(Note: The previous chapter has been rewritten; readers can go back and check.)

"I need to organize the interview notes now, so I can't drink with everyone. Apologies." After Mo Yang finished speaking, he went to a nearby table and began writing furiously.

Zhao Tianlin had a good relationship with Journalist Mo Yang and didn't mind. Seeing that He Rui, Garrison Commander Xu Chengfeng, and the Acting Mayor/Assistant Mayor Wu Youping didn't care either, he asked, "Brother He's understanding of international politics and international law is sufficient to obtain a bachelor's degree in law. This is definitely not a standard that Professor Taira Toyomori of Tokyo University could teach in such a short time."

"Hehe." He Rui laughed. "The core of international law is to serve the existing international order. Its essence is the set of 'might makes right'. As long as you know the behaviors of those countries that formulated international law over the past few hundred years, you can clearly understand the meaning of each article. In my opinion, it's just a combination of a history course and rhetoric; it's actually not hard to learn."

Hearing this, Zhao Tianlin couldn't help but sigh slightly.

He Rui continued, "On the contrary, the water conservancy profession—even calculating from the Dujiangyan, a damless diversion facility that is still in operation today—has a history of over two thousand years. At that time, there was no current international law at all. As long as humanity continues to exist, the current international law may turn into waste paper, but water conservancy technology will only continue to remain and become increasingly perfect, making great contributions to human civilization."

After speaking, He Rui picked up his wine glass, walked to Lu Daoming, and extended his hand.

Although somewhat surprised, Lu Daoming also stood up to shake hands with He Rui. He Rui said sincerely, "Welcome, Brother Lu, to Siping. Siping's water shortage situation is getting more and more serious; let alone developing industry and agriculture, even drinking water for the urban area will be insufficient. It is the fortune of the Siping people that Brother Lu could come to walk around Siping. Come, I will drink first as a sign of respect."

With that, He Rui drank it in one gulp. He then ordered, "Youping, come and toast Mr. Lu."

Wu Youping truly wanted to ask this water conservancy expert, Lu Daoming, to stay. He hurriedly went to Lu Daoming and said sincerely, "Mr. Lu. I am a native of Siping. Since Governor He arrived in Siping, the people of Siping can finally live a stable life. With Mr. Lu here, I feel the people of Siping finally have hope for a good life. I wonder if Mr. Lu would be willing to stay and help Siping out. Whatever orders Mr. Lu has, we will assist with all our strength."

Lu Daoming didn't answer but looked at Zhao Tianlin. Then they heard Zhao Tianlin ask, "Why only ask Brother Lu and not me?"

Wu Youping felt Zhao Tianlin didn't seem like an unreasonable person. He was pleading with all his might for Lu Daoming to stay; it shouldn't be Zhao Tianlin making the decision. He couldn't help but freeze.

He Rui, however, asked seriously, "Brother Zhao is not someone who plays mysterious tricks. But I truly dare not believe I could have such good luck!"

Zhao Tianlin sighed slightly. "Brother He, the authorities of the French Concession in Tianjin planned to seize the Laoxikai area. A group of gentry and merchants in Tianjin initiated the establishment of the 'Tianjin Maintenance of National Rights and Territory Association' and asked me to serve as Vice President. The French were unreasonable, and the government feared the French, suppressing its own people instead. I was thoroughly disappointed with the government. Seeing Brother He's letter, I resigned as President and came to join Brother He."

Hearing that a figure like Zhao Tianlin also came to join because of his expectations for He Rui, Wu Youping felt doubly honored.

He Rui asked seriously, "I wonder what Brother Zhao wants to do in Siping?"

"I only want to teach and educate people. If there is an opportunity, I also want to build a university with academic freedom, free from political interference."

He Rui was overjoyed and answered immediately, "This place, Siping, can definitely satisfy Brother Zhao's expectations. Being able to work with Brother Zhao in the future is truly a joy beyond measure."

Lu Daoming then said, "I have never been outside the pass. Although I have the heart to do things, I don't know to what extent I can do them. I want to hear what requirements Governor He has."

Wu Youping was also overjoyed and hurriedly expressed his welcome. He Rui then said, "Welcome, Brother Lu, to join us. I wonder if Brother Lu has visited the Great Lakes region in the United States?"

"I have gone to inspect it several times."

"I have already ordered Assistant Wu Youping to collect some data on Siping's precipitation. The area outside the pass is similar to the US Great Lakes region; water sources mostly come from snowmelt and precipitation. I'm not clear on the greater details, but I will send local water conservancy personnel and surveyors to conduct field surveys with Brother Lu."

Wu Youping hadn't expected that although He Rui hadn't mentioned the water shortage in Siping, he had actually been worrying about it all along. In his heart, he made a decision to handle this matter well for the folks of his hometown.

***

A few days later, Journalist Mo Yang's report was published in the Tianjin *Ta Kung Pao*. It not only introduced the content of He Rui's negotiation at the Kwantung Governor-General's Office but also narrated how He Rui began to establish education and build water conservancy in Siping. Even overseas returnee talents like Zhao Tianlin and Lu Daoming went to assist.

After finishing the *Ta Kung Pao* report, Duan Qirui read the paragraph about the struggle between domestic unification and separatist forces twice more, sighing slightly.

An aide stepped forward and asked, "Director-General, since the newspapers have published it, should we act according to the rules?"

Duan Qirui nodded. "Order someone to let the newspapers publish news. The government commends Siping's administration and allocates ten thousand silver dollars."

Two days later, Zhang Xiluan casually put down the newspaper he had finished reading and laughed. "Indeed a hero. Adjutant Liu, send a message to *Ta Kung Pao*. The Fengtian General Zhen'an's Office supports people's livelihood and allocates ten thousand silver dollars to Siping."

After *Ta Kung Pao* published the news of the allocations from the National Government and the Provincial Government, the two sums of money were subsequently delivered to He Rui's hands.

On the day he received the two sums, He Rui ordered the promulgation of two new notices in succession: *'Notice Regarding the Implementation of New Education Policy in Siping'* and *'Notice on the Promotion of Hospital Shelter System by the Siping Government'*.

Just as the notices were sent out, someone came to report, "A representative of Japan's Mitsui Corporation requests to see the Governor."

"Invite him in." He Rui stood up, ready to meet the guest.

The visitor was a man named Nobi Nobita [^1], about thirty years old, looking very spirited.

After the two took their seats, Nobi Nobita presented a letter. "Please look over this, Governor."

He Rui finished reading Mitsui Yasuki's handwritten letter and asked, "Since Mr. Mitsui wants to start cooperation as soon as possible, presumably Nobi-kun already has a list."

"I wonder what the daily grain transaction volume is in Siping under the Governor's rule? Where do the goods come from? What is the output of the other parties? What products are there?"

"Talking item by item, it's all numbers. It's not intuitive. Why doesn't Nobi-kun walk around Siping with me? Many things will be more intuitive. I can also answer Nobi-kun's questions on the way."

"That would be excellent, Governor He," Nobi Nobita replied with a face full of joy.

Just as they were speaking, the Intelligence Room sent in a telegram. After reading it, He Rui handed it directly to Nobi Nobita.

Japanese curriculum included special Chinese language courses. Nobi Nobita was from Kyoto, where most shop signs and cultural classics were in Chinese, so he understood the Chinese content on the telegram at a glance. It turned out Mitsui Yasuki was actually coming to Siping personally to meet with He Rui.

Nobi Nobita knew Mitsui Yasuki valued He Rui highly, but he didn't expect him to value him *this* highly. Putting down the telegram, Nobi Nobita said respectfully, "Please allow this subordinate to take his leave. I will visit again when Mr. Mitsui arrives in Siping."

***

[^1]: Nobi Nobita (野比大雄) - This shares the name with the protagonist of the manga/anime *Doraemon* (Nobita Nobi). It is likely a playful name choice by the author.