Chapter 571: The Price of Cherry Blossoms and the Giant Battleship

Chen Feng walked to the window, watching the soldiers marching in the courtyard of the military headquarters building, and said, "Shanben is not stupid; he knows the warship money must come from the army's 'labor fee.' But that's exactly what I want—let the Sakura Nation's army and navy check each other, neither can do without our support."

He turned around, his tone becoming serious:

"More importantly, through this deal we will obtain wartime command over fifty divisions. That means, if the war really expands to the Far East, we can deploy this one million men to where they're most needed— for example, to check Yingguo's forces in India."

Wang Wenwu understood. This is not a simple arms trade; it's a strategic layout.

"Tell the Kundian base to make full preparations," Chen Feng concluded, "I need to settle the Sakura Nation side before Rodman reaches Dubai. Two negotiations, two fronts— the Pacific and the Far East, we must bet on both."

(Originally I planned to water down a scene where Chen Feng gives a speech to fifteen major‑generals alone, but the editor thought better and left it as is)

Borneo, Kundian Naval Base.

In February, the South Ocean is at the tail end of the rainy season, the air so humid it could be wrung for water. At six a. m., a thin mist still shrouds the harbor, yet the dock is already bustling. Four "Jianghe‑class" destroyers are moored in a line at the deep‑water berth, sailors cleaning the decks;

Base commander Colonel Zhao Hai stood at the observation window of the command tower, holding a binocular to scan the sea. He is forty, his skin bronzed by tropical sun, a thin scar runs down his left cheek— a mark from a pirate hunt three years ago.

"Bearing 150, Distance fifteen nautical miles, two contacts detected," the lookout's voice came through the intercom.

Zhao Hai adjusted the binocular focus. The morning mist was clearing, two black dots appeared on the horizon, growing larger, revealing the outlines of medium‑sized passenger ships. Their hulls painted gray‑white, smokestacks belching black smoke, a Sakura Nation flag fluttering on the mast.

"Confirm identification," Zhao Hai said.

"Target ID: Sakura Nation Mail Ship Co. 'Spring Day Maru' and 'Autumn Moon Maru'. Speed twelve knots, heading due north."

"Notify the dock to prepare reception. Execute security protocol B."

Orders issued. Dock soldiers sprang into action. Two rows of marines lined up at the gangway, machine‑gun nests emerged from concealment, snipers took positions atop the observation tower. Everything proceeded swiftly and silently, like precision machinery.

At precisely seven o'clock, the two Sakura Nation passenger ships eased into the harbor.

"Spring Day Maru" docked first. The gangway lowered, and the first to step down was Xiyuan Si Gongwang. The sixty‑eight‑year‑old Sakura Nation prime minister wore a dark‑gray kimono, a black haori over it, and leaned on a rosewood cane. He was slender, posture upright, his silver‑gray hair neatly combed, his face bearing the gentle yet distant smile of a statesman.

Following him was Shanben Quanbeng. Unlike Xiyuan Si's traditional attire, the navy minister wore a deep‑blue naval officer's uniform, three golden stars on his epaulettes glinting in the morning light. He was sixty‑five, short and stout, sporting his signature handlebar mustache, his gait steady, eyes scanning the dock facilities like an eagle.

Zhao Hai stepped forward to greet, saluting: "Your Excellency Xiyuan Si, General Shanben, welcome to Kundian. I am base commander Zhao Hai."

Xiyuan Si bowed slightly in return, speaking fluent Chinese: "Colonel Zhao, apologies for the disturbance. Has President Chen arrived?"

"The president arrived last night and is waiting for you two at the officers' club. Please follow me."

The party boarded the waiting vehicle. The convoy left the dock, traveling along the coastal road. Dense tropical rainforest flanked both sides, occasional hidden artillery batteries and radar antennas peeking from the trees. Shanben observed through the window, whispering to Xiyuan Si: "The defense system is well‑organized. The placement of the coastal guns is very professional."

Xiyuan Si gave no reply, merely watching the passing scenery. He saw newly built barracks, a repair shop, oil depot, and aircraft taking off from a distant runway. All silently displayed Lanfang's military presence in Borneo—not a temporary deployment, but a long‑term establishment.

Ten minutes later, the convoy entered the officers' club area.

The setting here starkly contrasts the base's militarized style. The club is a white colonial‑style building, surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens, palm trees swaying in the breeze. If not for the faint sight of a warship's mast in the distance, it would almost seem a resort hotel.

Chen Feng was waiting at the entrance. He wore a light‑gray suit today, no tie, looking casual and relaxed. When the Sakura Nation guests alighted, he stepped forward.

"Your Excellency Xiyuan Si, General Shanben, thank you for the journey."

They shook hands. Xiyuan Si's hand was dry and steady, Shanben's hand thick and strong.

"President, thank you for the invitation," Xiyuan Si said, still in Chinese, "Borneo's development is impressive. A decade ago this was jungle; now it boasts a modern naval base."

"It's the result of everyone's joint effort," Chen Feng smiled, gesturing a welcome, "Refreshments are prepared inside; let's eat and talk."

The officers' club meeting room was modest, about thirty square meters. In the center stood a rose‑wood round table, surrounded by six high‑back chairs. The walls bore no decoration, only a Lanfang flag and a Sakura Nation flag hung side by side. The windows were open, birdsong drifting in from the garden outside.

After the attendant brought out the refreshments and left, closing the door, only four people remained in the room— Chen Feng, Wang Wenwu, Xiyuan Si, Shanben.

"Let's get straight to the point," Chen Feng lifted his teacup, without small talk, "How is the formation progress of the fifty divisions?"

Xiyuan Si and Shanben exchanged a glance. Xiyuan Si set down his cup, sighing.

"President, this issue… is rather complex."

"Complex in what way?" Chen Feng asked, tone calm.

Xiyuan Si placed both hands on his knees, posture as proper as in a tea ceremony: "You are aware of Sakura Nation's situation. The war two years ago dealt us a heavy blow; the economy has not fully recovered. Although we have received many orders from your country and Deguo, most of the revenue goes to stabilizing livelihoods, repaying foreign debt, and rebuilding infrastructure."

He paused, his voice carrying a fitting helplessness:

"Forming fifty divisions means mobilizing one million people. Equipping, training, and supplying those one million requires massive funds. And our current finances… to be frank, are very tight."