World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"Minister Li's economic analysis is correct," he said. "Minister Liu's realistic assessment is also correct. Commander Zhang's questions and Minister Wang's analysis are both reasonable."

He turned around: "But you've overlooked one thing—human nature."

He walked to the conference table, placed his hands on it, and leaned forward: "Yes, 150,000 people went to Europe, and many may die. Those who stayed in the country may also starve to death. Looking at the cold, hard numbers, perhaps the former is better off—at least they can eat their fill before they die and leave some money for their families."

"But we are human beings, not numbers." Chen Feng's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck like a hammer blow. "Why did we establish Lanfang? It was to give Chinese people our own country, a country that can protect our compatriots. Not to be shrewd businessmen, calculating which life is more worthwhile."

He straightened up: "If we sit here today analyzing how to profit from the fate of these 150,000 people, how to exploit their deaths for our own gain—then how are we any different from the Northern XX Prefecture? How are we any different from those imperialist powers who sold the Chinese like pigs?"

No one answered.

"So my decision is," Chen Feng said, emphasizing each word, "to intervene. We must bring these 150,000 people back. We will not let a single Chinese compatriot go to Europe to fill the trenches."

The meeting room erupted in chaos.

"President, this is impossible!" Li Yongguang objected first. "That's an agreement between the Northern XX Prefecture and Britain and France. What right do we have to interfere? What reason do we have?"

"Use the reason of kinship," Chen Feng said. "Use the reason that blood is thicker than water."

"Britain and France won't agree!" Wang Wenwu exclaimed anxiously. "They need these laborers; the logistics on the western front are on the verge of collapse. If we intervene forcefully, we'll offend both Britain and France!"

"Then I'll have to offend them," Chen Feng said coldly. "Minister Wang, do you think our relationship with Britain is good right now? Gerrard practically wanted to devour me when he left. As for France—they need our help now and wouldn't dare turn against us."

Zhou Tieshan frowned: "Commander-in-Chief, even if Britain and France reluctantly agree, what about the Northern XX Prefecture? This is an important measure for Yuan Shikai to enhance his international standing, and he will never let it go."

"Then let him give up," Chen Feng said. "We can give him a way out—for example, Lanfang can pay to compensate Beiyang for its 'losses.' Or, we can make a deal in other ways. But the person must come back."

Zhang Zhen asked the most practical question: "How do we bring them back? 150,000 people, scattered across Zhili, Shandong, and Jiangsu, may have already begun to assemble. Are we going to send troops to X country to snatch them?"

"No." Chen Feng walked to the map. "The laborers will depart from Tianjin Port and travel by ship to Europe. The ships are British and French, and the route passes through the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. And this sea area..."

He turned to Zhang Zhen: "This is where our navy operates."

Zhang Zhen understood: "You want to intercept us by sea?"

"It's not interception, it's 'receiving' them in Europe," Chen Feng corrected. "We can inform those laborers that Lanfang is willing to accept them, give them jobs, land, and a future. As long as they're willing, our ships are waiting at sea to bring them to Borneo, Malaya, and Dubai. To put it simply, however many people Beijing sends to Europe, we'll bring them back!"

Liu Qinian's eyes lit up: "This is a good idea! It's based on the principle of voluntariness. We're not stealing people; we're providing another option. North America and Britain and France can't really say anything about it."

"But the British and French convoys are escorted by the navy," Zhang Zhen said. "If our ships get close, a conflict may occur."

Chen Feng smiled, a smile tinged with cold confidence: "So we need to demonstrate our strength. Let the British and French know that Lanfang is willing to fight for these 150,000 compatriots."

He looked at Zhou Tieshan: "Minister Zhou, where are the Huaihe and Zhujiang ships now?"

Zhou Tieshan thought for a moment: "According to the plan, we will depart from Borneo tomorrow to escort a batch of supplies to Germany. They should still be making final preparations at the port."

"Change the plan," Chen Feng ordered. "Both ships will depart immediately, but not to Germany—they will go to France first. Rear Admiral Litte's mission has been changed: First, escort the merchant convoy to Wilhelmshaven to deliver goods; second, detour to Calais, France, to pick up Chinese laborers and bring them back to China."

"Bring them back to China?" Wang Wenwu asked in surprise. "Bring them back to where?"

"Bring Lanfang back," Chen Feng said. "Those who want to come to Borneo, go to Borneo. Those who want to come to Dubai, come to Dubai. We have land, factories, and jobs; we can support 150,000 people."

Li Yongguang quickly calculated: "Resettling 150,000 people will require an investment of at least 20 million Lanzhou dollars. This includes housing, land, means of production, living allowances..."

"I'll figure out the money," Chen Feng interrupted him. "The Germans' next payment is coming soon, eight million marks. The British also have trade payments to us, we can urge them on. If that's not enough, issue special national bonds, I'll guarantee it."

He looked at everyone: "Now, are there any more questions?"

After a brief silence, Zhang Zhen stood up: "The navy is fine. The Huaihe and Zhujiang are both state-of-the-art battleships; the British fleet in the Mediterranean can't stop us. As long as you give the order, I guarantee to bring our compatriots back safely."

Zhou Tieshan also stood up: "The Ministry of National Defense fully supports this. If necessary, more ships can be mobilized."

Liu Chi-nien: "The Ministry of Industry can accelerate the construction of resettlement areas to ensure that workers have a place to live and a job when they arrive."

Li Yongguang smiled wryly: "The Ministry of Finance... will try to raise the money. But Your Excellency, this is truly a huge sum of money."

Finally, it was Wang Wenwu's turn. He took a deep breath: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lay the groundwork. I will meet with representatives from Britain, France, and the North XX government to communicate in advance—although they certainly won't agree, at least we need to prepare them mentally so they don't overreact."

"Very good." Chen Feng nodded. "Then let's get started. Minister Wang, your task is the most important—you need to express our position without completely ruining the relationship. You must strike the right balance."

"I understand," Wang Wenwu said. "I will first contact them privately to gauge their reaction before deciding on the intensity of my public statement."

Chen Feng walked to the window and looked out at Dubai, bathed in sunshine.

"Gentlemen, I know this decision is crazy, it will cost a lot of money, and it will offend a lot of people," he said with his back to them. "But some things cannot be measured by money and profit."

"More than a decade ago, when we founded our nation here, we vowed to build a country where Chinese people could stand tall. Now, the test has arrived. The fate of 150,000 compatriots hangs in the balance. Will we stand by and watch them go to their deaths, or will we reach out and help them?"

He turned around, his eyes resolute: "I choose to reach out. Even if that hand gets stabbed or cut off, I will still reach out. Because if we don't save them today, no one will save us tomorrow."

"Lanfang existed not only to become powerful, but also to prove that Chinese people are not pigs to be slaughtered, nor cheap labor in the eyes of foreign powers. We are human beings, with dignity, kinship, and the responsibility to protect each other."

In the meeting room, everyone straightened their backs.

"Go," Chen Feng said, "bring our compatriots home."