Chapter 123: Government Work Report

"And that one," Liu Yongfu pointed at a young man wearing glasses, "Engineer Li Wen, twenty‑five, designed the 'Listen-to-the-Wind Type-1' radio. Now every one of our units has one, with a communication range of thirty kilometers."

Li Wen stood up and bowed; the applause grew even louder.

Liu Yongfu concluded, "Industrial construction is like stacking building blocks, piece by piece; we can't rush, but we also can't stop. In three years, we built the framework. In the next three years, we will let this framework grow flesh."

He returned to his seat, and Zhou Nian stood up. The chief of infrastructure, today leaning on a cane—having injured his leg while inspecting a railway site last month.

"Everyone, my legs are unsteady, so I won't go on stage," Zhou Nian said from his seat into the microphone, "I'll just state a few numbers."

A new chart appeared on the screen:

III. Infrastructure Construction (1908-1910)

Railways: newly built main lines 320 km, branch lines 480 km, total mileage 800 km. The railway network around the Persian Gulf took shape.

Roads: newly built standard roads 600 km, simple roads 1,200 km.

Ports: Dubai Port expanded, adding 12 deep‑water berths, annual throughput rising from 500,000 tons to 3,000,000 tons.

Power: two new thermal power plants, one experimental tidal power station, total installed capacity increasing from 20,000 kW to 120,000 kW.

Water supply: three new seawater desalination plants, daily water provision rising from 5,000 tons to 30,000 tons.

Housing: eight new residential districts, 24,000 housing units, accommodating 120,000 people.

"Behind these numbers," Zhou Nian said, "are workers baked daily in the desert, technicians sleeping in tents, surveyors unable to return home for months. My leg is nothing, at least I'm still alive. Thirty‑seven comrades have left these three years forever on the construction sites."

The hall fell silent. Zhou Nian took out a list:

"Zhang Ergou, from Henan, collapsed while excavating a tunnel. Li Youcai, from Fujian, was electrocuted while stringing wires. Wang Shitou, from Guangdong, suffered heatstroke while repairing the railway… I have recorded all their names here. When the day comes that we return home, we will take this list back to the South Ocean and tell them: we did not die in vain, we built a new home."

He spoke calmly, but many began to wipe their tears.

Chen Feng rose from his seat, walked to Zhou Nian's side, and took the list.

"This list," he said into the microphone, "will be placed in Lanfang's National Archives. Every name will be remembered. Their families will be cared for by the state until old age. Their children will be supported by the state through university graduation."

He turned and faced the audience:

"This is Lanfang's promise: not to betray anyone who has shed blood and sweat for her."

Applause rose again, this time choked with sobs.

The report continued. Li Te reported on naval construction: two Restoration-class vessels entered service, training over five thousand foreign sailors, establishing a complete naval training system. Wang Bo reported on livelihood improvements: forty‑eight new primary schools, twelve new secondary schools, six new vocational schools, hospital beds increasing from 200 to 1,200, and school‑age children enrollment rising from 15% to 68%.

Finally, Chen Feng returned to the podium.

"Now, the most important data," he inhaled deeply, "population."

A line of large characters appeared on the screen:

【December 1906: 460,000 people】

【December 1910: 1,527,300 people】

Three years, an increase of 1,067,300 people," Chen Feng said, "including 1,034,200 Chinese immigrants and 33,100 Arab‑ethnic volunteers. Now, one in every four Lanfang citizens is a newcomer from these three years."

He paused:

"Why did they come? Because they heard one could get enough to eat here, children could go to school, and doctors were available when sick. They came, found it indeed so. So they stayed, worked, paid taxes, had children, built houses. This is Lanfang's foundation—not steel, not warships, but people."

Thunderous applause rang out, lasting a full minute.

"Three years of breakthrough, we have completed it," Chen Feng's voice rose, "but we cannot stop. Because the road home has only taken its first step. So today, I announce a new plan—"

A new heading appeared on the screen:

【1911-1913: Dual-Wheel Drive Strategy】

Phase One: Industrial Deepening

Goal: establish a complete civilian industrial system

Focus: automobiles, agricultural machinery, home appliances, chemicals

Investment: 15,000,000 pounds sterling

Phase Two: South Ocean Expansion

Goal: establish overseas footholds, paving the way home

Focus: Singapore, Penang, Batavia

Investment: 5,000,000 pounds sterling (first phase)

Overall goal: by the end of 1913, launch the first phase of "South Ocean Homecoming"

The hall was quiet for a few seconds, then erupted into even louder applause. Many stood and clapped, tears streaming across their faces.

Chen Feng waited for the applause to subside, then continued:

"I know some will ask: why wait another three years? Why not go home now?" he surveyed the crowd, "Because what we are returning to is not an empty city, but a homeland where our descendants can live in peace. We need a stronger navy to protect the routes. We need more refined diplomacy to gain support. We need more compatriots to speak for us in the South Ocean."

His voice was firm:

"So, another three years. After three years, by the end of 1913 or early 1914, I promise—Lanfang's banner will once again fly over the soil of the South Ocean. Not by sneaking back, but by returning openly and honorably."

"And everyone present today," he pointed to the audience, "the factories you built, the railways you laid, the warships you produced, the students you taught—are all tickets home."

"In three years, I will take you home!"

The final sentence he shouted.

The entire audience rose; applause, cheers, and shouts blended together. Workers tossed their hard hats into the air, officers saluted, and the elderly, wiping tears, helped each other.

The three‑year breakthrough has ended.

A new three years has begun.

December 31, 1910, 11 p. m., conference room on the top floor of the Administrative Building.

From outside the window came distant celebratory sounds from the square—people waiting for the New Year chimes. Yet the conference room was so quiet one could hear the scratch of a steel pen on paper.

Six people sat around the long table: Chen Feng, Wang Wenwu, Liu Yongfu, Zhou Nian, Li Te, Wang Bo. On the table lay maps, documents, budget sheets, and lukewarm tea.

"First, the South Ocean plan," Chen Feng said, circling Singapore's location with a red pencil, "Wang Wenwu, how is your side progressing?"

Wang Wenwu opened the folder: "Regarding Singapore, we have registered the 'South Ocean Trade Company' through a third party, with a capital of 500,000 pounds sterling. The general manager is Chen Jinfu's nephew, Chen Wenda—reliable and respected in Singapore's Chinese business community. It will open next month, focusing on rubber, tin mining, and spice trade."

"Cover?"

"Education." Wang Wenwu pulls out another document, "We bought a piece of land in Singapore, preparing to build the 'South Ocean Chinese School'. In name it's charity, in reality... it's to cultivate the next generation loyal to Lanfang. The teaching materials are shipped from us, the teachers are dispatched from us."