Great Power Reclamation

The special plane bound for the East African capital flew smoothly above the clouds.

Ye Guigen sat by the porthole, looking down at the boundless African continent.

From the North African desert to the East African plateau, the landscape changes slowly beneath your feet, like an ancient scroll slowly unfolding.

Inside the cabin, Iron Hammer was checking the equipment list. This young master of Bayonet Security would accompany Ye Guigen on his entire trip to East Africa.

“We’ll be landing in half an hour,” Hammer said without looking up. “Your two aunts will be picking you up at the airport. But just so you know, they’re not your aunts here.”

Ye Guigen turned his head: "What is that?"

“It is the Head of State.” Iron Hammer put down the list. “Queen Ye Rou and Queen Ye Mei are the highest authorities in East Africa. In public, we must follow the rules.”

The plane began its descent. After passing through the clouds, a breathtaking view appeared outside the window.

That was not the Africa Ye Guigen had imagined—no slums, no dilapidated buildings, but a modern city rising from the ground.

Neat streets, towering glass-walled buildings, a crisscrossing network of elevated roads, and even several skyscrapers under construction in the central area.

On the outskirts of the city, large arrays of solar panels gleam in the sunlight, while further away lie neatly planned farmland and industrial parks.

"This is... East Africa?" Ye Guigen asked incredulously.

"New Chang'an, the capital of an East African country." Iron Hammer's tone was filled with pride. "Ten years ago, this was a border conflict zone between three small countries. Now it has a population of six million and is the economic center of East Africa."

The plane landed at an international airport with a level of modernization comparable to that of Europe. As the cabin door opened, a wave of heat, carrying the unique scent of the grasslands, rushed out. On the tarmac, a guard of honor was already lined up.

As Ye Guigen stepped off the gangway, the first thing he saw were his two aunts.

Ye Rou and Ye Mei stood side by side, wearing a well-tailored modified version of the traditional East African women's clothing—ivory-white robes with gold trim and eagle embroidery on the shoulders, symbolizing power.

Behind them stood Yang San and Yang Da, dressed in the formal attire of the Commander-in-Chief and the Prime Minister, respectively. Further back were cabinet officials, military generals, and envoys from various countries.

This display far exceeded Ye Guigen's expectations. He took a deep breath and, following the etiquette Tiechui had taught him beforehand, bowed slightly:

"Ye Guigen greets Your Majesties."

Ye Rou stepped forward, gently helped him up, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"She's still my aunt in private."

Then, raising his voice, he introduced himself to the audience in English:
"This is Mr. Ye Guigen, the heir to the Warriors Group and the Brothers Group, and the founder of the 'Cornerstone and Wings' Foundation. He will be conducting a week-long inspection visit to East African countries."

The welcoming ceremony was simple yet solemn. As the motorcade drove out of the airport, Ye Guigen noticed a large crowd gathered on both sides of the road.

They waved East African flags and family crests and flags of the Ye and Yang families, and many of them had an almost pious look in their eyes.

"Why are they..." Ye Guigen looked out the car window.

"Because your aunt saved their lives," Iron Hammer said calmly from the passenger seat.
"Before the establishment of the East African nation, this was a no-man's land plagued by famine, war, and disease. Your two aunts came in with medical and engineering teams, built hospitals, dug wells, repaired roads, and taught people how to farm. In ten years, the average life expectancy increased from 45 to 68 years, and the literacy rate among children increased from 20% to 92%."

He pointed to the neat rows of residential buildings outside the window:

"Ten years ago, most people here lived in leaky thatched huts and worried about their next meal. Now they have jobs, their children can go to school, and they can see a doctor when they are sick. Don't you think they should be grateful?"

The convoy entered the city. The streets were clean and tidy, public transportation was well-organized, and shop shelves were well-stocked.

In the park, children were playing; on a street corner, an old man sat on a bench basking in the sun. Everything seemed... too normal, so normal it didn't seem like Africa.

"How's the security situation?" Ye Guigen asked.

"The crime rate is one-tenth of the African average."

The driver suddenly spoke up, saying in accented English:

“I’m a local. Ten years ago, my younger brother was killed by a stray bullet in the street, and my mother died of malaria because there was no medicine. Now…”

He patted the steering wheel. "I got in the car. My brother's child is studying at university, and my mother is spending her later years in a nursing home."

The driver's tone was calm, but Ye Guigen could hear the deep gratitude in his voice.

The accommodation wasn't a hotel, but rather the "Queen's Palace" located in the city center.

A magnificent architectural complex that blends modern architecture with traditional African elements. Ye Guigen's room features a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking half the city.

In the evening, the family dinner was held in the private dining room of the Queen's Palace. There were no waiters, so Ye Rou personally cooked several home-style dishes.

After shedding their formal attire, the two aunts finally returned to being the family members Ye Guigen knew.

"How about that? Impressive, isn't it?" Ye Mei served food to her nephew.

“When your grandfather first came, he wandered around the city center for three days and said that my sister and I did something he wanted to do but couldn’t.”

"Grandpa came too?"

“We come every year,” Ye Rou said. “They bring the technical team from the Warrior Group to help us build factories and train workers.”

“Your father’s brother group is responsible for financial support and international trade. Without the support of our family, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Yang San and Yang Da also changed into casual clothes. Yang Da put on glasses, making him look more like a university professor than the prime minister.

"Ultimately, we've studied the philosophy behind your fund. It aligns well with the development strategies of East African countries—not just providing aid, but investing in the future."

"We have several projects that we can collaborate on," Yang San said succinctly.

"Especially clean energy and agricultural technology. East Africa has sunshine and land, but what it lacks is technology and capital."

Just then, an attendant came in to announce, "Your Majesty, Miss Ye Xin has arrived."

Ye Guigen was taken aback: "Ye Xin? How come she..."

"I invited her," Ye Rou said with a smile.
“You two siblings, one of you is working on a fund in Europe and the other is working on technology in Germany, you should both come and see what your aunts are doing.”

Ye Xin walked in, looking travel-worn, carrying a backpack and wearing simple jeans and a T-shirt. She was stunned by the sight before her.

"Second sister? Third sister?" she called out hesitantly. Although she had seen her in videos, she hadn't seen her in person for over a decade.

Actually, they have an older sister, but because of her status, they rarely mention her. However, in their hearts, their older sister is an eternal goddess.

Ye Mei stood up and hugged her: "Xin Xin, you've grown so much. Dad told me you're doing well in Berlin."

The dinner turned into a family gathering. Ye Xin excitedly talked about her entrepreneurial experience in Germany, her water quality testing instrument project, how she collaborated with German engineers, and how she opened up the market.

“But second sister, third sister, this place…” she looked out the window at the city lights, “is more modern than some areas of Berlin. Is this really Africa?”

Yang laughed loudly: "Many people ask this question. But I want to say, why can't Africa modernize? Why should Africans live in huts? Your two older sisters have proven that as long as the methods are right and the resources are sufficient, Africa can develop faster than anywhere else."

Ye Rou added: "The key is that development must be people-centered. We build factories, but first we build schools to train workers; we open mines, but first we build hospitals to ensure health; we build roads, but first we ensure there is enough food. At every step, people's needs take precedence."

Ye Guigen listened attentively. He had read these words in textbooks and heard them at seminars, but seeing a country turn this theory into reality was a completely different experience.

After dinner, Ye Rou and Ye Mei led the siblings to the observation deck on the top floor of the Queen's Mansion. The entire new Chang'an City unfolded in the night, its lights shining like a galaxy.

“That’s the industrial park over there,” Ye Mei said, pointing to the east. “It’s where the Warrior Group built the car assembly plant, appliance factory, and building materials factory. That’s the education zone, with free compulsory education from kindergarten to university. The medical zone is to the west, with a nationwide networked medical system, and drones deliver medicine to remote areas.”

"Where does the money come from?" Ye Xin asked the crucial question.

"Resources for development." Ye Rou explained:
“East Africa has minerals, oil and gas, and arable land. But we don’t sell off our resources cheaply—we use them as equity, attract foreign investment to build processing plants, and turn raw materials into products for export.”

"The money earned this way is ten times that of selling raw materials. In addition, with the financial operations of the Brother Group, the cash flow is very healthy."

"And then there's tourism," Yang San said, unusually speaking. "The wildlife reserves in East Africa are now protected by the professional team of Bayonet Security, and poaching rates have dropped by 95%. High-end ecotourism brings in billions of dollars in revenue every year."

Ye Guigen recalled his foundation's philosophy. He had always wanted to find projects that had both social value and commercial returns, and East African countries seemed to be a magnified success story.

“Second Aunt, Third Aunt,” he asked, “if my fund wants to invest here, where should I start?”

Ye Rou and Ye Mei exchanged a glance and smiled.

“I’ve been waiting for you to say that,” Ye Mei said. “Starting tomorrow, Yang Da will take you on field trips. Agricultural technology, clean energy, digital economy—there are many projects, but what we lack is your vision and funding.”

Ye Xin suddenly said, "My water quality testing instrument project can also be promoted here. Many areas in East Africa face water resource problems."

"Great!" Ye Rou's eyes lit up. "This is exactly what we need."

That night, Ye Guigen didn't go to sleep until very late. He stood by the window, looking at this miraculous city that had risen on the African continent, and an indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

My great-grandfather, Ye Wancheng, built a military reclamation city on the Gobi Desert so that the people of the Production and Construction Corps could live better lives.

Grandpa Ye Yuze founded the Warrior Group to bring Chinese manufacturing to the world.

Ye Feng, the father, established the Brothers Group in order to give China a voice in global finance.

The two aunts established an entire country in East Africa, enabling tens of millions of people to live with dignity.

Now it's his turn. His "Foundation and Wings" fund may not be able to build cities or nations, but it can invest in innovations that can change the world and connect resources and wisdom between the East and the West.

This is the mission of his generation of the Ye family.

The next day, the expedition officially began. Yang Da personally served as the guide, and the first stop was the East African University of Science and Technology, located on the outskirts of the city.

The campus is vast, with modern buildings and lush greenery. Students, dressed in uniform, move between classrooms, laboratories, and the library. The principal, a native of East Africa and a Cambridge PhD, enthusiastically introduces the school.

“We implement bilingual teaching, in English and Swahili. The curriculum is in line with top engineering universities in Germany and China, and we have also added courses adapted to the realities of Africa.”

The principal said, "The graduate employment rate is 100%, and many graduates are hired by multinational companies with high salaries, but at least half choose to stay in East Africa and participate in national development."

In the mechanical engineering lab, Ye Guigen saw the familiar Warrior Group logo—those precision machine tools were all manufactured by his grandfather's company. In the computer center, the Brother Group's logo appeared on the server.

“Your grandfather and father not only provided money and equipment, but also sent experts to provide on-site guidance.”

Yang Da said, "Last year, Master Wang, an eighth-grade fitter who retired from the Warrior Group, taught here for half a year. The students said that Master Wang's hands were more accurate than machines."

Ye Xin was particularly interested in the water treatment research in the biology lab. She discussed it at length with several East African students and exchanged contact information.

“Their research is solid, but they lack the funding to commercialize their findings,” Ye Xin told Ye Guigen. “My fund can invest a little, and so can yours.”

Ye Guigen nodded. This was exactly the kind of project "Foundation and Wings" was looking for—it had the technology and the team, but lacked start-up capital and market channels.

In the afternoon, they visited the solar farm. It was ten times larger than the one in North Africa, with an endless array of photovoltaic panels that looked like a silver ocean under the highland sun.

“East Africa receives over 3000 hours of sunshine annually, making its solar energy potential enormous.” The project leader is a young female engineer from East Africa. “We currently generate enough electricity not only for the entire country but also export it to neighboring countries. The next plan is to build an energy storage system to solve the problem of nighttime power supply.”

"What about the cost?" Ye Guigen asked.

"The cost per kilowatt-hour has already dropped to half that of thermal power, and it continues to decrease," the engineer said proudly.

"Moreover, it has created tens of thousands of jobs and trained thousands of skilled workers."

Ye Guigen recalled his experience in North Africa. That small project had attracted so much resistance and danger, and the effort and cost his aunts had made to build such a large-scale project here was unimaginable.

On the third day, they left the capital and headed to the rural areas. The convoy traveled along smooth asphalt roads, flanked by rolling fields. Irrigation systems crisscrossed the landscape, and tractors worked in the fields.

"Ten years ago, this was still slash-and-burn agriculture," Yang Da said, pointing to the farmland outside the window.
“Yields were low, and we were at the mercy of the weather. Your aunts introduced water-saving irrigation technology and high-yield seeds from China and trained farmers in scientific planting. Now, East Africa is not only self-sufficient in food, but can also export it.”

In a village, they received a warm welcome. The villagers, dressed in festive attire, danced traditional dances.

The elder, speaking through a translator, said, “Please tell the Queen that we are eternally grateful to them. My grandson is now a university student, something unimaginable before.”

Ye Xin was surrounded by a group of children. She communicated with them in simple English and taught them to sing Chinese children's songs. A girl shyly handed her a hand-woven bracelet.

"She said, 'Thank you for coming to see us,'" the translator explained.

Ye Xin's eyes reddened. She whispered to Ye Guigen, "I've always thought it was noble of me to do scientific research in Berlin, but compared to my aunts, I've done so little."

“Different stages, different methods,” Ye Guigen said. “You’re doing what you can do, and your aunts are doing what they can do. The important thing is that everyone is doing the right thing.”

That night, they stayed at the village guesthouse. The conditions were simple but clean, with electricity, hot water, and internet access.

Ye Guigen and Yang Da were drinking tea in the courtyard. The night sky over the plateau was clear, with the Milky Way stretching across the horizon.

"Uncle Yang, what is the biggest challenge facing East Africa in the future?" Ye Guigen asked.

Yang Da pondered for a moment: "Three challenges. First, maintaining the pace of development. We started from a low point, so our growth was fast in the early stages, but it will become more and more difficult as we go on."

"Second, balancing the interests of all parties. There are dozens of ethnic groups in East Africa, and it is not easy to make everyone feel that it is fair."

“Third…” he paused, “external pressure.”

"External pressure?"

“A stable, prosperous, and independent African power is not in the interest of certain major powers.”

Yang Da said in a serious tone, "They've already made many small moves—supporting the opposition, smearing us with propaganda, and threatening economic sanctions. Your uncle's army needs to guard against these things not only externally but also internally."

Ye Guigen recalled his experience in North Africa. Even a small solar energy project attracted sabotage from international energy companies; such a large-scale project in East Africa would only make more enemies.

"So you need allies."

"Yes. That's why we need you, we need the Ye family, and we need more international partners who understand our philosophy."

Yang Da looked at Ye Guigen and said, "Guigen, if your fund can successfully invest in a few landmark projects in East Africa, it will send a signal to the world: this is a place worth investing in, and there is a future here. This is more powerful than any diplomatic rhetoric."

On the fourth day, they went to the border region. The atmosphere there was noticeably different; there were military patrols and checkpoints. Yang San personally waited for them there.

“Last month, some mercenaries tried to infiltrate,” Yang San explained briefly. “We caught them. The interrogation revealed that they were hired by a multinational mining company and wanted to create chaos here before intervening under the guise of ‘protecting investments.’”

"How was it handled?"

"We handed it over to the International Court of Justice. At the same time, we revoked that company's exploration licenses throughout East Africa."

Yang San said, "In this area, Bayonet Security has 5,000 personnel stationed, equipped with the most advanced monitoring system. Drones patrol 24 hours a day, and there are sensors underground along the border."

He led them to visit a forward outpost. The soldiers were in high spirits and well-equipped. On the large screen in the command center, the real-time situation of the entire border region was clearly displayed.

"There are many soldiers here; they used to be tribal militias."

Yang San said, "Your aunts reorganized them, trained them, paid them, and gave them a future. Now they are the national army, and their loyalty is very high."

Ye Guigen noticed that the soldiers looked at Yang San with the absolute awe and trust they held for a strong person. It was the same way Iron Hammer's men looked at Iron Hammer.

"Use force to stop war." Yang San suddenly uttered an ancient Chinese saying.

“Your grandfather taught me this. Here, peace without the guarantee of force is an illusion.”

The week-long inspection trip quickly came to an end. On the last night, Ye Rou and Ye Mei held a farewell party for the brother and sister at the presidential palace.

"After looking around, what are your thoughts?" Ye Rou asked.

Ye Xin spoke first: "I am shocked, in awe, and... ashamed. I have always been pursuing my personal dream of being a 'queen,' but you sisters are truly being 'queens' for the people."

“Different paths,” Ye Mei said gently.
"Your breakthroughs in the field of technology may one day help millions of people. The important thing is to find your place and do your best."

Ye Guigen thought for a long time before saying, "I see what it looks like when ideals become reality. I also see the costs and difficulties behind it. I think my foundation should set up an office in East Africa to specifically invest in innovative projects here."

“We welcome her.” Ye Rou’s eyes lit up.
"Specific details will be handled by your subordinates. But ultimately, you must remember that investment is not charity, it's cooperation. We need to find projects that truly have potential and can benefit East Africa."

"I see."

Yeh Hsin also said, "My company, Qingliu Technology, wants to set up a research and development center here. East Africa's water resource problem is very representative. If we can find a solution here, we can promote it throughout Africa."

"Great!" Ye Mei was delighted. "Just let me know if you need any support."

As the farewell banquet was drawing to a close, the attendant entered again, this time with a somewhat strange expression.

"Your Majesty, a guest requests an audience. He says he is... the father of Mr. Ye Guigen."

Ye Feng and Yuan Fang walked in.

"Dad? Aunt Yuanfang? What's wrong with you..." Ye Guigen stood up.

Ye Feng patted his son on the shoulder: "I heard you were on a research trip in Africa. I happened to be in a meeting in Dubai, so I came over. Yuanfang also flew in from Los Angeles."

Yuanfang hugged Ye Rou and Ye Mei: "Second sister, third sister, it's been a long time."

It turned out that Ye Feng and Yuan Fang had heard that Ye Xin and Ye Guigen were both in East Africa, so they specially adjusted their schedules to come and reunite. Now, almost all the Ye family members in East Africa were present—although the two elders, Ye Wancheng and Ye Yuze, were still missing, as well as Meihua and Yu'e from Junken City.

So the farewell banquet turned into a family gathering. Ye Feng listened to his son and sister recount their observations from the trip, nodding from time to time.

"Your aunt did what our generation wanted to do but couldn't."

"I'm in finance, your grandfather was in manufacturing—we both made money. But they were building a nation, changing the fate of millions." Ye Feng sighed.

Yuan Fang also said, "When I promoted Chinese culture in Hollywood, I always felt there was a barrier between us. But here, Chinese technology and ideas are genuinely changing people's lives. That's true cultural influence."

That night, the banquet hall of the presidential palace was filled with a long-lost sense of family warmth. Three generations of the Ye family, scattered around the world, were striving for their respective ideals, and tonight they were reunited for the first time.

Ye Guigen looked at all of this: his dignified aunt, his wise father, his gentle stepmother, his dream-chasing sister, and his uncles who were all big shots in their respective fields.

He understood that the Ye family was not a single tree, but a forest. Each tree had its own form, but their roots were connected underground, drawing nourishment from each other and weathering storms together.

He was like a newly sprouted sapling in this forest. Still immature, but already with a direction.

Late at night, Ye Guigen stood on the observation deck, looking down at this miraculous city for the last time.

Iron Hammer walked over and handed him a cup of tea.

"Leaving tomorrow?"

"Yes, back to London. The fund needs to be moved forward."

Will they come again?

"Yes. I'll come often," Ye Guigen said. "There are things I need to learn here."

Iron Hammer nodded: "My mother often said that there is something in the bones of the Ye family—not to conquer anything, but to build something. Your great-grandfather built the military reclamation city, your grandfather built the warrior group, your father built the brother group, and your aunt built the East African country. Now, it's your turn."

What should I build?

“You will find the answer yourself,” Iron Hammer said. “But remember, no matter what you build, you can’t lose the Ye family’s fundamental principles—be kind to people, be genuine in your dealings, and be tough on your enemies.”

Under the night sky, the lights of the new Chang'an shone like stars on the ground. And the stars in the sky silently watched over this new nation on the ancient continent, and watched over the growth of this new generation of the family.

Ye Guigen finished his tea, feeling the warmth of the tea flow from his throat to his heart.

He thought, perhaps this is what inheritance is.

It is not a transfer of wealth, nor a handover of power, but a continuation of a spirit—the indomitable spirit that strives to grow food in the Gobi Desert, build hospitals in war-torn lands, and make its voice heard on the edge of the world.

And now, this spirit flows in his blood.

He will take it with him to a wider world.

As the plane soared back into the sky, Ye Guigen looked back through the porthole. The East African plateau gradually receded in the morning light, but the awe and enlightenment he felt were deeply imprinted in his heart.

London is waiting.

He is no longer the Ye Guigen who left.

He has witnessed the rise of a city, the birth of a nation, and how the power of a family can be transformed into the well-being of millions.

Now, he knew his mission.

It's not about repeating what predecessors did, but about forging a new path.

Connect the world through investment, create value through innovation, and promote goodwill through capital.

This is the path of returning to one's roots.

The plane broke through the clouds and flew north.

Meanwhile, on the East African plateau, a new day has begun.

The sun rises as usual, illuminating this land full of hope.

It also illuminated a young man.

It's just beginning.

A long journey. (End of Chapter)