Chapter 172: Old Feng, I Need Your Help (Part 2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“This kind of deep-sea robot poses a significant threat to our submarines. We must conduct specialized research on this robot and develop countermeasures as soon as possible.”
“So I think we need to submit a report to Congress. Our navy also needs deep-sea robots like these and weapons to combat them. Congress must provide us with the funding; otherwise, our submarines and fleets, even when docked in ports, will constantly face threats.”
After listening to the general’s speech, the people below nodded in agreement. It was all about getting funding.
Originally, they couldn’t find a reason.
Now it was different.
China had a new weapon, specifically designed to target its navy. It was excellent news.
This time, their navy could increase its budget.
They’d been enviously watching the Air Force, constantly increasing its military capabilities, researching various new aircraft, while they scaped the bottom of the barrel to research new vessels.
If Congress wouldn’t fund them, this time, their fleet wouldn’t leave the port. Let’s see who could outlast whom.
As for the submarines of the Japanese Navy?
Those were Japanese submarines.
What does that have to do with America?
On the other side, out at sea.
The Japanese submarine remained motionless on the surface of the water, and its hatch remained closed.
This was their final act of defiance, an unyielding stubbornness.
Our fleet didn’t care about it either.
Japan’s submarines were okay a few years ago, but in recent years, they’d become more and more sluggish.
Good things and good technology have all been taken away by America.
We’d studied America’s submarines, so we were not too concerned about the Japanese.
A night passed in the blink of an eye
As the day broke, Japan and its entourage came for negotiations.
The specifics of the negotiations were inconclusive, but the general idea was like this.
Look, your boys were up to no good, and we were conducting exercises here. You didn’t even give us a heads-up; you just sneaked over.
Fortunately, we spotted him. If there had been an accidental firing, what would have happened? It would have been terrifying.
America: Oh, yes, that appears to be the case. Our boy misbehaved. I’d definitely educate him when I get back.
But you see, it was the New Year, and he was still a child. Let’s forgive him this time. Let it go.
The people on both sides had a good discussion.
Japan was well-behaved and knew that when you were in trouble, you’d stand at attention.
After the discussion, the submarine was towed away, and we continued our exercises.
The aircraft carrier fleet followed the undersea continental shelf and arrived in the waters a few hundred kilometers off Guam.
For the aircraft carrier fleet, a few hundred kilometers was like their doorstep. After the carrier-based planes took off at full thrust, they arrived in no time.
After we arrived, we conducted sea patrols as planned.
Nearby Guam just watched us with radar; no friction there.
Our aircraft carrier fleet, following the training program, completed the exercise and returned.
The round trip didn’t take much time.
But this time, the significance of going to sea was very different.
In fact, the so-called “first island chain” was like a membrane, easy to pierce through. Even without much effort, it broke, and it didn’t feel like much.
And the “second island chain” was just that, not much to it.
Online, netizens only see the news of the aircraft carrier fleet breaking through the first island chain. Oh, and there’s one more piece of news: our aircraft carrier fleet conducted a rescue operation for a Japanese submarine in international waters.
Hmm.
Good neighborliness and mutual assistance.
The news was harmonious.
But in reality, this time was significant, especially for America’s allies.
See that?
Your daddy America couldn’t even protect its own son.
What?
Not its biological son?
That didn’t matter.
Although this was an adopted son, he was usually the most obedient one, but now… sigh.
Once this incident happened, everyone had some thoughts.
But America didn’t have time to deal with these trivial matters because its navy was causing trouble, especially the Fifth Fleet, saying they wanted to go home.
Undoubtedly, this left them with no choice.
Congress quickly approved a report requesting an increased budget for the Navy.
Then the Fifth Fleet stopped causing trouble.
Navy leaders started making plans… 1 mean, started researching.
Now that the navy was settled, America began to pacify its allies with big promises.
At this point, the one who was feeling the most uncomfortable wasn’t America. It was France.
Originally, when they saw America personally taking action with so many partners, the momentum was huge, so it emerged to take advantage.
Now, it was different.
It got nothing out of it, and because of the Congo incident, it got into a conflict with China, which was a big loss.
But it was the French.
People who understood knew.
Just look at their national flag.
Thus, in this situation, they retreated.
But they are the Five Good Neighbors after all, and they still need to save face. This time, they wouldn’t incite tribal armed conflicts and would instead use their influence in Africa to play political games.
In other words.
They wanted a fig leaf.
Tang Rui was unaware of the storms outside, and he occasionally glanced at the news, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.
It was not until this day that Lin Chao came to find him.
He spoke to Tang Rui about the Congo mining area, and only then did Tang Rui learn about what had been happening lately.
“So, it can’t escalate over there, and they’re just engaged in government disputes now?”
Tang Rui asked in surprise after hearing Lin Chao’s explanation.
“That’s right, it’s no longer a problem. All the projects and mining operations can continue. They asked me to inquire about your intentions regarding the mining area. Do you want your uncle to go?” Lin Chao surveyed Tang Rui’s thoughts.
Frankly, they didn’t want someone with family relations to Tang Rui to go to Congo. In case anything happened, it could turn into a big issue. However, they couldn’t say this openly, so they sent Lin Chao to inquire about Tang Rui’s intentions.
If Tang Rui insisted, they wouldn’t say anything. But this time, they’d arrange some security to protect the property of those who were going.
Tang Rui took a moment to think.
Continue sending his uncle?
There was probably not much to discuss about this. They’d already invested in the mining area, and now that there were no problems, he couldn’t prevent people from going there.
But he, like those above, was also concerned about the safety of that place.
Although there wouldn’t be a war now, there could still be other troubles.
The last time he let his uncle suffer, he already felt bad about it, so what if something happened again this time?
Did he want Li Shuyao to cosplay with him or not?
It appeared that he needed to come up with a solution.
“Lin, it seems that our biggest problem in Congo right now is related to the government.”
“Yes, mainly there’s support for France and support for us. Currently, they are in dispute, and it will take some time to completely resolve these issues.”
“I see… Lin, 1 need you to request a list from above, listing all the people associated with France.”
“What do you want to do? It can’t be something as drastic as assassination.”
“Who’s talking about assassination? That’s such a low method. Don’t worry, I have other plans.”
“Alright, I’ll go get the list for you.”
After half an hour, Lin Chao printed out a list of people and handed it to Tang Rui.
This list not only contained information about the individuals but also their positions, interests, family relationships, and hidden addresses.
Goodness.
He only needed their names, but it was as if he was planning something bad by digging for information about their safe houses and their private business.
There were a total of 11 people, including two high-level individuals, six mid-level, and three military personnel.
After reading this list, Tang Rui spoke to Red Lotus, “Inform Feng Yuanxing to come to my office.”
“Master, I have already notified him.”
In less than five minutes, Feng Yuanxing knocks on the office door.
“Mr. Feng, please come in.”
“Hello, Mr. Tang.”
After entering the office, Feng Yuanxing greeted Tang Rui.
“Don’t be shy, have a seat, and have a cup of tea first.”
“Thank you, Mr. Tang.”
After the two of them had a sip of tea, Tang Rui started to speak, “Mr. Feng, 1 need your help with something..”