Chapter 918: Chapter 918

Ding Fan brought Wang Zhian and Xie Lingling along with a cargo ship to Yongfan Island. As for Sun Qi, Ding Fan didn't bring him over; he is currently in seclusion in Dancheng, still digesting some of the alchemy techniques Ding Fan taught him earlier.

Similarly, Ding Fan did not bring Spirit Sect disciple Mei Zhi back. Mei Zhi has been having moments of enlightenment lately and is also in seclusion.

Ding Fan and his companions returned to Yongfan Island without much difficulty.

At present, Yongfan Island's construction demands a large amount of building materials, so a cargo ship nearly arrives every two or three days.

Currently, Yongfan Island compared to the chaotic past has vastly improved. Hu Jin has intensified the development of basic infrastructure: police stations, schools, and hospitals are being built across different areas.

In addition to these, some large supermarkets have also started opening. Although the island still doesn't appear particularly developed, it now has a thriving and burgeoning atmosphere.

Ding Fan immediately brought Wang Zhian and Xie Lingling to the Municipal Center.

The Municipal Center used to be an office building for a Tusi. Since it is located in Yongfan Island's central region, Hu Jin repurposed it as the new Municipal Center.

Upon hearing that Ding Fan returned, Hu Jin quickly came over.

It had been some time since Ding Fan left, and the island's development progress needed to be reported to him.

As Hu Jin arrived, Ding Fan thought it best to summon all the key personnel responsible for the island's major sectors.

Soon, people like Huang Can, responsible for military affairs, Fang Ruohan, overseeing Yongfan Island's public security, and Zhou Ruoran, in charge of legal affairs, were all invited over.

It didn't take long before everyone had gathered.

"Ruohan, why don't you start by reporting on the current security situation on the island?" Ding Fan asked.

Once, Yongfan Island was a haven for crime and chaos. Now, the issue of public security was Ding Fan's primary concern.

Fang Ruohan nodded and took out a stack of documents. "In the past month, we have recruited over 200 police officers and deployed them across all twelve of the restructured towns, each equipped with a local police station. There have been a few violent incidents during this period, but with the army's cooperation, we managed to stabilize the situation. For key troublemakers, we imposed penalties. This action has already shocked some of the remaining lawbreakers, and incidents of criminal activities are increasingly rare…"

Yongfan Island's foundation is still weak; expecting drastic changes overnight is unrealistic. Everything must be improved step by step; otherwise, it's just like trying to hasten growth by pulling the sprouts.

After Fang Ruohan finished his report, Zhou Ruoran also provided updates on legal development efforts.

Yongfan Island's legal framework now primarily mirrors Huaxia Country's criminal code. In addition, based on Yongfan Island's current circumstances, Zhou Ruoran has made relevant adjustments.

With Zhou Ruoran's legal code, the police stations now have clear legal guidelines for their actions.

Turning to the military, Huang Can delivered his report. Currently, Yongfan Island's armed forces consist of six brigades, with a total strength of around ten thousand soldiers.

All six brigades are equipped with standard military gear from Huaxia Country's ground forces.

However, the current issue for the military is the lack of heavy weaponry and anti-aircraft equipment.

Huang Can, having attended military academy, understands that modern warfare differs significantly from the conflicts fought to unify Yongfan Island, akin to the wars initiated by the Stars and Stripes Country.

When fighter jets strike, they conduct precise surgical attacks on ground forces.

Without anti-aircraft weapons, Yongfan Island would be at a severe disadvantage in the event of a conflict.

Currently, the only heavy weaponry on the island are two M2 heavy tanks purchased by Ding Fan from Smith.

After listening to Huang Can's report, Ding Fan started contemplating. It might be time for him to make another trip to the Middle East to purchase some anti-aircraft weapons.

Additionally, Ding Fan plans to acquire other missile systems. Solely relying on ground forces alone is insufficient.

After everyone finished their reports, Hu Jin began her update as well.

"…During this period of development, we've established power plants, and now half of the twelve towns under our jurisdiction have access to electricity. Furthermore, we've also built a water treatment plant… What we're lacking most now are management talents across various domains."

Hu Jin repeatedly emphasized the importance of talent in her reports.

Ding Fan smiled and said, "Hu Jin, speaking of talent, I've brought you some true professionals this time!"

Ding Fan then introduced Wang Zhian and Xie Lingling to Hu Jin.

When Hu Jin heard that Wang Zhian and Xie Lingling were experts in urban construction and planning management, her eyes sparkled with delight.

After all, Yongfan Island is truly desperate for skilled individuals right now.

During the meeting, Hu Jin entrusted the island's planning and development to the two of them.

The attendees also set out some key tasks for the next stage of work, with the priority being further accelerating Yongfan Island's development.

Moreover, to attract talents, they decided to establish an online public community, recruiting top talents globally with the promise of the highest compensation and adopting Huaxia Company's benefits system.

In other words, upon reaching the mid-level management tier, individuals would receive one ultimate version of the Stabilizing Pill annually. At the senior management level, they would receive one Revitalizing Pill per year.

Ding Fan believed that such an offer would appeal to many people.

When the meeting ended, everyone dispersed quickly—even Zhou Ruoran didn't have much time to chat with Ding Fan, as the construction efforts on Yongfan Island were incredibly demanding.

However, Huang Can stayed behind. Ding Fan sensed that Huang Can had something to report.

"General, due to our previous war to unify Yongfan Island, we've infringed upon the interests of several neighboring countries. Now, these countries are eyeing us with hostility."

Huang Can still referred to Ding Fan as "General."

This was something Ding Fan was well aware of. Many of Yongfan Island's former Tusis were backed by these countries. After investing so much money and effort into fostering their proxies, it was natural for them to harbor resentment after losing power to Ding Fan.

Huang Can continued, "Currently, Vietnam is the most aggressive. Cargo ships delivering construction materials to us were recently harassed by the Vietnam Navy… It was only thanks to the timely intervention of the Huaxia Navy that Vietnam withdrew."

Ding Fan frowned upon hearing this.

Construction materials from Huaxia Country are the most vital resources needed for Yongfan Island's growth. If Vietnam truly blocks the maritime routes, then further development would become impossible.

Now Ding Fan was pondering how to address this issue. Although the Huaxia Navy helped repel the Vietnam Navy this time, he couldn't always rely on their assistance in the future.

"What about India and Myanmar? What's their current stance?" Ding Fan asked.

India and Myanmar, along with Vietnam, had all previously declared sovereignty over Yongfan Island. Now that Vietnam was taking action, it seemed inevitable that India and Myanmar would follow suit.

"For now, Myanmar and India are quiet, but I suspect they won't remain inactive for long," Huang Can replied.

"Leave this matter to me," Ding Fan said calmly.

Yongfan Island lacked naval resources and couldn't afford a direct confrontation with Vietnam's navy. Thus, dealing with the Vietnam Navy would have to be handled personally by Ding Fan.

Huang Can trusted Ding Fan's abilities, even if he didn't fully understand what his plan might be. History had proven that Yongfan Island overcame multiple crises thanks to Ding Fan's timely interventions.

In the days that followed, Ding Fan kept his distance from Huang Can, Zhou Ruoran, and others, spending his time in isolation.

Soon afterward, an explosive piece of news broke out.

A heavy destroyer belonging to the Vietnam Navy mysteriously sank near Yongfan Island's waters.

The news caused a global stir.

The heavy destroyer was an advanced and expensive asset purchased from the Stars and Stripes Country, reportedly said to rival the most powerful destroyer in Huaxia Country.

Yet, this technologically advanced warship mysteriously sank, with all 200+ soldiers aboard perishing—all drowned, leaving no survivors.

Vietnam sent search and rescue vessels, but those too inexplicably sank upon entering Yongfan Island's waters...

Shortly after, Vietnam's officials offered a plausible explanation, claiming mysterious magnetic fields near Yongfan Island were likely responsible for sinking their ships.

Huang Can, seeing the reports, was almost certain Ding Fan was behind these events. Otherwise, why were civilian cargo ships delivering construction materials unaffected, while only Vietnamese naval vessels met such fate? ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

After several instances of Vietnamese naval ships sinking, no more military ships ventured near Yongfan Island.

The area became known as the Vietnam Navy's forbidden zone.

As Huang Can suspected, Ding Fan was indeed responsible for these incidents.

After the Vietnamese Navy harassed the cargo vessels, Ding Fan started patrolling the area. Whenever he found Vietnamese warships, he took action.

For Ding Fan, a cultivator in the Golden Core Stage, sinking a destroyer was hardly a difficult task.

Once the Vietnam Navy stopped encroaching, Ding Fan no longer needed to patrol the reefs.

He returned to Yongfan Island and spent the next few days immersed in cultivation.

One day, while Ding Fan was still cultivating, Huang Can approached him directly.

"General, we received a letter addressed to you at the Municipal Center today," Huang Can announced.

Ding Fan found this curious and immediately took the envelope. Upon opening it, his expression grew grim.

The contents of the letter were harshly worded.

"…Ding Fan, come to Yongfan Island's rear isle tonight, alone, or I will slaughter everyone on the island… Wanmo Sect!"

The Wanmo Sect and Upper Xuan Sect were among the most prominent forces in the Hidden Sects. It was said that Upper Xuan Sect was the foremost righteous sect, while Wanmo Sect stood as the foremost demonic sect...

Once, Ding Fan had directly killed Wanmo Sect's leader's son, and later even his adopted son. Not to mention various protectors of the sect whom Ding Fan also eliminated.

It seemed clear that Ding Fan had become a major enemy of the Wanmo Sect. What surprised him was that it had taken this long for the sect to retaliate.

"General, should I mobilize the troops…" Huang Can asked.

"No need. This is my personal affair; I'll handle it myself," Ding Fan replied with a dismissive wave.