Chapter 308: You Send How Much, I Bring Back How Much!

"Minister Li's economic account is correct," he said, "Minister Liu's view of reality is also correct. Commander Zhang's doubts and Minister Wang's analysis are all reasonable."

He turned around: "But you omitted one thing—human hearts."

He walked to the conference table, palms on the surface, leaning forward: "Yes, 150,000 people went to Europe; many may die. Staying at home, they may starve. Looking at the cold numbers, the former might even be better—at least they can eat a full meal before death and leave some money for their families."

"But we are humans, not numbers," Chen Feng's voice was low, yet each word hammered the heart, "Why did we, Lanfang, found a nation? To give Chinese people their own country, a nation that can protect our compatriots. Not to be shrewd merchants calculating which life is more profitable."

He sat upright: "If today we sit here analyzing how to profit from the fate of these 150,000 people, how to use their deaths for our own gain—then how are we different from the Northern XX Government? How are we different from the great powers that treat Chinese as piglets for sale?"

No one answered.

"So my decision is," Chen Feng said word for word, "intervention. We will bring those 150,000 back. No Chinese compatriot shall go to Europe to fill the trenches."

The conference room erupted in uproar.

"President, that's impossible!" Li Yongguang objected first, "That's an agreement between the Northern XX Government and the Yingguo and Faguo; on what grounds do we intervene? With what justification?"

"We use the reason of compatriot kinship," Chen Feng said, "the reason that blood is thicker than water."

"Yingguo and Faguo will not agree!" Wang Wenwu also grew urgent, "They need this batch of laborers; the Western Front logistics are on the brink of collapse. Our forced intervention would offend both Yingguo and Faguo!"

"Then we offend them," Chen Feng said coldly, "Minister Wang, do you think our relations with Yingguo are good now? When Gerard left, he practically wanted to eat me. As for Faguo—they now have a request of ours and dare not turn hostile."

Zhou Tieshan frowned: "President, even if Yingguo and Faguo reluctantly agree, what about the Northern XX Government? This is Yuan XX's crucial move to boost international standing; he will never let go."

"Then let him let go," Chen Feng said, "We can give him a way out— for example, Lanfang pays, compensating Beiyang's 'losses'. Or make deals in other areas. But the people must return."

Zhang Zhen asked the most practical question: "How to bring them back? 150,000 people are scattered in Zhili, Shandong, Jiangsu, possibly already gathering. Are we to send troops to Country X to seize them?"

"No." Chen Feng walked to the map, "The laborers will depart from Tianjin Port by ship to Europe. The ships are Yingguo and Faguo vessels, the route passes the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. And this sea area..."

He turned his head toward Zhang Zhen: "It's the area where our navy operates."

Zhang Zhen understood: "You intend to intercept on the sea route?"

"It's not interception; it's to 'receive' them in Europe," Chen Feng corrected, "We can inform those laborers—Lanfang is willing to take them, give them jobs, land, a future. As long as they agree, our ships will wait at sea to bring them to Borneo, to Malaya, to Dubai. In plain terms, whatever Northern X sends to Europe, we will bring the same amount back!"

Liu Qinian's eyes lit up: "This method is good! Under the principle of voluntariness, we aren't kidnapping; we are offering another choice. Northern X and Yingguo and Faguo can't say anything."

"But Yingguo and Faguo's fleet has naval escort," Zhang Zhen said, "Our ships approaching may cause conflict."

Chen Feng smiled, a cold confidence in his smile: "Therefore we need to demonstrate strength. Let Yingguo and Faguo know that for these 150,000 compatriots, Lanfang will not shy away from war."

He looked at Zhou Tieshan: "Minister Zhou, where are the Huaihe and Zhujiang now?"

Zhou Tieshan thought: "According to plan, tomorrow they depart from Borneo, escorting a batch of supplies to Deguo. They should now still be at the port making final preparations."

"Change the plan," Chen Feng ordered, "Both vessels set sail immediately, but not to Deguo—first to Faguo. Major General Li Te's mission is altered: first, escort the merchant fleet to Wilhelm Port for delivery; second, divert to Calais Port in Faguo to receive Chinese laborers back home."

"Bring them back to the country?" Wang Wenwu exclaimed, "Bring them back where?"

"Bring them back to Lanfang," Chen Feng said, "Those willing to go to Borneo, go to Borneo. Those willing to go to Dubai, go to Dubai. We have land, factories, jobs; we can sustain 150,000 people."

Li Yongguang calculated quickly: "Settling 150,000 people requires at least 20 million Lanyuan. Housing, land, production materials, living subsidies..."

"I'll handle the money," Chen Feng cut him off, "The Deguo's next payment is arriving soon, eight million marks. Yingguo also has our trade funds; we can press them. If insufficient, we can issue special government bonds, and I will guarantee them."

He looked at everyone: "Now, any questions?"

After a brief silence, Zhang Zhen stood: "The navy has no problem. The Huaihe and Zhujiang are the latest battleships; Yingguo's Mediterranean fleet cannot stop us. As soon as you give the order, I guarantee the safe return of our compatriots."

Zhou Tieshan also stood: "The Ministry of Defense fully supports. If needed, we can mobilize more vessels."

Liu Qinian: "The Ministry of Industry can accelerate construction of settlement zones, ensuring laborers have housing and jobs upon arrival."

Li Yongguang forced a bitter smile: "The Ministry of Finance... will find ways to raise funds. But President, this truly is a huge sum."

Finally Wang Wenwu. He took a deep breath: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will lay the groundwork. I will arrange meetings with representatives of Yingguo, Faguo, and the Northern XX Government, pre‑communicating—though they will certainly not agree, at least they will be mentally prepared and not overreact."

"Very well," Chen Feng nodded, "Then begin operations. Minister Wang, your task is the heaviest—both to express our stance and not to completely sour relations. Keep the balance."

"I understand," Wang Wenwu said, "I will first make private contacts, probe reactions, then decide the intensity of the public statement."

Chen Feng walked to the window, gazing at the brilliantly sunny Dubai outside.

"Gentlemen, I know this decision is crazy, will cost a lot of money, will offend many," he said with his back turned, "but some things cannot be measured by money or profit."

"Over a decade ago, when we founded this nation here, we swore to build a country where Chinese could hold their heads high. Now the test arrives. The fate of 150,000 compatriots is before us; do we watch them march to death, or extend a hand to pull them up?"

He turned, his gaze as firm as iron: "I choose to reach out. Even if this hand gets stabbed, even if it is cut off, I will still extend it. Because if we do not save them today, tomorrow no one will save us."

"Lanfang's existence is not only for strength, but to prove—that Chinese are not piglets to be slaughtered at will, not cheap labor in the eyes of the great powers. We are humans, with dignity, kinship, and a responsibility to protect each other."

In the conference room, everyone straightened their spines.

"Go then," Chen Feng said, "Bring our compatriots home."