World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

"Modern warships are becoming increasingly complex, requiring systematic training," Zhao Haitao said. "A main gun firing commander not only needs to understand artillery, but also ballistics, meteorology, radar principles, and mechanical engineering. Therefore, our training cycle is very long—six months for ordinary sailors, one year for technical personnel, and two years for officers."

Saionji listened silently, but his eyes betrayed his deep thought. He didn't understand the technical details, but he understood the system. Lanfang's military construction wasn't simply about piling up weapons; it was about building a complete system—from equipment to training, from logistics to command, every link was meticulously designed.

The advantages of this system will be fully demonstrated on the battlefield.

After the tour, Saionji and Yamamoto returned to their guest room to rest. As soon as the door closed, Yamamoto couldn't help but say:

"Your Excellency, we must sign this contract. Lanfang's technology and systems are far more advanced than we imagined. If Japan can learn from them, there will truly be hope for the revival of its navy."

Saionji sat in a chair with his eyes closed: "But the price is command of fifty divisions, and the navy's autonomy for the next ten years."

"Command authority is only transferred during wartime, and we can retain supervisory authority," Yamamoto argued. "As for autonomy... without strength, what autonomy can we talk about? The current Japanese navy doesn't even have a single decent battleship; what right do we have to talk about autonomy?"

He spoke with such emotion that his mustache trembled:

"Your Excellency, do you know? I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt that the 'Huaihe' ship had sailed into Tokyo Bay again. I dreamt that our coastal artillery fired at it, and the shells bounced off its armor like pebbles hitting a metal plate. Then its main guns turned and aimed at Tokyo..."

Yamamoto's voice lowered, filled with pain:

"I will never forget that feeling of powerlessness. Japan must have a strong navy, otherwise it will always be a fish on someone else's chopping board."

Saionji opened her eyes and looked at Yamamoto. The Navy Minister's eyes were bloodshot, filled with longing and fear. He was speaking the truth.

"But is a hundred million dollars... or fifty divisions really worth it?" Saionji asked, as if he were asking Yamamoto, or perhaps himself.

"It's worth it." Yamamoto said decisively. "Besides, Chen Feng is right, Japan has no other choice. If we reject Lanfang, who else can we turn to? Britain? Meilika? They're too busy taking care of themselves right now, and even if they were willing to help, their offers wouldn't be better than Lanfang's. Most importantly—"

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice:

"If we refuse, how will Lanfang react? Two years ago they were able to reach Tokyo, but what about two years later? Their navy will be stronger, and their army will be expanding. At that point, it might not be something that can be resolved with reparations."

Saionji fell silent. This was his greatest fear. The essence of international politics is the politics of power. "Weak nations have no diplomacy"—this is not just an empty phrase, but a stark reality.

Two years ago, Japan learned a hard lesson in war. If it happened again…

He dared not think.

"There's one more thing," Yamamoto continued. "Chen Feng hinted very clearly—if Japan contributes to this war, it can secure a better position afterward. Fifty divisions, a million troops—that's no small number. Regardless of the war's outcome, Japan, possessing such a force, will be sought after by all sides."

Saionji nodded slowly. This was indeed an opportunity. Japan could regain its standing on the international stage through this war.

The price is the blood of young people, the debt of the nation, and a partial loss of autonomy.

But which great power's rise doesn't come without paying a price?

"Get ready," Saionji finally said. "We'll continue tonight. We need to negotiate for more flexibility in the command terms, expedite the technology transfer, and the price... try to get it down to $90 million. But the bottom line is—the contract must be signed."

Yamamoto's face showed a relieved expression: "Your Excellency is wise."

Negotiations continued at 7 p.m.

The atmosphere was noticeably different this time. Saionji and Yamamoto were more proactive, and their questions were more specific. They discussed each contract clause, bargained, and tried to make every possible concession.

Chen Feng was very patient. He was willing to compromise on some minor terms, but he wouldn't budge an inch on the core terms.

Regarding command authority, a compromise was ultimately reached: wartime command authority was transferred to the Lanfang General Staff, but Japan retained its seat on the "Strategic Advisory Committee" and could participate in major decisions; the daily management and training of the divisions were still the responsibility of Japanese officers; Japan could send liaison officers to accompany the troops and enjoy the right to know and the right to object.

Regarding technology transfer, Chen Feng agreed to expedite the process, but demanded that Japan pay a 10% expedited fee. In return, Japan would need to provide corresponding resources in exchange—including priority mining rights to the Sado gold mine and the Bessko copper mine.

Regarding the price, after heated debate, it was finally set at US$95 million. The payment method is flexible: it can be paid in cash, in the form of resources, or in the form of the division's "labor fees".

"But the conversion standard needs to be clearly defined," Saionji insisted. "How many US dollars should be converted for a division dispatched to Europe?"

Chen Feng proposed a solution: "Based on actual costs. Equipping one division would cost three million US dollars, with transportation and maintenance costs to be calculated separately. Fifty divisions would cost approximately twenty million US dollars in total. The remaining seventy-five million US dollars would be paid for with resources and cash."

Saionji calculated in his mind. A cost of twenty million US dollars, exchanged for warships and technology worth ninety-five million US dollars. This deal wasn't a loss.

"Okay." He finally nodded.

With the most important obstacle resolved, all that remained were the details. By 11 p.m., all the terms of the contract had been finalized.

Wang Wenwu brought over the official contract text, a thick stack, with bilingual text in Lanfang and Sakura Country on each page. The signature page was already blank, awaiting the signatures and seals of both parties.

"Do we need to go back to China to ask Tianhuang for instructions?" Chen Feng asked.

Saionji shook his head: "Before we set off, Tenko had already granted me full authority. General Yamamoto also had authorization from the Navy."

He picked up a pen, wrote his name on the signature page, and then stamped it with the seal of the Prime Minister of Japan. Yamamoto also signed and stamped it with the seal of the Minister of the Navy.

Chen Feng signed his name and affixed the seal of Commander Lanfang.

Wang Wenwu signed as a witness.

Four contracts, two for each party. A handshake. A photo—the only permitted photo opportunity—to record this historic moment.

"It's a pleasure working with you," Chen Feng said.

"It's a pleasure working with you," Saionji replied, his smile somewhat forced but firm.

The contract was signed. Japan gained the opportunity to rebuild its navy, and Lanfang received a commitment of fifty divisions.

But everyone knows that behind this contract lies a more complex calculation and a heavier price to pay.

After seeing off the guests from Japan, Chen Feng stood on the balcony on the second floor of the club, looking out at the dark bay. In the distance, the lights of the pier twinkled, and the "Kasuga Maru" and "Akizuki Maru" were still docked there, ready to depart for Japan early the next morning.

Wang Wenwu walked over, holding a copy of the newly signed contract in his hand.

Will they keep their promise?

"Yes," Chen Feng said. "Because they have no choice. Yamamoto will push hard for the reconstruction of the navy, and Saionji will suppress the army's opposition. As for those fifty divisions... once they are formed, once the war really expands, there may be some twists and turns when command is transferred, but the overall situation will not change."

Wang Wenwu: Commander-in-Chief, you're so wicked! You want to use the Japanese as cannon fodder, but you don't want to pay for it!

Chen Feng turned to Wang Wenwu: "We're respectable people, why would we think of the Europeans' slave trade back then!"

"But the Germans paid the Japanese in cash!"

Chen Feng: "That's why Germans are so rigid! They don't know how to be flexible!"

Chen Feng paused and said:

"Now, it's time to prepare for another guest. When will Lieutenant General Rodman arrive?"

"Five days later."

"The timing is perfect." Chen Feng walked back inside. "In these five days, we need to check Lanfang's defense system again, hide what needs to be hidden, and prepare what needs to be shown. Let the Meilika people see what they want to see, and also let them see what we want them to see."