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In May 1945, as the red flag was raised atop the Reichstag building in Berlin, the fighting on the European front gradually subsided.

As the European continent gasped for breath amidst the ruins, beginning to cleanse the wounds of war and plan for reconstruction, Suning knew that a completely different "business era" belonging to him had officially begun.

The war is over, but the vast amount of supplies left behind have become "mountains of gold and silver" that urgently need to be dealt with.

Allied nations, especially the United States and the United Kingdom, stockpiled massive amounts of military supplies across Europe...

From mountains of guns and ammunition, surplus military trucks and tank parts, to millions of uniforms, boots, tents, and even unopened "SU" brand pre-made ration cans.

Transporting these supplies back to the country was costly, while destroying or discarding them on-site seemed wasteful. How to dispose of these "war surplus materials" became a sweet burden for the occupying government.

Suning, however, had already made preparations for this.

The complex network of connections he had built throughout the war, spanning both the Axis and Allied powers, had now become an invaluable asset.

In Italy, thanks to his relationship with General Valerio Borghese, the "hero of the uprising," and his secret contacts with the Allies during the war, he easily obtained permission and access to prioritize the handling of surplus Allied supplies within Italy.

U.S. military logistics officials were happy to sell the supplies they couldn't take with them to this "connected" Mr. Su at a "clearance price."

In Germany and Austria, through the reputation he had built with Rommel's Afrika Korps during the war and the connections he quickly established with the economic departments of the Allied occupation authorities after the war, he also gained the qualification to participate in the handling of German military remnants and some of the remaining Allied military supplies.

In Britain, the "Mr. Smith" who had worked closely with him is now holding an important position in the post-war government.

Letters of recommendation and facilitation from London gave Suning the green light for its acquisition.

Suning quickly registered a new multinational trading company in Switzerland...

"Phoenix Global Trade" symbolizes rebirth from the ashes of war.

The company's business scope is extremely broad, but its core is only one thing: to buy up a huge amount of military supplies left over from World War II at low prices and then resell them to regions in need at high prices.

His gaze was precisely fixed on those Third World countries seeking independence amidst turmoil, especially the former colonies of the "empire on which the sun never sets" that were scattered across the globe.

Arab nationalism is rising in the Middle East, and tensions are high in British mandate territories such as Palestine and Transjordan. Local powers and emerging political forces are in dire need of weapons and equipment to arm themselves and vie for influence.

The Indian independence movement is gaining momentum in South Asia, and the conflict between the Congress Party and the Muslim League is intensifying, creating a huge underground market demand for light weapons, uniforms, and basic logistical supplies.

Armed struggles against colonial rule in Southeast Asia, such as Myanmar and Malaya, required weapons and ammunition.

Even in Latin America and Africa, various political forces, anti-government armed groups, and even warlords were eager to acquire inexpensive and reliable World War II equipment.

Suning's "Phoenix Global Trade" is like a huge transit hub and distribution center.

Springfield rifles and Sten submachine guns, purchased by the ton from Allied warehouses at scrap metal prices, could be sold to Palestinian Zionist militias or Arab militias for several times or even dozens of times the price after simple refurbishment and sorting, via clandestine shipping channels.

The mountains of British Patton uniforms and US M43 combat uniforms, with slight modifications to the markings, became the standard equipment for guerrillas in the jungles of Southeast Asia.

They even repackaged the pre-made rations that were still fresh and marked with "SU" and sold them to local armed forces with weak logistical support, making them a rare source of delicious food and energy.

This deal was almost guaranteed to be extremely profitable.

He doesn't need production lines or raw materials; all he needs is accurate information, smooth channels, and... a strong enough backing.

Su Ning moved among governments, militaries, and intelligence agencies of various countries, using money and interests to pave the way for turning the remnants of war into capital to support new conflicts, while also accumulating unimaginable wealth for himself.

Standing in the headquarters office of Phoenix Global Trade in Milan, looking at the regions marked as "hot spots" on the world map, and the arrows representing the flow of goods.

Suning knew that he was involved in shaping the postwar world order, in a behind-the-scenes, capitalist way.

World War II has ended, but another war without gunfire—a struggle for resources, influence, and interests—has only just begun.

And he has already secured an extremely advantageous position in this new war thanks to his strategic planning and foresight.

The era belonging to Suning has indeed arrived. This is an era in which power and wealth are seized on the ruins of war, using arms and supplies as bargaining chips.

……

The end of the European war did not mean the end of global conflict.

On the vast Pacific battlefield, facing the desperate and frantic resistance of the Japanese Empire, every step of the American advance was accompanied by bloodshed and sacrifice.

In tropical rainforests, scorching islands, and muddy trenches, logistical supplies, especially palatable and readily available field rations, are crucial for maintaining soldiers' morale and combat effectiveness.

And at this very moment, a name that had already risen to prominence in the later stages of the European campaign...

"SU" pre-prepared meals quietly spread among U.S. troops in the Pacific theater through word of mouth among some U.S. military officers and logistics personnel rotating from Europe.

"Hey, have you heard? Those guys in Europe are eating better than we are back home during the war!"

"Really? It's just K rations and C rations, isn't it?"

"No! It's something called 'SU,' I heard it's made by a company owned by some Asian guy. Damn, they say their stewed beef tastes just like the ones in restaurants, and their pasta sauce is so thick it'll remind you of home!"

At first, it sounded like an exaggerated rumor.

After all, the U.S. military has always been proud of its logistics support system, even though soldiers complain about the monotonous C rations and K rations.

However, the rumors were confirmed when some "well-connected" officers obtained small quantities of "SU" pre-prepared dishes through informal channels and tasted them privately in officers' clubs or frontline command posts.

Moreover, reality is even more amazing than the rumors!

The steaks, after being heated with water and a heating pack, surprisingly retained an amazing tenderness and juiciness. The black pepper and herb seasoning was precise and layered, unlike any canned meat they had ever eaten.

The pasta sauce was rich, the meat chunks were clearly visible, and the noodles had a perfect elasticity after being rehydrated, making it an authentic flavor.

This is a devastating blow to their current food supply!

The news spread like wildfire, from the officer rank to the ordinary soldiers.

A craving for "SU" cuisine is spreading through U.S. military bases on Pacific islands. Soldiers are complaining more and more about the monotonous C rations and Spam luncheon meat in their hands.

"For God's sake! Why can Europeans eat 'SU' steaks while we're still gnawing on this damn soapy cheese and biscuits?"

"I'd rather trade my next month's cigarette ration for a box of 'SU' pasta!"

The strong reactions from the front lines and the complaints from the grassroots were quickly relayed to the Pentagon and the U.S. military logistics system through various channels.

The officials in charge of military ration procurement were initially skeptical, but after personally tasting the samples, their attitude instantly turned to shock and urgency.

"Gentlemen, we must contact this 'SU' company immediately!" A logistics general exclaimed, slamming his fist on the table after tasting 'SU's' stewed beef. "This quality, this convenience! If we could distribute it to the lads fighting on the Pacific islands and the Japanese mainland, the morale boost would be enormous! It could even be considered a 'psychological warfare weapon'!"

Soon, a formal letter of intent to purchase from the United States government was placed on Suning's desk at its headquarters in Switzerland, "Phoenix Global Trade".

The order was much larger and the terms were more favorable than previous collaborations with Italy or Germany.

The U.S. military demanded that the SU Group operate at full capacity to provide millions of pre-prepared meals for the Pacific theater and the upcoming invasion of the Japanese mainland, prioritizing frontline combat troops.

For Suning, this is undoubtedly another huge windfall.

He immediately instructed all his food factories in northern Italy and the newly built one in the neutral Swiss border region to be converted to serve this new, wealthy patron.

The production line was back in full swing, but this time, the text on the packaging was in English, and the flavors were slightly adjusted according to the needs of the US military. New categories such as American stewed beef, roasted turkey breast with cranberry sauce, and apple pie were added to better suit the dietary habits of American soldiers, but the core standards of convenience and deliciousness remained unchanged.

Ships of pre-prepared meals bearing the "SU" logo departed from European ports, crossed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and were continuously transported to Guam, Saipan, Okinawa, and even to US military bases preparing to land on the Japanese mainland.

When Marines risking their lives fighting in the tunnels of Iwo Jima, or Army soldiers patrolling the jungles of the Philippines, can take a break and soak a box of steaming hot "SU" stewed beef in hot water, a dish that tastes just like the ones served in their hometown restaurants, the comfort to their taste buds and their souls is immeasurable.

The word "SU" was practically synonymous with "delicious field rations" among American soldiers in the Pacific theater.

One war correspondent even wrote in his report: "...in a hell filled with death and mud, the 'SU' rations were one of the few things that made us feel like we were still human beings, and not just killing machines..."

Suning, once a "logistics supplier" for the Axis powers, has now successfully extended its business reach into the camp of the victors.

With his impeccable product quality, he once again proved that in the face of the hard demands of war, nationality and past alliances can be broken down.

His "SU" pre-made meals not only conquered the European battlefields, but have now crossed the ocean to conquer the taste buds of American soldiers in the Pacific theater, injecting even stronger capital and influence into his post-war business empire.

……

The end of the war left Europe not only with devastated cities, but also with a massive remaining fleet scattered throughout major ports, resembling stranded behemoths.

The warships that once roamed the seas, whether they were spoils of war for the victors, assets confiscated from the defeated, or even the Allied forces' surplus "Liberty Ships" and "Victory Ships," all instantly lost most of their military value after the sudden arrival of peace, becoming a heavy financial burden on governments around the world...

Maintenance costs are high, and dismantling also incurs costs, making it like a chicken rib—tasteless to eat, but a pity to throw away.

Suning, along with his Su Group and the newly established Phoenix Global Trade, with their keen insight, saw the golden waterway hidden beneath this "rusty ocean."

Leveraging its extensive network of connections within the Allied occupation authorities and various governments, and using the seemingly legitimate reason of "helping to resolve the legacy of the war," Suning embarked on a massive "shopping spree."

His negotiators frequented government offices in London, Paris, Rome, and even Berlin, offering incredibly low prices.

“General, the daily rusting and wear and tear, as well as the berth fees, of these fifty ‘Liberty’ ships sitting in the port are a huge expense. Our ‘Su Group’ is willing to take over all of them for X million US dollars per ship and be responsible for cleaning the berths.”

“Mr. Minister, these captured Italian destroyers and torpedo boats are completely useless to your navy, and the cost of dismantling them is higher than their residual value. We are willing to purchase them as a package to reduce the burden on your national finances.”

Faced with such an irresistible "bargain price" and Suning's "generous" attitude in resolving the problem, officials from various countries signed the procurement contracts one after another.

A large number of warships and transport ships were quietly transferred to the "Su Group" or its anonymous subsidiaries in Liberia, Panama and other places for symbolic prices.

Once the ships are in hand, the engineers and assessment team of the "Su Group" will immediately conduct a thorough inspection and categorize them into three types:
For those "Liberty" and "Victory" ships in good condition and with robust structures, as well as some auxiliary vessels with larger tonnages, Suning invested funds to carry out modernization and refitting at friendly shipyards in Italy and Greece.

Weapon systems were removed, cargo holds were optimized, and living conditions were improved.

These ships were repainted, flown with the flags of Liberia, Panama, and other countries, and formed the "Phoenix Ocean Shipping Company." They immediately joined the global wave of transporting post-war reconstruction materials, raw materials, and primary products, earning substantial freight rates.

This massive, low-cost fleet instantly propelled Suning into the ranks of the world's top shipping giants.

For light vessels that still have military value, such as destroyers, frigates, minesweepers, and torpedo boats, Suning's customer list comes in handy.

Are Latin American authoritarian regimes eager to strengthen their naval power to intimidate their neighbors?

The oil-rich Middle East needs warships to patrol its long coastline.
Are newly independent South Asian nations looking to build their own maritime power?
In some regions, both sides in a conflict could even be his clients!
After necessary refurbishment and weapon system modifications, these ships can be sold to "countries in need" at prices far lower than those of newly built warships, but dozens of times higher than the purchase price.

Suning operates in the gray area of ​​international arms control, using neutral countries and complex ownership structures to complete a series of incredibly profitable transactions.

Suning will not waste ships that are too old or severely damaged and have no operational or military value.

He has invested in or partnered with companies to establish shipbreaking yards in India, Pakistan, and other places.

Dragging these "lumps of iron" over there and dismantling them, the resulting steel, non-ferrous metals, and other raw materials can fetch a good price in the post-war reconstruction market, allowing for the final extraction of their value.

Through this series of dazzling operations, Suning not only reaped astonishing profits of hundreds of millions of dollars, but more importantly, it used this to build a global physical shipping network and hidden arms trading channels.

His cargo ships traverse the world's oceans, and his "second-hand" warships appear in ports in hotspot regions.

This enabled his business intelligence network to be more advanced than ever before, giving him a more direct understanding of global commodity flows and regional situations.

This network is both a tool for making money and a platform for acquiring power and influence.

While other businessmen were still fighting tooth and nail for the first reconstruction contracts after the war, Suning had quietly transformed the steel torrent of the past war into one of the most solid foundations of its business empire.

He proved that at turning points in history, vision and courage are far more important than capital itself.

This "golden waterway," transformed from a rusted fleet, is carrying his ambitions as it sails towards a wider world.

...(End of chapter)