Recalling Jordan's expression when leaving, Duan Qirui suspected deeply in his heart whether this old fellow was playing some tricks, so he turned his gaze to Foreign Minister Lu Zhengxiang.

Lu Zhengxiang already had a full understanding of the upper limit of Duan Qirui's diplomatic ability; within his disappointment, there was also trust. Seeing Duan Qirui look at him, Lu Zhengxiang originally wanted to explain, but stopped. "Premier, I still remember what General He said. It seemed like a joke, but it actually hit the mark with a single word."

Duan Qirui couldn't recall what He Rui had said to leave such a deep impression on Lu Zhengxiang, so he asked, "Please speak."

Lu Zhengxiang answered frankly, "This matter is just going out to the street to buy a steamed bun: handing over money with one hand and receiving goods with the other."

Describing diplomatic affairs with such a mundane matter was something Duan Qirui heard for the first time in his life. Moreover, Duan Qirui hadn't gone out to the street to buy a steamed bun for many, many years; such relaxed daily trifles had long been far from his life. Trying to recall buying snacks on the street in his youth, Duan Qirui actually found it very fresh and nostalgic.

Seeing Duan Qirui's gaze turn from soft to firm, Lu Zhengxiang was somewhat puzzled. But after the communication during this period, Lu Zhengxiang knew that Duan Qirui was actually quite firm in foreign affairs. Previously, he couldn't deal with the British simply because Duan Qirui couldn't find a way, not because Duan Qirui was really scared to death of the British.

Since Duan Qirui could respond firmly, Lu Zhengxiang advised, "Premier, since the British came on their own initiative, they must be compelled to do so. What they are doing is just as General He predicted. Let's leave the subsequent matters to General He to handle."

When He Rui came last time, Premier of the Republic Duan Qirui, Foreign Minister of the Republic Lu Zhengxiang, and Chairman of the Northeast Government of the Republic He Rui had reached a verbal consensus. However, now that things had developed to this day as predicted by He Rui, Duan Qirui found that he didn't want to abide by the agreement anymore.

Such a feeling was also extremely fresh. Because while the British intimidated on the surface, when they actually came begging to Duan Qirui, Duan Qirui decisively made a request: extending the Boxer Indemnity for Britain and France for another year, and the Duan Qirui government borrowing another 1 million pounds.

If it were before, the British would definitely have created all sorts of difficulties, but now Britain actually agreed. Jordan tried to be as tough as possible in the conversation, but the tough direction was to demand Duan Qirui guarantee that the Northeast Arsenal provide weapons and equipment to the White Army at the previous price.

So Duan Qirui understood that he, who had always been at a disadvantage, could finally grasp Britain's soft spot. Impulses boiled uncontrollably in his heart, and various thoughts seethed in Duan Qirui's mind, including demanding Britain drive the Japanese out of Shandong.

Seeing Duan Qirui's expression, Lu Zhengxiang already understood Duan Qirui's thoughts. Not only Duan Qirui, but everyone in the Foreign Ministry who knew about this matter had suggested taking this opportunity to make demands.

Even though he was recognized as a relatively weak person, Lu Zhengxiang tried hard to muster up courage to advise, "Premier, General He's plan is the best strategy."

Even knowing that what Lu Zhengxiang said was correct, a burst of anger still arose in Duan Qirui's heart. He picked up his teacup. "Minister Lu. Please have tea."

Lu Zhengxiang truly didn't have the courage to argue strongly on just grounds. Seeing Duan Qirui raising his tea to see the guest out, he could only stand up and take his leave.

Just as he returned to the Foreign Ministry, his secretary rushed over. The secretary looked complicated but said, "Minister, President Feng has sent people to contact the British; it seems he wants to intervene in this matter."

Lu Zhengxiang sighed deeply, unable to help recalling when he sent He Rui to the train station. He Rui had seemingly casually asked how likely it was that Feng Guozhang would suddenly intervene in this matter. Lu Zhengxiang felt at the time that Feng Guozhang probably wouldn't intervene rashly, so he expressed that it wasn't likely. Afterward, He Rui smiled and didn't mention it again. But looking at He Rui's expression, he clearly didn't believe it.

Although He Rui was young, his judgment of things was extremely accurate; things had been predicted by him again. Lu Zhengxiang understood that Feng Guozhang's Zhili clique decided to intervene in this matter, absolutely not allowing Duan Qirui to draw closer to Britain through cooperation.

However, Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui were both wrong! This matter was just a small matter of going out to buy a steamed bun; the British didn't regard this matter as a major event affecting China's situation at all!

At this moment, Zhang Xiluan was sitting at home. If it were in the past, he should have gone to drink tea and chat with his old Beiyang brothers, discuss a few sentences about the news in the newspaper, and then scold his children and grandchildren for being lazy in their studies.

Now Zhang Xiluan stayed behind closed doors, only letting servants turn away guests. The development of events exceeded Zhang Xiluan's concepts. He Rui seemed to have done something monumental, but the newspapers didn't say a word. Based on Zhang Xiluan's judgment of He Rui, as long as it was a major event He Rui considered important, even if it was just picking up money and handing it to a policeman, he could publish it extensively in the newspapers. Since it wasn't published, it proved this matter wasn't important.

However, Britain preparing to cooperate with the Republic was a monumental matter in the eyes of the Republic's upper echelon. Feng Guozhang had already sent people three times to invite Zhang Xiluan to dinner, and other old brothers close to Feng Guozhang had also visited several times. After judging, Zhang Xiluan decided to believe in He Rui.

Just then, the butler came in to report, "Master, Zhao Erxun and Wang Shizhen are asking to see you together."

These two old brothers were people Zhang Xiluan recognized quite well. Since they came to the door together, Zhang Xiluan really couldn't refuse, so he could only invite them in.

The three took their seats, and Zhao Erxun immediately said, "Why doesn't Old Brother Zhang go for a trip outside the pass? You wouldn't be disturbed by these people all day."

Zhang Xiluan laughed. "At my age, I'm disliked wherever I go. Since that's the case, I might as well stay in Tianjin."

Seeing Zhang Xiluan unmoved, Zhao Erxun couldn't help laughing. "Old brother, don't blame your brother wrongly. This time, it's Little Brother Xu Shichang who wants to ask you to go to the Northeast."

Zhang Xiluan was slightly stunned and asked, "Is Little Brother Xu really going to become the President?"

Although the old Beiyang brothers lived in retirement, each had extensive connections and could mediate. Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui fought fiercely, but both knew they couldn't really overwhelm the other; while engaging in the dispute between the President's Office and the State Council, they were also trying to mediate. This matter naturally required the old brothers to come forward.

Recently, the two sides were increasingly reaching a consensus: both Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang would step down, and someone everyone trusted would become the President. Of course, the members of parliament would be controlled by Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui.

Xu Shichang was one of the trusted people. Zhao Erxun's mention was already hinting at something.

Hearing Zhang Xiluan's inquiry, Zhao Erxun looked at Wang Shizhen. Wang Shizhen, the Dragon of Beiyang, said in a deep voice, "Little Brother He is Old Brother Zhang's man; he has to give an explanation. If Little Brother He fights his way past Shanhaiguan again without saying a word, no one will be able to save face."

Zhang Xiluan thought for a moment but still shook his head. "Little Brother He wrote a letter a few days ago saying that with the country in this state, Beiyang cannot have a civil war."

Zhao Erxun was somewhat surprised. "Oh? Only these?"

Zhang Xiluan believed He Rui acted decisively and had clear bottom lines. Since he was currently striving to accumulate strength, he would absolutely not be lured by profit. So he answered decisively, "Little Brother He said he only seeks to construct Manchuria and Mongolia with all his strength, and seeks nothing else."

Zhao Erxun didn't speak, but Wang Shizhen followed up, "In that case, Little Brother He needs to make a statement even more. Otherwise, how can all parties rest assured?"

Seeing that Zhao Erxun and Wang Shizhen hadn't come for Feng Guozhang, Zhang Xiluan ordered the servant, "Bring paper and pen."

After speaking, he said to the visitors, "Why don't we write a letter together and send it to Little Brother He? What do you two brothers think?"

Seeing Zhang Xiluan refusing to intervene in this matter, Zhao Erxun laughed. "To be able to co-sign with Old Brother this time, brother is truly flattered."