World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

Yamamoto stood up. He didn't take the manuscript; instead, he placed his hands on the edge of the table and leaned slightly forward.

"Under the Prime Minister's leadership, I held two rounds of in-depth talks with President Chen Feng of Lanfang. Ultimately, the two sides signed the 'Lanfang-Japan Secret Military Cooperation Agreement'."

He took a copy of the contract from the folder and had his secretary distribute it to everyone:

"The core contents of the agreement are as follows: First, Lanfang will sell four 'Ise-class' battleships to Japan and transfer the complete set of construction technology and design blueprints. Second, Japan will accelerate the formation of fifty divisions to be deployed to the European theater when needed. Third, the cost of the battleships can be offset by the revenue generated from the deployment of the divisions."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on Okaichinosuke's face:

"This means that Japan can gain the opportunity to rebuild the Combined Fleet without paying a huge sum of cash. At the same time, by participating in the European war, Japan can secure a more favorable position in the postwar international order. It's a win-win arrangement."

"A win-win situation?" Okaichi sneered, his voice like sandpaper scraping. "A win-win situation for whom? A win-win situation for Lanfang, a win-win situation for the Navy, but what about the Army? What about the million soldiers who are about to be sent to the battlefield?"

Yamamoto's face darkened: "Minister Okaichi, please watch your words."

"My wording is very clear!" Okaichinosuke stood up abruptly, his chair scraping the floor with a harsh sound. "I would like to ask Minister Yamamoto: What does it mean to transfer command of fifty divisions to Lanfang? Since when has the Japanese army become a gift that can be given away so easily?!"

"It's not about sending people away, it's about unified wartime command." Yamamoto suppressed his anger. "This is basic military common sense. In multinational joint operations, command must be unified, otherwise coordinated actions cannot be achieved. The German General Staff would not accept multiple commands either."

"Then why was command given to Lanfang instead of Germany? Or why was a joint command established?"

"Because Lanfang is our main supporter," Yamamoto raised his voice. "They provided the warships, they transferred the technology, and they led the entire cooperation framework! Without Lanfang, Japan wouldn't even be qualified to participate in the war!"

"Join the war?" Okaichi seized on this phrase. "Who said we're joining the war? What does Mirika's participation in the war have to do with Japan? Why should we make Japan's young people shed blood for white people?"

The air in the meeting room was thick with tension. The civil servants exchanged glances, not daring to interrupt. Saionji sat in the head seat, his face calm, but his fingers tapped lightly on the table—a habitual gesture when he was nervous.

Yamamoto took a deep breath, trying to remain calm:

"Minister Oka, you should be aware of the international situation. Mica is about to enter the war, and Germany is facing enormous pressure. If Germany is defeated, the postwar world will be dominated by Britain and the United States. At that time, Japan's interests in XX, Cao County, and the Pacific will be re-examined. But if Japan makes a contribution to this war, the situation will be different."

"Contribution? What contribution? The contribution of providing cannon fodder?"

"It's a contribution of military presence!" Yamamoto finally couldn't hold back any longer, slamming his fist on the table. "Fifty divisions, a million men! That's no small number! Regardless of the outcome of the war, Japan, possessing such a force, will be sought after by all sides! Japan's voice will once again be heard by the world!"

"What's the point of a voice bought with the blood of a million people?!" Okaichi slammed his fist on the table. "Yamamoto! Open your eyes and look! Look at the death notices the Army Ministry receives every day! Look at the wounded soldiers missing limbs in the streets! Look at the families in the countryside who have lost their ability to work! War is not a game, not a toy for your navy to play on a sand table!"

His voice trembled, not from fear, but from anger and pain:

"I commanded troops during the Russo-Japanese War. I've seen soldiers blown to pieces by artillery shells, trenches piled high with corpses, and entire squadrons wiped out because of a single wrong order. I know what war is—it's hell! And now, for the sake of four warships, you're sending a million young men into hell!"

The meeting room was deathly silent.

Even Yamamoto fell silent. He looked at Okaichinosuke, at the scarred veteran, at the burning flame in his eyes. For a moment, he even wavered.

But only for a moment.

"Minister Oka," Saionji finally spoke, his voice steady and firm, "please sit down. We are discussing national policy, not arguing."

Okaichi, panting heavily, glared at Yamamoto, but finally sat down.

Saionji surveyed the entire area:

"I have heard all your opinions. I fully understand Minister Oka's concerns. War is indeed cruel, and the sacrifices of soldiers are indeed heavy. But as national leaders, we cannot only look at the present, but must look at the long term; we cannot only look at the local, but must look at the overall situation."

He picked up a copy of the contract:

"I have considered this agreement repeatedly. Indeed, it comes at a price—command of the army, the lives of young people, and a portion of the nation's autonomy. But please consider, what will happen to the Sakura Empire if we reject this agreement?"

He asked himself and answered:

"The navy will continue to decline, lacking warships, technology, and a future. The army can continue to expand, but its equipment is outdated, its training is inadequate, and... it lacks a clear strategic direction. Japan is already completely isolated internationally, and once the war in Europe ends, whoever wins will not care about a Japan without strength."

His voice grew heavy:

"At that time, our current interests—XX and Cao County—may be lost. Because the essence of international politics is power politics. Without power, there is no voice."

Okaichinosuke wanted to argue, but Saionji raised his hand to stop him:

"I know what Minister Oka is trying to say. 'We can rely on ourselves.' Yes, during the Meiji Restoration, Japan rose to power on its own. But the situation then was different from now. Back then, the world was in the colonial era, with numerous conflicts between the great powers, and Japan had room to maneuver. Now? The world is moving towards integration, technology is developing rapidly, and the arms race is becoming increasingly fierce. If Japan closes itself off, it will only be left behind by the times. Besides, can we afford to offend Lanfang now? Do we dare to offend Lanfang!"

He looked at Finance Minister Wakatsuki Reijiro:

"Wakatsuki-kun, what are your opinions regarding finances?"

Wakatsuki Reijiro adjusted his glasses, his voice cautious: "One hundred million dollars is indeed a very heavy burden. But if it's paid in installments, and if it can be offset by resource and labor costs, it's financially manageable. The key question is... whether the long-term benefits of naval reconstruction are worth this price?"

"What are the long-term benefits?" Okaichi asked.

"The improvement of industrial capabilities," Wakatsuki replied. "Technology transfer is not limited to shipbuilding technology, but also includes many other fields such as special metallurgy, machinery manufacturing, and optical instruments. These technologies can be disseminated to civilian industries, raising the overall industrial level of the country. From this perspective, the $95 million purchased may have bought more than just four warships."