World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"And that one," Liu Yongfu pointed to a young man wearing glasses, "Engineer Li Wen, 25 years old, designed the 'Tingfeng-1' radio. Now every company in ours has one, with a communication range of 30 kilometers."

Li Wen stood up and bowed, and the applause grew even louder.

Liu Yongfu concluded by saying, "Industrial construction is like building with blocks; you have to stack them one by one. You can't rush it, but you can't stop either. In three years, we've built the framework. In the next three years, we need to help that framework grow flesh."

He returned to his seat, and then stood up. The infrastructure chief was using crutches today—he had injured his leg while inspecting a railroad construction site last month.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have difficulty walking, so I won't be going on stage," Zhou Nian said into the microphone from his seat. "I'll just say a few numbers."

New charts appeared on the screen:

III. Infrastructure Construction (1908-1910)

Railways: 320 kilometers of new trunk lines and 480 kilometers of new branch lines were built, bringing the total length to 800 kilometers. The railway network around the Persian Gulf has taken initial shape.

Highways: 600 kilometers of new standard highways and 1200 kilometers of simple highways.

Port: Dubai Port is being expanded, adding 12 deep-water berths and increasing its annual throughput from 50 tons to 300 million tons.

Electricity: Two new thermal power plants and one experimental tidal power station will be built, increasing the total installed capacity from 20,000 kilowatts to 120,000 kilowatts.

Water supply: Three new seawater desalination plants were built, increasing the daily water supply capacity from 5000 tons to 30,000 tons.

Housing: Eight new residential areas were built, with 24,000 housing units, accommodating 120,000 people.

"Behind these numbers," Zhou Nian said, "are workers who toil under the scorching sun in the desert every day, technicians who sleep in tents, and surveyors who can't go home for months at a time. My leg is nothing compared to theirs; at least I'm still alive. There are thirty-seven fellow workers who left those three years forever on the construction site."

The auditorium fell silent. An anniversary celebration brought out a list:

"Zhang Ergou, from Henan, died in a tunnel collapse. Li Youcai, from Fujian, was electrocuted while erecting power lines. Wang Shitou, from Guangdong, suffered heatstroke while building the railway... I've written their names down here. When we go home, we'll take this list back to Southeast Asia and tell them: We didn't die in vain; we built a new home."

He spoke calmly, but many people began to wipe away tears.

Chen Feng stood up from his seat, walked over to Zhou Nian, and took the list.

"This list," he said into the microphone, "will be placed in the National Archives of Lanfang. Every name will be remembered. Their families will be supported by the state until they are old. Their children will be supported by the state until they graduate from university."

He turned to look at the entire audience:

"This is Lanfang's promise: to live up to the blood and sweat of everyone who has shed for her."

Applause erupted again, this time tinged with emotion.

The report continued. Li Te reported on naval development: two "Kuangfu-class" destroyers entered service, over 5,000 foreign sailors were trained, and a complete naval training system was established. Wang Bo reported on improvements in people's livelihoods: 48 new primary schools, 12 middle schools, and 6 technical schools were built; hospital beds increased from 200 to 1200; and the enrollment rate of school-age children rose from 15% to 68%.

Finally, Chen Feng returned to the podium.

"Now, the most important data," he took a deep breath, "the population."

A line of large characters appeared on the screen:

[December 1906: 1,527,300 people]

[December 1910: 1,527,300 people]

"In three years, the population has increased by 106.73 million," Chen Feng said. "Among them, Chinese immigrants increased by 103.42 million, and Arab immigrants voluntarily joined by 3.31. Now, one in four Lanfang residents is a newcomer from the last three years."

He paused:

"Why did they come? Because they heard that there was plenty to eat, children could go to school, and doctors to see if they were sick. They came and found that it was true. So they stayed, worked, paid taxes, had children, and built houses. This is the foundation of Lanfang—not steel, not warships, but people."

The applause was thunderous and lasted for a full minute.

"We've completed our three-year arduous task," Chen Feng's voice rose. "But we can't stop. We've only taken the first step on the road home. So today, I'm announcing a new plan—"

A new title appeared on the screen:

[1911-1913: A Two-Wheel Strategy]

Wheel 1: Industrial Deepening

Objective: To establish a complete civilian industrial system

Key sectors: automobiles, agricultural machinery, home appliances, and chemicals.

Investment: £1500 million

Wheel Two: Expansion into Southeast Asia

Objective: To establish an overseas foothold and pave the way for returning home.

Key locations: Singapore, Penang, Batavia

Investment: £500 million (initial investment)

Overall goal: To launch the first phase of the "Return to Hometown from Southeast Asia" movement by the end of 1913.

The auditorium was silent for a few seconds, then erupted in even louder applause. Many people stood up and clapped, tears streaming down their faces.

After a brief pause in the applause, Chen Feng continued:

"I know some people will ask: Why wait another three years? Why not go home now?" He looked around the room. "Because what we want to return to is not an empty city, but a home where our descendants can live in peace. We need a stronger navy to protect shipping lanes. We need better diplomacy to garner support. We need more compatriots to speak up for us in Southeast Asia."

His voice was firm:

"So, three more years. Three years later, at the end of 1913 or the beginning of 14, I promise—the Lanfang flag will fly again on the land of Southeast Asia. Not sneaking back, but returning home with dignity."

"And everyone here today," he pointed to the audience, "the factories you've built, the railways you've laid, the warships you've constructed, the students you've taught—they are all your tickets home."

"Three years from now, I'll take you home!"

He shouted the last sentence.

The entire audience rose to their feet, erupting in applause, cheers, and shouts. Workers tossed their safety helmets into the air, officers saluted, and elderly people wiped away tears as they helped each other up.

The three-year campaign has come to an end.

A new three years have begun.

December 31, 1910, 12 p.m., conference room on the top floor of the administration building.

The sounds of celebration drifted from the distant square outside the window—people awaited the New Year's bells. But inside the meeting room, it was so quiet you could hear a pen scratching on paper.

Six people sat around the long table: Chen Feng, Wang Wenwu, Liu Yongfu, Zhou Nian, Li Te, and Wang Bo. Maps, documents, budget sheets, and half-cooled tea were spread out on the table.

"Let's talk about the Southeast Asian project first." Chen Feng circled Singapore's location with a red pencil. "Wang Wenwu, how's it progressing there?"

Wang Wenwu opened the folder: "In Singapore, we registered 'Nanyang Trading Company' through a third party with a capital of £500,000. The general manager is Chen Jinfu's nephew, Chen Wenda—reliable and well-regarded in the Singaporean Chinese business community. It will open next month, and its main businesses will be rubber, tin ore, and spice trading."

"Cover?"

"Education." Wang Wenwu pulled out another document. "We bought a piece of land in Singapore to build the 'Nanyang Chinese School.' It's nominally a charity, but in reality... it's to cultivate the next generation of people close to Lanfang. The teaching materials will be shipped from here, and the teachers will be sent from here."