Chapter 304: The Liekexi Dun-Class

He looked around the conference room: "Gentlemen, I know this plan sounds like a fairy tale. But I ask you to believe that this is not fantasy, it is the inevitable future. Ten years from now, twenty years from now, war will be exactly this kind of war. If we start preparing now, we can lead the world by ten years. If we don't prepare, we will fall behind and get beaten."

The conference room was quiet for a long time. Then Zhao Xuecheng was the first to stand up.

"President, I understand," he said, "I will adjust the production plan, giving priority to aircraft for pilot training. At the same time we will launch pre‑research on carrier‑borne aircraft."

Lin Huaimin also stood up: "I will immediately revise the 'Blue Sky Plan', adding carrier aviation training content. We can simulate a carrier deck on land and first train take‑off and landing techniques."

Others also voiced their opinions. After the initial shock came a boiling enthusiasm. These aviation pioneers realized they were taking part in making history.

Chen Feng smiled: "Good, then let's get to work. Remember, today's meeting is top‑secret. Anyone who leaks it will be dealt with under military law."

"Yes!"

That night, when Chen Feng returned to Dubai, it was already eleven p. m.

But he did not rest; he went straight to the Ministry of Defense. Zhou Tieshan was still in his office—this minister was known as a workaholic, often staying up until dawn. (The Security Bureau and other departments had been merged into the Ministry of Defense; the Security Bureau is now a department under the General Staff.)

"I knew you hadn't slept yet," Chen Feng said, pushing the door open.

Zhou Tieshan looked up, rubbed his reddened eyes: "President, you're back. How's the base?"

"Fine," Chen Feng sat opposite him. "'Kunpeng' and 'Hunting Falcon' have both taken flight. The pilots are enthusiastic."

"That's good," Zhou Tieshan nodded, though his expression was a bit hesitant.

"Speak your mind," Chen Feng said, looking at him.

Zhou Tieshan set the documents down and sighed: "President, I know I shouldn't question your decisions. But the military spending over the past few months… I'm a bit worried."

"Worried about what?"

"Worried that we're expanding too fast." Zhou Tieshan stood and walked to the map on the wall. "Four new Bismarck‑class ships are under construction, another four are being planned. The air force is to expand to ten thousand personnel, and we need to build over a thousand aircraft. Now we also want an aircraft carrier… all of this costs money, a lot of money."

He turned around: "Last year our defense budget was 120 million, accounting for forty percent of fiscal revenue, already very high. This year, according to your plan, it will at least double. Will this… affect economic development? Will it cause the livelihood of the people to deteriorate?"

Chen Feng did not answer immediately. He walked to the window and looked at Dubai's nightscape. The city lights reflected in his eyes like a sea of stars.

"Minister Zhou, do you remember the scene when we founded the nation?" he suddenly asked.

"I remember. 1903, at Dubai Port, dozens of people, a few ships."

"What were we thinking back then?"

Zhou Tieshan thought for a moment: "We wanted to survive, to build a country of our own Chinese people, no longer to be bullied."

"Right." Chen Feng turned. "But now? We have survived, the nation is established, no one dares to bully us. What are we thinking now?"

Zhou Tieshan fell silent.

"We are thinking about the future," Chen Feng said for him, "imagining ten years, twenty years, a hundred years ahead. Wondering whether our descendants can live in a strong nation, in a world with dignity."

He walked back to the desk: "You asked whether the defense budget will affect the economy. I tell you, short‑term it will, long‑term it won't. Because the military industry itself is an economic engine. Shipyards, aircraft factories, ordnance plants—how many jobs do they provide? How much related industry do they stimulate? How many skilled workers do they train?"

He produced a report: "These are the Ministry of Economy's statistics. Last year, the defense industry and related sectors contributed fifteen percent of GDP and provided three hundred thousand jobs. This year it is expected to reach twenty percent, five hundred thousand jobs. Those workers earn wages, spend, buy homes, support families—this is domestic demand, the driver of economic growth."

Zhou Tieshan looked at the report, thoughtful.

"Now about the people." Chen Feng continued, "Do you think the populace will be dissatisfied if I spend all the money on armaments? You're wrong. Go out onto the streets of Dubai and ask the workers in the shipyards, the technicians in the steel mills, the staff at the airport. Do they support the nation building big ships and aircraft?"

He opened the window; the night wind blew in, carrying the scent of the sea.

"A person lives not only to eat and clothe themselves, but also to have hope, dignity, and confidence in the future. When a worker knows the warship he helped build is the world's strongest, when a pilot knows the aircraft he flies is the most advanced, when an engineer knows the weapon he designs can defend the country—this pride cannot be bought with any amount of money."

"I understand this reasoning. But President, I'm still worried… we have offended the British and we do business with the Germans. What if they unite against us…"

"They won't," Chen Feng said confidently, "at least not now. Because they are fighting each other, with no energy left to deal with us. Moreover, they both need us—Germany needs our weapons and manpower, Britain needs our resources and potential 'services'. This is our window of opportunity."

He paced the room: "War won't last forever. I estimate at most another two years, then both sides will be exhausted and start peace talks. By then Europe will be a wasteland, the great powers will be severely weakened. And us? We have a complete industrial system, a strong navy, an emerging air force, ample funds."

He stopped, his eyes shining: "That is when Lanfang truly rises. We can take part in shaping the post‑war order, claim international discourse, protect overseas Chinese interests, and… do many things we never dared imagine."

Zhou Tieshan was stunned by these words. He only then realized how far Chen Feng's vision reached, far beyond the war itself.

"So these armaments…" he murmured.

"So these armaments are not just weapons, but bargaining chips," Chen Feng added, "they are the confidence we sit at the negotiating table with, the guarantee that our words are heard. Without them we are lambs to be slaughtered; with them we are the players."

He stepped in front of Zhou Tieshan and patted his shoulder: "Old Zhou, I know you mean well, fearing I'm too reckless. But you must trust that every step I take is calculated. There is risk, but the reward is greater. We walk a tightrope, but below is not a bottomless abyss, it's a splendid future."

Zhou Tieshan let out a breath, smiled: "President, I can't argue with you. Anyway, these old bones are yours to command; point where, I'll hit there."

"That's right." Chen Feng also smiled, "Now, go to sleep. Tomorrow there's still many things to do."

Zhou Tieshan packed his documents to leave, stopped at the door and turned back: "By the way, President, I forgot to mention. Lieutenant Colonel Li Te's telegram, the Huaihe and Zhujiang have completed resupply, they'll depart for Europe first thing tomorrow morning."

"Good." Chen Feng nodded,

Zhou Tieshan left. Chen Feng stood alone in the office, looking at the world map on the wall.