Chapter 395: A Multiple Choice with No Choice

There was no long conference table as expected, no huge world map, and certainly no rows of burly, scarred men with cold expressions.
There was only one incredibly cool… computer desk, like a monarch's throne.
A top-of-the-line computer with an extravagant design and dazzling lights stood silently.
Surrounding it were an ergonomic gaming chair, a wraparound curved screen, a mechanical keyboard, professional headphones… a complete top-of-the-line setup; even a hardcore gamer would be bewildered.
These were all custom-made by Huang Fengwen to welcome him.
“What… what’s going on…” Qin Han was completely dumbfounded; his brain simply shut down.
"Come, Chairman Qin, please have a seat."
"Huh? Oh, okay... no, what's going on here?"
"Let's put those details aside for now,"
Huang Fengwen smiled and walked around to his side, flanking him with Su Hao like two guardian deities.
"Let's do the most important thing first."
"What is it?"
"Create your game ID."
"What? An ID?"
"Yeah," Su Hao also leaned in, smiling innocently, "When playing games, you need a resounding name first, right?"
"...?"
Qin Han finally sensed something was off in their words. He suddenly realized he might have misunderstood something from the beginning and immediately tried to jump up from his chair.
However, it was too late.
Su Hao and Chairman Huang had already transformed into two iron towers, pressing down firmly on his shoulders from either side, rendering him immobile.
He wanted to call for help, to summon his bodyguards, each capable of taking on ten men.
Unfortunately, none of his bodyguards came. He was now a lamb to the slaughter.
“Before signing the contract, I should have made myself clear to you, right?” Huang Fengwen’s voice came ominously, like a devil’s whisper.
“Once you step through the doors of our guild, you won’t be able to leave as you please.”
“A…guild?!” Qin Han’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
“That’s right.” Huang Fengwen patted Qin Han’s shoulder and announced, word by word:
“Welcome to…our ‘Trinity’ Guild, Chairman Qin Han!”
“!?!”
Qin Han was completely dumbfounded. He stiffly turned his head, staring blankly at Huang Fengwen.
His face clearly displayed the words—
“I’m doomed! I’ve been fucking lured into a pyramid scheme!!”
***
Meanwhile, across the ocean, on the North American continent.
"Mr. President, this is the latest report on the war situation."
President Eden of Country M took the document from his chief of staff and quickly began to read.
This war is undoubtedly the biggest focus currently gripping the world's attention.
"How long is this war expected to last?"
"Our assessment is that it will evolve into a protracted war of attrition.
The main reason is that the major power's offensive was thwarted too quickly.
The blitzkrieg attack was forcefully repelled, coupled with internal demoralization and chaotic command, all of which have led to a stalemate."
To be honest, even Eden himself had not expected that the major power would be mired in such a quagmire.
"What is our strategy?"
"If smaller countries can hold on, it's not necessarily a bad thing for us."
"But since the war has dragged on into a protracted conflict, continuing to provide weapons support to smaller nations is our optimal solution."
"To continuously deplete the national strength of the major powers?"
"Exactly. The major powers initially planned to end the fighting within a week; they weren't prepared for a protracted war at all.
The current situation has completely exceeded their expectations; they're now in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place.
This presents us with an excellent opportunity to use smaller nations as a whetstone to gradually wear down the claws and fangs of the major powers."
War is a money-shredding machine, and even more so, a meat grinder for national strength.
The US understands this better than anyone. In Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam, and other places, they have repeatedly become mired in quagmires, wasting countless amounts of money and overdrawing their national strength—a lingering, painful wound on this superpower.
"What do the smaller nations lack most now?"
"We've been supplying them with conventional light weapons. But the key to the war lies in air superiority."
The problem is, fighter jets are too expensive. Even if we were willing to provide them, they lack enough top-tier pilots to bring their aircraft to 100% of their potential.
Air power is enough to turn the tide of war.
Even with thousands of troops on the ground, a carpet bombing raid would instantly reduce them to ashes.
"So, a new issue has been raised: drones."
"Drones?"
"Yes. As the war enters a stalemate, both sides are digging trenches and constructing complex fortifications.
Using traditional missiles to precisely strike these targets is astronomically costly.
But if drones are used, the situation is completely different."
"Are the effects that significant?"
"Yes, I brought some combat footage."
The chief of staff then played a video.
Aiden had witnessed firsthand the terrifying power of drones on the battlefield.
Like ghosts, they precisely located enemies hiding in trenches and dropped deadly bombs;
They could even directly storm buildings housing enemy troops, perishing together with them.
“Mr. President, imagine thousands of these little things hovering over the battlefield—what a sight that would be.”
“…Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.”
Is this what modern warfare looks like?
The cold, ruthless hooves of technology.
“Drones are easy to operate and far less expensive than fighter jets. Using them to replace some of the functions of fighter jets could greatly save us money.”
“Then let’s provide aid for that.”
“Yes, but there’s a problem.”
“Hmm? What problem?”
“Of all the military drones currently on the market, there’s one model with the highest cost-performance ratio and the most outstanding performance. But it’s made in Turkey.”
Is there a problem with it being made in Turkey?
"The manufacturer is a Turkish defense company called 'Bayka.'
And the largest shareholder of this company is... Fanghuan Investment."
"...!"
That name is now like a trigger word; every time he hears it, Aiden's blood pressure spikes.
"How could Fanghuan Investment possibly control a Turkish defense company? This violates international arms control regulations; the Turkish government would never approve it!"
"The situation is a bit complicated. The Turkish lira plummeted recently, and to attract foreign investment, they temporarily lifted all investment restrictions.
It's said that Fanghuan Investment entered the market with lightning speed at that time, immediately targeting 'Baika' company."
"That must have been before the war broke out?"
"Yes. Reports show they entered last year and made large-scale strategic investments."
Natural gas, nickel ore, wheat… now even the military industry, they've laid their groundwork?
Just what kind of monster is this Fanghuan Investment?
"Do we absolutely have to buy their drones?"
"We can purchase other models. The problem is, the price will at least double, and the performance won't be a significant leap."
This seems to be a choice with no other option.