Chapter 178: Trying to run away? No way!

(To thank the authors "Crooked Mouth War God," "Jin," "Ye Jia Guo Who Likes Bryde's Whales," "Username 84832845," and "Your Little Bear 1" for their support and love, an extra chapter is added today!)
A roar echoed in the chairman's office.
"These Anglo-Saxon bandits! They're causing trouble in the South China Sea again!"
On the office's large screen, bold black text glared at the reader:
[The U.S. Department of Commerce has brazenly announced that, citing "endangering regional navigation safety" and "supporting militarization activities in the South China Sea," it has added several Chinese shipping companies to the "Entity List," imposing comprehensive sanctions!]
"Chairman Huang! The sanctions order has been issued!" The secretary's voice trembled.
"All shipping companies on the list will be unable to dock at ports in the United States and its allies, and will also be unable to obtain related shipping services and insurance!
This is cutting off our foreign trade lifeline at its root!"
Huang Fengwen, his face ashen, asked, "What other accusations have these sons of bitches up their sleeves this time?"
"They also accused our state-owned shipping companies of participating in 'island and reef construction' in the South China Sea and providing logistical support for 'military-civilian integration' projects..."
"Bullshit!" Huang Fengwen slammed his fist on the table in anger. "What else can they do besides spreading rumors and imposing sanctions!"
"Now... this is a huge problem." The secretary's face was extremely grave.
"Chairman Huang, although Fanghuan Shipping monopolizes the high-risk energy and bulk cargo shipping spot market, the real cornerstone of trade between China and the US—
container freight, those stable long-term strategic routes—has always been firmly controlled by those few state-owned shipping groups."
Huang Fengwen instantly understood the seriousness of the problem.
That sector was no longer just a simple business; it was the artery of national trade.
The secretary's voice grew increasingly heavy:
"Now that they're banned, this artery has been effectively severed!
The major ports are in chaos, with mountains of containers stretching as far as the eye can see, all ready to be shipped to North America!"
Logically, Fanghuan Shipping's core business is unrelated to this, so the direct impact shouldn't be the greatest.
"But… Chairman Huang," the secretary's tone suddenly shifted dramatically,
"This time, not only have we not been hit, but…by sheer coincidence, we've obtained the only key to unlocking this golden market!"
"Hmm?"
"Have you forgotten? The list that President Su had President Du acquire!
It's all 'foreign' companies registered in Southeast Asia and Panama!"
This was precisely what Huang Fengwen had been utterly baffled about before.
Why abandon the technologically advanced, well-known domestic companies and instead choose to buy those overseas "ragtag" companies?
"President Du acted swiftly, completing all the acquisitions at lightning speed.
Our holding company and group structure aren't even fully streamlined yet..."
"So?" Huang Fengwen's heart began to race.
"So!" The secretary's voice suddenly rose, "Legally speaking, those companies aren't currently our subsidiaries; they're just 'independent companies' we hold shares in through offshore funds!
They...aren't on the Americans' sanctions list at all!"
Huang Fengwen's eyes widened in shock:
"You mean...our fleet can sail freely?!"
"Yes! The Americans' sanctions have precisely targeted all our state-owned transportation companies, but perfectly bypassed us!"
The situation became incredibly surreal at that moment.
Container cargo from all over China destined for North America was stuck in the ports, and the only ones able to freely navigate this golden route were Fang Huan Group's newly formed "International Fleet," which hadn't even had time to bear its own name yet!
"So...we've become the only option?"
Huang Fengwen's voice trembled slightly, a tremor he himself didn't even notice.
"That's right!" The secretary nodded vigorously.
"It's said the Ministry of Commerce is frantic and has already contacted us!
They hope Fang Huan can 'consider the bigger picture' and open up shipping capacity to transport these stuck containers!
As for the freight...everything is negotiable!"
"Ha—"
Huang Fengwen let out a long sigh, a mixture of amusement and profound gǎnkǎi - a complex emotion encompassing both frustration and deep emotion.
He slowly sat back in his chair, feeling all his strength drain away, yet his mind was clearer than ever before.
The Americans wanted to use sanctions to cripple China's manufacturing exports, but instead, they inadvertently gifted Fang Huan Shipping a massive gift—enough to monopolize the nation's shipping capacity to the US!
Of course, the Americans eventually figured out who was behind this "international fleet."
But they were powerless to stop it!
The acquisition occurred before the sanctions, the procedure was legal, and flawless.
"This kid is buying 'protective charms' for our fleet..." Huang Fengwen muttered to himself.
What Su Hao acquired wasn't just a company.
What he acquired were clearly "global passports" that would allow him to navigate this turbulent sea without fear!
"Ah Hao...from which step did he begin his scheme?"
Huang Fengwen felt a chill run down his spine, making his hair stand on end.
This wasn't just keen insight, nor was it some kind of far-sighted planning.
This was practically divine insight!
Huang Fengwen felt like the top of his head had been blown off by this kid's brilliant calculations!
And so, a brand-new behemoth, poised to shake the entire industry—the Fanghuan Group—was unleashing its explosive growth with unstoppable momentum!
"Congratulations, Chairman Huang," the secretary said with a forced smile, suppressing her excitement.
"Didn't you say you were going to hand over the chairman's position to President Su and retire?
Now, you can't leave even if you wanted to. An unprecedented shipping empire is waiting for your coronation!"
To be honest, Huang Fengwen was still a little dazed.
He had once dreamed that if Fanghuan were to establish a group, it would definitely be a financial group.
Who could have imagined that, by a twist of fate, they would actually create a shipping empire!
And in such an unbelievable, almost miraculous way!
'I... I really just wanted to retire...'
Huang Fengwen was on the verge of tears.
That little brat Su Hao, to prevent him from running away!
He actually built him an incredibly huge, incredibly luxurious aircraft carrier, one that he absolutely couldn't disembark from!
He practically tailor-made a golden shackle for him: the "founder of the group."
He's been strapped tightly to the captain's seat!
'Trying to run?
No way!
We've welded all the windows shut!'
What the hell is this?!