66: Chapter 66 The Wind Rises in the South Pacific

At this stage, it is impossible for Australia and New Zealand to send troops to retake a country whose sovereignty has theoretically been transferred and whose citizens have largely moved out; that would leave them completely vulnerable in terms of international law and morality.

America is even less likely to intervene directly over such a small matter.

All they can do is apply diplomatic pressure, impose economic blockades, provide technical support to opposition groups, and create obstacles in international forums.

Truly threatening actions, such as military provocations, maritime blockades, or supporting a government-in-exile, require the right timing. They also require Deep Blue Nation to show a weakness first, or demonstrate potential worth the heavy investment to crush.

“Right now, they can't make any real moves; they can only talk trash,”

President Chen Ran said to Victor, who had just walked in. “But too much trash talk is annoying, and it attracts more flies.

We can't wait for them to get ready.

We have to stand firm on our own first, standing so strong that they won't dare to act lightly.”

Victor nodded: “Our defensive forces are too weak. We only have Heavy Hammer and some light weapons. At sea, we only have a few old patrol boats in poor condition, lacking anti-air and anti-ship capabilities.

If a decent frigate or submarine were to come, we would have no way to fight back, and in the air, we have zero presence.”

President Chen Ran walked back behind his desk and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface.

Money—he still had some. However, as for purchasing large warships or fighter jets, setting aside whether he had the channels, the maintenance and operation alone would cost a fortune, and it would immediately trigger a more violent reaction.

What he needed was something that could quickly form a certain level of deterrence without overly provoking nerves, while also solving practical immediate problems.

His gaze fell on the open book about traditional Tuvalu canoes, but his mind drifted toward the System.

He opened the System interface and entered the [Resource Exploration Enhancement Module].

Once the module was activated, he could see numerous light spots densely distributed within a radius of several hundred kilometers centered on Deep Blue Nation. Their colors and brightness varied, representing different resource signals.

Among them, several golden, particularly bright spots were labeled "Submerged Cultural Heritage (High Value)."

With a thought, the System immediately deducted 400 points (6470 - 400 = 6070) and provided detailed information for two of the spots:

Coordinate A: Located in the East China Sea of Xia Country, about 120 kilometers off the coast of Min Province, at a depth of 85 meters.

Signal characteristics indicate the wreckage of a large wooden sailing ship, approximately 45 meters long and 12 meters wide.

The hull is relatively intact, tilted on the sandy seabed.

A large amount of porcelain, metal utensils, and coin signals are scattered around.

Preliminary dating suggests the late Ming or early Qing dynasty.

The cause of sinking was likely a storm or naval battle.

Estimated cultural and economic value: Extremely high.

Note: This area belongs to Xia Country's Exclusive Economic Zone and the edge of a potential territorial sea dispute zone; salvage requires coordination with the Xia Country government.

Coordinate B: Located at the northern edge of Deep Blue Nation's Exclusive Economic Zone, at a depth of about 500 meters.

Signal characteristics indicate a mid-19th-century steam-powered iron-hulled freighter, approximately 90 meters long.

The hull is broken into two sections.

Signals show the hold contains a large quantity of tin ingots, rubber, and some handicrafts.

Historical records for this ship are missing; it may be a vessel lost on colonial trade routes at the time.

Estimated economic value: High. Salvage difficulty: Relatively high (depth and complex currents).

Two shipwreck treasures! One off the coast of Xia Country, and one in his own backyard!

President Chen Ran's eyes lit up.

The tin ingots and rubber at Coordinate B were important industrial raw materials. Salvaging them could solve his pressing needs by being exchanged for cash or supplies.

As for Coordinate A... a shipwreck from the late Ming or early Qing, in Xia Country's waters, loaded with porcelain... the significance of that was entirely different.

A plan quickly took shape in his mind.

He immediately picked up the satellite phone and connected to the encrypted line to Xia Country, looking for Shen Guomin.

“Uncle Shen, I have to trouble you again,” President Chen Ran said, getting straight to the point.

“You kid, what amazing feat are you up to now?” Shen Guomin's voice held a hint of a smile, though he was clearly also monitoring the news outside.

“It's not an amazing feat; it's a gift, and a business deal to discuss along the way.”

President Chen Ran’s tone was relaxed. “I have some... well, special exploration technology. Recently, in the East China sea, about 120 kilometers off the coast of Min Province, I found something interesting.

An old shipwreck from the late Ming or early Qing. It looks quite large, and there should be a lot of stuff inside.

As you know, I’ve done some research on things under the sea.”

There was a two-second silence on the other end before Shen Guomin's voice turned serious: “Are the coordinates accurate? Are you sure?”

“North latitude XX degrees XX minutes, East longitude XXX degrees XX minutes, depth 85 meters.

The error is no more than fifty meters.

The hull is about forty-five meters long, a wooden ship, lying on its side, with plenty of porcelain and copper coins scattered around.”

President Chen Ran reported the precise coordinates and details. “This thing is in your waters, so naturally it belongs to you. I’m just the messenger.

However, salvaging this kind of thing, especially in deep water, is time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. Plus, it easily attracts unnecessary attention...

Like those sonar ships that love to wander around other people's doorsteps.”

Shen Guomin naturally understood the underlying message.

An ancient shipwreck clearly within Xia Country's claimed waters, with immense historical and cultural value, held political and cultural significance far exceeding its economic value.

President Chen Ran was offering a gift that couldn't be measured in money, while simultaneously pointing out the troubles the salvage might face.

“How do you want to talk about this 'business'?” Shen Guomin asked.

“I will provide the shipwreck information free of charge. If needed later, I can provide some consultation on salvage technology,”

President Chen Ran said. “My condition is that I hope Xia Country can consider providing Deep Blue Nation with some support, perhaps in the form of maritime humanitarian rescue and disaster prevention cooperation...

Non-offensive equipment and technical support meant to ensure maritime safety, respond to natural disasters, and maintain basic rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone.

For example, a few patrol boats that can travel a bit further and carry basic law enforcement equipment?

Some radar and communication equipment for monitoring storms and pirates? It would be even better if there was some training included.”

He paused and added: “As you know, I just took over, everything is in disarray, and people are pointing fingers at me.

A home needs a decent broom to sweep the floor before welcoming guests, right?

Otherwise, if a typhoon comes one day, or if some blind fishing boat illegally crosses the border to fish, I won't even have a boat to go out and shout for them to leave. That would be too embarrassing for a United Nations member state.

These things aren't much to Xia Country, but for my small frame, it's like providing charcoal in the snow.

Moreover, our cooperation in maintaining peace and order in this sea area benefits everyone. It can also shut some people up, proving that we are doing proper business and not militarizing.”

Shen Guomin listened on the other end, his mind calculating rapidly.

The coordinates of a large late Ming or early Qing shipwreck were of inestimable value.

The items President Chen Ran wanted—patrol boats, radar, communication equipment, and possibly even some light self-defense weapons—did indeed fall into a low-sensitivity category. If handled well, they could be exported under the guise of civilian use, Coast Guard cooperation, or disaster relief assistance.

This would not only strengthen Xia Country's presence and influence in the South China Sea and Pacific regions but also return a favor to President Chen Ran. Furthermore, it would genuinely annoy Australia, New Zealand, and America. We are helping a sovereign state with capacity building, which is legal and reasonable—on what grounds could they object?

“This is no small matter; I need to report it.”

Shen Guomin didn't agree immediately, but his tone had clearly softened. “However, this gift of yours is very heavy.

I think there will be people interested.

Wait for news, but don't hold one hundred percent expectations. As for that ship...”

“The ship belongs to Xia Country, and always will. I just happened to discover it,” President Chen Ran stated clearly once more.

After hanging up the phone, President Chen Ran let out a long breath.

This was a risky move, but also a transparent one.

Using a submerged shipwreck to gain a tangible upgrade in security capabilities and a deeper binding with Xia Country.

As long as Xia Country nodded, the initial momentum of protests from Australia, New Zealand, and America would be at least half-neutralized. Of course, once Deep Blue Nation rose as a whole, that would be a different story, but things would be different then.

After all, the cost of completely falling out with a country recognized by the United Nations that has substantial cooperation with one of the Permanent Members of the Security Council is too high.

Next was waiting for news and dealing with the treasure in his own backyard.

“Victor,” President Chen Ran looked at the security chief who had been standing quietly aside, “get our best exploration ship ready. The target is that spot in our northern EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).

A depth of 500 meters is a tough nut to crack, but we must get our hands on the tin and rubber inside as soon as possible.

That is the capital we need to start many of our projects.”

“Understood. The ship and equipment are being overhauled, and the crew can be in place within a week.

However, the currents at that depth and location are very strong. The salvage window will need to be precisely calculated,” Victor replied.

“Use... I'll give that to you when the time comes.” President Chen Ran almost slipped up. “Spare no expense and get it done quickly. We need to firmly grasp the benefits we can reap before others react.”

He sat back in his chair and casually picked up the book on canoes to flip through it.

The book said that the ancestors of Tuvalu relied on stars and ocean currents for navigation, driving canoes made of breadfruit wood to conquer this vast ocean.

They understood the habits of every kind of fish and knew how to utilize the tides.

“Traditional wisdom is important,” President Chen Ran closed the book and whispered to himself, “but in a new era, one must have new ships and new fishing nets.”