Major General Hamamo Matasuke frowned deeply and slammed his hand on the small table, making the bowls and chopsticks in front of him jump. He shouted angrily at the staff officer, "Bastard! *Bakayaro*! Why did this kind of thing happen? Why didn't you report it to me earlier?"

The staff officer lowered his head and said with difficulty, "Reporting to the General, you were presiding over an important military meeting earlier, so it was just filed for record!"

Major General Hamamo Matasuke became even angrier. "Detestable! These officers are becoming more and more lawless. I will definitely punish them severely!"

He Rui put away his smile and hurriedly stood up to persuade him. "Your Excellency, General, please allow me to say a word. I have heard of Matsuoka-kun. Although his temper is impatient, he is not someone who ignores the bigger picture. I imagine he did this to defeat the Allied Powers as soon as possible and fulfill an obligation for Japan. Although it was a bit reckless, his sincere heart to serve the country is truly admirable!"

Nagata Tetsuzan also persuaded, "Your Excellency. Matsuoka-kun has always been brave and doesn't pay much attention to political matters. I suggest you ask Matsuoka-kun about this face-to-face."

Hearing what He Rui and Nagata Tetsuzan said, Major General Hamamo Matasuke's expression softened slightly. He scolded the group of officers in the room, "Gentlemen, this is an important period of the World War, and our enemy is the Allied Powers. During the World War, anything that affects Sino-Japanese goodwill should not happen. As soldiers of the Empire, we should understand where our duties lie. This time, He-kun, as a representative of the Chinese government, has personally pleaded for Matsuoka. For the sake of neighborly feelings, it is inconvenient for me to punish him severely. But next time, I will not let it go so easily. Did you hear me?"

"Hai!" The officers bowed in unison to accept the order.

At this point, the banquet was coming to an end. Major General Hamamo Matasuke bid farewell to He Rui and asked, "When will He-kun go to Siping to take up your post?"

"This subordinate has already bought a train ticket to Siping and will head there immediately. Once the date of assuming office is determined, I will definitely send a telegram to Your Excellency."

Major General Hamamo Matasuke held He Rui's hand and urged, "The situation in the Northeast is chaotic. If He-kun faces difficulties, you can send a telegram to the Kwantung Command at any time!"

He Rui withdrew his hands, stood at attention, and saluted. "Your Excellency, for the sake of Sino-Japanese friendship, this subordinate will definitely live up to expectations!"

After the two sides bid farewell, He Rui and his group returned to the hotel. While asking Xu Chengfeng to pack the luggage, he smiled at Major Liu. "Brother Liu, this matter is resolved. I won't go back to Fengtian; I'll go directly to Siping."

Major Liu admired He Rui so much at this moment that he was practically prostrating himself. He originally thought He Rui would engage in a verbal battle with the people from the Kwantung Governor-General's Office and have a big quarrel. Given He Rui's attitude toward the concessions along the way, Major Liu was even worried that a conflict between the two countries would erupt.

Unexpectedly, the two sides just had a drink and played some elegant games. The Japanese Major General Chief of Staff actually publicly rebuked the Japanese officers and only waived the punishment upon He Rui's plea.

Even having experienced it personally, Major Liu still felt like he was in a dream. Hearing that He Rui wouldn't return to Fengtian, Major Liu hurriedly advised, "Brother He, why the rush? Let's go back and report to General Zhang together."

"No need. My brothers are outside the pass for the first time; I am really worried about them. Please, Brother Liu, go back and report to General Zhang. In two or three days at the earliest, or four or five days at the latest, the Japanese army will definitely make a move. If there is no movement after this time, then I have failed my mission. I will naturally apologize to General Zhang."

Seeing He Rui so insistent, Major Liu didn't try to stop him anymore. He checked out of the room and went to the train station with He Rui.

When the train arrived at Fengtian Station, Major Liu held He Rui's hand and said sincerely, "Brother He, regardless of whether the Japanese army withdraws in the end, just based on what I saw this trip, I will make it clear to General Zhang. Brother He's talent is truly rare in this world. Going to Siping this time, for the sake of the country, please preserve your useful body. If anyone makes things difficult for you, just come to Fengtian to find me!"

After parting with He Rui, Major Liu went straight to the Fengtian General Zhen'an's Office. Zhang Xiluan didn't expect Major Liu to return so soon and felt unhappy. Hearing the guards say that He Rui hadn't come with him, he couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that the negotiations with Japan would continue to drag on.

Because he had been disappointed too many times, Zhang Xiluan didn't get angry. But he was indeed somewhat unhappy with He Rui in his heart.

Seeing Major Liu enter with a face full of joy, Zhang Xiluan was inexplicably surprised. He asked, "Could it be that the matter is settled?"

When Major Liu and Translator Zhao recounted the experience of this trip, Zhang Xiluan listened dumbfounded. He didn't believe it in his heart, but Liu and Zhao shouldn't dare to fabricate such a huge lie. This matter was of great importance; they wouldn't dare to be so frivolous.

But Zhang Xiluan really couldn't believe these two people. Pondering in his heart, for a moment, even an old hand in officialdom like him didn't know how to handle it. Hearing Major Liu relay He Rui's judgment on the timing, Zhang Xiluan thought for a moment and could only order, "I know about this matter. You step down first."

Major Liu thought Zhang Xiluan would ask in detail. Unexpectedly, his superior was so cold, and he was stunned for a moment.

Seeing the two hesitating to move, Zhang Xiluan became a bit impatient and couldn't help but cough heavily. Liu and Zhao woke up with a start. Seeing their superior's expression, they didn't dare to act rashly and had to withdraw dejectedly.

Zhang Xiluan was extremely annoyed, pacing around the living room. If even He Rui's negotiation was ineffective this time, then how should it be handled? The Japanese army was stationed in Fengtian and along the South Manchuria Railway, and they were also recruiting Chinese in Changchun. As the local administrator of the Northeast, he naturally couldn't sit idly by. But these Japanese devils didn't respond to soft or hard tactics; for a moment, he really had no good strategy.

At this moment, footsteps came from outside the hall again. Turning to look, he saw Major Liu standing at the door holding a telegram.

Zhang Xiluan flew into a rage, grabbing a tea bowl from the table and throwing it. He roared, "Didn't I tell you to step down? Do you have no ears?"

Major Liu said with a bitter face, "Report. The telegraph office just copied a telegram. The Japanese troops in Fengtian and along the South Manchuria Railway are pulling up camp and retreating one after another!" He presented the telegram paper. "Please take a look, Marshal!"

Zhang Xiluan shook all over. He reached out to take the telegram, scanned it hurriedly, and stood dazed for a long while before his hometown dialect blurted out, "*Xianren banban* [^1], these little devils actually retreated for this old man?!!"

Seeing his superior's face warm up, Major Liu chimed in, "Relying on the Marshal's tiger prestige above, and the soldiers' efforts below, it seems that He Rui still has some ability!"

Zhang Xiluan laughed heartily, his mood excellent. For a moment, he didn't put on airs and scolded laughingly, "*Xianren banban*, do I need you to tell me?! When I first saw this He Rui, I felt he was extraordinary! The Marshal dared to send him, so there was naturally a great reason."

"The Marshal has eyes that recognize talent; this subordinate admires you!"

Zhang Xiluan read the telegram repeatedly. Suddenly remembering He Rui, he turned and asked, "Adjutant Liu, He Rui should be almost at Siping by now, right?"

Major Liu calculated slightly and nodded. "Answering the Marshal, if there are no delays on the road, the train should have just arrived at the station!"

"Go. Take a company of men, go to the warehouse and draw another two hundred fast rifles, five machine guns, and twenty thousand rounds of ammunition. Deliver them to Commander He quickly. Siping is a strategic location in my Northeast; defense must absolutely not be neglected!"

***

[^1]: *Xianren banban* (仙人板板) is a Sichuanese dialect curse words/exclamation.