you hear something?"

"What? A wild boar, probably."

The next second, the muffled thud of a silenced pistol ripped through the silence.

"Puff! Puff!"

The two sentries fell to the ground, each with a bullet hole in their forehead.

The roar of the pickup trucks' engines suddenly amplified, and over a dozen modified vehicles crushed the outpost's railing, rushing into Golden Buddha Federation territory.

Wu Kun jumped out of the car, his boots stepping on the still-warm corpses, and grinned: "Move quickly, dispose of the bodies."

The skinny monkey and a few of his subordinates quickly dragged away the bodies, while another group swiftly dismantled the outpost's surveillance equipment.

The entire process took less than three minutes, and the border outpost was as if it had never existed.

"Go," Wu Kun got back into the car, his eyes cold.

"To Tak Province."

Eastern Golden Buddha Federation, Tak Province, 3 AM.

The police station in Tak was brightly lit, and Songchai, the sergeant on duty, was dozing off when he was suddenly startled awake by a rapid knocking.

"Who is it? In the middle of the night—"

The door was kicked open, and Wu Kun burst in with five or six armed subordinates.

Songchai instantly sobered up, his hand reaching for the pistol on his waist, but Thin Monkey's CK-47 was already pressed against his forehead.

"Don't move, Mr. Sergeant." Wu Kun slowly walked to the desk, picked up Songchai's police ID and looked at it. "Songchai Bunyarat, forty-two years old, monthly salary twelve thousand Thai Baht... Tsk, it's not easy to support a family."

"Who, who are you?" Songchai's voice trembled.

Wu Kun didn't answer. Instead, he pulled a black plastic bag from his Pregnant and casually tossed it on the table. The plastic bag opened, revealing neatly bundled eagle dollar cash, at least a hundred thousand.

"Two paths." Wu Kun lit a cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke. "First, take this money, and in the future, when our people operate in Tak, you turn a blind eye."

"And the second?"

Wu Kun grinned, revealing his white teeth: "Second, I'll blow your brains out right now and replace you with an obedient sergeant."

Cold sweat seeped from Songchai's forehead, his gaze shifting between the banknotes and the gun barrel. Finally, he tremblingly reached out and pulled the plastic bag towards himself.

"A wise choice." Wu Kun patted his shoulder and turned to walk towards the door. "Oh, and starting tomorrow, the nightclubs, casinos, and docks in Tak will all be under our control. Don't let your people get in the way."

Songchai lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Seven days later, in Chiang Rai City, eastern Golden Buddha Federation.

In the Mayor's office in Chiang Rai City, Wu Kun sat with his legs crossed on a leather sofa, facing Mayor Palayut, who was sweating profusely.

"Kun, Brother Kun, you're making things very difficult for me..." Palayut wiped his sweat. "The higher-ups have already noticed the abnormalities in Tak and Mae Hong Son, and if it continues—"

"Continues what?" Wu Kun sneered. "Continues to let you earn more?"

He snapped his fingers, and Thin Monkey immediately came in carrying a silver safe, placing it on the table with a "bang." The box opened, revealing neatly stacked gold bars, shimmering with an alluring luster under the light.

Palayut's Adam's apple bobbed.

"Five kilograms of gold, in exchange for Chiang Rai City's 'quiet' for the next three months." Wu Kun stood up, looking down at the Mayor. "You know what to do."

Palayut's breathing quickened. Finally, he slowly nodded: "I will... arrange it."

Wu Kun smiled with satisfaction and turned to leave. As he walked out of the municipal building, he looked up at the sky over Chiang Rai City, which was overcast.

"Boss, where to next?" Thin Monkey asked.

"To Ubon." Wu Kun narrowed his eyes. "I heard the underground casinos there are very profitable."

A week later, the situation in the northern Golden Buddha Federation was in chaos.

Tak: The police station was completely infiltrated, and the local nightclubs, casinos, and docks all fell into the hands of the Wu Kun Group, with violent crime rates soaring by 300%.

Mae Hong Son: Three officials who refused to cooperate died in "accidental" car crashes, and all newly appointed officials received huge bribes.

Chiang Rai: Mayor Palayut secretly approved several "foreign investment projects," which were actually money laundering channels for the Wu Kun Group.

Ubon: A gunfight broke out in the underground casino, the former gang leader was shot dead in the street, and the Wu Kun Group took over all operations.

The Golden Buddha Federation Government finally realized the seriousness of the problem, but the report submitted by the intelligence department was mysteriously suppressed. In the bank accounts of some high-ranking officials, a string of silently shocking numbers suddenly appeared.

Northern Golden Buddha Federation, Chiang Mai Province, military temporary command post.

Major General Narong Somdet, Commander of the Chiang Mai Military Region, stared at the operational map, his brows tightly furrowed. On the map, several towns in the eastern Golden Buddha Federation were covered with red markers, while the Northern Mountains were a chaotic gray—that area should have been controlled by the Government Army, but now it had become a no-man's-land.

"General, the Ministry of Defense's order has changed again." The adjutant handed over an encrypted document, whispering, "The planned Eliminate operation has been canceled and replaced with 'border patrol.'"

Narong sneered, slamming the document on the table: "Patrol? How much money did those bastards take?"

The adjutant didn't dare to respond.

Narong stood up and walked to the window. Outside the window were the lush mountains of Chiang Mai, picturesque, but in his eyes at this moment, it was a rotting quagmire.

"Wu Kun's people have infiltrated Mae Hong Son, Tak, and even parts of Chiang Rai." His voice was low. "They kill, kidnap, extort, and even openly shoot opponents at the city hall entrance! And the higher-ups want us to 'patrol'?"

The adjutant hesitated, then lowered his voice: "General, I heard... someone in Golden Summit Holy City took Wu Kun's gold."

Narong's eyes suddenly sharpened: "Who?"

"Unclear, but the news came from the Prime Minister's Office."

Narong was silent for a long time, finally sneering: "Good, then we'll 'patrol.'"

He turned and walked back to the map, pointing heavily at the Northern Mountains: "Send the order, all troops retreat to the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai line, focusing on defending the southward passages."

The adjutant was stunned: "What about the eastern and Northern Mountains...?"

"Don't bother." Narong's voice was cold. "Since the higher-ups want to play blind, we'll play along to the end."

Eastern Golden Buddha Federation, Tak, Wu Kun's secret stronghold.

In the dim warehouse, Wu Kun sat with his legs crossed, fiddling with a heavy gold bar. Thin Monkey hurried in, whispering: "Boss, news from Golden Summit Holy City."

"Speak."

"The Ministry of Defense has ordered all Northern Military Region troops to withdraw, only guarding the southward roads." Thin Monkey grinned. "Our people can continue to operate in the east and north. As long as we don't reach south, the military will pretend not to see."

Wu Kun scoffed: "These bureaucrats, their appetites are quite large."

He casually tossed the gold bar into a black briefcase, which was already filled with gold bars and U.S. dollars.

"Send these to Golden Summit Holy City, to 'that important person'." Wu Kun closed the briefcase, his eyes cold. "And tell him, if he dares to play tricks, I don't mind letting the evidence of his bribery make headlines in the Golden Summit Holy City Post."

Thin Monkey nodded, picked up the briefcase, and quickly left.

Wu Kun walked to the window, looking at the night view of Tak. This city was completely under his control. The police were his informants, the officials were his puppets, and even the street thugs had to pay him protection money monthly.

"Titan... I can't afford to provoke you, but can't I hide from you!" He murmured softly, his eyes complex.

A month ago, he was just a scam boss in Northern Myanmar; now he had become the underground emperor of the eastern Golden Buddha Federation. All of this was because Titan drove them out of the Emerald Principality, forcing them to flee eastward.

"Boss, what do we do next?" a subordinate asked.

Wu Kun collected his thoughts and sneered: "Continue to expand, take over the entire Northern Mountains."

"But the military side..."

"The military?" Wu Kun disdainfully puffed out a smoke ring. "They're hoping we don't cause trouble in the south now. As for the Northern Mountains? Those poor, remote places, the lords of Golden Summit Holy City couldn't care less."