World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"What about naval restrictions?" Terauchi pressed. "A gross tonnage of 100,000 tons means we don't even have the most basic escort capabilities. Japan is an island nation; its maritime transport routes are its lifeline..."

"So you should understand even more," Chen Feng continued, "what the consequences are of having a powerful navy but using it in the wrong place. If the Japanese navy had only used it to protect merchant ships instead of trying to challenge Lanfang, we wouldn't be sitting here today."

These words were like a slap in the face to all the representatives from Japan.

Silence fell over the hall once more. Togo Heihachiro finally put down the documents, raised his head, and looked Chen Feng directly in the eyes for the first time.

Those were the eyes of an old man, the whites of his eyes yellowish, the pupils deep brown, but his gaze was still sharp—not the sharpness of a sword, but the sharpness unique to someone who had weathered storms and seen through life and death.

"Commander Chen," Togo began, his voice not loud, but everyone in the hall could hear him clearly, "I have a question to ask you."

"Speaking."

"This draft was formulated with the aim of thoroughly weakening the Sakura Kingdom. But what I don't understand is," Togo paused, "what good would a weak, chaotic, and impoverished Sakura Kingdom do for Lanfang? If the Sakura Kingdom's economy collapses, its society becomes turbulent, and millions of starving people riot... it will only become a destabilizing factor for the entire East Asia. At that time, Lanfang may not be facing a navy, but a wave of refugees and revolutions sweeping across the entire region."

This is a very clever question. It avoids the moral debate about "whether it is fair" and directly addresses practical interests.

Chen Feng looked at Togo for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "Marshal Togo, that's a good question. So the purpose of this draft is not to cause the collapse of Sakura Country, but to... transform Sakura Country."

He stood up and walked to the map of East Asia on the wall: "Please take a look. Before the war, Japan invested the vast majority of its resources in the arms race—building warships, constructing fortresses, and expanding its army. And the result? The people suffered, farmers went bankrupt, and workers worked overtime but still went hungry. Now, we will help Japan redistribute its resources."

He pointed to the Japanese archipelago with his finger: "Reparations will bring pressure, but they will also force you to reform. Naval restrictions will bring insecurity, but they will also force you to develop other industries. A good Japanese archipelago is one that focuses on the economy, on people's livelihoods, and on peaceful trade with its neighbors."

"That sounds nice," Yamamoto sneered. "In reality, it means we'll forever lose the possibility of becoming a powerful nation."

"A powerful nation?" Chen Feng turned around and looked at Yamamoto. "Minister Yamamoto, what do you consider a powerful nation to be? Is it possessing giant warships and cannons, showing off its power everywhere? Or is it ensuring that its people are well-fed and clothed, that children have access to education, and that the elderly are cared for?"

He walked back to his seat and raised his voice slightly: "In the ten years since the founding of Lanfang, we have not built the world's largest navy, but we have built 127 schools, 43 hospitals, and 2,000 kilometers of railway. We have not conquered any country, but we have given millions of overseas Chinese their own motherland for the first time."

"Now," he looked at the Japanese delegation, "it's Japan's turn to choose. Will they cling to their outdated dream of becoming a powerful nation until the country completely collapses? Or will they let go of their burdens and start anew?"

Terauchi Masayuki closed his eyes. Yamamoto Gonbei clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. Only Togo Heihachiro remained calmly watching Chen Feng, something seeming to flicker in his old eyes.

The lunch break was held in the conference center's restaurant. Representatives from Lanfang and Japan sat in separate areas, separated by an aisle and several large potted bird of paradise plants.

Chen Feng ate very little, only ordering a bowl of seafood porridge and a few side dishes. He ate while observing the Japanese delegation. Terauchi Masatake barely touched his utensils, only drinking water constantly. Yamamoto Gonnohyōe mechanically swallowed his food, his eyes vacant. Only Tōgō Heihachirō ate earnestly, even praising the perfect cooking time for the steamed grouper.

Negotiations continued at 1 p.m.

This time, it was Togo Heihachiro who spoke first. He didn't talk about specific terms, but instead brought up seemingly unrelated matters.

"When I was young, I often traveled the Southeast Asian routes," the old man's voice echoed in the hall, "from Nagasaki to Singapore, to Batavia, to Manila. Everywhere I went, I saw white people who were arrogant and haughty, and yellow people who were subservient. In the Philippines, Americans treated the locals like monkeys; in Java, the Dutch called the indigenous people 'natives'; in Hong Kong, the British put up signs that said 'No Chinese or dogs allowed'."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across every face of the Lanfang delegation: "Back then, I wondered, why? Why is it that when both countries build ships, the British build advanced ones, while the Japanese build imitations? Why is it that when both countries have navies, the American fleet can roam the Pacific, while the Japanese fleet can only patrol coastal waters?"

"Because of strength," Chen Feng said.

"Not entirely," Togo shook his head. "It's because of the power of discourse. Because they set the rules, they set the standards, and they write history. When they win, they call it a 'victory of civilization'; when they colonize, they call it 'spreading advanced civilization.' When we won the Russo-Japanese War, they called it 'luck' or 'barbarism triumphing over decay.'"

He leaned forward slightly: "Commander Chen, Lanfang has defeated Japan this time. What will the West say? Will they say your technology is advanced and your tactics are brilliant? Or will they say... that the yellow race has finally learned the white people's rules of the game?"

This is a very pointed question. Several of Lanfang's young attendants exchanged glances, clearly having not considered this possibility before.

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds, then laughed: "Marshal Dongxiang, are you reminding me that we are all of Asian descent, and we shouldn't fight amongst ourselves, but should join hands to fight against the white people?"

"I dare not speak of 'confrontation'," Togo said slowly, "but at the very least, people with yellow skin and black eyes should share a common ideal: an Asia that is not bullied by white people, not discriminated against by white people, and does not have to be subservient to white people. Japan has pursued this goal for the past forty years, but it has gone down the wrong path—we tried to achieve it by becoming another 'white-style' great power. And what was the result? We have become what we once hated."

He looked at Yamamoto, then at the temple, and finally at Chen Feng: "Lanfang has won, proving that Asians can become strong in their own way. But if all they do next is repeat the white men's methods—victory, reparations, weakening, control—what's the difference between them and the Western powers of yesteryear?"

The lobby was so quiet you could hear the air conditioning blowing.

Chen Feng leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. After seven taps, he spoke: "Marshal Dongxiang, you're very well said. But there's a problem."

Please advise.

"On what basis is your so-called 'ideal world for people of Asian descent' built?" Chen Feng asked. "Is it based on equal cooperation? Or on a shared prosperity under the leadership of a certain country?"

Togo did not answer immediately.

Chen Feng continued, "If it's equal cooperation, then it's simple—sign this treaty, Japan returns to the path of peaceful development, and our two countries engage in equal exchanges. If it's a shared prosperity under the leadership of a certain country…" He smiled, "Then there has to be a leading country. Who do you think it should be?"