Chapter 282: Do You Think I

"Understood." Wang Wenwu recorded, "that price…"

"The new version is priced twenty percent higher." Chen Feng said without hesitation, "Tell the Sakura Nation side that this is an 'improved model', which can greatly increase reliability and battlefield survivability. They'll buy it."

Wang Wenwu continued his report: "The Type‑92 infantry cannon receives relatively good reviews. Degjun reports that it is 'highly accurate, highly mobile, suitable for accompanying infantry in combat.' However, Shell consumption is huge, averaging over forty shells per gun per day."

"Shell production status?"

"Three production lines are running at full speed, with a monthly capacity of thirty thousand shells. But at the current consumption rate, I'm afraid…"

"Expand production." Chen Feng said, "Open two more production lines. Tell the Ministry of Industry that this is a priority project."

"Funding side?"

"Use the Sakura Nation's money." Chen Feng walked to the window, watching the bustling scene of Dubai Port, "The first batch of hiring fees should have been credited, right?"

Wang Wenwu opened the third folder, his expression relaxed a bit this time: "It arrived late last night. Deguo paid the initial fee, a total of 22 million marks, which at the contract rate equals about 10.34 million yen."

He turned a page:

"According to the trilateral agreement, we deduct a ten percent commission, i. e., 2.2 million marks. Then we subtract the prepaid weapon equipment costs, transportation fees, insurance fees… Net income is 3.7 million marks, all of which have been exchanged for gold and stored."

Chen Feng nodded; this figure is within the expected range.

"How much did the Sakura Nation receive?"

"Eight point six million yen," Wang Wenwu said, "has already been transferred via Yokohama Seikin Bank into the Ministry of Finance's designated account. According to our intelligence, the Xi Yuan Si cabinet held an emergency meeting this morning to discuss the use of these funds."

"How will they use it?" Chen Feng asked, though he already had an answer in mind.

"Half will go to importing grain, mainly rice purchased from Siam and Burma. A quarter will be used to pay the next installment of Lanfang's war reparations. The remainder… may be used to stabilize the financial market; the Tokyo Stock Exchange plunged seventeen percent last week."

Chen Feng turned, his back to the window, his face hidden in shadow.

"So they've tasted the sweet side," he said slowly, "Exchanging twenty‑five thousand lives for eight point six million yen, buying a few months of breathing room."

Wang Wenwu gave no reply. The calculation was too cold; even someone as seasoned in bureaucracy as he felt uneasy.

"Have they responded to the proposal for the second deployment?" Chen Feng changed the subject.

"No formal reply yet, but according to inside sources, Xi Yuan Si has already given a principled agreement," Wang Wenwu said. "The army has dissenting voices, but they've been suppressed. The navy… Dong Xiang Pingbalo has not made a public statement, but privately told confidants: 'It's like drinking poison to quench thirst, but a person so thirsty will drink the toxin.'"

"A vivid metaphor." Chen Feng said, walking back to his desk, pulling a telegram draft from a drawer, "Send it to Berlin, copy Tokyo."

Wang Wenwu prepared to record.

"To General Ludengdaofu of the German General Staff, and copy Prime Minister Xi Yuan Si Gongwang: We are pleased to hear of the great victory on the Eastern Front; the Sakura Nation's dispatched troops fought bravely, projecting power abroad, and we extend our congratulations. In view of your army's outstanding performance, should the German side have further needs, Lanfang is willing to assist in organizing the second deployment. All terms may be increased by ten percent over the original agreement to honor the first battle's merit."

He paused, then added:

"Additionally, our Armaments Bureau has, based on battlefield feedback, developed an improved weapon model with greatly enhanced reliability. If needed, we can provide sample tests."

Wang Wenwu finished recording, looked up: "'Increase by ten percent'… that's a sizable margin. Will the Sakura Nation accept it?"

"They will accept it," Chen Feng affirmed, "because they need more money, and Deguo needs more troops. We are the middlemen; a reasonable price hike is a legitimate business practice."

"But the casualties…"

"Minister Wang," Chen Feng interrupted, his tone calm but unquestionable, "Do you recall how many merchant ships were sunk when the Sakura Nation navy blockaded the strait twenty years ago? Do you remember how many Chinese crew members leapt into the sea for survival, only to freeze or drown?"

Wang Wenwu fell silent. He remembered; every Chinese should remember.

"War is exchange," Chen Feng said, "We trade resources for land, blood for time, lives for opportunity. What we are doing now is merely making that exchange more… systematic."

He walked to the world map on the wall, his finger tracing from East Prussia to the Sakura Nation, then to Dubai.

"The Sakura Nation trades soldiers for marks, Deguo trades marks for defenses, we trade organization and services for commissions. Everyone uses their own resources to obtain what they need. This is modern warfare, this is geopolitics."

Wang Wenwu nodded, though unease lingered inside.

"By the way," Chen Feng suddenly recalled, "How's the development progress on that thing…?"

He asked vaguely, but Wang Wenwu immediately understood what he meant.

"'Special Order Project' is still at the conceptual stage," Wang Wenwu lowered his voice, "The Armaments Bureau has held several meetings, produced a few preliminary ideas, but…"

"But what?"

"But the designers all say that if such a weapon were actually built, it would be… anti‑human," Wang Wenwu chose a strong term.

Chen Feng remained silent for a long while. Outside, the port's whistle blew, long and distant.

"Continue the research, but not urgently," he finally said, "First, perfect the current business. Tell the Armaments Bureau to improve existing weapons, boost reliability, but don't make them too good—if they're too good, they won't need frequent replacement."

The coldness in those words made Wang Wenwu's heart tremble, but he simply nodded: "Understood."

"One more thing." Chen Feng walked back to his desk, pulling out a sheet of letterhead, "In my personal capacity, write a letter to Xi Yuan Si Gongwang."

"Content?"

"Congratulations, condolences, and future outlook," Chen Feng dictated, "The wording must be sincere, expressing admiration for the Sakura Nation soldiers' brave fight and regret for their sacrifices. Then… gently remind that Lanfang is willing to offer assistance in all areas, including economic reconstruction, technical cooperation, even post‑war arrangements."

"Post‑war arrangements?" Wang Wenwu asked, puzzled.

"If Deguo wins, the Sakura Nation, as a belligerent, could theoretically gain some benefits," Chen Feng said, "Of course, that's far‑fetched. But give Xi Yuan Si something to think about, so he feels this deal isn't just selling blood, but also holds future possibilities."

Wang Wenwu recorded quickly, having to admire Chen Feng's political skill. The carrot and the stick, but the carrot must be designed enticing enough.

"Once the letter is written, send it as a diplomatic confidential dispatch, ensuring it reaches Xi Yuan Si directly," Chen Feng instructed, "Do not route it through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' bureaucrats."

"Yes."

Wang Wenwu organized the documents, ready to leave, when Chen Feng called him.

"Minister Wang, do you think I'm too cold?"