Great Power Reclamation

He switched the screen to display a series of complex charts and curves: "Let's look at the cost of 'responsibility'."

"According to projections by RAND Corporation and our internal team, a limited military operation aimed at 'containment' East Africa would have an initial direct cost of at least $300 billion. That's equivalent to cutting half of our National Science Foundation's budget for the next three years, or postponing the overhaul of the entire I-95 highway corridor."

A slight commotion arose from the audience. Some legislators from underdeveloped infrastructure states frowned.

Ye Feng continued his attack, this time releasing a video he filmed on his phone, showing an anxious Midwestern rancher:

"...A large portion of our corn and soybeans used to be transshipped through the port of Mombasa in East Africa. Now, with the war, insurance costs have skyrocketed, and buyers are all waiting and seeing."

“If the government sends more troops and makes the situation even more chaotic, we can forget about making any money this year!”—This is the “voice of the people” carefully prepared by Ye Feng’s team.

"This is just a microcosm." Ye Feng surveyed the entire room:
"Our intervention is unlikely to bring about a pro-American, stable new regime; a more likely outcome is:"

"A more anti-American, more chaotic mess, and more vulnerable global supply chains. We've already paid enough price in several small Middle Eastern countries. Haven't we learned our lesson yet?"

He finally threw out his carefully crafted slogan: "It's time to return to true 'America First'—which means not wasting precious blood and resources on distant quagmires that yield no clear, significant national benefits. Non-interference in other countries' internal affairs is not indifference, but sober-mindedness!"

That evening, in a private club in Georgetown, Ye Feng sat opposite Republican Senator McCarthy. Wisps of cigar smoke rose from their cigarettes.

McCarthy was an old-school Southern political animal, known for his shrewdness and pragmatism. He slowly exhaled a smoke ring:
"Ye, what you said today touched a lot of people, especially the part about 'supply chain' and 'farmers'. In my hometown, the textile industry's raw materials are also affected by the African shipping routes."

Ye Feng poured him a glass of whiskey: "Senator, we are not trying to isolate you. On the contrary, we want to intervene more intelligently."

“A stable East Africa that is in control of the situation, even if it is not so obedient to us, is more in our business interests than a war-torn East Africa infested with pirates.”

“We can do business with the current authorities, negotiate terms, and exert influence through investment and trade. This is cheaper and more effective than artillery shells.”

He lowered his voice: "I have received some informal information that the two queens in East Africa, and their families, have a strong desire to ensure the safety of shipping lanes and to open up cooperation on mineral resources."

"They need funding and technology to rebuild and consolidate, while we need stable supplies and markets. Isn't this more in line with the essence of 'America First' than supporting an unreliable opposition and waging a proxy war?"

McCarthy silently swirled his glass, the ice cubes clinking softly. After a long while, he raised his glass:

"For the sake of 'sobriety first,' I think many friends at the Republican convention will agree with this view. As for the Democrats... let them keep making grand pronouncements."

The winds from the United States, like the monsoons of the Atlantic, quickly blew across Europe.

In a conference room at the EU headquarters in Brussels, diplomats from the two major powers are holding urgent consultations.

One representative pointed to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on the map, emphasizing the importance of traditional spheres of influence and strategic passageways. Before the representative from the United States were risk warning reports from automakers such as Volkswagen and BMW regarding potential disruptions to the African supply chain, as well as inquiries from business groups within the Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

“The United States’ stance has changed,” the John representative said cautiously.

"Without their aircraft carriers and intelligence support, could we, on our own, gain a decisive advantage in the complex terrain of East Africa and against our fearless soldiers? Not to mention that elusive 'Bayonet' company. Our 'Typhoon' fighter jets are expensive, and our pilots are even more expensive."

The representative from William was somewhat irritated: "Are we just going to watch that Yang San and those two women expand their influence into our traditional backyard?"

“Perhaps,” the John representative adjusted his glasses, “we need to redefine ‘backyard.’ Is it to continue investing huge sums to maintain an increasingly dissatisfied and potentially backfiring ‘influence,’ or to acknowledge the new power reality and seek pragmatic ‘exchanges of interests’?”

“We’ve already been making inquiries in our backyard about how we got in touch with the East African renewable energy sector.”

The EU's joint intervention proposal has been postponed indefinitely amid disputes.

Blackstone Fortress, a newly occupied border town in East Africa.

The smoke of battle had not yet dissipated, and the air was thick with the lingering scent of burnt debris and the exhilaration of victory. Commander-in-Chief Yang San trudged through the rubble, surveying the ruins of the enemy command post he had just captured. His adjutant hurried over and whispered a few words to him.

On Yang San's cold and hard face, the lines seemed to soften for a fraction of a second.

"They're arguing? Good thing." He snorted. "Tell the Prime Minister and His Majesties to hurry. If the Americans hesitate, the Europeans will follow suit. This is our golden time to consolidate our gains and gain a foothold!"

He turned around and roared at the group of young officers behind him who were eagerly awaiting orders:
"Did you all hear that? God has opened a window for us! Don't just stand there! Fortify the fortifications! Repair the roads! Train the militia! Defend our newly acquired territory like an iron fortress! Let those bastards who still want to extend their claws feel a toothache just thinking about 'Black Stone Fortress'!"

Meanwhile, in the grey area on the other side of the border, Hammer is leading his "Blackstone" squad on a "cleanup" mission.

The target was a remnant coalition intelligence node hidden in a tribal settlement on the border. The operation was swift and efficient, without alerting civilians.

Afterwards, Iron Hammer leaned against a bullet-riddled armored pickup truck, looking at the brief message from Guihua last week on his satellite phone:
"International pressure has eased for now, but we will continue to exert tactical deterrence. Your father said, 'Well done.'"

Iron Hammer licked his slightly chapped lips and deleted the message. He gazed towards East Africa, where his idol, Yang San, was consolidating his defensive lines.

"The pressure has eased a bit?" He grinned and said to the team members beside him:
"Did you hear that? The big shots are tired of arguing. It's our turn to add some extra flavor to the remaining 'guests' so they'll feel completely at home and never want to come back."

He jumped into the car and patted the roof of the driver's cab: "Let's go to the next 'spot.' Let's outline and color our new map of East Africa!"

Sunrise City, the secret chamber of the Cool Palace.

The communication screens in front of Ye Mei and Ye Rou had just gone dark. They had just ended yet another encrypted call with Ye Feng.

Ye Rou let out a long sigh of relief and stretched her stiff shoulders: "Xiao Feng really hit the nail on the head this time. 'America First'... the way they used that phrase turned it into our shield."

Ye Mei's face still showed signs of fatigue, but her eyes were clear.

"The shield is only temporary. International political 'attention' has shifted, but greed will not disappear."

"They've simply switched from open attacks to more covert ones, and from direct military intervention to economic manipulation, technological blockades, and incitement by proxies. The pressure on Premier Yang is no less."

She walked to the window and looked at the city lights gradually lighting up in the night, the prosperity they had to protect.

"Tell Yang San that the front lines cannot be relaxed. Tell Yang Da that the negotiating table and the financial battlefield are now the main focus of our attack. As for us..."

She turned and met her sister's gaze. "We must make this light shine brighter and farther. We must make every East African, whether they have lived here for generations or are newcomers, truly feel that this light is worth defending with everything they have."

“As long as the light of humanity remains lit,” Ye Rou continued, her tone resolute, “no matter how fierce the storms outside, the ship in East Africa will not capsize!”

The lights of Qingliang Palace pierced through the night, intertwining with the lights of thousands of households, the vigilant searchlights of border outposts, and the sparks from the rumbling machines in the northern development zone.

It illuminates this nation, forged in the flames of war, forging ahead through struggle, and firmly holding its destiny in its own hands, leading it toward a future full of challenges yet also full of hope.

The political hurricane in the United States has not completely subsided; it has merely changed form.

Ye Feng stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the corridor of the Capitol Building, watching the city lights gradually illuminate the twilight.

His temporary alliance with the Republican pragmatists, the Future Progressive Party, successfully blocked proposals for immediate military intervention, but this was only the first round.

“They won’t let this go.” The chief consultant walked up to him and handed him a cup of black coffee.

"Senator Claire's office is drafting new sanctions targeting East African mineral exports and financial transactions. The military-industrial complex's lobbying team met with seventeen members of parliament this week."

Ye Feng took a sip of the bitter liquid: "As expected. If the hard approach doesn't work, we'll try the soft approach. If direct military action is blocked, we'll switch to economic strangulation."

He turned, his eyes sharp. "But we were prepared. Notify our teams in Brussels and London to activate Plan B."

Plan B is a complex hedging strategy. The Ye family's global industrial network, established over many years, has begun to operate quietly:
Trading companies in New Zealand have begun to pre-order large quantities of futures contracts for East Africa’s main export minerals.

Private banks in neutral countries are poised to provide “sophisticated alternative financial services” to East African entities that may be subject to sanctions.
Even several Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds that have deep cooperation with the Ye family have expressed "interest in participating in post-war reconstruction investments in East Africa".

This is not just about countering sanctions, but also about sending a signal:
Any attempt to economically strangle East Africa will unravel a more complex network of international interests, causing pain even to the sanctioners themselves.

“Also,” Ye Feng lowered his voice, “we need to get our ‘friends’ to publish a few articles in the Financial Times and The Economist.”

"The theme is 'Why it is foolish to replicate the Iranian model in Africa'—focusing on how excessive sanctions can actually foster self-sufficient and less controlled regional powers."

At the same time, in Europe, at a lakeside castle.

A private gathering is underway. Participants include a Johannesburg automotive industry tycoon, executives from William Energy, representatives from the Italian Federation of Industries, and several senior officials from EU member states who wished to remain anonymous.

The organizer was Ye Feng's long-term partner in Europe, a low-profile John-American industrialist.

“…Therefore, we believe that rather than participating in a sanctions action that could destabilize the entire region and harm our long-term business interests,” the industrialist raised his glass, “it is better to think about how to build constructive relationships with emerging new centers of power. East Africa needs reconstruction, technology, and capital—and we need stable supplies of raw materials and new markets.”

A carefully prepared feasibility report was circulated among the attendees:
The proposals include ideas for the cooperative construction of a modern port along the Red Sea coast, a preliminary study on connecting solar power generation in northern East Africa with the European power grid, and a proposal for the cooperative development of rare minerals in East Africa.

"Of course, all of this is predicated on a stable situation," a senior official from Country F pondered. "If war reignites..."

“That’s why,” the businessman smiled, “we should all call for an immediate ceasefire and a political solution. A stable East Africa is in everyone’s business interest, isn’t it?”

Commercial interests, the most practical and powerful lever, are quietly changing Europe's calculations.

East Africa, at the forefront of the new border.

Iron Hammer crouched under the camouflage netting, explaining to more than a dozen East African officers around him using a tactical tablet. These officers came from different units and were all promising talents personally selected by Yang San.

“Look here,” Hammer pointed to an inconspicuous intersection of river valleys on the satellite map:
“Traditional defensive thinking would involve placing a platoon here to occupy the high ground. But if it's a ‘bayonet’ style of fighting…”

He swiped the map, zooming in on the steep slopes on both sides of the valley. "We'll set up three to four two-person sniper observation teams here, here, and here. We're not aiming for a defensive position, but rather for maximum field of view coverage and crossfire. With anti-tank missiles and mortar guidance capabilities, a single squad can control the defensive area equivalent to a company."

A young East African captain asked, "But this would make our forces too dispersed and vulnerable to being defeated one by one."

Hammer grinned. "Good question. So the key is—mobility. These groups aren't stationary nails, but mobile stingers."

"We have a complete set of rapid evacuation and relocation plans."

He pulled up a simulation animation: "Is the enemy's main force gathering? Don't attack, call in artillery. Small groups infiltrating? Let them in, then wipe them out with pre-set minefields and mobile units. Their scouts have no idea what our true troop deployment is."

Another major said thoughtfully, "This requires extremely high individual soldier skills and coordination, as well as a strong intelligence and fire support system."

“That’s right.” Hammer put away the tablet, his expression turning serious.

"So, after discussing it with Commander-in-Chief Yang San, Uncle Yang decided that 'Bayonet' would assist the East African military in establishing an experimental 'Border Ranger' unit. We are not pursuing size, but only the most elite soldiers, equipped with the best gear, and subjected to the most rigorous training. You are the first batch of seeds."

He scanned each young, dark-skinned face:

“Over the next few months, I will teach you everything ‘Bayonet’ has learned in Africa over the past twenty years—how to survive seven days in the desert, how to track targets in the jungle, how to create maximum chaos at minimal cost. But you will learn more than just killing techniques.”

Hammer stood up and looked at the vast land beyond the border:
"You must become the eyes, ears, and nerve endings of East Africa. Make anyone who crosses this line feel as if they've stepped into a thicket teeming with venomous snakes—"

"We don't know where the danger comes from, but we could be bitten at any time. Only in this way can peace truly come, because the enemy will understand that they cannot afford the cost of war."

A fire ignited in the eyes of the young officers. This was not just a military training exercise; it was the beginning of a new era of border defense philosophy.

Sunrise City, the underground war room of the Prime Minister's Office.

Eight different images were displayed simultaneously on the screen in front of Yang Da:
Live broadcasts from the UN headquarters in New York, international commodity trading curves, livelihood data reports from newly controlled areas in East Africa, and the deployment status of border troops...

"Prime Minister, delegations from the World Bank and the IMF will arrive next Monday," the Secretary-General reported in a low voice.

“They were ostensibly conducting a ‘postwar reconstruction needs assessment,’ but according to intelligence, the U.S. Treasury Department exerted considerable pressure on them to include ‘political reform’ and ‘military transparency’ clauses in the loan terms.”

Yang Da pushed up his glasses: "As expected. Tell the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the reception plan will be carried out as Plan A."

"The focus was on showing them the Northern Development Zone, the new vocational training center, and the mine clearance and infrastructure projects in cooperation with 'Bayonet'—emphasizing that we are creating jobs, absorbing refugees, and building a sustainable economic model. As for political reform..."

He smiled slightly: "We can 'listen carefully to the suggestions,' but the final report should emphasize 'a path to social stability and development with East African characteristics.'"

"In addition, arrange for them to have dinner with several representatives of the new citizens—especially those who served in the war and are now involved in local administration. Let international officials see for themselves what our 'integration model' is producing."

Another report was submitted: regarding the appeasement of the elders of several key tribes in the newly controlled area. Some tribes had never truly belonged to any central government in history and were accustomed to autonomy.

“These places,” Yang Da pointed to the map, “cannot be conquered simply by force. Commander-in-Chief Yang San has taken over the territory, and now it’s our turn to digest it with a policy of appeasement.”

He issued instructions to "increase infrastructure investment in these areas—build roads first, then provide water and electricity. Medical teams and educational resources should be given priority."

"Most importantly, we must respect their traditional governance structure, but we must also integrate the younger generation into our system: by providing scholarships, vocational training, and career advancement opportunities through participation in local militia organizations."

“Let them understand,” Yang Da concluded, “that becoming part of East Africa does not mean losing autonomy, but rather gaining greater development space and security guarantees. This is more effective in consolidating the frontier than any guns and cannons.”

Ten thousand miles away, in the military reclamation city.

After listening to his assistant's briefing on the global situation in his study, Ye Yuze remained silent for a long time.

He walked to the wall, where an old world map hung, covered with dense markings in red and blue pencils.

"Xiao Feng withstood the first wave of pressure in the US; he did a good job." He finally spoke, his voice slow and clear.

"But he's only dealing with politicians. The real adversaries are those sitting on the board, controlling the lifeline of resources and the flow of capital. They don't argue on Capitol Hill; they kill with numbers and contracts."

The assistant awaits instructions.

“It’s time for ‘Brother Capital’ to make a move.”

Ye Yuze tapped several points on the map with his cane. “Our lithium mine equity in Australia, our copper mine investment in ZL, and our nickel processing project in YN—these can all be used as bargaining chips.”

Find an opportunity to spread the word that if certain forces insist on economically containing East Africa, the Ye family may "reassess the priority of partners" in its global strategic mineral investments.

This is a higher-dimensional form of deterrence. While East Africa's mineral resources are important, the Ye family's pivotal position in the global resource network is the real bargaining chip that can make major powers feel the pinch.

“Furthermore,” Ye Yuze’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, “we should have our biotechnology and agricultural technology incubators in Silicon Valley and Boston proactively reach out to relevant departments in East Africa.”

"Technological cooperation and talent exchange—these are the real long-term solutions. Guns and cannons can conquer territory temporarily, but only science and technology and industry can truly make a nation stand tall."

He looked out the window, as if he could see the distant East African plateau: "Tell Xiaomei and Xiaorou, and also tell Yang San—the most difficult time may not have truly arrived yet. But as long as we hold our own food, our own energy, our own technology, and our united people, there is nothing to fear."

“This battle,” the old man murmured to himself, “has long since moved beyond the battlefield.”

Three months later.

The new border in East Africa is basically stable. The first batch of graduates from the Hammer Training "Border Rangers" have been deployed to key areas, and the new tactical ideas they bring are gradually changing the combat mode of the entire border defense force.

Small-scale skirmishes continue, but the threat of a large-scale offensive seems to have been temporarily averted.

The international community’s attitude toward East Africa is complexly divided: in public, voices of condemnation and sanctions still exist;
Privately, however, channels for business delegations, diplomatic probes, and informal dialogues increased. Ye Feng's alliance in Washington held its ground, and the economic sanctions plan was bogged down in Congress, with the final version being much milder than the initial proposal.

In Sunrise City, Ye Mei and Ye Rou presided over the first "All-Federal Development Conference." The attendees included not only high-ranking officials and ministers from various states, but also tribal elders from the newly controlled areas, worker representatives from the Northern Development Zone, and civilian representatives elected from the resettlement camps.

The meeting lasted three days and was filled with heated debate, but a "Five-Year Plan Outline for Post-War Reconstruction and Ethnic Integration" was finally adopted.

“This is not a celebration of victory,” Ye Mei said in her closing remarks. “It is only the beginning of a respite. The road ahead is still full of thorns—we must heal the wounds of war, mend the rifts in history, ensure that every voice on this land is heard, and give every dream fertile ground to grow.”

Ye Rou's statement was even more direct: "There are still people outside who are eyeing us covetously, waiting for us to make mistakes, waiting for us to split apart."

"Our answer is—more united, stronger, and more prosperous. Let's show them with facts that East Africans can not only defend their homes in war, but also build a future in peace!"

At the close of the conference, all delegates stood up, and people of different ethnicities and backgrounds sang the first lines of the East African national anthem in their respective languages. The voices were initially uneven, but soon merged into a powerful chorus.

At a border post, a Ranger lieutenant wrote in his patrol log:

"No incident today. Only one cross-border reconnaissance team of three was killed. The seized equipment has been handed over. The border is peaceful."

He closed his journal and gazed into the distance. As twilight descended, lights began to illuminate both sides of the border.

Behind him, the land of East Africa stretched out in the darkness, with the roar of factories, the lights of schools, the smoke from newly built houses, and countless people like him, silently guarding this land that has been reborn.

The eye of the storm remains, but the people in the storm have learned to stand firm in the wind and are thinking about what kind of seeds to sow after the wind stops.

The real test may have just begun. But this time, East Africa is ready—not only with guns, but also with plows; not only with blood, but also with sweat and wisdom. (End of Chapter)