Regarding the characteristics of militarism, the political, cultural, and diplomatic aspects were put aside for the moment. The government officials looked at the first item of the economic section and were somewhat puzzled.

"The economy targets military development, with government subsidies for military needs driving the rapid development of heavy industry." The Northeast obviously had such a tendency, especially in heavy industry, which was almost entirely driven by the military industry. Originally, the railways were considered civilian, but since the recovery of the Chinese Eastern Railway and the formation of the Railway Corps, the railway system had also become a military enterprise.

Wu Youping looked at the other government leading cadres without saying a word, seeing that even if they frowned, they had no intention of raising objections. Wu Youping himself had nothing to ask; although he wasn't clear why He Rui was raising ideas opposing militarism at this time, he felt he could ask in private. As for now, it was better to concentrate on learning.

As soon as the study session ended, Wu Youping prepared to talk to He Rui about the latest production tasks, but saw Han Haitao, the Director of the Price Bureau, going to find He Rui first. Wu Youping had no choice but to wait. Seeing Han Haitao's unconfident appearance, Wu Youping couldn't figure out what was wrong with this former teahouse owner today.

Han Haitao indeed didn't want to disturb He Rui. The work of the Price Bureau fell under the Department of Finance, so as the Price Bureau Director, he didn't need to see He Rui to make a report. However, this time he wasn't disturbing He Rui for work. After meeting He Rui, Han Haitao asked, "Chairman He, I heard that for the bond issuance inside the Pass this time, personnel from various departments are not allowed to subscribe on behalf of their own families. I wonder if Chairman He could make an exception?"

He Rui immediately shook his head. "Absolutely not. Bond issuance is the government's affair, and bond subscription must be handled by the comrades responsible for the issuance. Personnel within the Northeast Government are strictly forbidden from participating."

Hearing He Rui refuse so decisively, Han Haitao sighed. "Chairman, I don't have any wealthy relatives. They are willing to buy only because they trust me. Speaking of which, it still requires me to guarantee..."

He Rui felt that things definitely shouldn't be like this. "This is even more inappropriate! Director Han, if purchasing bonds requires a relative's guarantee, then are they looking at the individual, or at our Northeast Government?"

Han Haitao was stunned, somewhat confused as to why He Rui was so insistent. The Northeast economy was doing well now, with many commodities selling inside the Pass. But the Northeast Government was truly short of money, which was why they were issuing bonds. Han Haitao hadn't considered making money at all; writing letters asking relatives to buy bonds was entirely because he was willing to serve the Northeast Government and willing to contribute to national liberation for He Rui. He Rui's refusal surprised Han Haitao and made him feel somewhat disappointed.

He Rui also saw Han Haitao's expression, which only firmed his resolve. However, Han Haitao represented a large group of people, and he absolutely couldn't just reject him rudely. So He Rui invited Han Haitao into his office. "Director Han, why do we issue bonds?"

Han Haitao answered with a heavy heart, "To raise funds."

"Then regarding the people who buy our bonds, why do we hope they buy them?"

"This..." Han Haitao felt there were many reasons, but couldn't find a reasonable one. Finally, he could only state some points from internal meetings. "To support the Northeast's industrial construction?"

He Rui was amused. "Haha, how is that possible! People buy bonds to safely obtain bond yields."

Han Haitao was stunned. This statement was different from some of the rhetoric in the Department of Finance's internal meetings.

Seeing Han Haitao's expression, He Rui felt something was wrong and put away his smile. "Director Han, tell me how it was explained in the propaganda meeting."

After saying this, He Rui stared at Han Haitao.

Han Haitao didn't want to offend anyone and wanted to find some innocuous answers to gloss over it. Facing He Rui's sharp gaze, Han Haitao didn't dare to fudge it. He Rui wasn't that kind of aloof 'Beiyang Marshal' who didn't understand grassroots operations. This huge operation in the Northeast was pulled up by He Rui single-handedly. Han Haitao neither dared to fool He Rui nor could he think of any rhetoric that could fool him.

Just as Han Haitao was in a dilemma, He Rui continued, "Comrade Han Haitao, you are a Party member. I require you to tell me the truth based on your Party nature!"

Being told this, how could Han Haitao dare to make things up? He recounted the propaganda from the Department of Finance meeting in his memory to He Rui.

...

Price Bureau Director Han Haitao came out after talking with He Rui for about ten minutes. Wu Youping, waiting outside, was somewhat surprised; what major matter required talking for so long? After Han Haitao, it was Wu Youping's turn. Entering He Rui's office, Wu Youping raised his own issue. "Chairman, the bond issuance work recently needs to be strengthened."

"Oh. I was just wanting to talk to you about this." He Rui smiled.

In less than a minute, He Rui had asked Wu Youping about the forced promotion of bonds. Regarding the Department of Finance wanting officials at all levels to recommend bonds to surrounding relatives and friends, Wu Youping naturally knew. Seeing He Rui was quite unhappy about this, Wu Youping suggested, "Chairman, how about we just donate directly? I've long wanted to donate all my family property."

He Rui really got angry, scolding somewhat annoyedly, "What nonsense are you talking about!"

Wu Youping wasn't scared like Han Haitao. On this matter, Wu Youping didn't agree with He Rui's view and retorted, "Chairman, if the country isn't strong, and foreigners invade again, this money won't be kept anyway. If donating this money serves as startup capital, even if it allows the country to become strong one day earlier, I would feel satisfied."

He Rui knew Wu Youping truly thought this way. He felt both moved and disappointed, sighing, "It's you who is muddled, and the people in the Department of Finance are following you in being muddled!"

Wu Youping still couldn't accept it. "Chairman refused before; I was busy at the time and didn't think much of it. This time, please explain clearly, Chairman."

"From the perspective of ordinary people's observation, if we ourselves don't do things with dignity, who in the world will think we are dignified? Will everyone be happy to deal with undignified people? If we act like we're short of money, others will think we are short of money. How could a normal, good person lend their hard-earned money to someone anxiously running around the world for money? From an organizational operation perspective, Brother Tongzi, you are putting Zhang's hat on Li! You are forcefully turning an economic activity into a moral action. Although I don't care for Confucius, the story of Zigong redeeming people is a very good case study! We must absolutely not use the standards of Party members to demand things of ordinary people! Facing ordinary people, we must do ordinary people's business!"

This wasn't the first time He Rui had expressed this view. Wu Youping completely understood He Rui's logic at this point, but still couldn't accept He Rui's idea. So he tried to persuade him, "Chairman, time waits for no one..."

"There is no 'time waits for no one.' Even if it takes a bit longer, it just increases the difficulty. But if the path goes askew, we will take detours. If the path is wrong, that is going south to get north; you'd have to circle the earth to reach the destination."

"...If that doesn't work, then don't issue debt, adopt tax increases. There shouldn't be controversy about this, right?" Wu Youping could only try his best to persuade.

He Rui nodded; at least Wu Youping was correct in his statement. However, He Rui asked, "Tax increases must be reviewed and passed at the Northeast National Assembly. If you want to increase taxes, wait until the meeting in November this year to propose the bill. And even if taxes are increased, what does it have to do with issuing bonds?"

Wu Youping wanted to discuss this further with He Rui, but he didn't know how to convince him. Before Wu Youping could find a line of thought, he heard He Rui ask, "Youping, the founding basis of the Civilization Party is that Party members must have the same ideology. That is to say, Communism is our ideological foundation. Is Communism a scientific study based on economics? Give me an answer."

"Of course it is," Wu Youping answered without hesitation.

"Economics must speak of economic laws. Although I've said many times that the title of so-called economist is about the same as a shaman jumping god, economic laws have a basis to follow. Why are you so radical when raising money, insisting on turning a perfectly good economic law into an impulsive reaction?!"

Wu Youping took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a drag before answering unwillingly, "Because time is too tight. After listening to the Chairman's requirements for military industry production this time, I feel the pressure is even greater!"

This attitude was not unique to Wu Youping; comrades in the military also had it. He Rui tried hard to explain, "Why do you all think so highly of Japan? Under an extremely involuted situation, Japan has strong social organizational ability. But Japan's strength lies only in social mobilization and social organization; its national power is not strong. We can beat them. China's advantage lies in population scale and resources; it is also a continent-plus-ocean nation. As long as we persist step by step, winning against Japan is not difficult."

"But..." Wu Youping still found it hard to extinguish the impulse in his heart to push the work forward as quickly as possible.

He Rui could only apply pressure to force Wu Youping to quiet down. "Youping, at times like this, please obey the Party Central Committee's decision. If decisions cannot be executed, it only shows there is a problem with the Party Central Committee!"

Being told this, Wu Youping truly calmed down, mainly from fright. As for He Rui himself, he was very easy to talk to. Although sometimes one couldn't figure out what He Rui was thinking, as work progressed, one could always understand. But the Party Central Committee wasn't just He Rui's personal issue; it was a collection of all the Central Committee members. Among them included Wu Youping himself.

If He Rui really brought out the reason that the Party Central Committee's decision was defied, no one could withstand it. Wu Youping could only answer, "Chairman, I will go back and talk to the comrades in the Department of Finance about this matter."

While Wu Youping had to go back to correct his work thinking, Han Haitao left the government office building at a brisk pace after taking his leave from He Rui. He didn't slow down until he walked out of the compound. For so long, this was the first time Han Haitao had talked with He Rui about personal issues for such a long time, and the unease in his heart was very strong. Unlike the 50 people who followed He Rui to the Northeast, Han Haitao was originally just a teahouse owner in Siping who joined He Rui's team halfway. He couldn't compare with university students like Wu Youping and Zhuang Jiaxiong. As for scholars who studied in the US like Zhao Tianlin and Lu Daoming, Han Haitao never even entertained the thought of comparing himself to them.

Thinking about how to talk to his relatives while walking, Han Haitao's steps became slower and slower, and finally, he stopped. Recalling everything He Rui said now, not only was there no intention of blame, but it was actually encouraging Han Haitao, expecting Han Haitao to have more self-confidence and self-respect.

Han Haitao suddenly felt He Rui was very right. His position as Director of the Price Bureau was just a job for pay. Even so, there was no need to use himself as collateral just to fulfill the Department of Finance's requirements for bond issuance. This wasn't about money; this was about Han Haitao's dignity.

Having thought this through, Han Haitao stepped forward again to return to his office. However, Han Haitao himself didn't notice that he was unknowingly holding his head high and chest out, walking back with great strides.

Returning home at noon, Han Haitao invited his cousin, who was staying at his home, to have a meal together. Facing the various restaurants in the Northeast, his cousin was dazzled and couldn't help but praise, "I didn't expect the Northeast to be so lively."

"Chairman He has been in power these past few years, there are more workers, and restaurants don't lack customers." As Han Haitao spoke, he felt somewhat proud in his heart. He asked again, "I remember the teahouses in the capital opened for those *Juren* entering the capital for exams; I don't know if they are still there. The Stewed Pork Noodles there were truly delicious."

The cousin sighed. "Brother Haitao, the restaurants in the capital have really gone downhill these years. Half of those master chefs have run off to Tianjin. Some say that since the court fell, even the rats moved to Tianjin."

Han Haitao smiled faintly at these words but didn't respond. Seeing that his cousin still couldn't decide, Han Haitao simply took him to a southern restaurant opened by Anhui merchants. The two asked for a private room, and Han Haitao smiled. "*Hui Nanbei* is a famous dish from the capital, but this *Koumo* mushroom comes from Mongolia. Now that the Northeast is connected with Inner and Outer Mongolia, this mushroom business is very easy to do. The taste is truly good."

*Hui Nanbei*, also known as Braised North and South, is a special traditional famous dish of Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, belonging to the Ji cuisine. The so-called Braised North and South uses mushrooms from north of the Great Wall and bamboo shoots from the south of the Yangtze as the main ingredients. They are cut into thin slices, stir-fried in a hot oil wok, added with some seasonings and fresh soup, boiled and thickened with starch, and drizzled with chicken oil to finish. This dish is silver-red in color, delicious and refreshing, with a strong fragrance.

He ordered a few dishes casually, one of which was *Hui Nanbei*. The cousin tasted a mouthful and nodded repeatedly. "It really is delicious. Brother, this table of food must cost a lot of money."

"Don't worry, I don't lack the money to treat you to a meal," Han Haitao laughed.

The cousin came this time representing the Han family relatives for the matter of purchasing Northeast bonds. Suddenly seeing Han Haitao, who had previously persuaded everyone to buy bonds, suddenly acting generous, he was puzzled. But seeing Han Haitao looked composed, looking like a different person from two days ago, he didn't know what medicine Han Haitao was selling in his gourd. So he served food to Han Haitao, preparing to concentrate on eating and wait for Han Haitao to speak up first.

Unexpectedly, Han Haitao didn't mention purchasing bonds again, and really ate happily. From beginning to end, he didn't mention the matter of bonds.

After eating and returning to Han Haitao's residence, Han Haitao organized the propaganda materials printed with bond types and dividend methods, put them into a large kraft paper bag, and gave them to his cousin, then said, "I've said what needs to be said. Is there anything else you don't understand?"

The cousin felt Han Haitao was putting on airs, so he decided to play along to the end and smiled. "Brother Haitao has taken the trouble to explain a lot these past few days; I understand everything."

Han Haitao nodded. "Since that's the case, take these back with you. If you prepare to purchase, write me a letter. I'll arrange for someone to buy your train ticket."

Speaking of this, Han Haitao thought of his family in Beijing and Tianjin and felt somewhat sentimental. "Uncle's illness is an old one. We have some new medicine here; I sent someone to buy it. Take it with you when you go back. Also, give my regards to Third Uncle and the others. I haven't been able to go back these past two years, and suddenly writing a letter home disturbed the family. You must apologize to Uncle and Third Uncle for me."

The more Han Haitao's cousin listened, the more he felt something was wrong. Listening to this meaning, Han Haitao actually didn't want to recommend any bonds to the family.

If he continued to wait for Han Haitao to send him away at this time, he would probably offend Han Haitao. The cousin certainly knew his cousin worked under the famous Marshal He Rui and had mixed his way into being a Bureau Director. He was an official. The reason for coming this time really wasn't for the bonds, but to make connections.

So the cousin said, "Brother, we always have to buy some of these bonds. But I don't know which one you think is good, Brother Haitao?"

Han Haitao smiled faintly and answered according to what He Rui had said. "The Northeast bonds are issued based on the credit of the Northeast Government. There are several types, each with its own repayment method. If those people read it and feel the Northeast Government is credible, then buy. If they can't trust the Northeast Government, then don't buy."

After finishing, he couldn't help recalling the conversation with He Rui today. This conversation was quite sharp and also quite private. Han Haitao wouldn't mention this to his cousin, nor would he mention it to others.

He Rui had exhorted, "If Director Han's relatives say they are purchasing bonds only for Director Han's face, Director Han must tell them: absolutely do not buy. The staff of the Northeast Government are dignified people with self-respect and morals. To use our face for these bonds—we can't afford to lose that face!"

Hearing He Rui speak like this, Han Haitao only felt as if he had been electrocuted, his hair almost standing on end. He hurriedly said, "I dare not, I dare not."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had misspoken; this wasn't his meaning. He hurriedly wanted to correct himself but couldn't find the right words.

Seeing Han Haitao so cramped, He Rui couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Doing business is about fair buying and selling, bargaining. Issuing bonds is a matter of business, what does it have to do with our personal credit? Director Han, although it's said a penny stumps a hero, is our personal dignity not worth as much as a few bonds? I don't think so."

How could Han Haitao dare to continue discussing at that time? He hurriedly answered, "Yes, what the Chairman says is true. After I go back, I will write the Chairman's words in a letter to my relatives."

At this moment, Han Haitao lost even the thought of recommending. He worked wholeheartedly for the Northeast Government, earning a not-so-generous salary. Although he had no worries about food and clothing, he didn't have money to buy any property. Doing this much was enough; let those in high positions worry about more troublesome matters.

As for Han Haitao himself, this job before him was already very dignified. If he lost his own dignity for matters above, what mood would he have left to continue serving?

Although the cousin didn't know what Han Haitao had experienced, looking at Han Haitao's expression, he was basically certain his bureau director cousin really wasn't preparing to recommend bonds. This actually made the cousin feel he had to get to the bottom of this matter, so he pursued, "Brother Haitao, you are an official here; surely you wouldn't not know which bond is good?"

"You don't say, I actually do know clearly," Han Haitao laughed.

The cousin got a bit annoyed. "Brother Haitao, if you don't know clearly, yet you recommend to the family, what do you take the family for?"

Han Haitao couldn't quite accept his cousin's attitude and darkened his face. "If you read the introduction, you would know the current annual fiscal revenue of the Northeast Government. Using such fiscal revenue as collateral to borrow this little money, it is truly a business that won't go wrong. I pat my chest and say, I am worthy of my family!"