Chapter 577: The Army Is Bound to Die Anyway; Contributing to the Navy Is Their Honor!

Shanben Quanbingei stood on the podium, behind him a huge rising sun flag. He did not sit, his two hands braced on the edge of the podium, his body leaning slightly forward, like a tiger ready to pounce.

"Gentlemen," his voice rang through the loudspeakers across the hall, "today I have gathered you to announce something—a matter worthy of being recorded in the annals of the Sakura Nation Navy."

The hall was so quiet that breathing could be heard.

"In the past few days, I accompanied Prime Minister Xiyuan Si on a visit to Lanfang's Borneo base. There we held in‑depth talks with President Chen Feng. The result of the talks—" he paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping the room, "Lanfang has agreed to sell the Sakura Nation four of the latest battleships, and to provide the full set of construction technology and design blueprints."

"Boom—"

The hall erupted. The officers were first stunned, then a huge clamor broke out. Some stood up, some clapped desperately, some were so excited their faces turned red. The young officers in the back even began to cheer.

"Silence!" Dao Cun Su Xiong shouted to maintain order.

The noise gradually subsided, but a fire burned in everyone's eyes.

Shanben looked satisfied at the scene and continued, "These battleships are called the 'Ise class' by Lanfang. Standard displacement is 29,900 tons, full load 32,000 tons. Equipped with twelve 356 mm Main Guns, a top speed of twenty‑five knots, armor thickness… exceeding that of any warship we have ever possessed."

Each time he listed a specification, a low murmur of awe rose from the hall.

"Most importantly," Shanben raised his voice, "this is not a simple arms purchase. Lanfang will provide a full technology transfer—including design blueprints, special steel smelting processes, steam turbine manufacturing techniques, and fire‑control system principles. Our engineers can study at Lanfang's shipyards, and their engineers will come to the Sakura Nation to instruct."

He paused, letting the information settle:

"This means the Sakura Nation can not only acquire four world‑class battleships, but also master the ability to build such ships. Given time, the Sakura Nation Navy will be able to design and construct even more powerful warships on its own. The United Fleet—will truly be revived!"

Applause erupted again, hotter and longer than before. Many veteran generals had watery eyes; they had witnessed the brilliance of the Battle of Tsushima and the humiliation of being completely annihilated by Lanfang two years ago. Now the hope of revival was right before them.

"Minister!" a Major General stood up, "What about the price? Such warships must be very expensive, right?"

The question hit the crux. The hall's excitement cooled slightly.

Shanben's expression grew serious: "Each ship costs twenty‑five million dollars. Four ships total one hundred million dollars."

The sound of air‑conditioners sucking in air filled the room.

One hundred million dollars—equivalent to two hundred million yen. That's almost ten times the Sakura Nation Navy's annual budget, and one‑third of the entire country's yearly fiscal revenue.

"This… is too expensive," someone whispered.

"But it's worth it," Shanben said resolutely, "Moreover, the payment method can be handled flexibly. Lanfang agrees that other forms of compensation can be used."

"What method?"

Shanben did not answer directly. He stepped down from the podium, walked among the officers, his voice becoming low and powerful:

"Gentlemen, we all know the Sakura Nation's current situation. Financial difficulties, scarce resources, isolated internationally. Yingguo and Meilika will not help us; they have their own wars to fight. Only Lanfang—though we fought them two years ago, now they are the only ones willing and able to help us revive our naval power."

He stopped in front of an elderly general with white hair:

"Minister Jingshang, you have lived through the Meiji Restoration and the birth of the navy from nothing. You should know best that technology, industry, and systems are the true power. What Lanfang gives us is not just four ships, but the key to the entire navy's modernization."

Jingshang Liangxin, the seventy‑year‑old former United Fleet commander, nodded slowly. His eyes were clouded, but his gaze remained sharp: "Shanben, you are right. But the price? Lanfang will not give us such a great benefit for no reason."

"There is of course a price," Shanben said as he walked back to the podium, "but in my view, it is a price worth paying."

He took a deep breath and finally stated the most critical condition:

"Lanfang demands that the Sakura Nation accelerate the formation of fifty divisions and deploy them to the European front when needed. In exchange, the battleship costs can be offset with the divisions'… labor fees."

The hall fell silent again. This time it was a contemplative quiet, not excited.

The officers were all smart. They immediately grasped the logic: Lanfang trades battleships for the Sakura Nation's military manpower. Moreover, it is the army's sacrifice that funds the navy's revival.

"This is…" a Major General said hesitantly, "trading the army's blood for the navy's ships?"

"You can't put it that way," Shanben retorted, "the army was already slated to expand and possibly go to war. Now we are merely linking their actions to our navy's revival. The army is going to die anyway; contributing to the navy is their honor! Moreover—"

His voice became more persuasive:

"Gentlemen, think about this. Without a strong navy, no matter how well the army fights on the European front, what can it gain after the war? A nation without sea control will forever remain second‑rate. But if we have a powerful United Fleet, even if the army only performs auxiliary duties in Europe, the Sakura Nation will have leverage at the negotiating table after the war."

He scanned the room, his gaze blazing:

"Furthermore, after this world war ends, the global order will inevitably be reshaped. Yingguo will decline, Meilika will rise, and emerging powers like Lanfang will seek their place. For the Sakura Nation to find its footing in the new era, what will it rely on? The dozens of army divisions? No, it must rely on the navy, on our presence in the Pacific, on our ability to control the seas."

These words moved many. Naval officers already believed in the sea‑power Concept, that a nation's future lies in the oceans. Shanben's argument perfectly matched their Concept.

"But the army side…" Dao Cun Su Xiong said anxiously, "Minister Gang will not accept easily."

"Then make him accept," Shanben's tone hardened, "this matter concerns the destiny of the Sakura Nation; the Army Ministry cannot block it. In the afternoon cabinet meeting I will explain personally. If the army opposes, we will directly petition the Heavenly Locust Sacred Decree."

His determination infected those present. The officers nodded one after another, their gazes becoming resolute again.

The meeting ended amid a stirring atmosphere. As the officers left, they discussed in small groups, faces radiant with hope. For them, rebuilding the United Fleet was not only a military goal but a spiritual anchor—the sole way to wash away humiliation and restore glory. And it even uses the army's lives… just thinking about it makes them happy!!!

Shanben stood by the window, watching the officers exit the building, board their cars and leave. The victorious smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a complex expression.

【5】 Excitement, yes. But also unease.

Excitement, there is. But uneasiness, there is as well.

He knew the real difficulty had not yet begun. Over at the Army Ministry, a fierce battle awaited.

"Minister," Dao Cun Su Xiong approached, whispering, "We just received word that Minister Gang already knows about the contract. He caused a huge scene in the Army Ministry, smashed a cup, and shouted at people."

Shanben sneered, "Let him shout. In the afternoon cabinet meeting, I want to see what tricks he can come up with while yelling."

"Do we need to prepare anything?"

"Prepare?" Shanben turned, his gaze sharp, "Prepare what? Prepare the facts, prepare the reasoning, prepare the future of the Sakura Nation Navy. That is enough."

He glanced at his watch: "I'm heading to the Prime Minister's residence. Two o'clock this afternoon, I'll be in the cabinet meeting room on time."