Chapter 190: Chapter 106: Fist is Power (Second Update)

After understanding the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid, Su Jie finally asked the question he was most concerned about.

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“How is the investigation of the nearby warlords going? Have they made any strange moves?”

Liu Yingying took out a document and said, “Starting a month ago, three warlords from East Qin State, Guo Mindeng, Ang Yulun, and Suomin Tun, successively increased their military forces to a certain extent and have had large quantities of arms supplied through external channels, the amounts of which are quite astonishing.”

Su Jie frowned and looked at the information Liu Yingying handed over.

The document detailed the statistics on several warlords.

Among the three, the warlord with the largest population and territory was Guo Mindeng, with a soldier count reaching 18,000, even more than Jieke Security’s forces.

Comparing the military strength of the three warlords, they had a total shocking number of 35,000 soldiers.

Besides these military numbers, there were also maps of various military camps and defensive fortifications, as well as photos of the arms purchases.

Transporting large-caliber weapons like tanks in a place like Chan Country is very difficult to conduct in secret.

“It seems they’ve made up their minds, spending such massive amounts of money in a rush, eager to devour our interests,” Su Jie remarked.

Su Jie tapped his fingers lightly on the table. With such grand actions from these warlords, if it’s said to be a reflex to Jieke Security’s own military expansion, in an arms race, they might recruit a lot of soldiers, but as for those heavy equipment and weaponry, Su Jie had only managed to build such an arsenal through aggressive profiteering with Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid.

These local ’emperors’ of their own small territories simply couldn’t afford to buy so many complete armored units.

The entire Chan Country’s military didn’t even consist of more than a few hundred armored units. It was impossible for a single warlord to have such financial strength, unless there was external funding involved.

Without any precious mines, such as those for oil, iron, or natural gas in the vicinity, investing so much money to support these warlord forces made the target quite obvious.

Asder Pharmaceutical, one of the Fortune 500 multinational pharmaceutical companies, has always been coveting the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid, or more accurately, the Averson Family that controls Asder Pharmaceutical has been greedy for the profits from the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid.

Before Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid hit the market, they owned the biggest market share in the hair loss medication sector.

Now, with Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid’s impact, related products worldwide have been suffering defeats, causing significant losses to this renowned pharmaceutical company, which in turn set its sights on the lucrative Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid.

Previously, they had dispatched mercenaries to attack in an attempt to seize the formula for Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid.

After failing, it seems they plan to settle the issue with military force, which is consistent with the Anglo-Saxons’ customary way of conducting affairs.

“Keep a close eye on the situation with Guo Mindeng and the other two warlords. Inform me immediately of any troop movements. Also, have Jieke Security proceed with offensive drills and to draft war plans,” Su Jie instructed.

Su Jie was accustomed to holding the initiative. Rather than waiting for others to adjust and attack, it’s better to strike first.

After all, war is a completely different beast when it breaks out on foreign soil compared to one’s own territory in terms of the damage inflicted.

Having managed the Mande Region for so long, Su Jie had no intention of reducing it to rubble and ruins.

Liu Yingying felt a hint of concern and said, “We are at a disadvantage in terms of troop strength. Wouldn’t it be unfavorable to start a war now?”

The three warlords bordered the Mande Region, with a population of two to three million people in East Qin State, of which they controlled two million, with only seven to eight hundred thousand on the Mande side.

No matter whether it’s military strength or potential for war, the forces of the three warlords led by Guo Mindeng held the advantage.

“Don’t be afraid, although we are not ready, neither is the enemy, and the final victor will definitely be us.”

Su Jie held Liu Yingying in his arms and said with a smile, “As for the issue of numbers, we can enhance our individual soldiers’ combat effectiveness to compensate for the numerical difference.”

Feeling Su Jie’s teasing hands, Liu Yingying’s pretty face blushed. She suppressed her chaotic thoughts and asked, puzzled, “Soldier training needs to progress step by step, can this be greatly improved in a short time?”

“Of course not by ordinary methods, but we don’t take the common path. You’ll know when the time comes. Actually, what I’m really worried about isn’t these warlords; I’m worried about the United States intervening.”

Su Jie spoke calmly, pronouncing the name of Earth’s number one hegemon.

Liu Yingying began to feel insecure, questioning, “The United States shouldn’t personally get involved, right? After all, they are a country, and we don’t have any conflicting interests with them.”

“Don’t think too highly of the United States’ integrity. Now that the profits from the Tianyuan Hair Growth Liquid are so large—hundreds of billions of dollars in net profits per year, equivalent to one-tenth of the United States’ annual military expenses—it wouldn’t be surprising if they were tempted.”

Su Jie had a look of disdain. The nature of Americans as troublemakers is well known, having inherited the fine traditions of the British Empire; wherever there is war, they are sure to be found.

Look at the turmoil in the Middle East; oil brings profits, so the region can’t escape the shadow of the United States.

Jieke Company has considerable interests here as well, naturally, it will attract wolves.

Especially since this time, the opposition to Jieke Security includes Asder Pharmaceutical—a true-blue American company. With the lobbying capabilities of those interest groups, it’s hard to say whether they might intervene or not.

Unless there’s a major country to act as a shield, it’s not easy to stay stable.

Actually, Su Jie could also move all his businesses back to Hua Country, but compared to being constrained everywhere, Su Jie preferred freedom.

Many things can only be effectively managed on one’s own territory. Otherwise, places like the Fumen Breeding Farm’s underground poisonous insect breeding base would be difficult for Su Jie to establish.

Even later, as profits grow larger, not knowing how to share the wealth will make it difficult to function in any country.

So Su Jie had more faith in his own strength; the fist is the authority. Every relied-upon power may collapse, so it’s better to be self-reliant. It may be tougher, but it leads to a more comfortable and free life.

“So, are we still going to war?”

Liu Yingying was somewhat confused by Su Jie’s words. Thinking about the possibility of conflict with the United States—the top military power of Blue Star—she couldn’t help feeling tense.

“The fight must definitely happen,” Su Jie said. “Better to land a punch now than take a hundred later. We can’t be indecisive because we’re worried about intervention from the United States.

When facing hungry wolves and other wild beasts, feeding them pieces of your flesh will only make them greedier. You must pick up the stick and the gun to make them back down and bare their teeth less.”

Su Jie’s expression was icy, not showing a shred of weakness.

If he failed, at worst he could hide in Tianyuan World for a while before making a comeback—Su Jie had the confidence for that.

Liu Yingying, looking up at Su Jie’s resolute face, her eyes filled with admiration, couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck proactively.

Feeling the gradually rising temperature of the soft body in his arms, her flushed cheeks, Su Jie immediately understood Liu Yingying’s intentions. He smiled, picked her up around the waist, and walked with big steps toward the bedroom.