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Palm Beach County, Florida, November 7, 2000.

As night fell, the lights at the polling stations shone brightly in the humid air.

The vote counting had been going on for twelve hours, and the staff's eyes were bloodshot, with coffee cups piled high in the trash cans.

The parking lot outside was packed with satellite broadcast vans from major media outlets, as reporters passionately analyzed this swing state that could potentially decide the next US president.

“Another ‘butterfly ballot’,” vote counter Marian Wilson said, holding up a ballot with a blurred perforation and rubbing her temples wearily. “This is the 387th problematic ballot tonight.”

Her colleague Jack leaned over, squinted at it, and said, "The perforation is too far to the right; according to the rules, it should be considered an invalid ticket."

“But look at this faint mark,” Marian said, pointing to the almost invisible indentation on the ballot. “The voter clearly wanted to vote for Gore in the second column, but voted for Buchanan in the third column.”

Jack shrugged. "Rules are rules. Blurred or perforated ballots are invalid. Besides, who knows who voters really want to vote for?"

Unbeknownst to the two, just three blocks away in the temporary office of the Yongren Group, Lin Shimin was staring at the real-time vote count data, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He picked up the encrypted phone and dialed a Texas number.

“Boss, the ‘butterfly effect’ is working as planned,” Lin Shimin reported in code. “The invalid vote rate in Palm Beach County is already 2.3 percentage points higher than expected.”

On the other end of the phone, Suning stood in the shadows outside the Texas governor's mansion, gazing at the brightly lit building, and replied softly, "Very good. Let the 'education team' continue their activities in the senior community to ensure they understand how to vote 'correctly'."

After hanging up the phone, Suning glanced at his watch—it was 12:17 a.m.

He straightened his suit and tie and walked towards the side door of the official residence.

Two Secret Service agents, already instructed, silently opened the door for him.

……

Inside the Texas governor's mansion, George W. Bush paced anxiously in his study.

CNN's live broadcast showed that the vote count in Florida was very close, with the difference between him and Gore less than 1000 votes.

His chief strategist, Karl Rove, stood by the window, observing everything with a blank expression.

“Carl, we might really lose Florida,” Bush stopped, his voice hoarse. “If we lose Florida’s 25 electoral votes…”

A soft knock on the door interrupted him.

The butler respectfully opened the door: "Mr. Governor, you have a visitor."

"Oh?"

Su Ning appeared at the door, wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit with an inconspicuous silver tie clip on his tie...

That was a unique symbol of the senior management of Yongren Group.

“I’m sorry to bother you so late, my dear Governor,” Su Ning nodded slightly, his voice as calm as if he were discussing tomorrow’s weather, “I think you might need some… outside advice.”

Bush frowned and looked at Karl Rove, who nodded almost imperceptibly.

“Mr. Su,” Bush forced a smile, “I guess you’re not here to discuss oil prices in Texas.”

Suning gracefully settled into an armchair and took a laptop from his briefcase: “Let’s get straight to the point, Governor. According to my team’s analysis, there are still three key counties in Florida that haven’t completed their vote counts, with Palm Beach County being the most…interesting.”

He swiped the screen to display a set of complex data charts: "The 'butterfly ballot' design used in Palm Beach County has obvious flaws, and according to our model, it will result in approximately 2000-3000 ballots that should have been cast for Gore being miscounted as invalid or cast for Reform Party's Buchanan."

Karl Rove's eyes lit up: "This margin of error covers the current vote difference perfectly."

“A coincidence, isn’t it?” Su Ning said softly, a subtle smile playing on his lips. “Even more coincidentally, Palm Beach County has the largest Chinese senior community in Florida, and they have some difficulty understanding English ballots.”

Bush sat up straight, his gaze sharpening: "What exactly are you trying to say, Sue?"

Su Ning placed his laptop on the coffee table and looked directly into Bush's eyes: "What I want to say is that Yongren Group has an extensive network in the Florida Chinese community. For the past three months, our 'voter education team' has been helping these seniors understand how to 'correctly' fill out their ballots. Of course, in a completely legal way."

The room fell into a brief silence.

Bush and Karl Rove exchanged a glance.

"What kind of return is needed for this kind of 'help'?" Bush finally asked, his voice low.

Su Ning gently adjusted his cuffs: "Friendship, Mr. Governor, it's just friendship. Of course, if Yongren Group needs... policy facilitation in certain international business projects in the future, I hope you will remember our conversation tonight."

Karl Rove suddenly laughed: "Mr. Su, I've heard that Yongren Security's mineral protection business in Africa is very... active."

“We simply provide professional security services,” Suning responded gently, “just as we are willing to offer professional advice to the democratic process in the United States.”

Bush stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night sky.

The fate of Florida, and perhaps even the outcome of the entire presidential election, hinges on the conversation that will take place in the next few minutes.

“Tell me the specific details,” Bush finally said, turning to face Suning. “I need to know every step of the operation, every possible risk.”

Suning took out a thin document from his inner pocket: "This is our complete plan, including every contingency plan prepared by our legal team. Florida Secretary of State Harris has a...good working relationship with us."

As Bush reviewed the documents, Su Ning added, “Also, you might be wondering, through the Asian American Business Alliance, Yongren has already injected $500 million into your campaign. This money was distributed across 87 different donation accounts, all in compliance with Federal Election Commission regulations.”

Karl Rove whistled: "Clean and efficient."

At 3 a.m., when Suning quietly left the governor's mansion, the vote count in Florida had already begun to subtly change.

The Palm Beach County Election Commission suddenly announced a re-examination of all “problematic ballots,” while vote counting in Miami-Dade County was suspended due to “machine malfunction.”

……

Washington, D.C., January 20, 2001.

At a private dinner in the East Room of the White House, the light from the crystal chandelier danced on the champagne glasses.

Newly sworn-in US President George W. Bush raised his glass to toast the room full of dignitaries, but his gaze kept sweeping over the Asian face in the corner.

Su Ning stood beneath a portrait of Washington. Unlike the politicians in suits around him, he chose a black suit without a tie, with only a silver lightning bolt badge pinned to his chest.

This seemingly simple decoration is actually the symbol of the core members of the Yongren Group...

Lightning represents speed and power, while silver symbolizes its ability to navigate the gray areas.

"Mr. Su."

Suning turned around and saw the president’s chief political advisor, Karl Rove, walking toward him with two glasses of whiskey in his hand.

“Mr. Rove,” Suning took the glass and clinked glasses lightly, “congratulations on your…historic victory.”

Rolf took a sip of his drink and lowered his voice: "History is written by the victors, and the victors... often need wise friends."

“I only did my bit.” Su Ning’s gaze swept across the room, noticing that Vice President Cheney and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld were having a close conversation, occasionally casting scrutinizing glances in his direction.

“The president hopes to meet with you alone in the West Wing later,” Rove’s voice was barely audible. “Some ‘old friends’ want to get to know you.”

Su Ning nodded slightly: "It's my honor."

After the dinner, a dozen key figures were led to a secluded conference room in the West Wing of the White House.

The room has no windows, and once the heavy solid wood door is closed, the noise from the outside world is completely shut out.

Bush had taken off his formal suit jacket, casually rolled up his shirt sleeves, and was holding a glass of bourbon whiskey.

Seeing Su Ning come in, he waved enthusiastically: "Su! Come, let me introduce you to some friends."

The other people in the room...

Vice President Cheney, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, National Security Advisor Rice, and several giants of the military-industrial complex all turned their attention to the assessment.

“This is Suning, the founder of Yongren Group,” Bush said, patting Suning on the shoulder in a relaxed tone. “His business in Asia and Africa… is bigger than we imagined.”

Cheney exhaled a puff of cigar smoke and squinted. "I've heard of Yongren Security. Your 'security advisors' performed quite... professionally during the diamond mine conflict in Angola."

“We simply provide the services our customers need,” Suning responded with a smile. “Sometimes, business interests require… special protection.”

Rumsfeld chuckled: "So special that even Blackwater and Wagner have to give them a wide berth?"

The atmosphere in the room froze subtly for a moment.

Bush raised his glass at the opportune moment: "Alright, gentlemen, tonight we'll talk about friendship—not business."

Amid the clinking of glasses, Suning reached a silent understanding with some of the most powerful people in Washington.

As he left the White House, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten.

His assistant, Lin Shimin, had been waiting in the car for a long time.

"Boss, how is it?" Lin Shimin asked anxiously.

Suning lowered the car window, letting in the cool morning air: "Prepare an analysis report on the Iraqi oil fields, but don't include Yongren's logo."

"Are we going to march into Iraq?" Lin Shimin asked in surprise.

“No,” Suning said, looking at the White House’s gradually clearer outline in the morning light, “we need to wait for others to step on all the landmines first… before we enter.”

……

March 2001, Crawford Farm, Texas.

The morning sun bathed the boundless pasture, turning the knee-high grass golden. Two thoroughbred Quarter Horses trotted steadily across the grassland, their riders maintaining a comfortable silence.

“The view here is much better than from the White House, isn’t it?” President George W. Bush loosened the reins, letting the horse choose its own path.

He was dressed in a faded denim shirt and worn-out leather boots, looking more like a rancher than the most powerful man in the world.

Suning stroked his mount's mane, his gaze sweeping across the horizon: "Indeed! I spend most of my time in the United States in Los Angeles, so I'm not really familiar with the beauty of other cities."

"Su, I heard you used to be an illegal immigrant?"

"Yes! In 1987, my family took out a loan at a high interest rate to send me to Los Angeles, but we never imagined that the American Dream would be so amazing."

Bush turned his head to look at his Eastern guest.

It was this man's behind-the-scenes manipulation that miraculously swayed the Florida vote in his favor during the controversial election three months ago.

Since taking office, Suning has never made any demands, which made Bush feel uneasy.

“Sue, I’ve always been curious,” Bush suddenly said, startling the horses slightly as his voice rose. “Why don’t you ever ask for anything? Everyone in Washington—I mean everyone—wants to get something from the president.”

Suning gently tugged on the reins, stopping the horse.

In the distance, a red-tailed buzzard is circling high in the sky, searching for prey.

“Mr. President,” his voice was calm as still water, “true friendship…should not be tainted by ‘demands’.”

"Hahaha..." Bush paused for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter, startling several quails in the nearby bushes.

“You’re a smart man, Sue. But remember—in Washington, smart men tend to live the longest.”

Su Ning smiled, gazing into the distance: "I just want to live... a low-key life."

The two continued cycling, and the conversation turned to China's economic growth and the situation in the Middle East.

Suning casually mentioned Yongren Group's interest in the British automotive industry, particularly the struggling Jaguar Land Rover.

“The British have an almost religious obsession with their car brands,” Suning shook his head, “especially Jaguar and Bentley, which they regard as national treasures.”

A glint of light flashed in Bush's eyes: "Tony Blair owes me a favor. Maybe... I can help."

……

June 2001, the European headquarters of the Wing Yan Group in Canary Wharf, London.

Lin Shimin put down the phone, his face filled with disbelief: "Boss, the British Department for Trade and Industry has just approved our application to acquire Land Rover! But they insist on separating Jaguar, and they're not even talking about Bentley."

Suning stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the Thames River.

The May sun casts shimmering golden light on the water as a cruise ship slowly sails towards the North Sea.

“As expected.” He turned and walked toward the conference room. “The British would rather let these brands rot in their hands than see them fall into Asian hands. But that’s alright, Land Rover is what we really need.”

Inside the meeting room, the Yongren Group's strategy team was ready.

The walls are covered with maps of Land Rover’s global factories and sales network, and digital displays scroll through financial data from the past decade.

“Based on our analysis,” the CFO pointed to the slides, “Land Rover’s SUV product line perfectly aligns with the growing global demand for luxury off-road vehicles, especially in North America. And their military vehicle technology is crucial to the expansion of our security business.”

Suning nodded slightly: "Notify the legal team to immediately initiate the acquisition process. In addition, prepare a detailed integration plan, focusing on retaining the UK design and engineering teams, but gradually transferring the production lines to lower-cost regions."

Lin Shimin quickly took notes, then suddenly hesitated: "Boss, Ford Motor Company is still hesitant about whether to sell their shares..."

“No need to worry,” Suning said with a slight smile. “The President has arranged for a special financing plan from Bank of America. The Ford board… will make the right choice.”

Three days later, when Wing Yan Group announced its £23 billion acquisition of Land Rover, the Financial Times headline was filled with the melancholy of an empire's twilight: "Another iconic British brand changes hands."

Wall Street analysts, however, are more focused on the unusual political factors behind this...

The U.S. government has shown unusual support for this deal.

……

September 11, 2001, 88th floor of the Yongren Center in Los Angeles.

Suning was on the phone with its Middle Eastern partners when a breaking news report from CNN suddenly popped up on the screen.

He gestured for the translator to pause, then focused his attention on the live news broadcast.

“Oh my God…” Lin Shimin stood behind him, his voice trembling.

In the footage, thick smoke billows from the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York.

While the world was still in shock, a second plane crashed into the South Tower.

Su Ning's expression froze for a few seconds, then he quickly picked up the red secure phone: "Activate the 'Thunderbolt' contingency plan immediately. All investment departments are on emergency mode."

For the next 24 hours, while the world was shocked by this unprecedented terrorist attack, the trading hall of Yongren Group remained brightly lit.

Dozens of analysts monitor fluctuations in every market around the world, executing a series of meticulously calculated trading orders.

"Oil futures purchase completed!"

"Gold positions have been established!"

"Leveraged trading of military stocks is underway!"

Suning stood in front of the central control console, his eyes fixed on the numbers flashing on the dozen or so screens.

His voice was frighteningly calm: "Sell all aviation and tourism-related assets and go all in on the defense and security sector."

Three days later, when the U.S. stock market reopened, just as Suning had predicted, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.1% in a single day, marking its largest single-day point drop in history.

Meanwhile, the oil, gold, and military stocks that Yongren Group had positioned itself in advance surged against the trend.

“According to preliminary statistics,” Lin Shimin reported, his voice slightly shrill with excitement, “our net profit from operations in the global market exceeded $17 billion. This does not include the rise in Land Rover’s stock price due to expectations of military contracts.”

Suning stood by the window, gazing at the night view of Victoria Harbour.

Los Angeles remains brightly lit, but the world order has changed forever.

“This is just the beginning,” he said softly. “Notify the Washington office to prepare tender documents for defense logistics services.”

……

October 7, 2001, over Afghanistan.

The first Tomahawk cruise missile pierced the night sky, marking the official start of the US military operation against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

In the Pentagon's operations room, real-time satellite footage showed the moment targets outside Kandahar were destroyed.

On the same day, at the North American headquarters of Yongren Group in Arlington, Virginia.

An unusual signing ceremony is underway.

Yongren Group signed an $8.5 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to become the main logistics service provider for U.S. military operations in Afghanistan.

“Yongren will be responsible for comprehensive support, from base construction to soldiers’ meals,” the Department of Defense press release stated, “leveraging its global supply chain network to provide efficient and cost-effective logistical support to frontline troops.”

At a small celebratory banquet following the signing of the contract, Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz raised a glass to Suning, saying, "Mr. Su, it is impressive that your company was able to mobilize such a large amount of resources in such a short time."

Suning responded with a smile: "Yongren's supply chain network in China and Southeast Asia has been operating for nearly 20 years. We are simply applying our experience in civilian logistics to the military field."

Wolfowitz gave him a meaningful look: "I heard that you can transport an entire field hospital that can accommodate 500 people from Shanghai to Kabul in 72 hours?"

“If the weather permits, 48 ​​hours will be enough,” Suning said, taking a sip of champagne. “And the cost is only two-thirds that of traditional defense contractors.”

That evening, after seeing off all the government officials, Suning convened a closed-door meeting with its core team.

“From now on,” he said, pointing to Afghanistan and neighboring countries on the map, “we will establish three regional distribution centers in Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. All supplies will originate from factories in China, be transported to these hubs via the New Silk Road railway, and then distributed to various military bases in Afghanistan by our transport fleet.”

The COO raised a question: "Boss, what about the political risks in Central Asia...?"

“It’s all taken care of,” Su Ning interrupted him. “We’ve reached a special agreement with the local government. In addition, all transport convoys will be escorted by armed personnel from Yongren Security.”

After the meeting, Lin Shimin stayed behind to report privately: "Boss, as per your request, we have transferred 35% of the initial contract profits to the designated political action committee account. In addition, senior executives at Halliburton and Beckett have received our 'invitation to cooperate'."

Suning nodded: "Very good! In Washington, sharing wealth is the key to long-term survival."

By the end of 2001, when the U.S. military achieved initial victories in Afghanistan, the Yongren Group's quarterly financial report showed that its defense-related business revenue surged by 420%, with net profit reaching an astonishing $24 billion.

What puzzled analysts even more was that the company's stock price increase far exceeded fundamental expectations...

Wall Street seems convinced that this mysterious company has more undisclosed positive news.

In an article titled "A New Face of War," The Economist wrote: "The emergence of Yongren Group marks a revolution in the global military logistics services market. This low-profile Asian company is reshaping the Pentagon's supply chain with its astonishing efficiency and the affordability and quality of Chinese manufacturing..."

What the article didn't mention was that on the top floor of Yongren Group's luxurious Los Angeles headquarters, Suning was reviewing a top-secret document marked "Iraq - Phase Two".

Outside the window, the first rays of sunlight of 2002 were piercing through the morning mist, illuminating the entire Santa Monica beach.

A new era is dawning.

...(End of chapter)