Chapter 520: Expanding the Military for War Preparations

"Can the construction progress of the aircraft carrier be accelerated?"

"Yes, but it requires more workers and materials," Li Te said, looking at Zhao Xuecheng.

The Minister of Industry replied immediately: "If we launch the Mount Tai Project and implement a three‑shift system with military‑priority rationing, the total construction cycle for the carrier can be reduced from twelve months to eight. The cost is that the civilian shipbuilding industry will come to a complete standstill."

"Approved," Chen Feng said without hesitation. "Also, inform the shipyards that all foreign orders under construction are to be halted from today onward. Those already over eighty percent complete may continue; any below that progress shall be converted to military use."

Zhao Xuecheng quickly took notes.

"Lin Huaimin."

The head of the Air Force stood up. The thirty‑eight‑year‑old was an aviation expert Chen Feng had recruited from Meilika, a MIT doctorate, speaking with a slight New England accent.

"The Air Force currently possesses three hundred twenty aircraft of various types, of which two hundred forty are combat planes. There are two thousand eight hundred pilots and one thousand two hundred crew members. The training plan is designed to produce fifty new pilots each month."

"Change it to one hundred," Chen Feng said. "Do not worry about fuel consumption. I need you to double the number of pilots within six months."

Lin Huaimin inhaled deeply: "That would require at least five hundred tons of aviation gasoline per month, two and a half times the current consumption."

"Draw from the strategic reserves," Chen Feng said, looking at the Finance Minister. "How much fuel reserve remains?"

"Eight thousand tons of aviation gasoline, twelve thousand tons of automotive gasoline, and twenty thousand tons of diesel. At the current consumption rate, that can sustain ten months."

"Activate the Strategic Oil Extraction Plan," Chen Feng ordered. "Increase the output of the Hordesa Oilfield by another fifty percent. Tell the head of the Petroleum Department that, by any means, six months from now I want to see daily crude production rise from thirty thousand barrels to fifty thousand barrels."

Only the sound of pen tips scratching paper remained in the conference room. Everyone was rapidly noting the tasks assigned to them; these orders would be turned into work schedules for tens of thousands within hours.

"Liu Yongfu."

"Present."

"Is the army expansion plan ready?"

Liu Yongfu opened his file folder.

"We currently have five infantry divisions, totaling seventy‑five thousand personnel. The plan is to expand to ten divisions, over one hundred fifty thousand troops. The First Division will be reorganized into an armored division, equipped with upgraded Model‑1 and Model‑2 tanks. Additionally, the 'Arab Division' will be expanded from the existing ten divisions to twenty divisions."

When the 'Arab Division' was mentioned, the atmosphere in the room shifted subtly. The unit is composed of Arab tribal warriors from the Persian Gulf coast, commanded by a Lanfang officer, though most of the soldiers are locals. They are brave and battle‑hardened, but loyalty remains a sensitive issue (most joined Lanfang later).

"How will the loyalty issue be resolved?" Li Te asked directly, voicing everyone's concern.

"Three points," Liu Yongfu held up three fingers. "First, compensation. Arab soldiers' military pay and allowances will be identical to those of Lanfang's native troops. Second, honor. We will grant them an independent military flag and title, allowing them to retain tribal customs. Third..." He paused, "and the most crucial: the political commissar system. Each company will be equipped with three political officers responsible for ideological education and loyalty supervision. At the same time, all officers' families will be relocated to the designated 'military new village' with generous benefits, though their movements will be... appropriately restricted."

Carrot and stick. Soft and hard measures together. This is the only proven method Chen Feng has learned from history to govern a multi‑ethnic empire.

"Fine," Chen Feng nodded. "But I must stress: the Arab Division is the key force for our control of the Persian Gulf and must not cause any problems. The Security Department must tighten surveillance over this unit."

Liu Yongfu nodded and recorded it.

By this point the meeting had gone on for two hours. The attendant silently brought coffee and sandwiches, but few touched them. The pressure sat on everyone's shoulders like a physical weight.

"Last question," Chen Feng surveyed the room. "If we launch the Mount Tai Project and shift entirely to a wartime economy, how will the populace react? Can society bear it?"

Minister of the Interior Wu Wenyuan cleared his throat. The former university professor is one of the few civilian representatives in the cabinet, responsible for livelihood and social stability.

"At present public support is high, mainly due to full employment and rising incomes," Wu Wenyuan said. "But the Mount Tai Project entails rationing, price controls, and forced labor allocation. Living standards will fall and freedoms will be curtailed. In the short term, propaganda about the war threat can keep stability. However, if it lasts beyond a year, or if war never truly breaks out... discontent will accumulate."

"So we need an external threat," Chen Feng mused. "One that can unite the people and make them accept sacrifice."

Wang Wenwu suddenly looked up: "The British."

Everyone's gaze turned to him.

"The British forces in Sinai have been operating near Hordesa," Wang Wenwu said. "Although they've been quiet lately, we can... create some 'friction.' For example, a patrol encountering fire, or an oil well being threatened. No actual conflict is needed; just make the public feel that war is not far away."

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds. The proposal was cold but effective.

"It can be done, but the scale must be controlled," he finally said. "Have the Security Department plan two to three low‑intensity incidents. At the same time, the Propaganda Department should emphasize the 'external threat' in newspapers and broadcasts. But keep it balanced—we want a preparation mood, not panic."

Orders were issued one after another. Industrial mobilization, military expansion, diplomatic actions, media guidance... a massive state apparatus began to shift direction, from seeking war profit to confronting a survival crisis.

When the meeting ended, it was nine a. m. Sunlight streamed through the vent shafts of the underground command center, casting several slanted beams; dust floated slowly within them.

Chen Feng was the last to leave. He stood before the sand table, looking at the miniature world model. Europe was burning, Asia was restless, the Americas were at a crossroads, and his nation—a miracle rising in the cracks—stood at the crossroads of destiny.

"President," Wang Wenwu came over, speaking softly. "When will the note to Meilika be sent?"

"This afternoon," Chen Feng replied. "Send it once in plain text and once in cipher to ensure they receive it. The wording must be... sincere and urgent. Emphasize Lanfang's concern for world peace as an emerging nation, and our willingness to act as a mediator."

"What about Germany's response?"