Chapter 174: This Is the Empire's Once‑in‑a‑Century Opportunity

"In international politics, the status of a neutral country depends on the needs of great powers," Schmidt said, his voice tinged with bitterness. "If Berlin judges this to be the necessary price for winning the war, then Belgium's neutrality is merely a piece of paper."

Chen Feng turned, his back to the map: "What about Britain? Will London sit by while Germany invades Belgium?"

The question left Schmidt silent for a longer time.

"Britain…" he finally said slowly, "Britain's stance is very subtle. Sir Gray's Foreign Office has been trying to mediate, but Berlin and Paris are no longer listening. If Germany truly enters Belgium, the likelihood of Britain joining the war… exceeds seventy percent."

"Seventy percent." Chen Feng repeated the figure, walking to the window. Outside, the outline of Dubai Harbor was clearly visible in the afternoon sun, and four Bismarck Class battleships loomed like a mountain of steel at the deep‑water dock. "That is almost certain."

The office fell into a brief silence, broken only by the low hum of the air‑conditioning system.

Wang Wenwu broke the quiet: "President, what must we do?"

Chen Feng did not answer immediately. He stared at the harbor, at those steel behemoths that had consumed three years of effort and nearly emptied the treasury, and at the additional vessels being built farther out in the shipyard.

"Mr. Schmidt," he suddenly spoke, without turning around, "you came today to discuss an oil contract; how much additional supply does the Krupp Company want to increase?"

The Deguo adviser evidently had not expected the topic to shift back here, paused, then answered: "According to Berlin's request, over the next six months we hope to raise the monthly supply from the current 150,000 barrels to 250,000 barrels. The price may increase by five percent."

"250,000 barrels." Chen Feng turned, a hard‑to‑read expression on his face. "Is this the peacetime supply level, or the wartime one?"

Schmidt opened his mouth, then sighed: "Mr. Chen, you have already guessed. The General Staff demands the establishment of strategic oil reserves, and… if war truly breaks out, the Royal Navy will likely block the North Sea routes. We need to secure a stable fuel supply from other channels."

"So you have set your sights on Persian Gulf oil."

"It's not 'eyeing' it, it's 'relying' on it," Schmidt corrected, his tone becoming especially solemn. "Mr. Chen, I tell you in a private capacity—Berlin has assessed that if we go to war with Britain and France, Deguo's oil reserves could sustain high‑intensity operations for the army and navy for at most nine months. After nine months, if we cannot find new sources, our trucks will stop, and our warships will become floating iron coffins."

Those words made the three Chinese in the room feel the weight of the situation.

Chen Feng walked back to his desk and sat down again. He tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingers, a habit of his when he thought.

"250,000 barrels per month, with an eight percent price increase," he finally said, "but I will attach three conditions."

"Please state them."

"First, the contract must be settled in gold, or converted to pounds at the gold price on the signing day. Second, the Krupp Company must, within three months, transfer to us the complete technical data of the latest armor‑steel surface‑hardening process. Third," Chen Feng paused, looking into Schmidt's eyes, "if war breaks out, the Deguo government must, in writing, promise that under no circumstances will it recognize Japan's territorial claims on Shandong or any other region of China."

The first two conditions seemed within Schmidt's expectations, but the third clearly stunned him.

"Japan? Shandong?" he furrowed his brow in confusion. "Mr. Chen, I don't quite understand… what does this have to do with our oil contract?"

"Soon there will be," Chen Feng said without further explanation, pulling a pre‑prepared contract draft from the drawer and sliding it toward Schmidt. "You can review the terms first. If Berlin agrees to these conditions, we can sign at any time."

Schmidt took the document, skimmed a few pages hurriedly. His complexion grew increasingly grim.

"Mr. Chen, these technology‑transfer clauses… are extremely detailed and demanding. I need to consult Berlin."

"Of course." Chen Feng nodded. "But please tell your government that time waits for no one. Europe's powder keg has already ignited its fuse, and Asia…" He looked eastward, toward the island nation across the sea, "Asia's powder keg may burn even faster."

At the same time, Tokyo.

In a tatami‑floored conference room of Akasaka Palace, the air was stiflingly hot. Though the ceiling fan turned slowly, the twelve men seated at the low table were drenched in sweat—half from the weather, half from the subject under discussion.

Prime Minister Da Ku Ma Zhong Xin sat in the head seat; the 67‑year‑old statesman wore a traditional kimono, his graying hair neatly combed. To his left was Army Minister Gang Shi Zhi Zhu, a man in his early fifties with a gaunt cheek and sharp eyes; to his right was Navy Minister Ba Dai Liu Lang, a few years younger than Gang Shi Zhi Zhu, round‑faced and wearing round‑frame glasses, looking more like a scholar than a general. (At this moment, the Navy Minister is indeed Ba Dai Liu Lang; AI confirmation omitted.)

Also seated at the table were Foreign Minister Jia Teng Gao Ming, Finance Minister Ruo Zhi Li Ci Lang, and other senior army and navy officers.

"…In summary, the European situation has irrevocably moved toward war."

Speaking was Foreign Minister Jia Teng Gao Ming, who held a lengthy report just returned by the ambassador in London, briefing the attendees.

"London's assessment is that Russia will issue a nationwide mobilization order within the next forty‑eight hours. Once Russia mobilizes, Deguo must carry out the predetermined war plan, namely the invasion of Belgium and France. As for Britain…" Jia Teng Gao Ming adjusted his glasses, "Sir Gray said yesterday in the House of Commons that the British government will 'steadily fulfill its guarantee obligations to Belgium's neutral status.' That is essentially a declaration of participation."

Low murmurs rose in the conference room.

"Let the Europeans fight among themselves," Army Minister Gang Shi Zhi Zhu said quietly but with the crispness typical of a soldier. "Our opportunity lies in Asia, in Shandong."

Everyone's gaze turned to him.

"Continue, Minister Gang," Da Ku Ma Zhong Xin nodded slightly.

Gang Shi Zhi Zhu rose straight from his seat, both hands on the table: "Deguo has operated in Shandong for many years; Qingdao has become one of the Far East's most fortified strongholds. But they are now preoccupied—once Europe erupts into war, all of Deguo's colonies in Asia will become terra nullius. Britain and France may covet them, but they must first deal with the European conflict and cannot commit substantial forces to the Far East."

He surveyed his colleagues, his eyes blazing: "This is the empire's once‑in‑a‑century opportunity. Declare war on Deguo, seize Shandong, and drive German influence completely out of the Far East. Then the empire's hegemonic position in Asia will be unshakable."