Chapter 117: Notify the Coast Guard, but the Navy Arrives

Xiao Peng's guess was correct. When they arrived at the coordinates given by the 'Red-Tailed Parrot', they saw two ships from a distance!

Pascal took a look through the telescope and exclaimed, "Fuck, are they cheating? Come and take a look!" He handed the telescope to Xiao Peng.

Xiao Peng shook his head: "I saw it without a telescope!"

He was actually shocked by the scene before him.

There were two ships in the area, but neither showed up on the AIS system. This was because both were old. One was a slightly larger ferry, not very crowded. It flew the flags of Médecins Sans Frontières and Greece. It was probably the "Overseas Aid Station for Migrants." There was nothing special about it, just a bit old.

Pascal had told him that the practices of the Migrant Overseas Rescue Station were met with mixed reactions, and that, as they were short on funds, they often rented old, dilapidated ships to carry out rescue operations in order to save money. It was understandable that such old ships didn't have AIS systems.

What was shocking was another ship.

It was a fishing boat about ten meters long, full of people.

It was a typical "full of people standing there". For such a small boat, the top of the cabin was full of people!

The area on top of the wheelhouse is definitely the 'VIP seat' because people on it can sit, while people on the deck can only stand and can't even sit!

The waterline of the boat is extremely deep, making it look dangerous. Even if this kind of refugee boat has an AIS, they won’t turn it on. After all, they are stowaways, and they can’t let others discover their whereabouts. . . .

The crew of the 'Red-Tailed Parrot' were there throwing mineral water, bread and life jackets onto the refugee boat.

Xiao Peng looked around and frowned, saying, "Xiao Pa, lower the sail! Activate the engine for power!"

Pascal was confused, but still did as Xiao Peng said.

"What happened?" Pascal walked up to Xiao Peng and asked.

Xiao Peng said as he slowly approached the two ships, "Does that ship look like it's in trouble? Why did the Red-Tailed Parrot call us over?"

Pascal took a look through the telescope and said, "Yes, although the refugee boat has a deep draft, it really doesn't look dangerous. Why did they call us over? They sent a 'PAN-PAN' signal. Doesn't it mean that the boat might sink and that we should wait here for it to sink?"

Xiao Peng went directly to the indoor cockpit and contacted the Italian Coast Guard directly. He reported the coordinates here and said that he had received a distress signal from an Italian ship and there was also a refugee ship, and asked them to send someone to take a look.

After doing all this, he slowly drove the boat towards the two ships. It took Xiao Peng more than 40 minutes to reach the distance of several nautical miles.

The call from the Red-Tailed Parrot came over the radio: "Red-Headed Boat, why are you so slow?"

Xiao Peng picked up the intercom and said, "The sailboat is difficult to control. Change the engine power."

"God, why are you a sailboat?" a voice came from the intercom.

Xiao Peng replied, "The AIS clearly states that I'm a sailboat. Why isn't your AIS on? Why did you send a distress signal for us to come over? It doesn't look like we need help here."

A voice came over the intercom: "The engine of this refugee boat has broken down! We need help!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Peng exchanged a glance with Pascal and said directly, "Please, do you think my boat can provide any assistance? Don't worry, I've already notified the Coast Guard, and they'll be here to help!"

"Have you notified the Coast Guard?" The other party was stunned.

"Of course!" Xiao Peng said, "You don't think a small sailboat like mine can be of much help, do you? I've already notified the Italian Coast Guard of the coordinates here, and someone should be here soon!"

Before he could finish his words, the sound of an engine could be heard from the sky. Xiao Peng glanced out the window and said, "The helicopter is here, they're saved!"

There was no sound on the intercom.

Xiao Peng curled his lips at Pascal, who gave Xiao Peng a thumbs-up and shifted the engine to low gear. The two stood on the deck, looking at the two old ships.

Xiao Peng looked up: "Now the Italian Navy is coming, all right, let's just wait and see!"

"How do you know it's the Italian Navy and not the Coast Guard?" Pascal asked curiously.

Xiao Peng pointed to the sky and said, "AB212 helicopter, that's the Mistral-class frigate coming. It seems the refugee issue has really driven Italy crazy. They're taking intercepting refugee boats very seriously! They've even dispatched the navy!"

Pascal then said, "I don't understand why they are so concerned about the refugee issue. Isn't it good to have minorities?"

Xiao Peng said helplessly, "You're used to it, aren't you? You grew up in the 'North African capital.' Besides, think about the security in Marseille. Do you really think it's that good?"

Pascal evaded the question: "Italy's navy is still very powerful. But now they're using it to deal with refugee boats! What is this? A butcher's knife for killing chickens?"

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Indeed, Italy's military strength is pretty good!"

Pascal glanced at Xiao Peng. "Why do you sound so disgusted? Italy's military strength ranks among the top four in the EU! It has a well-developed military industry and cutting-edge technology, and it even has two aircraft carriers. Even the United States imports Italian helicopters. Of course, there's still a gap compared to France."

Xiao Peng shrugged: "And then?"

"What then?" Pascal asked in confusion.

Xiao Peng sighed and said, "You said Italy's military strength ranks among the top four in the EU, right?"

Pascal nodded: "What's the problem?"

Xiao Peng asked, "Put him in the 'Monster Training Room' and see where he ranks."

"Monster training room? What does that mean?" Pascal asked in confusion.

Xiao Peng gave the answer: "The Monster Training Room refers to East Asia! Pascal, you really should go out and see, man. Honestly, I've discovered a common problem among you French people: arrogance. You think Europe is the center of the world, and that if you occupy the core of Europe, you will occupy the world. In fact, that's not the case. You are a developed country, that's true, but you should go to the developing countries and see what kind of development they have become."

"Calm down!" Pascal said, "We agreed that I would go with you to China. Explain to me what the 'Monster Training Room' is."

Xiao Peng thought for a moment. "Of the ten most powerful militaries in the world, four are in East Asia. You say the Italian navy is strong in Europe? Well, let me tell you, what level is it in East Asia? It's about the same as Indonesia. The military strength of our Baodao Province alone is much stronger than theirs. Do you still think Italy's military is strong?"

"ah?"