Chapter 776: The Five Permanent Members Are Just the Beginning

A Si Kui Si remained silent for a long time.

The firewood in the hearth crackled, and the sound of waves outside the window came in intermittent bursts. Time passed second by second.

Finally, A Si Kui Si lifted his head.

"Mr. President, I understand."

Wilson nodded. "That's good."

He stood up, walked to the desk, took a document from the drawer, and handed it to A Si Kui Si.

"This is tomorrow's meeting agenda. Please take a look."

A Si Kui Si took the document, opened to the first page. It read—

"Cyprus Conference Agenda":

10:00 a. m.: Opening ceremony, President Wilson's address.

11:00 a. m.: International League proposal, presented by President Wilson.

2:00 p. m.: Speeches by the nations.

4:00 p. m.: Closed‑door consultations.

6:00 p. m.: Signing of the "Cyprus Convention".

A Si Kui Si stared for a long time. Then he lifted his head and looked at Wilson.

"Mr. President, the contents of the convention…"

Wilson nodded. "Correct. You guessed right. The five permanent seats, veto power. Lanfang, Meilika, Faguo, Deguo, Yingguo."

A Si Kui Si took a deep breath.

He knew that once this convention was signed, the world would be completely changed. Yingguo would no longer be the Yingguo it once was, Deguo would no longer be the Deguo it once was; everything would be different.

But he also knew this was the best outcome.

At least Yingguo was still on the table.

When A Si Kui Si left, it was already ten p. m.

He descended the gangway, stood on the pier, and looked back at the white liner. The ship's lights shone brightly, and soldiers on the deck were still patrolling. Wilson stood at the rail, speaking with someone.

A Si Kui Si stared for a long time, then turned and walked toward his residence.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned back, and glanced again.

He recalled Wilson's final words—"Learn to bow your head, and you will survive."

He gave a wry smile.

Yingguo truly has to bow its head.

Late night of June 19, Cyprus Island.

The five‑nation delegations' bases were scattered across different spots on the island. Meilika's ship was docked at the harbor, Faguo's hotel in the city center, Yingguo's villa by the sea, Deguo's residence in the suburbs, and Lanfang's villa hidden in a bay on the east side.

At this moment, five places, five people, all gazed at the same night sky.

Lanfang delegation base.

Chen Feng stood on the terrace, watching the distant shimmering sea. Moonlight spilled onto the water, creating patches of silver glint. Waves rolled onto the beach in succession, producing a rhythmic whoosh—.

Wang Wenwu stepped onto the terrace and stood beside him.

"President, everything is confirmed. Tirpitz has replied, Wei Lian accepted your suggestion. Wilson's side has also reached an agreement with A Si Kui Si. Ke Lie Meng Suo's side has remained quiet, with no action."

Chen Feng nodded. "The French are meticulous. They know when to speak and when to stay silent."

Wang Wenwu hesitated briefly, then asked, "President, do you really think the five permanent members can hold steady?"

Chen Feng looked at him and was silent for three seconds.

"They can't hold steady. But it's better than nothing."

He turned around, looking at the dark sea in the distance.

"This war is over, and the next one will come soon. The five permanent members are not the end point, but the starting point—a preparation period before the next war."

Wang Wenwu was stunned. "President, you mean—"

Chen Feng nodded. "Deguo is dissatisfied. Yingguo is dissatisfied. Meilika hasn't truly fought yet. This ceasefire is just a breather."

He turned to look at Wang Wenwu.

"So the five permanent members are not a solution, but a way to buy time. Provide everyone a table to sit and argue at, instead of seeking revenge on the battlefield. We can stall for as long as we can."

Wang Wenwu was silent for a few seconds. Then he asked, "When will the next war arrive?"

Chen Feng stared at the dark sea in the distance, offering no answer.

After a long while, he whispered, "When everyone is ready, it will come."

Faguo delegation base.

Ke Lie Meng Suo sat at the desk, a document spread before him. It was the report on each nation's movements that he had had the intelligence department compile.

Wilson met A Si Kui Si tonight. Tirpitz made a secret visit to Lanfang's base last night. Within Deguo, Wei Lian II may be about to abdicate.

He stared for a long time, then closed the document.

Pi Xiong stood nearby and asked softly, "Premier, what do you think?"

Ke Lie Meng Suo looked up at him.

"How to look? Sitting and watching."

He stood up and walked to the window.

"Pi Xiong, do you know what the most important thing at tomorrow's meeting will be?"

Pi Xiong shook his head.

Ke Lie Meng Suo pointed at the night sky outside.

"It's not the International League, not the five permanent seats, not veto power. It's the tacit understanding between Chen Feng and Wilson. How they split the cake, we eat the cake. If they fight, we choose sides."

Pi Xiong was stunned for a moment. "Then which side do we stand on?"

Ke Lie Meng Suo turned around, looking at him.

"Don't stand on either side. Both sides must be good. Neither side may be offended."

He walked back to the desk and sat down.

"Faguo is no longer a great power. We have to learn to dance between the two giants. If we dance well, we can get a share of the spoils. If we dance poorly, we'll become the next Yingguo."

Yingguo delegation headquarters.

Asquith sat at the desk, with Wilson's agenda spread before him. He had already read it three times, each time his heart raced.

The P5 seat. A veto right. Yingguo still on the table.

But at what cost?

Forgo reparations. Bow and admit defeat. Watch people's expressions.

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside, the night in Cyprus was deep, the distant mountain silhouettes flickered in the moonlight. He recalled ten years ago, his first term as Prime Minister, full of vigor. At that time he thought Yingguo would remain forever strong, forever the world's number one.

Ten years later, Yingguo was about to end.

Gray pushed the door open and asked softly, "Prime Minister, you haven't rested yet?"

Asquith shook his head. "Can't sleep."

Gray walked to his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Prime Minister, tomorrow…"

Asquith cut him off. "I know. Tomorrow, sign."

Gray was silent for a few seconds. "Are you willing?"

Asquith looked at him and gave a wry smile.

"Willing? Of course not. But what can we do?"

He turned around and continued looking out the window.

"Gray, remember today. From today onward, Yingguo is no longer that Yingguo. We must learn to bow, learn to watch people's expressions, learn to survive in the cracks."

Gray nodded. "I remember."

Deguo delegation headquarters.

Tirpitz stood at the window, watching the pitch‑black night in the distance. His hand rested on his chest, where Wilhelm's telegram was tucked close.

"Accept the proposal. Put Deguo first."

He recalled Wilhelm's expression when he signed. The once vigorous emperor, the once overbearing monarch, now had to bow, now had to relinquish power.

He suddenly felt a pang of sorrow.

But more than that was relief.

Relief that Wilhelm was still alive. Relief that Deguo still existed. Relief that there was still a chance.

The Chief of Staff walked to his side and asked softly, "Marshal, tomorrow…"

Tirpitz nodded. "Tomorrow, sign."

The Chief of Staff hesitated. "Marshal, can we really join the five permanent members?"

Tirpitz turned around, looking at him.

"What Chen Feng promised will definitely be fulfilled."

He paused.

"But joining the five permanent members doesn't mean everything is fine. The real contest is just beginning."