Chapter 71: The Five Elements Conference!

Jiang Bai's plan to establish an arsenal was driven by multiple considerations.

First and foremost, he intended to ensure that the troops under his command would be adequately equipped, thereby increasing their combat effectiveness. Additionally, he sought to raise funds for military expenses through the sale of weapons. It was widely acknowledged that arms trading had always been a highly lucrative enterprise. Given the turmoil in the international economy at the time, which foreshadowed the outbreak of global conflict, Jiang Bai recognized a latent opportunity. He anticipated that if war erupted in a certain region, he could leverage the output of his armaments industry to reap substantial profits. History had shown that a certain dynasty had seized such a moment to achieve tremendous economic gains, emerging as the creditor empire after the war—a testament to the feasibility of profiting from warfare.

Thus, even when confronted with unfavorable circumstances, Jiang Bai was determined to achieve at least a preliminary stage of industrialization within his domain, so as to secure a foothold in the competitive international arena.

Far away in the dynasty, in a certain official residence on the little devils’ homeland, the late autumn heat seemed to envelop the entire city in a wave of stifling warmth. Even the cold winds from the Pacific failed to dispel the lingering heat. In the office of Prime Minister Tenchu, several basins of ice offered only a faint respite from the oppressive atmosphere. Yet, tension hung heavily in the air.

Prime Minister Tenchu, though born of the military, distinguished himself from his colleagues who cared only for battle by demonstrating a deeper, strategic vision. For him, rescuing the dynasty from economic distress was paramount, lest domestic unrest or foreign invasion ensue—outcomes he would never wish to see.

At the same time, Tenchu wielded considerable influence in the arena of political intrigue. In the world of governance, he stood apart for his remarkable achievements in both military affairs and statecraft.

“Gentlemen, we are gathered here today to discuss a grave incident: the unauthorized deployment of the little devils’ army into the civil war of the New Country, resulting in the total annihilation of a brigade,” Tenchu began, his gaze sweeping over each attendee, his tone calm yet resolute.

“The purpose of this Five Ministers’ Conference is to deliberate this matter. I expect valuable input from all of you, not mere silence.”

The so-called Five Ministers’ Conference was the highest decision-making assembly, composed of the Foreign Minister, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Army Minister, and Navy Minister.

Once consensus was reached among these five, even the Emperor would endorse their decision. The Minister of Internal Affairs, representing the Emperor, attended the meeting.

The Army’s representative, a hawkish figure, immediately voiced his dissatisfaction and indignation: “Prime Minister Tenchu, even though we intervened in their civil war, our adversaries brazenly ignored our military might and provoked us directly.”

“This is blatant contempt for our dynasty. Therefore, I firmly advocate launching a full-scale war against the enemy to restore our honor and dignity!”

“Such action would also divert attention from domestic issues. I am certain the people will wholeheartedly support this decision.”

Within the Army, the shame of losing an entire brigade was profound, and for the hawks, this was the perfect opportunity to wage war abroad.

“Are we truly about to start a war? Army Minister, your proposal sounds idealistic. But I must ask, by what means do we intend to wage a war that is almost certain to fail?” The Finance Minister, his face flushed with anger, slammed the table and challenged:

“The massive Western war loans are about to mature!”

“If we fail to repay them on time, the international community will see us as an unreliable dynasty!”

“At that point, we will be facing an irreversible crisis!”

It must be known that the dynasty’s finances were already teetering on the brink of collapse.

His words conveyed not only concern for the current economic predicament but also a deep fear of future risks. His furrowed brows and anxious gaze swept the meeting room, as if searching for a solution to all their woes. This was more than a mere discussion—it was a profound reflection on the fate awaiting them.

At this critical juncture, the Finance Minister felt the weight of his responsibilities. After years of tireless effort, he had barely managed to keep the dynasty’s finances in a precarious balance. Now, faced with the prospect of a new war, the dynasty’s financial structure would instantly collapse—a scenario unimaginable to him. His brows were tightly drawn, his eyes filled with deep worry and helplessness, and the hard-won stability of recent years seemed destined to vanish.

The Army Minister, a passionate and responsible military leader, clearly dismissed the Finance Minister’s concerns. His tone was firm and confrontational, every word betraying his eagerness for war:

“Nonsense! This so-called economic crisis is nothing but the handiwork of you economists! As the New Country saying goes, each has their strengths. We need only fulfill our respective duties!”

His unwavering gaze reflected his determination to honor the fallen soldiers, as if he now embodied the honor and dignity of tens of thousands of the dynasty’s troops.

In stark contrast stood the Navy Minister, whose face bore a disdainful smile as he mercilessly mocked the Army Minister’s sense of responsibility and honor: “Military honor? You, the Army Minister, dare speak of military honor?” His words dripped with sarcasm, ridiculing the Army Minister’s failures in military affairs—a personal jab that also hinted at the deep-seated rivalry between the Army and Navy.

Behind this exchange lay the accumulated tensions between the two branches of the military.

The Army advocated rigorous training and austere living modeled after the Welding Wire Corps, while the Navy aspired to emulate the opulence and refinement of the Great Eagle Empire. This antagonism was not without cause and could be traced back to the Meiji Restoration. Due to geographic and historical factors, the Army and Navy originated from different domains—the Army primarily from the Changzhou Domain, the Navy from the Satsuma Domain. These historical grudges persisted, rendering relations between the two forces ever more complex and subtle.

Within the fraught and strategy-laden Five Ministers’ Conference, the shadows of history mingled with the urgency of the present, forming a complicated tableau. The rivalry between the Army and Navy was rooted not only in their dynastic past but also in the competitive drive to independently develop their own weapons for war, leading to ever greater tension between the branches. This independent spirit was manifest in every detail—even the direction in which screws were tightened had to differ from the other.

After suffering a devastating defeat, the Army Minister’s emotions erupted like a volcano; his face was taut, his eyes blazing with fury. He slammed the table, declaring, “These fallen soldiers were the elite of our dynasty!”

His voice was powerful and passionate, as if determined to transmit his anger and sense of duty to every official present. His words reverberated through the room, freezing the air, and the officials fell silent, their hearts filled with complicated emotions. Yet, for the shared objective of expanding the dynasty’s influence, they could not help but agree with his perspective.

“They fought and died heroically for the dynasty’s interests in Yazhou and will soon be enshrined in the Hall of Blue Spirits!”

“As citizens of the dynasty, should we not avenge these brave warriors?”

Despite fierce factional strife,

they were united in the belief that expanding the dynasty’s sphere of influence required the annexation of Chengyun Province.

Chengyun Province was rich in resources, fertile in land, and strategically located. If it could be seized, the dynasty would be able to confront the Bear Empire to the north and launch attacks on other regions of Yazhou to the south.

Thus, from both economic and military perspectives, Chengyun Province was a crucial piece of their strategic plan.