Chapter 380: Something Only a Madman Would Do

"Hiss..." President Joko Widodo clicked his tongue,
"Give them a message too. If they dare to use the vaccine to blackmail us, it's not a commercial issue anymore; it'll escalate into a diplomatic incident!
If we tear off the mask of civility, no one will get away unscathed!"
"I...I'll do my best to convey it. But those guys are lunatics; we don't know what they'll do. We need to be prepared internally."
"Hmph! If they dare to run wild on Indonesian soil, they'll taste what it means to pay a bloody price!"
President Joko Widodo had already prepared for the worst.
If Fang Huan Investment dared to act recklessly, even if it meant rivers of blood, he would let them know that Indonesia was not to be trifled with!
The president was fuming like a bull in his office, panting heavily.
Meanwhile, the vice president beside him was already feeling uneasy.
Fang Huan Investment...those guys were known worldwide for their unpredictable and mad tactics.
***
Egypt, the Suez Canal.
This is the golden artery of world trade, the maritime chokepoint connecting East and West.
It connects the Sinai Peninsula to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Red Sea to the south, serving as a transportation hub for three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Like a divine blade, it cleaved the borders of Asia and Africa.
Once upon a time, ships traveling between Europe and Asia had to circumnavigate the distant and perilous Cape of Good Hope in Africa.
The construction of the Suez Canal shortened this voyage by a full nine thousand kilometers, saving nearly ten days for each journey.
This is a miracle that could change the world!
"Hey, today the ships are coming in like dumplings, one after another."
The canal management staff sipped their coffee, watching the giant ships slowly enter the channel.
Recalling the early days of the pandemic, when the world was at a standstill, the once bustling canal was now deserted, not a single ship in sight.
But who could have imagined that fortunes would turn around? Maritime trade has not only not declined, but has exploded, with business volume so high that the canal is packed like a subway during rush hour; you could practically walk on the backs of boats to reach the other side.
"But this wind is a bit strange today."
"Hey, a little wind is nothing, it won't capsize the boats, will it?"
"Hahaha, that's true."
Just as the employees were chatting and laughing, directing the boats through the water in an orderly fashion, something unexpected happened.
"Huh? What's that thing? Why is it veering off course?"
"Holy crap! Holy crap! What's wrong with that ship?!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, a colossal container ship, comparable to a moving mountain, suddenly veered off course like a drunkard, its massive hull beginning to rock violently.
In the blink of an eye!
BOOM—!!!
A deafening metallic crash and tearing sound echoed through the heavens!
The giant ship crashed headfirst into the canal embankment, and then, due to its immense inertia, came to a complete stop, wedged sideways in the middle of the narrow waterway!
"My God!"
"Holy shit!!!"
The giant ship ran aground on the spot, its massive body like a damned giant iron rod, perfectly blocking the entire Suez Canal... completely!
All the staff at the canal management station were frozen in place, as if under a spell, their eyes wide and blank, staring at the absurd and bizarre scene before them!
At this moment, this vital artery of global trade, through which countless ships passed daily, was forcibly "sealed"!
***
Meanwhile, in Indonesia.
After firmly rejecting Fang Huan Investment's proposal regarding nickel mines, the Indonesian government went on high alert.
They were constantly on guard, fearing that Fang Huan Investment might cause trouble within their country.
However, for several days, all was calm.
The retaliation they had anticipated did not arrive.
Those active terrorist forces were surprisingly well-behaved.
Apart from that damned mutated virus, there seemed to be nothing to worry about domestically.
"Could it be... they were just asking casually? What about the vaccines? Were they all shipped on time?" President Joko Widodo wondered.
"Yes, Mr. President. News from the shipping company indicates that the various raw materials and vaccines we urgently need are on their way."
For Indonesia now, the vaccine is a lifeline.
It must be contained before the virus completely spirals out of control.
Only then will other countries feel safe to open their borders to tourism.
"Fortunately, they didn't use the vaccine as leverage."
President Joko Widodo breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed his warning about a "diplomatic war" had worked.
However, given Fang Huan Investment's notorious reputation for being vengeful, their sudden silence was indeed somewhat unusual.
Well, perhaps they didn't want to confront a country that was already desperate.
Just as he was thinking this...
"You...what did you say?! How is this possible?!"
A message that left him completely blank struck the Presidential Palace like a thunderbolt.
"The Suez Canal...is blocked?!"
"It's absolutely true! Breaking news all over the world is reporting it!
A giant cargo ship, reportedly due to strong winds, captain's error, and mechanical failure, has gone out of control and is now stuck sideways in the canal!
Now, all ships passing through are paralyzed!"
This is no lie. Major news channels have begun repeatedly broadcasting aerial footage of the giant ship blocking the canal like a giant roadblock.
"The most fatal thing is... those shipments of goods that Indonesia urgently needs are all stuck there!"
"What?! Could it be that our vaccines are also..."
"Yes! Not only vaccines, but also various crucial industrial raw materials are all stuck behind!
It's estimated that the delay will be at least... twenty days!
Moreover, vaccines require ultra-low temperature cold chain transportation throughout the entire process. Such a long delay will cause major problems with fuel and equipment maintenance on the ships, and the quality of the vaccines...
maybe cannot be guaranteed!"
"!!!"
With the mutated virus spreading like wildfire within the country, and the entire nation desperately waiting for a vaccine to save lives, and then... this happened?!
President Joko Widodo was just a moment ago relieved that Fang Huan Investment hadn't used the vaccines for malicious purposes; now, he felt like a complete fool.
Who could have imagined?
Who the hell could have imagined!
The Suez Canal, actually blocked because of such an outrageous accident?!
"Wait..."
Suddenly, an extremely crazy and chilling thought, like a venomous snake, burrowed up President Joko Widodo's spine and into his brain.
Was this... really just an accident?
"You just said... the cause was strong winds, mechanical failure... and the captain's mistake?"
"Yes, the report says the captain was inexperienced."
"The captain... didn't do it on purpose?"
"Huh? Mr. President, how is that possible?
This is a devastating event that could severely damage the global economy. Who would be crazy enough to do something like this on purpose..."
Yes.
This is something only a madman would do.
It's something no one could have predicted... utterly insane.
But...
What if it was Fang Huan Investment?
Aren't those people famous for doing all sorts of unpredictable "madman acts"?
A chilling, bone-deep coldness instantly shot from President Joko Widodo's tailbone to the top of his head!