Before attending the meeting, He Rui quickly browsed through various reports, including a letter sent by Kolchak. In the letter, Kolchak politely expressed "regret" regarding the military conflict that had occurred on the border.

The armed forces that had encroached upon the Chinese border were indeed Russian; Kolchak did not deny this. However, Kolchak stated that these small armed groups had broken away from the jurisdiction of the Kolchak Provisional Government and were acting on their own. Within the areas managed by Kolchak, these people had also been designated as "bandits."

He Rui felt that this might indeed be the case. Kolchak might indeed covet the Northeast, but for any competent leader, war is fought to be won. Given Kolchak's strength, He Rui did not believe the current White Russian Provisional Government had the capability to invade and occupy the Northeast.

Since there was no possibility of victory, Kolchak had no reason to drive these people to conduct probing attacks.

However, at the meeting, the comrades' views were not entirely consistent. Xu Chengfeng also believed that the White Russian Provisional Government had no intention of war at present. However, half of the food for Kolchak's troops currently came from humanitarian relief organizations jointly formed by Britain, France, and the Northeast. The Vladivostok region had no way to provide enough food for the remaining 500,000 people. Hunger was the norm.

Xu Chengfeng voiced his judgment: "The White Russians have always looked down on Chinese people and are used to being domineering. It's not strange that some of them think they can loot us now."

He Rui could not say Xu Chengfeng was wrong. Reality is always more absurd than fiction because people in reality can disregard logic entirely. But...

Xu Chengfeng continued, "The interrogation records have been sent up. Those White Russians stated that they wanted to cross the border line to grab a haul from our side."

He Rui still couldn't quite believe the White Russian bandits had reached such a frenzied level and asked, "How much barbed wire has been deployed on the border now?"

Xu Chengfeng was somewhat helpless. "We've only deployed it in some key areas. These White Russians didn't force their way through the barbed wire. We just sent out word to investigate whether any White Russian expatriates provided any guidance to the White Russian Provisional Government."

Since it was under investigation, He Rui could only wait for the results. The Military Commission meeting moved to the next item. Xu Chengfeng passed a letter from the Soviet Russian Red Army to the Northeast Army. In the letter, they very politely stated that the Red Army was preparing to launch an offensive against the White Russians and hoped the Northeast Army would not misunderstand the large-scale military conflict in the border region.

"Since the Red Army is coming, will the Japanese Army participate in the war?" Xu Chengfeng asked the question he was most concerned about. Other members of the Military Commission stared at He Rui. Everyone had discussed this many times, with varying opinions. Many people had different views at different times, and there was really no way to unify their perspectives.

He Rui thought for a moment and had someone bring a Chinese translation of an article from the *Asahi Shimbun*, passing around the article written under the pen name "Fukada Rui."

He Rui, of course, knew this was an article written by Fukada Mitsuko. Although he couldn't say it at this time. Seeing that Mitsuko could already write such excellent news reports and analysis, He Rui was truly happy in his heart. Even though this article clearly had the writing style of Professor Taira Toyomori of the Imperial University of Tokyo's Faculty of Law in it, He Rui still felt that Mitsuko had a promising future.

Xu Chengfeng and the others initially didn't expect He Rui to bring out content from a Japanese newspaper, but after reading for a while, their expressions changed. The article was written clearly and briskly, especially the analysis of Japan's desire to expand its territory in the Far East.

Even though the provisional government of Kolchak had reached a land cession agreement with Japan, the Kolchak government had no way to maintain the provisional government's existence on its own capabilities. The Soviet Russian government would certainly not recognize this agreement. If the Japanese government wanted Soviet Russia to recognize it, they would have to completely defeat the Soviet Russian Red Army through war. Engaging in a national war with Russia was already beyond the capacity of Japan's national power.

Even if Japan maintained military superiority within two hundred kilometers of the coastline and wanted to ensure the execution of the agreement through treaties, they would still have to face the question of whether Britain, France, and China would recognize it.

In Britain and France's world planning, they would not allow a country to rise rapidly and change the situation in the Far East. So even though Britain and France were currently at war with Russia, they would not allow Japan to swallow this land and thereby become a continental power in Asia. As soon as the conflict between Britain, France, and Russia ended, Britain and France would certainly not support Japan on the issue of Soviet Russia's war against Japan.

Since Soviet Russia's naval strength was extremely weak, Britain and France did not have to worry that Soviet Russia would attack Japan once Japan was defeated. So their attitude would not waver in the slightest.

Based on the reality of international politics, even if the Japanese Army could achieve various victories against the Soviet Russian Red Army, a single failure by the Japanese Army would ruin all previous efforts.

Soviet Russia could persist; as long as they recovered their territory, Soviet Russia would profit. But Japan would always be in a state of paying out, and sooner or later would have to give up because they could not see the return on their investment.

The entire analysis proceeded from the Japanese perspective, which made the comrades of the Military Commission feel unaccustomed. After all, in the view of the Military Commission comrades, Japan's attempt to gain benefits while Soviet Russia was in civil war was essentially an undignified and despicable act. This had already proved that Japan was no good.

However, the part about international politics still gave everyone a feeling of enlightenment. Xu Chengfeng finished reading first; he thought wordlessly, waiting for the comrades to finish reading. He already had a clear decision in his heart. If they wanted to recover the territories stolen by Russia after liberating all of China, they would have to consider a national war. And it would have to be a national war supported by the Great Powers.

The other comrades finished reading and also nodded one after another. Everyone's thoughts were similar: as long as Japan failed to seize the opportunity to make a big profit, the situation of maintaining the status quo was not unacceptable.

Cheng Ruofan started the next topic. "Chairman, the Soviet Russian Red Army wants to launch an offensive. The Military Commission judges that Kolchak cannot win. To what extent should we strengthen the border?"

He Rui had considered this matter. "My view is that we should start preparing shipping capacity now to transport White Russian refugees away from Vladivostok. What tonnage of ships can our shipyards build now?"

The comrades of the Military Commission looked at each other, and their gazes fell on Zheng Sirang, who was temporarily in charge of armaments. Zheng Sirang felt the atmosphere was a bit awkward, so he simply smiled and said, "Chairman, we can't build 10,000-ton steamers yet."

He Rui was amused. The comrades' first reaction was mostly displeasure, but after a moment, they could only smile bitterly. Just recently, a 10,000-ton steamer produced by Jiangnan Shipyard had been launched.

In the summer of the 7th year of the Republic of China (1918), during the First World War, the United States urgently needed ships to transport military supplies to Europe. They telegraphed their consul in Shanghai to discuss asking Jiangnan Shipyard to rush-build 10,000-ton transport ships. On July 10 of the same year, Han Li (Henley?), the Director General of Transport of the US Government, and Wellington Koo (Gu Weijun), the Chinese Minister to the US, signed a contract on behalf of both parties, confirming that Jiangnan Shipyard would build four 10,000-ton transport ships for the US government. The cost was calculated at US$195 per deadweight ton, totaling US$7.8 million for the four ships.

The steel, blueprints, and skilled workers required for construction were provided by the US side, and the procurement of equipment and receipt/payment of funds were handled by the American firm Robert Dollar & Co. The triple-expansion reciprocating steam engines used by the ships were manufactured by Jiangnan Shipyard.

For the comrades in the Northeast, seeing the Northeast accomplish so many big things unknowingly over the past few years, it was inevitable that they would look down on other places somewhat. They felt that those areas under the reactionary rule of the old world were truly incompetent.

But the news of the 10,000-ton steamer being built was like a bucket of cold water poured over everyone's arrogance. The Northeast's heavy industry had developed, but the Northeast's previous industrial foundation was too weak; the ships they could build themselves now were only eight or nine hundred tons. Although everyone said that the 10,000-ton steamers mostly utilized imported steel equipment and foreign technicians held the technical posts, they were truly unhappy in their hearts.

He Rui was indifferent. At this moment, He Rui quite appreciated Zheng Sirang's attitude: as long as we aren't embarrassed, the embarrassment belongs to others. This frank mindset was very good.

He Rui explained, "Small ships are not a problem, as long as we can stuff people in and transport them away. We can't start something and not finish it; we have already intervened to prevent a humanitarian crisis, so now we absolutely cannot quit and do nothing. Besides, if everyone envies Jiangnan Shipyard's production capacity, let's send someone to contact them and see if they can build 10,000-ton transport ships for the Northeast. After all, Jiangnan Shipyard has the experience now."

"Can we send someone?" Zheng Sirang was overjoyed.

He Rui nodded. It was not easy to make Jiangnan Shipyard truly build completely domestic ships. There were too many technical problems to be solved, but preserving China's heavy industrial strength meant that after liberating all of China, these would all be China's. He Rui was willing to make some efforts.

Just as he wanted to continue speaking, he heard Zheng Sirang say happily, "They don't even need to build 10,000-ton steamers. If they can build 2,000-ton transport ships first, it would solve many of our current problems. It's just that after war breaks out with the Japanese Army, what we need are small naval vessels. Right now, all we can build are coastal gunboats. Torpedo technology isn't up to par, so we can only lay mines."

Chief of Staff Cheng Ruofan had already prepared maritime defenses, which pleased He Rui greatly. Originally, He Rui had prepared to wait a while longer before conducting a comprehensive maritime defense assessment. After all, the Northeast's strength was still insufficient, and even allowing the Japanese Army to land on the coast to some extent was within an acceptable range. Since Cheng Ruofan had already started making plans, he might as well see the capabilities of the General Staff.

The military meeting lasted all day. Kolchak's fate was completely decided on this day.

The next day, according to the plan, the Northeast Army's external liaison department gave a reply to the Red Army. The Northeast Army would absolutely not allow any foreign troops to enter Chinese territory. Once Chinese territory was invaded, they would immediately launch a counterattack.

After receiving the reply, the Soviet Russian Red Army immediately forwarded the news back to Moscow. At this time, Comrade Stalin had already withdrawn into Russia to organize a defense line against the Polish Army's massive counteroffensive. Facing failure, Comrade Stalin, as the Front Political Commissar, could no longer express his own views.

As the creator of the Soviet Red Army, Comrade Trotsky was responsible for military dispatching for the liberation of the Far East. Seeing the Northeast Army's reply, Commissar Trotsky smoothed his lion's mane-like hair and fell into brief thought.

The war could not be dragged on any longer, so the Red Army had already prepared for the worst—it was very likely that war would break out with the Japanese and Northeast coalition forces. However, the situation was better than imagined. Although the Japanese side had made various probes, they had not publicly stated they would fight the Red Army. The Northeast Army had also expressed an attitude that they would absolutely not allow the White Army to use the Northeast as a base to attack and harass the Red Army. The situation was very favorable to the Red Army.

As for whether the Japanese Army and the Northeast Army would truly intervene, it was up to Comrade Trotsky to make the judgment.

Various thoughts collided for a moment, and heroic feelings welled up in Commissar Trotsky's chest. The Red Army had developed from the worst situation and had undergone all kinds of tests of blood and fire. They had won battles and lost battles. Even if the military operation to liberate the Far East suffered a setback, it would just mean regrouping and fighting again after being prepared.

Raising his head, Trotsky issued the order: "Order the Far East Command to launch an attack on the White Army immediately."

In Vladivostok, there was no fluctuation on the angular face of Admiral Kolchak, the ruling executive of the White Russian Provisional Government. Not long ago, hearing that some small groups of White Army troops had turned into bandits and launched attacks on villages in the Northeast border region, Kolchak immediately summoned the various units and issued a strict order that such conflicts with China's Northeast must absolutely not occur.

Kolchak was not afraid of the Northeast Army, but in the current situation, he absolutely could not make enemies. What's more, Northeast Government Chairman He Rui had been the first to propose preventing a humanitarian disaster, helping the White Army survive the long journey and arrive in Vladivostok.

Kolchak did not thank He Rui for this. Once an unplanned conflict occurred, Britain and France would very likely abandon Kolchak.

The White Russian generals all knew the current situation and agreed with Kolchak's view. It was just that some officers grunted angrily that He Rui actually did not prioritize the great cause of anti-communism and was truly a man without vision.

The White Russian generals knew these were words of anger. The real reason was that the Northeast Government did business like Jewish profiteers—never giving credit; all the White Russians' needs had to be bought with money. The British and French governments had initially provided financial support, but by 1920, the British and French governments kept urging Kolchak to counterattack as soon as possible. Seeing that the White Army was only reorganizing and not launching an all-out counteroffensive, they directly cut off the supporting funds.

The Japanese cabinet, on the other hand, proposed that Japan was willing to support a "Far Eastern Republic" led by Kolchak. This made opinions within the provisional government impossible to unify, and most generals opposed the suggestion proposed by Japan.

The Russian Provisional Government was a government covering all of Russia. What was the Far Eastern Republic? It probably wouldn't even count as a local government.

Not to mention, even if the provisional government really accepted it, could Japan send troops to maintain the security of the Far Eastern Republic? The White Army generals did not have confidence in Japan.

Finally, the meeting launched another discussion on this issue. The provisional government decided to once again submit a diplomatic request to Japan for Admiral Kolchak of the Russian Provisional Government to visit Japan. They also sent people to discuss the issue of the Russian Provisional Government with the personnel sent by the British and French ministers in China.

Before leaving, the personnel going to China were invited by Admiral Kolchak to his residence. This was an unremarkable small wooden house. Compared to other wooden houses, the only advantage brought by Admiral Kolchak's status was probably that General Kolchak only lived with two other families. Other wooden houses had several families squeezed together.

Hearing the children crying, Admiral Kolchak invited the provisional government's diplomatic personnel outside the house. Several people sat on a pile of firewood, and Admiral Kolchak said, "Please be sure to let Britain and France know that we will definitely launch a counteroffensive next year."

This was the provisional government's decision. This year, 1920, the originally loose White Russian army and populace were reorganizing while completing their control and management of the Far East region. The troops had broken free from the edge of annihilation. After reorganization, the morale and organization of the troops were recovering rapidly. By next year, 1921, the provisional government could implement a counteroffensive.

If Britain and France believed the provisional government's morale had dissipated and thus stopped supporting them, the nearly completed preparations would be wasted.

The diplomatic personnel felt that Admiral Kolchak actually didn't need to explain this specifically; everyone knew it clearly in their hearts. The entire White Army knew now that even if they didn't counterattack next year, the Red Army would attack.

But knowing this was so, the White Russian Provisional Government's diplomatic personnel simply stated solemnly, "Your Excellency, we will definitely do our best to persuade Britain and France. We will definitely defeat the Red Bandits next year and counterattack back to Siberia."

Kolchak nodded. He had wanted to invite these diplomatic personnel for a drink before they parted. But the extreme scarcity of supplies made alcohol extremely rare. Kolchak had always been strict with himself; since his subordinates didn't have alcohol on ordinary days, he didn't use his authority to get himself cheap Northeast-produced vodka.

Finally, Kolchak stood up and shook hands with the diplomatic personnel one by one. In his helplessness, he could only use words to express his encouragement. "I look forward to you all completing your diplomatic mission."

Although the diplomatic personnel were all moved, beyond the emotion, these diplomatic personnel also knew what a difficult situation they would face.

People in this line of work could make reasonable predictions based on experience alone. After the group traveled thousands of kilometers to arrive in China's capital and met with the British Minister to China, Jordan (Zhu Erdian), who was responsible for British Far Eastern affairs, they felt things were not good.

Jordan listened to the Russian diplomatic personnel's account very coldly and then ended the meeting. It was clear that Jordan did not believe, or at least did not fully believe, the White Russian Provisional Government's claims about a counteroffensive.

How could they persuade this old man? The White Russian diplomatic personnel could not think of any other way.

However, the White Russian personnel did not expect that Jordan was actually very concerned about this matter, so he sent his secretary to the Northeast Government's Office in Beijing at Wudaokou.

After several years, the Office in Beijing at Wudaokou had expanded considerably. In addition to the Beijing Branch of the *Northeast Daily* which had come with the Office in Beijing, various trade offices were also quite complete.

The person in charge of the office had changed several times. The current person in charge was named Xi Bale. Xi Bale was a fellow who had studied in Britain. His British-accented English was very different from the American accent common in the Northeast Government. It made Jordan's secretary feel very affectionate.

The two sat down, and someone served a bottle of rum. This type of liquor made from molasses had a fragrant taste and was quite smooth. Although it couldn't compare to sherry, it was also a top choice for chatting.

After taking a sip, Jordan's secretary asked, "I wonder what the Northeast Government's view is on the possibility of a White Russian Army counteroffensive?"

"You've heard news of a counteroffensive?" Xi Bale asked with interest.

According to the custom of diplomatic intelligence exchange, the secretary first told the news of the White Russian envoys' arrival. After Xi Bale finished listening, he evaluated it in his heart for a moment and then replied, "As far as we know, the White Army is indeed preparing for a counteroffensive."

The secretary nodded but didn't interrupt, waiting for the second half of the sentence starting with "but."

Sure enough, Xi Bale said, "But, we believe that the defensive system laid out by the White Army to defend against the Red Army's attack may have to undergo a test of actual combat."

The secretary savored the flavor in the intelligence before continuing to ask, "Have you heard specific news that the Red Army is going to attack the White Army?"

"We've heard that they seem to be launching an attack, but the specific numbers are not yet clear."