Chapter 555: War Evolves from a Local Conflict into a True World War

Wilson closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was a look in his eyes that Chen Feng had never seen— the calm after a decision had been made.

"Mr. Chen," he said, "your logic is rigorous. If this were merely an academic discussion, I would fully agree with your view. But this is not an academic discussion. I am a mortal thrust into this position, and I must make a choice in this imperfect world. And today, my choice is…"

He paused briefly and took a deep breath.

"My choice is that Meilika will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and interests. If that means war, then…"

He did not finish, but the meaning was already clear.

The air in the room seemed to solidify.

Chen Feng watched Wilson, watched the scholar‑turned‑president, watched his struggle between ideal and reality, watched his ultimate bow to reality. He felt no anger, no disappointment, only a deep, heavy understanding.

Politics is the art of compromise. And sometimes, compromise means abandoning a better option and accepting one that is not as bad.

"Mr. President," Chen Feng's voice remained calm, but with a different edge, "if you have already made a decision, then I have only one question: after Meilika Entry into War, what do you think Lanfang should do?"

The question is simple, but its implications are complex.

Wilson was taken aback. Clearly, he had not anticipated the question.

Lansing responded more quickly: "Lanfang is a neutral country and can continue to remain neutral. As long as it does not provide military aid to Deguo, Meilika respects every nation's right to neutrality."

It was an official answer, but Chen Feng knew it was not the truth.

"Is that so?" he said softly, "but if the war expands globally, if the Pacific also becomes a battlefield, if Meilika's fleet needs to blockade Deguo's worldwide trade routes, then will Lanfang's neutrality still be respected? Will our merchant ships still be allowed free passage? Can our oil in the Persian Gulf still be exported smoothly?"

He was not asking hypotheticals, but the imminent reality.

Lieutenant General Rodman gave a soft cough nearby. As a soldier, he understood the logic of war better than politicians—once war starts, all rules are reinterpreted.

"Mr. Chen," Wilson said, "Meilika will not proactively attack neutral countries. That is the Basic Principle of international law."

"International law is often a piece of paper in wartime," Chen Feng bluntly shattered the illusion, "In 1914 Deguo invaded Bilishi, citing 'military necessity.' Yingguo blockaded Deguo's coast, also citing 'military necessity.' When survival is threatened, a nation will do whatever it deems necessary. And once Meilika enters the war, Lanfang's trade with Deguo—including arms trade—will become a problem."

He paused, letting everyone digest the statement.

"The bigger issue is," he continued, "if the war keeps expanding, if Yingguo asks Meilika to pressure Deguo and its allies in the Far East, if the balance of power in the Pacific is shattered… then how will Meilika view a country that is rapidly rising in Asia, has a strong navy, and maintains close ties with Deguo?"

The question was no longer a hint, but an explicit statement.

Lansing's complexion changed. He realized what Chen Feng was saying—if Meilika Entry into War, Lanfang might be forced to pick a side. And whichever side is chosen, the cost would be enormous.

"Are you threatening me, Mr. Chen?" Lansing's voice grew cold.

"No, I am stating facts." Chen Feng's reply remained calm, "Politics is like physics; where there is a force there is a reaction. When Meilika makes a decision, the world will respond accordingly. I am merely describing those possible reactions."

Wilson stood up and walked to the world map. His finger traced the Pacific, from Hawaii to the Philippines, to Singapore, to the Indian Ocean, finally stopping at the Persian Gulf.

"Mr. Chen," he said without turning around, "you are right. Once the war expands, all relationships will be redefined. But I want to ask you: what does Lanfang truly want? In this global crisis, what is your ultimate goal?"

He finally got to the core issue.

Chen Feng also stood up, walked to Wilson's side, and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, looking at the map.

"Mr. President, Lanfang's desires are simple: the right to survive and develop. We want to protect our people, develop our economy, and earn the rightful respect on the international stage. We do not seek hegemony, we do not seek expansion, we only seek a fair opportunity."

"But in a world torn by war, a fair chance is hard to obtain."

"So we need to make a choice," Chen Feng said, "and now you are forcing us to choose."

He turned to face Wilson: "Let me be more direct. If Meilika maintains some degree of neutrality, or at least does not directly enter the war, then Lanfang can continue to act as a mediator, can try to promote peace talks, can become a bridge to the post‑war new order. But if Meilika enters the war, if the world splits completely into two camps, then Lanfang… will have to consider its own survival."

"Would you side with Deguo?" Wilson asked.

"I would choose Lanfang's interests," Chen Feng corrected, "If after Meilika Entry into War, Yingguo and Faguo think they can suppress Lanfang's development in Asia, if they think they can seize our markets, our resources, our influence… then yes, we will consider all options to protect ourselves, including closer cooperation with Deguo."

This is not a threat, it is laying all the cards on the table, showing the opponent the worst possible scenario.

Lieutenant General Rodman's breathing grew heavy. As commander of the Pacific Fleet, he understood Chen Feng's words more than anyone. If Lanfang truly sided with Deguo, if those six Bismarck Class battleships really appeared in the Pacific or Indian Ocean, Yingguo's Far East colonies—India, Singapore, Australia—would face a huge threat. And Meilika would have to confront challenges in both the Atlantic and the Pacific simultaneously.

Wilson stared at the map, silent for a long time. He was calculating, weighing, imagining that possible world: Meilika battling Deguo in Europe, while Lanfang challenged Yingguo's hegemony in Asia, the world split into two—or even three—camps, and the war evolving from a local clash into a true world war.

That would be a disaster for civilization.

"Mr. Chen," he finally spoke, "are you telling me that if Meilika enters the war, you would consider allying with Deguo?"