Ishiwara Kanji, having graduated second in his class from the Japanese Army War College, was sent to Europe to observe the war along with other young officers. Throughout their return journey, Ishiwara and his fellow officers discussed the European war countless times, accumulating a vast number of questions. Upon arriving in Kwantung, they were impatient to see He Rui immediately.

The group of soldiers all chose to follow Ishiwara Kanji to Fengtian. Upon receiving He Rui's reply, they set off overnight. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw many officers standing outside, ranging from Lieutenant Colonels to Lieutenants.

Ishiwara didn't know what these fellows intended to do. While he was puzzled, the leading Lieutenant Colonel Sato stepped forward and said, "We heard that you gentlemen are going to see He-kun. We will go together."

Although Ishiwara knew that some of the guys in front of him were supporters of the Nagata Tetsuzan and Okamura Yasuji faction, he did not refuse and answered readily, "Then let us go together."

Everyone boarded the train. Seeing a group of Japanese officers, the passengers dared not approach. Ishiwara Kanji and Lieutenant Colonel Sato didn't mind and chatted. When asked about Sato's purpose for seeing He Rui, Sato sighed, "How does Ishiwara-kun find Kwantung?"

"I think it is very prosperous," Ishiwara replied.

Lieutenant Colonel Sato smiled bitterly, "After He-kun took control of the area outside the pass, the Chinese population in Kwantung began to leave rapidly. Now the remaining population is only a little over seventy percent of what it was a year ago, and the market is much more depressed. If this continues, the remaining population in Kwantung will decrease even further by next year."

Ishiwara Kanji didn't find such changes strange at all. Before Ishiwara could speak, another officer said, "With He-kun's talent, is it strange to achieve such a level?"

Lieutenant Colonel Sato was speechless for a moment. He Rui's talent was recognized as breathtakingly brilliant by the Army War College; reaching this level was not strange. If He Rui couldn't do it, many Japanese officers would actually be disappointed. But the current situation indeed put huge pressure on Kwantung. If it wasn't mentioned, it seemed inappropriate.

At this time, Ishiwara Kanji spoke, "If there are doubts, just ask He-kun face to face when we see him. Gossiping behind his back insults the dignity of an Imperial soldier."

Hearing this, the Japanese officers all fell silent. Lieutenant Colonel Sato felt somewhat unconvinced in his heart and asked, "I wonder what Ishiwara-kun will ask when he sees He-kun?"

Ishiwara answered frankly, "When He-kun was in Japan, he said that war would inevitably drive a large number of weapons exceeding imagination to appear on the battlefield. This time in Europe, we saw new weapons such as poison gas, airplanes, and tanks. Their power completely exceeded our imagination, and even made us feel that the old mode of warfare has been subverted. But recalling He-kun's teachings, I feel that perhaps we have misunderstood the purpose of new weapons. When seeing He-kun this time, I must ask him for advice in person."

The observation group members who had been to Europe nodded one after another. Ishiwara had voiced everyone's thoughts. During this observation, although they felt the European battlefield displayed amazing combat power, the Japanese officers were unwilling to be scared by these superficial things. However, the Ministry of War and the General Staff Headquarters in the rear were even more lagging than the Japanese observation group on the front line. At this moment, perhaps He Rui was the only one left who could help Japanese officers find an explanation.

Lieutenant Colonel Sato stopped speaking. He looked at the group of Japanese officers accompanying him to seek an audience with He Rui. Seeing the expectation in many of their expressions, he could only temporarily suppress his own feelings of anticipation and try to assume a cold expression.

For Japanese officers, He Rui was undoubtedly their idol. Attending the Japanese Military Academy and then being admitted to the Japanese Army War College was a path Japanese officers dreamed of. He Rui was undoubtedly a 'fellow traveler' of the Japanese officers.

During his studies at the Japanese Army War College, He Rui gained the recognition of the Japanese government with his knowledge and was hired as a special consultant. After graduating and going to the local region, he soared into the sky, inheriting factional political resources and becoming a regional warlord in just two years. This was the standard path for children of Japan's top prestigious families.

Now He Rui had seized Inner and Outer Mongolia, completing the concept that Japan domestically considered—'Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of the Empire'. While Japanese officers were envious and jealous, they all felt that He Rui was worthy of being the pride of the Japanese Army War College; the top student of the War College indeed deserved his reputation.

When encountering confusion, if they didn't seek answers from this 'Junior' or 'Senior', were they supposed to go ask those old fogies in the military department?

The train arrived in Fengtian. Led by reception personnel, the group marched in neat formation through the streets of Fengtian. Seeing that Fengtian was orderly and without idlers, they were all very pleased.

Arriving at an auditorium and standing still, they saw He Rui striding out. Lieutenant Colonel Sato and others saluted, while Ishiwara Kanji and other young officers bowed, "Greetings, Senior!"

"No need to stand, sit!" He Rui ordered.

The group of Japanese officers sat down in neat rows. Lieutenant Colonels and Majors sat in the first row, while Lieutenants took seats in the back rows according to rank. Song Youwen, the secretary beside He Rui, couldn't help but sigh in his heart seeing the strict discipline of the Japanese officers.

He Rui didn't mind at all and said straightforwardly, "Gentlemen, you are all the most precious wealth of Asia's future. I am very happy to see you today. Why don't you ask questions directly? After answering your questions, I will express my views on Japan's future."

As soon as this was said, Major Ishiwara Kanji immediately stood up and said, "Senior, during my trip to Europe this time, I saw an endless stream of new weapons on the European battlefield, and I am truly uneasy. I wonder how Senior views military development?"

He Rui didn't answer immediately. He turned and wrote three nouns on the blackboard: Airplane, Tank, Poison Gas. Then he turned and said, "Is Ishiwara-kun shocked by this?"

"This is only part of the reason. What touches me even more is that the strength of European countries seems unfathomably deep. The war has been fought for three years, yet they still have the spare energy to continue fighting. With Asia's strength, we unexpectedly cannot resist a full-force strike from the European powers. This is the most depressing thing for me. I ask Senior for enlightenment."

He Rui spoke to confirm, "Can I assume that Ishiwara-kun has witnessed the national power of the European powers and is greatly shaken?"

"Exactly so." Ishiwara admitted readily. Not only Ishiwara, but the Japanese officers who had gone to Europe to observe also nodded one after another.

He Rui turned and wrote the word 'National Power' on the blackboard. He turned back again and continued to ask, "Do you gentlemen have other views on this aspect?"

The officers looked at each other for a moment, then all looked at He Rui without saying a word.

Seeing that everyone's opinion was unified, He Rui replied, "I explained the theory of Geopolitics in Japan. Its core is that our human nations all rely on mountains, rivers, oceans, and climates to form development paths that conform to the local natural environment. The performance of European countries' national power in the military aspect is related to their Geopolitics, and has nothing to do with the backward theory of national character, nor the even more inferior racism. Spain lacks metal deposits locally and cannot build strong industrial strength. This country can only face the war as a neutral country in Europe. This is not because Spaniards love peace; it is purely related to the natural endowment of this country."