Great Power Reclamation

Chapter 2922 It's all about profit.
The sea breeze from the Gulf of Aden, carrying a salty and fishy smell, swept across the Solomon Islands' coastline, and the sea surface shimmered under the night sky.

Yang San stood in the newly built naval command center, his eyes fixed on the radar screen. In the past week, three attempts to sabotage undersea cables had been thwarted, each time by suspicious vessels disguised as fishing boats or research ships.

"General, an unidentified vessel has been spotted 20 nautical miles to the north, approaching our exclusive economic zone at an abnormal speed," the radar operator reported.

Yang San narrowed his eyes: "Dispatch two patrol boats to intercept, launch drones to monitor, and order the Marine Corps to stand by."

Ye Mei walked into the command center, dressed in military uniform with a pistol at her waist: "It's them again? We can't let them escape this time."

Yang San nodded: "The footage transmitted back by the drone shows that the ship is equipped with advanced diving equipment and underwater cutting tools, and is obviously here to sabotage the newly laid fiber optic cable between us and Yemen."

Half an hour later, the Somali patrol boat sailed alongside the suspicious vessel. A response came through the communication channel:
"We are a research vessel of the International Ocean Research Organization, and we are conducting legitimate marine scientific research."

Suddenly, the thermal imaging on the monitor screen showed someone quietly throwing something into the water from the stern of the boat.

"They are deploying underwater drones!"

The technician exclaimed in surprise.

Yang San immediately ordered: "Force boarding and inspection! If there is resistance, non-lethal force may be used."

However, when the Solomon Islands special forces attempted to board the ship, the enemy suddenly opened fire, and one Solomon Islands soldier was injured on the spot.

"They have heavy weapons!" Ye Mei exclaimed in shock. "Order the Marines to provide support and sink that ship!"

The firefight lasted for fifteen minutes, and the suspicious vessel was eventually sunk. The Solomon Islands army captured eight survivors.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that these individuals were employed by a European private security company and their mission was to sabotage the Solomon Islands' underwater communication facilities.

"This is an act of war!" Ye Mei slammed her fist on the table at an emergency cabinet meeting the next morning. "We must respond forcefully."

Ye Rou remained relatively calm: "Is the evidence conclusive?"

Yang San displayed the interrogation records and seized equipment: "The evidence is irrefutable. This company is registered in Cyprus, but financial tracking shows that its actual controller is a tricolor defense company."

Ye Rou pondered for a moment: "Hold a press conference immediately to release the evidence, and lodge a formal protest with the Security Council. Yang San, strengthen the security of all critical infrastructure; I suspect this is just the beginning."

Sure enough, three days later, in the dead of night, a border post on the northern border of Somalia was attacked by an unidentified armed force, resulting in the deaths of seven soldiers.

At almost the same time, an explosion occurred at an agricultural research center in Marseille, destroying newly developed high-yield, drought-resistant corn seeds.

“A coordinated attack,” Ye Mei analyzed at the video conference, “is clearly aimed at undermining our food security and border stability.”

Yang Da raised the key question: "We are in the open, while the enemy is in the shadows. How can we effectively counterattack without falling into a trap?"

Just then, Ye Rou's encrypted phone rang, and the caller ID showed "Dad".

"Xiao Rou, I heard things aren't going well over there?" Ye Yuze's voice came from across the Pacific Ocean, with Yang Geyong shouting in the background that he wanted to take people to Africa to help.

Ye Rou gave a brief report on the situation, and Ye Yuze listened quietly before speaking:
"A typical hybrid warfare model—economic sanctions, propaganda attacks, proxy conflicts, and infrastructure destruction all working together. What you need most now is to find the Achilles' heel and strike decisively."

"What suggestions does Dad have?" Ye Rou asked respectfully.

Ye Yuze chuckled: "Remember what your Uncle Yang and I experienced in Somalia back then? Sometimes the most direct methods are the most effective. Why are they trying to sabotage us? Because they're afraid you'll succeed. Then let's show them how successful we can be!"

Yang San interjected, "But we don't even know who our enemy is right now."

"On the surface, it's Western interest groups, but in reality, it's still a struggle for resources."

Ye Yuze hit the nail on the head: "The Horn of Africa has a crucial geographical location. If you unite, you will control an important global shipping route, which is something some people don't want to see."

Ye Yuze continued to instruct: "Take a three-pronged approach: First, militarily adopt proactive defense, establish no-fly zones, and issue warnings before firing on suspicious targets."

"Second, accelerate regional economic integration so that neighboring countries can see tangible benefits; third, expose the enemy's conspiracy in public opinion and strive for the understanding of the international community."

Yang Geyong snatched the phone and interjected, "And the most important point—find their weakness and strike hard! I heard the Three Colored Nation has a military base in that area? Let's give them some trouble."

Ye Yuze snatched the phone back: "Don't listen to Lao Yang's nonsense. But it's true, it's necessary to find the other side's key points and put pressure on them. I suggest you investigate the weaknesses of that Tri-Colored Country's defense company. Every big company has its shady dealings."

After the call ended, the four immediately divided their tasks: Ye Rou was in charge of economic integration and diplomatic offensive; Ye Mei coordinated military response; Yang Da continued to promote agricultural cooperation projects; and Yang San was in charge of intelligence gathering and special operations.

A week later, Brothers Investments released a bombshell report revealing evidence that the tri-country defense company had been illegally selling weapons to conflict zones in Africa in recent years, including supporting several anti-government armed groups. Following the report's release, the company's stock price plummeted, and the tri-country government was forced to announce an investigation.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Navy announced the establishment of a military exercise zone in parts of the Gulf of Aden, which is essentially a no-navigation zone, and any unauthorized vessels will be expelled or seized.

What surprised the West most was that the Marseille-Soviet alliance suddenly announced a security cooperation agreement with Mauritius, under which Mauritius would provide advanced air defense systems and intelligence support. This move immediately altered the regional balance of power.

"Dad's advice was so effective! Old ginger is indeed spicier!" Ye Rou said at the strategy meeting. "Now it's the other side's turn to be on the defensive."

But the real storm has only just begun.

In the dead of night, gunfire erupted in the northern mountains of Somalia. More than 300 militants simultaneously attacked three border posts, this time well-equipped and even using heavy artillery and armored vehicles.

“They are not ordinary militants,” Yang San reported via video from the front-line command post. “They are tactically proficient, equipped with advanced equipment, and clearly have state support behind them.”

Ye Mei stared at the real-time battlefield map: "Can we hold out?"

Yang San smiled confidently: "It's a good opportunity to test our new equipment. The drone swarm has already taken off; let them taste the flavor of high-tech warfare."

On the battlefield, the Somali army deployed newly purchased attack drones from China to conduct precision strikes against the militants' artillery positions. Simultaneously, special forces used night-vision equipment to ambush the enemy in the mountains, cutting off their retreat.

The fierce fighting continued until dawn, with over a hundred militants killed, more than thirty captured, and the rest scattered. The Solomon Islands army suffered only minor casualties. Interrogation of the prisoners yielded startling intelligence: these men had been secretly trained by the Egyptian military, their equipment came from a European country, and their operational plans were devised by Western military advisors.

“Egypt has always viewed us as a competitor,” Ye Mei analyzed, “but now it’s being used as a pawn by the West.”

Ye Rou raised a crucial question: "Direct retaliation against Egypt would trigger a regional war, playing right into the West's hands. How should we retaliate?"

At this point, Yang Da offered a clever suggestion: "Economic war. Egypt's main exports are coffee and leather. We can use the global network invested by our brothers to significantly lower the prices of these commodities on the international market."

Meanwhile, Ye Rou contacted Ye Feng, who suddenly announced that Brothers Investment would build the world's largest coffee trading center in Kenya, a major competitor of Egypt, and offer more favorable trading terms.

Under this double blow, the Egyptian currency depreciated by 15% within a week, sparking large-scale protests. The government was forced to withdraw its border troops and expressed its willingness to negotiate.

"To subdue the enemy without fighting," Ye Rou concluded with satisfaction, "that is the best strategy."

However, the West's counterattack was even more insidious—the next day, international media suddenly broke the news that "Soviet troops massacred civilians," accompanied by photos from other conflict zones years ago. The EU announced it was considering an arms embargo against the Somalia, and the US suspended some economic aid.

The information war is escalating rapidly. "They are exploiting information asymmetry," Ye Rou said at an emergency meeting. "Most international audiences cannot distinguish between true and false news."

Ye Mei suggested, "We should invite more international journalists to conduct on-site interviews."

"Too passive," Yang Da shook his head. "We need a more proactive strategy."

At this moment, Ye Yuze called again: "I heard you're troubled by fake news? Think about how your brother Ye Feng dealt with the SEC investigation—transparency is the best disinfectant."

A single sentence awakened her from her slumber. Ye Rou immediately implemented a three-pronged approach.

First, invite an independent investigation team from the United Nations to the so-called "massacre" sites.

Second, Brothers Investment acquired a stake in a global media company to increase its international influence.

Third, they launched the "Real Africa" ​​topic on social networks, publishing a large amount of content about daily life and development achievements.

The most brilliant move was that Ye Mei personally led a team of ambassadors and journalists from various countries to conduct on-site investigations in the border areas and present the truth through live broadcasts.

As the tide of public opinion gradually turned, the decisive moment for military victory arrived.

Intelligence indicates that Western powers are plotting a coup to overthrow the Solomon Islands government. The coup leader is the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Solomon Islands, and the plan is to launch a surprise attack during a naval exercise.

Yang San turned the tables on them, deliberately relaxing certain security measures to lure the coup plotters into taking action ahead of schedule.

On the day of the coup, when the rebel troops stormed the palace, they found it empty. Suddenly, all exits were shut down, drones sprayed tear gas, and special forces descended from the sky, subduing all the rebels without firing a single shot.

"Start the live stream," Ye Mei ordered. The entire process was broadcast live globally via secret cameras, allowing countless viewers to witness how Western powers plotted to overthrow a legitimate government.

International public opinion was in uproar. The EU was forced to announce a reassessment of its Africa policy, and the US Congress demanded an investigation into the CIA's role in the incident.

Ye Feng naturally wouldn't sit idly by. He personally instructed the Future Progressive Party to hold those responsible accountable for this matter and to use the influence of other parties to escalate the incident.

Under pressure from both inside and outside, those involved in this matter within the United States were finally held accountable. Although only scapegoats were dealt with, at least there was a result.

The final showdown unfolded in the economic sphere. The Economic Community of Marseille and Somalia officially launched its unified currency, the East African Shilling, which could be directly exchanged with the Chinese Yuan, breaking the dollar's hegemony. Simultaneously, the regional power grid was successfully connected, significantly reducing energy costs for member states.

Ye Feng arranged for a large influx of Jewish capital to be invested in infrastructure construction. Following the focus on key projects under the "Belt and Road" initiative, the construction of the East African railway network began.

Three months later, at the African Union Special Summit in Addis Ababa, Ye Rou delivered a historic speech:
"Africa is not the backyard of any major power, nor is it an arena for any power struggle. We choose cooperation over confrontation, development over dependence, and confidence over inferiority."

Following the speech, fifteen African countries signed an agreement to join the Economic Community of Marseille and Solo, officially creating a regional alliance with a population of 200 million and a GDP exceeding $500 billion.

That evening, Ye Yuze called to congratulate him: "Well done! But remember, this is just the beginning of a new struggle. The West will not easily give up its interests in Africa."

Ye Rou looked out the window at the dazzling city lights: "We're ready, Dad. The era in Africa is just beginning."

The sea breeze sweeps across the Gulf of Aden, bringing with it the breath of change. On a remote California farm, Ye Yuze and Yang Geyong raise their glasses in celebration.

“The next generation is much better than us,” Yang Geyong remarked. “Back then, all we knew was to fight head-on.”

Ye Yuze smiled: "The world is changing, methods are changing, but some things will never change—such as the value of courage and wisdom."

The two raised their glasses to the new forces that are changing the world.

Several large orange and tabby cats stood on the roof, their eyes gleaming in the night, seemingly watching something warily.
A group of Chinese rural dogs sat around the two people, like a group of guards.

Ye Yuze smiled wryly: "Old Yang, we have too many of these stray dogs and cats. Don't let them become a public nuisance like the rabbits in Australia."

Yang Geyong shook his head decisively: "Absolutely not. We are now local cats and dogs, and have become popular pets among Americans. Every day, a large number of people come to buy us."

"If it weren't for my desire to let tourists experience their charm, all of these farm animals would have been sold off long ago. You use your children to build your world, I'll use my cats and dogs to conquer America!"

After saying that, the two of them burst into laughter.

Today, California farms are not only important production bases for food and cash crops in the United States, but also world-renowned eco-farms.

To be honest, even if they didn't grow any crops, the income from tourists they received each year would make them incredibly wealthy.

Meanwhile, in Africa, Ye Rou and Ye Mei's struggle against their opponents was still in full swing. Because of Ye Feng's intervention, the United States had already backed down and temporarily abandoned its actions against Marseille and the Solomon Islands.

But how could the MiG Nation and the Tri-Colored Nation be willing to let their interests be harmed? They are brewing even bigger actions...

Here come the votes!