Sen Kai's tone shifted. "By the way, Xiao Ya, I noticed you and that Ouyang Yu have a pretty good relationship!"
"That's right!"
Sen Ya nodded. "Ouyang Yu is easygoing and sincere. I get along very well with her!"
"But Liu Kai Xuan's personality is quite strange!"
"I still can't quite figure out Liu Kai Xuan's personality traits. Sigh..."
Sen Kai said gravely, "The main reason you and Liu Kai Xuan find it difficult to connect is your differing perspectives!"
"Differing perspectives?" Sen Ya frowned. "Please, Father, enlighten me!"
"Very well. It's rare to have this opportunity. Let's have a good chat, father and daughter," Sen Kai said.
Sen Kai continued, "Liu Kai Xuan considers issues from a comprehensive viewpoint!"
"Whereas your approach to problems is solely focused on the development zone!"
"You must understand, Liu Kai Xuan has substantial assets in the Kai Ya Kingdom, and his assets on the Eastern Continent are even more staggering!"
"He has to manage every aspect, so he can't get bogged down in every minute detail!"
Sen Ya asked, "So, when I communicate with Liu Kai Xuan in the future, should I consciously broaden my perspective?"
"No need!"
Sen Kai shook his head and chuckled. "Liu Kai Xuan's industries in other regions have nothing to do with us!"
"Your responsibility is to coordinate the development of the development zone. And the most important person in the development zone isn't Liu Kai Xuan; it's this Ouyang Yu!"
"Therefore, you just need to maintain the status quo and continue to cooperate well with Ouyang Yu!"
"What about Liu Kai Xuan? What should we do about him?" Sen Ya asked. "He's the actual controller of the company!"
Sen Kai shrugged. "Liu Kai Xuan hasn't provoked you, so why are you so intent on dealing with him?"
"As long as we coexist peacefully, isn't that enough?"
"Oh... Hehe!"
Sen Ya nodded, forcing a laugh. "Father is right. It's truly my stubbornness!"
In reality, Sen Kai felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
His daughter, Sen Ya, was indeed rather rebellious.
Even Sen Kai, an elder, couldn't fully handle Liu Kai Xuan.
And she, a young girl, was talking about "dealing with" Liu Kai Xuan all the time.
They were merely in a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate one. Why did she insist on "dealing with" him?
...
Mannia Sea.
A fleet of oil tankers from Kai Xuan City was stopped by the Thunder Empire's maritime patrol.
Yuan Tai, the ship captain in charge, approached the patrol captain.
Upon meeting, Yuan Tai slipped several silver coins to the captain.
He said with a fawning expression, "Captain Brin, we are the oil tanker fleet from Kai Xuan City. Please be understanding!"
The purpose of the maritime patrol wasn't to ensure maritime safety.
Their objective was to generate revenue for the imperial royal family.
No vessel they intercepted for inspection ever escaped a "fine."
However, in recent years, Liu Kai Xuan's influence had rapidly risen in the gulf region.
Various surrounding powers generally avoided provoking Liu Kai Xuan.
Many transport fleets at sea had become accustomed to flying the Kai Xuan City banner to avoid interception by the patrol.
Initially, this method was indeed effective.
As long as a fleet displayed the Kai Xuan City name, the patrol would usually show some deference and not obstruct or harass them.
But as time went on, the number of transport ships bearing the Kai Xuan City brand increased.
Eventually, all ships, when intercepted by the patrol, would claim affiliation with Kai Xuan City.
This resulted in the patrol's revenue being "zeroed out."
The patrol's existence was to generate income for the imperial nobility.
If they couldn't make money, they would have to be supported by the empire, which was unacceptable.
Thus, the patrol gradually became more forceful.
All royal ships, when intercepted, were at least expected to pay a "tea money" bribe.
The sum Yuan Tai had just given Brin was this "tea money."
In the past, after receiving the "tea money," Brin would have let them pass.
But this time, Brin's attitude was exceptionally stern.
After accepting the money Yuan Tai offered, he maintained a stern expression and said, "This pittance isn't even enough to fill my teeth!"
"Give me another red packet, and I'll let you pass!"
Brin stated firmly, "From today onwards, the red packet amounts must be doubled!"
Yuan Tai replied with an awkward laugh, "Captain Brin, you can't do this!"
"I'm just a subordinate working for the boss. It's difficult for me if you act like this. I..."
*Slap!*
Before Yuan Tai could finish his sentence, Brin slapped him across the face.
The blow left a bright red handprint on Yuan Tai's face.
After being slapped, Yuan Tai covered his face and dejectedly retreated.
Brin, however, reprimanded sternly, "Our Thunder Empire is not afraid of that bumpkin Liu Kai Xuan!"
"If you want to pass through my territory, you must follow my rules!"
"Otherwise, don't blame me for turning hostile!"
Brin's aggressive tone today wasn't because he was particularly powerful.
The main reason was that Brin had drunk too much that day.
When intoxicated, his mind was muddled.
Now that Brin held power, he naturally adopted an overbearing stance.
Yuan Tai returned to the transport ship and called Liu Kai Xuan to report the situation.
Liu Kai Xuan instructed them to remain where they were and await rescue, advising them to exercise restraint until reinforcements arrived.
...
Meanwhile, Liu Kai Xuan also made a phone call to Bald Wolf.
Upon receiving the order, Bald Wolf's escort fleet's third squadron immediately rushed to the scene to handle the situation.
The sea area where the incident occurred belonged to the Thunder Empire.
As the escort fleet entered this area, they were obstructed by Thunder Empire naval vessels.
Bald Wolf was a hot-tempered individual.
After months of high-intensity training, he had been quite restless.
Now, Bald Wolf could finally unleash all the pent-up anger within him.
Bald Wolf's response to the Thunder Empire's vessels was simple and brutal: he opened fire and launched an attack!
Liu Kai Xuan's newly developed warships, though not large in tonnage, possessed extremely advanced technology.
After one round of shelling, one of the Thunder Empire's patrol boats was sunk on the spot.
Following this, the escort fleet proceeded to the maritime checkpoint and forcibly dispersed the imperial patrol team that had set up roadblocks.
The imperial patrol consisted of five patrol gunboats, which were modified 500-ton gunboats.