Chapter 444: The Super-Rich Sugar Daddy

From the moment Fanghuan Investment announced the establishment of PMC, the eyes of the world were fixed on it.
Of course, the most vigilant and tense was undoubtedly the United States.
"Fanghuan Investment... those guys are a bunch of devils in financial cloak!"
Aiden paced irritably in the Oval Office, feeling like he'd lost even more hair.
In his eyes, they were a group of top-tier conspirators and predators who could manipulate the world economy at will, unleash financial storms across the globe, and then wash their hands cleanly, leaving no trace behind!
"Such a meticulous and ruthless bunch, and now they want to control a private army?
Absolutely not! Not a chance!"
Aiden had made up his mind to stop Fanghuan Investment from extending its tentacles into the military field, no matter what.
Heaven knows what kind of heinous things these dangerous lunatics would do once they possessed a machine of violence!
“But Mr. Aiden, their cause is perfectly… legitimate.”
The Secretary-General said cautiously, “To combat the increasingly rampant piracy.”
“Nonsense! The increase in piracy is a direct result of these financial giants stirring up trouble around the world!”
Aiden scoffed.
“No! Wait a minute, they might be the biggest masterminds behind all this, orchestrating it all themselves!
Those pirates are an organization they secretly nurtured!”
Fang Huan’s charitable foundation spends lavishly around the world, ostensibly doing good deeds, but who knows how many unknown forces that money is secretly feeding?
In Aiden’s view, everything happening at sea right now is very likely a carefully orchestrated ruse by Fang Huan Investment to gain a “righteous” legitimacy!
“I told you last time, keep a close eye on them!” Aiden’s eyes sharpened.
“If Fang Huan Investment dares to equip its crew with heavy weaponry under the guise of escort duties, or illegally modify its ships into quasi-warships, we will immediately invoke international law, personally intervene, and deal with them to the death!”
This was the real reason Aiden was closely monitoring Fang Huan PMC.
They were also waiting for a legitimate reason.
As long as Fang Huan Investment dared to cross that red line and violate international law, then they could rightfully wield the iron fist of justice.
At that time, they could not only dismantle Fang Huan’s PMC in one fell swoop, but also follow the trail to thoroughly investigate all related personnel, settling all the old and new grudges accumulated over the years!
Therefore, deep down, Aiden was even secretly praying:
Come on, Fang Huan, hurry up and send your armed warships out to sea!
My big stick has been thirsting for blood for a long time!
“But… Mr. Aiden, I’m afraid… your plan is going to fall through.”
“What? Why? Did those guys chicken out and cancel the PMC plan?” Aiden was taken aback.
“No, quite the opposite. Their PMC has already been registered in Turkey and is recruiting on a massive scale, from former special forces elites to all sorts of ruthless individuals.”
“Then where’s the problem?”
“The problem is… Fanghuan Investment has just… reached a strategic cooperation agreement with Nigeria.”
Aiden frowned, not immediately understanding the Secretary-General's meaning.
"Not only Nigeria, but according to reliable intelligence, they are also in contact with the governments of Togo and Somalia."
"Is...is there a problem?"
"A huge problem!" The Secretary-General's face turned extremely grim.
"This means that Fanghuan Investment can bypass all restrictions of international law and directly 'invest' in the navies of these countries most rife with piracy!"
"...!?"
Only now did Aiden's tired, slightly sleepy eyes widen in shock.
"Wait, you mean, these sons of bitches, they want to...!"
"Yes, Mr. Aiden." The Secretary-General nodded with difficulty.
"They don't build their own warships, but directly fund the navies of those countries, helping them purchase the most advanced warships and weapons, and then...
then, through 'leasing,' they seize command and control of these warships!
The whole process is completely legal, perfectly circumventing all restrictions of international law!
Moreover, their reason for purchasing warships and weapons is 'helping allies eliminate piracy,' and nobody can find fault with that!"
"!!!"
Aiden felt as if he had been hit hard on the back of the head with a hammer.
The countries that Fang Huan Investment was contacting had virtually no military power and their national order was in complete disarray; otherwise, they wouldn't have become havens for pirates.
But now, Fang Huan, this incredibly wealthy patron, has suddenly appeared like a savior, using the guise of "investment" to arm and even control the militaries of these countries with massive sums of money…
What a terrifying scene that would be!
"On the surface, those are Nigerian warships, but in reality, they are Fang Huan's private fleet!
Those countries can't even muster enough qualified soldiers, so the ships must be operated entirely by elite troops recruited by Fang Huan's PMC!
Furthermore, Fang Huan is continuously sending money to the military leadership of those countries under the guise of 'military pay' and 'aid cooperation'…
Before long, that navy will only obey Fang Huan's orders!"
The allure of a powerful army.
For those countries mired in poverty and weakness, this is an irresistible devil's contract.
They have no choice but to agree.
"They might even think this is a golden opportunity!
They can use Fang Huan's power to eliminate the piracy scourge, and with Fang Huan's capital backing them, they can secure massive investment to develop their national economies—a win-win situation, a windfall!"
"Then Fang Huan Investment will naturally possess a well-equipped, powerful, and completely legal private fleet?"
"Yes. And the most terrifying thing is that the other two countries are also highly likely to follow in Nigeria's footsteps and fall into Fang Huan's 'clutches.'"
This is blatant conspiracy!
Anyone can see Fang Huan Investment's obvious ambition:
By circumventing international law, using their overflowing wealth, they'll forcibly create their own armed force!
"The most fatal thing is that we have absolutely no way to stop them from doing this."
The Secretary-General's voice was filled with despair.
"Fang Huan just released a statement declaring that their escort fleet will not only protect their own ships but also provide free security services to all vessels passing through the area, and will proactively crack down on pirates to maintain the safety of shipping lanes…
They've completely seized the moral high ground!
Even that madman Smarck publicly expressed his strong support and appreciation on social media for this righteous act of 'suppressing pirates and maintaining the safety of shipping lanes'!"
These cunning bastards have even won over the hearts and minds of the people!
And the timing is fucking perfect!
Just recently, a cargo ship was attacked by pirates, and the crew was brutally murdered, sparking strong global outrage.
This…could this also be part of Fang Huan's scheme?
No, it must be! It's definitely these bastards pulling the strings behind the scenes!
"Fanghuan Shipping has practically devoured the entire industry. Eight out of ten ships on the high seas now belong to them.
They're protecting their own interests with such self-righteousness!"
Aiden was disgusted by Fanghuan's shameless hypocrisy.
But what angered and frustrated him even more was that, faced with Fanghuan Investment, which claimed to be fighting piracy and maintaining world peace, they couldn't find a single reason to stop them!
Besides banging on the table and staring blankly, there was absolutely nothing they could do!