World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

A thick stack of telegrams lay before Wang Wenwu: "The reaction was extremely strong. His Majesty Wilhelm II of Germany sent a congratulatory telegram in person, with an extremely enthusiastic tone, and expressed his hope for 'comprehensive deepening of military-technical cooperation.' From the British side, the Foreign Office and the Admiralty each sent formal congratulatory telegrams, but with cautious wording, while requesting arrangements for a high-level meeting. France, Russia, and the United States also sent congratulatory telegrams, but the content was more official."

"What has the US side said privately?" Chen Feng asked astutely.

"The U.S. consul in Dubai visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, expressing a desire to increase oil purchases from Lanfang and inquiring whether we were interested in buying more U.S. industrial equipment." Wang Wenwu paused, "In addition, he subtly indicated that the U.S. government was willing to mediate the Lanfang-Japan conflict 'at an appropriate time'."

"Mediation?" Little scoffed. "The Americans certainly know how to pick their moments. We win, and then they come to play peacemaker."

"This is a good thing," Chen Feng said calmly. "It shows that the international community has begun to accept our status as a major power in the Far East. The question now is how we can use this victory to secure the greatest benefit for the country."

He looked at Zhou Tieshan: "What's the situation inside Japan?"

Zhou Tieshan opened the intelligence briefing: "It's very chaotic. Navy Minister Yashiro Rokuro has resigned, and Yamamoto Gonnohyōe has returned to service. The conflict between the Army and the Navy has become public, even heated. The Army accuses the Navy of ruining the nation's future and demands a significant reduction in the Navy's budget; the Navy, on the other hand, accuses the Army of not understanding naval power and demands that the Army prepare for a possible amphibious landing."

"What about the cabinet?"

"Prime Minister Masatake Terauchi has just successfully formed a cabinet, but his ruling foundation is very fragile due to the serious confrontation between the army and the navy. Intelligence indicates that there are already voices within the army calling for Terauchi to step down and be replaced by someone more 'tough'."

Chen Feng thought for a few seconds: "In other words, Japan is currently in its most chaotic and vulnerable period."

"Yes," Zhou Tieshan said with certainty. "Militarily, the main force of the navy has been annihilated, and although the army is intact, it cannot go to sea. Politically, the army and navy are at odds, and the cabinet is unstable. Economically, our sea transport lines could be cut off at any time. If we want to force Japan to negotiate, now is the best time."

"But we can't push too hard," Wang Wenwu interjected. "If we push too hard, it might give the pro-war faction within Japan the upper hand, or even trigger a nationwide mentality of 'suicide pact.' In that case, even if we win, the cost will be too high."

Chen Feng nodded in agreement: "So what we need is 'controllable pressure.' We need to make Japan feel desperate, but also leave them a glimmer of hope—the hope of peace talks."

He turned to Li Te: "Li Te, what are your plans for your fleet going forward?"

Li Te said, "As planned, we will conduct alternating shelling of important ports such as Sasebo, Kure, and Nagasaki over the next three days. Each shelling session will be limited to two hours, with the primary objective being the destruction of military facilities. At the same time, our submarine force will continue to patrol near the main shipping lanes of Japan, creating a situation of maritime blockade."

"Very good," Chen Feng said. "But we must be careful to allow enough time for the Japanese to react after each shelling. We need to send them a signal: we can destroy their ports at any time, but we didn't—because we are willing to talk."

"clear."

Chen Feng then looked at Li Te: "What's the situation with the Fuxing (Revival) aircraft carrier?"

"The Jiangsu, towing the Fuxing, is expected to arrive in Pontianak tomorrow. Captain Lin Hai's condition is stable, but the ship is severely damaged and will require at least six months of major repairs." Li Te's voice was somewhat low. "The list of fallen officers and soldiers has been compiled, and the compensation plan is being formulated."

"The compensation standards must be raised," Chen Feng said firmly. "These soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country, and the country cannot mistreat their families. In addition, we will arrange the highest-level welcoming ceremony, and I will personally go to Pontianak to welcome the Fuxing bullet train back."

"Yes."

The meeting room was quiet for a moment. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting long shadows on the table.

Chen Feng stood up and walked to the world map. His finger traced a path from Dubai, across the Indian Ocean, stopping at Borneo, then turning north and stopping at the East China Sea.

"Gentlemen, we are making history." His voice was soft, but every word was clear and powerful. "A few months ago, we reclaimed Borneo, ending forty years of exile for the Chinese. Today, we have defeated Asia's most powerful navy in the East China Sea, establishing our maritime hegemony in the Far East. With Borneo, we can finally produce our own food."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "But victory is not the end, but a new beginning. Next, we have three things to do."

Everyone sat up straight and listened attentively.

"First, use military victories to force Japan to negotiate peace. The goals of the negotiations are: huge reparations, recognition of our sphere of influence in Southeast Asia, opening of markets, and... limiting the scale and speed of its naval reconstruction."

"Second, leverage international attention to conduct comprehensive diplomacy. The Germans want technology, we can give it to them, but in exchange for what we need. The British want to maintain the status quo, we can talk, but they must acknowledge our position. The Americans want to act as mediators, they can, but they must stand on our side."

"Third, and most importantly—accelerate our own development." Chen Feng walked to the window, pulled back half of the curtains, and let the sunlight stream into the conference room. "The navy needs to be expanded, the air force needs to be accelerated, industry needs to be upgraded, and education needs to be popularized. This victory has given us a strategic window of opportunity of ten years, perhaps twenty years. We must use this time to build Lanfang into a truly powerful nation, a nation that no one dares to underestimate."

His voice rose, becoming powerful: "Because we know that this victory will not bring lasting peace. Japan's hatred will not disappear, Britain's vigilance will not lessen, and Germany's ambitions will not change. The world is entering a more turbulent and dangerous era. And what we must do is, in this era, fight for a safe, dignified, and prosperous future for Lanfang and for all overseas Chinese."

The meeting room was completely silent. Everyone looked at Chen Feng, at the leader who had led them from nothing to where they were today.

"So," Chen Feng concluded, his voice regaining its composure, "celebration is fine, but don't let it last too long. Sadness is acceptable, but don't wallow in it. Because we still have a long way to go and many things to do."

He walked back to his seat and sat down: "Now, let's begin discussing the specific plans. Minister Wang, you start with the diplomatic strategy. Director Zhou, you'll be in charge of intelligence support. Li Te, you'll formulate the naval expansion plan."