Morrison hesitated. Having lived in China for decades, Morrison felt he was British, he was Australian, and to a certain extent, he was also Chinese.

However, the British government had directly conveyed a message to him, requesting that he try his best to persuade He Rui. Morrison couldn't help but struggle internally. As an official of the Northeast Government, Morrison did not want to act as an agent of the British government within the Northeast Government.

Morrison had to try one more time to persuade him, as pressuring the Soviet regime was in China's interest. With this mindset, Morrison spoke up, "Chairman He, the Far East is about to fall completely into Bolshevik hands. Should we cut off trade with the Russian side?"

He Rui didn't answer immediately, but simply asked, "The reason?"

"The Bolshevik government is attempting to overthrow the legitimate governments of its neighboring countries. This is a threat to China."

"How do the Bolsheviks plan to overthrow the Republic of China government? Sending the Red Army to attack?" After saying this, He Rui picked up his teacup. Feeling it was very light, he picked up the teapot himself and refilled the cup he had just drained.

This gave Morrison time to think. The British government 'expected' Morrison to be able to incite the Northeast Government to send troops to attack Russia, or at least defeat the Red Army coming to attack Kolchak, giving Kolchak more time to regroup. Moreover, the British government did not want to pay for this military operation.

He couldn't bring himself to say this, so Morrison finally decided to give up. He also picked up his teacup and drank slowly.

He Rui had been commanding the simulated Japanese army all day and was indeed exhausted. At this moment, he downed the black tea in two gulps and just felt hungry. He smiled and said, "Mr. Morrison, do you want to go out for a late-night snack?"

"I'll pass." Morrison shook his head.

"Then I'll go by myself." He Rui stood up. "Also, according to the latest news, the Great Flu has suddenly ended. The previous restrictions on border trade were due to health and safety considerations. Since the epidemic is over, we need to relax border trade with Russia."

Morrison hadn't expected He Rui to actually want to expand trade with Russia. Feeling that doing so would incur the British government's distaste, he changed his mind. "I would also like to have a late-night snack with the Chairman."

"Great. Let's see what's good to eat at the night market now," He Rui laughed.

Shenyang's night was very quiet. The streetlights shone silently, and there were few people on both sides of the street. It wasn't until they walked near the commercial street next to the workers' district that they saw people coming and going. Various aromas mixed in the air, and even Morrison, who wasn't very hungry, felt his appetite return.

The workers' district was newly built, and the ground floors along the street were all various shops. Shanxi sliced noodles, Shandong flatbreads, Luoyang beef, lamb, and donkey soup, Shaanxi pita bread soaked in lamb soup, Tianjin savory pancakes, Hebei restaurants, and Mongolian barbecue. Food from all directions gathered here, providing relaxing delicacies for people who had been busy all day.

They found a mutton soup restaurant that had placed quite a few tables outside. They ordered haggis soup, and from the restaurant next door, they ordered roast lamb and Shandong flatbreads. The table was filled with dishes. Morrison took a sip of the mutton soup and found it sweet and fresh. The crispy flatbreads had a charred crust that let out a crisp sound when bitten into. Compared to this, British fish and chips held no advantage whatsoever.

After a few mouthfuls of soup and a skewer of meat, he raised his glass to clink with He Rui. After a sip of kaoliang wine, every pore in his body seemed to relax, and his mood improved significantly.

Morrison spoke in English, "Your Excellency, does the Northeast Government intend to maintain good relations with Russia?"

He Rui also replied in English, "Why use 'good relations' instead of 'commercial relations'?"

A table of people next to them were all wearing worker's clothes. Seeing that Morrison was a foreigner and hearing him speak a foreign language, a worker brother who was happily drunk shouted with the courage of alcohol, "Hello? English?"

Hearing this American-accented English, Morrison was a bit surprised, but still nodded to the man, "Hello."

The guards became a little tense, but the worker brother was just acting on a whim and had no intention of provoking anyone. Seeing Morrison respond famously, he also raised his wine glass. He Rui took the lead in raising his glass, and Morrison, after a slight hesitation, also raised his. The two tables of people paid their respects to each other and drank up. Then they heard the worker brothers at the opposite table discussing the English classes in the night school.

He Rui drank two more mouthfuls of mutton soup. The soup had been boiled until it was milky white and tasted delicious. After the busyness of the day, he felt satisfied at this moment. With a happy mood, He Rui continued the previous topic, "Is it that the British government wants Mr. Morrison to do something?"

Morrison simply revealed everything, informing He Rui of the British government's expectations. After speaking, Morrison relaxed completely. At worst, he would no longer be the Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau. After leading the team to London, Morrison had already developed thoughts of retiring. After drifting abroad for decades, returning to his hometown to live a quiet life seemed full of temptation.

He Rui didn't mind. It wasn't strange that the British government wanted to do this. In He Rui's view, the British government's attitude was simply polite. He Rui asked the question he cared about, "Did the British government mention what follow-up measures they would take if the Northeast does not accept their request?"

Morrison shook his head, "They haven't mentioned it for the time being."

"Mr. Morrison can tell the person contacting you that the Northeast Government loves peace and will not invade any country."

Morrison became interested, "But Russia's attack on Poland proves that they don't mind using their army to overthrow the legitimate governments of other countries. Does Chairman He really not care? The Russians' greed is very famous in Europe."

"Then we'll talk about it when the Russian Red Army launches an attack on the Northeast. If such a situation arises, we will naturally take military action. The war breaking out in Poland will change the Bolsheviks' thinking. Trying to overthrow other countries' governments through war is unrealistic."

Morrison heard that He Rui meant Russia would be defeated, which interested him even more. "Why is Your Excellency so confident?"

"Because Soviet Russia's national power is currently very weak and is not enough to realize their ideas. Forcing one's own revolutionary experience onto other countries, to use a Chinese idiom, is called 'flowers in a mirror, moon in the water'—an illusion. Any successful revolution is rooted in the needs of one's own country. Russia's invasion of China in history was due to their good luck in encountering the corrupt Manchu Qing during its weakest era, which allowed them to carve away a large amount of land. Even so, there was Zuo Zongtang's expedition to Xinjiang. If they had encountered a strong and prosperous China, the result for the Russians would likely have been another Crimean War, only more tragic. Another Tsar would have had to commit suicide to appease domestic anger."

Hearing this, Morrison's mind stirred, and he asked calmly, "Can I inform London of this?"

He Rui nodded, "Of course. I will also write an article in the *Northeast Daily* discussing this issue."

After speaking, He Rui stretched greatly, and with his whole body relaxed, he let out a comfortable sigh, "Hurry up and eat. After eating, go home and sleep."

The *Northeast Daily* indeed published He Rui's signed article. The article analyzed the reasons for Russia's attack on Poland: the Bolshevik government wanted to overthrow the imperialist order and build a socialist alliance of nations. Standing on an anti-imperialist stance, He Rui expressed understanding.

However, regarding practical means, He Rui laid out the reasons why Poland had three conditions for victory and Russia had three conditions for defeat.

This article was quickly sent to the Bolshevik Central Committee. Commissar Trotsky's understanding of revolution was global revolution, thoroughly overthrowing the imperialist order. Even if He Rui opposed the imperialist order, his analysis that the Soviet Red Army would inevitably be defeated still angered Commissar Trotsky.

When reporting to Comrade Lenin, Trotsky tried hard to suppress his anger and keep himself unaffected. Until Comrade Lenin asked, "Comrade Trotsky, to which level of troops can the communication equipment equipped by our army provide command?"

"Comrade Lenin, what do you want to ask?" Commissar Trotsky could hardly hold back.

Seeing Commissar Trotsky's expression, Comrade Lenin simply spoke frankly, "Comrade Trotsky, have you seen He Rui's new article?"

"I have!" Trotsky's anger was palpable, making him look like an angry lion.

"He Rui believes that once our army gains a huge advantage, we will lose the situation of organized and coordinated combat. This is not only because our army lacks communication equipment and has backward communication methods, but also relates to our army's insufficient logistics. Poland, on the other hand, has received comprehensive reinforcement from Britain and France and has enough troops and equipment to commit to battle. Once the inevitable gap in our battle line appears, it will lead to our army being divided and surrounded in Poland. He Rui does not have actual combat experience; all his views come from military study. But has our army made adjustments in this regard?"

Trotsky certainly knew that what He Rui said made sense, which was why he was so concerned and angry. But the war had already begun, how could they make such major adjustments on the fly? After a brief thought, Trotsky replied, "The Polish people need to break the old world through revolution, and these problems are not only for our army to face, but Poland also needs to face them. I believe the Red Army, having experienced war, can overwhelm Poland's reactionary army."

Lenin didn't ask further. His view was basically consistent with Trotsky's because the Red Army indeed had no way to solve the problems He Rui raised. However, an indescribable intuition made Comrade Lenin feel a bit uneasy. Since both the Red Army and the Polish reactionary army were fighting in an unreliable situation, it was hard to say who would have better luck.

Although He Rui's prediction of the war was unfavorable to the Russian Red Army, He Rui also suggested that the Russian Red Army should quit while ahead and accept the current line of actual control. After all, the Red Army already held a great advantage at this time. Even massing troops on the border and waiting for changes within Poland would be much better than getting hot-headed and wanting to accomplish everything in one battle.

In the article, He Rui directly cited many Chinese idioms. Comrade Lenin did not understand the meaning of those idioms or the stories behind them, and neither did the translators. Comrade Lenin even had the impulse to find a translator who understood Chinese culture better.

But now that the war had broken out, Comrade Lenin only had a fleeting thought and did not really intend to go to great lengths for a Chinese warlord.

He Rui did not know if Comrade Lenin had seen his article, nor did he think Comrade Lenin would accept his suggestion. The purpose of writing these articles was to serve domestic politics. At this time, they absolutely could not shape an image of an evil Soviet Russian invading army. Russia's reputation in China was already bad enough; if they shaped it that way further, heaven knows what would happen.

This matter was not important for the Northeast at the moment. After the exercise ended, a comprehensive review was conducted. The comrades of the Military Commission ultimately found that all the actions He Rui took did not contain any judgments outside of known military common sense: concentrating forces, utilizing the advantages of one's own army, and achieving decisive results in a short time. These were all things taught extensively in military textbooks.

After repeated scrutiny, the Military Commission unanimously decided that once war broke out, the troops committed must number 1 million to ensure that the Japanese army could not break through the Northeast Army's defense line.

It took two days to decide the scale of the war. During the meeting on the third day, Hu Xiushan from the Military Organization and Training Department presented the logistics estimate, "According to the Military Commission's decision, before the war begins, the Northeast must mobilize 4 million regular troops and reserves to prepare for war replenishment."

Hearing the figure of 4 million, although the young military officers were somewhat shocked, the most agitated ones only sighed slightly. Only Zhou Yinshan, who was responsible for staff education, let out a long sigh. But Zhou Yinshan didn't say anything because of this; after sighing, he continued to listen to Hu Xiushan introduce the war arrangements.

"Since our army does not have the ability to attack the Japanese mainland, the war is expected to last 18 months. During the 18 months, there may be about 10 large-scale operations. Including the period for troop rest and reconstruction, it is estimated that every unit will participate in 6-7 fierce battles. Including transportation, logistics, and military hospital construction, everything needs to enter a controlled stage from now on..."

He Rui listened seriously and judged it against his own understanding of war. He Rui had discussed these contents before, and the young comrades all felt they made a lot of sense. But there is a saying that foreign monks know how to chant scriptures. The comrades had originally received war training, but it wasn't until the hired German micro-staff arrived in the Northeast and conducted training based on Germany's experience in WWI that the comrades suddenly saw the light and basically understood what modern war was all about.

The difference between modern war and old-era war lies in the immense difference between a systematic army and a disposable army.

Logistics in modern war is extremely important. What matters is not what equipment and training the troops committed to battle have, but that every unit committed to battle has the *same* equipment and training.

If it is a one-off war, it doesn't matter how well-trained or well-equipped the army is before the war. If such a level cannot be maintained, this army will be quickly consumed in continuous warfare, and after one or two battles, it will completely lose its combat effectiveness.

This is why there is a saying: 'Some armies can fail countless times, and as long as they win once, they can establish victory. And some armies can win countless times, but as long as they fail once, they will be completely annihilated.'

It could be heard that the Logistics and Training Department responsible by Hu Xiushan was qualified. Their understanding of war had reached the level of a modern army. Precisely because of this, facing the huge numbers, the comrades of the Military Commission all kept their mouths shut, very different from their usual enthusiasm.

Total mobilization required 4 million trained personnel to maintain the consumption of 1 million frontline troops, and weapon and ammunition reserves also had to be prepared for 4 million people.

It was estimated that the Northeast would have a population of over 30 million during the war. For victory, everyone had to participate in the war. This required government departments to complete the allocation of manpower, material resources, and production capacity of the entire Northeast.

From the day He Rui arrived in the Northeast, he had been building the Northeast according to the model of a modern state. It was just that no one could understand He Rui back then, so He Rui had no way to explain these things to the comrades.

After talking with the Military Commission, it was time to talk with government personnel. 5 million rifles, a large number of spare parts, and 1 billion rounds of bullets—this was the most basic requirement.

The heads of the industrial departments looked green in the face as they listened. They also remained silent, not because they knew the demands of war, but because they were rendered speechless by these numbers.

And when the demand for a large number of artillery pieces, especially 120mm heavy artillery, was raised, even Wu Youping couldn't help but reach out and hold his cheek. Because Wu Youping felt his face had gone numb.

At this stage, the Northeast could indeed build 120mm artillery, but the cost was so great that Wu Youping trembled just thinking about it. The demand for one 120mm artillery piece would barely be covered by the annual income of a whole town. But the barrel of a 120mm gun had to be replaced, and a 120mm shell was expended once fired. The price of one shell was more than a village's annual income.

War is a gold-swallowing beast; Wu Youping agreed with this saying. But until today, Wu Youping suddenly felt he completely understood. A war is supported by the strength of the entire nation.

When the meeting ended, the government leaders were all silent. They knew their opposition was meaningless because He Rui would never accept it. Even everyone else would not accept it. If China could not achieve such strength construction, it would be impossible for it to stand independently among the nations of the world.

Just then, He Rui said, "Comrades, I will be conducting training against militarism in the party class recently. We should take this opportunity to first explain within the party what militarism is. Only by understanding what militarism is can we know what is something that *must* be done, and what is promoted to realize militarism."

Everyone was no longer surprised by He Rui's precaution. Just as when He Rui discussed patriotism, he would discuss nationalism and extreme nationalism.

And just as He Rui said, everyone found that their ideas were not innovations. Long before, there were many people with the same ideas, and they were even more systematic.

So when He Rui handed out the printed materials to everyone, everyone read them in silence.

**Politics**

* Ruling the whole country by implementing thoughts and policies of warlord dictatorship and aggressive expansion;

* Implementing a centralized system in politics, where parliament and judicial institutions cannot effectively check and balance the government;

* Key cabinet positions are held by military personnel;

* Suppressing anti-war revolutionary movements internally, promoting extreme nationalism and chauvinism;

* Externally engaging in militaristic aggression and territorial expansion.

**Economy**

* The economy targets military development, with the government subsidizing military needs, driving the rapid development of heavy industry; and using the profits of war to further expand the army;

* The people are required to dedicate themselves selflessly to the country, and private rights, human rights, and freedom of speech are suppressed.

**Culture**

* Education uses military training, xenophobia, and self-superiority of the nation as teaching materials from a young age;

* People's daily lives are often subject to military mobilization and interference, and buildings and public facilities are widely fortified;

* Universal conscription is practiced, with long terms of service; military status is registered regardless of gender, and when necessary, juveniles below the conscription age are recruited into the army for combat or missions;

* Glorifying the contribution of soldiers, revering the social status of soldiers, and even beautifying soldiers and war in history, archaeology, religion, literature, art, and other levels.

**Diplomacy**

* Diplomacy mostly uses military superiority to bully neighboring regions to seek real benefits and international status;

* The government boasts about the benefits after aggression and plunder, stimulating the people's enthusiasm for war to ensure public support for the war.