Chapter 583: Lanfang Film and Television Academy

Rodman nodded: "I understand your country's position. But the problem is, when the interests of different nations overlap or clash, what do we do? For example, if the war expands to the Pacific, if the warring nations demand Lanfang pick a side, how would your country choose?"

This question is more direct. Li Te knows this is the core purpose of Rodman's visit—to probe Lanfang's strategic inclination.

"Lanfang is a neutral country," Li Te answered very formally, "We do not join military alliances, nor sign military treaties aimed at a third party. But if our interests are threatened, we will take all necessary measures to protect those interests."

"Including military measures?"

"Including all lawful measures." Li Te did not answer directly, but the meaning was clear.

Rodman fell silent for a few seconds, then changed angle: "General Li, I notice your country's naval construction focus seems to be large surface vessels. Six Bismarck Class battleships already exceed the naval strength of most nations. That must worry many countries!"

Li Te's expression did not change: "Lanfang's main trade partners are almost all by sea, so Lanfang needs to build a fleet that can safeguard trade routes!"

Rodman seemed to accept this explanation. But his next words made Li Te's heart stir:

"However, when I was at Pearl Harbor, I heard President Chen mention that Lanfang's Military Construction Concept is very advanced, emphasizing system integration. If your country really builds something… beyond conventional vessels, I wouldn't be too surprised."

Is this probing, or has he heard some rumor?

Li Te kept smiling: "President Chen is sometimes… optimistic. Lanfang's actual situation, General, you have already seen today. We are indeed working hard, but there is still a Distance from a world‑class navy."

He glanced at his watch: "It's getting late, I've already arranged lunch. If the General is interested this afternoon, we can continue touring some facilities, or conduct a more professional technical exchange."

Rodman nodded: "Very pleased."

Lunch was held in the club restaurant. The atmosphere was a bit more relaxed than the morning, and the officers began exchanging professional issues. Meilika officers were especially interested in Lanfang's radar technology!

Li Te noticed that Rodman ate little, spoke little, and spent most of the time observing and thinking.

After lunch, as planned, the afternoon was free‑exchange time. The officers split into several small groups to discuss different professional topics. Li Te and Rodman left the club and walked in the garden.

A February Dubai afternoon was hot, but the garden's shade trees and sea breeze kept it fairly cool. The two walked slowly along a gravel path, with attendants trailing far behind.

"General Li studied in Deguo?" Rodman suddenly asked.

"Yes. At the Kiel Naval Academy. Later I also spent two years at a Deguo shipyard."

"No wonder your country's naval construction has a clear Deguo style," Rodman said, "but it's not exactly the same. For example, the Bismarck Class design has a more compact layout, stronger anti‑aircraft firepower, and radar systems."

Li Te nodded: "Learning without copying outright, that's President Chen's consistent Concept. Each country's needs, resources, and geography differ; they must find a development path that suits themselves."

"President Chen…" Rodman paused, "He is a very special person. In Hawaii, he left a deep impression on me—visionary, decisive, yet very realistic."

"The President often says that a politician's duty is to find the balance point between ideal and reality," Li Te said, "Too much idealism detaches from practice; too much realism loses direction."

The two reached the garden's edge, where the ground was higher and they could overlook the entire naval base and the distant Dubai cityscape. The port's warships, the city's buildings, and farther out the desert‑edge oil‑field rigs formed a strange picture—tradition and modernity, sea and desert, East and West converging here.

"Spectacular," Rodman sighed, "A decade ago, there was nothing here."

"Indeed," Li Te mused, "Sometimes I can hardly believe it myself. But that's humanity's power—so long as there are dreams, determination, and the right methods, miracles can be created."

He pointed at the port: "Those battleships, those factories, those cities were built by Lanfang's people with their own hands. That's why we cherish them especially, and are especially vigilant. Because things hard‑won are most afraid of being lost."

Words within words. Rodman understood.

"General Li, forgive my bluntness." He turned to face Li Te, "If—I'm saying if—Europe's war really expands globally, if the Pacific also becomes a battlefield, what would Lanfang do? Would it, as President Chen said in Hawaii, 'also meet its end'?"

Finally he asked the core question.

Li Te stared into the distance, silent for a long while. The sea breeze lifted the hair under his cap.

"General, I'll tell you a story," he finally said, his voice light, "Let me tell you a story."

"Back then I trained at the Kiel Naval Academy in Deguo. At that time the German High Seas Fleet was expanding, Emperor Wilhelm II was ambitious, aiming to challenge Yingguo's maritime dominance. Once, we attended the launching ceremony of the battleship 'Nassau', and after the ceremony there was a banquet."

Li Te's voice was calm, as if recounting someone else's story:

"At the banquet I sat beside an old German general. He had fought in the Franco‑Prussian War and had lived through the whole German unification process. I asked him, 'General, do you think Germany can defeat Yingguo?'"

Rodman listened attentively.

"The old general did not answer directly. He turned the question back: 'Young man, do you know why Yingguo could rule the world for three hundred years?' I said, 'Because they have a powerful navy.' He said, 'Not entirely. It's because they know when to fight and when to negotiate; when to be hard‑line and when to compromise. The navy is only a tool; wisdom is fundamental.'"

Li Te paused:

"Then he said something I still remember: 'Germany's problem is that we always try to solve all issues in one go. But international politics is not a chess game that can be decided in a single move. It is a long‑term contest that requires patience, calculation, and doing the right thing at the right time.'"

He looked at Rodman:

"General, Lanfang has only been founded for … years. We are like a newly grown child, with strength and dreams, yet aware of our limits. We do not wish to challenge anyone, only to protect everything we have built with hard work. But if someone forces us, if we have no choice…"

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