World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"But what's the cost?" Bayer lowered his voice. "We already owe Lanfang eight million marks in technology transfer fees. If we buy another hundred tanks, it'll be at least twenty million more. And then there are the wages for the Japanese soldiers... The national treasury is almost empty."

"Everything will come back after the war," Falkenhayn said, more like convincing himself. "France has coal mines, Belgium has factories, and Russia has grain. If we win, all the debts can be paid off."

As long as we win.

Three words, so lightly uttered. Bayer looked out the window; the streets of Berlin were silent in the night. He didn't know how much more this city, this country, could afford to pay for those three words.

But once war begins, it's like a boulder rolling down a mountain; it can only accelerate, not stop.

Unless, of course, they crash and are smashed to pieces.

Dubai, the presidential residence.

Chen Feng put down the two telegrams that arrived almost simultaneously, a meaningful smile on his face.

It was already two in the morning, but he was wide awake. Only a desk lamp was on in the office, its dim light illuminating a small area on the desk. Outside the window, the Persian Gulf was pitch black, with only the navigation lights of the distant port flashing rhythmically.

Sitting opposite him, Wang Wenwu carefully observed the president's expression and asked cautiously, "London and Berlin... have reached out at the same time?"

"It's not just reaching out, it's practically scrambling to hand over money." Chen Feng pushed the telegram over. "Take a look."

Wang Wenwu quickly skimmed through the pages. The more he looked, the more his brows furrowed.

"Asquith wants 200,000 Japanese soldiers, offering 200 pounds per person, and also promising political support for Japan's rights in XX. Wilhelm II wants 100 tanks in stock, plus 30 divisions of soldiers... This is a life-or-death deal worth a million pounds."

"Business," Chen Feng corrected, "and a good business at that."

He stood up and walked to the world map on the wall. His finger traced from London to Berlin, then from Berlin to Tokyo, and finally landed back in Dubai.

"The British are terrified and desperately need reinforcements. The Germans, having tasted success, want to expand their gains. As for Japan… that old fox, Saionji Kinmochi, is probably sitting in Tokyo worrying right now—he needs people from both sides, but who should he give them to? How many? And what price should he set?"

"How do you plan to reply?" Wang Wenwu asked.

Chen Feng didn't answer directly. He walked to the liquor cabinet, poured two glasses of whiskey, and handed one to Wang Wenwu.

"Wenwu, do you know what the most interesting part of this war is?"

Wang Wenwu took the wine glass and shook his head.

"Everyone thinks they're playing chess, but in reality, everyone is a pawn." Chen Feng took a sip of his drink. "Asquith thought he was the Prime Minister of the Empire, upholding the glory of Great Britain. Wilhelm II thought he was a war leader, creating German glory. Saionji thought he was saving the land of cherry blossoms... but they were all wrong."

He walked to the window and gazed at the dark sea: "There is only one true player in the game—interests. The interests of the nation, the interests of the group, the interests of the individual. War is merely the most extreme manifestation of the conflict of interests. And my job is to find a balance point in the conflict, to establish order in the chaos—an order that, of course, is beneficial to Lanfang."

"So you're going to... agree to both sides at the same time?" Wang Wenwu guessed.

"Why not?" Chen Feng turned around, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "The British have money, the Germans have technology, and Japan has people. What does Lanfang have? It has a geographical location, industrial capacity, and... intelligence."

He walked back to his desk, spread out a blank sheet of paper, and began to dictate:

"First, in response to London: Lanfang is willing to act as an intermediary to continue facilitating personnel cooperation between Japan and the UK. However, we would like to remind the UK that Japan already has a prior agreement with Germany, and if it wants to prioritize supplying the UK, it will need to pay a premium. We suggest raising the price to £250 per person, with Lanfang taking a 10% commission and being responsible for transportation and basic equipment."

Wang Wenwu quickly took notes.

"Second, reply to Berlin: One hundred Panzer I tanks are available immediately, but delivery will take three months. The price will be 25% higher than the contract price, and payment will be made in gold or through technology patents. Regarding personnel, Lan Fang will 'do his best to persuade' the Japanese government to prioritize Germany's needs, but hints that Britain is also vying for them and suggests that Germany should also raise its offer."

"Both sides are raising prices..." Wang Wenwu paused, his pen poised.

"Market rules," Chen Feng smiled. "Scarce resources go to the highest bidder. Human life is the scarcityst resource on the battlefield."

He continued: "Third, send a secret telegram to Saionji Kinmochi. The wording should be... friendly but firm."

Chen Feng paused, considering his words:

"Prime Minister Saionji: I am delighted to hear of the Imperial Army's valiant performance in Europe and extend my congratulations. However, the battlefield is like the sea of ​​commerce, where opportunities are fleeting. Both Britain and Germany are now eager for troops, and this is a golden opportunity for the Empire."

Recommendation: First, immediately launch a new round of mobilization, targeting 500,000 people. Of these, 300,000 should be supplied to Germany, and 200,000 to Britain. Prices should be negotiated separately to maximize profits.

"Second, there are two routes for the transport: those supplied to Germany will be transported via the Persian Gulf-Ottoman land route, with Lanfang responsible for coordinating the transit and logistics; those supplied to Britain will be transported by sea, with Lanfang's fleet handling the transport."

"Third, the first shipment must be completed before the spring of 1917. This is a deadline, concerning the empire's postwar status and economic interests."

"Fourth, Lanfang is willing to provide a full set of equipment and transportation services, with commission according to the old rules. Also, the last shipment of rice this year has been sent to Yokohama, please check."

After Chen Feng finished speaking, he looked at Wang Wenwu and said, "One last thing: Time waits for no one; when it's time to make a decision, make it decisively."

After Wang Wenwu finished writing, he looked up and said, "Will Xiyuanji agree? Selling people to both sides of the conflict at the same time... that's too blatant."

"He will agree." Chen Feng walked back to the map, pointing his finger at the Japanese archipelago. "Because he has no choice. Japan's food crisis is worsening, industrial raw materials are scarce, and foreign exchange reserves are running low. He needs money, resources, and post-war international space. And only I can give him all of that."

"Then morally..."

"Morality is the privilege of the victors," Chen Feng interrupted him. "If Japan can't survive this war, morality won't save it. If Japan wins—or rather, survives—everything today can be explained as 'necessary sacrifices,' 'national wisdom.'"

He picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp. The alcohol burned his throat, bringing a brief, intense heat.

"Wenwu, remember this: in international politics, there is no morality, only survival. The morality of the weak is a joke, and the morality of the strong is just decoration. What we need to do is to become strong ourselves—by any means necessary in the process."