World War: Battleship Arms Dealers

Rodman nodded. "I understand your country's position. But the question is, what happens when the interests of different countries overlap or conflict? For example, if the war expands to the Pacific, and if the belligerent nations demand that Lanfang choose sides, how will your country choose?"

This question was more direct. Li Te knew that this was Rodman's core objective for the trip—to find out Lanfang's strategic inclinations.

"Lanfang is a neutral country," Li Te replied precisely. "We do not participate in military alliances, nor do we sign military treaties with any country that target third parties. However, if our interests are threatened, we will take all necessary measures to protect them."

"Including military measures?"

"Including all legal measures." Lee Te did not answer directly, but his meaning was clear.

Rodman paused for a few seconds, then changed his tone: "General Li, I've noticed that your country's naval development seems to focus on large surface warships. Six Bismarck-class battleships—that already surpasses the naval strength of most countries. This is something that many nations must be worried about!"

Li Te remained unfazed: "Lanfang's main trading partners are almost all by sea, so Lanfang needs to build a fleet that can protect its trade routes!"

Rodman seemed to accept this explanation. But his next words struck a chord with Little:

"However, when I was at Pearl Harbor, I heard President Chen mention that Lanfang's military construction philosophy is very advanced, emphasizing system integration. If your country is indeed building something... unconventional warships, I wouldn't be too surprised."

Is this a test, or have they heard some rumors?

Li Te maintained his smile: "Commander Chen is sometimes a bit... optimistic. The general has already seen the actual situation in Lanfang today. We are indeed working hard, but we are still far from being a world-class navy."

He glanced at his watch: "It's getting late. I've already arranged lunch. If the general is interested this afternoon, we can continue to visit some facilities or have a more professional technical exchange."

Rodman nodded: "I'd be happy to."

Lunch was held in the club's restaurant. The atmosphere was more relaxed than in the morning, and the officers from both sides began exchanging professional questions. Officer Meilika was particularly interested in Lanfang's radar technology!

Litt noticed that Rodman ate little and spoke very little, spending most of his time observing and thinking.

After lunch, as planned, the afternoon was for free discussion. The officers from both sides split into several groups to discuss different professional topics. Little and Rodman left the club and took a walk in the garden.

Dubai afternoons are hot in February, but the gardens are shaded by green trees and the sea breeze makes them relatively cool. The two walked slowly along the gravel path, with their attendants following at a distance.

"Did General Li study in Germany?" Rodman suddenly asked.

"Yes. At the Kiel Naval Academy. Later I spent two years in a German shipyard."

"No wonder your country's naval construction has a distinctly German style," Rodman said, "but it's not entirely the same. For example, the Bismarck-class design has a more compact layout, stronger anti-aircraft firepower, and radar systems."

Lee nodded: "Learning without copying is President Chen's consistent philosophy. Every country has different needs, resources, and geographical environment, and must find a development path that suits its own circumstances."

"Commander Chen..." Rodman paused, "He's a very special person. He impressed me deeply in Hawaii—visionary, decisive, but also very realistic."

"The President often says that a politician's responsibility is to find a balance between ideals and reality," Litt said. "Being too idealistic will lead to detachment from reality, while being too realistic will lead to a loss of direction."

The two walked to the edge of the garden, a high vantage point overlooking the entire naval base and the distant Dubai cityscape. The warships in the harbor, the city's buildings, and the oil derricks on the edge of the desert further away created a unique scene—a convergence of tradition and modernity, ocean and desert, East and West.

"It's spectacular," Rodman exclaimed. "A decade or so ago, there was nothing here."

"Yes," Leeteuk sighed, "Sometimes I can't even believe it myself. But that's the power of humanity—as long as you have dreams, determination, and the right methods, you can create miracles."

He pointed to the port: "Those warships, those factories, those cities, were all built by the people of Lanfang with their own hands. That's why we cherish them so much, and we're also very vigilant about them. Because things that are hard-won are the things we fear losing the most."

There was a hidden meaning in his words. Rodman understood.

"General Li, forgive my bluntness." He turned to face Li Te, "If—I mean if—the war in Europe really expands to the whole world, if the Pacific also becomes a battlefield, what will Lanfang do? Will it, as Commander Chen said in Hawaii, 'also get involved'?"

Finally, the most crucial question was asked.

Li Te gazed into the distance, remaining silent for a long time. The sea breeze blew, ruffling the hair beneath his military cap.

"Jiang Jun," he finally said, his voice very soft, "let me tell you a story."

"Back then, I was training at the Kiel Naval Academy in Germany. At that time, the German High Seas Fleet was being expanded, and Emperor Wilhelm II was ambitious and wanted to challenge British naval supremacy. On one occasion, we attended the launching ceremony of the battleship HMS Nassau, and there was a dinner afterwards."

Leeteuk's voice was calm, as if he were telling someone else's story:

"At the dinner, I sat next to an elderly German general. He had fought in the Franco-Prussian War and witnessed the entire process of German unification. I asked him, 'General, do you think Germany can defeat Britain?'"

Rodman listened intently.

"The old general didn't answer directly. He asked me instead: 'Young man, do you know why Britain was able to rule the world for three hundred years?' I said: 'Because they had a powerful navy.' He said: 'Not entirely. It's because they knew when to fight and when to negotiate; when to be tough and when to compromise. The navy is just a tool; wisdom is the key.'"

Li Te paused:

"Then he said something that I still remember: 'Germany's problem is that we always want to solve all problems at once. But international politics is not a game of chess, where one game can decide the outcome. It is a long game that requires patience, calculation, and doing the right thing at the right time.'"

He looked at Rodman:

"General, Lanfang has only been a nation for a few years. We are like children who have just grown up; we have strength and dreams, but we also know our limitations. We don't want to challenge anyone; we only want to protect everything we've worked so hard to build. But if someone forces us, if we have no other choice..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already very clear.