Since the death of Yuan Shikai, Wang Shizhen had moved to Tianjin. On October 22nd, Wang Shizhen once again set foot in the capital he had left six years ago. The representative sent by the Ministry of War was already waiting at the station. A Colonel Zhang stepped forward and saluted, "Lord Wang, this junior has come to welcome you on the orders of the Minister of War."

Wang Shizhen smiled amiably. "Young Master Zhang, I was neighbors with your esteemed father. When we met, he often mentioned you. Seeing you today, you are indeed a fine talent."

The welcomer was Zhang Xiluan's youngest son, who now served as his father's captain of the guard. Hearing Wang Shizhen's rather cliché opening, he hurriedly replied, "Lord Wang's great name is something this junior has heard of since childhood; it is like thunder to my ears. I have heard my father say that your strategic planning is superb and your actions meticulous—the first among our Beiyang group. I truly admire you." Captain Zhang bowed slightly and led the way.

As Wang Shizhen walked out of the station under the protection of soldiers, Captain Zhang walked beside him and sighed, "My father often says that if we of the younger generation could have even one ten-thousandth of your wisdom and bearing, it would be a fortune for our families."

Wang Shizhen, a veteran of the sea of officialdom, smiled and nodded. "Nephew Zhang praises me too highly. I am but a man at a dead end, anxious like a stray dog. Such high praise is unwarranted."

Before long, the two walked out of the station. The road outside had long been cleared; guards stood at attention, and a black car had been waiting for some time. They boarded the car. Looking out the window along the way, Beijing seemed vaguely like the old days—bustling yet revealing a hint of decay. It hadn't changed much since he left six years ago. He couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.

The car stopped at the Ministry of War in Iron Lion Lane. This had been the Qing Court's Ministry of War, and in the Yuan Shikai era, it was the Beiyang Ministry of War. Wang Shizhen got out of the car, and someone immediately went in to announce him. Standing outside this familiar gate, looking at the bricks and trees he had known for decades, Wang Shizhen hadn't wanted to recall the past, yet memories surged into his heart.

Wang Shizhen was once heavily relied upon; whether it was Yuan Shikai or the princes of the Qing Court, they all trusted him deeply. He once held illustrious prestige. He had made the decision to support Yuan Shikai's seizure of power, making Yuan the Great President and allowing the Beiyang brothers to control China's political power. He had also made wrong choices; when Yuan Shikai resolved to proclaim himself Emperor, Wang thought it feasible, which ultimately led to the failure of the monarchy and the ruin of reputations. Since then, the Beiyang brothers had fought amongst themselves, and China, which had once seemed likely to be reunified, fell apart.

Thinking of all this, Wang Shizhen's emotions surged, and he couldn't help but let out a sorrowful sigh, his vision blurring.

At this moment, footsteps sounded, followed by an affectionate call: "My worthy brother, I trust you have been well since we parted!" Zhang Xiluan, supported by two guards, had come out to welcome him personally.

Seeing Wang Shizhen wiping tears with his sleeve, Zhang Xiluan immediately scolded his son, "How did you welcome Lord Wang! You actually dared to..."

Wang Shizhen hurriedly took a step forward. "Brother Zhang, I was just seeing things that reminded me of people, and I couldn't control my emotions. It has nothing to do with these children."

Zhang Xiluan understood Wang Shizhen's feelings. He didn't scold the others further but took Wang Shizhen's arm. "Worthy brother, you haven't been back here for a long time either. Come, walk with your older brother in the courtyard."

Wang Shizhen was sixty-one years old this year. He had joined the army as a youth and had never lived a pampered life; he had endured hardships, so his body was still tough. However, walking along, he noticed that although Zhang Xiluan was wearing a warm and light brocade robe, his body couldn't help but shiver when the wind blew. This seventy-nine-year-old elder brother was truly old. Wang slowed his pace, walking slowly.

Revisiting this old place in deep autumn, the old trees in the Ministry of War courtyard had withered branches, and yellow leaves drifted down, adding a few degrees of desolation. It closely resembled his current mood. He couldn't help but sigh, "Each generation brings forth new talents. Our generation is incompetent; this Beiyang still exists, but it is about to take the surname He."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluan felt that Wang Shizhen still held some resentment, and he was inevitably a bit disappointed. However, Wang Shizhen was someone Zhang Xiluan had personally invited to the capital, so he stopped beside a stone table and stools. The guards quickly spread soft cushions on the two stone stools. Zhang Xiluan sat on the cushion with Wang Shizhen's support, caught his breath, and then spoke. "Worthy brother, birth, old age, sickness, and death are destined by Heaven. Last year, I could still ride a horse with you. Now, let alone riding, I need someone to support me just to walk. I fear I won't make it past New Year's Day this year."

Wang Shizhen hurriedly comforted him, "Brother, what are you saying? I see that you..."

"Sigh!" Zhang Xiluan interrupted Wang Shizhen. "Worthy brother, you and I both come from the ranks, having crawled out of piles of corpses and seas of blood. Why say these useless words that don't matter? Thanks to the love of Brother Xu and Brother Duan, I was appointed Minister of War. Yesterday, I received a telegram from Brother He, saying he has already decided to disengage from combat with the Japanese army in Korea and switch to defense. The Japanese have lost a hundred thousand troops and their vitality is greatly damaged. Restarting the war will be a matter for next year. With Brother He's talent, he can certainly handle it. That is why I invited you, my worthy brother, to enter the capital. With your intelligence, you must have guessed most of it. Since you were willing to come, you must understand that among the current brothers in Beiyang, you are the most suitable to be this Minister of War."

Although the telegram Wang Shizhen received didn't explicitly state it, he had his guesses. Hearing Zhang Xiluan speak so plainly, he replied, "Brother, you are wholeheartedly devoted to the public good and never cling to power. I sincerely admire you. But regarding what you're doing, I cannot follow your wishes and take over as Minister of War."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluan was somewhat disappointed. After leaving the Northeast, Zhang Xiluan's life had become increasingly smooth these past few years; he felt his life was complete and had long been without desires. It was only due to his lingering affection for the Beiyang brothers that he reluctantly took up the post of Minister of War.

Upon learning the latest war report—that the Northeast Army had fought to the outskirts of Seoul (Hanseong)—he felt Japan probably couldn't turn the tables. Zhang Xiluan didn't want to die in office. After repeated deliberation, he decided that Wang Shizhen, who didn't have his own troops, was the most suitable person to take over as Minister of War. That was why he invited Wang Shizhen to Beijing. Seeing Wang Shizhen genuinely refuse, he felt somewhat unhappy, and a tone of blame crept into his words. "Worthy brother, the country has not treated us thinly. At such a time, does my brother think there is anyone more suitable than you to serve as Minister of War?"

Wang Shizhen waved his hand gently. "Brother called me to the capital for state affairs. Let alone taking over as Minister of War, even if you wanted me to go through water and fire, I shouldn't decline. However, you are my Beiyang elder brother, and He Rui is our Beiyang younger brother. If you step down now, it would be favoring one over the other."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluan felt Wang Shizhen was still unwilling. He persuaded, "Worthy brother, at our age, what is there that we can't see past? Brother He is not someone who doesn't understand the rules. Is there some misunderstanding everyone has about him?"

Wang Shizhen waved his hand again. "Brother. For decades, the country has fought against the Great Powers. When have we ever had a battle where we annihilated over ten thousand enemies? Let alone annihilating a hundred thousand. Brother He is a hero and a prominent figure; naturally, he should lead the world. This is the general trend of the world. If there are truly those who are muddled, they are merely mantises trying to stop a chariot."

Zhang Xiluan didn't quite understand, but Wang Shizhen was known as the Dragon of Beiyang and was the number one strategist in Beiyang. Since he said this, he must have his considerations. So Zhang asked, "In your opinion, what should I do for the Beiyang brothers?"

Wang Shizhen gently reminded him, "Brother, when you yielded the Northeast to Brother He back then, all the brothers admired your decisiveness. Only now do the brothers understand that your vision was far-reaching; you had the eyes to recognize a hero and were the one supporting the dragon. Since you want to retire, why not hold a gathering of heroes before you go?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xiluan understood. However, he didn't feel he could give orders to He Rui. Just as he was about to politely decline, he heard Wang Shizhen continue, "Brother, in these years you have never caused trouble for the Central Government. Precisely because of this, you have inevitably become estranged from the Beiyang brothers. If the world were at peace, Brother He would naturally enter the Central Government step by step. However, the current situation is changing so fast that we can no longer do things by ordinary rules. If you don't hold this hero's banquet, people with ulterior motives will certainly create trouble. You have already helped Brother He onto the horse; why not escort him for one more leg of the journey?"

Zhang Xiluan couldn't help but clap his hands in great praise. "Worthy brother, you hold the pearl of wisdom in your grasp; you are far superior to me. My days are numbered, and I've become muddled. Thank you, worthy brother."

Wang Shizhen lowered his gaze. Although making such a decision was not his original intention, for the sake of Beiyang, he had to accept the fate of Beiyang changing masters.

Just as he was feeling somewhat disheartened, he saw Zhang Xiluan look up at the sky and sigh, "Before Brother Xiangcheng passed away, I visited him. At that time, although Brother Xiangcheng was disheartened, he entrusted me with a task: if it was within my power, I must exert myself for the country and make the Beiyang brothers unite. Thanks to your reminder, I realized my omission here. If our Beiyang can unite again, even if I see Brother Xiangcheng after death, I can tell him that I did not fail his trust."

Speaking to this point, Zhang Xiluan was already in tears.

Seeing Duan Qirui and others acting without measure these past few years, Wang Shizhen had completely lost hope in Beiyang. But he never expected Beiyang's doomsday to come so quickly. The grief was indescribable; if he could cry out loud, it would be a relief. But at this moment, he couldn't shed a single tear, and the pain in his heart only grew stronger.

At this moment, a few fallen leaves were blown down by the deep autumn wind, drifting onto the stone table beside them. Wang Shizhen picked one up, not knowing what to do with it, and could only drop it powerlessly. He looked up at Zhang Xiluan and said, "Brother, it's getting cold outside. Let's go in."

Zhang Xiluan called his son over and instructed him to contact everyone. Only then did he stand up with the support of the crowd, and supporting each other, he and Wang Shizhen walked into the majestic Ministry of War building.

***

Compared to the capital, the Northeast was colder. According to the weather forecast, northern Outer Mongolia and Mohe in Heilongjiang had already seen their first snow. The Northeast Government had already begun preparations for winter.

As the Administrative Chief of the Northeast, Wu Youping was incredibly busy. The Northeast had a bumper harvest this year, and the war was proceeding very smoothly. Although the war consumption was huge, it did not affect the good operation of the Northeast Government under the wartime system.

Learning that He Rui had invited him over, Wu Youping took a few statistical reports to see him. Seeing He Rui push a report in front of him, Wu Youping thought there was some good news and picked it up to read. As he read, his good mood turned into vigilance. Putting down the report, Wu Youping asked, "Chairman, if what the report says is true, Beiyang wants to negotiate their retreat?"

He Rui lit a cigarette. "No need to truly believe them; Beiyang is just preparing for a rainy day. If the war suffers a setback, they will immediately change their minds."

Wu Youping felt the same. When formulating strategy, Beiyang was not classified as an object to be united with, but as a force that must be guarded against. Wu Youping's only expectation for Beiyang was that they not cause trouble and honestly wait until the war ended. He hadn't expected those people in Beiyang to convene a meeting for the future division of power.

Since the convener was Zhang Xiluan, Wu Youping felt it was a bit troublesome. He asked, "Will you attend this meeting, Chairman?"

He Rui replied, "I invited you here to ask you to attend this meeting as my representative."

"Oh?" Wu Youping was somewhat reluctant inwardly. But after thinking for a moment, he realized that apart from himself, there was really no one else suitable for this job.

Zhang Xiluan understood priorities very well. During wartime, He Rui would absolutely not attend Zhang Xiluan's family banquet. So, publicly or privately, Wu Youping, as the Administrative Chief of the Northeast Government, could represent He Rui. Although Wu Youping was also very busy, he could only attend.

Wu Youping asked, "In that case, I will go prepare."

"Wait a moment." He Rui didn't let Wu Youping end the topic immediately. "Since you are going, why not prepare to visit your alma mater? You haven't been back for a long time either."

Hearing this suggestion, Wu Youping nodded repeatedly. "Indeed, I should go. The current juniors have written quite a few letters to me, their senior. If I don't go and take a look, it wouldn't be right."

Discussing this topic, Wu Youping's mood became cheerful again. What the Northeast lacked most now was talent. No one knew how long the war would last. Under the total war system, every post needed knowledgeable and educated workers to improve the intensity of government operations. Given the time it took to establish the Northeast's education system, the mass emergence of such talents would take a few more years.

Wu Youping happened to have taken out a report on this aspect, so he gave it to He Rui first, and the two discussed work.

***

While the Northeast Government was working at full capacity, the Northeast Army on the battlefield did not relax. The Japanese garrison in Seoul (Hanseong) was under tremendous pressure. A total of one hundred thousand troops from both sides were deployed on the positions, yet not a single figure could be seen in the trenches or on the positions. It seemed like an empty battlefield that had been abandoned.

In the trenches, the armies of both sides moved while stooping. The Northeast Army was trained this way and was used to it. The Japanese army, however, had to learn to do this because of heavy losses. Although large-scale offensive battles had stopped, small-scale engagements continued incessantly along the long battle line. And the Northeast Army adopted "cold guns and cold cannons" (sniping and sporadic shelling). After those Japanese soldiers who dared to show their heads were taken out, the remaining Japanese huddled in the trenches, relying only on observation ports and observation equipment to monitor the positions.

This made the atmosphere inside the Japanese garrison headquarters extremely heavy. Okamura Yasuji believed this was the preparation before the Northeast Army's next large-scale offensive. Nagata Tetsuzan remained silent, but he also leaned somewhat towards Okamura Yasuji's view. Only Ishiwara Kanji insisted that the Northeast Army would not launch a new offensive. But his voice was also a bit smaller.

It wasn't until the night of October 23rd—although the pressure of war did not decrease, a large-scale offensive did not occur, and Japanese reinforcements were getting closer—that Nagata Tetsuzan determined the campaign was just as Ishiwara Kanji had said: the Northeast Army did not have the combat determination to capture Seoul. Of course, at this time, they couldn't show the slightest loophole. Nagata Tetsuzan had made so many exaggerated vows just to let the Northeast Army facing them know: *'I know I can't win, but if you want to destroy us, you'll have to break a few teeth.'*

The opposing commander appeared very calm and rational, and should have understood. But such a calm and rational commander would never let it pass if he saw even a single opportunity.

It wasn't until the 25th, when three fully equipped Japanese regiments arrived in Seoul and quickly relieved those temporary conscripts, joining the defensive positions, that Nagata Tetsuzan determined that Seoul was truly held.

At this time, the Seoul garrison all knew that reinforcements had arrived. The temporary conscripts were incredibly excited, and their actions became somewhat carried away. Even the regular troops were in high spirits, and inquiry calls came one after another. Nagata Tetsuzan ordered the officers in the headquarters with a stern face, "Go to each position immediately and order the troops to remain calm."

Before Nagata Tetsuzan, Okamura Yasuji, Ishiwara Kanji, and others could rush to the positions to supervise personally, tragedy struck. The Northeast Army launched another round of sniping and sporadic shelling on the Japanese positions that had become somewhat agitated, dealing a heavy blow to the Japanese defenders who thought they were already saved.

Moreover, some of the newly reinforced Japanese troops were not accustomed to the current situation and also suffered considerable casualties. The situation was chaotic for a time.

Fortunately, Nagata Tetsuzan and the others arrived in time and finally managed to settle the Japanese army down again. On the morning of the 26th, the Northeast Army's rearguard, which had begun retreating secretly the day before, quickly pulled back and disengaged from the Japanese army. The Northeast Army's actions were concealed, decisive, and rapid, leaving the Japanese army no opportunity for a surprise attack.

In the afternoon, the Imperial General Headquarters in Tokyo sent a commendation order, praising the Seoul garrison for fearing no strong enemy and fighting bravely. A promotion telegram was also sent; due to Nagata Tetsuzan's command ability and merits, the Imperial General Headquarters announced that Nagata Tetsuzan would temporarily serve as Acting Chief of Staff of the Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army.

That night, Nagata Tetsuzan, Ishiwara Kanji, and the others, exhausted after spending a day inspecting positions and reorganizing defenses, returned to the Seoul headquarters and collapsed on their camp beds in a deep sleep.

It wasn't until around 9:00 AM on the 27th that the three were awakened by a few cannon blasts. They jumped up to inquire about the battle situation. Learning that it was just harassing fire from the Northeast Army's long-range artillery, they stabilized. The three, starving, ordered food and prepared to chat while eating in the small room of the headquarters. However, all three had underestimated their hunger; it took three refills of rice before they were full.

Having finally filled their stomachs, Ishiwara Kanji smiled. "Gentlemen, why don't we soak our feet?"

Nagata Tetsuzan smiled and said, "You two go first; I'll go arrange some official business."

They thought Nagata Tetsuzan would delay for a while, but unexpectedly, after waiting only ten minutes, Nagata Tetsuzan arrived. The orderly behind him was carrying three large kettles of hot water and foot basins.