The Tyrant Billionaire

Hardy's plane landed at Singapore Airport.

He had already informed the local base commander and had also notified the British administration in Singapore.

Hardy's status was unique; he was not only a wealthy American tycoon but also a British baron and the Governor of the Cayman Islands.

Upon landing, he was greeted by the head of the HD Defense Company's Singapore base and the secretary to the British Governor of Malaya.

The secretary approached respectfully. "Baron Hardy, on behalf of Governor Mountbatten, I welcome you. Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. The governor has instructed us to offer any assistance you require."

Hardy smiled. "Please convey my gratitude to Governor Mountbatten. His support in allowing us to establish this base has been more than generous."

"The governor said you are welcome anytime," the secretary replied.

"Please extend my thanks to Governor Mountbatten. I will make a formal visit when the time is right. And thank you for coming to greet me at the airport," Hardy said.

He had no immediate plans to visit the governor.

The secretary respectfully took his leave, and Hardy and the base commander headed to the Singapore base. The base was situated along the coast, with a small harbor where the defense company's guard ships, patrol ships, and fast patrol boats were docked.

The entire base spanned approximately 5,000 acres, already equipped with barracks, a mess hall, training grounds, fuel storage, and supply warehouses.

The defense company had begun to secure contracts for vessel protection, partnering with major shipping companies. Each day, patrol boats would set out on escort missions.

When the defense company first started offering escort services, aside from Hardy's own shipping line, other companies showed little interest. However, after several incidents where their ships were attacked and suffered significant losses, they reconsidered.

In contrast, Hardy's shipping vessels remained safe. On one occasion, a ship was targeted by pirates, but the escort warship arrived in time and obliterated the pirate boat with naval gunfire, sinking it swiftly. Following that incident, numerous shipping companies eagerly sought partnerships.
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With Japan and Hong Kong's manufacturing industries booming, the volume of ships traveling between the Aisa, U.S. and Europe surged, making the escort service alone profitable enough to sustain the base and generate a surplus.

Hardy wasn't concerned about making a profit here; he reinvested all the money into expanding the base and enhancing its combat capabilities.

Currently, HD Defense Company's Singapore base had one escort ship, two 600-ton patrol vessels, ten 50-ton torpedo boats, a crew of 300 naval personnel, over 200 marines, and additional logistics staff, bringing the total personnel to over 700.

The Penang base was similarly staffed, with around six to seven hundred people.

HD Intelligence also had a branch in Malaya. In the base's conference room, Hardy, Lancer, and Henry met with the head of the intelligence team, gathering detailed updates about the situation in Malaya.

Malaya consisted of areas like Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perlis, Terengganu, Kedah, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor, Perak, Penang, Malacca, Singapore, Sarawak, and Sabah.

These areas were akin to states.

Some states were under the rule of sultans, and the intelligence personnel elaborated on the political dynamics of these sultans. Hardy recalled a time when he had sailed through the Strait of Malacca, and a friend mentioned Malaysia's peculiar system: the country had nine kings.

He had been surprised at the time.

Malaysia's political system was a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, similar to the UK, with a prime minister as the head of government. The nine kings took turns serving as the country's head of state, each for a five-year term. It was a true "rotating monarchy."

If Brunei had joined Malaysia, there would have been ten kings sharing the role. However, Brunei eventually chose to remain independent.

These insights revealed several challenges and opportunities.

The eventual independence of Malaya and the formation of a afederl government would come with inherent weaknesses. If Hardy could secure territory during this period, it could potentially become an independent state in the future.

Where would be most suitable?

Penang seemed ideal.

Penang was strategically located in the middle of the Strait of Malacca, boasting a natural deep-water port that would become one of the world's major shipping hubs. Moreover, Penang had always been under British rule, without a sultan. When it later joined the Malaysian federation, it was governed directly by an appointed administrator rather than a sultan, avoiding disputes with the royal houses.

This meant there would be no conflicts with the sultans.

But the question remained: How could he gain control of Penang?

Hardy, along with Lancer and Henry, boarded an escort ship bound for Penang to inspect the base there. The Penang base was coming along well, with facilities similar to those in Singapore.

Hardy took a tour of Penang's urban areas.

Upon returning to Singapore,

Hardy ordered Lancer to continue strengthening the defense company's capabilities. He emphasized the urgency of staffing the newly acquired four Fletcher-class destroyers, planning to station two in Malaya, one at the Penang base and one in Singapore.

The other two would be stationed at the Cayman Islands.

"Also, I think we should establish an air force at these bases. It doesn't need a large airfield—just enough for transport planes. Eventually, I want each base to have ten different types of aircraft and to recruit a squad of fighter pilots."

Aircraft provided mobility and flexibility that warships could not.

He turned to Henry. "Increase the intelligence gathering efforts in Malaya. Focus on the strength of the sultans and monitor any rebel activities."

Henry nodded in understanding.

Hardy then continued his journey to Japan. Lancer and Henry flew back to the United States, while Hardy's plane landed at Haneda Airport, where his assistant and security personnel awaited him. He returned to his estate in Tokyo.

Managers from various departments came to report to him. The companies were all operating according to his plans. The industrial enterprises had become manufacturers of components for America, while the light industry produced consumer goods for the American market. Everything was now turning a profit.