World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

Wang Wenwu remained silent for a long time. Then he asked, "Commander-in-Chief, is it truly unavoidable?"

Chen Feng looked out the window. On the other side of the harbor, the battleship USS Arizona was raising new signal flags. Further away, a destroyer was leaving the harbor, its bow cutting through the calm water.

"It was unavoidable," he finally said. "From the moment Britain planned that attack, from the moment Germany foolishly launched its attack, from the moment the people of Meilika were ignited by anger, the possibility of peace was already extremely slim. All we could do was not avoid war, but prevent the flames of war from falling on Lanfang's own soil."

He walked back to the table and began to dictate the new orders.

"Telegram to Berlin: Inform them that the American decision is irreversible, and suggest that Germany immediately activate its contingency plan, strengthen coordination with allies such as the Ottomans and Austro-Hungarians, and prepare for the possibility of Merika's entry into the war. At the same time... inquire whether they are willing to provide more technology in exchange for some kind of support from Lanfang in future conflicts."

"Send a telegram to London—no, not to London. Send one to our intermediary in Switzerland, and have him relay to the British: Lanfang understands Britain's security concerns, but does not approve of using underhanded tactics to drag Meilika into the war. Such an action would damage long-standing trust and could have unforeseen consequences."

"Send a telegram to the homeland: Initiate the second phase of 'Operation Taishan.' Shift all industrial operations to wartime mode, accelerate naval construction, and implement army expansion plans. However, refrain from public mobilization for the time being; maintain a semblance of normalcy."

Each order was clear, calm, and resolute.

As Wang Wenwu took notes, he suddenly realized that in just those few short minutes, Chen Feng had undergone a transformation—from a peace mediator to a war preparer. It wasn't that he chose war; war chose him. And he had to prepare for his country.

"Commander-in-Chief," Wang Wenwu finished writing the last order, looked up, and asked, "When do we return?"

Chen Feng glanced at his watch: "Two o'clock this afternoon. Tell General Rodman that we appreciate the hospitality from the Meilika side, but due to changes in the international situation, we need to return early. Also... invite the Meilika Navy to send an observer aboard the ship to visit Lanfang, as a continuation of the exchanges between the two sides."

"Do you still wish to maintain communication?"

"The more tense the situation, the more important it is to keep communication channels open," Chen Feng said. "Moreover, letting the people of Meilika see Lanfang with their own eyes, see our industry, and see our people might give them more consideration when making decisions."

Wang Wenwu understood. This was another form of deterrence—not a threat, but a demonstration of strength, letting the other side know the cost of conflict.

After all the orders were given, Chen Feng remained alone in the operations room.

He walked to the nautical chart and gazed at the vast world. Europe was ablaze, the Atlantic was boiling, and the Pacific… was still calm for the time being. But soon, the ripples would spread here, and the calm would be shattered.

He recalled his original purpose in coming into this world—to build a nation where Chinese people could live and work in peace and contentment, a country free from bullying and with dignity. For over a decade, he led the people in reclaiming deserts, building cities, developing industries, and establishing an army. Lanfang grew from nothing to become an undeniable force in Asia.

But now, the world is sliding toward an even greater war. And Lanfang, the nation he built with his own hands, stands at a crossroads in history.

Choosing Germany? That would mean being at odds with Britain and the United States, and could mean facing blockade and encirclement.

Choosing Britain and the United States? That would mean betraying the cooperative relationship with Germany, abandoning the established network of interests, and potentially being marginalized by the postwar order.

Remaining neutral? True neutrality is virtually impossible in total war. There will always be pressure, demands, and times when you have to choose sides.

Therefore, he chose the fourth path: strengthen his own power so that neither side could underestimate him; maintain a flexible stance and adjust according to changes in the situation; prepare for the worst-case scenario, but seek the best opportunity.

This is a dangerous road, but it may be the only one.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and Captain Zhang Haitao knocked and came in.

"President, General Rodman has replied. He understands our early return and has accepted the observer's invitation. He himself... hopes to visit Lanfang in person."

Chen Feng nodded: "Tell him that Lanfang welcomes him."

"Also," Zhang Haitao hesitated for a moment, "before President Wilson left, General Torrodman relayed a message."

"What did you say?"

He said, "Tell Mr. Chen that I still believe in the power of reason. Even in the darkest of times, never give up on dialogue."

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds, then nodded slightly: "Understood."

After Zhang Haitao left, Chen Feng walked to the window again. The sun was shining brightly, and Pearl Harbor shimmered. This beautiful place, this crossroads of the Pacific Ocean, witnessed a dialogue that could have changed history, and also witnessed the end of a peace effort.

But he has no regrets. He did his best. He proposed another possibility, demonstrated another logic, and offered another vision. Even if it wasn't ultimately adopted, the seed has been planted. Perhaps in the future, when the cost of war becomes unbearable, people will remember his words today and reconsider the path that was not chosen.

That's all he can do.

At 2:00 p.m. sharp, the "Huaihe" ship sounded its long whistle.

The mooring lines were released, and the massive warship slowly departed the dock, turned its bow, and headed towards the exit of Pearl Harbor. Behind it, two Merica destroyers followed at a ceremonial distance—a naval courtesy, and also a form of silent surveillance.

Chen Feng stood on the bridge, watching Pearl Harbor gradually recede into the distance, looking at the beautiful battleships, the air station on Ford Island, and the green mountains of Hawaii.

Goodbye, Hawaii. Goodbye, the possibility of peace.

What will the world be like when we meet again? Will we be allies or rivals? Friends or enemies?

He didn't know. All he knew was that from now on, Lanfang had to prepare for all possibilities.

The warship sailed out of the harbor and into the open Pacific Ocean. The sea breeze blew, seagulls soared, and everything seemed so peaceful and normal.

But beneath the surface, undercurrents are surging. In the Atlantic, in the Pacific, in Europe, in Asia, countless decisions are being made, countless forces are being mobilized, and countless destinies are being rewritten.

The "Huaihe" ship, a steel behemoth carrying the hopes of a nation, is sailing toward an unknown future.

Behind it, Pearl Harbor gradually disappeared below the horizon.

Before it lies the vast, uncertain, and challenging Pacific Ocean.

A new chapter in history is about to begin.