The meeting didn't end until the evening. Wu Youping returned to his office and sat down, feeling a bit of disorder in his cardiopulmonary functions. He gently patted his chest, trying to calm his emotions. However, this method of slightly stimulating the flesh to divert attention did not work as it usually did. Wu Youping still felt a strong sense of unease.

At this moment, Wu Youping's secretary entered and said, "Chief Wu, the gift has been sent."

In the entire Northeast, Wu Youping was the only one officially addressed as 'Chief'. Even Wu Youping himself was quite annoyed by this title. It was difficult to give a shorthand for the 'Administrative Chief of the Northeast'.

For other departments, the heads were either 'Minister of X' or 'Secretary'. The corresponding 'Secretary' for the Northeast Administrative Chief was the Chairman of the Civilization Party. This forced Wu Youping into this awkward title.

Hearing this address, Wu Youping's mood worsened. He simply stood up, "I'm going home."

This 'going home' naturally didn't mean returning to his own home. Like He Rui and the other young leaders of the Northeast Party, government, and military, Wu Youping only requested a dormitory. He spent most of his time moving between his office, the small single room next to it, and the cafeteria. He rarely stayed in that dormitory.

Where Wu Youping was heading now was his father's house. Originally, the old man lived in Siping and basically didn't receive guests. However, too many people went to visit Elder Wu, and since he didn't want to live in the countryside, he had no choice but to move to Shenyang.

In Shenyang, there were too many high-ranking officials, so the old man finally got some peace and quiet. Today was Elder Wu's birthday. Wu Youping had asked his secretary to prepare some pastries that the old man liked and send them over while he attended the meeting. At this moment, Wu Youping's mind was unsettled, so he decided to go home and see his father to see if it could calm him down.

Shenyang was becoming increasingly lively. The city of Siping was actually not suitable for large-scale industry; it was a transportation and agricultural center. But because that city had the foundation, it became the city with the highest degree of industrial integration in the Northeast, shouldering the heavy responsibility of technological research and development.

Personnel from other cities went to Siping to work and study, and then took the experience accumulated in Siping to various places to implement large-scale production suitable for the local area.

Shenyang's industrial development was changing with each passing day, but it still lagged behind Siping in terms of cutting-edge technology. However, as a transportation hub, Shenyang's scale effect was not something Siping could compare with.

Looking at the bustling crowds, the passing vehicles, the massive amounts of materials, and the delivery couriers rushing back and forth, Wu Youping felt that the unease and excitement in his heart had not subsided.

When Wu Youping was studying in Tianjin more than ten years ago, he already wanted to do his best to revitalize China. From that time on, Wu Youping gradually constructed the future appearance of China he looked forward to in his heart. During his time studying, Wu Youping paid great attention to absorbing the management concepts of the concessions.

When he chose to join He Rui's team five years ago, Wu Youping thought he had the opportunity to turn these concepts and visions into reality. But he didn't expect that he was following He Rui into a grander, more thorough revolution.

More than ten years earlier than Wu Youping, He Rui had also completed his design for China's future. The grandeur of this design far exceeded Wu Youping's imagination. Its internal logic and feasibility were things Wu Youping could only finally understand after fully participating in the execution for five years.

In another half year, the first phase would come to an end. The entire Northeast would be dragged into a war—a war with Japan, a Great Power.

Even though he had worked conscientiously for five years and knew the reality of the Northeast very well; even though comprehensive strategic simulations had been conducted several times, and each time they proved clearly from theory and data that the Northeast Government could achieve its strategic goals; even though they had prepared reasonably and specifically for several years, and his brain believed there was no reason for failure... his flesh, lacking the ability to generate rational thought, simply felt that a war of blood and fire was about to break out, and uncontrollably became excited and panicked.

Yes, if the war failed, all the peace and prosperity before his eyes would vanish into nothingness. Even if they won, these people before his eyes would have to throw themselves into a cruel war, shedding blood and sacrificing their lives.

Thinking of this, Wu Youping's body would tremble due to the intense emotions.

Returning home in this state, Elder Wu was somewhat surprised to see Wu Youping back. The person in the living room also stood up. After Wu Youping congratulated Elder Wu, that person took two steps forward and asked, "Brother Wu, is this Youping? He's changed so much since he was a child."

Wu Youping didn't find this person unfamiliar; he must have seen him before, but he couldn't remember his name.

Elder Wu didn't want this person to meet Wu Youping, but he hadn't expected Wu Youping to come home suddenly. He paused for a moment before saying, "Youping, this is your Uncle Li."

Wu Youping remembered now. When his father participated in the Revolutionary Party in the past, there was indeed such a person among the Tongmenghui comrades. This person had visited Wu Youping's home many times, and when talking about overthrowing the Qing Dynasty, his attitude was quite agitated.

After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Tongmenghui quickly splintered, and the former comrades scattered in all directions. Afterwards, Wu Youping went to Tianjin to study, and it wasn't until he returned home that he learned his father had completely lost hope in his former comrades and no longer associated with them.

Since his father was willing to receive this person, Wu Youping could only exchange a few words with him and wish his father a happy birthday.

Elder Wu sighed, "I am very happy you came back today. But you are so busy every day, you don't need to spend your time coming home."

The former Tongmenghui Comrade Li heard that Elder Wu actually meant for Wu Youping to leave. In his desperation, he stood up, "Brother Wu, are you really so heartless towards our old brothers from the Tongmenghui?"

Elder Wu didn't answer, while Wu Youping couldn't figure out what was going on. His father hadn't contacted his former comrades for a long time. If one were to speak of heartlessness, their friendship had faded long ago. It couldn't be called being heartless or unjust at all.

Just as Wu Youping was surprised, this former Tongmenghui Comrade Li turned to Wu Youping again, "Nephew Youping, there have been rumors recently that Marshal He is preparing for a Southern Expedition, and the world is about to fall into chaos. Brother Wu was a recognized figure in the Tongmenghui back then, with vision and insight comparable to a fortune teller. Brother Wu thinks so highly of Marshal He, and Marshal He has a talent like you, Nephew, under his command. We old brothers of the Tongmenghui have long since lost the intention of conquering the world. This time, we just want to ask how the situation will turn out so we can make preparations in advance. Everyone trusts Brother Wu, which is why they sent me here. Does Brother Wu really not care about the brothers at all?"

Wu Youping looked at his father and already had some judgment in his heart. He smiled and said, "Uncle Li, why ask more about such things? The situation is changing, and even Uncle Li has personally come to Shenyang. Does Uncle Li really not understand?"

The former Tongmenghui Comrade Li was stunned for a moment and quickly asked, "I wonder when it will be?"

Wu Youping pretended to answer calmly, "When it launches depends entirely on Chairman He's decision."

Hearing Wu Youping speak like this, Elder Wu frowned. However, Elder Wu did not interrupt, but just sat quietly on his chair.

The former Tongmenghui Comrade Li's expression was full of fear, and in the end, he asked almost with a trembling voice, "Then how will the troops be dispatched?"

"The matter of dispatching troops is naturally decided by Chairman He. However, China has changed dynasties so many times, and there have long been conclusions on how to dispatch troops. One route south, two routes south, three routes south... after fighting so many battles, how could everyone not think of it?"

Hearing this, Elder Wu finally couldn't bear it anymore and shouted, "Youping!"

The former Tongmenghui Comrade Li also knew that Elder Wu was dissatisfied, so he bowed to Elder Wu with clasped hands, "Brother Wu, today is your birthday, and this brother truly came to offer congratulations. Please don't be angry, Brother Wu. Big Brother is already in an invincible position, while we brothers are like duckweed on water, helpless and unsupported. Big Brother, this brother will take his leave first."

After this former Tongmenghui Comrade Li left, Elder Wu said unhappily, "The words you just said weren't your own decision, were they?"

Wu Youping shook his head, "I just happened to run into him, so I released some wind. It's also something the organization has discussed."

Elder Wu's brow furrowed slightly again, but after a moment he sighed, "Since he's already gone, let's eat."

The father and son ate, but both had things on their minds. Apart from toasting when drinking, this meal was eaten almost in silence.

Wu Youping found that coming home hadn't reduced his worries, but that uncomfortable feeling had indeed lowered a bit.

The Central Committee of the Civilization Party had accepted He Rui's strategic analysis. The various warlords in China all believed they were no match for the Japanese army. As long as the Northeast Army achieved its strategic goals, making the Japanese army admit defeat—unable to bear the cost of dealing with the Northeast Army and thus forced to make peace with the Northeast Army—seeing this result, the fighting will of the domestic warlord forces would be very low.

The war plan against Japan was spearheaded and completed by He Rui. The war plan to liberate China did not need He Rui to spearhead it. For thousands of years, Chinese dynasties changed every two or three hundred years. In so many unification wars, countless operational ideas had long been accumulated. Seeking knowledge from the experience of ancestors was enough to deal with China's current warlords.

With the Northeast Army's current advantages, as long as they didn't act foolishly or advance rashly out of underestimation of the enemy, the difficulty of the war itself was not high. As for whether the warlord troops knew that the Northeast Army had formulated a military plan to liberate the whole country, it actually didn't matter.

Since the Northeast Army occupied Inner and Outer Mongolia, the operational plan formulated by the Military Commission was naturally to divide the troops into three routes to go south.

The Central Route Army would enter Shanhaiguan and go south along the Hebei, Henan, and Anhui line. The East Route Army would cross the narrow Bohai Strait from the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula and enter Shandong. After liberating Shandong, they would continue south into Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

The West Route Army would enter Shanxi from Datong and march towards Shaanxi.

Just as Wu Youping had said, there was no need to worry about these things at all. China's geographical form had already determined that there were only those few directions for attack in a unification war. As for the detailed parts, the details Wu Youping had to pay attention to were providing logistical support for the war.

At the meeting, Xu Chengfeng asked He Rui, "Chairman, we can draft 2 million people within half an year and guarantee the tactical ability of the troops. The number of personnel in the Northeast who have received more than three months of formal military training can reach 4 million. But 2 million people can guarantee the war intensity; if it's 4 million, it can only guarantee the fierceness of the war."

He Rui smiled, "Why don't we let Comrade Youping talk about the preparation of war materials."

Economic work was the responsibility of the Northeast Administrative Chief, Wu Youping. Since He Rui made the request, Xu Chengfeng naturally expressed his agreement. Wu Youping immediately took out his notebook, opened it to a page, and without looking at it again after just a glance, he spoke directly, "In 1922, the Northeast and Inner/Outer Mongolia regions were able to produce 80 billion *jin* of grain. Calculated based on 40 million people, the per capita grain is 2,000 *jin*. Edible oil production is 30 *jin* per capita; meat is 30 *jin* per capita..."

While recounting these data points that were absolutely worthy of pride, Wu Youping felt no joy. This wasn't a spring outing or some grand gala, but a war that would drag in 40 million people and send over a million to the battlefield. Wu Youping no longer 'believed' that China would win when the war ended. Rather, the war *must* be won. Once it failed...

At this moment, Wu Youping's mind was filled with these thoughts that were hard to drive away. As for other matters, they had been completely thrown to the back of his mind.

As for the former Tongmenghui Comrade Li who had left, Wu Youping had completely forgotten about him.

However, Comrade Li did not disappear because he was forgotten. After leaving the Wu family, he went straight to his accommodation. Although Comrade Li was somewhat careful, the Northeast Security Bureau wouldn't foolishly stake him out; naturally, there were various established observation points.

It wasn't just this one person being monitored. After various preparations, the Security Bureau already had a master list. The moment the order to start the war was given, the entire Northeast would undergo a massive round of arrests.

During this stage, all sorts of suspicious personnel would be monitored. Although Wu Youping's home wouldn't be monitored, people who came to Elder Wu's home would enter the content of surveillance.

Early the next morning, a report on the previous day was conducted. The intelligence personnel discovered now were mostly serving the Japanese side. Including this former Tongmenghui Comrade Li.

Japan's collection of intelligence on China was a consistent action, especially after the Northeast began general mobilization, the activities of the Japanese intelligence network became noticeably more active.

So after the report passed through several hands, Xu Jia, the Minister of the Organization Department, found Wu Youping for dinner in the evening. After eating a few mouthfuls, Xu Jia said, "Yesterday was your respected father's birthday, right? I wish the old gentleman fortune as vast as the East Sea and longevity as great as the Southern Mountain."

Wu Youping gave a light laugh, "Is there something else? Don't tell me you've dragged my dad into something?"

Xu Jia said while eating, "The person who went to see the old gentleman yesterday works for the Japanese."

Wu Youping was stunned, but quickly continued eating. Xu Jia also seemed to be talking about a trivial matter not worth mentioning, his expression unchanging.

The two ate a few more mouthfuls before Wu Youping said, "I will write a report."

"En," Xu Jia replied. After finishing this matter, Xu Jia changed the topic. "Now we need to prepare to draft cadres, which will have a great impact on industrial production. Have you made the list on your side?"

"I've already asked Director Zhuang Jiaxiong of the Industrial Department to take the lead in making the list. Personnel are graded; some are the backbone of the factories and absolutely cannot be moved."

Xu Jia could completely understand such an arrangement. Excellent talents performed well everywhere, and every department drooled over these talents. The army wanted to poach people from the localities, and the localities wanted to poach people from the army. The Organization Department's job was to allocate personnel according to the main work at present. Under general mobilization, the Organization Department's hardships had increased several fold.

After finishing this meal, Wu Youping returned to his office to continue working. Director Zhuang Jiaxiong of the Industrial Department had an appointment to meet Wu Youping in the evening to discuss work. Now, every department was so busy that there was no time during the day. Content that required deep discussion like this could only be chatted about at night.

As soon as Zhuang Jiaxiong arrived, he placed a bag of food on the table. "No need to worry about getting hungry in the middle of the night this time."

Seeing that his old classmate had made preparations, Wu Youping also pulled out a bag of food bought from the cafeteria and put it on the table, laughing, "We thought of the same thing."

Zhuang Jiaxiong laughed out loud, "Then there's really no need to worry. Old classmate, I want to ask you something in the capacity of a classmate now. Just listen. Don't use your status as Chief to criticize me."

Wu Youping smiled, "I can't guarantee that. After all, we aren't students at the school anymore. We can blow hot air however we like."

Zhuang Jiaxiong naturally knew his identity was no longer a student of the Railway Academy, but if this matter couldn't be clarified, his heart was truly in turmoil.

"Youping, I'm not opposing Chairman He. It's just that Chairman He doesn't care about the possibility of Japan at all, and is convinced that Japan will definitely send troops to interfere in our War of Liberation. Recently, at the conference in Washington, Japan did indeed return all rights in Shandong to China, and didn't extort another sum from us like the Redemption of Liaodong Fee during the First Sino-Japanese War. Can't this matter be taken as a reason that Japan actually won't attack us?"

Wu Youping hadn't expected his classmate to think this way, but things were indeed as his old classmate Zhuang Jiaxiong said. The Republic of China government had resolved the Shandong issue quite satisfactorily this time.

Before this conference began, Japan had actually tried its best not to discuss the Shandong issue. But the Beiyang government firmly refused, stating that if the Shandong issue wasn't discussed, they wouldn't attend the conference. In the end, the Beiyang government achieved its goal. The Washington Conference set up a Far East Pacific venue.

After the Far East Pacific venue started, the American representative proposed Ten Principles regarding the China issue. After discussion, the Chinese delegation raised objections, and finally, after revisions, four resolutions were formed:

1. Respect China's sovereignty, independence, and territorial and administrative integrity;

2. Give China completely unhindered opportunities to develop and maintain a powerful and consolidated government;

3. Maintain the principle of equal opportunity for commerce and industry of all countries within China's territory;

4. Rights and safety of citizens of friendly nations shall not be reduced due to domestic conditions.

These four resolutions mainly reflected the basic thinking of the US policy towards China at that time. The Chinese delegation had reservations about this resolution, while the other eight countries all expressed support. Finally, the "Treaty Between the Nine Powers Concerning China" (Nine-Power Treaty) was formed.

In the subsequent negotiations, the two sides went through intense negotiations and finally recovered the rights in Shandong. All of Germany's privileges in China were recovered.

On the surface, it was indeed a great victory.

But Wu Youping felt that things were probably not that simple. After thinking for a while, Wu Youping smiled, "Since we aren't lacking a midnight snack, let's prepare to pull an all-nighter."

Zhuang Jiaxiong also got interested and laughed, "An all-nighter it is, who's afraid of whom!"

Saying that, he took out a cigarette and lit one.

Wu Youping didn't pay attention to his old classmate. He picked up the phone and called the External Affairs Bureau, asking them to send a copy of the received content regarding the Shandong issue negotiations as soon as possible.

The External Affairs Bureau told Wu Youping that the comrades responsible for this were working overtime. Although the final report wasn't available, the draft without final revisions was already completed.

Wu Youping immediately asked the External Affairs Bureau to send the revised draft. While waiting, he talked with Zhuang Jiaxiong about the personnel arrangements for the general mobilization.

Talking about personnel, Zhuang Jiaxiong was full of bitterness. "Youping, you know it too. What the army wants are people who are down-to-earth and sincere, work seriously, and have determined characters. Engaging in industry also requires such people. We really can't give people away. If we let those people with no sense of responsibility be the pillars of the factories, would you be at ease? Besides, they really can't hold it up!"

Wu Youping sighed. He actually didn't know how to respond.