Chapter 572: Asking for Money

Chen Feng did not speak, only stared at Xiyuan Si. His gaze was very focused, as if listening, yet also as if analyzing.

Shanben added: "The Army Ministry has done detailed calculations. Equipping one division requires three million yen, fifty divisions would be one hundred fifty million yen. This does not include maintenance costs and transportation expenses. If these divisions are to be sent to Europe, additional long‑distance shipping costs are needed, which is another huge expense."

"Therefore," Xiyuan Si summarized, "it is not that the Sakura Nation is unwilling to keep its promise; it is simply a matter of limited finances. If His Excellency the President could provide some support in funding…"

He did not finish, but the meaning was clear: they want money.

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Only the birdsong outside the window and the faint sound of distant waves could be heard.

Chen Feng set down his tea cup; the ceramic bottom struck the tray, producing a crisp sound.

"Xiyuan Si, I recall that when we signed the Borneo Treaty two years ago, we explicitly stipulated that the Sakura Nation's division‑dispatch costs would be paid by Deguo. Did Deguo not pay?"

"They did, but…" Xiyuan Si gave a wry smile, "most of that money was used to repay war reparations. You should know that, according to the treaty, the Sakura Nation must pay Lanfang three hundred million yen in war reparations, to be settled over ten years. The first two years' payments, plus interest, have almost exhausted all the revenue we received from Deguo."

He spoke sincerely, even with a hint of pleading for understanding.

But Chen Feng knew this was a negotiation tactic. Xiyuan Si was exaggerating the difficulty to secure better terms. The three‑hundred‑million‑yen reparations were indeed a burden, but the Sakura Nation's income from sending "labor" to Deguo, though modest, was not nonexistent. Most of that money flowed into the pockets of the zaibatsu, not the state treasury.

"I understand the Sakura Nation's difficulty," Chen Feng said slowly, "but war will not cease because of our hardships. The situation in Europe is changing, and Meilika will soon enter the war. Once Meilika joins, the pressure on Deguo will double, and they will need more support—including support from the Far East."

He leaned forward, hands crossed on the table:

"Xiyuan Si, General Shanben, let's speak plainly. Lanfang hopes the Sakura Nation will keep its promise, form fifty divisions, and be ready to deploy to the European front at any time. This is not only for Deguo's sake, but also for the Sakura Nation's own interests."

"Our interests?" Shanben frowned.

"If Deguo is defeated, the post‑war order will be dominated by Yingguo and Meilika." Chen Feng's voice was very calm, "At that point, the Sakura Nation's interests in Cao County, its voice in the Pacific— all of these could be reassessed. And if the Sakura Nation makes a sufficient contribution in this war, the situation will be different."

He looked at Xiyuan Si: "You are an experienced politician and should understand this principle. International politics is essentially trade. The more you give, the more you get."

Xiyuan Si remained silent. He certainly understood, but as a negotiator he could not concede easily.

"President‑in‑Chief is right," he finally said, "but the reality is that the Sakura Nation cannot produce that sum now. Unless…"

"Unless Lanfang provides funding?" Chen Feng took over the words.

Xiyuan Si nodded: "Yes. If Lanfang can offer an interest‑free loan, or advance part of the cost, the Sakura Nation can accelerate its mobilization. I guarantee that, once the funds are in place, fifty divisions can complete basic training within six months."

Chen Feng smiled—not a pleasant smile, but one that saw through everything.

"Xiyuan Si, you know Lanfang is also expanding its forces now? We have just promoted fifteen major generals and newly formed fifteen divisions. We ourselves also need money, a lot of money."

He paused, letting disappointment surface on Xiyuan Si's face, then turned the conversation:

"However… perhaps we can try a different approach."

Shanben's eyes lit up: "What approach?"

"Barter." Chen Feng said, "The Sakura Nation provides manpower, Lanfang provides… technology."

"Technology?" Shanben repeated the word, his tone tinged with caution and expectation.

Chen Feng did not answer directly, but nodded at Wang Wenwu. Wang Wenwu stood, took a thick leather‑bound file from his briefcase and placed it on the table.

"Before we discuss specifics, I'd like to ask one question." Chen Feng's finger lightly tapped the folder, "General Shanben, as Navy Minister, what does the Sakura Nation's navy need most right now?"

The question was direct, even a bit abrupt.

Shanben hesitated. He knew the question was a trap, but as a naval officer he could not avoid thinking about naval construction.

"Rebuild the United Fleet." he finally said, his voice carrying a long‑suppressed yearning, "Two years ago the war almost wiped out the Sakura Nation's navy. Now only a few aging cruisers and destroyers remain, with no true battleship. Without a battleship, there is no sea‑control; without sea‑control, the Sakura Nation is merely an island nation, not a maritime power."

He spoke passionately. It was his heartfelt truth, and the pain of every Sakura Nation naval officer.

Chen Feng nodded, opened the file, pulled out a large design drawing and spread it on the table.

The drawing was blue‑white, with fine lines, densely annotated with data and parameters. In the centre was a side profile and top view of a warship, the scale marked 1:500.

Shanben's body involuntarily leaned forward. As a naval expert, he instantly recognized that this was not an existing ship design—the hull was longer, the Main Gun layout denser, the superstructure simpler.

"This is…" his voice trembled slightly.

"The latest result from the Lanfang Navy Design Bureau." Chen Feng said, his tone as if introducing a commonplace item, "We call it the 'Ise Class' battleship. Standard displacement twenty‑nine thousand nine hundred tons, full load displacement thirty‑two thousand tons. Length two hundred ten meters, beam thirty‑one meters, draft nine meters." (Originally intended to use a code name, but worried the comrades wouldn't know which model, so we gave the name directly)

He pointed to key parts on the drawing:

"Power system: four steam turbines, eight boilers, total output sixty‑thousand horsepower, maximum speed twenty‑five knots, range eight thousand nautical miles at fourteen knots."

"Armor protection: Armour Belt thickness three hundred millimetres, sloped; horizontal armor one hundred twenty millimetres; turret front armor three hundred fifty millimetres."

He paused, looking at Shanben:

"The most important is the firepower system. Six twin‑turret mounts, twelve 356‑mm/45 caliber main guns. Range thirty‑thousand yards, penetration ability… can pierce any existing battleship's main armor at twenty‑thousand yards."

Shanben's breathing grew heavy. He stared at the drawing, eyes unmoving, like a starving person seeing food.

Twelve 356‑mm main guns. This firepower configuration exceeds any battleship the Sakura Nation previously possessed, even surpassing most of Yingguo's current battleships. Though it does not match Lanfang's 'Bismarck Class' 380‑mm guns, it is already world‑class.

"What about the secondary guns?" he asked, voice a little hoarse.

"Twenty‑four 140‑mm single guns for anti‑destroyer use," Chen Feng continued,

Xiyuan Si also leaned over to look. He was not a naval expert, but could read basic parameters. It truly was a powerful warship, powerful enough to let the Sakura Nation's navy stand tall again.

"Would Lanfang be willing to provide such a warship…?" Shanben raised his head, his gaze complex, "to the Sakura Nation?"