Kra Isthmus Canal, the Japanese ship Hongshin Maru approached the outside of the canal. Captain Ishikawa Junpei looked frustrated as he watched the pilot climb up from below the ship, and it was precisely the same pilot he had met last time.
"Oh, aren't you from Japan? I remember you. Didn't you say you'd never use our canal again? So why are you back now?"
The pilot saw Ishikawa Junpei and didn't hesitate to mock him.
Ishikawa Junpei cursed inwardly. He had left the Kra Isthmus Canal, sailed through the Malacca Strait to deliver cargo to the Persian Gulf, and then returned with a full load from the Persian Gulf.
But who knew, the Malacca Strait was fine on the way there, but on the way back, the Malacca Strait was blocked by seaweed, making it impassable, forcing Ishikawa Junpei to choose the Kra Isthmus Canal.
Because apart from this canal route, the time and cost of taking other routes were too high; the extra distance alone would cost an unknown amount of fuel.
Faced with reality, Ishikawa Junpei had no choice but to go to the Kra Isthmus Canal, even though the transit fee was double that of other countries' ships.
"Sir, I was at fault last time. Please guide me in the future."
Ishikawa Junpei put on a smiling face, humbling himself even if mocked. After all, others controlled the maritime chokepoint between Asia and Europe.
"I have no time to guide you, just pay the money and I'll let you pass. The transit fee for the Hongshin Maru is 2,450,000 US Dollars, plus other fees, totaling 2,580,000 US Dollars, pay up."
The pilot handed Ishikawa Junpei a detailed payment slip, stamped with the Jieke Group's seal.
"Wait, this price isn't right. Wasn't the transit fee 1,630,000 US Dollars before? Why is it so high now? You must have made a mistake."
Ishikawa Junpei's face changed drastically; the number was simply too high.
"Didn't you study? Now supply exceeds demand, our prices adjust with the market, why is a price increase strange?"
The pilot gloated, angering Ishikawa Junpei.
Ishikawa Junpei's face turned red, "How can the canal fees increase just like that? Aren't you afraid of public outrage?"
"Is Jieke Group afraid of that? You can choose to pay or not, but if you don't, don't use our Kra Isthmus Canal. Our canal wasn't built for you to use for free."
The pilot arrogantly pointed at Ishikawa Junpei's nose, the attitude making Ishikawa's face alternately red and blue with anger.
In the end, Ishikawa Junpei could only tremble as he took the payment slip, suppressing his frustration, "Fine, we'll pay."
Although Ishikawa Junpei wanted to shout "this is outrageous" and turn away.
But without the Kra Isthmus Canal, their shipping costs would be even greater.
Additionally, the delivery time would be too long, and failing to deliver according to contract would lead to breaches and unimaginable consequences. As a captain, he would lose years of salary and face many deductions.
"It's better to be sensible early on."
The pilot sneered, not sparing Ishikawa Junpei the slightest sympathy.
Japan always opposed the Jieke Group and even sent troops to assist the Chan Country Government Army during the civil war. No Jieke Group employee would have a good impression of Japan.
After paying by card, Ishikawa Junpei, feeling very frustrated, reluctantly invited the pilot to the bridge to direct the ship through the Kra Isthmus Canal.
Hongshin Maru sailed through the wide canal, the Kra Isthmus Canal had an average width of over 700 meters, much wider than the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, and a depth of over 60 meters. Even super oil tankers of three to four hundred thousand tons could be accommodated.
Along the banks of the Kra Isthmus Canal, Ishikawa Junpei saw three military bases and naval supply ports, armed helicopters, and coastal patrol boats belonging to the Jieke Group. Occasionally, he could hear the traces of fighter jets in the high skies.
Ishikawa Junpei speculated that there should also be an air force base deployed near the canal.
The Kra Isthmus Canal is located at the southern end of the Southeast Asia Peninsula, and the deployment of an air force base here would make countries like Johor, Java, and Temasek uneasy.
Because once a war broke out, in no time, most of their territories would be within the strike range of the Jieke Group's air force.
Having traveled to various countries, Ishikawa Junpei knew that countries like Temasek, which were close to the Jieke Group, feared this gigantic force expanding southwards.
"If the Jieke Group continues to expand, it would be disastrous!"
Ishikawa Junpei muttered to himself. The Jieke Group was already ruthless in extorting customers at the Kra Isthmus Canal. If they took control of those island countries in Southeast Asia, the canal fees would likely increase further.
Unless they rerouted to the southern hemisphere, they would have to pay the Jieke Group's toll fees for passing through their sphere of influence.
But Ishikawa Junpei's thoughts were in vain; the Jieke Group had already grown powerful, and limiting its development was easier said than done.
Many shipping vessels, like Ishikawa Junpei's, were forced to accept the Jieke Group's extortion due to the blockaded Malacca Strait, too many to count.
Knowing the Jieke Group was robbing them, they still had to hand over the money with tears in their eyes.
With a significant number of shipping vessels rerouting through the Kra Isthmus Canal, the Jieke Group collected toll fees until their hands were sore.