Chapter 296: No More Pretending, I'm Laying My Cards!

"But politically?" Chen Feng asked.

"Politically..." Zhou Tieshan hesitated, "We are indeed supporting Deguo's enemies. Though it's a commercial act, objectively it helps Deguo prolong the war. Yingguo has reason to be angry."

Zhang Zhen spoke, his voice steady: "President, I thought about it on the ship returning. Yingguo's anger is genuine, and their reluctance to act is also genuine. Their core interests lie in Europe, in defeating Deguo. Until they achieve that, they will not open a second front in Yazhou."

He paused: "But they will certainly retaliate, after the war."

"So what?" Chen Feng looked at him.

"Therefore we need to give them a way out," Zhang Zhen said, "an explanation that saves their face while not harming our interests."

Chen Feng smiled: "Commander Zhang is starting to understand politics. Tell me, what kind of way out?"

"Money," Zhang Zhen said bluntly. "What do the Yingguo lack most now? Resources, capital. We can hint, even state outright, that if the price is right, we can do business with Yingguo—weapons, supplies, even... transport services."

Wang Wenwu frowned: "Would that be too obvious? What would the Degjun think?"

"What the Degjun think is irrelevant," Chen Feng took over, "What matters is making the Yingguo believe we are not Degjun's allies, just merchants. Merchants care about money, not people."

He walked to the globe and gently turned it: "We need to instill a concept in Jie Lade—that in Lanfang's view, the whole world is a client. Deguo is a client, Yingguo can be a client, Faguo, the United States, even Russia can be clients."

"But we are indeed helping Deguo," Zhou Tieshan said.

"We help Deguo because Deguo pays," Chen Feng stopped turning the globe, "If Yingguo pays, we can help Yingguo. That's business logic."

Wang Wenwu mused: "Do you mean using an 'absolutely neutral' merchant identity to explain all our actions?"

"Not absolute neutrality, but 'conditional neutrality'," Chen Feng corrected, "Our neutrality presupposes that our commercial interests are unaffected. Whoever interferes with our business is the enemy."

He sat back at his desk: "Alright, prepare. Tomorrow afternoon I will have a proper talk with Major General Jie Lade. Minister Wang, you handle reception and agenda. Commander Zhang, dispatch the Huai River and Pearl River vessels to cruise near Singapore, but do not enter Yingguo territorial waters—stay in international waters."

"Yes!" the three rose simultaneously.

Chen Feng called out to Wang Wenwu: "Wait. In my name, send a private telegram to Xi Yuan Si Gongwang. Write: The second batch of dispatched troops performed excellently; the third batch may now be prepared. Price... five percent higher than the second batch."

Wang Wenwu was stunned: "At this moment, still provoke the Yingguo?"

"That's exactly the point," Chen Feng smiled, "Let them know anger can't change reality. We conduct the business that needs to be done."

January 14, 3 p. m., Dubai Port.

The Royal Navy light cruiser "Carrel" slowly docked. This 4,000‑ton warship, launched in 1910, looked modest amid the vast Dubai Port area. On the pier, the Lanfang Navy honor guard had formed, and the band played the two nations' anthems.

Major General Jie Lade stepped down the gangway. He was fifty‑five, six feet tall, dressed in a crisp Royal Navy major‑general uniform, a row of medals on his chest. His face was sharply chiseled, a neatly trimmed short beard on his chin, and his blue eyes were eagle‑sharp.

Wang Wenwu greeted him on the pier. When they shook hands, Jie Lade's grip was very strong.

"Consul General, welcome back to Dubai,"

"Minister Wang, I hope this visit yields substantive results," Jie Lade's voice was rigid.

The motorcade headed to the Presidential Palace. Jie Lade observed the city through the window. His last visit to Dubai was a year ago—just twelve months—and the place had changed. New government buildings rose, streets widened, tram tracks were laid, and even several towers over ten stories appeared.

"Dubai has developed rapidly," Jie Lade commented.

"Thanks to the war," Wang Wenwu smiled, "Peacetime never had such demand."

There was a subtext, Jie Lade sensed it, but he did not respond.

The Presidential Palace reception hall was set. A rectangular conference table had Chen Feng, Wang Wenwu, Zhou Tieshan and a translator on one side (though Chen Feng's English was sufficient, diplomatic protocol required it). Opposite sat Jie Lade and his two aides—Deputy Consul Thomson and Military Officer Major Ha Li Si.

No small talk, no pleasantries; Jie Lade went straight to the point.

"Your Excellency President," he opened the folder before him, "I am ordered to represent the British Empire government in lodging a formal protest to the Lanfang Republic."

Chen Feng made a "please" gesture.

"First, the Lanfang Republic violated the principle of neutrality by providing military personnel transport services to the German Empire and its allies. According to our intelligence, in the past eight months the Lanfang fleet transported over 150,000 Sakura Nation soldiers to Deguo, directly enhancing Degjun's combat capability."

"Second, the Lanfang Republic sold Deguo a large quantity of weapons, including artillery and machine guns; these were used against Yingguo and allied forces, causing us heavy casualties."

"Third, the Lanfang Republic engaged in large‑scale technology exchange with Deguo, acquiring core Deguo military technology. This severely disrupts the European balance of power and is a blatant violation of international law."

Jie Lade lifted his head, staring directly at Chen Feng: "Your Excellency President, the British Empire government demands that Lanfang immediately cease all the aforementioned actions and compensate for the losses incurred. Otherwise, we will have to consider all necessary measures to protect our nation and allies' interests."

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Chen Feng slowly leaned back in his chair, his ten fingers crossed on the table. His expression was calm, even with a hint of a smile.

"General Jie Lade, have you finished?"

"Finished. Please respond directly,"

"Very well." Chen Feng nodded, "First, regarding neutrality. Since its founding, the Lanfang Republic has consistently upheld a neutral policy. We have never declared war on any belligerent, nor sent a single soldier to Europe. This is evident to the international community."

Jie Lade began to speak, but Chen Feng raised his hand to stop him: "Second, regarding transport services. Lanfang Shipping Company is a commercial enterprise; providing transport for clients is its core business. It signed a lawful commercial contract with the Deguo government, consistent with international law and commercial practice. What is being transported is the client's matter, not the carrier's."