Chapter 440: Why not just build one yourself?

"Boss! Something terrible has happened! I'm so sorry, but the news is too urgent!"
"What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"
"News just came in... our two remaining cargo ships, which were on their way back... have also... been attacked by pirates! They're not coming back now!"
"!?... Chairman, did you hear that?"
The questioning tone was like a silent roar:
See! Do you still think I'm exaggerating?
"Huff..."
Bezos let out a long breath. He had to admit that he had misjudged this time.
"Aaron," it seemed, had truly become meat on Fang Huan's chopping block.
"Summon the board immediately," his voice finally cracked with anger, "It seems it's time... to go all out and fight a tough battle."
The long-absent smell of gunpowder finally drew the attention of this tycoon, who was engrossed in the stars, back to this chaotic ground battlefield.
***
Meanwhile, inside Fang Huan Investment.
"Another attack?"
Inside the office, Su Hao listened to Liu Bo's report, his brow furrowed.
"Yes, Chairman Su. And according to the reports from the scene, this attack is more ferocious than any before.
The pirates used to just grab the goods and run, rarely harming anyone. But this time… they actually opened fire."
"What about our hired escort ships?"
"That's the problem! The escort ships are completely ineffective, like paper. Not only did they not help, they caused even greater casualties."
Su Hao pondered to himself, had he underestimated these desperate criminals?
The situation was far more serious than he had anticipated.
Although intelligence indicated that the number of pirates in this area had indeed increased significantly, it shouldn't be this rampant.
He hadn't expected these guys' ruthlessness to escalate so quickly, to the point of treating human life as worthless.
"On the one hand, naval power has diminished significantly due to budget cuts, making them less formidable.
On the other hand, while piracy used to be concentrated in Somalia and Nigeria, it's now spreading throughout the entire Asian shipping lanes."
Somali pirates? That's ancient history.
Now, in the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and more…
Countless grassroots organizations from various countries, driven by the need for survival, have taken up arms and amassed a new era of "sea bandits."
"Even more dangerous is that many of these emerging pirates are ruthless and merciless killers.
Panic is spreading among the crew members; many have already submitted their resignations, refusing to continue."
This is no longer just business competition; it's a genuine crisis.
Infighting among competitors still has its rules; at worst, it's a battle of capital and strategy.
But piracy isn't business; it's a life-or-death gamble!
Why are the crew members quitting? The reason is simple: no matter how much money you're paid, you need to be alive to spend it.
“Should we increase the number of escort ships? Or hire a more professional security company?” Su Hao asked.
“Chairman Su, there aren’t many companies in the market doing this kind of work.
It’s tough, time-consuming, and risky, and the profits aren’t exorbitant.”
"What's worse, many of the pirate groups now are tough guys retired special forces soldiers. Their expertise is top-notch, and we 'security' personnel are no match for them."
Elite soldiers, former elite soldiers, ending up in pirate organizations—this world is indeed becoming increasingly bizarre.
This is a tricky situation.
We can't call for naval protection every time we encounter pirates, can we?
Besides, it's too late; by the time the naval fleet arrives, the pirates will have already pocketed their spoils and celebrated their victory.
"It's really difficult… Navies around the world are downsizing, their influence is much less than before.
And these security companies aren't run by us; we can't mobilize them in a critical moment, and they're unreliable."
Just then!
Liu Bo's unintentional complaint, like a bolt of lightning, cleaved through the fog in Su Hao's mind.
His intuition was triggered.
“Wait,” Su Hao’s eyes suddenly sharpened, “What did you say in your last sentence?”
“Huh? I said…the navy’s influence is not what it used to be…”
“Not that.”
“I meant…these security companies, they’re not run by us, they can’t be relied on in a critical moment…”
That’s it!
A bold, almost insane idea instantly formed in Su Hao’s mind.
A seemingly intractable deadlock often has a solution that is shockingly simple.
Since the security companies on the market are all utterly useless and unreliable…
Why don’t we just build one ourselves?
"This idea... I think it'll work!"
Liu Bo was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up:
"That's right! Why are those security companies so bad? Frankly, it's a matter of money and equipment!
Weapons, personnel, ship performance—everything costs a fortune.
If Fang Huan is willing to throw money at it, provide the manpower and weapons, and solve these problems all at once, the quality of the escort will undergo a revolutionary change!"
Time waits for no one.
There's no time to hesitate!
Who knows which cargo ship will be attacked next? This plan must proceed as quickly as possible!
“But, this kind of company can't be registered domestically, right?”
“Yes, absolutely not domestically. Arms trading is a red line. But we can register overseas!
Especially near our main shipping routes, finding a place to land there would be perfect.”
“Good! Show me the main shipping route map of Fanghuan Shipping.”
“Understood.”
Su Hao knew very well that if he really wanted to establish this company, one headquarters wasn't enough. Multiple outposts needed to be established around the world, like nails firmly embedded in the global map.
Especially in those high-risk areas rife with piracy, a concentrated deployment of Thunder Force was essential!
Su Hao's gaze slowly swept across the global shipping route map on the screen.
Those crisscrossing blue lines were Fanghuan Shipping's global economic lifeline.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed on a certain point on the map.
In that instant, it was as if a beam of intense light burst forth from that location, instantly illuminating his entire thought process.
“Here…”
His intuition had already found the unique and best answer for him.