The visit of the British and French merchants from Tianjin in Siping was handled by Wu Youping. They stayed for three days and then took their leave. Learning this news, Mo Yang regretfully found Zhao Tianlin. "Brother Zhao, my ability ends here. I presume I have disappointed the Governor."

Zhao Tianlin smiled. "Brother Mo, don't blame yourself. I heard Mayor Wu say that those merchants came for inspection; naturally, they wouldn't invest money immediately. If they really did that, it wouldn't be logical."

Mo Yang was somewhat surprised to hear this and finally probed, "Did Governor He say this?"

Zhao Tianlin didn't answer but asked, "Does Brother Mo still plan to interview the Governor? If you want to interview him, I'll help arrange it. Actually, I am also very curious about the Governor's view on that matter."

Mo Yang was puzzled. "Could it be that the Governor hasn't mentioned the President proclaiming himself Emperor to Brother Zhao?"

"I asked too. It's just that Brother He's mind is entirely on how to build Siping, and he doesn't care about that major event at all. Since Brother He invited Brother Mo to come, presumably he will discuss this matter seriously."

Mo Yang confirmed that his interview wouldn't be affected, so he asked, "Can you give me a grace period of two days? I still have to wait for someone."

Zhao Tianlin laughed. "It seems Brother Mo has also prepared a surprise."

After the person Mo Yang was waiting for arrived in Siping, he immediately took this person to see Zhao Tianlin. He saw Zhao Tianlin dressed in a long gown, ready to go out.

After introducing each other, Zhao Tianlin smiled. "It really is a surprise. I imagine Brother He should be very happy."

"Is Brother Zhao going to see the Governor?" Mo Yang asked.

"Yes. Please come with me."

Having stayed in Siping for a few days, Mo Yang was relatively familiar with this county town. Seeing Zhao Tianlin walking out of the city instead of going to He Rui's headquarters, he felt something wasn't quite right.

Sure enough, the group headed straight for the suburbs. At this time, the last ripening crops were scattered here and there in the fields. They walked to the side of a wheat field. A man who was buried in harvesting straightened his back and greeted Zhao Tianlin, "Brother Zhao is here. Do you want to come down and work together?"

Mo Yang looked closely and saw that this man wearing farmer's clothes was actually He Rui. At this moment, He Rui wore a straw hat on his head, held a sickle in his right hand, and placed the cut wheat to the side with his left hand. How did he look like a Governor?

Zhao Tianlin took off his long gown, revealing the short clothes underneath. He took a sickle, jumped down from the field ridge, and did farm work with He Rui.

Mo Yang and the guest watched dumbfounded. They wanted to work together but felt a bit sorry for their western suits. He Rui seemed unable to see their thoughts and invited, "Are you two interested in helping move the rice?"

Farmers responsible for bundling held the wheat and stacked it aside, and others collected this scattered wheat and put it on a cart to push for threshing. Mo Yang and the guest looked at each other and smiled, then followed suit. After He Rui finished harvesting the wheat field he was responsible for, he called Zhao Tianlin, Mo Yang, and the others to an old tea stall set up under a tree and found a table to sit down casually.

Children from farmer families gathered around, shouting, "Uncle He, is there any more candy?"

He Rui looked gentle. He took out a few pieces of *Gaoliang Yi* from his pocket and distributed them to the children, then took out the remaining pieces and put them on the table. Someone responsible for tea had already brought a pot of tea to the table. Zhao Tianlin poured a bowl for everyone. Mo Yang saw the leaves in the ceramic bowl were dark and didn't know if it was tea. Seeing He Rui pick it up and drink it in a few large gulps, Mo Yang also took a sip. He found the tea water really had the taste of tea.

After quenching his thirst, Mo Yang introduced, "This is Brother Tong Bokang, my university classmate. He is currently working at *Shen Bao*."

After He Rui and Tong Bokang exchanged greetings, He Rui laughed. "Brother Mo is from *Ta Kung Pao*, and Brother Tong is from *Shen Bao*. One south and one north; you are considered commercial competitors, right? With both of you coming together this time, should I be nervous?"

Seeing He Rui speak humorously without any sign of nervousness, Tong Bokang also laughed. "Last time I saw the exclusive interview in *Ta Kung Pao*, Governor He's insights were truly admirable. The editor-in-chief ordered the *Shen Bao* reporters to interview Governor He no matter what. It just happened that Brother Mo mentioned this opportunity, so I came specially from Shanghai."

After introducing his purpose, Tong Bokang wanted to ask questions first, but found he couldn't ask the prepared questions. Because the surrounding environment was truly too different from what Tong Bokang imagined.

This was a genuine field edge, and He Rui, who was to be interviewed, was dressed in farmer's clothes. Although He Rui indeed had extraordinary bearing and remained spirited after working for so long, Tong Bokang truly found it difficult to adjust his interview context in a short time.

"Governor, may I ask if you support the President proclaiming himself Emperor?"

Seeing Tong Bokang delay asking, Mo Yang asked the first question.

He Rui's tone was relaxed as he asked back, "Why does Journalist Mo think the President wants to proclaim himself Emperor?"

"..." Mo Yang fell silent.

*Shen Bao* was in Shanghai and had always been relatively inclined towards the Southern Revolutionary Party. Tong Bokang replied, "Presumably, the President does it for power and position."

He Rui shook his head slightly. "In terms of power and position, the President is already China's nominal highest ruler. Isn't the power and position enough? As for saying the President insists on becoming Emperor for his descendants for thousands of generations, that underestimates the President even more. It's only been a few years since Empress Dowager Longyu held the little Emperor and abdicated; Yuan Gong's memory isn't that bad. Moreover, Yuan Gong started from militia training and walked step by step to today. From local to central, from military affairs and government affairs to diplomacy, he has done it all, and done quite well. Even placed in the entire world political arena, he is a figure with a very complete political resume. With Yuan Gong's vision, it is impossible for him not to know whether his descendants have the ability to keep the throne in these troubled times."

Hearing He Rui say this, both Tong Bokang and Mo Yang were very surprised. Tong Bokang asked hurriedly, "Could it be that Governor He supports the President proclaiming himself Emperor?"

He Rui shook his head again. "Since China has achieved a republic, it cannot go back to the old path of monarchy. Regardless of Yuan Gong's purpose, he will inevitably face opposition from all of China. I will also oppose it."

Now Tong Bokang was even more curious. "But Governor He... then why does Governor He think the President wants to proclaim himself Emperor?"

Mo Yang was also very curious. He recalled that when he interviewed He Rui last time, He Rui said that there were currently two forces of separatism and unification in China, and these two forces were fiercely confronting each other. Although these words were shocking, they gave him a feeling of hitting the nail on the head, but many confusions arose from it. At that time, Mo Yang felt He Rui had just arrived in Siping and probably didn't want to cause trouble, so he didn't pursue it deeply. But the confusion in his heart only increased over time.

Now, Mo Yang vaguely felt that the confusions troubling him for many days were about to have an answer.