157: Chapter 157: Undercurrents in the Strait

January 1, 2018, 6:47 AM, 1 degree 23 minutes North latitude, 104 degrees 17 minutes East longitude.

At the narrowest point of the Strait of Malacca, the morning mist shrouded the sea like a light veil.

This is the throat connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, where a quarter of global maritime trade passes through, and it is one of the most geopolitically sensitive waters.

The transport ship "Yuanwang 7" was sailing westward at an economical speed of 14 knots.

The ship looked unremarkable from the outside—18,000 tons, blue and white hull, standard container ship layout.

But those in the know were aware that this was the most unique transport platform under the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, codenamed "Dongfeng Express."

Captain Lin Hai stood in the wheelhouse. At 56 years old, he had thirty years of ocean-going experience, and every wrinkle on his face looked like a trace carved by the waves.

At this moment, he was staring at the radar screen, his brow furrowed.

"Captain, 30 degrees starboard, 12 nautical miles away, high-speed target approaching." The first mate reported in a low voice, "Identification signal... US Navy 'Arleigh Burke'-class destroyer, hull number DDG-106, 'Stockdale'."

Lin Hai nodded without turning back: "Notify the engine room to maintain speed. Notify the cargo hold to check all securing devices. Also..." He paused, "Turn on the AIS (Automatic Identification System) and send out our preset 'Civilian Industrial Equipment' manifest."

"Already sent. But the Americans won't believe it." The second mate smiled bitterly.

"They don't need to believe it, they just need a procedure." Lin Hai walked to the porthole and raised his binoculars.

In the morning mist, the gray silhouette of the warship was gradually becoming clear. The 9,500-ton destroyer was cutting into the path ahead of the "Yuanwang 7" at a high speed of 25 knots. The waves split by the bow formed a white V-shaped wake, like the edge of a knife.

When the distance between the two ships shortened to 5 nautical miles, a clear English call came over International Maritime Channel 16:

"Chinese-registered ship 'Yuanwang 7', this is the America Navy ship 'Stockdale'. Please report the nature of your cargo, destination, and purpose. Over."

Everyone in the wheelhouse looked at Lin Hai. The old captain picked up the microphone unhurriedly and replied in English with a Minnan accent:

"'Stockdale', this is 'Yuanwang 7' replying. Our ship is transporting 'Civilian Industrial Equipment and Supporting Components', destination Jeddah Port, Saudi Arabia, purpose 'Industrial Production Line Construction'. All cargo has been reported to the relevant national customs and maritime departments. Over."

He put down the microphone and added, "Record it."

The communication channel was silent for about thirty seconds, then sounded again: "'Yuanwang 7', in accordance with the 'United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea' and regional navigation safety regulations, we demand to board and inspect. Please slow down and cooperate."

This sentence caused the air in the wheelhouse to instantly freeze.

According to international law, on the high seas, there are strict restrictions on the boarding and inspection of merchant ships by warships—there must be reasonable grounds to suspect the ship is involved in piracy, slave trade, illegal broadcasting, or other specific situations. The people of America are pushing the boundaries, and this is a naked provocation.

Lin Hai picked up the microphone again, his voice still steady: "'Stockdale', our ship is transporting legal cargo and has not violated any international regulations. Your request does not comply with Article 110 of the 'Law of the Sea Convention'. Our ship will continue to sail normally. Over."

This time he did not wait for a reply and switched channels directly: "'Nanshan', 'Nanshan', this is 'Yuanwang 7'. The guests have arrived, and they don't look very friendly."

At the same time, in the South China Sea, at a naval port in Sanya.

Inside the South China Sea Fleet combat command center, hundreds of light spots were moving on a huge electronic nautical chart.

The green triangle representing "Yuanwang 7" was slowly passing through the Strait of Malacca, while the red square representing the "Stockdale" had already closed to a dangerous distance.

In front of the command console, Fleet Commander Major General Chen Hai stared at the screen. At 38 years old, he was the youngest destroyer squadron commander in the Chinese Navy and the on-site commander-in-chief of this "Dongfeng Escort Operation."

"Commander, the 'Lanzhou' formation reports that it has arrived in the designated sea area and is deploying for the exercise," the operations staff officer reported.

Chen Hai nodded without giving an order immediately. He looked at his watch—7:20 AM, 10 minutes left until the start time of the contingency plan.

On the side of the command console, a child's drawing was fixed with transparent tape: a crooked warship, with "Daddy, stay safe" written in crayon on it.

It was his six-year-old daughter's work; every time before he went to sea, his daughter would give him a new one. Chen Hai gently touched the edge of the drawing, his eyes becoming even more determined.

"Commander, the people of America have sent another communication, insisting on boarding and inspection." The communications staff officer turned his head, "The tone is very tough."

"Reply to them." Chen Hai finally spoke, "First, Chinese-registered merchant ships sailing on the high seas are protected by international law. Second, the Chinese Navy is holding an annual routine exercise in the relevant sea area and has issued a notice to mariners. Third..." He paused, "Tell them that our 'Lanzhou' formation is maneuvering eastward and is expected to arrive near their location in two hours."

These words were sent through an encrypted channel to the "Yuanwang 7" thousands of miles away, and then relayed by Captain Lin Hai through an open channel.

When the terms "annual routine exercise" and "Lanzhou formation" appeared in the communication, the "Stockdale" side was silent for a full minute.

Then, the reply came: "'Yuanwang 7', please maintain your current course. We will continue to carry out 'Freedom of Navigation' operations in the vicinity."

No more mention of boarding, but the phrase "continue to carry out in the vicinity" meant they would not leave.

Chen Hai smiled slightly: "As expected. Order the 'Lanzhou' formation to carry out live-fire exercises as planned. In addition, have the 'Changsha' and 'Hefei' ships advance, maneuver towards the strait, and maintain a distance of... 100 nautical miles."

"100 nautical miles?" The operations staff officer was a little surprised, "That distance is too far to form a deterrent."

"We don't need deterrence, we just need presence." Chen Hai pulled up the satellite imagery, "Look, besides the 'Stockdale', America has also deployed a 'Los Angeles'-class nuclear submarine at this location, and there are two P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft at this location. Their reconnaissance system has been fully activated. What we need to do is not to go head-to-head, but to demonstrate that we have the ability and determination to protect our own ships."

He pointed to several points on the chart: "The 'Lanzhou' formation will exercise here, with the artillery shell impact points controlled within the no-sail zone, but the sound of the explosions must be audible to the Americans. The 'Changsha' and 'Hefei' will advance, but will not enter the standoff area, keeping to the edge of the opponent's radar detection. As for the 'Yuanwang 7'..."

Chen Hai zoomed in on the real-time image of the transport ship: "Tell Captain Lin to increase the speed to 16 knots and pass through the strait via the shortest route. If the people of America dare to approach within 2 nautical miles, activate the second level of electronic countermeasures. If they approach within 1 nautical mile... activate the third level."

"The third level will burn out some of the opponent's electronic equipment," the staff officer reminded.

"I know," Chen Hai said calmly, "so I hope they don't force us to that point."

The order was given, and the waves of the South China Sea began to surge.