As for Jesmin, although his campaign team seemed to be working for him, in reality, many of them represented the interests of the capital consortiums behind the scenes, sometimes having opinions that diverged from his own.
In contrast, Judith, the CIA Director, had betrayed the Republican Party and had conflicts with the Democratic Party, leaving him with no backing. The only person he could rely on was this President; his presence could actually be used by Jesmin.
"I trust you, Judith, and believe you won't let me down."
"Mr. President, I am always loyal to you."
Judith nodded solemnly. Although he had betrayed Lawrence not long ago, it was out of necessity.
Now, with the more assertive Jesmin in power, he had no choice but to align himself with him to maintain his position and honor.
The sun was high in the sky as a large oil tanker flying the flag of Japan slowly approached the entrance to the Kra Isthmus Canal.
Captain Ishikawa Junpei stood in the helm, seeing many ships from Hua Country and Russia already navigating this newly completed canal.
As the first captain from Japan to attempt passage through the Kra Isthmus Canal, Ishikawa Junpei had brought the Hongshin Maru cargo ship here.
This cargo ship was operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines from Japan, one of the largest shipping companies in Japan and also a Fortune Global 500 enterprise.
At the entrance, a guide ship had already emerged.
Since the arrangements had been made in advance, Ishikawa Junpei wasn't surprised, and soon the guide ship came alongside.
As the ladder was lowered, a pilot from the Jieke Group climbed aboard the Hongshin Maru, a large cargo ship with an overall length of 366 meters, a width of 48.2 meters, a maximum draft of 16 meters, and a maximum deadweight of 147,000 tons, capable of carrying 13,000 standard containers.
"Hello, I am Ishikawa Junpei, captain of the Hongshin Maru from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Japan."
Ishikawa Junpei greeted in fluent English with a smile, holding a bundle of cash to make a good impression.
"A ship from Japan, that's on the unfriendly list. You know the rules, right?"
The pilot from Jieke Group glanced at him, pushing his hand away with a meaningful tone.
Ishikawa Junpei just arrived today and hadn't caught on to the latest announcements regarding the Kra Isthmus Canal.
"For your Hongshin Maru to pass through our Kra Isthmus Canal, you need to pay a navigation fee of 1,630,000 US Dollars."
As soon as the pilot said this, Ishikawa Junpei's mouth dropped open as if petrified.
Because the price was exorbitant, passing through the Panama Canal for their ship would cost at most several hundred thousand US Dollars, making the Kra Isthmus Canal's fee seem like daylight robbery.
"What did you say? 1,630,000 US Dollars for navigation fees? Are you trying to rob us? How is this price calculated?"
Once Ishikawa Junpei reacted, his face looked as if he had eaten something foul.
"Ha, if we wanted to rob you, we'd have detained you long ago. The fees are set, take it or leave it."
The pilot snorted, tossing a list of fees to him: "In addition to the navigation fee, you also need to pay 13,000 US Dollars for port charges, 2,700 US Dollars for harbor authority fees, 8,575 US Dollars for management fees, 5,890 US Dollars for docking fees, 3,600 US Dollars for garbage disposal, 26,150 US Dollars for escort tugs, and 30,360 US Dollars for lighting fees."
With each number spoken, Ishikawa Junpei's expression worsened, and his hands holding the fee list began to tremble.
In his years as a captain, braving the winds and rains of the open seas, this was the steepest canal management fee he'd ever encountered.
The charges were almost a blatant proclamation that this was a black market; you either pay up or give up crossing.
After taking a few deep breaths, Ishikawa Junpei pointed to other ships navigating the canal, angrily asking: "What about them, did those ships also pay such high fees?"
"Them? They're from Friendly Countries, their fees are only half of yours."
The pilot's words made Ishikawa Junpei break down completely.
"Fine, I concede to your ruthlessness, Jieke Group. I'll avoid this route."
Ishikawa Junpei was gnashing his teeth, feeling deeply humiliated by the discrimination.
"Get lost. We don't welcome you Japanese here. Many other countries are eager to use our canal."
The pilot raised his chin proudly, not even sparing him a glance.
After taking a few steps, Ishikawa Junpei suddenly realized he exclaimed with a dark face: "Wait, this is my ship. You should be the one leaving."
"As if I'd contaminate myself."
The pilot curled his lips, turning to disembark.
"One day you will regret this," Ishikawa Junpei shouted at the pilot, expressing his rage, "Discriminating and using double standards, it's not just Japan that won't accept this, other countries never will either."
"Discrimination? If we put up a sign saying 'Japanese and dogs not allowed to cross,' then it would be discrimination."
The pilot mocked, swiftly disembarking the ship.
Hearing this, Ishikawa Junpei turned red with rage, jumping up and down, and raising his middle finger at the pilot's retreating figure.
"I swear, I will never return to the Kra Isthmus Canal as long as I live, even if I drown in the vast ocean, you can play your game alone."
Ishikawa Junpei secretly vowed never to return to endure such humiliation. He would continue to use the Malacca Strait.