Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 500 Pirates Appear in the Gulf of Aden

The maintenance crew pushed the Z-20 helicopter from the hangar to the flight deck.

This is standard operating procedure when a flat-bottomed, specialized deck tow truck is unavailable.

Even on land, you can often see ground crew pushing helicopters back and forth.

Therefore, wheeled landing gear still has advantages. If it were skid-type landing gear, special wheels would have to be installed under the landing gear to move it.

Soon, the Z-29 was pushed to the takeoff position, and the next step was to deploy its wings.

To reduce hangar space, the rotors of shipborne helicopters must be foldable. With the technical expertise of Northwestern Polytechnical University, this system is electrically driven. Simply press a button inside, and the rotors will slowly unfold.

As the rotors unfolded, Marines, fully armed, boarded the helicopter.

A minute later, a roar sounded, and the helicopter, as light as a swift, took off from the deck.

Then, the second helicopter was launched and took off again at high speed...

The two helicopters quickly flew towards the target location.

Ahead, the lead aircraft.

Captain Chen Jinlong looked at the display screen in the cockpit. The light representing the target had disappeared, indicating that the target had turned off its satellite positioning device after a brief activation.

However... as long as they have the general location of the target, the rest... is up to them!

At the front of the aircraft, the sophisticated maritime search radar has already been preheated and activated!
Shipborne helicopters have many uses, but when they were first deployed on ships, their main objective was anti-submarine warfare.

Detecting submarines underwater relies mainly on sonar facilities, so shipborne helicopters need to carry specialized sonar buoys and sonar monitoring equipment. Detecting submarines on the surface or in snorkel mode mainly relies on airborne radar.

Therefore, unlike other helicopters, shipborne helicopters must carry advanced airborne radar.

Moreover, it only needs to look towards the sea surface, so airborne radar is generally disc-shaped and located under the nose of the aircraft. Don't underestimate this radar because of its small size; its search capabilities are extremely powerful.

Since airborne radar can also search for surface ships, its extended function is to provide relay guidance for shipborne missiles.

Shipborne radar can only detect sea surfaces up to 40 kilometers away, while many anti-ship missiles have a range of over 100 kilometers. In this case, either special shipborne radar or helicopter guidance is required.

Therefore, shipborne helicopters are very useful.

Now, as long as the approximate sea area where the target is located is known, the airborne radar can easily find the target!

Behind us, Princess Tomb, Yellow Tower.

"Report, the shipborne helicopter has taken off!"

The atmosphere at the scene became even more tense.

Shipborne helicopters are the only option; if that doesn't work, then...

"Please rest assured, leaders. We have already established relations with the South Korean military. Those who still want to use South Korea as a springboard are destined to be disappointed." Qin Liang said, "Even if they succeed, South Korea will hand them over to us. Then, we'll have a public trial and a public execution! That way, let's see who dares to use South Korea as a springboard!"

The naval leaders nodded.

When Qin Liang negotiated terms with the South Koreans, some people still had reservations. It's true that even though the terms Qin Liang offered to the South Koreans were quite appealing, years of hostility couldn't be erased in just a few words.

Increasing the power of one's neighbors is inherently disadvantageous.

But now... everyone thinks that Qin Liang was practically a prophet, paving the way for everyone.

We definitely need to strengthen ties with South Korea in the future! This will prevent many problems from arising.

"Well, let's wait and see. Our soldiers will definitely be able to complete the mission."

"Report! Target spotted by helicopter!"

Everyone erupted in excitement: "Great! Great! Order them to..."

At this point, Leader Zhang suddenly remembered something: "Comrade Qin Liang, what do you suggest we do next?"

Hijacking a ship is essentially the same as piracy, and dealing with pirates... well, there are two options!
Qin Liang said, "If the enemy doesn't spot us, we'll fly over and have the soldiers rappel down to the speedboat. Then we'll take control of the entire boat. If the enemy spots us, the helicopter will accompany the speedboat forward. The snipers will take aim and fire immediately if there's an opportunity, killing the enemy on the spot! Alternatively, two helicopters can work together: one will rappel down, and the other will circle around and monitor the area, ready to snipe at any time."

"That's right, follow these plans! Send the task over via data link!"

Hitting a target in a bumpy helicopter is no easy feat; it requires rigorous training. Fortunately, this group of marines who boarded the ship are among the most experienced in the Marine Corps!

On the lead aircraft, the Marines warmed up and prepared for rappelling, while on the wingman's aircraft, the sniper opened the hatch and extended his sniper rifle.

Everything is poised for action!

On speedboat number 3213.

Du Xinli gritted his teeth: "Damn it, Zhang Weigong, you idiot, how dare you lie to me! I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you!"

The satellite navigation data is the same as the position calculated from the compass!

This proves that the compass was not tampered with at all!

Will activating satellite navigation expose us? Judging from the current situation, it definitely will!
Despite losing too much blood, Zhang Weigong's face was deathly pale, but a smile appeared on his lips.

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of dying! But Du Xinli and Wang Zhongrong, you two traitors, will surely receive the punishment you deserve!"

Do you want to live off several thousand taels of gold for the rest of your life?
dream!

Enraged, Du Xinli shoved the muzzle of his submachine gun into Zhang Weigong's mouth.

"I'll kill you right now! I'll kill you right now!"

when!
The sound of the firing pin striking the primer rang out, but... no gunshots were fired.

Stuck!
"Damn it, this piece of junk!"

Du Xinli threw down his gun and pulled out a triangular bayonet: "I'll stab you a dozen times!"

"Come on, stab me! If I even flinch, I'm your grandson!" Zhang Weigong said. "I never imagined you would betray your country. Even if you succeed, you'll be infamous for eternity! In history, no traitor has ever had a good end!"

Zhang Weigong showed no fear; a cold glint flashed in his bright eyes. Du Xinli, inexplicably, trembled and his hand shook…

The triangular thorn fell to the floor.

"Hmph, coward." Zhang Weigong remained calm.

Just then, a rumbling sound rang out in the distance, like thunder!
Zhang Weigong was overjoyed. Good, the helicopter is here!

We haven't entered South Korean waters yet, so our speedboat is still salvageable!
"Du Xinli, think about the most important people in your life. How would they feel if they knew what you're doing?"

Du Xinli just said he doesn't like his family, so there must be other people, right?

Du Xinli looked dazed for a moment.

The most important person in my life? Does Cuihua from the village count? I grew up with Cuihua, we were childhood sweethearts, and I even served in the navy. By all accounts, I should have been the best marriage partner, but... Cuihua married the village's wealthy man who had ten thousand yuan!
Thinking about this, Du Xinli became even more furious.

"Hmph, the most important person in my life has betrayed me! Now, I have no regrets. I'm going to the West, to the free world!"

Du Xinli's face became even more ferocious.

A roaring sound appeared overhead. At that moment, Du Xinli was so excited that he didn't even have time to react.

Boom, boom, boom!

The sound of light footsteps approached.

They've already rappelled down!
Zhang Weigong finally relaxed, and his consciousness began to gradually fade.

Goodbye, motherland; goodbye, family. Don't grieve for me. I have done everything I was supposed to do. Even if I leave now, I will have no regrets. Moreover, I can be with my comrades...

"Damn it! Zhang Weigong, I'm going to kill you, I'm going to kill you!"

Du Xinli became agitated again, picked up the triangular dagger, and stabbed it fiercely into Zhang Weigong's body.

Boom!
Just then, the hatch was suddenly pushed open, and several fully armed soldiers rushed in with guns at their sides.

"Don't move!"

Du Xinli was momentarily dazed. Where did these people come from?

The next moment, he realized that someone had boarded the speedboat, and he was doomed!
He flipped the triangular dagger over and stabbed it into his own chest!

Da da da!
A three-round burst hit his arm, the three-edged bayonet fell to the ground, and several men rushed over and pinned him down.

wanna die?

It's not that easy!
Now that he's dead, how can we deter others? We need to take him back for trial! Then execute him publicly!

Wang Zhongrong, who had already returned to the lower deck, heard the gunshot and came back up. Seeing the soldier appear, he dropped his pistol on the ground with a clang and quickly raised his hands.

The capital, the Yellow Tower. "Gentlemen, we've just received word that the Marine Corps has taken control of the torpedo boats and is returning to port. However, they're low on fuel and may need to be towed by other vessels en route!"

"Great, great, excellent!" Leader Zhang exclaimed excitedly.

"What is the situation regarding casualties?" Qin Liang asked.

"Six people were killed and two were wounded. The wounded have been put on a helicopter and will be flown directly to the nearest land hospital."

This loss is absolutely huge!
Everyone present clenched their fists.

This matter must be treated as a typical example!

Qin Liang also had a complicated expression.

Improving the soldiers' treatment and enhancing their sense of honor and mission are urgent matters! Ideological work must be done well.

But... how can we do this?
Qin Liang was lost in deep thought.

"Comrade Qin Liang, Comrade Qin Liang?"

Qin Liang raised his head and looked at the leader who was standing close by.

"Comrade Qin Liang, we really have to thank you for nipping the traitor in the bud this time," said Leader Zhang.

"No, no, this is the result of everyone's joint efforts. I only provided a solution. I was thinking that in the future, all ships' satellite positioning devices should be set so that they cannot be manually turned off, so that the fleet can keep track of the movement of every warship at any time."

"Yes, that's right, this improvement will be handled by Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

"Also, we need new missions, missions that can give the soldiers a sense of mission and honor, for example..."

What best enhances a navy's sense of honor?
Of course, it's escorting ships in the Gulf of Aden!

The navy is going global and gaining a new stage!

The Type 052 destroyer has already been launched and is undergoing outfitting. It will complete all construction work and enter service within a year and a half. Once this warship sails out, it will definitely let the whole world see how powerful the East is!
Of course, we still have to wait. The No. 105 has already been modified with a helicopter landing system. Helicopters are key to fighting pirates, so this warship can be sent out.

Sending the navy out into the world in the 1980s was of great significance!

Just then, someone ran in: "Report! An oil tanker from an island nation has been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden!"

Another island nation!

There was nothing they could do; after all, the island nation in the 1980s was incredibly wealthy, and pirates were targeting it!
"Who did it?"

"have no idea for now."

The Gulf of Aden is already part of South Yemen's coastline, so it shouldn't have been the work of the Flip-Flop Army. Since it wasn't the Flip-Flop Army, then…

Somali pirates have entered the historical stage!

Qin Liang sighed inwardly, everything had happened so fast!
South Yemen, the capital.

“Mr. Bindich, I want to know what’s going on! We just found the pirates in North Yemen, and now new ones have appeared?” Gerald said, his face full of displeasure.

Things are getting more and more chaotic lately!

They discovered that the first-time pirates were in the mountains of northern Yemen. They deployed forces to attack them, but were ambushed. They are still unsure how to get the pirates out.

Then, South Yemen joined in?

Bindihe looked completely bewildered.

"Mr. Gerald, please believe me, we absolutely did not organize such an operation!"

"No? You mean the Soviets didn't incite you?"

"They encouraged us, but we didn't agree. After all, this kind of thing has too much of an impact. Our capital is a port city. How can we do something that blocks our own escape route?"

Bindihe really didn't do it, and he didn't know why pirates had appeared in the Gulf of Aden. Could it be that the group of people from the mountains had come out again?
"If you didn't do it, then who did it?"

"I do not know!"

Bindihe looked completely innocent.

"Hmph, you'd better investigate right away. If that ship that was hijacked by pirates appears on your coastline, then let's see how you explain yourself!"

Yemen's terrain is quite unique. The coastline may be alluvial plains or beaches, but as you go further inland, it becomes mountainous. Around this southwestern corner, it's all mountains.

South Yemen has a particularly long coastline, so if ships are robbed, the perpetrators can retreat to the mountains, making it very difficult to encircle and suppress them.

Bindihe was extremely embarrassed at this moment.

How to do?
If it was really done by people on our side, or people from North Yemen, deliberately bringing the ships to our side to annoy us, it seems we have no other way to deal with it!
But... he couldn't refuse.

"Rest assured, if they really appear on our coastline, we will definitely go all out and give you an explanation," Bindikh said. "Unlike North Yemen, we are not afraid to send out troops, leaving you in a dilemma."

Is this a good thing to say?

Gerrard's expression changed several times, but he still didn't make a move; no matter what, it seemed inappropriate.

"Okay, then I'll wait here!"

In the east, the sky slowly began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

beep, beep...

Someone ran in: "Report!"

Gerald looked at his men as they entered, somewhat curious: "What is it?"

"Our reconnaissance satellites have located the hijacked cargo ship."

"Really? Where?" Gerald turned to look at Bindich. "Mr. Bindich, don't forget your promise!"

Having located the position, it's now their turn in South Yemen!
"Yes Yes."

"Come on, tell me, where is it?"

"In...Somalia."

what?
Gerrard's eyes widened.

Bindih breathed a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness, it really had nothing to do with them!

A small fishing village on the coast of Puntland, Somalia.

Outside, a supertanker was stranded, its massive body looking as if it were pregnant.

Inside the fishing village, a group of dark-skinned pirates were beaming with excitement.

"Great, great! I never expected it to be so easy!"

"Yes, this oil tanker must be worth at least several million, right?"

"No, tens of millions!"

Pirate leader Omar looked at his men: "Look at yourselves! The ransom we're demanding starts at at least one hundred million US dollars! This is a 300,000-ton oil tanker, the Aisho. With oil prices at fifty US dollars a barrel right now, the crude oil alone on this tanker is worth one hundred million US dollars, not to mention the value of the tanker itself!"

One hundred million dollars!
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Countless people raised their AK rifles, pointing them at the sky, their faces filled with excitement.

In contrast, the crew members of the oil tanker they had hijacked were under close guard, each with their heads down and silent, their faces full of worry.

They were careless!
Most other oil tankers are transported from the Middle East to Europe. These tankers are different; they load oil at ports on Saudi Arabia's west coast, then sail out to the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Indian Ocean, and then return to the island nation.

It can be said that his route is the opposite of that of a typical oil tanker.

Therefore, they felt safe, and since the most dangerous Strait of Mandeb had passed and they had reached the Gulf of Aden, they relaxed.

Unexpectedly, they were kidnapped in the Gulf of Aden and then taken to Somalia!

Although separated by only a strait, Yemen on the other side has a Mediterranean type of Caucasian race, which, simply put, is closely related to the Caucasian race. Essentially, they are still Caucasian, with only a small number of people carrying South African genes.

On the other hand, the Somali side consists entirely of Black Africans.

His dark skin contrasted sharply with his white teeth when he opened his mouth.

What's next?
Captain Hachiro Keita's face darkened. He knew that, most likely, they would have to pay a hefty ransom. He hoped the people here only wanted money, not equipment.

Just then, a black man walked in, carrying... a large stack of pancakes?
"Injera, injera." Kuroko pointed to the pancake, then to his mouth, indicating that it was food.

These pirates are actually being so polite?

(End of this chapter)