"Chen Feng, Chen Feng, you truly are a man of many talents. Your aptitude for politics is remarkable, and your military prowess is equally formidable. You've anticipated everything I was about to say before I even uttered a word," Commander Hong said, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Commander Hong, I'd like to hear the Chinese military's perspective," Chen Feng stated directly.
"The Chinese military's stance is quite conflicted. On one hand, China is prioritizing economic development, as you know. Providing weapons overtly would be considered participation in the war, dragging China into a quagmire, which would be far more detrimental than beneficial. However, if we don't support that country with arms, and they subsequently fail, Europe and the United States will then target China. That country was once China's best ally, but now it has fallen. Without any other nation to assist China, it's highly probable that China could be defeated by a joint effort from the EU and the US. China cannot afford to suffer such an outcome. Both paths are fraught with difficulty, and I truly don't know how to make a decision," Commander Hong replied, a troubled expression on his face.
"Commander Hong, this matter is both complex and, in a way, simple," Chen Feng said calmly.
"What do you mean?" Commander Hong asked, taken aback.
"It's quite simple. I have a way to help the Chinese military resolve this current dilemma," Chen Feng replied with a smile.
"What? You can solve China's current predicament? How is that possible? Our top leadership has held several meetings, and we still haven't arrived at a satisfactory solution. You just thought of a good idea off the cuff?" Commander Hong's disbelief was evident.
"Commander Hong, my thinking is this: Since we cannot stand by and watch that country be defeated, yet we also cannot openly engage in war, the best course of action is to proceed covertly."
"Covertly?" Commander Hong asked, looking confused.
"Yes, covertly. Just as the United States can covertly shape global dynamics, so can China." Chen Feng's confidence was palpable.
"The United States covertly shapes global dynamics? Is that true?" Commander Hong asked Chen Feng intentionally.
"Absolutely. Let me put it this way: the reason the Middle East has been plagued by unrest and constant warfare is precisely because the United States, in pursuit of oil, has deliberately sowed discord, inciting internal conflicts. Only when internal strife arises does the US find opportunities. Furthermore, the reason South America and Latin America have not developed into major economic powers is largely due to the covert actions of the United States. The US does not wish for its neighbors to become powerful, developed nations. Whenever a country in South America shows signs of prosperity, the US subtly sabotages its progress, preventing it from developing. This way, the US solidifies its position as the dominant power in the Americas," Chen Feng explained patiently.
"I never imagined that at your age, you would have such a profound understanding of global affairs. Excellent. China's political landscape has hope. When you eventually enter the higher echelons of Chinese politics, you will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping China's position on the world stage," Commander Hong said, unable to suppress his admiration.
"Indeed. Please continue, how can China covertly assist that country?" Commander Hong pressed on.
"We cannot openly sell weapons to that country, but we can sell them components. That way, the EU and the United States will have no choice but to watch helplessly," Chen Feng stated with composure.
"Chen Feng, aren't you oversimplifying things? The EU and the US are not fools. How could they possibly ignore us selling components openly to that country?" Commander Hong raised his concern.
"Commander Hong, your concern is entirely valid. The EU and the US have achieved their developed status through shrewdness, and they would undoubtedly see through such an obvious stratagem. However, when I speak of exporting components to that country, I don't mean selling them directly..." Chen Feng said with a confident air.
"Not selling directly? Then how?" Commander Hong's curiosity was piqued to its peak.
"A case of 'grafting flowers onto a tree' and 'crossing the river by stealth.' We can export a large quantity of mobile phones and trucks to that country. Mobile phones contain chips, and trucks utilize specialized steel..." Chen Feng explained, item by item.
Commander Hong, being no fool, understood Chen Feng's explanation immediately. His first reaction was one of profound admiration. It was brilliant, indescribably brilliant. Not only would ordinary people be unable to see through it, but even divine intervention would struggle to uncover it. There were those who claimed the Chinese were cunning, a notion many foreigners found hard to believe. But faced with this irrefutable evidence, belief was no longer optional. The Chinese, it seemed, presented a façade of honesty and diligence, while harboring a thousand schemes within.
"Regarding the chips, there's no problem. Mingshan City is now China's chip production base, with sufficient capacity to meet that country's needs. However, the issue of specialized steel is significant, primarily due to production capacity. While China can produce specialized steel, its capacity is limited. To be perfectly frank, China possesses cutting-edge technology, but it's not yet fully mature. In many advanced technological areas, we cannot maintain sufficient production volume. Production capacity isn't something that can be ramped up overnight," Commander Hong said with a worried expression.
"Commander Hong, I also have a solution for the specialized steel issue. However, I must be upfront: I intend to profit from this," Chen Feng stated truthfully.
"As long as the specialized steel problem can be resolved, your making a profit is not an issue. China's military spending has been setting new records year after year, reaching astronomical figures. Earning a little money from this endeavor is hardly a concern. The crucial question is, how do you plan to address the specialized steel problem? This must be resolved. If that country cannot secure specialized steel, they won't be able to produce their tanks, missiles, or aircraft. Without these, how can they defeat the other nation?" Commander Hong explained with a grave tone.
"Specialized steel is unlike ordinary steel. Ordinary steel's production capacity can be expanded overnight. However, specialized steel cannot be scaled up in a short period. Specialized steel requires advanced processes, and advanced processes cannot simply be expanded on demand," Chen Feng replied earnestly.
"If specialized steel cannot be easily scaled up, then what should be done? If that country lacks specialized steel, their missiles, aircraft, and tanks will quickly be depleted. Once their weaponry is exhausted, the country supported by the EU and the United States will triumph. And once they win, the next target will be us, China," Commander Hong lamented.
"Commander Hong, there's no need to worry. Although specialized steel cannot be easily scaled up, I have a method to continuously supply trucks made with specialized steel to that country," Chen Feng declared with unwavering confidence.
"Quickly, tell me how you've managed this," Commander Hong asked, his excitement renewed.
"I have a company in Japan. I can utilize my Japanese company to import specialized steel from Japan into China. Then, we can assemble simplified trucks in China and sell them to that country. They can then disassemble the trucks to obtain the specialized steel, all without a trace," Chen Feng explained, word for word.
"Indeed, this is an excellent plan. Chen Feng, your mind is truly remarkable," Commander Hong said with a smile.
A seemingly insurmountable international military dilemma had been effortlessly resolved by Chen Feng.
"Commander Hong, the matter can be settled. However, I must state one condition. With this back-and-forth process involving specialized steel, my companies need to make a profit. It's not about me personally profiting, but rather, having the financial resources to ensure my subordinates are dedicated to their tasks. In this day and age, mere slogans are useless; tangible benefits are what drive performance," Chen Feng stated seriously.