Chapter 466: The Scent of Borneo

"Prime Minister, the latest assessment from the General Staff Headquarters." His voice was hoarse with excitement, "If we accept Yingguo's and Deguo's demands and dispatch 350,000 troops, the Empire can obtain: first, the remaining 12 million pounds that Deguo will pay; second, the Shandong interests and post‑war support promised by Yingguo; third, the second batch of technology transfers from Krupp and Siemens."

He pushed the document over: "This is the detailed calculation. Twelve million pounds could buy three million tons of rice, enough to feed all the Empire's cities for a year. It could import two hundred of the latest machine tools and rebuild five arms factories. It could…"

"It could buy 350,000 lives," Xi Yuan Si interrupted, his voice light.

Da Dao was stunned.

"Three hundred and fifty thousand lives of the Empire's youth." Xi Yuan Si lifted his eyes, the old eyes bloodshot, "Lord Da Dao, can you sleep at night? I cannot. When I close my eyes I see those young faces. When they boarded the transport ships many were smiling, thinking Europe was a chance to make a name. And now? Nearly two hundred thousand have already died, buried in unnamed graves in Faguo, not even allowed to have their names on the tombstones."

Da Dao's complexion shifted, but he quickly regained his hardness: "Prime Minister! This is war! War inevitably brings death! The only difference is where they die, not why they die! Frozen on the Eastern Front, blown up by artillery on the Western Front, exhausted in factories, starving at home—does it matter? At least they received double pay before dying, and their families received triple compensation!"

He leaned forward, almost touching the table: "Ask the mothers in the villages—do they prefer their sons to starve and die at home, or to go to Europe to fight, at least allowing their younger siblings to survive?"

Xi Yuan Si fell silent. He knew part of Da Dao's words were true. The Empire's food crisis was worsening, and Tokyo's rice price had only just managed to ease a little.

"Moreover," Da Dao lowered his voice, "this isn't a matter of whether we want to or not. The Deguo have already paid an eight‑million‑pound down payment; if we fail to fulfill the contract, they may halt technology transfers, even… demand a refund of the money already paid. As for the Yingguo side, refusing would completely offend them, and after the war we would be isolated and helpless in the international community."

He paused, then stated the harshest reality: "Prime Minister, the Empire is already on the edge of a cliff. Without these foreign exchanges, without this technology, without post‑war support from the great powers… we cannot survive more than five years."

A long silence. Only the soft crackle of the kerosene lamp wick could be heard.

Finally, Xi Yuan Si slowly spoke: "Chen Feng invited me to Borneo to discuss a rice deal. What do you think?"

Da Dao's eyes lit up: "Rice? If we can obtain cheap rice, at least it could ease the domestic…"

"But Chen Feng won't give it away for free," Xi Yuan Si said with a wry smile. "He's a shrewd businessman. Inviting me to discuss rice surely comes with other conditions."

"Then we must go!" Da Dao replied without hesitation. "Now any chance to secure food cannot be missed. Moreover, Chen Feng… he may be cold, but he keeps his word. If he promises rice, he will deliver."

Xi Yuan Si looked at the three documents on the table, and finally reached for Lanfang's invitation letter.

"Reply to Lanfang's Foreign Ministry: I accept the invitation and will set out in three days," he paused, "As for Yingguo's and Deguo's demands… we'll discuss them when I return from Borneo."

"But time…"

"Buy some time." Xi Yuan Si stood, walked to the window, and gazed at Tokyo's silent night sky, "Perhaps Chen Feng… can give us a third way."

He didn't know what that way was, but his intuition told him that the Eastern man would surely have a solution.

Because Chen Feng's greatest skill is finding possibilities within impossibilities, carving new paths out of desperate situations.

Even if that path… is strewn with thorns.

September 12, Borneo capital Kun Dian, Wangbei Lou. (Not from "In the Name of the People", just thought the name sounded nice)

It is a Chinese‑style garden building, white walls and black tiles, sweeping eaves and upturned corners, situated on the banks of the Kun Dian River. Within the garden are small bridges, flowing water, artificial hills and pavilions, making it impossible to tell one is in a tropical rainforest. Even better, behind the garden a hundred‑mu rice field has been opened; it is harvest season, golden rice stalks ripple like waves in the sun, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of new rice.

Chen Feng chose this spot for the meeting with deep intent—to let Xi Yuan Si see Lanfang's agricultural strength (we can grow so much rice) and to create a pastoral, poetic atmosphere that softens the sharpness of the negotiations.

At three p. m., Xi Yuan Si's motorcade arrived. The elder, dressed in a simple black kimono, walked slowly but steadily. As soon as he stepped out, he saw the rice field, his gaze flickering slightly.

"Prime Minister Xi Yuan Si, welcome," Chen Feng greeted at the garden gate, also wearing a simple Zhongshan suit, "You've had a hard journey."

"Your Excellency the President, thank you for the invitation," Xi Yuan Si bowed slightly, "This rice field… is astonishing."

"This year Borneo has had favorable weather and a bountiful harvest," Chen Feng made a welcoming gesture, "Shall we walk and talk?"

The two walked along the bluestone path into the garden. Attendants followed at a distance, keeping a line where they could see but not hear the conversation.

"I heard Tokyo's rice price has risen again?" Chen Feng began, as if chatting casually.

Xi Yuan Si gave a wry smile: "Yes, it's now thirty‑five yen per koku. Many families eat only one meal a day."

"Lanfang has a bumper harvest this year and can export," Chen Feng said, "If the Prime Minister needs it, we can sign a long‑term supply agreement. The price… at seventy percent of the international market rate."

Xi Yuan Si halted for a moment. Seventy percent! That means saving tens of millions of yen in foreign exchange each year.

"What are the conditions?" he asked directly. Having dealt with Chen Feng, he knew all too well that the Eastern man never offers favors without a reason.

Chen Feng smiled: "Prime Minister, you're straightforward. The condition is simple: Lanfang's rice must be shipped using Lanfang's vessels. Freight will be charged at the normal rate, with no increase."

Xi Yuan Si calculated mentally: even with freight, the total cost is more than 20 % lower than buying now from other Southeast Asian countries. It's truly a lifeline.

"On behalf of the Empire, I thank the President for his generosity." He bowed solemnly.

"No need to be formal; neighbors helping each other is only natural," Chen Feng walked to a pavilion and gestured for Xi Yuan Si to sit. On the stone table in the pavilion, tea utensils were already set, though no tea had been poured.

The attendants withdrew to twenty meters away.

Now, the real discussion was about to begin.

"Prime Minister," Chen Feng set aside his smile, his tone turning serious, "Besides rice, I also wish to discuss another matter. I heard… the Yingguo are asking you for troops?"

Xi Yuan Si felt a tightening in his heart. It had arrived.

"Yes," he admitted frankly, "Both sides are pressing urgently. Deguo wants a second batch of ten divisions, 250,000 men. Yingguo also wants… the quantity hasn't been discussed yet."

"What do you plan to do?"

Xi Yuan Si remained silent for a long time, then shook his head: "I don't know. Agreeing with one side will offend the other. Agreeing with both… would lead to Imperial soldiers killing each other on the battlefield. Moreover, after the war, regardless of who wins, the Empire will be in a difficult position because of 'sitting on the fence.'"

He spoke candidly, knowing that feigning ignorance before Chen Feng was useless. Yet as he spoke, his peripheral glance kept flickering toward Chen Feng.