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April 2002, mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan.

The cold wind howled through the rugged rocks, swirling up fine snowflakes that pelted against the goggles.

Chen Yan, the captain of the seventh squad of Yongren Security (YSS), raised his hand to signal the team to stop advancing, his tactical gloves drawing a clear arc in the twilight.

"The drone is showing a heat source signal in the valley ahead," Chen Yan reported in a low voice over encrypted radio, "12 o'clock direction, 800 meters away."

A calm response came through the headset from the command center: "Non-coalition unit confirmed. Maintain vigilance and continue the escort mission."

In the center of the group, three German geologists nervously adjusted their backpack straps.

They were employed by Yongren Resources Exploration Company and tasked with assessing the mineral potential of this remote mountain area.

What no one told them was that the assessment report would be sent directly to a highly confidential office in the Pentagon.

“Dr. Schmidt, please remain within the marked area,” Chen Yan reminded the overly curious geologist in fluent German. “We cannot guarantee your safety outside the safe zone.”

The team continued forward when suddenly, sniper Wang Lei's voice came through the headset: "Watch the three o'clock position. Ridge line, 1200 meters away. The Blackwater people are watching us from there."

Chen Yan raised his high-powered binoculars, and the lens clearly showed four fully armed mercenaries secretly observing them.

The rangefinder in one of their hands reflected a blinding light in the setting sun.

"Should we give them a 'polite reminder'?" Wang Lei had already adjusted his T-5000 sniper rifle, but his tone carried a sense of eagerness.

Chen Yan pressed the speed dial button on the satellite phone: "Boss, Blackwater is keeping watch on us, what should we do?"

On the other end of the phone, Su Ning's voice was as calm as if he were discussing a quarterly report: "Let them see it. But make them remember—Africa is our territory, and the Middle East... soon will be too."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yan made a tactical hand gesture.

The team immediately changed formation, demonstrating an astonishing level of teamwork...

Two team members set up portable electronic warfare equipment, while another launched a modified Wing Loong drone.

Within thirty seconds, all of the Blackwater mercenaries' communication devices failed, while the drones hovering overhead clearly conveyed a message: your every move is under our control.

"Keep moving forward," Chen Yan ordered the squad, "and maintain a deterrent posture."

As the YSS squad escorted the geological team and disappeared around the bend in the canyon, the Blackwater captain slammed his fist on a rock: "Damn it! Their equipment is more advanced than the Marines! What kind of drones are those? The latest model from the Chinese military?"

His deputy examined the malfunctioning radio with frustration: "That's not all. They have at least three types of electronic warfare equipment we've never seen before. Headquarters needs to know this—the Asians are changing the game."

……

January 2003, Yongren Center, Los Angeles.

Suning stood in his panoramic office on the 88th floor, with the night view of the Port of Los Angeles unfolding below him, the lights of cruise ships and cargo ships like scattered diamonds.

The Macallan 1946 whisky in his hand gleamed amber under the light, and the ice cubes gently clinked against the glass.

The encrypted private line phone suddenly rang, and the caller ID showed only the letter "W".

"Mr. President," Su Ning answered the phone, his tone carrying just the right amount of respect, "Congratulations on your successful re-election."

On the other end of the phone, Bush's voice sounded relaxed: "Su, I have to thank you... your previous 'advice' was very helpful."

He was referring to the massive financial support provided by the Yung Yan Group during the midterm elections through a series of political action committees, as well as the chillingly precise voter data analysis.

Su Ning gently swirled his wine glass: "Mr. President, you're too kind. I'm just a businessman."

Bush chuckled, his voice slightly distorted as it came through the satellite line: "A businessman? No, Sue, you're the real player."

After a brief silence, the president lowered his voice slightly: "Regarding Iraq... Is Yongren interested in participating in the reconstruction?"

The neon lights outside the window cast ever-changing shadows in Suning's eyes.

Over the past three months, Yongren’s strategic analysis team has developed seventeen contingency plans for post-war reconstruction in Iraq, covering everything from the repair of oil infrastructure to temporary administrative support for the military government.

“Of course,” Suning said, taking a sip of whiskey, “we have always… cherished every opportunity.”

“I knew I could count on you,” Bush said, his voice noticeably lighter. “Cheney will send a special advisor to Los Angeles next week. He has a list…you’ll be interested.”

After hanging up the phone, Su Ning pressed the communicator on the table: "Notify the Strategy Committee of an emergency meeting at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Also, contact our oil team in Houston to prepare to expand the Iraq business analysis group."

……

March 2003, a villa outside Moscow.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, and vodka glasses left faint water stains on the large oak table.

Wagner Group founder Dmitry Utkin pressed a button on the remote control, and the video on the screen paused on a single frame...

Fully armed Asian soldiers are rappelling rapidly from an unmarked Mi-17 helicopter.

“This Chinese man… is no ordinary person,” Utkin tapped the table with his thick fingers. “They’re even faster than us in Africa. Cobalt mines in the DRC, diamonds in the Central African Republic, and now they’ve even secured security for the oil pipelines in Sudan.”

His deputy, Sergei, frowned as he looked at the clearly modified weapons and equipment on the screen: "Should we teach them a lesson? In Syria or Libya?"

Utkin shook his head and poured himself another glass of vodka: "No, let's observe first."

He downed the strong liquor in one gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh. "In business, enemies and friends... are often separated by only a fine line."

He pointed to the blurry outline of equipment in the corner of the screen: "See that? The new individual combat system that the Chinese military hasn't even deployed yet, they've already equipped it in large quantities. What does that mean?"

Sergei's eyes widened: "Is there a mysterious force supporting them?"

“Or worse,” Utkin said somberly, “they have their own research and development system, so good that even the U.S. military wants to buy it.”

He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the swirling snowflakes outside. "Inform our team in Africa to temporarily avoid direct conflict with YSS. I need more intelligence about this Suning."

On March 20, 2003, the Iraq War broke out.

At a Pentagon press conference, Defense Secretary Rumsfeld announced a surprising list of contractors: "...Yongren Group will be responsible for the overall coordination of the theater logistics support system, utilizing its innovative 'just-in-time logistics' model..."

A CNN financial commentator stared incredulously at the documents in his hand: "Just who is this Asian company? They've managed to secure three core contracts—transportation, infrastructure, and communications—totaling over $50 billion!"

Meanwhile, the Yongren Logistics Center on the Kuwaiti border is operating with astonishing efficiency.

Containers from Yiwu, China, were quickly dismantled, and supplies such as tents, military uniforms, and portable toilets were allocated according to precise algorithms and loaded onto waiting transport aircraft.

“From order placement to frontline delivery, it takes an average of 48 hours,” the president of Yongren Middle East showed real-time data to visiting US military generals. “The cost is 60% of that of traditional contractors.”

The general stared at the flashing logistics network on the screen, both surprised and puzzled: "How could you build such a massive supply chain in such a short time?"

“Mr. Su began planning the global supply chain ten years ago,” the president replied with a smile. “We simply applied the model we use for Walmart and Apple to military logistics.”

At a newly built military base outside Baghdad, U.S. soldiers found the familiar Chinese words "self-heating rice" printed on their MRE (ready-to-eat rations) packaging.

Priced at only one-third the cost of traditional military rations, yet tasting exceptionally good, it naturally led to a surge in profit margins for Wall Street gourmands.

……

July 1, 2003, Palo Alto, USA.

In the shabby office, Martin Eberhard and Mark Tarpenning nervously watched the well-dressed Asian man opposite them.

The long string of zeros on the check on the table made them almost unable to believe their eyes.

“Yongren Automotive Group will become Tesla’s largest investor,” Lin Shimin, Suning’s special representative, pushed up his glasses. “The initial investment is $2.4 million, in exchange for a 51% stake and the chairman’s position.”

Eberhard's hands trembled slightly: "This...this is far beyond our expectations. But we must confirm whether you will interfere with the company's technological path? We insist on using AC induction motors; it's a tribute to Nikola Tesla..."

Lin Shih-min smiled and said, “Mr. Su greatly appreciates your technological vision. In fact, Yongren has a top-notch rare earth permanent magnet materials research team in China, and they are looking forward to collaborating with Tesla engineers.”

He swiped his tablet, showing a series of patent documents and laboratory photos: "We believe that the competition in the future electric vehicle market will not only be about the powertrain, but also about the entire energy ecosystem. Yongren's research in solar energy and energy storage will perfectly complement Tesla's."

Tarpenning carefully examined the documents, then suddenly looked up: "These battery technologies... have already reached mass production levels?"

"Leaving aside the new energy battery production base in Suzhou, China, the new factory in Changzhou, China, will be put into production next month," Lin Shimin replied calmly. "The energy density is 37% higher than existing products, and the cost is reduced by 29%. Mr. Su called it a 'leapfrog cooperation'—Tesla is responsible for the design and brand, while Yongren provides technical and financial support."

When the two founders finally signed the contract, they had no idea what kind of new era this document would usher in.

Meanwhile, Suning in Los Angeles has already reviewed another top-secret document labeled "Global Layout of Lithium Mineral Resources".

……

By the end of 2003, Yung-Yen Group's financial report showed that its defense-related revenue had soared to a record $180 billion, with a net profit margin of an astonishing 28%.

Even more remarkably, the company's stock price has surged 347% in the past nine months, making it the fastest-growing company in the world by market capitalization.

The Wall Street Journal ran a front-page in-depth report: "The Yongren Phenomenon: How a Chinese-Backed Company Reshaped America's War Economy." The article detailed the mysterious company's astonishing leaps from retail and international trade to automobile manufacturing and military logistics, but failed to explain the most crucial mystery…

Why do Washington's political elites trust a businessman with such a complex background so much?

The answer may lie in a closed-door meeting in the West Wing of the White House.

When National Security Advisor Rice questioned Yongren's Chinese background, President Bush simply smiled and said, "I'd rather do business with a 'stranger' who knows his limits than with traditional contractors who overcharge. At least he won't make a fuss in the Washington Post. Besides, Suning also has the legal citizenship of America."

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Suning is reviewing a new list of investments…

The page prominently lists the names of startups such as Facebook and YouTube.

The world is changing, and he has already laid out his next move.

……

March 2004, at the headquarters of The Wall Street Journal.

Investigative journalist Lisa Chen stared at the mountain of documents on her desk, her fingers lightly tapping on the keyboard.

Six weeks ago, she stumbled upon the unusually complex network of offshore companies belonging to the Yongren Group in the Cayman Islands, a clue that led her in an unexpected direction.

“You absolutely won’t believe what I’ve found out,” Lisa said to the editor on the other end of the phone. “That mysterious Asian tycoon, Suning? Our ‘business genius’ is actually an illegal immigrant who smuggled himself into the United States from Fujian twenty years ago.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "Is the evidence conclusive? This isn't something that can be reported casually."

“That’s the problem! But I can confirm that he came illegally in 1987, only to later obtain legal citizenship.” Lisa flipped through the copy of the immigration documents in her hand.

The editor's breathing quickened noticeably: "My God! This will be the biggest business story of the year. Does the Bush administration even know that their favorite defense contractor boss is this kind of person?"

A triumphant smile spread across Lisa's lips: "Get ready for the front page! We're about to shake up Wall Street and Washington."

Three days later, The Wall Street Journal published a lengthy investigative report on its front page titled "From illegal immigrant to billionaire: The untold story of how the head of Yongren Group made his fortune."

The article details the legendary journey of Suning, from its humble beginnings in rural Fujian to its current status in Los Angeles, where it struggled through the infamous Chinatown before finally building a business empire spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The article was like a nuclear bomb, triggering a chain reaction in global business and political circles.

88th floor of Yongren Center, Los Angeles.

Su Ning put down the newspaper and stared blankly at the gloomy sky outside the French windows.

Lin Shimin stood in front of his desk, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

“Boss, the Financial Times and The Economist have both requested interviews, and The New York Times is already preparing to follow up with a report,” Lin Shimin quickly reported. “CNN and the BBC also hope to do exclusive interviews.”

“Contact Mike Rogers,” Suning finally spoke, his voice unusually calm. “It’s time to activate the ‘Red Herring’ contingency plan.”

Lin Shimin visibly breathed a sigh of relief and immediately picked up the phone.

Mike Rogers is Washington’s top crisis management expert, having helped many political figures weather scandal storms. His fees are exorbitant, but worth every penny.

Meanwhile, global media outlets have begun a frenzied digging race.

A BBC investigative program interviewed several Chinese people who had lived in Los Angeles' Chinatown, and they reminisced about the young Su Ning.

The South China Morning Post uncovered police files: in 1988, Su Ning was involved in a gang fight and was arrested but released due to insufficient evidence.

Even more shockingly, Hong Kong customs records from 1990 show that a company called "Yongren Trading" was suspected of smuggling electronic products, and the company's registered director was none other than "Emily"—Suning's current wife.

These revelations grew like a snowball.

By the fourth day, even members of the U.S. Congress were publicly questioning: "How can we award national security contracts to a businessman with a criminal background?"

Just as the media storm reached its peak, The Times suddenly published a completely different report.

From Gangster to Philanthropist: An Immigrant's Path to Redemption.

The article still focuses on Suning, but the perspective is quite different.

The article details another version of the 1988 gang shootout:
At the time, British businessman Andrew Kaminsky was unexpectedly caught in a gang shootout. It was the young Su Ning who risked his life to rescue him, but was shot twice in the process.

Out of gratitude after his recovery, Kaminsky not only helped Suning obtain legal residency but also funded him to start his first formal company.

“If it weren’t for Sue, I would have been dead in that dark alley,” Kaminsky, now 68, said in an interview in London. “He was the bravest and smartest man I’ve ever met. After rescuing me from the gangsters, he could have easily taken my wallet and watch—which were worth a lot of money at the time. But he didn’t; he dragged me to the hospital despite his injuries.”

More importantly, Kaminsky provided a copy of an official document from the Hong Kong Immigration Department, proving that Suning had obtained legal status through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme in 1988, and was not an "illegal immigrant" as the media claimed.

Suning would never allow Emily to stand in front of the media, since marriage immigration was a gray transaction, so they had arranged this "story" long ago.

This article was like a bucket of cold water, slightly extinguishing the escalating fire of public opinion.

But what truly turned the tide was Suning's unexpected move.

On April 5, 2004, CNN broadcast the event live worldwide.

Famous host Larry King said to the camera: "Tonight we have a special guest, Mr. Su Ning, the founder of Yongren Group, a business tycoon who has been in the global media spotlight for the past month."

The camera then pans to the other side, where Suning is seen wearing a casual dark blue suit without a tie, looking more relaxed than usual in public.

“Mr. Su, let’s get straight to the point,” Larry King pushed up his glasses. “Is it true that the Wall Street Journal reported you were an illegal immigrant who smuggled yourself from mainland China to Los Angeles?”

Su Ning looked directly into the camera with a frank gaze: "Yes! I did come to Los Angeles through irregular means when I was young. That was in 1987, I was 17 years old, and my village in Fujian didn't even have electricity. I heard there were opportunities here in America, so I borrowed money and smuggled myself over on a fishing boat."

Larry King was taken aback by the directness of the admission: "You don't deny these... less-than-honorable pasts?"

“Why deny it?” Su Ning leaned forward slightly. “Isn’t America a country that champions the spirit of ‘starting from scratch’? I started as a dishwasher and a casino security guard, and later I was fortunate enough to meet a benefactor like Mr. Andrew Kaminsky. Yes! I’ve done some gray-area business, but I’ve never been involved in drugs or human trafficking—that’s a bottom line I would never allow myself to cross.”

His voice was steady and powerful: "The important thing is that Yongren Group has been a completely legal company since its establishment in 1990. Every contract and every transaction we make can withstand the most rigorous scrutiny."

Larry King flipped through his notes: "But there are reports that you have close ties to high-ranking officials in Washington, which has helped you secure a lot of defense contracts. Is that appropriate for a citizen with such a complex background?"

Suning flashed his first smile of the evening: "America is, after all, a country of immigrants. Furthermore, Yongren won the contract based on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Pentagon data shows that our logistical support is 40% faster and 35% cheaper than traditional contractors. Which audience member wouldn't want better service for less money?"

He paused, his tone turning sincere: "I understand people have questions about my background. But isn't the American Dream about a person changing their destiny through hard work? I got to where I am today not because of privilege, but because of countless all-nighters, the courage to take risks, and the attitude of treasuring every opportunity."

Once the interview aired, public opinion began to subtly shift.

Time magazine then featured Suning on its cover with the simple and powerful headline: "The American Dream, the Asian Version."

Fox News even produced a special program comparing Suning's experience with that of self-made American business giants like Rockefeller.

Washington, D.C., West Wing of the White House.

President Bush tossed a briefing onto the table and looked at Chief of Staff Card: "What's the public saying?"

Card sorted through the documents: "The latest polls show that public opinion on Suning is polarized. Conservatives see him as a model of immigrant success, while liberals question whether the government is getting too close to foreign businessmen."

National Security Advisor Rice interjected: "More importantly, he did provide the services we desperately needed. Without Yongren's logistics network, our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan would have cost billions more."

Bush turned to Vice President Cheney: "Dick, what do you think?"

Cheney slowly put down his coffee cup: "George, everyone in Washington has a past. What matters is what he can do for us now. Yongren's contract forced those old-school contractors at Halliburton to cut their prices by 20%, which is good for the budget."

He added meaningfully, "Moreover, a business partner with a 'weak link' is often more...reliable than one who is completely innocent."

Bush nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "How's his Tesla project going?"

“It’s surprisingly good,” the Energy Secretary added. “Their battery technology is at least two years ahead of GM and Toyota. Yongren Group has been working on this for over a decade. If electric vehicles are truly the future, we’d better make sure the key technologies are in the hands of our ‘friends’.”

At the end of the meeting, Bush made the decision: "Maintain the status quo for now, but strengthen oversight of the Yongren contract. Also, arrange for me to meet with Suning privately—not at the White House, but at my ranch cabin in Texas."

"Yes, Mr. President."

As night fell in Washington, a crisis that seemed poised to destroy Suning's business empire was quietly transforming into an opportunity to consolidate his position.

Meanwhile in Los Angeles, Suning stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling window, holding a newly delivered confidential document in his hand...

The CIA's full report on his background investigation.

The comment circled in red at the end of the report is particularly striking: "Although the subject has a complex background, no direct threat to U.S. interests has been found so far. On the contrary, its intelligence value in the Asia-Pacific region is incalculable."

Suning smiled slightly and sent the document into the shredder.

After this storm, his status was not weakened; on the contrary, the public "stain" made him seem more real and credible...

In the game of power, a player without weaknesses is often the most dangerous.

...(End of chapter)