In March, the accumulated snow in the Northeast and the entire Mongolian region began to melt. Zheng Silang received an order from He Rui to travel from Jilin to Fengtian to report for duty.

Knowing the order had arrived, the newly appointed Cavalry Brigade Chief of Staff, Zhu Xun, hurriedly urged Zheng Silang to set off. Zheng Silang was in no rush, however, and said, "Wait two more days. When Brother Wuyun arrives, I'll take him to see the High Inspector together."

The Mongol tribes in western Inner Mongolia had dealt with He Rui's side many times and were already willing to serve the Northeast Army. This Wuyun was one of them, and he had already united other tribes, intending to establish a region in western Inner Mongolia that pledged allegiance to He Rui.

Hearing this, the new Chief of Staff Zhu Xun advised, "Brigade Commander, we'd better not complicate matters."

Zheng Silang was unhappy hearing this. Even though several months had passed, the impact of the Shanhaiguan incident still lingered. He had intended to say that he would bear the consequences himself, but on second thought, Zheng Silang replied, "Send a telegram to the Chairman explaining this matter."

With radio, communication had become much more convenient. He Rui's side quickly wired back: "Agreed."

Seeing that Zhu Xun had nothing more to say, Zheng Silang's mood improved. Moreover, Wuyun moved quickly, arriving at the area where Zheng Silang was stationed within two days.

The group arrived in Fengtian. Wuyun and the other cadres from the Mongolian region were somewhat moved as they looked at the prosperity of Fengtian City. When they met He Rui, He Rui warmly stepped forward to shake hands with Wuyun and the other Mongol cadres. After taking their seats and being served Mongolian milk tea, He Rui didn't talk about fighting, but instead spoke entirely about daily life requirements.

Wuyun and the Mongol tribes had intended to achieve merit for He Rui in exchange for more material support. Bred by the harsh natural environment of Mongolia, their style was straightforward. Since He Rui asked about their living needs, everyone was unceremonious and spoke of their need for more living supplies: construction tools needed for livestock to survive the winter, yeast powder for making silage, as well as necessities like tea and iron pots.

After listening, He Rui smiled. "These all require us to establish trade contact points locally in Mongolia. I wonder if Brother Wuyun could go back and discuss this with friends in the Mongolian region. It would be good for you to send people to Changchun or Siping to receive various training in management and trade. Doing business will be much easier that way."

Wuyun frowned slightly and turned to look at the other Mongol tribal headmen who had come with him. Seeing that everyone had a look of confusion on their faces, Wuyun turned back and asked, "I wonder what this training the Marshal speaks of is all about?"

He Rui smiled. "There are training classes currently in session right here in Fengtian City. Brother Wuyun will understand after attending a few days of classes."

Seeing that Wuyun and the others did not object, He Rui immediately arranged for them to audit the classes. After Wuyun and the others left, Zheng Silang felt that perhaps he had done something wrong again. Just as he was about to ask, he heard He Rui say, "The attack routes and stationing areas are all prepared, right?"

Zheng Silang immediately replied, "Yes, they are ready."

"Then advance. Once Outer Mongolia is recovered and the troops are stationed, we can establish pastures there. Some cadres and herdsmen from the Mongolian region can then go there to participate in the construction."

"Is that your consideration, Chairman?" Zheng Silang began to understand He Rui's line of thought.

"The Qing Dynasty era adopted the method of provoking contradictions and dividing the Mongols internally to facilitate Qing rule. Current technological development renders such methods completely unnecessary. With the railway extending into Mongolia, we can naturally integrate our Mongol compatriots completely into the economic system of the Han regions. Right now, you just need to display military strength and let those princes in Outer Mongolia who want to rely on Russian power know what they're up against."

At this, Zheng Silang felt he had made the wrong choice again and felt very uncomfortable inside. But then he heard He Rui say, "Silang, disobeying orders is one thing, but making various preparations beforehand to complete the mission is exactly what you should do. When we talk about inner thinking, it's directed at a certain internal value judgment, logic, or methodology. Speaking truly of the Shanhaiguan matter, your mistake lay in unauthorizedly changing the operational plan approved by the Military Commission, and without asking the Military Commission for instructions. Do you feel that just because your idea wasn't agreed to this time, it was wrong?"

Only then did Zheng Silang's mood recover, and he hurriedly said, "Chairman, I understand."

"Oh, right. How is the accuracy of the latest map of Outer Mongolia?" He Rui changed the subject.

Zheng Silang's mood immediately brightened. "Chairman, we've walked those few paths many times, especially carrying new survey instruments, including some testing of the soil. We can ensure passage through those areas during the thaw."

"That's good. Go back and prepare. The Military Commission will issue orders very soon."

***

On March 22, Duan Qirui, who had announced his resignation during the dispute between the Presidential Palace and the State Council with President Feng Guozhang, resumed his post as Premier of the Republic of China. On the very next day, He Rui's telegram had already reached Duan Qirui's State Council.

Seeing the telegram was from He Rui, the Director of the Telegram Office immediately sent He Rui's telegram—which possessed the highest priority according to the latest classification—directly to Duan Qirui.

Duan Qirui knew He Rui would definitely send a telegram. Yesterday, the very day Duan Qirui became Premier of the State Council again, the troops He Rui had sent to guard Duan Qirui immediately received telegrams from their parent unit and had already taken the train back to the Northeast today. Given the shrewdness He Rui had displayed, he would certainly send a telegram personally.

Taking the telegram and looking at it, Duan Qirui's expression changed. A staff officer hurriedly came over, took the telegram to look, and his expression first showed surprise before revealing a smile. "Duke Duan, this is feasible."

In the telegram, He Rui stated:

"...In view of the changes in the international situation, this subordinate is preparing to head out to recover Outer Mongolia. Since the Russian government that signed the *Sino-Russian Declaration* no longer exists, I wonder if the Premier would be willing to boost national prestige and publicly announce that the *Sino-Russian Declaration* is null and void..."

In 1911, Outer Mongolia combined with Russian forces to expel Qing officials, announced the establishment of the "Great Mongolian State (Bogd Khanate)," and rebelled to declare independence.

1911 was the critical period of the Xinhai Revolution. The Qing Dynasty had absolutely no capability or energy to recover the territory and could only watch as Outer Mongolia became independent.

But neither the Qing Dynasty nor the successor Beiyang Government had ever recognized Outer Mongolia's independence.

In 1913, during Yuan Shikai's administration, Tsarist Russia forced the Beiyang Government to sign the *Sino-Russian Declaration*. In this declaration, the Beiyang Government recognized the *autonomy* of Outer Mongolia!

In the *Sino-Russian Declaration*, Beiyang only recognized Outer Mongolia's autonomy, not its independence; the Beiyang Government held suzerainty over Outer Mongolia. In 1915, Outer Mongolia announced the cancellation of the "Great Mongolian State" and returned to implementing autonomy.

In 1917, the October Revolution broke out in Russia. The Tsarist Russian government that had always supported Outer Mongolia was overthrown. Fearful, Outer Mongolia thought of revoking autonomy and returning to the central government. But soon, Soviet Russia re-established contact with Outer Mongolia, expressing willingness to support them.

Four months had passed since He Rui seized back the Chinese Eastern Railway. Originally, Duan Qirui had been somewhat apprehensive, feeling that something would happen. Yet to this day, nothing had happened. Even Britain and France, who had been shouting "Great Power unity," had changed their tune, cursing Russia as a traitor to the Allied Powers and praising He Rui's "decisive action."

With the internal and external situations changing like this, what did Duan Qirui have to fear? At this moment, the dispute between the Presidential Palace and the State Council had not ended. If Duan Qirui announced the abolition of the *Sino-Russian Declaration* and took back Outer Mongolia, his reputation would naturally increase greatly.

But Duan Qirui was also very clear that what this fellow He Rui wanted was not just Outer Mongolia, but Inner Mongolia as well. Although the regions outside the pass and Inner and Outer Mongolia were bitter cold lands no one was willing to go to, if such a large territory was controlled in He Rui's hands, who would be able to handle He Rui in the future?

Just as he was thinking, he heard his staff officer say, "Premier, with He Rui dealing with Russia like this, Russia will certainly bear a grudge and will definitely retaliate in the future. Even if He Rui can withstand Russia, there is still Japan eyeing him covetously. If He Rui treats Russia like this, how could he be submissive to Japan?"

Duan Qirui was also a decisive man. Hearing this, he understood the staff officer's description of He Rui's current situation. He replied decisively, "Prepare to draft the government decree."