March 25. In the waiting room of Fengtian Train Station, Zhang Xiluan bowed with clasped hands to the prominent figures from outside the pass who had come to see him off. He said frankly, "This old man has entrusted the heavy burden of the area outside the pass to Brother He Rui. Leaving at this time, although there is sadness in my heart, there are no regrets. In the future, affairs outside the pass will depend on everyone dealing with them together with Brother He Rui. I hope everyone will keep the people outside the pass in mind and fulfill their duties. Gentlemen, farewell."

The prominent figures of Fengtian hurriedly bade farewell to Zhang Xiluan, then escorted him to the platform and onto the train.

The captain of the guard escorting Zhang Xiluan back to the capital said to He Rui, "The Marshal invites Governor He onto the train for a chat."

There were four carriages on this train; He Rui had booked two for Zhang Xiluan. He Rui followed the guard captain onto the train and arrived at Zhang Xiluan's carriage. While letting He Rui sit down, Zhang Xiluan sighed, "Brother He, just as you predicted, Yuan Xiangcheng [Yuan Shikai] fell after only 82 days as a nominal emperor."

He Rui nodded and couldn't help sighing slightly.

"Oh? Having predicted the trend of such a major event, is Brother He actually unhappy? Young man, you shouldn't be."

He Rui sighed. "Alas... Lord Zhang, regarding the proclamation of the Emperor, Yuan Gong was indeed wrong; one must bear the consequences of one's actions. It's just that no matter what others say, this subordinate believes Yuan Gong proclaimed himself Emperor not for his own wealth and glory, but to realize the ambition in his heart. Seeing such a result, this subordinate really doesn't find anything funny about it."

In his decades of military and official career, Zhang Xiluan had seen many figures skilled in worldly wisdom, but those people couldn't say what He Rui said now, nor could they do what He Rui was doing now.

Seeing He Rui genuinely lamenting Yuan Shikai's feelings, Zhang Xiluan was also somewhat moved. But he heard He Rui continue, "Lord Zhang, the area inside the pass is turbulent right now. Why not wait until the storm calms down before considering returning inside the pass?"

At this time, Zhang Xiluan had let go of everything outside the pass. Although he was very reluctant to part, he also felt some relief of liberation. Hearing He Rui's suggestion, he sighed, "Brother He, no one in Yuan Xiangcheng's family has lived past 57 for four generations. This old man is Yuan Xiangcheng's sworn brother. He has suffered such a setback; I am returning to the capital at this time precisely to see Yuan Xiangcheng one last time, to fulfill the brotherhood."

"Lord Zhang truly values friendship deeply," He Rui sighed.

Zhang Xiluan waved his hand and called over a person—a youth in a student suit, in his early twenties. Seeing He Rui, the youth greeted, "Hello, Governor He."

He Rui hadn't seen this person before. After returning the greeting, he looked at Zhang Xiluan. Zhang Xiluan said, "Brother He. This old man has worked for the country all his life, running around outside, neglecting discipline at home. My sons are all disappointing. Only this grandson of mine, Zhang Tingfang, is now studying at the Imperial University of Peking [Peking University] and can be considered to have truly settled down to study. He is graduating this year; my son sent him here this time to escort this old man back to the capital."

He Rui nodded and asked what major Zhang Tingfang was studying. Learning that Zhang Tingfang studied mathematics, he smiled at Zhang Xiluan. "Lord Zhang, this subordinate has set up an Investment Promotion Office, which is short of talent. Mathematics is a major with great potential in business. Why not let this nephew stay outside the pass and lend this subordinate a hand?"

"What use is mathematics to business?" Zhang Xiluan was puzzled.

"The details inside are very complicated; I'm afraid it would take days and nights to explain. Generally speaking, *preparedness ensures success, and lack of it ensures failure*. Mathematics is ignoring all delusions and calculating purely from reality. It is extremely useful learning. Lord Zhang, this subordinate is urgently short of talent right now; I ask Lord Zhang to leave this nephew here."

Zhang Tingfang's eyes brightened, and he looked expectantly at his grandfather Zhang Xiluan. Zhang Xiluan was silent for a while before saying to his grandson Zhang Tingfang, "The Fengtian Governor is Governor He. If you think Governor He is my subordinate, then return to the capital with this old man."

"Grandfather, naturally I understand this," Zhang Tingfang answered decisively.

Zhang Xiluan turned to He Rui. "Brother He, I don't ask for Tingfang to rise to great heights. As long as he can learn ten percent of Brother He's broadmindedness and insight, his life will not be in vain."

He Rui responded, "Please rest assured, Lord Zhang. I see this nephew has a pure heart; he is a person of great promise."

Zhang Xiluan stood up and laughed. "Brother He, since that's the case, this old man has no more concerns. Let us part here."

"Lord Zhang, this subordinate takes his leave. I wish Lord Zhang a smooth journey." After speaking, He Rui gave a military salute to Zhang Xiluan, then bid farewell to Zhang Tingfang and got up to leave.

Watching He Rui's unhesitating steps, Zhang Xiluan sighed in his heart; He Rui was indeed an open and upright person. When He Rui reached the end of the carriage and was about to get off, Zhang Xiluan asked the guard escorting him to the capital to call He Rui back.

At this time, He Rui had already gone down two steps, only to be called back by the guard. Zhang Xiluan waited for He Rui to walk in front of him, stood up, held He Rui's hand, and sighed softly, "Brother He, this old man has one more thing; I almost forgot. I left an item in the station waiting room. This item is useless to this old man now. If Brother He isn't busy, why not go take a look?"

***

Amidst the whistle, the train started slowly. Everyone watched Zhang Xiluan's train start with complex expressions. When the train went far, everyone's eyes fell on He Rui.

He Rui didn't say much and went straight to the waiting room Zhang Xiluan mentioned. This was where Zhang Xiluan had rested not long ago. The two guards at the door hadn't left. Seeing He Rui, the two solemnly made way. He Rui entered the door, searched slightly, and saw a small package in the corner Zhang Xiluan mentioned.

Carrying the package out of the waiting room, He Rui opened the package in front of everyone. Inside were impressively the seal of the Jilin Governor, as well as Zhang Xiluan's General Zhen'an seal and rank insignia.

A low sigh came from the crowd. For these past days, the official documents issued by He Rui had used He Rui's Siping Governor seal. Quite a few people had inquired in various ways and received news that He Rui hadn't obtained the seals of the Jilin Governor and General Zhen'an. This made many people feel they might still have a chance.

Seeing now that Zhang Xiluan had indeed given all these to He Rui, they inevitably felt great disappointment in their hearts.

He Rui smiled slightly, raised the seals, and said loudly to everyone, "Gentlemen, Lord Zhang entrusted the area outside the pass to me; I will definitely not let Lord Zhang down. From now on, He will cooperate fully with everyone to govern the area outside the pass until the country is prosperous and the people are at peace."

He Rui's subordinates had long been prepared and shouted loudly, "Willing to follow Marshal He!"

Seeing this situation, some people agreed reluctantly. Others remained silent, just listening to the others shouting slogans of loyalty silently. They only clapped a few times reluctantly when everyone applauded.

On the contrary, Zhang Tingfang, although his voice wasn't loud and his expression was a bit awkward, shouted the slogan "Willing to follow Marshal He" and clapped quite seriously.

The train Zhang Xiluan took traveled all the way and returned to the capital in three days. The next day, Yuan Shikai received Zhang Xiluan's visiting card. After thinking for a moment, Yuan Shikai ordered, "Send a car to pick up Lord Zhang."

In less than an hour, Zhang Xiluan, dressed in casual clothes, appeared in front of Yuan Shikai's main hall with his wife and son. Yuan Shikai invited his wife out to entertain Zhang Xiluan's family. After exchanging a few pleasantries himself, he led Zhang Xiluan into the secret room behind.

Once the door closed, Yuan Shikai laughed. "Is Brother here to see my joke?"