World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"But what about politically?" Chen Feng asked.

"Politically..." Zhou Tieshan hesitated, "We are indeed supporting Germany's enemies. Although it's a commercial matter, it has objectively helped Germany prolong the war. The British have reason to be angry."

Zhang Zhen spoke, his voice steady: "President, I thought about it on the ship back. The British are truly angry, but they also dare not act. Their core interests are in Europe, in defeating Germany. They will not open a second front in Asia until they achieve that goal."

He paused, then added, "But they will definitely retaliate, after the war."

"So?" Chen Feng looked at him.

"So we need to give them a way out," Zhang Zhen said, "an explanation that saves them face without harming our interests."

Chen Feng laughed: "Commander Zhang is starting to understand politics. Tell me, what step is it?"

"Money," Zhang Zhen said bluntly. "What do the British lack most right now? Resources and funds. We can hint, or even explicitly state, that as long as the price is right, we can do business with the British. Weapons, supplies, even... transportation services."

Wang Wenwu frowned: "Isn't this too obvious? What will the Germans think?"

"What the Germans think is irrelevant," Chen Feng continued. "What's important is convincing the British that we are not Germany's allies, but merely businessmen. Businessmen only care about money, not people."

He walked to the globe and gently turned it: "We need to instill a concept in Gerald—in Lanfang's eyes, the whole world is a customer. Germany is a customer, Britain can be a customer, France, the United States, even Russia can be a customer."

"But we are indeed helping Germany," Zhou Tieshan said.

"We're helping Germany because Germany is paying for it." Chen Feng stopped spinning the globe. "If Britain were paying, we could help Britain too. That's business logic."

Wang Wenwu seemed thoughtful: "You mean, to explain all our actions by using the 'absolutely neutral' identity of a businessman?"

"It's not absolute neutrality, it's 'conditional neutrality'," Chen Feng corrected. "Our neutrality is based on the premise that our business interests are not affected. Whoever affects our business is our enemy."

He sat back down at his desk. "Alright, get ready. Tomorrow afternoon, I have a serious talk with Major General Gerald. Minister Wang, you're in charge of the reception and the agenda. Commander Zhang, move the Huaihe and Zhujiang ships to patrol near Singapore, but don't enter British territorial waters; stay in international waters."

"Yes!" The three stood up at the same time.

Chen Feng stopped Wang Wenwu: "Wait. Send a private telegram to Saionji Kinmochi in my name. Write: The second batch of dispatched troops performed excellently, and preparations for the third batch can begin. The price... will be five percent higher than the second batch."

Wang Wenwu was taken aback: "At this time, why provoke the British?"

"We want to create a stir," Chen Feng smiled. "Let them know that anger won't change reality. We'll continue with our business as usual."

3 PM, January 14th, Port Dubai.

The HMS Carlisle, a light cruiser of the British Royal Navy, slowly docked. This 4,000-ton warship, launched in 1910, appeared somewhat inconspicuous in the vast Dubai harbor. On the pier, the Lanfang Naval Honor Guard was already lined up, and the military band played the national anthems of both countries.

Rear Admiral Gerard descended the gangway. He was fifty-five years old, six feet tall, and wore a crisp Royal Navy rear admiral's dress uniform with a row of medals on his chest. His face was angular, with a neatly trimmed mustache, and his blue eyes were sharp as an eagle's.

Wang Wenwu greeted them at the dock. When the two shook hands, Gerrard's grip was very strong.

"Mr. Consul General, welcome back to Dubai."

"Minister Wang, I hope this visit will yield substantial results," Gerald said in a curt tone.

The motorcade headed towards the presidential palace. Gerald surveyed the city through the car window. He had last visited Dubai a year ago, and in just twelve months, it had changed drastically. New government buildings had sprung up, streets had been widened, tram tracks had been laid, and even several buildings over ten stories high had appeared.

"Dubai is developing very quickly," Gerrard commented.

"Thanks to the war," Wang Wenwu smiled, "there wouldn't be such a great demand in peacetime."

Gerrard understood the hidden meaning in those words, but he didn't respond.

The reception room at the Presidential Palace was already set up. A rectangular conference table was set up, with Chen Feng, Wang Wenwu, Zhou Tieshan, and a translator seated on one side (although Chen Feng's English was good enough, diplomatic protocol required it). On the other side sat Gerald and his two entourage members—Vice Consul Thomson and Military Attaché Major Harris.

Without any pleasantries or formalities, Gerrard went straight to the point.

"Your Excellency President," he opened the folder in front of him, "I have been ordered to lodge a formal protest on behalf of the British Empire to the Lanfang Republic."

Chen Feng made a "please" gesture.

"First, the Lanfang Republic violated the principle of neutrality by providing military personnel transport services to the German Reich and its allies. According to our intelligence, in the past eight months, the Lanfang fleet has transported more than 150,000 soldiers from the Sakura Republic to Germany, directly enhancing the German army's combat capabilities."

"Secondly, the Lanfang Republic sold a large amount of weaponry, including artillery and machine guns, to Germany. These weapons were used against the British and their allies' forces, causing heavy casualties on our side."

"Third, the Lanfang Republic's large-scale technology exchange with Germany, in which it acquired core German military technology, seriously undermined the balance of power in Europe and was a blatant violation of international law."

Gerald raised his head, looking directly at Chen Feng: "Your Excellency, the British government demands that Lanfang immediately cease all of the aforementioned actions and compensate for the losses incurred. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to consider taking all necessary measures to safeguard the interests of our country and our allies."

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Chen Feng slowly leaned back in his chair, placing his hands on the table with his fingers interlaced. His expression was calm, even with a slight smile.

"General Gerald, are you finished?"

"That's all. Please give me your response."

"Okay." Chen Feng nodded. "First, regarding the principle of neutrality. Since its founding, the Lanfang Republic has always adhered to a policy of neutrality. We have never declared war on any belligerent country, nor have we ever sent a single soldier to participate in the war in Europe. This is evident to the international community."

Before Gerald could say anything, Chen Feng raised his hand to stop him: "Secondly, regarding transportation services. Lanfang Shipping Company is a commercial enterprise, and providing transportation services to customers is its primary responsibility. This company has signed a legal commercial contract with the German government, the contents of which comply with international law and commercial practices. As for what is being transported, that's the customer's business, not the carrier's."