diymy Chapter 729 Community of Interests
Chapter 729 Community of Interests
The signing ceremony was held at 3 p.m. in a small conference room at the Presidential Palace.
There were no reporters, no flashbulbs, no grand ceremony. Just a table, two documents, two pens, and a few witnesses.
Chen Feng sat on one side of the table, and Laval sat on the other. Lieutenant Lin stood behind Chen Feng, and Dumont stood behind Laval. Apart from them, there was no one else in the room.
Chen Feng picked up his pen and signed his name on the document. He wrote slowly and carefully, stroke by stroke.
Laval also picked up a pen and signed his name. His hand was steady, without the slightest tremor.
The two exchanged documents and signed them again.
After signing, the two stood up and shook hands.
Lieutenant Lin clapped softly. Dumon followed suit. The applause sounded somewhat lonely in the quiet conference room, but it was enough.
Laval looked at Chen Feng and said, "President, this agreement will change the world."
Chen Feng nodded.
"I know."
Laval remained silent for a few seconds.
"Aren't you afraid of being betrayed by France?"
Chen Feng smiled.
"Mr. Laval, do you know what a 'community of shared interests' is?"
Laval shook his head.
Chen Feng pointed to the agreement.
"In this agreement, Lanfang's interests are intertwined with France's. Lanfang needs French territory, and France needs Lanfang's capital. Whoever betrays will suffer. One betrayal means losing decades of cooperation opportunities. Any smart person can figure this out."
He looked at Laval.
"Prime Minister Clemenceau was a smart man. You are smart too."
Laval remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he bowed deeply.
"President, France will not forget the friendship of Lanfang."
Chen Feng patted him on the shoulder.
"Go. Go back and tell Clemenceau that Lanfang is waiting for his good news."
That evening, Laval left Dubai.
It was the same merchant ship flying the Spanish flag, still on the same secret route. Laval stood on the bow, watching the lights of Dubai gradually disappear into the distance, his heart filled with unease.
Dumont walked up to him and said softly, "Mr. Ambassador, you seem to have something on your mind."
Laval nodded.
"Dumon, tell me, who exactly is Chen Feng?"
Dumont thought for a moment.
"A politician. A strategist. Perhaps even a prophet."
Laval gave a wry smile.
"A prophet? Perhaps."
He recalled Chen Feng's last words: "Mr. Laval, have you thought about what the world will be like after the war ends?"
He didn't answer then. But he's thinking about it now.
What will the world become?
Britain declined, Germany collapsed, the Mérida rose to power, and Lanfang became a new superpower. France, caught in the middle, faced an uncertain future.
Chen Feng gave him an answer: cooperate with Lan Fang, develop Africa together, lead the international alliance together, and become players in the new world together.
He couldn't refuse this answer.
But the question is—why did Chen Feng choose France?
Was it because France had colonies? Was it because France and Britain had conflicts? Or was it because France was weak enough not to threaten Lanfang?
he does not know.
But he knew that once this agreement was signed, France's fate would be tied to Lanfang's.
Once they're tied together, they can never be separated again.
In the distance, Dubai's lights grew farther and farther away, fainter and fainter, until they finally disappeared completely into the darkness.
Laval stood there, gazing at the pitch-black night, motionless for a long time.
January 3, Berlin.
Hindenburg sat in his office, several newly arrived intelligence reports spread out in front of him. One was from Dubai, one from Washington, and one from London. He read them over and over again, each time with a furrowed brow.
Ludendorff pushed the door open and came in.
"Marshal, you wanted to see me?"
Hindenburg nodded and pushed the intelligence reports in front of him.
"Take a look."
Ludendorff took the intelligence report and quickly glanced through it. Then he looked up, his expression somewhat grave.
"Did Lanfang sign an agreement with France?"
Hindenburg nodded.
"Yes. Chen Feng and the French envoy signed a secret agreement in Dubai. The specific details are unclear, but it was definitely about postwar matters."
Ludendorff remained silent for a few seconds.
"Are the French turning their backs on Britain?"
Hindenburg gave a cold laugh.
"Betrayal? The French and British have always been using each other. Now that Lanfang has offered them better terms, of course they'll jump ship."
Ludendorff frowned.
"Is this beneficial or harmful to us?"
Hindenburg thought about it.
"It's advantageous. Once the French side with Lanfang, Britain will be isolated in the Mediterranean. Their supply lines in Egypt will be cut off, and their troops stationed in India will lose support."
He paused.
"But it's also harmful."
"What harm?"
Hindenburg pointed to the intelligence report.
"Lanfang's cooperation with France means they can enter Africa. Africa has resources, population, and a strategic location. Once Lanfang establishes a foothold there, they will truly become a global power."
Ludendorff remained silent for a long time.
Then he asked, "Marshal, what should we do?"
Hindenburg stood up and walked to the window.
"wait."
"wait?"
"Yes. Wait. Wait until Lanfang takes over India, wait until they have time to spare, wait until they fulfill their promises."
He turned to look at Ludendorff.
"Tell Tirpitz to send another telegram to Chen Feng. Ask them when they can send troops to Europe."
Ludendorff nodded.
"Also, tell His Majesty William that the Italian Crown Prince is in Berlin. Reassure him that there will be no problems in Italy for the time being."
Ludendorff nodded again.
Hindenburg waved.
"Go."
Ludendorff turned to leave, but Hindenburg suddenly called him back.
"Ludendorff, do you think Chen Feng is trustworthy?"
Ludendorff was stunned.
"Marshal, you mean—"
Hindenburg shook his head.
"It's nothing. Go ahead."
Ludendorff pushed open the door and went out.
Hindenburg stood alone by the window, looking at the gray sky outside.
He recalled Tirpitz's words: "Chen Feng is a smart man. Very smart. Every decision he makes is for the benefit of Lanfang."
What benefits would it bring to Lanfang to send troops to Europe?
He thought about it for a long time, but couldn't come up with an answer.
But he knew that no matter what Chen Feng thought, Germany had no other choice.
We can only wait.
The only option is to gamble.
We can only trust that the powerful figure from the distant East will fulfill his promise.
Washington, January 4.
Wilson sat in the Oval Office, several telegrams laid out before him. One was from London, Asquith urging him to expedite the troop deployment. Another was from Paris, Clemenceau thanking Melika for her assistance. A third was from Dubai, a greeting from Chen Feng.
He looked at it for a long time, then put down the telegram, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.
Secretary of State Lansing sat opposite him and asked softly, "Your Excellency, what are you thinking about?"
Wilson opened his eyes.
"Lansing, what do you think Chen Feng is doing right now?"