Chapter 227: Congratulatory Messages from Various Nations

A thick stack of telegrams lay before Wang Wenwu: "The reaction is extremely strong. Your Majesty Wilhelm II of Deguo sent a congratulatory telegram in person, with an exceedingly enthusiastic tone, and proposed to 'comprehensively deepen military‑technology cooperation.' The Yingguo side, the Foreign Ministry and the Navy each sent formal congratulatory telegrams, but their wording was cautious, and they also requested arrangements for high‑level meetings. Faguo, Russia, and the United States also sent congratulatory telegrams, though their contents were more official."

"What private statements has the United States side made?" Chen Feng asked sharply.

"The United States consul in Dubai visited the Foreign Ministry this morning, expressing a desire to increase oil purchases from Lanfang and asking whether we are interested in buying more American industrial equipment," Wang Wenwu paused, "Additionally, he politely indicated that the United States government is willing to step in to mediate the Lanfang‑Japan conflict at an 'appropriate time.'"

"Mediation?" Li Te snorted, "The Americans do pick the timing. Once we win, they'll come in as the arbitrators."

"That's a good thing," Chen Feng said calmly, "It shows that the international community has begun to accept our status as a major power in the Far East. The current question is how we will leverage this victory to secure the greatest benefit for the nation."

He looked at Zhou Tieshan: "What's the internal situation in Japan?"

Zhou Tieshan opened the intelligence briefing: "Extremely chaotic. Navy Minister Yatsushiro Rokurō has resigned, and Yamamoto Gondo has returned to the field. The conflict between the army and the navy has become public, even heated. The army accuses the navy of ruining the nation's destiny and demands a drastic cut in navy budget; the navy accuses the army of lacking maritime awareness and demands the army prepare for possible amphibious operations."

"What about the cabinet?"

"Prime Minister Terai Masayoshi has just successfully formed a cabinet, but faced with the severe army‑navy antagonism, his governing base is very fragile. Intelligence indicates that within the army there are voices calling for Terai to step down, to be replaced by someone more 'hard‑line.'"

Chen Feng thought for a few seconds: "In other words, Sakura Country is now at its most chaotic and most vulnerable period."

"Yes," Zhou Tieshan affirmed, "Militarily, the navy's main force is annihilated, and although the army remains intact it cannot go to sea. Politically, the army‑navy split makes the cabinet unstable. Economically, the maritime supply line could be cut by us at any moment. If we intend to force Japan into negotiations, now is the best time."

"But we must not press too hard," Wang Wenwu interjected, "If we press too hard, it could cause the pro‑war faction within Japan to gain the upper hand, even triggering a nationwide 'jade‑shattered' mentality. In that case, even if we win, the cost will be too great."

Chen Feng nodded in agreement: "So what we need is 'controllable pressure.' We must make Japan feel despair while leaving them a sliver of hope—the hope of negotiations."

He turned to Li Te: "Li Te, what plans does your fleet have next?"

Li Te said: "According to the original plan, within the next three days we will conduct rotating bombardments on key ports such as Sasebo, Wu Harbor, and Nagasaki. Each bombardment will be limited to under two hours, focusing on destroying military facilities. At the same time, submarine units will continue patrolling near the main sea lanes of Sakura Country, creating a maritime blockade posture."

"Very good," Chen Feng said, "But note that after each bombardment we must allow sufficient time for the Japanese side to respond. We need to send them a signal: we can destroy their ports at any time, but we are not doing so—because we are willing to negotiate."

"Understood."

Chen Feng looked at Li Te again: "Navy side, how is the Revival?"

"The Jiangsu towed the Revival and is expected to arrive at Kundian tomorrow. Captain Lin Hai's injuries are stable, but the hull damage is severe, requiring at least six months of major repairs," Li Te's voice lowered, "The list of fallen personnel has been compiled, and a compensation plan is being formulated."

"The compensation standards must be raised," Chen Feng said resolutely, "These soldiers gave their lives for the country; the state must not shortchange their families. Also, arrange the highest‑specification welcoming ceremony; I will go to Kundian personally to receive the Revival's return."

"Understood."

The conference room fell silent for a moment. Sunlight slanted in through the windows, casting long shadows across the table.

Chen Feng stood up and walked to the world map. His finger started at Dubai, swept across the Indian Ocean, paused at Borneo, then turned north and stopped at the East Sea.

"Gentlemen, we are making history," he said, his voice soft yet each word clear and forceful, "A few months ago we retook Borneo, ending forty years of exile for the Chinese. Today we defeated the strongest navy in Asia in the East Sea, establishing our maritime hegemony in the Far East. With Borneo, we can finally organize our own food supply."

He turned, his gaze sweeping over everyone present: "But victory is not the end; it is a new beginning. Next, we have three tasks to accomplish."

Everyone straightened their backs and listened attentively.

"First, use the military victory to force Sakura Country into negotiations. The negotiation goals are: massive reparations, recognition of our sphere of influence in the South Ocean, market opening, and… limiting the scale and speed of its navy's reconstruction."

"Second, leverage international attention to launch comprehensive diplomacy. The Germans want technology; we can give it, but we must get what we need in return. The Yingguo want to maintain the status quo; we can discuss, but they must acknowledge our position. The United States want to act as a mediator; that's fine, but they must stand on our side."

"Third, and most importantly—accelerate our own development." Chen Feng moved to the window, pulled aside the other half of the curtain, letting full sunlight flood the conference room, "The navy must expand, the air force must accelerate, industry must upgrade, and education must be universal. This victory has given us a strategic window of perhaps ten, maybe twenty years. In this period we must build Lanfang into a truly strong nation, a power no one dares to underestimate."

His voice rose, full of power: "Because we know this victory will not bring lasting peace. Japan's hatred will not vanish, Yingguo's vigilance will not lessen, Deguo's ambitions will not change. The world is entering an even more turbulent, more dangerous era. What we must do is, in this era, fight for a safe, dignified, prosperous future for Lanfang and for all overseas Chinese."

The conference room fell silent. Everyone stared at Chen Feng, at the leader who had taken them from nothing to today.

"So," Chen Feng concluded, his voice returning to calm, "Celebration is permissible, but not for too long. Grief is allowed, but do not indulge. Because we still have a long road ahead and many tasks to accomplish."

He walked back to his seat and sat down: "Now, let's begin discussing concrete plans. Minister Wang, you start with the diplomatic strategy. Director Zhou, you handle intelligence support. Li Te, you draft the navy expansion plan."