Chapter 115: Brazil and Argentina Paired Together

December 3, 1909, Dubai, Palm Palace Conference Room No. 1.

Wang Wenwu looked at the guests seated on both sides of the long table, feeling as if he were playing a three‑sided chess game. On the left sat the Argentine delegation, five people, led by the Navy Procurement Bureau Director Carlos Mendes, a middle‑aged man with a tight jaw and sharp eyes. On the right was the Brazilian delegation, also five people, led by Rear Admiral Elduro Santos, whose expression was comparatively relaxed, even with a hint of a smile.

He himself sat at the head of the short side of the table, like a referee and also like a player.

"Gentlemen," Wang Wenwu began, speaking in English—the three parties' common second language—"Thank you for coming from afar. Time is precious; let us get straight to the point."

He signaled his assistant to distribute the documents. Each file was only three pages, listing the basic parameters and prices.

Mendes glanced over, his brows furrowing: "Mr. Wang, is this the same model as the one for Chile?"

"Same platform, but optimized according to your country's requirements," Wang Wenwu said. "Argentina's key operating zones and climate differ from Chile's, so we reinforced corrosion resistance and the air‑conditioning system. Of course, the price is adjusted accordingly—£2.85 million per ship."

"How much did the Chileans pay?" Mendes asked.

"Commercial secret," Wang Wenwu smiled. "But I can assure you the price for Argentina is fair, given the extra custom requirements."

Rear Admiral Santos spoke, his English tinged with a Portuguese accent: "Mr. Wang, Brazil needs six ships. But we want a more advanced model—at least better than the one for Chile."

Wang Wenwu felt something stir inside, but his face remained impassive: "Which parameters are you referring to, Rear Admiral?"

"Main Gun caliber at least 343 mm, like the type Britain bought. Speed over 24 knots. Armor must withstand Shells of the same caliber at standard engagement Distance," Santos said smoothly, clearly having done his homework before arriving.

"That will be expensive," Wang Wenwu said. "The Orion class costs over £5 million. Moreover, the construction period is long—at least twenty‑eight months."

"Money is not the issue," Santos leaned forward. "Brazil has coffee, rubber, minerals. We need a navy that can guard a long coastline, and you… seem to be the only ones who can provide a solution quickly."

Those words were almost identical to what Minister Dubois of France had said. Wang Wenwu suddenly realized that Lanfang had unintentionally become a synonym for "rapid naval modernization"—countries that could not wait for Britain's or Germany's long build times yet desired advanced technology were now knocking on the door.

"Rear Admiral," he said, "I need to seek approval. And even if permitted, the construction cycle for six ships will be long, possibly not completed until 1914."

"We can wait. But the first batch must deliver at least two ships before 1912."

At that moment Mendes interjected, his tone a bit urgent: "Mr. Wang, Argentina needs four ships, and we need them quickly. Chile already has two; we cannot fall too far behind."

Wang Wenwu stared at the two, his mind racing. Argentina wanted speed, Brazil wanted advanced technology, and both sides wanted to outdo the other. It was the classic arms‑race mindset—'I may have fewer ships than you, but my quality will be better,' or 'I may have more ships than you, even if my quality is slightly lower.'

He suddenly had an idea.

"Gentlemen," he stood and walked to the massive world map on the wall, "I have a proposal that might satisfy both sides' needs."

Both men looked at him.

"At present, our shipyards are under great strain," Wang Wenwu said. "The French order has just been completed, the German order is in progress, the British order is queued, and there is also the Chilean order. If we take on a brand‑new construction order, the earliest we could start would be June next year."

He saw Mendes's expression darken.

"However," Wang Wenwu continued, "we have a batch of… inventory."

"Inventory?" Santos raised an eyebrow.

"To be precise, they are hulls that are eighty percent complete," Wang Wenwu said as he returned to his seat, pulling a confidential file from deep within his briefcase. "Six months ago we anticipated demand in the South American market and began early construction of six Standard Dreadnoughts. Main Gun 305 mm, speed 23 knots, armor 280 mm. Their performance is essentially identical to the model Chile purchased."

He paused, observing their reactions:

"Currently the six ships are between 75% and 85% complete. If we sign a contract now, the earliest we could deliver the first batch is within nine months, and all six would be delivered within fourteen months."

The conference room fell silent for a few seconds. Mendes and Santos exchanged a glance, shock evident in their eyes—six capital ships built in advance? What a gamble, what a confidence?

"Price?" Mendes asked.

"Bundle price: £16.8 million, averaging £2.8 million per ship," Wang Wenwu said. "Cheaper than ordering individually. But the condition is— all six must be purchased together, and the payment terms are more flexible: 30% upon signing, 15% with each ship delivered, and the balance after the final ship is handed over."

"Performance parameters..." Santos was still hesitating.

"I understand; it's not as advanced as the 343 mm Main Gun you requested," Wang Wenwu said. "But I have another piece of information."

He deliberately paused, letting the suspense ferment:

"Our next‑generation Super Dreadnought design has been completed. Main Gun 356 mm, speed 25 knots, armor 350 mm. Performance exceeds the Orion class by more than 15%."

Santos's eyes lit up instantly.

"However," Wang Wenwu raised a finger, "ships of this class are complex to design, and their construction period is longer. Even if we sign now, the first ship wouldn't be delivered until the end of 1913. And the South American situation... can we afford to wait?"

He threw the question back.

The board was now clear: Argentina, pressed to acquire ships against Chile, could opt for the inventory vessels—fast but not top‑tier. Brazil wanted the best, but would have to wait longer, and the inventory ships might be bought up entirely by Argentina.

Mendes and Santos were both calculating quickly. Wang Wenwu could see fine sweat beading on their foreheads—it was not heat, but pressure.

"Mr. Wang," Mendes began, "if we purchase all six inventory ships, when can crew training commence?"

"Immediately after signing," Wang Wenwu said. "We have a mature training system; the Chilean navy just completed it. Six months is enough for the crew to master basic operations."

"What about Brazil?" Santos asked. "If we wait for the Super Dreadnoughts, but Argentina gets the six Dreadnoughts first, how does the naval balance look during that interval..."

"So I have a second proposal," Wang Wenwu said, knowing the moment was ripe. "Argentina purchases four inventory ships, Brazil purchases two. That gives both sides immediate combat capability. Simultaneously, Brazil signs for four Super Dreadnoughts, with deliveries starting in 1913."

He looked at the two:

"Thus, Argentina gains a numerical advantage in the short term, Brazil gains a qualitative advantage in the long term. And Lanfang… can satisfy both clients simultaneously."

A perfect balanced solution. Mendes obtained the urgently needed warships, outnumbering Chile (4 to 2). Santos secured the future's best warships and avoided being completely outmatched during the wait (Argentina 4 Dreadnoughts, Brazil 2 Dreadnoughts plus the future 4 Super Dreadnoughts).

"But Mendes still had a concern: 'If Brazil signs for the Super Dreadnoughts, Argentina also has the right to purchase the same class.'"

"Of course," Wang Wenwu nodded. "All customers are treated equally. But I must point out, the Super Dreadnought's price… is estimated at £5.5 million to £6 million per ship."

The figure made both of them gasp. £6 million—enough to build two Dreadnoughts.

"Why is the price so high?" Santos asked.

"Because of the technological leap," Wang Wenwu said. "The manufacturing difficulty of a 356 mm Main Gun, thicker armor, a more complex propulsion system… all add cost. Moreover, this could be the top warship of the next decade, so the price is naturally steep."

Another silence. Only the low hum of the air‑conditioning and the rustle of papers.

Five minutes later Mendes spoke: "I need to consult Buenos Aires. But personally… I lean toward purchasing four inventory ships. Mr. Wang, how much time can you give us for consideration?"

"Three days," Wang Wenwu said. "Because there are only six inventory ships, and… I have received word that representatives from Peru and Colombia are also on their way."

That is true, and also a strategic pressure tactic.

Santos also spoke: "Brazil needs more time to assess the budget. But in principle, I am interested in the plan—two inventory ships plus four Super Dreadnoughts."

"Then," Wang Wenwu stood, "we will meet again in three days. I hope we can reach an agreement by then."

When they shook hands to part, Mendes gripped tightly, while Santos gave Wang Wenwu's arm a light pat and said in Portuguese, "A fine game, Mr. Wang."

After both delegations left, Wang Wenwu returned to the conference room, closed the door, and let out a long sigh. The assistant handed him a glass of water, which he drank in one gulp.

"Minister," the assistant whispered, "did we really build six stock ships ahead of schedule?"

"Four," Wang Wenwu said, sitting down and rubbing his temples. "The other two are just newly freed dock capacity; we can finish them three months early if we speed up. But we can't tell them that."

The assistant's eyes widened: "What if they buy them all…"

"Then we speed up production," Wang Wenwu said. "The advantage of the phased construction method is modular production—when needed we can accelerate. It's just a matter of adding more crews, three shifts."

"So the Super Dauntless class… is the design plan really finished?"

Wang Wenwu smiled, a tired but proud smile: "Chief Engineer Liu just finished the preliminary design; it's still far from being buildable. But that's fine—we'll sign a letter of intent and collect a deposit. With the money, R&D can speed up."

This is what Chen Feng taught him: trade future technological promises for present financial backing, then use that money to turn the promises into reality.

"Notify Chief Engineer Liu," Wang Wenwu said, "and give me, within three days, a summary of the Super Dauntless design that can be shown to clients. It doesn't need to be overly detailed, but it must look sufficiently impressive."

"Understood."

After the assistant left, Wang Wenwu sat alone in the conference room. Outside the window, Dubai Harbor's nightscape glittered like a sea of stars. He could see the dock lights, the German "Kaiser" class under construction, and the silhouette of Dock No. 10 farther away.

Six years ago, they were still worrying about their next meal.

Six years later, they were simultaneously negotiating multi‑million‑pound arms contracts with two South American powers.

This is the power of industry, the power of technology, and… the power of daring to imagine and act.

He recalled, before leaving London, an old English aristocrat telling him, "Young man, you are changing the world."

At the time he modestly replied, "We just want to go home."

But now he understands—sometimes, changing the world is the way home.

Because only when the world is forced to face you does it make way.

The phone on the desk rang. Wang Wenwu answered; it was Chen Feng's voice: "How are the talks going?"

"Argentina wants four, Brazil wants two stock ships plus four Super Dauntless letters of intent. We'll give a final answer in three days."

The other end was silent for two seconds, then said, "Okay. What about the price?"

"The stock ships are packaged at 16.8 million, the Super Dauntless intent price is tentatively 5.5 million per ship. If all go through, the total exceeds 40 million pounds."

This silence was longer. Wang Wenwu could imagine Chen Feng's expression on the line—shock, then calculation, then decision.

"Approved," Chen Feng finally said, "but with one condition: every South American order must include a training program. We want not only money but also influence."

"Understood."

"Also," Chen Feng added, "the Brazilian Super Dauntless letter of intent must contain an exclusivity clause—no sales of the same class to Argentina for five years. The Argentine stock‑ship contract must also add: no sales of the same class to Brazil for five years. Let them check each other."

Wang Wenwu smiled. That's Chen Feng—always one step ahead, always balancing.

"Alright. I'll handle it."

He hung up, walked to the window. The night was deep, but the harbor lights illuminated the whole sky.

On this desert that three years ago was total darkness, they lit a light.

And that light is now shining farther away.

South America, Europe, the future… the whole world.

Three days later, the agreement was reached.

Argentina signed to purchase four Dauntless‑class ships, total price 11.2 million pounds, the first delivered in September 1910, the last in June 1911.

Brazil signed to buy two Dauntless‑class ships (5.6 million pounds) plus four Super Dauntless letters of intent (intent price 22 million pounds). The Dauntless deliveries match Argentina's schedule, and the first Super Dauntless must be delivered no later than December 1913.

Both contracts include a five‑year exclusivity clause, as well as detailed training and technical support plans.

At the signing ceremony, Mendes and Santos shook hands—brief, very formal, but they did shake.

While Wang Wenwu stood in the middle taking photos, he thought: their hands are clasped, but inside each may be calculating who will have the advantage in the South Atlantic once the new warships arrive.

This is reality. Lanfang does not create conflict, but its products become part of conflict.

He can only hope these steel behemoths will, as Chen Feng said, be used mainly for deterrence, not actual combat.

After the ceremony, Wang Wenwu received a telegram from Dubai—updated demographic data:

【As of December 31, 1909, Lanfang's total population: 1,527,300. Among them Chinese: 1,494,200; Arab ethnicity: 33,100. Annual net increase: 277,300.】

He folded the telegram and slipped it into his pocket.

One point five two million people. Three years ago it was three hundred thousand.

At this rate, by 1913 it could Breakthrough three million.