The bright early summer sunlight of May filtered through the window glass, illuminating the floor of the auditorium at the Army War College. The military band played the slow, solemn rhythm of "Kimigayo." With a command of "Fall out!", He Rui, a graduate of the Army War College, stepped forward. Together with five other graduates of the 27th Class of 1915, he took a step forward and stood at attention.

Principal Major General Kawai Misao walked forward and pinned the Army War College Outstanding Cadet Medal on the chests of the six men, one by one.

As the medal ceremony concluded, the music stopped. Ishiwara Kanji, leader of the junior honor guard, shouted, "Seniors, please follow me!" He then stood at attention, turned, and led the group to the rostrum of the graduation ceremony.

These six were the top six graduates of the 27th Class of the Army War College in 1915. Their ranking was determined based on their grades in various subjects during their studies and the collective deliberation of the instructor evaluation group.

According to the determined order, the six were: first place He Rui, second place Homma Masaharu, third place Imamura Hitoshi, fourth place Yamashita Tomoyuki, fifth place Kawabe Masakazu, and sixth place Tōjō Hideki.

In addition to receiving the Outstanding Medal personally awarded by the Principal of the Army War College, these six would also receive the honor of a military sword bestowed by the Emperor of Japan.

An old man wearing a general's uniform and the rank insignia of a full general walked onto the stage. He was not tall, but he was hale and hearty. It was the current Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Prince Fushimi Sadanaru, who was commissioned by the Emperor of Japan to confer this special honor.

The graduates of the 27th Class of 1915 all stared at the backs of the six men. While they were envious, they were not unconvinced. The six men who could stand before Prince Fushimi, apart from having exceptionally excellent grades, each had strengths that others could not hope to match.

The adjutant beside the Prince presented a military sword with gold-inlaid edges with both hands, but the short-statured Prince Fushimi did not pick it up. He looked up at He Rui. "He-kun, even in the palace, I have heard of your great name! It is rare to see such an outstanding young man. Even for a Chinese man, you are truly promising."

"A little shallow reputation; I did not expect to startle Your Highness. I feel terrified," He Rui replied with a Japanese intonation. Even though his soul had traveled to this era five years ago, He Rui still could not completely get used to the Japanese language patterns.

The five outstanding graduates beside him maintained a standard standing military posture, though most still turned their heads slightly to watch this unusual conversation.

"That is not a little reputation. Many Excellencies in the Cabinet also frequently adopt your views. Even His Majesty has specifically mentioned your books during several inquiries with his subjects."

"Is it *The Fate of Japan*?"

"*Introduction to Geopolitics*, *The Future of the Yellow Race*, and *East Asian Confucian Civilization and the Future of the World* were all mentioned," Prince Fushimi sighed. "Many Genrō were amazed. He-kun, you must know that the Emperor's bestowed military sword can originally only be awarded to Japanese soldiers. However, many believe that based on your friendly attitude towards Japan and many beneficial suggestions, you should be an exception!"

Hearing this, Tōjō Hideki, who had kept his eyes fixed forward, could not help but turn his face to watch this scene.

He Rui's chiseled face remained calm. "Your Highness's words make this subordinate feel deeply honored. It coincides with the current situation; Europe is in chaos. This subordinate also hopes to contribute to the people of China, Japan, and strictly speaking, all of East Asia. Just my humble views, offered for your consideration."

Prince Fushimi stared at He Rui and said slowly, "Major General Kawai Misao should have talked to you many times, right? He-kun, with your talent, coupled with the national power of the Great Japanese Empire, the cause of revitalizing East Asia is just around the corner. If you return to China, given the current situation on the continent, a genius may have no place to display his abilities!"

For a moment, everyone who heard this held their breath, waiting for He Rui's answer.

He Rui looked back at Prince Fushimi's expectant gaze. "Your Highness, Japan will always be this subordinate's second hometown."

Prince Fushimi looked slightly regretful. He picked up the military sword presented by the attendant beside him and held it horizontally in his hand. He Rui bowed, took the military sword with both hands, and then retreated.

With an inaudible sigh, Prince Fushimi turned and picked up the military sword for the second place, Homma Masaharu.

Half an hour later, the graduation ceremony finally ended.

At the entrance of the auditorium, the leader of the junior honor guard, Ishiwara Kanji, had finished his duty and was waiting outside. Seeing He Rui come out, he stepped forward to take He Rui's schoolbag, and the two walked side by side to the corner of the campus where they usually gathered.

The bright sunshine of mid-May 1915 spilled over the campus of the Army War College. Located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, adjacent to Tokyo Bay, the climate was warm and humid. Because it was a senior military academy, academic subjects were emphasized over technical ones, so there were not many training grounds. The campus was full of shade, and Japanese traditional wooden or stone tables and chairs could be seen everywhere under the trees. It was afternoon, and the campus was very quiet.

Under the shade of the trees in the corner of the campus, a dark mass of people stood. There were students currently studying at the Army War College, and students from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and the Etajima Naval Academy. Seated in the middle were Okamura Yasuji, Obata Toshishirō, and other Army War College instructors and young staff officers from the General Staff Headquarters.

Arriving in front of the waiting crowd, He Rui greeted them. Okamura Yasuji, an instructor at the Army War College who was already seated, pointed to the empty seat opposite him. "He-kun, please sit."

The soldiers without seats gathered around those with seats. After He Rui sat down, all the seats were full. The standing soldiers inadvertently formed a circle.

Taking off his military cap, He Rui's bright gaze swept over the young officers opposite him. The oldest among them was Army War College instructor Okamura Yasuji, 31 years old. Obata Toshishirō, a staff officer at the General Staff Headquarters, was 30. The young soldiers standing behind them mostly came from Japan's propertied or titled classes. The people behind He Rui were mostly unrelated to wealth and rank.

Turning his head, He Rui ordered Ishiwara Kanji behind him, "Ishiwara, distribute the latest issue of *Military Soul* to everyone."

Ishiwara Kanji took out a stack of tabloids from his schoolbag. The people nearby passed them around, and soon everyone had a copy.

The backgrounds of the people gathered here were vastly different, but they all gathered because of this salon tabloid, *Military Soul*. More than a year ago, He Rui and a few like-minded officers decided to found it after drinking to their heart's content. Originally distributed only within the Army War College, it later gradually entered various Army Academies and Naval Schools. Recently, within a day or two of publication, a few copies would even appear in the General Staff Headquarters and the Ministry of Finance.

As the influence of the *Military Soul* tabloid grew, more and more soldiers submitted letters, wrote articles, and debated in *Military Soul*. In the last seven or eight months, young staff officers like Okamura Yasuji and Obata Toshishirō from the Army War College and the General Staff Headquarters had also become involved.

After everyone got this issue of *Military Soul*, they didn't rush to read it as usual. He Rui was about to return to his country, and everyone wanted to hear what he had to say at this moment.

The first to speak was the 31-year-old instructor Okamura Yasuji. "He-kun's choice to return to his country is truly a pity. I don't know when we will meet again after this parting."

He Rui met frequently with Okamura Yasuji, who was an instructor at the Army War College, but they were not close friends. He replied frankly to Okamura Yasuji, "There is an article by Senior Okamura in this issue of *Military Soul*. If the future situation develops according to Senior Okamura's view, at the earliest in five or six years, or at the latest in more than ten years, you and I, and all the fellow students here, will naturally meet in arms on the battlefield."