Chapter 940: Chapter 940

Ding Fan glanced directly at Huang Can. "Can the helicopter squadron engage in combat?"

"General, the helicopter squadron's pilots have just learned the basic operations. Are we really going to send them into combat now?"

Huang Can seemed uncertain at this moment.

Currently, the most advanced equipment on Yongfan Island was this batch of helicopters. If they were to be all shot down in their first battle, that would be far too regrettable.

"No problem. Superior skills are all honed through actual combat," Ding Fan said calmly.

Ding Fan had to constantly temper his troops now; he couldn't resolve every problem personally forever.

Seeing Ding Fan's firm stance, Huang Can had no more to say. "Alright, I will arrange for the helicopter squadron to take off for battle immediately."

"Wait!" Just then, a voice interrupted.

The crowd turned to look, and the person who arrived was none other than Hu Jin, hurriedly walking over with a secretary in tow.

"Island Master, we can't hastily resort to force right now. If a war breaks out, we lack the capability to go head-to-head with the other side," Hu Jin said.

Ding Fan looked at Hu Jin. "Then what should we do now? Just watch Vietnam's maritime surveillance ships parade outside in glory?"

"We can resolve this through other channels, but I firmly oppose using force. We can issue a condemnation, we can..."

Ding Fan interrupted Hu Jin with a laugh. "Sometimes, unless you make your opponent feel the pain, they'll never understand the kind of people they've provoked."

"But what about the international repercussions?" Hu Jin tried to persuade Ding Fan further.

"The person with the bigger fist holds the reason. Otherwise, everything else is pointless," Ding Fan said and turned to Huang Can. "Order the helicopter squadron to bomb Vietnam's maritime surveillance ships—sink them for me!"

As a soldier, Huang Can immediately responded with a salute. "Mission guaranteed to be completed."

Having said that, Huang Can left without hesitation.

Ding Fan didn't want to stay around listening to Hu Jin's preaching anymore. He stretched lazily. "I'm feeling pretty tired... I'm off to sleep."

With that, Ding Fan turned and walked away.

Seeing that they were irrelevant to what was happening, Ruan Yuan and Ye Tianshi also turned and left.

Hu Jin was the only one left standing there.

Hu Jin watched Ding Fan's departing figure. "This Demon King of Chaos... He's going to ruin Yongfan Island..."

Though furious, Hu Jin dared not say more. After all, the island master of Yongfan Island was Ding Fan. Stamping her feet in frustration, she finally turned and left.

In the waters near Yongfan Island.

Two Vietnamese maritime surveillance ships were anchored there.

On one of the ships, a Vietnamese navy officer held binoculars and observed Yongfan Island.

"Captain, it seems we've successfully intimidated them today—detaining Huaxia Country's cargo ship and shelling Yongfan Island's fishing boats. The Huaxia people and Yongfan Island residents haven't dared to retaliate yet; I haven't seen any movement from them," said a dark-skinned officer beside him.

"Second Lieutenant Li Guangtai, Huaxia people are naturally submissive. As long as you're willing to strike first, they will fear you. If you let them have their way, then they'll start thinking of themselves as invincible. To put it simply, Huaxia people are vain, cowardly, and weak,"

Li Guangtai chuckled beside him. "Captain's insight is truly accurate. We've detained Huaxia's cargo ship and their crew members, yet Huaxia hasn't uttered a word of protest. The residents of Yongfan Island have also submitted to us."

Laughing smugly, the Vietnamese captain declared, "From now on, order all crew: whenever you spot Yongfan Island's fishing boats in this area, sink them immediately! These disorganized rabble dare to clash with Vietnam Country? Let them taste some suffering."

Li Guangtai nodded. "Understood, Captain. I'll notify the men. We won't spare any ammunition when the time comes; we'll make sure Yongfan Island learns a proper lesson."

The captain nodded again. "Also, there's one more thing: if you spot any Huaxia cargo or merchant ships, detain them all. We've declared sovereignty over this area. If they still come here, it's a serious provocation."

Li Guangtai replied, "Alright."

The captain once again lifted his binoculars towards Yongfan Island. "Cowardly Huaxia people... Hm?"

However, before he could finish speaking, he suddenly tensed up.

Beside him, Li Guangtai noticed the captain's shift in attitude. "Captain, what's wrong?"

"These... these helicopters... what's going on with them?"

Through the captain's binoculars appeared two formations of helicopters, five per group, swiftly approaching.

The captain could see clearly: the helicopters were flying in from the direction of Yongfan Island.

As the helicopters moved closer, they quickly came into view. Li Guangtai also clearly saw the sight before him.

"These... could these helicopters belong to the residents of Yongfan Island..."

At that moment, all ten helicopters opened fire. In mere seconds, the two Vietnamese maritime surveillance ships were engulfed in flames and sunk.

The two Vietnamese officers who had just been mocking Huaxia's weakness suddenly realized how grave their mistake had been.

Never lightly provoke the Huaxia people, or the consequences could indeed be severe.

The news of Vietnamese maritime surveillance ships being sunk in Yongfan Island's waters quickly shook the world.

It must be noted that Vietnam Country had once claimed to be the world's third-largest military power—self-proclaimed, of course—but nonetheless, it had some degree of military strength.

Although political frictions and disputes between nations were common, rarely did any country take direct military action. The international norm was to address border disputes through condemnation and diplomatic measures.

But Yongfan Island acted ruthlessly. After the conflict arose, they wasted no time, directly deploying armed helicopters to sink two Vietnamese surveillance ships.

Vietnam Country responded with strong condemnation towards Yongfan Island's actions.

However, at this moment, Vietnam Country could only resort to condemnation.

Earlier, Ding Fan had stirred conflict between India and Vietnam in their maritime disputes. While the tension between the two nations quickly resolved, the atmosphere remained tense.

India had also proclaimed sovereignty over Yongfan Island's waters previously. Any military moves against Yongfan Island in the current fragile regional situation could escalate tensions between Vietnam Country and India further.

The second reason Vietnam dared not act recklessly was that Huaxia Country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had entered the fray.

After Vietnam detained a Huaxia cargo ship, Huaxia strongly condemned the action.

Although Huaxia did not explicitly declare support for Yongfan Island, astute observers could discern that Huaxia was clearly siding with Yongfan Island.

As for appealing to the United Nations Organization for a resolution, that seemed unlikely. The primary obstacle was Vietnam Country's past grievances with the Stars and Stripes Country, which holds significant sway over the UN. Thus, seeking a resolution through international channels was unfeasible.

All things considered, Vietnam Country could only protest against Yongfan Island without taking any concrete action.

Hu Jin had not expected the situation to be resolved so easily.

To her, sinking Vietnam Country's surveillance ships almost signaled the outbreak of war. She hadn't anticipated Vietnam Country making such a loud fuss yet ultimately backing down so quietly.

After the incident, Hu Jin specifically asked Ding Fan whether he had thoroughly planned everything before confidently sending helicopters into combat.

Ding Fan's answer left Hu Jin exasperated.

"They were already at our doorstep. There's no need to overthink—strike first and talk later."

It seemed Ding Fan had sunk Vietnam Country's surveillance ships without any extensive preparation—simply because he wanted to.

After hitting Vietnam Country's surveillance ships, Yongfan Island's surrounding waters became much quieter. Neither Vietnamese ships nor those from Myanmar or India could be seen anymore.

Yongfan Island was viewed as a reckless nation; provoking them would indeed bring retaliation, so the three countries avoided stirring trouble unnecessarily.

Following this decisive battle, Yongfan Island's reputation spread worldwide, gaining significant recognition.

At this time, Yongfan Island's military was becoming increasingly formidable.

Huang Can, originally a professional soldier from Huaxia, implemented Huaxia's organizational model to manage Yongfan Island's forces. Although Yongfan Island had only 10,000 inhabitants and a force of three regiments, its combat strength was remarkable.

Ding Fan had also reached out to Smith, who helped procure coastal artillery, missiles, and three light destroyers.

Honestly, Ding Fan was impressed by Smith's capabilities. These kinds of high-grade weapons weren't something just anyone could acquire.

This made Ding Fan increasingly curious about Smith's true identity.

Anyone capable of securing destroyers and missiles couldn't be an ordinary person…

Early one morning, while Ding Fan was meditating in his room, his phone rang.

Due to increased matters, Ding Fan had taken to keeping his phone within reach.

Ding Fan answered the call directly.

"Mr. Ding? This is Smith."

"I've heard Yongfan Island is developing splendidly. I'd like to visit in person," Smith said over the phone.

"You're always welcome." Since Smith was Yongfan Island's primary supplier of advanced weaponry, maintaining that relationship was crucial.

"Mr. Ding, I'll be bringing along an important figure with me this time," Smith spoke mysteriously.

Ding Fan's lips slightly curled into a smile. "Friends are always welcome on Yongfan Island."

"Great. See you tomorrow..."

Once the call ended, Ding Fan stood up and gazed at the scenery outside his window.

If Ding Fan wasn't mistaken, the 'important figure' Smith referred to was likely one of the key members of the organization backing him. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝓷𝓮𝓽

It seemed that Smith's enigmatic veil was soon to be lifted.

At around 9 AM the next day, a helicopter arrived right on time at Yongfan Island.

As the host, Ding Fan took it upon himself to personally welcome the guests.

"Mr. Ding, let me introduce you. This is Mr. Thompson," Smith said as he stepped off the helicopter, shedding his usual arrogance and respectfully introducing the middle-aged man beside him.