The Wind Rises in 1898: Becoming a Warlord Starting in Southeast Asia

Chapter 122 Deep Schemes and Deception

That old devil Aoki Nobuyuki has finally come.

A cold glint flashed in Chen Feng's eyes.

He had learned through his informants in Cavite that the promised mining and smelting equipment had arrived at Cavite port several days ago, but there had been no sign of it.

It's nothing more than that the old fox found out he had intercepted the gold and got greedy.

That scoundrel had a brilliant plan: by inciting Aquinas to send troops to seize the gold, he could not only get a share of the profits but also save on equipment costs, and finally reap the benefits by taking over the small iron mine as well.

But now is not the time to turn against each other.

Without the equipment in hand, iron ore mining is out of the question, and industrial plans are nothing but castles in the air.

Suppressing his murderous intent, Chen Feng instantly put on a warm smile and said loudly to the figure slowly walking towards him from outside the door, "Mr. Aoki, you must be tired from your journey! I've been waiting for this news for ages!"

Aoki Nobuyuki was dressed in a dark kimono, and a hint of gloom was hidden in the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

He bowed slightly, his face full of a fake smile: "Mr. Chen, you've been waiting for a long time. The sea is rough and the route is unpredictable. The fleet encountered storms several times, which delayed our journey. I'm truly sorry."

"Have some tea!"

Chen Feng handed over a cup of hot tea, his tone so calm it was impossible to discern his emotions: "When can the equipment be unloaded at Guiyantan Wharf? I've already prepared the agreed-upon loan interest, not a penny less."

Upon hearing this, Aoki Nobujun felt immediately reassured.

It seems that his actions of bewitching Aquinado and plotting to seize the gold have not been exposed, and Chen Feng is still kept in the dark.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and a hint of barely perceptible smugness flashed in his eyes. He smiled and said, "According to the schedule, the equipment should have arrived at Guiyantan Wharf by now. I've come today to collect interest and, incidentally, to witness the commencement of General Chen's grand industrial plan."

"no problem!"

Chen Feng waved his hand gently, and Qian Biao, who was standing to the side, immediately stepped forward, opened the wooden box he was carrying, and the neatly stacked US dollar bills inside were clearly visible.

Aoki Nobuyuki put down his teacup, stepped forward to carefully count the money, and after confirming that the amount was exactly as advertised, his smile grew even wider. He then waved towards the door.

The Japanese attendants waiting outside immediately understood, turned around and hurried away, clearly heading to Guiyantan to inform the fleet to unload the cargo immediately.

Chen Feng watched his actions, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His tone was so earnest, as if he were genuinely pleading for help: "Mr. Aoki, you see how trustworthy I am. The Free Army is growing rapidly and is about to expand its factories and mine iron ore. We urgently need working capital. I wonder if your company could provide another loan?"

Since the Japanese aren't planning to repay the principal on their loans, the more loans the better!

If this guy dares to refuse, he won't even get to take away the interest he's already received.

Aoki Nobuyuki clearly hadn't expected Chen Feng to request an additional loan, and quickly began to calculate.

Chen Feng's factory serves as excellent collateral, and he has good relationships with the United States and the Independent Army, so there's no need to worry about not being able to recover it.

Moreover, this loan is both an investment and a way to absorb domestic industrial capacity.

He suppressed his calculations and nodded, saying, "Of course. You own several factories, which can be used to secure additional loans."

A thoughtful look flashed across Aoki Nobuyuki's eyes as he slowly said, "Your bicycle factory produces 500 bicycles per month. According to your contract with the US military, the unit price is $45, so the monthly output value is $22500."

The merchant ship repair yard has three dry docks capable of repairing vessels under 1,000 tons, with a single repair costing $3000-$5000. Taking the midpoint, monthly revenue is approximately $12000. The ordnance factory is for your Free Army's own use, so valuation and loans are not convenient.

"Factory loans are usually based on 12 to 36 months of turnover. However, Luzon is still at war and the situation is unstable, so we can only lend you the minimum standard."

You own 6% of the bicycle factory and can borrow $162000. You own 8% of the merchant ship repair factory and can borrow $115200.

The sum is $277200, which is 415800 yen. Let's round it up to 42 yen.

As Chen Feng listened to his words, he became increasingly alarmed.

This old Japanese devil is even more familiar with the revenue details of his businesses than I am; he's obviously been secretly investigating for a long time.

Even more alarming is that he knew exactly how many shares he owned, indicating that his intelligence network within the US military was incredibly deep.

However, it costs 42 yen!

This is double the amount of the last loan!

This is an enormous windfall!

Nobuyuki Aoki added, "As always, loans can only be used to purchase products from the Great Japanese Empire."

"What about the interest?" Chen Feng pressed, his face remaining impassive.

Aoki Nobuyuki smiled and said, "Let's follow the old rules."

Chen Feng immediately turned around and loudly ordered towards the door, "Notify Mr. Wu Yangzeng to come over!"

A moment later, Wu Yangzeng strode into the house.

He immediately spotted Aoki Nobuyuki dressed in a kimono, his pupils contracted slightly, and his expression instantly darkened.

The humiliation of the First Sino-Japanese War was etched in his memory. The Japanese face with its hypocritical smile made his stomach churn, and he barely suppressed the urge to turn away.

"Mr. Wu, you've gotten a feel for the situation at each factory these past few days. See if there's any equipment or materials you're still missing. Please coordinate with Mr. Aoki." Chen Feng's tone was calm, but he subtly gave Wu Yangzeng a look, signaling him to be patient.

Wu Yangzeng took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation and impatience in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "In terms of mining, the existing equipment can only meet the needs of open-pit mining. Deep veins require five hydraulic drilling rigs and five mining hoists."

In terms of smelting, in addition to the basic furnace that has already arrived, two hot blast stoves and two refining furnaces are also needed, as well as a set of testing equipment to ensure accurate testing of the purity of iron ore.

In addition, the factory expansion requires a quantity of seamless steel pipes, high-strength steel, and ten machine tools for processing machine parts.

All equipment must meet industrial-grade standards. If any equipment is found to be defective, we reserve the right to refuse delivery and demand compensation.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Aoki Nobuyuki's eyes.

He hadn't expected this Chinese man to know so much professional knowledge; he had originally thought he was just a bookish scholar who only knew theory.

He toned down his initial disdain and nodded, saying, "Mr. Wu, rest assured, the industrial products of the Great Japanese Empire are absolutely reliable in quality. I will have someone check the list immediately, and all the equipment will be assembled and shipped within a week."

"That would be for the best." Wu Yangzeng said coldly, without any further pleasantries, and left after speaking, unwilling to have any more contact with Aoki Nobuyuki.

Chen Feng watched his retreating figure, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He then turned to Aoki Nobuyuki and said with a smile, "Mr. Wu is a straightforward man who is devoted to his business. Please forgive any shortcomings in his conduct, Mr. Aoki."

"It's alright." A hint of disdain flashed in Aoki Nobuyuki's eyes, but he didn't say anything more.

The two immediately took out the contract template they had drafted last time, made some minor modifications, and signed and stamped it. The moment the ink fell, they were each making their own calculations.

Chen Feng put away his contract and asked casually, "Mr. Aoki, I've heard something. It seems your Chamber of Commerce arrested a Chinese timber merchant named Yang Boqing?"

Aoki Nobuyuki's self-glow shifted almost imperceptibly, then he feigned surprise and asked, "Chen-san, why are you asking about this?"

It seems there is such a person, but I don't know the specifics.

Not sure?

Chen Feng sneered inwardly. This old Japanese devil knew the exact shareholding ratio of his own factory, so how could he not know about Yang Boqing?

But for now, they still need his loans and equipment, so it's not convenient to break ties.

Chen Feng suppressed his doubts and softened his tone: "Mr. Yang is an old friend of one of my elders. If it's convenient, I would like to ask Mr. Aoki to be lenient and release him."

Aoki Nobuyuki lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, still feigning ignorance: "To be honest, I heard that he has been transferred to Qing China by other Japanese merchants. As for the reasons, I really don't know! After all, I am busy with business all day long and have no time to pay attention to such trivial matters."

Did they go to the Qing Dynasty?

Chen Feng's heart sank.

This is troublesome.

He had previously asked Zheng Mingsong to inquire about his master, but the Zheng family's connections in the Qing court's northern region were too weak, and they had not given him a definite answer.

Now that Yang Boqing has been sent back to the Qing Dynasty, it's like finding a needle in a haystack.

Seeing Aoki Nobuyuki's feigned ignorance, he knew that asking any more questions would be useless, so he could only say helplessly, "In that case, I'll trouble Mr. Aoki to keep an eye out for me. Please let me know if you have any news."

"No big deal!" Aoki Nobuyuki patted his chest and took full responsibility, but the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes.

Chen Feng, too lazy to continue the pretense, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and considered it a dismissal.

Aoki Nobuyuki immediately understood, carefully put away the contract, bowed, and took his leave.

As he watched his figure disappear outside the door, the smile on Chen Feng's face vanished instantly.

Just as he was about to get up to visit the wounded soldiers, Marilyn came in carrying a basin of hot water.

In broad daylight, she was dressed very appropriately in a well-fitting women's military uniform, which accentuated her upright posture.

"Chen, your thigh wound needs cleaning and dressing." Her voice was gentle, her gaze falling on the bloodstains seeping from Chen Feng's trouser leg with a hint of concern.

Chen Feng looked down and nodded slightly: "Thank you for your trouble."

Marilyn sat down in front of him, carefully unwrapping the gauze. Her fingers inadvertently touched his firm muscles, and her cheeks flushed slightly. She explained in a low voice, "When Battalion Commander Zhang allowed me to carry a gun, it was my own strong request. It wasn't his decision on my own. Please don't blame him."

"He has already told me about this."

Chen Feng waved his hand, his tone calm, "At that time, Baldomerro attacked suddenly, the situation was urgent, so it was reasonable to do so."

He paused, recalling the near-death experience last time, and asked curiously, "By the way, how did your intelligence department get the news so quickly? Bardomello had just led his troops out of the city when the alarm reached the camp. If the news hadn't come so fast, that guy might have actually stormed into the camp and caused huge losses."

As Marilyn gently wrapped a clean bandage around his neck, she slowly replied, "Our intelligence agents were originally just cleaning staff in Aquinado's mansion, with no access to core intelligence. However... I learned by chance that there's a sketch of you hanging in his daughter Isabella's room."

She glanced at Chen Feng, her tone turning playful: "When we first approached her to make contact, she flatly refused, but she didn't betray our people. During this time, she didn't send any messages, but unexpectedly, at the crucial moment, she delivered the intelligence that Baldomero had deployed troops."

It's strange, really. You almost beat her father to death, yet she hid your portrait in her room and was willing to take such a huge risk to pass on this crucial information. Chen, what is it about you that makes you so captivating?

What?

Isabella?

The image of that lively-looking girl instantly flashed into Chen Feng's mind. He couldn't help but shake his head, thinking to himself: What the hell is this?

Marilyn put away the blood-stained bandage, glanced at him with a half-smile, said nothing more, and turned to walk out of the stone house.

From a distance, Wang Muning happened to see her leaving. He frowned slightly, pursed his lips, and turned back to the medical tent with the basin of hot water in his hand. In the end, he did not step into the stone house again.

Chen Feng, leaning on his crutches, slowly strolled around the wounded soldiers' camp.

He didn't say much, but he visited each of the seriously wounded soldiers, patted them on the shoulder, and said a few words of encouragement.

Letting the brothers know that the general cares about them is a better morale booster than any material support.

Back in the stone house, the empty space left by Zheng Mingsong on the table was still there, and Chen Feng remembered the manuscript.

Zheng Mingsong left yesterday with the manuscript of the British chapter of "The Rise of Great Powers," and the book can only be serialized in Hong Kong newspapers for now.

In the afternoon, Pang Li rushed back, bringing with him the latest intelligence from the front: the Spanish colonial army's fierce attack had ultimately failed to break through the makeshift defenses built by Luna, and naturally, they had no interest in attacking the positions of the Chinese Free Army.

According to intelligence sources, Connor has been unusually active these past few days, meeting with Bishop Larra almost daily on his ship in Manila Harbor.

Upon hearing this, Chen Feng knew that the day when the Spanish colonial army would surrender was not far off.

The trajectory of history flashed through his mind: according to the original course, after Spain's surrender, the Philippines would have had a brief respite until the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

The United States will buy the entire Philippines from Spain for $2000 million.

This money may seem like a waste, but in reality, it's not a loss at all.

Firstly, it avoids legal disputes.

At the time, the Philippines had already declared independence, and direct military occupation by the United States would be considered an invasion; by purchasing the property, the occupation was packaged as the inheritance of Spanish colonial rights, thus providing a legal veneer for the subsequent suppression of the independence movement.

Secondly, it serves to deter foreign powers.

The Asia-Pacific region in the 19th century was a battleground for great powers, with Germany and Japan both eyeing the Philippines covetously.

The United States' takeover through a legal purchase is tantamount to declaring to other powers that the Philippines is within the legitimate sphere of influence of the United States, reducing the pretexts for intervention by other powers, which cannot be achieved through mere military occupation.

How similar is this Treaty of Paris to those unequal treaties imposed on Chinese people throughout history?

It was all the same: the locals were reduced to fish and meat, while the foreign powers held the knife and shoved them at will.

Chen Feng tapped the table with slightly more force, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He thought to himself: It's a pity that the Germans are not strong enough to deploy enough troops in Luzon to confront the United States.

Otherwise, if they were to turn against the US military, they could at least get on the coattails of the Germans and use their strength to contain the US forces.