Chapter 428: Cairo Meeting

Zhao Gang quickly records: "Understood. Also… the crew selection for Dingyuan and Zhenyuan has been completed, two‑thirds coming from Revival and Restoration."

"Very good." Li Te returns the telegram, "Sending veterans to the new ships respects their feelings and is the best way to maintain combat power. Tell the political department that the work must be meticulous, but time is tight. When we return, both vessels must complete all handover preparations."

"Understood."

After Zhao Gang leaves, Li Te continues to stare at the sea. The Red Sea under August sun is dazzlingly blue, and occasional smoke plumes from cargo ships can be seen in the distance. This is the world's shipping hub and the channel for the empire's power projection. Yingguo warships, Faguo transport vessels, Italian patrol boats… beneath this seemingly calm water lie swirling currents of influence.

"'Huai River' sailing alone on these waters is itself a declaration," a calm voice says from behind.

Li Te turns and sees Chen Feng entering the cockpit. The President today wears a simple white linen shirt and dark trousers, without any medals or insignia, looking like a scholar or engineer rather than a head of state who decides the lives of tens of millions.

"President." Li Te stands straight and salutes.

Chen Feng waves his hand, walks to the observation window, and stands shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Li Te. His gaze also reaches the horizon, but Li Te knows the President sees not only the sea but also the intersecting routes beneath, the cargo ships in ports, the conference rooms in London, and the battle maps in Berlin.

"General Li, what do you think Yingguo people will think of our ship?" Chen Feng asks suddenly.

Li Te thinks for a moment, then answers cautiously: "They will assess the combat power of 'Huai River', calculate how many warships are needed to counter it. They will be wary, but also… envious."

"Envious?" Chen Feng smiles faintly.

"A soldier's envy of advanced weapons is the purest," Li Te says frankly, "I have seen German Navy officers at William Port look at the 'Bismarck Class' with eyes mixed with jealousy, desire, and a hint of fear. Yingguo Navy officers would only be more so."

Chen Feng nods: "You're right. So in this meeting, our biggest bargaining chip isn't language or promises, but this ship and what it represents—Lanfang can build the world's best battleship and sell it to anyone."

He pauses, his tone deepening: "George V is a king who rose from the ranks of sailors; he understands the navy. When he sees 'Huai River', he will grasp a fact: the Royal Navy's three‑century technical edge now faces a challenger. And this challenger is willing to do business with them."

"So the President insists on bringing only 'Huai River' to showcase strength and avoid provocation?"

"It's to convey a complex message," Chen Feng corrects, "We possess the ability to threaten them and the willingness to cooperate. This contradiction will make Yingguo hesitate, adding a layer of consideration to their decisions. In diplomacy, an enemy's hesitation is our opportunity."

Li Te ponders. He recalls Chen Feng's words before the East Sea battle: "War is the continuation of politics, and politics is a game of calculation. We must calculate more precisely than anyone else."

"By the way," Chen Feng changes the subject, "has the matter of the 'Revival Ship' and the 'Restoration Ship' been settled?"

Li Te reports the earlier telegram content and his reply.

Chen Feng, after listening, pauses a few seconds: "The veterans' feelings must be respected. Therefore, in my name, send a telegram to all crew of both ships: First, their names will be engraved on the Dubai Naval Monument; second, Lanfang's future first 50,000‑ton class battleship will be named 'Revival Ship'; third, all officers and soldiers who volunteer to transfer to Dingyuan, Zhenyuan, or other new ships will have their rank automatically promoted one grade, and their service‑year allowance increased by 50%."

Li Te's eyes brighten: "This plan is good. It gives honor and also benefit."

"During wartime, soldiers' loyalty and sacrifice are the most valuable assets and must not be squandered," Chen Feng says, turning away from the cockpit. At the doorway he stops, "By the way, inform accompanying Minister Wang Wenwu to prepare the destroyer technical specifications we intend to give Yingguo. I need to have them ready during negotiations."

"Yes, President."

After Chen Feng leaves, Li Te stands alone on the bridge. Sunlight streams through the observation window onto his shoulder, warm. Yet his heart feels a chill—not from fear, but from a heavy realization—that he is part of a game that will shape the world order for decades. And his President, in this game, is thrusting Lanfang—a nation that didn't exist twenty years ago—into the center of the world stage.

"General," the radar officer reports suddenly, "60 nautical miles ahead, a fleet has been detected. Identification signal… Yingguo Navy: one battleship, two cruisers, four destroyers."

Li Te walks to the radar screen. On the green phosphor display, several light dots are clearly visible.

"It should be coming to rendezvous," he judges, "Send a signal: Lanfang Republic President's flagship 'Clean River', heading to Alexandria Port for a friendly visit. Please report identity."

The signalman operates quickly. Minutes later, a reply arrives: "The British Empire Royal Navy 'Malaya' battleship, by order of His Majesty the King, comes to escort. Welcome to the Mediterranean Sea."

Li Te looks at the message, a faint complex smile curling his lips.

"Welcome?"

It is surveillance, a display, and a silent contest.

"'Malaya'…" he murmurs. An Elizabeth Queen Class battleship, the Yingguo Navy's mainstay, equipped with eight 15‑inch Main Guns, standard displacement 33,000 tons. In most seas it is a fearsome leviathan.

But in front of the 'Huai River', what then?

Li Te shakes his head, issuing a command: "Reply: Thank you for the Royal Navy's hospitality. We will follow your formation. Request navigation."

The order given, 'Huai River' subtly adjusts course toward the Yingguo fleet. Two hours later, the two fleets converge on the azure Mediterranean Sea.

From the bridge of 'Huai River', the silhouette of 'Malaya' is clearly visible. It truly is a magnificent warship, with a sleek hull, towering triangular mast, and four twin‑turret batteries. Yet looking down on it from 'Huai River' inevitably creates a contrast—like an adult watching a youth.

The Yingguo fleet, led by 'Malaya', forms an escort formation protecting 'Huai River' at the center. But Li Te knows this formation can be read as both escort and surveillance‑and‑encirclement.

The signal light flashes again: "'Huai River', please follow our course. Maintain speed at 20 knots."