Fengtian City, General Zhen'an's Office.

Several spies bowed and reported. Zhang Xiluan stroked his beard, listened quietly to the end, pondered for a while, and suddenly sighed. He waved the spies away and turned to Adjutant Liu, sighing, "Heroes truly come from the youth! This old man is ashamed. I admire him, I admire him!"

Major Liu, standing by his side, had complex feelings. He had previously judged that He Rui was capable, but he hadn't expected him to be so swift and fierce. Thirty-five people taking down Siping in two or three days—it really made one... not know what to say.

Even though he had served in the government office for a long time and seen many heroes, such a figure was truly unprecedented. In his heart, he admired him even more, prostrating himself in respect.

Zhang Xiluan walked a few circles in the living room with his hands behind his back. His mood was not good; he sighed and groaned. After being stunned for a long while, he suddenly turned and ordered, "Adjutant Liu, go prepare another 500 rifles, 10 machine guns, three cannons, and fifty thousand silver dollars. Take a company to escort them to Siping and hand them to Commander He."

Major Liu was greatly surprised and hurriedly said, "Didn't the Marshal just send a batch of munitions? Why send more?"

"This time is different. When you see Commander He, tell him: Fengtian's warehouses are tight right now. These munitions and military supplies are temporarily stored with him; please ask him to keep them for me!"

Major Liu was dumbfounded, then suddenly felt it was a bit funny. Fengtian City actually lacked warehouse space for a mere amount of munitions? When he saw He Rui, he really wouldn't know how to say this.

But how could the Marshal's order be disobeyed? He bowed and replied, "As you command."

After speaking, he felt the reason was too far-fetched and couldn't help asking, "May I ask the Marshal, what happens after giving these munitions to Commander He?"

"Hehe. Afterward... afterward, He Rui will definitely show some indication." Zhang Xiluan stroked his beard and smiled.

Major Liu was stunned. If it were someone else, he would certainly understand that this "indication" meant either silver dollars or other valuable property. But facing He Rui, Major Liu knew the Marshal had absolutely no intention of soliciting a bribe. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Does the Marshal mean He Rui will give you a return gift?!"

"Correct. But this 'gift' is a gift, yet not a gift. You'll know when you get there!"

Hearing this, Major Liu still didn't understand, but it wasn't appropriate to ask further. He saluted. "Does the Marshal have any other orders?"

"None. Go."

Two days later, Major Liu arrived in Siping again. He saw notices posted at the street intersections: Notices to Reassure the People and Recruitment Notices. They were all newly posted.

Major Liu didn't look much. leading the troops escorting the munitions to the front of the former Garrison Regiment—now He Rui's Headquarters.

He saw quite a few people lining up at the gate. He Rui's subordinates, wearing red armbands, were maintaining order. It looked like they were recruiting soldiers.

He Rui had already come out to welcome him. The handover of firearms and silver dollars was completed by subordinates. He Rui invited Major Liu into the headquarters. After listening to Major Liu convey Zhang Xiluan's meaning, He Rui sighed. "Brother Liu, Siping has had many troubles. I am incompetent and have caused Marshal Zhang a lot of trouble. I feel very apologetic. Marshal Zhang is so kind; please, Brother Liu, report back to the Marshal that this subordinate is very grateful. As for the temporary storage of munitions..." He thought for a moment, then smiled slightly. "Brother Liu, don't worry. I already know the Marshal's intent. Brother Liu, please wait a moment; I will give the Marshal a return 'gift' right now."

After speaking, He Rui sat at the desk, took the brush and ink, and swiftly wrote a borrowing receipt (IOU). He didn't stop writing but pulled over a sheet of letter paper and wrote a letter. By this time, the ink on the receipt was dry. He Rui stamped his seal over the signature. He put the two documents into separate envelopes and handed them to Major Liu. "Brother Liu, please be careful on the road; do not lose them."

Major Liu was baffled and asked repeatedly, but He Rui only chatted and laughed, talking about other things but not this. Feeling helpless, he had to take his men and drive back to Fengtian.

When he handed the two items to Zhang Xiluan, Zhang Xiluan looked solemn. He took them, read them carefully one by one, and pondered repeatedly for a long time. He couldn't help but clap his hands in praise. "Such a young hero! It is lamentable that this old man has been in the sea of officialdom for decades, yet didn't recognize a hero to his face. Truly blinded these old eyes!" He walked around the flower hall a few times, still unsatisfied, and couldn't help sighing, "He Rui, ah, He Rui. Truly a dragon among men!"

Ignoring the confused Major Liu, Zhang Xiluan turned and went back to the inner room. He handed the IOU and the letter to his wife. "Put these in the chest where you keep your dowry. Keep them safe; I want to pass these things down to our children and grandchildren."

Madam Zhang was his first wife. They had been married for decades and knew each other deeply. Hearing this, she was still very puzzled. She simply opened an envelope to read carefully, but saw it wasn't a property deed or land deed or bank note, just a borrowing receipt. She was even more puzzled. Seeing He Rui's name written in the borrower's place, Madam Zhang frowned.

The news of He Rui's successful negotiation at the Japanese Kwantung Governor-General's Office and the subsequent Japanese withdrawal had already spread among the upper echelons of Fengtian. This name wasn't unfamiliar to Madam Zhang. But seeing so many munitions and silver dollars, Madam Zhang felt a bit of heartache. She asked, "Master, these things are worth a lot of money. This He Rui is just a raw youth; is it worth spending so much money on him?"

Zhang Xiluan glared with his old eyes, then sighed. "A woman's view! At my age, what use do I have for money? This is for the sake of the children and grandchildren. This man He Rui is a dragon and phoenix among men; his future is limitless. You must not think this is just a sheet of borrowing receipt and a letter. When the winds and clouds meet in the future, this item can firstly ensure the safety of the whole family, and secondly, it might serve as a stepping stone for the advancement of our descendants."

Hearing this, Madam Zhang was greatly amazed. She casually opened the other envelope and pulled out the letter paper. She saw it written in a plain narrative style: *On July 4, 1915, He Rui had just arrived in Siping to take office. Manpower was scarce, and supplies were scarce. Therefore, he requested help from Zhang Xiluan, asking to borrow a certain number of firearms and artillery, and a certain amount of silver dollars. Although Fengtian was not wealthy in these aspects either, Zhang Xiluan still helped generously, sending charcoal in snowy weather [providing timely help]. He delivered these materials to Siping and handed them to He Rui, solving He Rui's urgent need.*

Although the content was simple and brisk, easily understood at a glance, it wasn't a thank-you letter; it looked more like a casual note in a diary.

More importantly, regarding Zhang Xiluan's full support, there was neither thanks nor praise. Instead, the date, location, and quantity were recorded in detail, followed by a personal signature and He Rui's personal seal.

Madam Zhang asked, "Master, what does He Rui mean by writing this?"

"Hehe. Madam, if someone held a letter like this, written by President Yuan [Shikai] when he was young and given to a friend, and that person's descendants handed this letter to me or Director-General Duan, how do you think we should handle it?"

After speaking, Zhang Xiluan chuckled, left the bedroom, went to the flower hall, and sat in an armchair.

Originally, Zhang Xiluan just thought highly of this junior He Rui and wanted to watch and wait. If there were no major troubles, he might lend a hand to promote him. Now it seemed he was still a frog in a well, underestimating the hero.

The success of the negotiation with the Kwantung Governor-General's Office had been telegraphed to Duan Qirui, and Duan Qirui had replied amidst his busy schedule to express praise. It was laughable that the shallow people of Siping thought they could be He Rui's opponents.