Chapter 40: Lanfang

Persian Gulf, Dubai Port Administration Building.

The conference room was brightly lit, and on the wall hung the freshly received news photo of the Dauntless being launched and a report from an English newspaper. On either side of the long table sat Chen Feng, Wang Bo, Liu Yongfu, Li Mingyuan and other core personnel.

"This is today's front page of London's Times." Li Mingyuan handed out the translated report to everyone, "The headline reads 'Royal Navy Returns to Its Zenith—Dauntless Ushers in a New Era.' The article lists the Dauntless's specifications in detail: standard displacement 18,100 tons, ten 12‑inch 45‑caliber Main Guns, steam turbine propulsion, designed speed 21 knots."

Liu Yongfu put on his reading glasses and examined the specification table closely, occasionally scribbling calculations in the notebook beside him.

Wang Bo finished reading the report, looked up and asked Chen Feng, "Young Master, have the English caught up?"

"They've caught up with the Westfalen class." Chen Feng put down the material he was holding; he naturally knew that the German Westfalen was a design he had plagiarized from the English, yet he still said, "Looking at the specs, the Dauntless and the German ship are on the same level. Firepower is comparable, speed is comparable, protection may be a bit stronger—Yingguo has always had an advantage in armor design."

"What about our Leopard?" Li Mingyuan asked.

Chen Feng looked at Liu Yongfu, "Chief Engineer Liu, your thoughts."

Liu Yongfu lifted his head, his eyes flashing with the light of a technical expert: "The Dauntless is a pursuer of the German Westfalen class, while our Revival is the next generation. Even the generation after that."

He walked to the blackboard, picked up a piece of chalk and quickly drew a schematic.

"The Dauntless and the Westfalen class are both based on the same design Concept: all‑big guns, steam turbines, focused protection. But our Revival has several fundamental Breakthroughs."

"First, firepower. A 381 mm Main Gun versus a 305 mm, a qualitative gap. Our Shells weigh 1.8 times theirs, and armor‑piercing capability is improved by over forty percent."

"Second, speed. 31 knots versus 21 knots, a generational gap. The extra ten knots means tactical initiative is entirely in our hands—we can choose whether to strike, when to strike, and at what Distance to strike."

"Third, displacement. 41,000 tons versus 18,100 tons, a crushing difference in size. Greater tonnage means stronger protection, larger ammunition reserves, and longer range."

Liu Yongfu set down the chalk and turned to the group:

"In short, the Dauntless's launch means the Yingguo have caught up to the 1905 technology level. But our Revival embodies 1908, even 1910 technology. By the time the Revival enters service, the Dauntless will already be behind."

The conference room fell silent for a moment.

Wang Bo spoke slowly, "So, Young Master, our earlier assessment was correct. Selling the Westfalen class to the Germans both earned us money and dragged the great powers into the quagmire of an arms race. Meanwhile we have been quietly developing a more advanced next generation."

"Right." Chen Feng nodded, "This competition has three tracks: the first is a quantity race, with Yingguo and Deguo vying over how many ships they can build; the second is a technology race, where everyone refines existing designs; the third is a generational‑gap race, and only we are running that one."

He stood up and walked to the world map:

"Now that the Yingguo have the Dauntless, the Deguo will feel urgency and will press us to accelerate delivery of the second batch of orders. The Faguo will be even more desperate and will seek us more aggressively. The Japanese will be more anxious and may take more aggressive actions."

"What do we do then?" Li Mingyuan asked.

"We will push all three strategies simultaneously." Chen Feng turned, his gaze sharp, "First, speed up delivery of the Deguo orders, maintain reputation, and earn funds. Second, prepare to negotiate with the Faguo, exchanging technology for resources and everything we need. Third, strengthen defenses against the Japanese; they are likely already targeting us."

Liu Yongfu recalled something, "President, the German technical exchange delegation made a request yesterday to tour our engine workshop. I gave a reason to turn them down, but they seemed very insistent."

"Tell them they may tour the civilian ship engine workshop, but nothing related to warships." Chen Feng thought for a moment, "Also, arrange a 'appropriate technology showcase'—for example, an efficiency test of a fuel boiler, or a ballistic test of a new steel plate. Let them see our value, but not the core secrets."

"Understood."

"Also," Chen Feng looked at Li Mingyuan, "any new news from Minister Wang?"

Li Mingyuan opened his notebook: "Minister Wang sent a telegram from Singapore, saying the Yingguo colonial authorities are tightening export controls on strategic resources. Our plan to acquire shares in an Australian mine through an offshore company has met resistance. Additionally, we intercepted intelligence showing the Japanese merchant ship Spring Day Maru acting unusually in the Arabian Sea, apparently conducting surveying of the Persian Gulf coast."

Chen Feng frowned, "The Japanese are moving faster than I imagined. Notify the coastal guard to intensify patrols of the port and coastline. Any unidentified vessel that approaches must be driven away."

"Yes."

"Also," Chen Feng added, "activate the Dragon Eye Network intelligence web. I need to know what the Japanese navy is really planning, what the 'Azure Dragon Project' actually entails."

Wang Bo recorded all the orders, then asked, "Young Master, the French envoy delegation is expected to arrive in three days. What are the reception specifications?"

"According to A+ level." Chen Feng said without hesitation, "Arrange the finest accommodations, meals according to French standards, and a translator fluent in French. The tour itinerary includes a civilian steel plant, a machining workshop, a technical school, and port facilities. But they must not approach the shipyard, refinery, or military zones."

He paused:

"The most critical point is to arrange for them to 'accidentally' see the construction progress of the Revival—at a distance, unable to discern details but able to see the Scale and outline. Let them know we have not only the German design, but something more advanced."

"Is that too risky?" Wang Bo worried.

"Risky, but worth it." Chen Feng's eyes flashed with calculative light, "The Faguo are now in a desperate state; a ordinary improved Westfalen class is no longer enough to sway them. They need to see hope, hope that can confront Deguo, even surpass Deguo. The Revival is that hope."

The conference room fell silent again.

In the night outside the window, a faint whistle rose from the port direction. Another shipment of copper ore from Chile had arrived, to be sent to the steel plant, smelted into steel, and become the armor and gun barrels of warships.

This Chinese community, situated at a corner of the world, is weaving with steel and will a massive net capable of reshaping the global order.

"Adjourn." Chen Feng said finally, "Everyone remember: today the Yingguo Dauntless's launch is a milestone in the world naval competition. But from tomorrow onward, the competition enters its second phase—and in this phase, the rules will be partially set by us."

The others gradually left.

Chen Feng remained alone in the conference room, walked to the window, and watched the faint lights in the direction of 'Leopard Nest' in the distance.

There, the Revival is being worked on day and night. Three months—three more months and it will be launched.

When that time comes, how will the world react?

Will the Deguo be ecstatic, or will they feel wary?

Will the Faguo spare no expense to obtain it, or will they unite other nations to pressure us?

Will the Yingguo discover this hidden competitor?

Will the Japanese take the reckless gamble?

Countless questions swirled in his mind.

But there was no fear, only a near‑cold excitement.

Like a player feeling exhilarated as every piece on the board begins to move along the path he envisioned.

"Young Master." Wang Bo returned, holding a freshly received telegram, "From Berlin, top‑secret."