Cheng Ruofan had always liked party classes. He only realized this when Xu Chengfeng and others asked him about it once. Because the party classes would talk about the evolution of the earth over billions of years, the origin and evolution of life, and the development and evolution of mankind.

This knowledge itself was enough to make Cheng Ruofan feel joyful. Cheng Ruofan even made a wish: when China was restored to its rightful strongest position in history, he would take off his uniform, return to school, and study this knowledge. To become a scholar like He Rui who could see the essence through phenomena.

Now facing He Rui explaining why Russia was targeted by Britain and France, Cheng Ruofan felt the charm of knowledge even more. Superficial conflicts and the effects of political propaganda make originally simple and clear things look incredibly complex. If one can see through these, one can reach a simple, clear, cold, and honest answer: 'To maintain hegemony, Britain and France must strike at all powerful countries that do not accept Anglo-French hegemony.'

Considering along this line of thought, Cheng Ruofan suddenly had an idea about redemarcating the border. "Chairman, we are not going to force Russia into a desperate situation, right?"

He Rui responded, "Go on."

Cheng Ruofan tried hard to organize his messy thoughts, attempting to deduce following his flash of inspiration. "If we force Russia into a desperate situation, Russia has no reason to make huge concessions to us, the weakest. Even if they make concessions, they will make concessions to the strongest countries!"

He Rui really didn't have time to deduce with Cheng Ruofan, so he directly stated his view. "Forcing Russia into a desperate situation costs too much! Britain and France can't afford it either! If the leaders of the Bolshevik government really have the strategic thinking I expect, I will propose strategic cooperation to Russia. At that time, as a condition, I will ask the Bolshevik government to cancel some of the treaties they signed with the Qing Dynasty. I will tell the Bolshevik government very clearly that I want to appease domestic nationalist sentiments in China."

Cheng Ruofan could understand the first half very well. But the last part simply amused him. Politics is a very serious matter, yet He Rui's reason was unusually straightforward. So straightforward that Cheng Ruofan couldn't help but laugh.

He Rui didn't laugh, just stated seriously, "Ruofan, you don't think you are the only nationalist in the whole of China, do you? Or do you think the Chinese people are delighted with the history of their land being annexed by Russia?"

Originally, Cheng Ruofan had put himself in He Rui's shoes, so he felt this idea was truly hard to describe. But when Cheng Ruofan put himself back in his own shoes, he couldn't laugh anymore. Cheng Ruofan only felt anger rising. Under intense emotions, an angry accusation blurted out, "How do we know the Bolshevik government isn't the next Tsarist Russia? They even proposed the Yellow Russia plan, wanting to annex the entire Northeast!"

He Rui was amused. "This question is very good. If it were in diplomatic negotiations, raising such a question based on nationalist sentiments would be very good. It is necessary for the Russians to understand that China not only has nationalist sentiments, but they are also very intense! We need effective political statements to quell such anger. Otherwise, Russia can never break free from the cage of geopolitics."

Cheng Ruofan knew he shouldn't get angry at He Rui, but he really couldn't help it. Hearing He Rui still considering the problem from a purely diplomatic perspective at this time, Cheng Ruofan had mixed feelings and asked, "Does the Chairman never get angry?"

"How do you know I haven't been angry?" He Rui's tone was even gentler, but then, his tone became cold and ruthless. "I told the comrades that I once deduced very seriously based on nationalist sentiments. The final conclusion was that if we want to satisfy nationalist sentiments, based on considerations of interest, to cut off the hatred of hundreds and thousands of years brought by ethnic wars, we must kill all humans outside of China. Do you agree with such a result?"

Cheng Ruofan had never considered the idea of exterminating humans worldwide. He felt He Rui's words were simply irrational arguments and couldn't help retorting, "But we are recovering lost territories!"

He Rui answered tit for tat, "This is called the pot calling the kettle black! It's just powdering oneself up for lacking strength."

Cheng Ruofan was even more agitated, but he began to think.

He Rui was actually not agitated because when doing these thoughts, He Rui had been agitated too many times. Every time he was agitated, his heart boiled with the violent mood of destroying the world.

Seeing Cheng Ruofan's agitation actually trigger thinking, He Rui had quite a few more expectations for this young man. Thinking is painful, and the success rate is lower than those who rely on talent. After all, thinking is a painful experience, while the display of talent can bring extra joy.

However, in terms of the height that might be reached, Cheng Ruofan might reach a higher level. Because only thinking is the only way to complete the negation of negation.

However, Cheng Ruofan stood up at this time and saluted He Rui. "Chairman, I'll go back to work first."

He Rui nodded and stood up to shake hands with Cheng Ruofan. Deducing the inevitability of anti-humanity through thinking is a huge shock. For those who haven't dived so deep into the abyss, it is unacceptable, even unbearable. Even He Rui himself only understood what kind of world he had entered after many round trips.

As Cheng Ruofan left, He Rui began to prepare the Party School curriculum. In the next few years, one of He Rui's main jobs would be the President of the Party School. Even if most party comrades couldn't try to go deep into the abyss like Cheng Ruofan, He Rui had to tell the comrades the laws of the world under the sun, help comrades constantly improve themselves, and select excellent members from them to bear heavier work.

On November 1st, when Kolchak decided to accept He Rui's support, Morrison, Director of the Northeast Investment Promotion Bureau, had already led a delegation to board a ship at Yingkou Port and head for Europe. On December 5th, the delegation arrived in London, England.

The one who came to welcome them was a representative of the British Board of Trade. Morrison felt the guy opposite looked a bit familiar. And this person had already stepped forward to shake hands. "Morrison, remember me? I'm Saunders from the Law School."

Now Morrison remembered. Saunders was a year below Morrison, and both were members of the school football team. Both represented official identities, so it wasn't suitable to talk much. Soon everyone was busy with official business.

Saunders welcomed the Northeast delegation's arrival in Britain on behalf of the British side and led everyone to the hotel where they would stay. In the evening, Morrison went to the bar next door with Saunders. The two sat by the bar, a portion of fish and chips in front of each, beer mugs foaming clinking together. Morrison felt he was back in his university days. If there was any difference, it was probably that the drink in his hand was beer instead of cheap, low-quality whiskey.

In the 19th century, eating fried fish became common in London and southeast England (Charles Dickens mentioned a "fried fish warehouse" in *Oliver Twist*). Meanwhile, in northern England, the industry of deep-fried "chipped" potatoes was also developed. It is unclear when and where, but these two were combined to become the fish and chips shop industry we know. The first fish and chips shop might have been opened by Joseph Malin in London in 1860. The British love potatoes; they often treat potatoes as the staple food of a meal, even more than bread. There are at least no less than ten kinds of potatoes in Britain, big and small, with skin colors of black, yellow, and white, but the prices are all very cheap. In Britain, there are many ways to eat potatoes, and several are quite distinctive.

The two ate and drank, chatting about the past of their university days. Those fierce football matches, teammates on the football team. Classmates they both knew. Of course, there were also impressive teachers. Naturally, impressive girls in the school were not missing either.

The fish and chips in front of the two had been eaten, so they ordered another portion, and three more beers were served. Taking a big gulp and eating a piece of fried fish, Saunders sighed, "Everyone is talking about you recently, Morrison; you are already a celebrity in the Board of Trade."

Morrison didn't answer immediately. Life experiences cannot be predicted. Morrison hadn't expected to become an official of a local Chinese government, nor had he expected to return to Britain one day as the head of a Chinese local government delegation.

Just as he wanted to express some emotion, Saunders continued, "Recently, there was an article in *The Times* saying that China might push the border line northward, and also saying that the Northeast has formulated an offensive military plan. Have you heard of it?"

As a news practitioner, Morrison was completely unmoved. Because he was on the ship, Morrison didn't know there was such news. Even so, Morrison had already quickly made up such an article in his mind and believed that the level of the article he wrote would not be inferior to that press release he had never seen. Articles intended to stir up trouble are basically the same: find some possibilities, and then find corresponding rhetoric for these possibilities.

So Morrison continued to eat the long-lost fish and chips and drink the beer full of London flavor. Now, Saunders became interested and asked, "Is it true?"

Morrison had to answer, "If you go to check the British General Staff, you will definitely see operational plans to attack France. Do you think that is true?"

Saunders frowned slightly after hearing this, unable to judge Morrison's true thoughts for a moment. From the words, Morrison was denying such a view. However, some left-wing newspapers were using the word 'warlord' to describe He Rui.

The Chinese equivalent of Warlord is *Junfa*; if translated literally, it has a bloodier meaning, 'War Lord'.

Within the British Board of Trade, they studied the materials of the Northeast and Inner/Outer Mongolia controlled by He Rui. This was a place with an arsenal, and within two years, it provided 600,000 rifles and tens of millions of rounds of ammunition to the White Russians.

Now that the Russian Civil War was coming to an end, He Rui could completely use such production capacity to arm his own army. The emergence of such a force in the Far East also attracted considerable attention within the British government. The scolding war of the left wing could be ignored, but some senior British officials about to retire would recall Germany once importing advanced equipment from Britain on a large scale to enhance Germany's industrial strength. After all, the European war had just ended.

Saunders simply asked more bluntly, "Morrison, is the Chairman of the Northeast Government really a peace-loving person?"

Morrison smiled bitterly. "Saunders, what I see is a young Napoleon. Not that Captain Napoleon, at least Napoleon who has completed the expedition to Egypt. But I think Your Excellency He Rui is not obsessed with peace and order dominated by himself."

Saunders savored the meaning in these words and said no more. Morrison had clearly stated that he didn't think He Rui was preparing to challenge the current world order. That is, not preparing to challenge the world order dominated by Britain.

In the hotel where the Chinese delegation stayed, every window was lit. The delegation felt extremely surprised by the gas lamps generally adopted in Britain. There were no gas lamps in the Northeast; among night lighting tools, candles were replacing oil lamps, and electric lights were also replacing candles.

But after being curious for a while, the delegation members who had just disembarked continued the planning they had conducted on the ship for more than a month under the organization of the temporary party committee. Different rooms contained members of various categories. Wang Donglu's aircraft group participated in the discussion meeting of the machinery major.

Rather than a discussion meeting, it was more like a study session. Delegation members listened to lecturers talking about the known industrial development direction and level in the Northeast, combining with the factory equipment the Northeast already possessed, discussing what kind of technical equipment should be introduced under the existing situation in the Northeast.

Wang Donglu had heard too many arguments and quarrels within the delegation. Some members insisted on introducing the latest technical equipment, while other members insisted on introducing technical equipment immediately needed by the Northeast. Both sides had their own reasons, which made sense either way.

But Wang Donglu himself was not so troubled. Aircraft were a brand-new type of equipment. The real great development was during the European war after 1914. A technology less than 5 years old really had nothing much to argue about.

It wasn't until late at night that the delegation head Morrison returned somewhat drunk. Only then did everyone stop the discussion and rest. Lying in bed, Wang Donglu yawned widely and fell asleep in the longing of truly meeting an airplane.

Wang Donglu found himself spreading his arms, flying in the air like a bird. But after flying for a while, Wang Donglu felt he began to fall, and panic followed. Wang Donglu tried hard to flap his arms, wanting to fly like a bird. But Wang Donglu failed; he fell straight down. Then Wang Donglu woke up.

So it was a dream! Wang Donglu looked at the stable bed and walls around him, and only then felt reassured. Getting out of bed, Wang Donglu remembered he was already in Britain. Looking at the dawning sky, Wang Donglu got up.

The next day, various departments began to contact British enterprises. Wang Donglu's group couldn't see airplanes and could only continue walking with other groups. It was like this for several days in a row. When Wang Donglu and others asked delegation head Morrison when they could see airplanes, Morrison only told them that he was still contacting the British government. The British government was considering the Chinese delegation's visit to the Royal Air Force.

Could it be that he actually wouldn't see an airplane? Wang Donglu felt a wave of unease.

At this time in Shenyang, He Rui had just arrived in the Kwantung Leased Territory by train. Japan sent three cars to welcome He Rui. The convoy arrived at the Kwantung Army Headquarters. He Rui was led into the commander's office. An elderly man wearing the rank insignia of a Japanese Army Lieutenant General walked into the office accompanied by the Kwantung Army Commander. He Rui immediately stepped forward and saluted. "Your Excellency Kawai! The student has come to welcome you!"

This Army General was none other than Kawai Misao, the principal when He Rui studied at the Japanese Army War College. Two days ago, the Japanese side sent a telegram to He Rui saying Principal Kawai Misao wanted to visit Shenyang.

He Rui replied immediately. As a student, He Rui performed the etiquette of a disciple and personally went to the Kwantung Leased Territory to welcome Principal Kawai Misao. So He Rui came all the way here.

Lieutenant General Kawai Misao looked at the student He Rui wearing the rank of General in front of him and couldn't help sighing, "He-kun is indeed a talent cultivated by Japan."

Lieutenant General Tachibana Koichiro, Commander of the Kwantung Army beside him, also followed, "It's all due to Your Excellency Kawai Misao's good teaching."

He Rui didn't answer, just saluting Lieutenant General Tachibana Koichiro. As He Rui's teacher, Lieutenant General Kawai Misao could put on airs at this time. But Lieutenant General Tachibana Koichiro couldn't; as an official, he also returned the salute.

Afterward, Lieutenant General Kawai Misao smiled. "He-kun, this is a personal visit of mine. We don't need to talk here; it's inappropriate. I have ordered people to prepare food; you have also worked hard on the way."

He Rui followed the host's convenience. Since Lieutenant General Kawai Misao invited him to dinner, there must be preparations. The group left the Kwantung Army Headquarters, and the cars arrived at a place. It was a residence, not a restaurant.

When everyone walked in, a young woman wearing a kimono inside had already slid open the Japanese-style door and walked out with small steps. Seeing He Rui, she immediately bowed. "He Rui *Nissan* (meaning older brother in Japanese), long time no see."

Although He Rui didn't immediately recognize that this woman with makeup was Morita Mitsuko, he confirmed it by hearing her voice. He walked up to Mitsuko. Morita Mitsuko, just like in Tokyo a few years ago, looked at He Rui with intimacy in her eyes.

In the next moment, Morita Mitsuko had already taken He Rui's arm. "*Nissan*, I missed you so much."

He Rui also felt joy in his heart. He hugged Mitsuko and patted her back. "Mitsuko, you... you've grown up. You're a big girl now."

Then He Rui let go of his arms, pulled Mitsuko in front of him, looked her up and down for a while, and said, "Very good, very healthy, and very spirited. How is Auntie Morita recently?"

Mitsuko quickly said, "My mother is very well. Learning that I was coming to see you, she asked me to be sure to send her regards to *Nissan*."

Watching the joy of He Rui and Mitsuko's reunion, Lieutenant General Kawai Misao watched with a smile. Morita Mitsuko was no longer a little girl from a declined family in Tokyo in present-day Japan. Although everyone knew that someone in the army and government looked after Mitsuko, the current Morita Mitsuko, as a student of Tohoku Imperial University of the Japanese Empire, was no longer comparable to girls from ordinary families.

Not to mention her personal relationship with He Rui, which was also something the Japanese government inevitably paid attention to.

After the two finished chatting about family affairs, Lieutenant General Kawai Misao invited He Rui into the house. The table was already set inside. The three sat down, and the food began to be served.