World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

He surveyed the conference room: "Gentlemen, I know this plan sounds like a fantasy. But I urge you to believe that this is not a delusion, but an inevitable future. The wars ten or twenty years from now will certainly be like this. If we begin preparing now, we can gain a ten-year lead over the world. If we don't prepare, we will fall behind and be vulnerable to attack."

The meeting room remained silent for a long time. Then, Zhao Xuecheng was the first to stand up.

"Sir, I understand," he said. "I will adjust the production plan to prioritize aircraft for pilot training. At the same time, I will initiate preliminary research on carrier-based aircraft."

Lin Hwai-min also stood up: "I will immediately revise the 'Blue Sky Project' to add training content for carrier-based aviation. We can simulate an aircraft carrier deck on land and train take-off and landing techniques first."

Others followed suit. After the initial shock came a surge of enthusiasm. These aviation pioneers realized they were participating in making history.

Chen Feng smiled: "Alright, let's get to work. Remember, today's meeting content is top secret. Anyone who leaks it will be court-martialed."

"yes!"

That evening, Chen Feng returned to Dubai at 11 p.m.

But instead of resting, he went directly to the Ministry of National Defense. Zhou Tieshan was still in his office—this minister was known as a workaholic, often staying up until the early hours of the morning. (The State Security Bureau and other departments were reorganized into the Ministry of National Defense; the State Security Bureau is now similar to a department under the General Staff Department.)

"I knew you weren't asleep yet." Chen Feng pushed the door open and went in.

Zhou Tieshan looked up and rubbed his red eyes: "Commander-in-Chief, you're back. How's the base?"

"Very good." Chen Feng sat down opposite him. "Both the 'Kunpeng' and the 'Falcon' have taken to the skies. The pilots are very enthusiastic."

"That's good." Zhou Tieshan nodded, but his expression was somewhat hesitant.

"Speak your mind." Chen Feng looked at him.

Zhou Tieshan put down the documents in his hand and sighed: "Commander-in-Chief, I know I shouldn't question your decisions. But the military spending in recent months... I'm a little worried."

"What are you worried about?"

"I'm worried we're expanding too fast." Zhou Tieshan stood up and walked to the map on the wall. "Four new Bismarck-class destroyers are under construction, and four more are in the planning stages. The air force needs to expand to ten thousand men, and we need to build over a thousand aircraft. Now we're also building aircraft carriers... All of this costs money, a lot of money."

He turned around: "Last year, our military spending was 120 million, accounting for 40% of our fiscal revenue, which is already quite high. This year, according to your plan, it should at least double. Won't this...affect economic development? Won't it lead to a decline in people's livelihoods?"

Chen Feng didn't answer immediately. He walked to the window and looked at the Dubai night view. The city lights were reflected in his eyes like a sea of ​​stars.

"Minister Zhou, do you remember the scene when our country was founded?" he suddenly asked.

"I remember. In 3, in Dubai port, there were a few dozen people and several boats."

What were we thinking back then?

Zhou Tieshan thought for a moment: "I want to survive, I want to build a country of our own for the Chinese people, so that we will no longer be bullied."

"Yes." Chen Feng turned around. "But what about now? We've survived, the country has been established, and no one dares to bully us anymore. What are we thinking?"

Zhou Tieshan fell silent.

"We're thinking about the future," Chen Feng said for him. "We're thinking about ten years from now, twenty years from now, a hundred years from now. We're thinking about whether our descendants will be able to live in a powerful country, in a world with dignity."

He walked back to the table: "You asked me if military spending will affect the economy. I'll tell you, in the short term it will, but in the long term it won't. Because the military industry itself is an economic engine. How many jobs do shipyards, aircraft factories, and arsenals provide? How many related industries do they stimulate? How many skilled workers do they train?"

He pulled out a report: "These are statistics from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Last year, the military and related industries contributed 15 percent of GDP and provided 300,000 jobs. This year, it is expected to reach 20 percent, or 500,000 jobs. These workers receive wages, consume, buy houses, and support their families—this is domestic demand, the driving force of economic growth."

Zhou Tieshan looked at the report, lost in thought.

"Let's talk about people's livelihoods," Chen Feng continued. "You think the people will be dissatisfied if I spend all the money on military equipment? You're wrong. Go to the streets of Dubai and ask the workers in the shipyards, the technicians in the steel mills, and the employees at the airport. Do they support the country building large ships and airplanes?"

He opened the window, and the night breeze blew in, carrying the scent of the sea.

"To live, one needs not only food and clothing, but also hope, dignity, and confidence in the future. When a worker knows that the warship he helped build is the strongest in the world, when a pilot knows that the plane he flies is the most advanced, when an engineer knows that the weapons he designed can defend the country—this sense of pride cannot be bought with any amount of money."

Zhou Tieshan nodded: "I understand that. But, Commander-in-Chief, I'm still worried... We've offended the British at the same time, and we're also doing business with the Germans. What if they unite against us..."

"They won't," Chen Feng said confidently, "at least not now. Because they're fighting each other and don't have the resources to deal with us. Besides, they all need us—Germany needs our weapons and manpower, and Britain needs our resources and potential 'services.' This is our window of opportunity."

He paced back and forth in the room: "The war won't last forever. I estimate that in two years at most, both sides will be exhausted and begin peace talks. By then, Europe will be in ruins, and the great powers will be severely weakened. As for us? We have a complete industrial system, a powerful navy, a nascent air force, and ample funds."

He stopped, his eyes shining: "That's when Lanfang will truly rise to prominence. We can participate in shaping the post-war order, strive for international influence, protect the interests of overseas Chinese, and... do many things we never dared to imagine before."

Zhou Tieshan was deeply moved by these words. He then realized that Chen Feng's vision extended far beyond the war itself.

"So these military equipment..." he murmured.

"So these military assets are not just weapons, but also bargaining chips," Chen Feng continued. "They are the foundation of our confidence at the negotiating table, the guarantee that our words will be heard. Without them, we are lambs to the slaughter; with them, we are the players."

He walked up to Zhou Tieshan and patted him on the shoulder: "Old Zhou, I know you mean well, afraid I'll be reckless. But you have to believe me, I've calculated every step. There are risks, but the rewards are greater. We're walking a tightrope, but below isn't an abyss, it's a bright future."

Zhou Tieshan let out a long breath and laughed: "Commander-in-Chief, I can't argue with you. Anyway, I'm handing this old body over to you. You point, I'll go."

"That's right." Chen Feng smiled. "Now, go to sleep. There's a lot to do tomorrow."

Zhou Tieshan packed up his documents, preparing to leave, but turned back at the door: "Oh, right, Commander-in-Chief, there's something I forgot to mention. Major General Li Te's telegram says the Huaihe and Zhujiang ships have been resupplyed and will depart for Europe first thing tomorrow morning."

"Okay." Chen Feng nodded.

Zhou Tieshan left. Chen Feng stood alone in the office, looking at the world map on the wall.