Chapter 62

He walked over, stopped in front of the cordon, and gave a salute to the crowd.

The port official took the list, his hand trembling a bit. The list detailed: 500 tons of fresh water, 2 tons of fresh vegetables, 1 ton of fruit, plus a small amount of medical supplies and lubricating oil. Total price: 375 pounds and 6 shillings.

But it was enough.

In the crowd, Chen Jinfu's tears welled up instantly. The fifty‑year‑old merchant struggled not to cry out loud, merely nodding vigorously and waving vigorously.

Behind him, hundreds or thousands of Chinese performed the same gesture—silent but powerful.

He handed over another folder. Inside was a briefing on the Restoration Ship, including basic specifications (the public version, of course), crew list, purpose of the visit, etc., all printed in English, formatted as neatly as a diplomatic note.

At this moment, all overseas Chinese understood one thing: the distant, legendary "Lanfang" was not a dream. It was real. It had warships, a navy, and the capability to appear anywhere in the world.

"We will arrange it as soon as possible," the port official finally said, "but please comply with the regulations: the activity area is limited to the dock zone, and the time must not exceed twenty‑four hours."

They now had a flag to look up to.

Li Te turned and looked toward the Chinese onlookers at the pier. They were held back by military police outside the security line, but everyone's eyes were on him, on the massive ship, on the fluttering Yellow Dragon flag.

The talks had been underway for two hours. British Prime Minister Campbell‑Bannerman and First Sea Lord Fisher sat on one side of the long table, while French Ambassador Paul Cambon and the newly arrived French Foreign Minister Delcassé sat on the other side.

The atmosphere was polite but icy.

"So, your country's position is," Campbell‑Bannerman said slowly, "that you will not terminate military cooperation with that 'Lanfang'?"

"Not that we won't, but that we cannot," Delcassé smiled, "Prime Minister, that is a legally binding contract. The French Republic respects the spirit of contracts."

"Even if this contract might disrupt the European balance of power?"

"Balance of power?" Delcassé raised an eyebrow, "Prime Minister, when Germany has six dreadnoughts, Britain has eleven (under construction), and France has none, and you and I talk about the balance of power? No, that's a power imbalance. We are merely trying to restore some… balance."

Fisher interjected, "Minister, if we were willing to provide some… technical support? For example, assistance in building the dreadnought?"

"What kind of assistance?"

"We could dispatch an engineering team to share part of the fire‑control system technology, and even… consider selling one or two dreadnoughts to your country as soon as possible."

This was a major concession. The meeting room fell silent.

Delcassé thought for a few seconds, then shook his head: "Thank you for your generosity. But first, your dreadnoughts won't be delivered until 1909, whereas the Dutch's 'Gubai' class can deliver its first ship within twelve months. Second, technology sharing… would likely be limited as well."

He didn't wait for a reply, continuing:

"Prime Minister, Lord Fisher, let us be frank. Britain needs France to contain Germany on the European continent, so it does not want France's navy to be too weak. But Britain also does not want France's navy to be too strong, lest it threaten Britain's naval supremacy. This is a delicate balance."

"And now, Lanfang's emergence has broken that balance. It has given France an opportunity to leapfrog a generation of technology. Britain's choice is simple: either accept this new reality and readjust its strategy, or try to prevent it, but the cost could be pushing France entirely into the camp of Germany and Lanfang." (Because of the Franco‑Prussian War, France and Germany could never piss in the same lake)

He leaned forward, his voice soft but firm:

"I personally recommend choosing the former. Because the latter would be a disaster for everyone."

Fisher interjected, "Minister, if we were willing to provide some... technical support? For example, assistance in the construction of the Dreadnought?"

Campbell‑Bannerman and Fisher exchanged a glance. They knew the French were right. Britain had no good options, only less bad ones.

"So," the Prime Minister finally said, "would your country be willing to act as an intermediary? To facilitate some kind of dialogue between Britain and Lanfang?"

Delcassé smiled. This was his first genuine smile of the day.

"Of course. The French Republic is always committed to maintaining world peace and stability. If both sides are willing, we can arrange a meeting. The location… perhaps in Paris? Or, if convenient, in Bombay?"

He paused, then added:

"Prime Minister, Lord, let us be frank. Yingguo needs Faguo to check Deguo on the European continent, so it does not want the French navy to be too weak. But Yingguo also does not want the French navy to become too strong, to the point of threatening Yingguo's maritime superiority. It is a delicate balance."

"And now, Lanfang's emergence has upset the balance. They have given Faguo a chance to leapfrog a generation of technology. Yingguo's choice is simple: either accept this new reality and readjust its strategy; or try to block it, but the cost may be to push Faguo entirely into Deguo and Lanfang's camp." (Because of the Franco‑Prussian War, France and Deguo cannot end up sharing the same lake.)

The replenishment of the "Guangfu" was completed in the evening. Five hundred tons of fresh water, two tons of vegetables, one ton of fruit, all loaded. Li Te personally signed the receipt, paying in cash—a fresh stack of British pound notes—allowing British officials to confirm once again that the other side was not joking, but genuinely conducting a "normal" visit.

After nightfall, the warship lit up its lights—not combat illumination, but soft navigation and porthole lights, giving the massive hull a solemn beauty against the night.

On the dock, the crowd of onlookers did not diminish but grew larger. British colonial authorities had to deploy extra military police to maintain order, but they found the crowd remained quiet, with no disturbances or slogans, simply standing silently and watching.

Campbell‑Bannerman and Fisher exchanged a glance. They knew the French were right. Yingguo had no good option, only a less‑bad one.

"Then," the Prime Minister finally spoke, "would your country be willing to act as an intermediary? To facilitate some sort of dialogue between Yingguo and Lanfang?"

On the bridge, Li Te received an encrypted telegram from Dubai. After decoding it, he stared at the message, silent for a long time.

"Of course. The French Republic has always been committed to maintaining world peace and stability. If both sides are willing, we can arrange a meeting. The venue... perhaps Paris? Or, if convenient, Bombay."

"The President's order." Li Te handed over the telegram, "Let us stay in Bombay for another twenty‑four hours, then return. But on the return leg, we will go to Colombo, Aden, Djibouti… make a loop and then return."

"After all, there is now a ship there that both sides are interested in."

"To show our presence." Li Te walked to the observation window, gazing at the myriad lights on shore, "Let the entire Indian Ocean rim know that this ship can go wherever it wishes. Let London know that a blockade is meaningless. And also let the overseas Chinese of South Ocean know that the road home is being opened."

The Restoration Ship's resupply was completed in the evening. Five hundred tons of fresh water, two tons of vegetables, one ton of fruit, all loaded. Li Te personally signed for the documents and paid in cash—a brand‑new stack of pound notes, prompting the Yingguo officials to confirm again that the other side was not joking, but truly conducting a "normal" visit.

"Carry out the plan." Li Te turned, "Notify the entire ship to rest well. Tomorrow we will continue sailing."

He paused, looking toward the blurred figures in the darkness outside the window:

"Moreover, I have a feeling. Soon we will have visitors calling on us—British, French, and perhaps others from elsewhere."

"Guests?" Lin Hai asked curiously.

"Yes." Li Te smiled, "Envoys, journalists, and even adventurers from various countries. They all want to see what this warship from Lanfang is really like."

Lin Hai nodded, "Then we'll just wait and see."

The next morning, sunlight bathed the hull in Bombay Port, gleaming with metallic luster.

On the bridge, Li Te stood at the observation window, gazing at distant ship silhouettes.

"Demonstrate presence." Li Te walked to the observation window, looking at the myriad lights along the shore, "Let the entire Indian Ocean coast know that this ship can go wherever it wishes. Let London know that the blockade is meaningless. And also... also let the Chinese of the South Ocean know that the road home is being opened."

"Ready." Li Te nodded, "All hands, prepare to set sail."

The stern's engines rumbled low, slowly starting up.

The hull slowly pulled away from the dock, entering the wide harbor.

The crowd remained silently standing, watching the yellow dragon flag warship recede into the distance.

In their eyes were pride, hope, and an indescribable sense of reassurance.

【60】 The hull slowly sailed out of the harbor, heading into the open Indian Ocean.

【61】 The hull slowly sailed out of the harbor, heading into the open Indian Ocean.

【62】 (This is a duplicate; see the following text.)

【63】 (Continuing from above, the fleet continued sailing, passing through Colombo, Aden, Djibouti…)

【64】 At Colombo port, British officials came again for inspection, but this time they brought gifts—a box of English tea and a special edition of The Times.

【65】 British officials smiled and said, "This is a tribute to the Lanfang navy."

【66】 At Aden port, the French delegation also arrived, bringing champagne and small French flags.

【67】 The French envoy said, "This is a tribute to the Lanfang navy."

【68】 At Djibouti, local Arab merchants also arrived, bringing spices and jewelry.

【69】 The Arab merchants said, "This is a tribute to the Lanfang navy."

【70】 Each stop made Lanfang's reputation louder.

【71】 Each stop made overseas Chinese prouder.

【72】 Each stop made the world clearer: Lanfang is not a legend; it is a real naval force.

【73】 On the return leg, the fleet encountered a sudden storm.

【74】 The wind and waves were huge, the hull violently rocking.

【75】 Li Te stood on the bridge, gripping the helm firmly, his voice steady: "Hold the rudder, hold your heart."

【76】 Lin Hai inspected the ammunition magazine in the side compartment, ensuring the ammunition stayed dry.

【77】 After the storm passed, the skies cleared and the sea calmed.

【78】 The fleet continued sailing, heading back to Bombay.

【79】 On the return leg, Li Te received a second encrypted telegram from Dubai.

【80】 After decoding it, he looked at the message and laughed.

【81】 "Captain?" Lin Hai asked curiously.

【82】 "The Sheikh of Dubai has invited us to tour his palace and attend his birthday banquet."

【83】 "Really?" Lin Hai's eyes lit up, "Are we going?"

【84】 "Yes." Li Te nodded, "But we must keep a low profile. We are here on a visit, not to show off."

【85】 He paused, then added:

【86】 "However, we also want them to know that the Lanfang navy is not just a single ship, but a growing force."

【87】 Dubai's palace was luxurious and grand.

【88】 Li Te and Lin Hai received a warm welcome.

【89】 The Sheikh personally greeted them and led them to tour every corner of the palace.

【90】 The palace interior was lavishly decorated, resplendent with gold and brilliance.

【91】 The Sheikh said, "Welcome, friends of the Lanfang navy."

【92】 Li Te returned the salute, "Thank you for your hospitality, Sheikh."

【93】 At the birthday banquet, the Sheikh presented a poem to the Lanfang navy.

【94】 The poem's essence: May Lanfang's ships sail forever in safety, may Lanfang's people forever enjoy happiness and health.

【95】 Li Te and Lin Hai were deeply moved.

【96】 After the banquet, Li Te and Lin Hai returned to the ship.

【97】 On the return leg, the fleet encountered a pod of dolphins again.

【98】 The dolphins leapt before and after the bow, as if welcoming the arrival of Lanfang.

【99】 Li Te laughed on the bridge, "This is a good omen."

【100】 Lin Hai also laughed, "Yes, this is a good omen."

【101】 The fleet finally arrived safely at Bombay Port.

【102】 The crowd surged again, this time even larger.

【103】 British colonial authorities again deployed extra military police, but the crowd remained quiet.

【104】 People stood silently, watching the yellow dragon flag warship dock.

【105】 In their eyes were pride, hope, and an indescribable sense of reassurance.

【106】 After the fleet docked, Li Te and Lin Hai disembarked.

【107】 They walked toward the crowd and saluted the crowd.

【108】 No shouting, no speech, just a simple military salute.

【109】 But it was enough.

【110】 In the crowd, Chen Jinfu's tears welled up again.

【111】 He nodded vigorously and waved vigorously.

【112】 Behind him, hundreds or thousands of Chinese performed the same gesture—silent but powerful.

【113】 At this moment, words were superfluous.

【114】 At this moment, all overseas Chinese understood one thing: that distant, legendary "Lanfang" was not a dream. It was real. It had warships, a navy, and the capability to appear anywhere in the world.

【115】 And they were no longer lonely drifters.

【116】 They now had a flag to look up to.

【117】 (End of text)