Reborn in 1993, Dark Sea

Money is a kind of happiness that exists in imagination. Only those who are no longer able to enjoy happiness in reality can truly focus solely on making money.

—Yang Yuanbing

"Uncle Xiao Hei, there's something I'd like to ask you to do, but it's very dangerous, possibly much more dangerous than what we did a few days ago. So you can refuse, and I won't blame you."

After thinking about it for a long time, An Xiaohai finally pulled Uncle Xiao Hei aside before setting off and told him his thoughts.

"If Xiao Hai trusts me, then I'll take care of this, haha!" Uncle Xiao Hei agreed without the slightest hesitation, his eyes filled with only relief and joy as he looked at An Xiao Hai.

An Xiaohai couldn't help but smile slightly: "I need to find a place that's about half a day's journey round trip from Rhodes Island. Since I don't know what kind of transportation they'll be using, the area is quite large."

"Is there anything special about this place?" Uncle Xiao Hei asked, frowning.

"I'm sorry, I don't know either," An Xiaohai shook his head, "Let me be more specific."

This place is the overseas headquarters of a drug trafficking organization. There should be a sizable base there to house personnel and stockpile weapons and drugs.

That's all I know; nothing else.

"No wonder...no wonder you searched all the islands along the way where there were Japanese fortifications. So you were looking for them..." Uncle Xiao Hei said, taking a deep breath.

"Does Uncle Xiao Hei know who I'm talking about?"

"I'm not sure, but I've heard some stories about drug trafficking routes by sea."

Among these legends, there is a very mysterious and powerful organization, I think it's called... the Great Roc Gang, and their base seems to be near the Rhodes Islands.

"The Dapeng Gang..." An Xiaohai gritted his teeth.

The name Dapeng Gang sounds like a branch of Feibiao Gang, but An Xiaohai didn't say anything. Since he couldn't be sure, he shouldn't say it casually, as it might mislead Uncle Xiaohei.

"Uncle Xiao Hei, to be honest, I did think a little too simply before I came here."

I thought that if this drug trafficking organization wanted to establish a maritime base and a reliable maritime transit point, it would have to choose a suitable island for survival, and one that was well-hidden.

Therefore, I had been focusing my attention on small islands with defensive fortifications left by the Japanese.

But after going around in circles like this, my thoughts have changed somewhat. I'm more inclined to believe that they wouldn't choose a small island isolated at sea.

Such islands may seem like a perfect fit, but in reality, they are quite the opposite. They are particularly easy targets and would significantly increase operating costs.

The truly wise live in seclusion in the city!

I now think that establishing the base here, or in a similar environment, would actually allow for better concealment.

"You mean... those beautifully built private islands?!"

"Yes," An Xiaohai nodded in agreement, "This place has convenient transportation, abundant resources, advanced information, and a diverse population, making it a great place to hide."

These private islands offer easy access for people and goods, and generally go unnoticed. If one maintains a good relationship with the local government or military, they can also receive their protection.

More importantly, buying a small island here, making it beautiful, can preserve its value. Owning an island in the open sea, on the other hand, offers no such thing as preserving value; it's a bottomless pit of investment.

Moreover, simply occupying a small island could easily provoke hostility from neighboring countries, making it a losing proposition.

Unless it's a tiny island known only to them, but I think in this day and age, islands like that are practically nonexistent.

"That makes a lot of sense!" Uncle Xiao Hei nodded repeatedly. "Yes, that's very likely! Xiao Hai, you're so smart!"

"Hehe, it's not that I'm smart, I just happened to remember a point that a friend and I discussed casually during a chat."

That friend loves money. He's willing to take great risks and use all sorts of methods to make money, even if it means breaking the law. But at the same time, he's also very principled and trustworthy.

Once I asked him: Why do you like money so much?

He said no, what he liked wasn't money, but the things that money could buy.

He told me that he could no longer find anything in real life that made him happy, so he wanted to try and see if he could buy happiness with money, which is why he worked so hard to make money.

The reason he adheres to principles is that he doesn't actually like money itself; therefore, he's willing to sacrifice some money in exchange for a certain level of security.

What he truly cares about is the happiness that money can buy, not money itself.

"This doesn't seem to have anything to do with finding the drug lord's base," Uncle Xiao Hei said, looking at An Xiao Hai with some doubt.

"No, it's very relevant. I've actually been thinking about this question for a while now: why do drug lords traffic drugs?"

My friend's point of view can precisely help me explain this problem.

"Tell Uncle Xiao Hei why they traffic drugs?"

"Happiness, of course, is also for the sake of happiness."

These people don't like drugs, nor do they like drug trafficking; what they want is the money from drug trafficking. So why do they want so much money? It's to buy happiness, the kind of happiness they believe in.

Happiness in reality.

So, what kind of happiness do these drug lords desire in reality? What kind of happiness is worth risking their lives for? Is it worth doing these despicable things that will bring them ruin and leave them with no descendants?

It must be a kind of happiness that is particularly difficult to obtain, or rather, there is only one kind: power.

Ultimately, what they want is power—the power to do whatever they want.

However, power can only be manifested through others; those who hide in a corner cannot enjoy the feeling of power.

Therefore, whenever possible, they will demonstrate and use this power to the world so that they can truly enjoy the pleasure that power brings them.

But in this way, they are no longer completely untraceable.

We can filter the private islands in the Rhodes Islands, first selecting the most luxurious 10%, or even 5%.

Next, locate the heavily guarded sections of these islands;

Finally, among these results, find those islands that require a large amount of resources year-round, are frequently visited by government officials, and regularly host private parties.

I think an island that meets all of these conditions is highly suspicious.

Whew~

After An Xiaohai finished speaking, he let out a long breath.

Uncle Xiao Hei also breathed a long sigh of relief, his smile returning: "Xiao Hai, don't deny it, you really are amazing!"

"Am I really that good?" An Xiaohai could only smile wryly: "I really don't think so. I'm just more eager and focused than others."

When someone spends 10 or 20 times more time and energy thinking about something than others, they will inevitably appear slightly more capable.

That's how many things are.

"Yes, well said, I'll remember that!" Uncle Xiao Hei nodded gently and repeatedly. "Xiao Hai, don't put yourself under too much pressure or push yourself too hard. You've already done very well."

"Thank you, Uncle Xiao Hei. I will be careful."

When you are looking for them, be careful. It's better not to find them than to take a risk. Just look for them casually. The key is to meet us in Port Patia on time.

I will also ask other friends to help me find them. The reason I asked you to do this as well is just to broaden my thinking.

So, don't worry about it too much.

"Don't worry, Xiao Hai, Uncle Xiao Hei will be careful."

You know what? Ever since I met you guys, Uncle Xiao Hei suddenly felt that this world actually still has a little bit of meaning, haha!

"Haha, I'm glad you think that way, Uncle Xiao Hei."

"Yes, I'm very happy too. I haven't been this happy in a long time. Well then... let's go!"

"Okay, let's go!"