Staff from the Foreign Affairs Bureau delivered the compiled drafts to Wu Youping's office overnight, only to find the lights still on. Led inside by the guards, they discovered that Wu Youping was not alone; Zhuang Jiaxiong, the Director of the Department of Industry, was also there. The desk was covered with documents and statistical reports. It looked no different from the Foreign Affairs Bureau, which was also burning the midnight oil to process intelligence.

Seeing this, the staff members who came to deliver the documents felt a touch of emotion, and the slight displeasure from working overtime dissipated. Since everyone was busy, there was nothing to complain about.

Wu Youping invited the comrades from the Foreign Affairs Bureau to sit down. While pouring water for them, he asked them to introduce the situation.

Mentioning the content of the talks, the comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau sighed with emotion, "Chief Wu, compared to those unequal treaties of the past, this negotiation is much better. But it remains unequal."

This description surprised Zhuang Jiaxiong slightly. From the briefing, the meeting seemed to have gone reasonably well. It was said that not only was the Shandong issue resolved, but rights were also recovered regarding customs tariffs and consular jurisdiction. However, the Foreign Affairs Bureau was the professional body after all. Since they said it was still unequal, he needed to listen carefully.

The comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau went straight to the point: "We demanded that China recover its rights in Shandong. However, at this conference, Japan still secured Germany's former rights in Shandong. Our demands were not realized at all!"

Zhuang Jiaxiong was stunned, his expression turning grave.

Being professionals, the Foreign Affairs Bureau staff only highlighted the key points in the subsequent explanation. The Chinese and Japanese sides had engaged in fierce exchanges over the return of Kiaochow Bay (Jiaozhou Bay) and related industries, salt fields, coal mines, railways, and many other issues.

Regarding public property and government assets, the Japanese side proposed separating territorial rights from ownership rights. Territorial rights could be returned without compensation, but the return of ownership rights required compensation.

This demand was refuted by Gu Weijun and Shi Zhaoji, who argued that demanding compensation was equivalent to selling, and Japan had no such right.

The most heated debate was over the rights to the Jiaoji Railway. The Chinese representatives first proposed that since the Jiaoji Railway was originally a joint venture between China and Germany, and Japan had now inherited Germany's rights, the entire railway and its subsidiary properties should be valued, and Japan should be given half the value while China recovered the railway rights.

The Japanese side claimed that the railway was obtained from Germany, and if China redeemed it at half price, it would be equivalent to Japan losing half. The Chinese representatives then proposed that paying the full price was not impossible, but the accumulated operating profits over the years and China's original capital stock must be deducted. The Japanese side claimed that this way Japan would gain nothing, and it was worse than the previous proposal. Soon after, the Japanese side changed their tune, insisting on "joint operation" and refusing to give up management rights. The Chinese delegation also received instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to stick to the bottom line of redeeming full management rights at half price.

Hearing how Japan was behaving, Zhuang Jiaxiong felt very angry. Seeing that the comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau wanted to continue recounting the process, Zhuang Jiaxiong said, "Just tell us the result."

"The final negotiation result is that China will provide compensation to Japan, totaling forty million yen. Subsequently, Japan requested that the redemption funds be provided through a Japanese loan to China. The Chinese representatives believed this concerned sovereignty and insisted that China raise the funds itself. Finally, after mediation by Britain and the United States, Japan must return the entire Jiaoji Railway line to China, and China will issue treasury bonds to pay Japan in installments over a period of fifteen years. Japan still obtained the rights and interests in Shandong and made a profit in the end."

Hearing this, Zhuang Jiaxiong slapped the table in anger. But this did not relieve his anger. He stood up abruptly, his expression murderous, "...Forty million yen! Forty million yen! How many rifles could that equip to kill the Japanese!"

It was also Wu Youping's first time hearing this, but he wasn't as furious. Seeing that the mood of the Foreign Affairs Bureau comrade was slightly affected by Zhuang Jiaxiong, he comforted him, "Comrade, don't mind him. He hates Japan."

The comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau nodded, "Chief Wu. We didn't quite understand what Chairman He's notice meant before, but now we understand a bit more. Chairman He demanded that the rights in Shandong must resolutely not be ceded, but the Beiyang government still failed to achieve that."

Wu Youping nodded. This line of thinking was something Wu Youping hadn't considered before. Moreover, Wu Youping had learned of He Rui's war planning in the most core confidential meetings three years ago. At that time, He Rui had convinced Wu Youping. Without hard power, nothing could be protected. Wu Youping no longer cared about negotiations that hadn't been tested by bloody warfare.

Even so, there were parts Wu Youping was curious about. "Some say that this negotiation recovered quite a few rights. Is that true?"

The comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau flipped through the manuscript he brought, found the relevant content, and read: "In the 'Treaty on the Chinese Customs Tariff', it was agreed: A special conference on revising tariff rules and rates will be convened in Shanghai. Before the abolition of likin, a surtax of 2.5% can be levied on ordinary goods, and a surtax of up to 5% on luxury goods; after the abolition of likin, the tariff rate *will* be raised to 12.5%."

After reading, the Foreign Affairs Bureau comrade emphasized the core content again, "Chief Wu, the precondition for this is the cancellation of likin, and furthermore, it is 'will'!"

The Northeast Government had also used the word 'will' in recent years. 'Will' meant 'must be done'. Therefore, for parts that could not be realized, Northeast official documents used 'to be determined according to the situation'. But internationally, the word 'will' could basically be treated as non-existent.

In a jungle society where strength reigns supreme, what future is necessary? There is probably only one truth: 'In the long run, we are all dead.'

Moreover, the prerequisite was the 'abolition of likin'. Likin was a transit tax collected by checkpoints set up by various provinces and localities. Given China's current fragmented state, canceling likin was something that wouldn't happen for a very long time.

Even if likin were truly canceled, and foreign countries implemented the 'will'. Then...

Just as Wu Youping was viewing this treaty with the attitude of appreciating a bizarre text, Zhuang Jiaxiong said angrily, "On what basis do foreigners decide China's tariff quota?"

Wu Youping nodded slightly. Zhuang Jiaxiong had hit the nail on the head. For a sovereign nation, setting tariffs was entirely China's internal affair. On what basis did foreigners decide China's tariff quota? This point alone determined that foreigners were still manipulating China's sovereignty.

Looking at Zhuang Jiaxiong's annoyed appearance, Wu Youping asked, "In order for China to have money to repay the indemnities stipulated in previous unequal treaties, this tariff does indeed need to rise a bit. Otherwise, there won't be money to pay those customs duties."

Zhuang Jiaxiong was stunned, then immediately understood. He lit a cigarette and continued to pace back and forth in the office with a gloomy expression.

Wu Youping turned to the comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau, "What about other sovereignty issues? What was the result?"

The comrade from the Foreign Affairs Bureau found that section again and read, "A commission organized by various countries will investigate the current status of extraterritoriality in China and gradually abandon consular jurisdiction; foreign post offices within China, except in leased territories or as specially provided for by treaties, shall all be abolished; a special commission organized jointly by the Beijing Diplomatic Corps and Chinese commissioners will investigate the status of foreign troops stationed in China. If China can guarantee the safety of foreign lives and property in China, then the various countries will withdraw their troops."

Hearing the first phrase 'a commission organized by various countries', Wu Youping knew that the diplomatic victory boasted by the Beiyang government was just hot air. After the foreign-organized commission investigated and felt that China's situation was no good, what would the result be?

Wu Youping said to the Foreign Affairs Bureau comrade, "Thank you, comrade. It's hard work for you to come so late. You go back first, be careful on the road."

Seeing Wu Youping being so kind, the Foreign Affairs Bureau comrade couldn't help but say while shaking hands with Wu Youping to say goodbye, "Chief Wu, you have worked hard too. Please take care of your health and rest early."

When only Wu Youping and Zhuang Jiaxiong were left in the room, Zhuang Jiaxiong sighed deeply and sat back in his chair dejectedly.

Wu Youping was not surprised. He too had once held the thought that the pressure from foreign powers would decrease, at least giving China a chance to catch its breath. It wasn't until he joined He Rui's team that, after a few years, Wu Youping understood that this was absolutely impossible.

Zhuang Jiaxiong was depressed and angry for a while, but he also knew he absolutely could not continue to waste time like this. He could only turn the topic back to a solution mentioned earlier, "It seems the only thing that can solve the problem is education."

Wu Youping agreed deeply, "It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to rear people. This seemingly clichéd, clumsy method is the only right path. The lack of talent in the Northeast now is simply because everyone's education level is low, and those with industrial thinking are even fewer. If we persist in comprehensive education for 20 years, China will have a million engineers, ten million skilled workers, and tens of millions of industrial workers. With such manpower utilized, what is there that cannot be achieved?"

"20 years..." Zhuang Jiaxiong couldn't help but sigh, "We'll be 50 years old by then."

Wu Youping looked at his old classmate Zhuang Jiaxiong with bright eyes, "Yes, 50 is already very old. But I don't want to lament when I'm 50. If we start working hard at 30, we'll already see results by 50."

Zhuang Jiaxiong gave a bitter smile, "Then let's temporarily exclude teachers from the conscription list as well."

Wu Youping shook his head, "I also think it should be done this way, but unfortunately it can't be. The army is also a school and needs teachers."

The next day, comrades from the Foreign Affairs Bureau handed the compiled solution to the Shandong problem to He Rui. He Rui didn't look at the details, only picking up the outline. After reading it, he instructed his secretary, "Bring this along. We are going to pick up Lord Zhang."

Zhang Xiluan's special train arrived in Shenyang. When the train pulled into Shenyang Station, the old man felt his nostalgia had nowhere to land.

The original Shenyang Station had low platforms, and the only shelter for passengers from the wind and rain were a few low wooden sheds. The current Shenyang Station platforms had been raised. The brand-new platforms appeared to be made of concrete, with conspicuous and neat boarding and alighting positions marked with paint. The completely renovated platforms were entirely covered by a thick roof overhead that looked like brick or stone.

The number of railway personnel coming in and out of the station had increased significantly compared to before. The young people wearing railway uniforms were full of vigor, their movements exhibiting the heat peculiar to youth. What surprised Zhang Xiluan even more was that there were quite a few women among the railway personnel. These Northeast girls were tall and slender, and wearing railway uniforms and peaked caps, each one looked valiant and heroic.

As the train entered the station, one of the girls, clearly the leader, held a megaphone and shouted to the people on the train: "Arriving at Shenyang Station, arriving at Shenyang Station. Passengers, please maintain discipline and line up to disembark. Do not crowd."

When Zhang Xiluan left, this place was still called Fengtian. Now it was called Shenyang. Facing this brand-new... old place, Zhang Xiluan truly couldn't generate any feelings of nostalgia.

Soon, He Rui appeared in front of Zhang Xiluan's carriage and strode onto the special train car. He Rui walked quickly to Zhang Xiluan and greeted him with a face full of smiles, "Lord Zhang, you've had a hard journey. Since learning that Lord Zhang boarded the train, I have been waiting with eager anticipation."

Zhang Xiluan looked at He Rui. He Rui's position was still General Zhen'an, but his military uniform had changed. It was a very simple, bright, and neat military uniform, without the superfluous decorations of a Beiyang general. Only the three stars on his shoulder epaulets proved He Rui's rank. Apart from that, He Rui's uniform was exactly the same as that of the soldiers around him.

A brand-new Shenyang, a brand-new uniform, a brand-new group of people. In Zhang Xiluan's memory, the only thing that hadn't changed was He Rui.

Zhang Xiluan sighed, "Brother He, the fact that you still remember your old brother makes me truly happy in my heart."

"Lord Zhang, you are in the prime of your life, why do you say such things?" He Rui laughed. "Lord Zhang, your accommodation has been arranged. Please let me escort you there."

Seeing He Rui still so polite, Zhang Xiluan relaxed a lot. Following He Rui off the train, a two-person sedan chair was stopped outside the carriage door. Zhang Xiluan waved his hand, "Brother He, I'm not so old that I can't walk."

So He Rui accompanied Zhang Xiluan towards the station exit. Zhang Xiluan looked left and right, seeing that Fengtian Station not only had many more tracks but also had dug an underground passage. Passengers no longer had to detour a long way to exit the station. Going down from the platform into the underground passage and walking all the way forward, they reached the station hall at the end. A few more steps and they were out of the station.

The station square was huge, surrounded by many newly built buildings. Zhang Xiluan looked for a while and sighed, "This station alone already surpasses Tianjin by far."

On the way to the hotel, Zhang Xiluan looked left and right, already somewhat speechless. The changes in Shenyang were so great that the old man didn't know how to evaluate them.

Arriving at the hotel, Zhang Xiluan let his entourage settle in, while he and He Rui went to the reception room of the large suite. The old man sighed, "Brother He's talent for governance is truly unheard of by this old man. Moreover, I heard that Brother He banned opium, gambling, and brothels outside the pass. Without relying on these illicit revenues, Brother He still built Shenyang to be like this. Everyone from the capital and Tianjin who has been to Shenyang praises it."

He Rui had only asked after his well-being along the way, not mentioning these matters at all. Hearing Zhang Xiluan's praise at this moment, he simply smiled, "Lord Zhang was outside the pass for decades. I merely leveraged the foundation Lord Zhang laid down."

Zhang Xiluan gave a chuckle, ignoring these perfunctory words. Zhang Xiluan knew very well what the region outside the pass looked like when he left. If Shenyang had been half as prosperous as it was now, Zhang Xiluan would never have left no matter what.

"Brother He, I came this time entrusted by others. President Xu wants to convene a State Council meeting. If Brother He does not attend, this State Council meeting will be in name only. Brother He has not entered the pass for several years. President Xu feels that perhaps he has treated Brother He unfairly in some matter."

These words could not be believed at all, yet had to be believed. He Rui smiled, "Lord Zhang, President Xu has misunderstood. Assuming public office is to serve the country. In recent years, affairs in the Northeast have been as numerous as hairs on an ox. I worked with all my might and only barely maintained things. If I were to enter the capital to participate in the State Council meeting, I wouldn't even know how to report on my duties. Rather than going and feeling ashamed, it is better to manage the Northeast well first and do more for the people of the Northeast."

Zhang Xiluan nodded slightly, "Presumably, Brother He should have the confidence to enter the capital now."

"But I do not know what President Xu wants to discuss by convening the State Council meeting."

Hearing He Rui express his intention to covet the central political power so clearly, Zhang Xiluan smiled, "Since it is a State Council meeting, naturally it is to discuss major national affairs. With Brother He's talent, you should be able to point out the future direction for the Republic."

The smile vanished from He Rui's face, and he said seriously, "Lord Zhang, not long ago, I sent a telegram to the central government requesting that they fight with all their might for China's sovereignty at the Washington Conference. Yet the central diplomatic delegation actually negotiated such a thing."

As he spoke, He Rui took out the summary of the meeting results and handed it to Zhang Xiluan. "None of the national sovereignty was recovered. As a defeated nation, Germany's rights should have belonged to China, yet in the end, we still have to spend money to redeem them from Japan. The central government is actually not ashamed of such a result but proud of it. This truly baffles me."

Zhang Xiluan took the document and put on his glasses to read it for a moment. In officialdom, what was said could absolutely not be taken seriously. Because what everyone said was just like what He Rui had just said, high-sounding and dignified. Opening their mouths for the country, closing their mouths for the people. This was the rule of officialdom.

If anyone truly took these words about serving the country and people seriously, it could only be said that those people were definitely not meant to be officials, or at least not material for being officials. But if someone didn't believe what interests were represented within those words about serving the country and people, then they were foolish beyond redemption.

After flipping through the document for a moment, Zhang Xiluan seemed to have completely understood it. He threw the document on the table and replied seriously, "Brother He is right. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs failed to fight for any rights for the country, yet they blow their own trumpet. Truly shameless. Brother He, you have many talents under your command. List them out, and I will hand it to President Xu after I return. Replace these vegetarian corpse-position holders (incompetent officials)."

He Rui smiled slightly, "Lord Zhang, don't be angered by those people. They were just following orders, traveling thousands of miles to Washington, USA, circling half the globe. Even without merit, they have worked hard."

Zhang Xiluan didn't think He Rui would care about the personnel arrangement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, so he asked, "Brother He, I, your older brother, feel that if you can assume the post of Premier of the Republic, you will surely be able to arrange outstanding chief officials for each ministry."

Hearing this, He Rui felt that Zhang Xiluan was really not putting his heart into this trip. But Zhang Xiluan couldn't be blamed. The old man was over seventy, yet he had traveled thousands of miles. If it weren't for truly caring about the favors of the older generation, he actually wouldn't have needed to go to this extent. It was excusable for him to be so unconcerned about bargaining.

Moreover, the chip that Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang could bring out now was probably just the position of Premier of the Republic.

"Lord Zhang, I am young and lack virtue. Going to the capital would only invite ridicule. I still have this bit of self-knowledge."

Zhang Xiluan didn't take this bait and asked straightforwardly, "So, Brother He is willing to participate in the State Council meeting?"

He Rui shook his head, "I dare not be so arrogant. If I could meet with Chief Duan at Shanhaiguan, I would be satisfied."