"Papers! Papers! *Ta Kung Pao*, *Shen Bao*, we have them all! One copper coin a copy, one copper coin a copy!"

Early in the morning, the crisp voices of newspaper boys began to ring out on the streets of Tianjin. Not only did they shout along the streets, but on streets where big families like Zhang Xiluan lived, the newspaper boys delivered newspapers door to door. Hearing the newspaper boys' shouts, servants would open the door, wait for the boy to run up, hand over the prepared copper coins, and buy the newspapers the master wanted to read.

After finishing breakfast and watching the servants take his little grandson to school, Zhang Xiluan walked slowly to the study. He sat leisurely behind the desk and picked up the May 14th *Ta Kung Pao*. Seeing the second page, Zhang Xiluan's spirits rose. He laid the newspaper flat on the desk, his finger tracing line by line over the news *Governor He Rui Holds Exercises at Shanhai Pass*, his eyes quickly scanning the content following his finger.

After finishing reading, Zhang Xiluan chuckled. He shouted outside, "Call the Third One here."

Zhang Xiluan's third son soon walked into the room with a servant and bowed to Zhang Xiluan. "Father called me over; what are your instructions?"

"Go back and prepare," Zhang Xiluan ordered with a straight face. "But I'll say it again: if you think being an official means throwing your weight around, or acting recklessly after having a backer, then don't go!"

Although Zhang Xiluan's third son couldn't suppress the smile on his face, he still tried his best to answer seriously, "Father, this son will definitely be law-abiding and work hard."

Zhang Xiluan wanted to exhort him further, but felt he lacked the energy, so he simply didn't say anything and just ordered his third son to prepare.

When Zhang Xiluan was the only one left in the study of the new residence, he read the news about He Rui conducting military exercises several times. Each time he read it, the smile on his face increased a bit.

In the familiar flower hall of the Army Minister's Office, where he hadn't been for half a year, Duan Qirui was also reading the newspaper. Each time he read it, his face looked uglier. Even in the current chaotic situation, changing the Fengtian Governor was a major event. The Ministry of Army naturally couldn't pretend not to see it for nearly two months. He Rui naturally wanted recognition from the Beiyang central government. The Beiyang central government knew this well, so the Ministry of Army's view was to "drag it out first."

Dragging it out had many benefits, but only for the Beiyang central government. He Rui was clearly demonstrating to the Beiyang central government for his own status. Moreover, *Ta Kung Pao* interviewed He Rui twice, obviously leaning towards him. By getting this matter into the newspaper this time, He Rui intended to bring this conflict into the open.

Putting down the newspaper, Duan Qirui understood how the situation would develop next. The exercise making the newspaper was by no means He Rui's last resort; this was just the beginning. If Duan Qirui couldn't reply immediately, things would develop in a direction unfavorable to him.

But having been in a high position for so many years, Duan Qirui was really unwilling to be manipulated by a young brat. He raised his hand several times to pick up the official document paper, but put it down again.

In the afternoon, an aide hurried over to request a meeting. Duan Qirui dealt with the official business at hand and didn't call the next person in. The aide then hurriedly said, "Minister, I heard Old Feng [Feng Guozhang] is sending people out of the pass to see He Rui."

Duan Qirui pursed his lips slightly, revealing a trace of murderous intent in his capable appearance. On May 18, Feng Guozhang gathered representatives from provinces that had not declared independence to hold a meeting in Nanjing. Feng Guozhang intended to force Yuan Shikai to step down through the Nanjing Conference and replace him.

Due to the changes outside the pass, Feng Guozhang hadn't found a governor to support him there for a while. But He Rui conducting military exercises at Shanhai Pass made Feng Guozhang see an opportunity.

Without saying anything, Duan Qirui picked up the official document paper and wrote swiftly. The document was sent to the telegraph room, ignoring Duan Qirui's urgent mood, and was transmitted from one telegraph station to another at the speed of the telegraph operator's hand. It traveled from the capital to Fengtian in one day.

At this time in Fengtian, He Rui was coming out of the Fengtian Arsenal with the French merchant Magloire. The scale of the Fengtian Arsenal seemed pitifully small to He Rui. Just stepping out of the workshop door, the roar of machinery could no longer be heard. Magloire sat in the car, shaking his head and sighing with a slightly exaggerated tone, "Your Excellency Governor, the arsenal's equipment is really too backward. I can't believe this place can produce qualified rifles."

This Magloire had some connections within the French government. According to British merchants, this French merchant, less than thirty years old, had slept his way into favor with the fifty-something wife of a French cabinet minister; this lady was Magloire's middle school teacher. Relying on this connection, Magloire could get French government orders at a young age.

He Rui didn't care about such scandalous matters at all, and the credibility of rumors was always low. From another angle, maybe Magloire was that lady's illegitimate son.

So He Rui smiled in a businesslike manner. "In that case, what suggestions does dear Mr. Magloire have?"

Magloire answered confidently, "I can provide a batch of old equipment that can greatly improve the efficiency of the arsenal."

He Rui continued to ask, "Is it steam-driven or electric-driven?"

Magloire's eyes lit up. "Has the Governor talked with Dr. Zhao?"

He Rui smiled without answering, very satisfied in his heart. At the previous investment attraction meeting, He Rui's proposal to "catch up with the technology of the Second Industrial Revolution" was passed unanimously. Under the same conditions, resolutely introduce electrified equipment. If there is no electrified equipment, try to introduce complete sets of steam-powered equipment. From Magloire's words, it could be heard that Zhao Tianlin had implemented the spirit of the meeting.

As for the details, He Rui didn't intervene; the comrades had to negotiate themselves.

Magloire waited for a good while. Seeing He Rui remain silent on the negotiation details, he said somewhat disappointedly, "Your Excellency Governor. I have a friend who has very good connections in Russia. He is on his way to Fengtian. I wonder if Your Excellency is interested in meeting him?"

"It is a pleasure to have friends coming from afar. Of course, I welcome friends," He Rui laughed.

At this time, the car arrived at the Governor's Office. He Rui said to the driver, "Take Mr. Magloire to his residence." Then he got out of the car.

Just entering the Governor's Office, Tang Gui came up to welcome him with a telegram. This young man was overly excited, and the Tianjin flavor in his voice was heavier. "It's here! Governor! It's here!"

He Rui took the telegram and looked at it. Duan Qirui's tone in the telegram was very severe, accusing He Rui of ignoring the busy schedule of the central government at this time and repeatedly disturbing them with such trivial matters as his own position; he truly didn't understand the big picture.

"Record. This subordinate has fulfilled his duties and worked day and night, stabilizing the situation outside the pass. Precisely because the situation inside the pass is turbulent, I request Secretary of State Minister Duan to decide on the personnel outside the pass as soon as possible to clarify the public listening. Making the country reunite around the central government as soon as possible. Therefore, I ask Minister Duan to issue an order as soon as possible; this subordinate waits anxiously."

Tang Gui had finished recording here. When He Rui finished reading the message and asked Tang Gui to send it out, Tang Gui asked, "Marshal, what is the purpose of writing like this? I think the Marshal's tone is very impolite."

"Hehe. Those who think this message is impolite are those who think Minister Duan is my superior. Minister Duan can understand this relationship."

Tang Gui was stunned hearing this. He Rui patted Tang Gui's shoulder. "Once Minister Duan replies to the telegram, we can act freely. So don't take this little trick to heart at all. Comrade Tang Gui, the effect of the land reform work you are engaged in now is by no means inferior to that of any central Secretary of State."

Tang Gui was both happy and excited, and hurriedly replied, "I'll go send the telegram draft now."

"By the way. After sending the telegram, send a copy of Minister Duan's telegram to your fellow townsman," He Rui laughed.

Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan was from Tianjin. After reading Duan Qirui's telegram, his eyes rolled, and he laughed in Tianjin dialect, "Brother Tang, are you married?"

Tang Gui smiled without answering. Seeing he couldn't get any information out of him, Meng Enyuan changed the subject. "Brother Tang, how long have you been with Governor He?"

"One year."

"Becoming Governor He's confidant in one year; Brother, you are impressive."

Tang Gui didn't want to be questioned further, so he replied, "Governor Meng, I came here this time under orders to deliver the telegram to the Governor. Since it has been delivered, I will take my leave."

Seeing Tang Gui was impervious, Meng Enyuan's face turned ugly. However, he forced a smile. "Since Minister Duan said so, presumably the appointment order will be in these few days. Brother Tang, congratulate Governor He for me first."

Tang Gui responded with a smile and left decisively. When he went out, Tang Gui felt that these governors' understanding of Beiyang indeed greatly exceeded his own. Meng Enyuan understood Duan Qirui's mind with just one look, while he himself was influenced by the tone in the telegram, thinking Duan Qirui was going to get angry.

Going out the door, he saw people coming and going on the street, very lively. Tang Gui didn't like those intrigues to begin with, and at this time he was even less willing to think about it. The area outside the pass was so vast; with the efforts of two thousand cadres for nearly two months, the area where land reform was completed was less than one-sixth of the area outside the pass. Whether comprehensive land reform could be completed this year depended on the speed of training cadres and organizing study in the countryside next. Where was the energy to care about these messy things?

Striding forward, Tang Gui walked quickly into the bustling crowd, seizing the time to handle the next task.