World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"Understood." Wang Wenwu took notes. "And the price..."

"The new version will cost 20% more," Chen Feng said without hesitation. "Tell the Japanese that this is an 'improved version,' which will significantly increase reliability and battlefield survivability. They'll buy it."

Wang Wenwu continued his report: "The Type 92 infantry gun has received relatively good reviews. German reports describe it as having 'high accuracy, good mobility, and suitability for accompanying infantry operations.' However, its ammunition consumption is very high, averaging more than forty rounds per gun per day."

"What is the status of artillery shell production?"

"All three production lines are running at full speed, with a monthly capacity of 30,000 rounds. But at the current rate of consumption, I'm afraid..."

"Expand production," Chen Feng said. "Open two more production lines. Tell the Ministry of Industry that this is a priority project."

"Regarding funding?"

"Using the money of the Japanese." Chen Feng walked to the window, looking at the bustling scene of Dubai Port outside. "The first batch of wages should have arrived by now, right?"

Wang Wenwu opened the third folder, his expression relaxing slightly this time: "It arrived late last night. The German side paid the initial payment, totaling 22 million marks, which, according to the exchange rate stipulated in the contract, is approximately 10.34 million yen."

He turned the page:

"According to the tripartite agreement, we deducted 10% commission, which is 2.2 million marks. After deducting the costs of weapons and equipment, transportation, and insurance that were paid in advance... the net income was 3.7 million marks, which has all been converted into gold and deposited into the treasury."

Chen Feng nodded; the number was within the expected range.

"How many did the Japanese receive?"

"Eight million six hundred thousand yen," Wang Wenwu said. "It has already been transferred to the Ministry of Finance's designated account through Yokohama Specie Bank. According to our intelligence, the Saionji Cabinet held an emergency meeting this morning to discuss the use of this money."

"How will they use it?" Chen Feng asked, even though he already had the answer in his mind.

"Half of it will be used to import grain, mainly rice from Siam and Burma. A quarter will be used to pay the next installment of war reparations for Lanfang. The remainder... may be used to stabilize the financial markets, where the Tokyo Stock Exchange plummeted by 17 percent last week."

Chen Feng turned around, his back to the window, his face hidden in the shadows.

"So they got a taste of the benefits," he said slowly. "They traded 25,000 lives for 8.6 million yen, and a few months to catch their breath."

Wang Wenwu did not respond. This kind of calculation was too cold; even someone as seasoned in officialdom as him felt uncomfortable.

"Have they responded to the proposal for a second batch of dispatches?" Chen Feng changed the subject.

"There hasn't been a formal reply yet, but according to inside sources, Saionji has agreed in principle," Wang Wenwu said. "There are dissenting voices within the Army, but they have been suppressed. As for the Navy... Togo Heihachiro hasn't publicly stated his opinion, but privately he told his confidants: 'This is like drinking poison to quench thirst, but a person who is extremely thirsty will drink even poison.'"

"A very apt metaphor." Chen Feng walked back to his desk, took out a telegram draft from the drawer, and said, "Send this to Berlin, copy to Tokyo."

Wang Wenwu prepared to take notes.

"To General Ludendorff of the German General Staff, and forwarded to Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi: I am delighted to hear of the great victory on the Eastern Front and the heroic fighting of the Japanese Expeditionary Army, which has brought glory to a foreign land. In view of your army's outstanding performance, if the German side has further needs, Lanfang is willing to assist in organizing a second batch of expeditions. All terms can be increased by 10% from the original agreement to recognize the merits of the first battle."

He paused, then added:

"Furthermore, our Ordnance Bureau has developed an improved weapon model based on battlefield feedback, which will significantly enhance reliability. Samples can be provided for testing if needed."

After Wang Wenwu finished recording, he looked up: "'Ten percent increase'...that's quite a significant increase. Will Japan accept it?"

"They will accept it," Chen Feng said confidently. "Because they need more money, and Germany needs more soldiers. We are the middlemen, and raising the price appropriately is a reasonable business practice."

"But casualties..."

"Minister Wang," Chen Feng interrupted him, his tone calm but authoritative, "Do you remember how many of our merchant ships were sunk twenty years ago when the Japanese navy blockaded the strait? Do you remember how many Chinese sailors jumped overboard to survive, only to freeze or drown?"

Wang Wenwu remained silent. He remembered, and every Chinese person should remember.

"War is about exchange," Chen Feng said. "Exchanging resources for land, blood for time, and lives for opportunities. What we're doing now is simply making this exchange more...systematic."

He walked to the world map on the wall and traced his finger from East Prussia to Japan, and then to Dubai.

"Japan trades soldiers for marks, Germany trades marks for defenses, and we trade organization and services for commissions. Everyone is using their resources to get what they need. This is modern warfare, this is geopolitics."

Wang Wenwu nodded, though he still felt uneasy.

"Oh, right," Chen Feng suddenly remembered something, "how's the development of that thing going?"

He asked a vague question, but Wang Wenwu immediately understood what he meant.

"The 'special order project' is still in the conceptual stage," Wang Wenwu said in a low voice. "The Ordnance Bureau has held several meetings and has a few initial ideas, but..."

"But what?"

"But the designers all say that if this weapon were actually built, it would be...inhuman." Wang Wenwu chose a strong word.

Chen Feng remained silent for a long time. The sound of ship horns from the port drifted in from outside the window, long and distant.

"Continue the research, but don't rush it," he finally said. "Focus on doing the existing business well first. Tell the Ordnance Department to improve existing weapons and increase their reliability, but don't make them too good—if they're too good, they won't need to be replaced so often."

The coldness in those words sent a chill down Wang Wenwu's spine, but he simply nodded: "Understood."

"There's one more thing." Chen Feng walked back to his desk, pulled out a sheet of paper, and wrote a letter to Saionji Kinmochi in his own name.

"content?"

"Congratulations, condolences, and a look to the future." Chen Feng dictated, "The words should be sincere, expressing admiration for the heroic fighting of the Japanese soldiers and regret for their sacrifices. Then... subtly remind them that Lanfang is willing to provide assistance in various aspects, including economic reconstruction, technological cooperation, and even post-war arrangements."

"Post-war arrangements?" Wang Wenwu asked, puzzled.

"If Germany wins, Japan, as a participant in the war, could theoretically gain some benefits," Chen Feng said. "Of course, that's a long way off. But it gives Saionji something to look forward to, making him feel that this deal isn't just about selling blood, but also about future possibilities."

Wang Wenwu quickly took notes, and couldn't help but admire Chen Feng's political acumen. He used both carrots and sticks, but the carrots had to be designed to be enticing enough.

"After the letter is written, send it using classified diplomatic mail to ensure it reaches Saionji directly," Chen Feng instructed. "Avoid the bureaucrats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

"Yes."

As Wang Wenwu finished organizing the documents and was about to leave, Chen Feng called him back.

"Minister Wang, do you think I'm too cold-hearted?"