Chapter 558: Pre‑war Preparations

Wang Wenwu fell silent for a long time. Then he asked, "President, is it really unavoidable?"

Chen Feng looked out the window. On the other side of the port, the battleship "Arizona" was raising a new signal flag. Farther away, a destroyer was departing, its bow cutting the calm water.

"Unavoidable," he finally said, "Since the attack planned from Yingguo, since Deguo foolishly launched its offensive, since the Meilika populace was inflamed with anger, the chance of peace has already become negligible. What we can do is not avoid war, but keep the flames from reaching Lanfang's soil."

He walked back to the table and began dictating new orders.

"Send a telegram to Berlin: inform the American side that the decision is irreversible, advise Deguo to activate the emergency plan immediately, strengthen coordination with Ottoman, Austro‑Hungarian and other allies, and prepare to respond to Meilika's entry into the war. At the same time… ask whether they are willing to provide more technical exchanges in return for some future support from Lanfang in a conflict."

"Send a telegram to London—no, not to London. Send one to our intermediary in Switzerland, have him convey to Yingguo: Lanfang understands Yingguo's security concerns, but does not endorse using conspiratorial means to drag Meilika into the war. Such actions would damage long‑term trust and could trigger unforeseen consequences."

"Send a telegram home: launch Phase Two of the 'Mount Tai Plan.' Shift industry entirely to wartime tracks, accelerate the navy construction program, implement the army expansion plan. But do not publicize mobilization for now; maintain a façade of normalcy."

One command after another, clear, calm, resolute.

Wang Wenwu recorded, suddenly realizing that in these few minutes Chen Feng had completed a transformation—from a peacemaker to a war preparer. It was not he who chose war; war chose him. And he must ready his country.

"President," Wang Wenwu wrote the final order, looked up, "when do we return?"

Chen Feng glanced at his watch: "Two o'clock this afternoon. Tell General Rodman we thank Meilika for their hospitality, but due to the shift in the international situation we need to return early. Also… invite a Meilika navy observer to accompany the ship's visit to Lanfang as a continuation of bilateral exchange."

"You still wish to maintain exchange?"

"The tighter the tension, the more we must keep communication channels open," Chen Feng said. "And let the Meilika people see Lanfang with their own eyes, see our industry, see our people; perhaps it will give them pause when they decide."

Wang Wenwu understood. This was another form of deterrence—not a threat, but a display of strength, letting the other side know the cost of conflict.

After all orders were issued, Chen Feng remained alone in the war room.

He walked to the chart table, stared at the vast world. Europe was burning, the Atlantic was boiling, the Pacific… still temporarily calm. But soon the ripples would spread here, and the calm would be shattered.

He recalled why he came to this world—to build a nation where Chinese could live and work in peace, a dignified land free from oppression. For over a decade he had led people to reclaim desert, build cities, develop industry, raise an army. Lanfang grew from nothing to a formidable force in Yazhou.

But now the world was sliding toward a greater war. And Lanfang, the nation he had founded single‑handedly, stood at a historical crossroads.

Choose Deguo? That would mean opposing Yingguo and Meilika, risking blockade and encirclement.

Choose Yingguo and Meilika? That would betray the partnership with Deguo, abandon the network of benefits already built, and possibly marginalize the nation in the post‑war order.

Remain neutral? In a total war, true neutrality is almost impossible. Pressure will always come, demands will arise, and there will be moments when one must pick a side.

So he chose the fourth path: strengthen his own power so that no side could disregard him; keep a flexible stance, adjusting as the situation evolves; prepare for the worst while seeking the best opportunity.

It is a dangerous road, but perhaps the only one.

Footsteps sounded outside the door; Captain Zhang Haitao knocked and entered.

【5】 "President, General Rodman has replied. He understands our early return and accepts the observer invitation. He himself… wishes to visit Lanfang in person."

President, General Rodman has responded. He understands our early return and has accepted the observer's invitation. He himself... hopes to visit Lanfang in person.

Chen Feng nodded: "Tell him Lanfang welcomes him."

"Also," Zhang Haitao hesitated, "President Wilson, before departing, asked General Torodeman to pass along a message."

"What message?"

"He said: 'Tell Mr. Chen, I still believe in the power of reason. Even in the darkest times, do not abandon dialogue.'"

Chen Feng was silent for a few seconds, then gave a slight nod: "Understood."

After Zhang Haitao left, Chen Feng walked again to the window. The sun was perfect, Pearl Harbor glittered. This beautiful place, this crossroads of the Pacific, witnessed a dialogue that could change history, and also the end of a peace effort.

Yet he did not regret. He had done his best. He offered another possibility, presented another logic, gave another vision. Even if it was not ultimately adopted, the seed had been sown. Perhaps in the future, when the cost of war becomes unbearable, people will recall today's words and reconsider the road not taken.

That is all he could do.

At exactly two o'clock in the afternoon, the whistle of the "Huai River" sounded long.

The cables were released, the massive battleship slowly left the pier, turned its bow, and headed toward the exit of Pearl Harbor. Behind it, two Meilika destroyers followed at a ceremonial distance—naval protocol and a silent watch.

Chen Feng stood on the bridge, watching Pearl Harbor recede, watching those Meilika warships, watching the airfield on Ford Island, watching Hawaii's green hills.

Farewell, Hawaii. Farewell, the possibility of peace.

When we meet again, what will the world look like? Allies or adversaries? Friends or enemies?

He does not know. He only knows that from now on Lanfang must prepare for every possibility.

The battleship left the harbor, entered the open Pacific. Sea breezes brushed, gulls wheeled, everything seemed so tranquil, so normal.

Yet beneath the surface, currents already churned. In the Atlantic, in the Pacific, in Europe, in Yazhou, countless decisions were being made, countless forces mobilized, countless destinies being rewritten.

And the "Huai River," this steel leviathan bearing a nation's hope, sailed toward an unknown future.

Behind it, Pearl Harbor gradually vanished below the horizon.

Ahead lies a vast, uncertain, challenge‑filled Pacific.

A new chapter of history is about to begin.