As soon as Zhang Xiluan arrived at Shanhai Pass, He Rui personally handed the pass over to him. The telegram was sent back to Beijing, astonishing the Beiyang bigwigs in the capital.

Feng Guozhang knew this was He Rui's response to the *Northeast Daily* being shut down, but many others didn't see it that way.

When Beiyang figures talked about He Rui, they inevitably mentioned his background. This young Commander had gone to a military middle school after graduating from higher primary school, then studied in Japan on government scholarship. Although young, he could be called "Plain Yellow Banner" Beiyang—a pureblood of the Beiyang lineage. In terms of background, current status, achievements, and the claimed 120,000 troops he commanded, he was fully qualified to contend for status within the Beiyang clique.

Many believed He Rui's seizure of Shanhai Pass was a move to advance further.

In the office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lü Feng, the Counselor of the Republic's Embassy in Japan, looked at Foreign Minister Lu Zhengxiang—who was thin but sported a European-style mustache—and answered patiently, "Minister, this subordinate has not met He Rui many times, but in this subordinate's view, He Rui may not necessarily enter the pass to contend for status."

Lu Zhengxiang was from Jiangsu and was naturally of slight build. Listening to Counselor Lü Feng's judgment, he stroked the goatee on his chin, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Lü Feng could only continue, "This subordinate also cannot fully read Commander He's thoughts, but this subordinate feels Commander He is someone who cherishes his feathers."

Lu Zhengxiang found Lü Feng's words amusing. Nothing He Rui had done so far looked like the actions of someone who cherished their feathers (reputation). On the contrary, he had the decisiveness of a gambler pushing all his chips to the center of the table every time.

Thinking of this, Lu Zhengxiang asked, "Counselor Lü Feng, do you believe He Rui's goal is not to enter the pass to compete? The current situation is so chaotic; winning amidst chaos is what He Rui is best at."

Lü Feng felt there was reason in this. In 1917, during Zhang Xun's restoration, Zhang Xun drove away Li Yuanhong, and then Duan Qirui drove away Zhang Xun, restoring the Republic and taking power. Now, Feng Guozhang, whose reputation was already damaged, was President, and Duan Qirui was Premier. Duan Qirui was retreating to advance in the struggle, resigning first to create space for political negotiations with Feng Guozhang.

If Lu Zhengxiang was worried He Rui would use this opportunity to take over Beijing... Lü Feng still felt He Rui wouldn't do so. Although "cherishing feathers" might be an inappropriate description for He Rui, He Rui gave Lü Feng exactly that feeling.

Just as Lü Feng wanted to agree with Lu Zhengxiang's view, someone came in and whispered a few words in Lu Zhengxiang's ear. Lu Zhengxiang paused, stood up, and asked with some pleasant surprise, "Really?"

"Indeed, they are already outside Chief Duan's door," the newcomer confirmed.

Lu Zhengxiang couldn't help crossing himself, "Thank Heaven."

Lü Feng knew something good must have happened to make Lu Zhengxiang so happy. He was very curious and asked, "Minister, is there good news?"

Lu Zhengxiang didn't answer at all, only discussing the arrangement for Lü Feng to go to France as a counselor. After Lü Feng finally finished talking with Lu Zhengxiang, he came out to find everyone in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs buzzing with discussion. He quickly went up to ask. The official who was asked replied with delight, "Commander He has already withdrawn his troops from Shanhai Pass, leaving Commander Zhang Xiluan, who rushed there, to temporarily manage the pass's defense. Commander He also sent a company into Beijing to serve as guards for Chief Duan, saying they are to escort Chief Duan back to his hometown."

Lü Feng paused. After thinking for a moment, he couldn't help smiling. This was perhaps the best way to resolve it.

***

In Duan Qirui's residence, Company Commander Lieutenant Zheng Shaosheng saluted Duan Qirui, "Report to the Chief: this subordinate leads a company to serve the Chief."

Duan Qirui's face darkened, and he shouted loudly, "He Rui is just making trouble! I am a common citizen, what need have I for guards? Go back and tell He Rui, if he thinks I took care of him, he is dead wrong. I ordered him to go outside the pass entirely for the country. If he feels I have done him a favor, he should serve the country well outside the pass. Since he dares to touch the tiger's butt, he must hold his ground! ..."

After the lecture, Duan Qirui ordered the aides beside him, "Take them out, let them return to outside the pass!"

After speaking, Duan Qirui turned and walked away without looking back. The aides looked at Duan Qirui's retreating back; his face was expressionless, but they knew in their hearts that even if Duan Qirui couldn't be called happy right now, he was at least very gratified.

For more than two years, Duan Qirui had borne many groundless accusations because of He Rui. Those jealous of He Rui said Duan Qirui had intentionally arranged a fat post for him and privately persuaded Zhang Xiluan to make way for him. Even some muddle-headed members of Duan's Anhui clique had various complaints.

Of course, those muddle-headed people didn't dare actually say this to Duan Qirui; they only complained in private.

Now He Rui had clearly expressed his support for Duan Qirui. Even if Duan Qirui resigned, the hundred thousand Anhui clique troops would still listen to Old Chief Duan's command. He certainly didn't lack a guard company sent by He Rui to "escort him home."

He Rui had only one purpose in doing this: to express support for Duan Qirui. In the current situation, He Rui quickly occupying Shanhai Pass and then withdrawing was to let the Beiyang upper echelon in the capital understand that He Rui had the ability to quickly exit the pass and pounce directly on Beijing.

Added to sending this company, the capital would absolutely not misunderstand He Rui's support for Duan Qirui. At a time when Duan Qirui used resignation to signal space for negotiation with Feng Guozhang, this was immense support for Duan. Feng Guozhang would have to think hard now.

The aide turned to the Northeast Army company commander and said, "Brother, please follow me. I will arrange your quarters."

What Duan Qirui said to the company commander was actually meant for He Rui. The aide had noted it down. After arranging quarters for He Rui's troops, he would write a letter for Duan Qirui's review. Even though He Rui was already a high-level Commander in the Beiyang clique, in terms of seniority and age, Duan Qirui was He Rui's elder.

When a junior did something for an elder, the elder naturally had to spur and encourage them out of care. This was how "one's own people" acted.

***

By this time, He Rui had led his troops back to Fengtian. Although the letter hadn't been written yet, He Rui had already instructed his secretary, "If there is a letter from Chief Duan, give it to me immediately."

The secretary quickly recorded it in his notebook. He Rui then called Xu Jia over. "Have the personnel for the Diplomacy Division been selected?"

Xu Jia took out a list and files. "These are all selected youths who understand our diplomatic logic very well."

"Mm." He Rui glanced at the list and began to browse the files.

Xu Jia asked, "Chairman, did Sirang come back with you? If the Chairman can give me half an hour, I want to chat with him."

He Rui sighed, "I've already set the tone for Sirang. His desire to reduce casualties isn't wrong. But this method absolutely cannot be used a second time."

Hearing the content of He Rui's tone-setting, Xu Jia felt a twinge of sourness in his heart. "The Chairman dotes on Sirang too much."

"Sirang has military talent, and I don't want to say things like 'benevolence does not command soldiers'—he may not be able to accept it."

Xu Jia answered decisively, "If Sirang cannot accept it, he cannot continue to work in the military."

He Rui nodded. "Go."

On another floor, Xu Jia entered Zheng Sirang's office, closed the door, pulled up a chair, and sat opposite Zheng Sirang. "Comrade Zheng Sirang, I am speaking with you in my capacity as Director of the Statistics Bureau."

Hearing this, Zheng Sirang felt discouraged. "I already know I was wrong."

Xu Jia shook his head. "This matter doesn't involve right or wrong. If someone didn't care at all about the life and death of the troops, they could never sit in your current position. If you go from one extreme to another, that is mistake upon mistake."

Zheng Sirang frowned, looking very unhappy. But this emotion didn't last long. Zheng Sirang asked in a low voice, "I know the Chairman is angry, but I still don't figure out *why* the Chairman is angry. Xu Jia, explain it to me, so I can be on the right track when I make my self-criticism to the Chairman."

Xu Jia thought for a moment. "Your attitude toward military operations was extremely unserious. That is where the problem lies."

Zheng Sirang's expression changed. Currently, the organization was conducting "Common Language Education." The term "unserious," taken literally, didn't seem like a harsh description. However, within the organization, this was an extremely formal and severe criticism.

According to the Common Language Education, "unserious" meant ignoring laws and objective rules, acting completely on one's own impulses or conjectures. A person who took "unserious" actions was an "unreliable" person.

Knowing the weight of this term, Zheng Sirang was shocked but didn't have any outburst. Finally, Zheng Sirang sighed, "I understand. I will make a self-criticism to the Chairman."

"Do you want me to help you analyze it?" Xu Jia asked.

Zheng Sirang shook his head. "I can only say I won't act on emotion next time. But this time, I have nothing to explain."

Xu Jia sighed inwardly. Although he had only been the head of the statistics department for a little over two years, Xu Jia had politically vetted and interviewed thousands of people. The Statistics Bureau also created files for these interviewed personnel, and Xu Jia paid attention to their development whenever he had time.

The choice Zheng Sirang made was definitely not a choice only he would make; in this regard, Zheng Sirang was a normal person. But if Zheng Sirang still placed such heavy weight on human feelings instead of facing the world with a rational attitude, then Zheng Sirang's credibility would have to be lowered. This was something Xu Jia didn't want to see.

But Xu Jia also understood through his work that this kind of thing couldn't be solved just by talking. People's growth required a process, especially for high-ranking military and political cadres; it was an arduous process.

Finally, Xu Jia could only say, "Our conversation ends here. I'm going to see the Chairman in a while; I'll talk for at most an hour about work."

After speaking, Xu Jia returned to He Rui's office and saw that He Rui had already selected a portion of the files. Xu Jia asked, "Chairman, what are the key points for diplomatic personnel?"

"Loyalty and reliability are the primary conditions. I asked Director Zhao (Tianlin) to attend the meeting because I trust the reliability and professionalism of the Chinese and English documents he writes. Secondly, they must understand our policies. If they can't clearly figure out what we want to do, they can't communicate with foreign countries. Thirdly, the person needs to have certain communication skills and the ability to learn foreign cultures."

Hearing this, Xu Jia felt that perhaps only Zhao Tianlin was most suitable for diplomacy at present. He Rui was the other candidate.

Having said this, He Rui laughed, "But no one is born with such abilities, and we don't have such high requirements at this stage. After all, the international relations of this world are a jungle society. As long as our strength is sufficient, diplomatic personnel just need to clearly convey our meaning, understand clearly what the other side says, and transmit it accurately—that's usable enough."

With the conditions lowered to this level, Xu Jia nodded. "Heard."

After Xu Jia went back to continue working, He Rui picked up the telegram he had just received. Lieutenant Colonel Itagaki Seishiro had sent a telegram asking to see He Rui. The telegram said he would arrive today. It was already noon, and Itagaki Seishiro hadn't arrived yet. Was the train late?

Just as he was thinking, the secretary came in and said, "Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel Itagaki is outside."

"Bring him in."

Itagaki entered He Rui's office carrying a chill with him. It was now January 2, 1918, the day after the first formal new "Suishou" (New Year) since the Northeast officially promoted the holiday name. Heavy snow swirled in the Northeast, and the weather was freezing.

But Itagaki stood ramrod straight, though perhaps his joints were a bit stiff from the cold. After saluting, Itagaki immediately asked, "General He, this subordinate is ordered by the Kwantung Governor-General's Office to inquire about the purpose of the General marching into Shanhai Pass."

He Rui invited Itagaki to sit and replied in a relaxed tone, "It was just a small mix-up in defense shifts. Later we realized the Central Government had issued the wrong order, so we have withdrawn troops. Now the Shanhai Pass Garrison Commander continues to be responsible for the defense of Shanhai Pass."

Itagaki Seishiro understood Chinese culture very well. Hearing this, he understood that He Rui had already resolved the conflict with the Beiyang Central Government, so he continued to ask, "May I ask the General: regarding Russia, does Your Excellency have a next move?"