The Shanhaiguan Pass of 1922 was vastly different from the tourist attraction it would become a century later. The damaged walls were mottled and worn, the battlements dilapidated. Yet, nothing could conceal the majesty of its original construction.

To see the ocean, one had to go to Laolongtou (Old Dragon's Head). It wasn't visible from here. When Duan Qirui gazed in the direction of the sea earlier, his mind had actually been preoccupied with what to say to He Rui.

The two walked for a while before Duan Qirui sighed. "Brother He, outside the Pass, you have reorganized the army, prepared for war, and developed the people's livelihood. You recovered the Chinese Eastern Railway and provided disaster relief to the people. Your reputation is now illustrious."

He Rui chuckled softly, not responding, simply waiting for Duan Qirui to continue. Seeing He Rui's reaction, Duan Qirui voiced the second half of his thought—the questioning part. "However, your implementation of land reform outside the Pass has truly shaken those inside the Pass. At the mere mention of your great name, Brother He, the gentry are struck with fear."

"Haha. Is that so? I wonder if they describe me as a monster with a green face and jagged fangs," He Rui replied jokingly.

Duan Qirui hadn't expected such a response and stared at He Rui with displeasure for a moment. He saw that He Rui looked completely at ease, clearly not taking the gentry's opposition seriously. Duan Qirui was greatly displeased but helpless. He could only advise, "Brother He, you currently enjoy outstanding fame and are proficient in both domestic administration and diplomacy. The old brothers of the Beiyang clique are getting on in years. As long as you can change your course, this position of Grand President will be yours for the taking in a few years. Brother He, you have always placed the country first; why be so willful?"

He Rui's purpose in coming this time was not to brush Duan Qirui off. This was a perfect opportunity to test just how reactionary Duan Qirui actually was. He put away his smile and answered seriously, "Premier, the world has changed."

Hearing the seriousness in He Rui's tone and this specific opening statement, Duan Qirui listened attentively.

"Historically, China has never lacked skilled craftsmen. Tools and implements were constantly improved, making China the most powerful and advanced nation in the world during the agrarian age. China's current backwardness lies in missing the era of industrialization—we have fallen behind in science, technology, and means of production across the board. However, Premier, given the innate intelligence of the Chinese people, catching up to the pioneering nations of Europe and America is not a problem at all."

As Duan Qirui listened to He Rui, he unconsciously frowned. With Duan Qirui's status in the Beiyang clique, talking to others about serving the country and the people usually had nothing to do with actually serving the country and the people. Whenever "country and people" were mentioned, it was always for the sake of interests—group interests, personal interests, the interests of those in high positions.

Now that He Rui was discussing Chinese history, it was technically on topic. But somehow, Duan Qirui felt that He Rui was genuinely discussing the subject itself.

However, Duan Qirui had weathered many storms. Since He Rui wanted to talk about this, Duan Qirui was curious to see what game he was playing. So, Duan Qirui smiled and said, "Brother He, what you're saying sounds like something I've heard others say. But usually, after saying this, those people go on to talk about 'saving the nation through industry' or 'saving the nation through education.'"

He Rui smiled. "Heh, those people have only studied the surface of the problem and fall far short of your insight, Premier. What you said right at the start was the most crucial point."

Duan Qirui had no interest in idle chatter. Since He Rui was circling around like this, Duan Qirui didn't want to waste time with him. "Oh? I didn't expect you to know how to flatter people, Brother He. What I said just now was merely the worry of the Beiyang brothers."

He Rui nodded. "Premier, in the agrarian age, the gentry played a significant role. They preserved culture, knowledge, and art, and were a key source of government officials. The saying 'farming and studying to maintain the family legacy' was not wrong. However, as I said before, Premier, the world has changed. This is no longer the agrarian age; it is the industrial age. This process is irreversible. To have a place in the modern world, China must become an industrial nation. The reason the Northeast is where it is today is not because land reform was implemented and the landlords and gentry fled. The Northeast is where it is today because, over the past few years, it has been built and developed according to the rules of the industrial age. In the industrial age, there is no longer any room for landlords and gentry."

Duan Qirui realized that He Rui hadn't strayed from the topic. Duan Qirui wanted to talk about landlords and gentry, and He Rui was talking about landlords and gentry. Both sides were discussing the issue with extreme frankness.

But this conversation was vastly different from Duan Qirui's previous ones. When He Rui spoke of the national economy and the people's livelihood, he was actually talking about the national economy and the people's livelihood. He wasn't using them as a guise.

From its inception, the Beiyang army had recruited boys from good families. These recruits came from wealthy households or were yeoman farmers. Over the years, these Beiyang soldiers had used their earnings to buy land, becoming landlords themselves. Moreover, after the Beiyang clique rose to power, many children of landlords and gentry joined the Beiyang forces. Therefore, He Rui's actions in the Northeast had directly triggered opposition from the entire Beiyang group.

Duan Qirui himself didn't care much about the position of Premier; he would yield it to He Rui if asked. But the upper echelons of Beiyang could not accept it. They were all landlords and gentry now. Once He Rui took power and implemented the policies already enforced in the Northeast, the family fortunes they had worked so hard to amass over the years would instantly vanish in a puff of smoke.

Since He Rui's stance was so diametrically opposed to Beiyang's, Duan Qirui had to get to the bottom of it. "Brother He, why can't you let the gentry go?"

"I have never targeted the landlords and gentry personally; I only want to lead China into a new era. But as the saying goes, 'Where the broom does not reach, the dust will not vanish of itself.' Premier, the gentry hold power. When it comes to distributing benefits, they will certainly carve out the largest share for themselves. In the industrial age, these benefits must be distributed to the working people. It is the working people who create the science, technology, and culture of the industrial age. Because the abundant products of the industrial age enable individual men and women to establish their own small families according to their own expectations, state institutions must serve these small families. This necessitates a legal system that abolishes all privileges. In the industrial age, landlords and gentry only serve as an obstruction. Like a rock blocking the great cart of industrialization—I truly have no other method but to kick the rock aside or crush it directly."

Hearing this, especially the final metaphor, Duan Qirui sighed and stopped walking.

Resting his hand on the battlement and looking down, he saw Beiyang troops on one side of Shanhaiguan and He Rui's troops on the other. Separated by the pass, the men on both sides remained silent. Standing atop the pass were the leaders of these two factions. Duan Qirui no longer wished to say anything more to He Rui. He turned around and praised, "Brother He is truly straightforward."

Seeing the steely resolve in Duan Qirui's expression, He Rui understood Duan Qirui's reactionary nature. Being reactionary was a stance; it didn't necessarily involve personal morality. Just like Duan Qirui himself, who was famously known as the "Six-No Premier"—no smoking, no drinking, no gambling, no whoring, no greed, no embezzlement.

In terms of personal morality, Duan Qirui had no issues. Moreover, in the other timeline, Duan Qirui refused to cooperate with the Japanese when they invaded, showing national integrity.

However, when faced with the grand trend that China must undergo revolution to achieve industrialization, Duan Qirui decisively chose his stance and reacted against this trend. This was what made a "reactionary."

Since Duan Qirui had confirmed his stance, He Rui didn't want to say more. After a moment of silence, He Rui smiled. "If the Premier has nothing else to say, this subordinate will take his leave."

Duan Qirui nodded. "I will see you off, Brother He."

Both were military men; their steps were brisk, and they soon reached the bottom of Shanhaiguan Pass. He Rui raised his hand in salute to Duan Qirui. "Premier, I do not know when we shall meet again. Please take care of your health."

Duan Qirui wore a smile with a profound meaning. "If Brother He wishes to see me, you can bring your men to visit at any time."

He Rui nodded. "There is one more matter this subordinate forgot to ask. If I go to war with Japan, I wonder which side the Premier will stand on?"

Duan Qirui was stunned. This question was completely beyond his expectations, and for a moment, he didn't know how to answer. While he hesitated, he heard He Rui continue, "In terms of righteousness towards the nation, would the Premier stand on Japan's side?"

Duan Qirui was very unaccustomed to He Rui's conversational style, but since He Rui had asked, Duan Qirui replied, "Brother He, if that day truly comes... we are all Chinese. Naturally, I would not help foreigners fight Chinese people."

He Rui smiled. "In that case, let me state something first. If I fight Japan, I will set up defensive positions at Tanggu to prevent a Japanese landing to ensure the safety of Shanhaiguan. I will also establish a defensive warning line from Beijing to Shanhaiguan. At that time, I ask Premier Duan not to misunderstand. I have absolutely no intention of attacking the capital."

Duan Qirui had been patiently listening to He Rui, but hearing this, he truly couldn't hold back. He let out a cold laugh. "Heh! As long as Brother He is acting for the country and the people, how could this foolish brother be so ignorant of the big picture? If that day really comes, you only need to say the word, Brother He, and this foolish brother will yield the capital to you."

Seeing that Duan Qirui was genuinely annoyed, He Rui said no more. He simply raised his hand to salute Duan Qirui, then turned and left.

Although he didn't look back, He Rui guessed that Duan Qirui probably wore a look of disdain. But that was no longer important. What needed to be said had been said. If Duan Qirui was merely a reactionary, he wouldn't be exterminated after being overthrown.

If Duan Qirui became a traitor, there would be nothing else to say; he would simply face a fair trial.

However, the matter of war with Japan had to be told to Duan Qirui first. If he didn't mention it, He Rui would be in a passive position later. As for whether Duan Qirui believed it... Duan Qirui absolutely would not believe it right now.

Just as He Rui expected, when the meeting ended, Duan Qirui didn't mention a word about He Rui going to war with Japan. Even when he returned to Beijing and recounted the meeting to Xu Shichang, he didn't bring it up.

Xu Shichang was a man of great intellect. After hearing He Rui's words, he knew the plan to win over He Rui had failed completely. If what He Rui said was false, then He Rui's intention was that Beiyang must submit.

If what He Rui said was true, it was even more terrifying. He Rui wanted to dig out Beiyang's very roots. If the civil and military officials of Beiyang knew that He Rui wanted the landlords and gentry to "exit the stage of history," would they have any choice but to fight to the death?

Understanding this, Xu Shichang sighed, not knowing what to say. Just then, Duan Qirui suddenly burst out laughing. It started as a cold sneer, turned into mockery, and finally, Duan Qirui laughed uproariously.

Xu Shichang looked at Duan Qirui, completely unsure of what was wrong with him. Duan Qirui laughed for a while, wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes, and said, "Brother Xu, during this meeting, just as He Rui was leaving, he exhorted me. He said he is going to fight Japan. When he fights Japan, he will send a force to occupy Shanhaiguan and Tanggu to guard against a Japanese landing. You didn't see He Rui's expression at the time; he looked as if he meant it."

Hearing this, Xu Shichang was stunned. Immediately, a strong emotion rushed to his head, and he couldn't help but laugh loudly as well.

Duan Qirui was born in 1865. Xu Shichang was born in 1855. This year was 1922; Duan Qirui was 57, and Xu Shichang was 67.

It had to be said, in his 67 years of life, Xu Shichang felt that this joke told by He Rui was undoubtedly the most f*cking ridiculous one he had ever heard.