Chapter 263: Dubai Night and Tokyo Dawn

Ming Shi turned around, no longer looking. He took a military saber from the drawer— it was a gift from Tian Huang when he was promoted to Major General. The scabbard bore a chrysanthemum emblem, and the blade glimmered with a cold sheen.

He brushed the scabbard, a flash of resolve passing through his eyes.

But in the end, he did not draw the sword. He merely wrapped it carefully and placed it into his suitcase.

Seppuku is easy. Yet living to bring the experience back, to tell the Sakura Nation why it failed and how to avoid further loss—that is harder than death, but also more important.

"Prepare the ship," he said to the secretary, "We're leaving."

Outside the window, Lanfang's cargo ship sounded its horn again. The sound was loud and confident, as if heralding the arrival of a new era.

And people of the old era could only depart silently.

At eleven p. m., Dubai Presidential Palace. Chen Feng had just finished a meeting with Deguo Ambassador Mu Le; they talked for two hours and preliminarily set the framework for the "Sakura Nation Labor Export Plan".

"Your Majesty William will be pleased," Mu Le, the Major General, said before departing, "Four to six Sakura Nation teacher brigades, a hundred thousand troops, enough to open a front on the eastern line. Money is not an issue; Deguo has gold."

"That's good," Chen Feng shook his hand, "The specific details will be settled after I discuss them with Xi Yuan Si first."

After seeing Mu Le off, Chen Feng stepped onto the balcony. Dubai's night was warm and pleasant, the Persian Gulf's sea breeze salty, and the distant harbor lights merged into a tapestry like a scattered star river.

Wang Wenwu came over, handing him a cup of hot tea: "President, it's late, rest now."

"Can't sleep," Chen Feng took the tea, "I'm thinking about the Sakura Nation."

"The Sakura Nation has already signed the treaty; it can't turn things around."

"I'm not afraid they'll recover," Chen Feng shook his head, "I'm wondering… are we not ruthless enough."

Wang Wenwu was startled. It was the first time he heard Chen Feng speak like that.

"That's of their own making," Wang Wenwu said, "If they win, they'll become even harsher."

"I understand," Chen Feng took a sip of tea, "But governing a state differs from waging war. War demands cruelty, total annihilation of the enemy. Governing requires leaving room, giving the opponent a way out. Press too hard and the other side will act desperate; give them a way out, and they may become a stable partner."

He paused: "My worry is that if we drive the Sakura Nation to a dead end, extremist factions will arise within. Like that army captain Wu Tian who shot a navy officer… such people will become more numerous. When internal chaos erupts in the Sakura Nation, we'll face greater trouble."

Wang Wenwu pondered, "So you mean…"

"The labor export plan must be packaged more attractively," Chen Feng said, "It's not 'selling mercenaries', but 'international labor cooperation'. It's not Deguo hiring Sakura Nation soldiers, but the Sakura Nation volunteer corps assisting Deguo in 'maintaining European peace'. Wages must be high, benefits good, pensions sufficient. The Sakura Nation soldiers should feel they are earning money for their country, not being cannon fodder."

"Will Xi Yuan Si cooperate?"

"He will," Chen Feng affirmed, "He's a realist, knowing this is the Sakura Nation's only current way out. Moreover… I'm preparing to give him a sweetener."

He looked toward the northeast, the direction of the Sakura Nation. It must be early morning in Tokyo now, right? Xi Yuan Si Gongwang might still be awake, reviewing those despair‑inducing documents.

"Actually I admire Xi Yuan Si," Chen Feng said suddenly. "He's in his forties, could comfortably enjoy his later years, yet he steps out to clean up this mess. Such responsibility isn't common."

"You want to be friends with him?" Wang Wenwu asked.

"No," Chen Feng shook his head, "Politicians have no friends, only partners of interest. But good partners should respect each other and understand each other. My relationship with Xi Yuan Si will be just that."

From a distant clock tower came twelve chimes. A new day began.

For Lanfang, this is a day of continued rise.

For the Sakura Nation, this is a day of hard survival.

But for history, it is merely another ordinary day—among countless days that witness the rise and fall of empires, the succession of nations, the transfer of power.

Chen Feng cast one last glance at the night sky, then turned and walked indoors.

The door closed. Dubai's night remained warm, still full of hope.

And in distant Tokyo, dawn had just arrived. The city, after snow, lay pure white, like a blank sheet awaiting new history to be written.

Only this time, the ones writing history are no longer the Sakura Nation themselves.