Mande City, Jieke Group Headquarters Building.
Standing before a map, Su Jie listened to Liu Yingying's report on the completion of the Beautiful Country's military exercise and chuckled, "They actually held back, it seems the Beautiful Country still has considerable restraint!"
Liu Yingying wasn't as relaxed as Su Jie, her brows furrowed as she said, "The ability of the Beautiful Country to restrain itself is probably due to internal factors like the election and the slackness of the Thousand Island Strategic Alliance. However, this has also exposed problems on our side. I feel that if a war started now, aside from Siam and An Nan, the other countries might not give it their all."
"Don't count on them; they'll be just cannon fodder. We just need to believe in our own strength."
Su Jie waved his hand, his gaze locking onto the map's Kra Isthmus region, "This strait will soon be successfully built, and once the core shipping hubs are threatened, the Beautiful Country may not continue to endure restraint."
As he spoke, confidence laced Su Jie's voice.
At this point, Su Jie was fully prepared, with satellites making up for the lack of intelligence in naval battles, in addition to the completed Lanhai No.1. The Jieke Group possessed astonishing combat power at sea.
This time, Su Jie truly intended to initiate the war, not only because the Beautiful Country wanted to target Jieke Group, but also because Su Jie coveted the land of Southeast Asia, or more precisely, its population.
Yet these countries were members of the Thousand Island Strategic Alliance, backed by the Beautiful Country. To extend influence into these countries meant a certain confrontation with the Beautiful Country, unless they would step back repeatedly.
However, a good pretext is needed to start a war. If they were to launch a sudden attack on Pearl Harbor like Japan did, war would indeed erupt, but there's no guarantee that the Beautiful Country, prompted into a frenzy, wouldn't use its nuclear arsenal, which could also ignite the national spirit and morale of the entire Beautiful Country.
Reputation, sometimes, is still necessary.
"During this period, it's a good time to accumulate our strength. Maybe Lanhai No.2 and No.3 will also be completed, and at the same time, the fifth, sixth, and seventh Mechanical Brigades are continuously supplementing mechas and Genetic Warrior pilots. We can also get countries like Siam to strengthen their naval forces in preparation for the upcoming war."
Su Jie made a definitive conclusion for the future. In the coming months, he could get his war preparations even higher, adding more chances of victory to the war.
"By the way, Yingying, can't we increase the blood donation quantities any further?"
Su Jie suddenly remembered something and inquired about the current blood donation policy.
Su Jie had cultivated the Blood Sea Devouring Sky Demon Skill to the fifth level, with an accelerating rate of blood absorption and conversion. If he could have more fresh blood, he would be able to break through to the sixth and seventh levels of the Blood Sea Devouring Sky Demon Skill at a faster rate.
Liu Yingying nodded and said, "People of suitable age in Southeast Asia have already d blood, and it will be difficult to obtain more in a short period of time, unless we buy externally."
"Then let's purchase blood externally."
Su Jie, without a second thought, instructed, "For example, our neighbor India, as well as the Beautiful Country, they're the world's largest Black Market blood transfusion stations. There, as long as the money is right, the capitalists don't mind selling any interest."
With a troubled look, Liu Yingying said hesitantly, "We are currently tight on funds. The blood donation policy has already consumed a large sum of our money. Although the reparations and war spoils from a few countries like Siam cover a part of it, we are now involved in the space race with the Beautiful Country, coupled with the strengthening of armaments, the military spending is like running water..."
Counting on her fingers, Liu Yingying did the math for Su Jie and concluded, "Our Jieke Group's reserves are not abundant, we can't afford to buy fresh blood in large quantities."
"Don't worry about the money."
Su Jie took out a box, opened it, and handed it over to Liu Yingying.
Inside the box was a small and exquisite Glazed Bottle filled with a viscous liquid.
Liu Yingying was puzzled, then it seemed she thought of something and exclaimed in surprise, "Is this the Whitening Liquid you said you were going to develop? It's been successful already?"
"Yes, it's successfully developed, and soon we'll have another source of income, an industry that brings in more profits than the hair growth liquid, Near-sighted Pill, or slimming pills ever did."
Su Jie said with a smile, the Whitening Liquid had been the most challenging to develop, but in the end, the Alchemy Pavilion of Ghost Ridge Palace figured it out.
Its effects were extremely powerful, leaving skin fair, radiant, and tender after application, and it could also address acne, freckles, blackheads, under-eye bags, scars, birthmarks, and the sallow skin from staying up late, promising to drive women all over the world crazy.
"Let me try it on you first."
Su Jie unscrewed the cap and poured out some pale purple liquid, applying it to Liu Yingying's left forearm.
The cool sensation felt much like egg white.
About half an hour later, the pale purple liquid dried up, and Liu Yingying gently peeled it off.
The next moment, Liu Yingying compared her hands side by side; the skin of her left arm was noticeably whiter, and the skin had become tender and lustrous.
This wasn't a superficial concoction of titanium dioxide and pearlescent pigments used as color enhancers; it was the skin's own natural color that had changed.
Liu Yingying was stunned. At her level and status, she hadn't shied away from any high-end, expensive cosmetics, but no matter how hyperbolic, none had achieved such an effect.
"This Whitening Liquid is going to make a fortune."
Instantly, Liu Yingying's eyes seemed to turn into the shape of dollar signs, and as a woman, she understood the allure that such a Whitening Liquid had on women.