World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

Chen Feng remained unfazed: "The handover location can be a port in a third country agreed upon by both parties; Singapore or Gibraltar are suggested. The Royal Navy can also come to Dubai Port—to pick it up themselves! As for the shipboard systems—"

He glanced at Wang Wenwu. Wang Zhengwu then took out another document.

"This is the complete technical manual for the 'Revival-class' aircraft carrier. It includes all the operating and maintenance details for the fire control computer, radar system, and power unit." Chen Feng pushed the document over. "We won't keep core secrets like we did with Germany. The reason is simple: the deal with Germany was about debt repayment, while the deal with your country... we hope it's the beginning of long-term cooperation."

This statement surprised the British side once again. A complete technology transfer? Does this mean Lanfang is willing to share its most advanced naval technology? (The British are about to build their own Hood, so they're just giving it away.)

The Admiral was almost ready to agree immediately. But Sir Grey was more composed: "Then, what's the price? His Excellency the President won't be so generous without a reason."

Chen Feng smiled: "There are indeed conditions, but they are reasonable. First, after the two ships settle the debt, all pre-war debts between Lanfang and Britain will be wiped clean, and your government needs to issue a formal settlement certificate. Second, regarding the additional technical data and personnel training provided, a service fee of two million pounds sterling is required. Third—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "—Lanfang hopes to establish a long-term military-industrial cooperation framework with Britain. In the next five years, if the Royal Navy has any needs for new ship construction or the modernization of existing ships, Lanfang's quotations and technical solutions will be given priority under the same conditions."

The negotiations entered their core phase. Over the next hour, the two sides engaged in a heated but restrained debate over price, payment methods, handover timetable, and details of technical training.

Britain attempted to lower the price, but Chen Feng remained unyielding. Britain demanded an increase in the number of trainees, which Chen Feng agreed to but requested more money. Britain wanted a swift handover, but Chen Feng stated that he needed three months to complete the resettlement of officers and soldiers and the preparation of the ships.

On the table, the lamb chops were cold, the wine was empty, and the candles were burning low. The waiter quietly cleared away the cutlery and served dessert, but almost no one touched it.

Finally, at 10:15 PM, a preliminary agreement was reached:

Lanfang used the "Fuxing" and "Guangfu" high-speed trains to offset all the principal and interest of its debts to Britain.

The UK paid an additional £1.5 million in "technical services fees".

The handover was to take place in Singapore no later than November 30, 1916.

The two sides signed a five-year memorandum of understanding on military-industrial cooperation.

But just as Sir Grey was about to have his secretary draft a memorandum, Chen Feng spoke up again.

"There's one more thing," his voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet hall. "Considering the current shipping security situation in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Lanfang is willing to provide six additional 'Jianghe-class' destroyers outside the framework of this transaction. They are specifically optimized for anti-submarine warfare, equipped with new sonar and depth charge delivery systems, making them ideal for escort missions."

King George V narrowed his eyes. Here comes the real climax. Britain's biggest headache right now is submarine warfare; merchant ship losses are hitting new highs every month.

"The price?" the king asked succinctly.

"280,000 pounds per ship. 1.68 million for six ships. If purchased in one go, the price can be reduced to 1.6 million," Chen Feng quoted the figures.

The Admiral immediately calculated: The cost of a British-built destroyer was approximately £150,000, but the construction period was long and its anti-submarine capabilities were mediocre. Lanfang's quote was almost double that, but…

"Performance data?" he asked.

Wang Wenwu handed over another document. The admiral quickly flipped through it, becoming increasingly alarmed with each reading: a speed of 35 knots, a range of 5000 nautical miles, equipped with two active sonar systems capable of simultaneously tracking four underwater targets, and a depth charge capacity three times that of its British counterparts…

"We need ten," King George V said directly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Chen Feng shook his head: "Production capacity is limited, a maximum of six ships. Moreover, delivery will need to be phased out; the first three ships can be delivered within three months."

"Eight ships. Price: 1.8 million." The king countered.

"Six ships. Price: 1.6 million." Chen Feng insisted.

The air in the hall froze once more. This was a battle of wills; whoever yielded first would lose the initiative.

Sir Grey attempted to de-escalate the situation: "Your Excellency, eight destroyers are crucial to protecting our shipping lanes. It concerns the lives of thousands of British people and the timely delivery of war supplies to France."

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds, then slowly said, "I understand. So, six destroyers, 1.55 million. That's the bottom line."

"Seven ships, 1.65 million." King George V made his final concession.

Chen Feng looked at the king, at those tired yet still resolute blue eyes. Two seconds later, he extended his hand:

"Sold. Seven River-class corvettes for a total price of £1.65 million. The first four will be delivered within three months, and the remaining three within six months."

Hands clasped. A deal involving tens of millions of pounds, one that would reshape the naval balance of power, was struck on a summer night in Cairo.

The waiter promptly served champagne. The crystal glasses clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

"For cooperation." King George V raised his glass.

"For the sake of peace to come sooner," Chen Feng responded.

But both of them knew in their hearts that this toast was not to celebrate peace, but to mark the beginning of another game.

The clinking of champagne glasses echoed through the hall, and candlelight cast a hazy glow on the crystal goblets. The waiters silently cleared away the main course plates, replacing them with silver dessert stands laden with Arabic-style honey nut pastries and French macarons. A soothing string quartet—Dvořák's American String Quartet—played in a corner, but no one in the hall was truly listening.

King George V set down his glass, his deep blue naval admiral's uniform gleaming muted in the candlelight. He gazed at Chen Feng, seated across the long table, the previous tension in his eyes now replaced by a deeper, more scrutinizing look. The deal to settle the debt with the warships had been finalized, the champagne had been clinked, but both men knew the real negotiations had only just begun.

"Your Excellency the President," the King began, his voice steady but each word carefully chosen, "we have reached a satisfactory solution regarding the debt issues between our two nations. But as you said, the purpose of this meeting is not only to resolve historical issues, but also to discuss 'concerns of the current international situation.'"

He paused, waiting for the translator to relay his words. Chen Feng nodded slightly and gestured for him to continue.

"Then let's talk about the Far East," George V said, his tone turning serious. "To be precise, let's talk about the land of cherry blossoms, and those Asian faces in German uniforms who slaughtered British soldiers in the Somme."

The air in the hall seemed to freeze. The band seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, and their playing subtly lowered. Members of the British delegation—Sir Grey, Sir McMahon, and the Admiral—put down their knives and forks and leaned forward slightly. On Lanfang's side, Li Te and Wang Wenwu exchanged a glance, but Chen Feng's expression remained unchanged.

"Your Majesty is referring to the Japanese troops employed by Germany," Chen Feng calmly took over the conversation, as if discussing the weather. "As far as I know, there are about eight divisions, two hundred thousand men. After fighting on the Eastern Front for eight months, they were transferred to the Western Front in early July."