Chapter 265: Technical Workers Overseas Employment

"Even if I agree," he finally said, "the citizens won't agree either. The army won't agree either— they would say this is selling Imperial soldiers as laborers."

"So it needs packaging," Chen Feng walked back to his seat, "it's not 'labor export', it's 'international labor cooperation'. It's not 'selling laborers', it's 'technical workers overseas employment'. The wages must be high, the benefits good, the contract standardized. Most importantly—"

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes: "We need to find the army something... more dignified to do."

Xi Yuan Si opened his eyes: "What do you mean?"

"Europe is at war," Chen Feng said slowly, "Deguo is fighting on two fronts, its forces are stretched thin. Your Majesty William II, through me, hopes Lanfang can send troops to assist. But Lanfang has pledged not to intervene in European conflicts, so I'm wondering... can the Sakura Nation help with this?"

The room fell silent instantly. The gulls' cries outside the window suddenly turned harsh.

Xi Yuan Si stared at Chen Feng, as if truly meeting him for the first time: "You mean... have the Sakura Nation send troops to Europe? To help Deguo fight?"

"In the form of mercenaries," Chen Feng corrected, "Deguo pays, the Sakura Nation provides troops. In name it could be the 'Far East Volunteer Corps', not involving the state in formal combat. The Sakura Nation earns huge foreign exchange, Deguo gets troop support, the army has something to do, domestic tensions are shifted— a four-way win."

"What about the Sakura Nation soldiers?" Xi Yuan Si's voice trembled, "They go to Europe as cannon fodder? To die on a battlefield ten thousand kilometers from home?"

"War inevitably claims lives," Chen Feng said calmly, "Dying in a food‑raiding riot within the Sakura Nation versus dying on a European battlefield— what's the difference for the soldiers? At least the latter, their families receive generous compensation and can survive."

He paused again, adding, "And they're not cannon fodder. Deguo needs combat‑ready units, not fodder. The Sakura Nation's army proved itself in the Russo-Japanese War, they are excellent soldiers. In Europe, they have a chance to regain dignity— through fighting, not by starving at home."

Xi Yuan Si remained silent for a long time. He watched Keelung Harbor outside the window, the fluttering Lanfang flags, and in the distance the increasingly small "Tone".

The proposal was too insane, too cold‑hearted, yet... too tempting.

Hundreds of thousands of army troops staying at home are a time bomb. Sending them to Europe can both make money and drain their energy, possibly even... consume them outright.

Yes, consumption. Xi Yuan Si had to admit, deep down, he also entertained the thought. The army's young, aggressive faction, the maniacs who constantly shout "Jade shattered", "Decisive battle", if a batch could be worn out on the European front, it wouldn't be a bad thing for the Sakura Nation's stability.

But the idea was too dark. So dark that he dared not contemplate it further.

"President Chen," he finally spoke, "Your proposal isn't just about solving the Sakura Nation's employment problem, is it?"

Chen Feng smiled: "Of course not. I'm a businessman, I don't do loss‑making deals. In this matter, Lanfang takes a cut— 10% of the hiring fee as an intermediary fee. Transport uses Lanfang's ships, and we earn a freight fee. The Sakura Nation soldiers' equipment and supplies can be purchased from Lanfang at favorable prices, but we still make a profit."

He counted on his fingers: "Deguo gains troops, easing pressure on the Eastern front; the Sakura Nation gains foreign exchange, easing economic pressure; Lanfang gets commissions and trade profit; even Yingguo— the Sakura Nation helps Deguo fight Russia, Yingguo may be displeased but won't strongly oppose, since Russia is also Yingguo's potential rival."

He looked at Xi Yuan Si: "Everyone wins. Doesn't it?"

"Except for those Sakura Nation soldiers sent to Europe," Xi Yuan Si whispered.

"They will receive high military pay, earn the respect of the Deguo people— if they fight well. That's better than starving in the Sakura Nation," Chen Feng said, "Prime Minister, governance cannot be emotional. What you must weigh is: the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers versus the survival of tens of millions of citizens— which is more important?"

The words were like a knife, slicing through all the hypocritical moral veneers.

Xi Yuan Si closed his eyes. After a long while, when he opened them, only a bleak resolve remained: "I need time to consider. And also... to discuss with the army."

"Certainly," Chen Feng nodded, "But I must remind you, time waits for no one. Deguo is in a hurry; if the Sakura Nation refuses, they'll turn to other countries— like the Ottoman, like Bulgaria. Then this opportunity will be gone."

"I understand," Xi Yuan Si stood, "Three days. After three days, I'll give you an answer."

"Fine," Chen Feng also stood, "Then I look forward to your good news."

The two shook hands. Xi Yuan Si's hand was cold and trembling. Chen Feng's hand was warm and steady.

As they left the conference room, Xi Yuan Si's hunched back resembled that of a true old man. Chen Feng remained in place, looking out the window, his eyes flashing with complex light.

He knew Xi Yuan Si would agree. Because the Sakura Nation had no other choice.

This is the cruelty of politics—sometimes the choice isn't between good and bad, but between bad and worse.

At the same time, inside the Sakura Nation Consulate General near Keelung Harbor, another heated discussion was underway.

The two parties were members of the Sakura Nation delegation: Navy representative Major General Dao Tian Fan Tai Lang— a close confidant of Shan Ben Quan Bing Wei, specially sent to attend the handover ceremony; and Army representative Major General Wu Teng Xin Yi— chief of staff of Taiwan's garrison forces, a typical army tough guy.

The atmosphere in the room was more oppressive than the gloomy weather outside.

"Wu Teng Xin Yi, listen to me," Dao Tian said, striving to make his voice sound sincere, "this opportunity comes once in a thousand years. On the European front, Deguo offers a high price— a division a month for 500,000 marks, equivalent to 700,000 yen! Four divisions are 2.8 million, over 30 million a year! How many problems can that solve!"

Wu Teng Xin Yi stared coldly at him: "Major General Dao Tian, you speak lightly. That's going to war, that's sending them to die! The carnage on the European front far exceeds the Russo-Japanese War. Machine guns, heavy artillery, poison gas, barbed wire... it's hell! You want Imperial soldiers to become mercenaries there?"

"Then what do you propose?" Dao Tian raised his voice, "The army now has over 500,000 men, wages overdue for two months! If it continues, the soldiers will revolt! Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki— everywhere is looting food, the police can't control it! Keeping these soldiers at home is an even bigger risk!"

"So we have to send them to Europe to die?" Wu Teng Xin Yi slammed the table, "Dao Tian, don't think I don't know what your navy is thinking! The East Sea was lost, the navy's face is tarnished, now you want the army to also lose face in Europe, to die! That would even the land and sea forces, right?"

The remark hit Dao Tian's thoughts; his complexion changed, but he quickly regained composure: "Wu Teng Xin Yi, you are judging the noble with a petty mind. I am considering the country."

"Considering the country?" Wu Teng Xin Yi sneered, "Then why not send the navy? The navy has no ships now, but the men are still there. Sailors can't fight on land, but they can work as laborers. Sending navy men to Lanfang construction sites to move bricks, to the docks to haul cargo— isn't that also earning foreign exchange?"