Chapter 269 - 269: The Atmosphere Isn't Right

The first Pacific-class battleship was named the Pacific Battleship.

After secretly rendezvousing, the submersible *Pacific*, along with the two recently commissioned Great Luzon-class amphibious assault ships—the *Hongsawaddy* and the *Siam*—began a series of intense training exercises.

Firing the giant cannon, in particular, became the security team's core training mission.

The *Pacific*, the *Siam*, and the *Hongsawaddy* had, in fact, already entered a state of combat readiness. Thirty nuclear warheads were stored on board, ready to be unlocked and deployed at a moment's notice.

Likewise, the Pacific First Fleet, Pacific Second Fleet, Ceylon Ocean Third Fleet, and Ceylon Ocean Fourth Fleet were also being successively equipped with various missiles and nuclear warheads.

Homo Sapiens Company's operations in various regions grew increasingly brazen.

Siam.

Thonburi City.

In Gui Palace, Qiu Yingle reviewed the information from her earpiece, a grave expression forming on her face.

Domino, Wunan, and Ba Kang, who were also present, wore equally serious expressions.

"A storm is brewing."

"We'll meet their soldiers with our generals and their floods with our dams. Victory will ultimately belong to the Company," Domino said, perfectly composed.

Qiu Yingle thought for a moment before asking Domino, "Does the Kela Isthmus need to be completely cleared? What will the affected range be?"

Domino drew two circles directly on the holographic map. "According to conservative estimates, the 50-kilometer radius must be completely clear of people. The 100-kilometer mark will be the warning zone."

Wunan's brow furrowed. "Currently, the 50-kilometer zone is only occupied by Company employees and their families, who can be evacuated at any time. We need to start making arrangements for the 100-kilometer zone as soon as possible."

Domino waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn't have to be so complicated. There are plenty of underground base-cities in the area. When the time comes, we'll use the pretext of a drill to temporarily move everyone into them for a few days."

"When will it start, roughly?" Wunan asked urgently.

Domino replied without hesitation, "Late April. The head office will send a notification."

"I understand." Wunan was already making mental calculations, planning to draft an evacuation plan in advance to avoid a last-minute scramble.

Ba Kang looked troubled. "The Kela Isthmus is a little too close to Thonburi. I'm afraid this will cause a massive public outcry."

But Qiu Yingle's gaze was serene. "They should praise this sun. A world without it would be plunged into darkness. Even if this sun burns them, it is far better than an endless, restless night."

"Heh, a shame humanity won't be thanking us for it," Domino said with a self-deprecating shrug.

Qiu Yingle smiled, picking up a cup of Ceylon Red Tea from the table. Her gaze seemed to pierce through the ocean, fixed on a figure on the other side.

"I don't need humanity's gratitude, just as he doesn't care for its judgment. This is the weight of the crown."

Domino's thin, cold lips parted slightly. "The people from Black Ship and Torch Fire have been quite active recently. I'll make sure they quiet down for a while."

"Then I'll leave that to you." Qiu Yingle smiled and nodded, then turned to Ba Kang. "Ba Kang, prepare to guide public opinion. I need you to suppress all dissenting voices the moment this begins. Siam must have only one voice. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I will be fully prepared." Ba Kang felt a growing knot of nervousness in his stomach.

A stern, resolute look settled on Qiu Yingle's face. "If necessary, we can temporarily shut down the international fiber optic cables for a few days."

"GULP... Isn't that a bit..." Ba Kang was at a loss for words.

"Never underestimate the enemy's cunning or their willingness to use any means necessary," Qiu Yingle warned.

Ba Kang immediately snapped out of it, realizing he had lost his composure. After all, shutting down the international cables would disrupt the economy. As the head of the economic sector, his concern had naturally clouded his judgment.

For Homo Sapiens Company, the so-called "international market" was not actually important.

...

As Qiu Yingle set her plans in motion, many of the great tycoons and foreign enterprises within Siam gradually began to sense that something was amiss.

The Xie Clan, for instance, sensed the various movements taking place within Siam recently.

Although Qiu Yingle had marginalized the great Chinese Merchant families for over a year, they were, after all, deeply rooted, having operated in Siam for over a century. They could not be dismantled in a day.

Xie Bin was called back from Hongsawaddy by his cousin, Xie Zheng.

Inside the Xie Clan's private estate.

"Ah Bin, is there anything unusual over in Hongsawaddy?"

Xie Bin was completely baffled. "Unusual? Not at all. Everything's the same as always over there."

But Xie Zheng's brow remained tightly furrowed.

Seeing his cousin's expression, Xie Bin quickly asked, "What is it? Is something happening here in Siam?"

"Recently, *she* moved a division into the Malay Peninsula Zone and also established three new Defense Divisions."

"What? Three divisions?" Xie Bin was stunned.

Xie Zheng nodded gravely. "That's why I'm worried something is about to happen."

"Have the other families heard anything?" Xie Bin asked.

"No. Not even the Vasily Clan has heard a peep. I just feel like something is off."

Xie Bin grew pensive, replaying recent events in Hongsawaddy in his mind, searching for anything out of the ordinary. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Wait a minute..."

Xie Zheng pressed, "What is it? A lead?"

"Cousin, do you remember what happened in January?"

Hearing this, Xie Zheng froze for a second before it dawned on him. "The satellite?"

"Yes, the satellite. I've seen a lot of op-eds on the international web discussing how that giant cannon could be used for military purposes. That thing could pose a threat to North America and Europe, and even..." Xie Bin gestured to the north.

Now Xie Zheng couldn't sit still. He shot up and began pacing, unable to hide the deep worry on his face.

"Cousin, why don't we head to Xiangjiang or Xing Island to ride this out?" Xie Bin suggested.

But Xie Zheng shook his head. "No. The rest of you can leave, but I cannot. Knowing her iron-fisted methods, if we all leave now, she'll hold it against us regardless of the outcome."

"But..." Xie Bin trailed off.

"No buts." Xie Zheng seemed to have made his decision. "The family can split up. Some will go to Malaysia, the rest to Xiangjiang. I'm staying here."

"Why not Xing Island?"

Xie Zheng's expression hardened. "Ah Bin, you will go to Malaysia personally this time. Remember, whatever you do, do not get too close to the Li Family. I need you to keep an eye on our people there."

"But..." Xie Bin was confused.

But Xie Zheng's tone was unyielding. "Just do as I say. If anyone dares to pull any stunts behind the scenes, report them directly to me."

"I understand." Xie Bin could see his cousin's wariness of the Xing Island Li Family.

Watching Xie Bin's retreating back, Xie Zheng's expression was conflicted. 'Xing Island... it might become the eye of the storm. Is America really going to make a move? What path should the Xie Clan take?'

He hesitated.

Meanwhile, the other families were also slowly realizing the gravity of the situation.

Some chose self-preservation, taking their core family members to Xiangjiang on "vacation." This was the path most families took.

Others hoped to pull chestnuts from the fire, secretly colluding with certain powers and preparing to act as an inside force.

Yet no one chose to side with Siam, Hongsawaddy, and Luzon. After all, many had already guessed that the enemy this time would be one of the world's great powers.

These shrewd players had no desire to go down with Siam's ship.

As time passed, the atmosphere in Southeast Asia grew ever more oppressive and strange.

And amidst this oppressive atmosphere, a sudden piece of news arrived, making the air even heavier and more solemn.