Chapter 536: Their Potential Is Only Second to Ours

After the Chief of Staff left, Rodman raised the telescope again. Inside the tube, sailors of the battleship "Arizona" were conducting a fire drill on deck. Most of these young men were under twenty‑five; do they know war may come? Do they know the steel leviathan beneath their feet may soon sail to a real battlefield?

The phone rang. Rodman answered.

"Lieutenant General Rodman, this is Lansing." The Secretary of State's voice came from Washington, "The President wants me to personally verify the reception preparations."

"All set, Secretary of State. Fleet display, honor guard, welcome banquet, security deployment… every detail has been checked three times."

"Very good. The President especially emphasized that the atmosphere of this meeting is crucial. It must showcase Meilika's strength and resolve, yet also display openness and respect. Chen Feng is not one of those hereditary European nobles; he is a self‑made pragmatist, respects strength, but despises arrogance."

"I understand."

"One more thing." Lansing's voice lowered, "The British ambassador came to me last night, expressing 'concern'. They said Lanfang sold weapons to Deguo during the war, and Chen Feng's visit may be commissioned by Berlin to sabotage Meilika Entry into War."

Rodman frowned, "Do we have evidence?"

"No direct evidence. But British intelligence provided some 'indirect clues'—Lanfang's military cooperation with Deguo is indeed close. The President's intention is to stay vigilant but not assume a stance. Let Chen Feng speak; we will listen."

"What if he persuades the President to postpone entry?"

The line was silent for a few seconds.

"Then that's the decision the President must make," Lansing finally said, "We have all plans ready. If the President decides to postpone, we need a respectable reason. If he decides to enter, we need a clear declaration of a war target. Whichever the case, you must ensure the situation in Hawaii is completely controllable."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Rodman walked to the window on the other side of the office. From there one could see the channel at the entrance to Pearl Harbor; the narrow waterway was flanked by towering cliffs, forming a natural defensive screen. Over a hundred years ago, the Hawaiian Kingdom greeted Western explorers here with canoes; now Meilika greets the rising Asian power here with a battleship.

History cycles, but each cycle bears a new face.

The door was knocked; this time entered a naval intelligence officer, a stern‑looking major in his forties.

"Major, this is the freshly compiled Lanfang military strength assessment report," the major handed over a thick folder, "including their navy expansion plans, army organization… some data are unsettling."

Rodman took the report and skimmed quickly. The numbers were detailed: ten army division expansion plans, a complete industrial system, daily oil production breaking forty‑thousand barrels…

"Have these figures been verified?"

"Partially verified, partially based on intelligence analysis. But conservatively estimated, Lanfang's military potential in Yazhou has already surpassed Sakura Nation, and can be said to rank second only to our Meilika worldwide, with rapid growth. More importantly—" the major opened the last page, "their industrial system is wholly independent, not reliant on external supply chains. That means even if war erupts, they can keep producing."

Rodman closed the report. The document confirmed his intuition: Chen Feng did not come empty‑handed; he carries a nation's strength as backing.

"What about their diplomatic stance? Aside from neutrality, any other leanings?"

"Pragmatism," the major replied, "They sell weapons to Deguo, but also supply oil to Yingguo; they criticize European colonialism, yet they expand influence in the Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia themselves. Everything is profit‑driven."

"Then what is their interest this time?"

The major hesitated, "We think it's time. Lanfang's economy is heavily dependent on war demand; if the war ends abruptly, they would face severe recession. So they need the war to continue, but not to expand to engulf them. The best case is Europe remains stalemated, Yazhou stays relatively peaceful, and they can do business on both sides, accumulating strength."

"So Chen Feng is here to buy time."

"Yes. But the question is, what exchange can he offer? Why would Meilika postpone its own strategy to satisfy Lanfang's economic needs?"

Rodman looked out the window. Inside the harbor, a tug was adjusting the berth of the "Oklahoma", white whirlpools churning the surface. Like international politics, the surface is calm while hidden currents rage.

"Prepare the recording equipment," he told the major, "All dialogue during the meeting must be fully recorded. Also, assign the best lip‑reading analyst; even if we cannot record audio, we must know what they say."

"It's already arranged, Major. Also…" the major lowered his voice, "British intelligence suggested they can 'assist' in obtaining the meeting content via some 'technical means'."

Rodman's face darkened, "Reply to them: Meilika can handle its own intelligence work. Also, notify counter‑espionage, tighten surveillance. The British must not run amok on our soil."

"Understood."

After the major left, Rodman stood alone in the office. The setting sun cast golden light over Pearl Harbor, the silhouette of the battleship stretched a long shadow. Tomorrow at this hour, Lanfang's fleet will enter reconnaissance range; in a few days, the giant ship named "Huai River" will sail into this harbor.

Then, the XX of the two nations will shake hands here. One represents the world's most isolated republic, being pushed toward a war it does not wish to join; the other represents the world's youngest nation, trying to carve its own path amid the great powers' squeeze.

What will they discuss? What will they achieve? What will change?

Rodman does not know the answer. He only knows that, as a soldier, his duty is to be ready—ready for peace, and ready for war.

He picked up the phone, "Connect to the air station. After the reconnaissance plane takes off, report every two hours. I need to know every move of Lanfang's fleet."

Outside, a PBY seaplane lifted from the sea, turned west, disappearing into the sunset's afterglow.

The reconnaissance began.

January 19, London, 10 Downing Street.

Prime Minister Asquith sat in his study, holding a telegram that had just arrived. Its content was an urgent report from Britain's ambassador to the United States, Spring‑Lice: Lanfang President Chen Feng's fleet had entered the Pacific, expected to reach Hawaii in six days; President Wilson confirmed the meeting will proceed as planned; Meilika's domestic opinion is boiling over due to the Zimmermann Telegram, but the White House seems to be deliberately moderating the temperature rise.