The three men lowered their feet into the hot water. A scalding sensation spread from their feet up their legs, causing their hair to stand on end and sending several shivers through their bodies. After adding more hot water to the basin, warmth gradually diffused through their limbs, bringing a sense of comfort to their entire bodies.

Ishiwara Kanji sighed, "I feel like I've come back to life. Nagata-kun, have you reviewed the new frontline infantry offensive guidelines?"

Nagata Tetsuzan felt a surge of pleasant surprise. Although the fighting over the past few days hadn't been intensely fierce, the pressure on the battlefield was no less than if both sides had committed their full forces to a chaotic melee. The heartstrings of the frontline commanders were pulled tight to the point of neurosis. As far as Nagata knew, Isogai Rensuke had cursed his subordinates countless times in the command post. Yet, Okamura Yasuji and Ishiwara Kanji had withstood the pressure. While preparing to counter possible enemy attacks at any moment, they had forced themselves to think about the tactics to be adopted in future counteroffensives. This composure was truly admirable.

"Please let me take a look," Nagata Tetsuzan asked.

Okamura Yasuji pulled a notebook from his pocket and handed it to Nagata. The handwriting in the notebook was somewhat scrawled. On facing pages, only a single observed combat example—large or small—was recorded. The majority of the empty space was filled with analysis and summaries of that specific example, as well as the key points Japan should adopt if launching similar attacks.

Each page was filled with revisions and additions, with large sections crossed out where views were deemed unreasonable.

In the latter half of the notebook, reading from back to front, were tactical concepts. Moreover, every concept clearly noted which of the previously recorded and analyzed battles it cited. It was evidently the product of immense effort, not a hastily compiled draft.

After a quick scan, Nagata looked up. Only then did Ishiwara Kanji take out his own notebook and hand it to Nagata. The first half was similar to Okamura's records, but the summaries in the back were much more organized than Okamura's. Ishiwara had even proposed a set of training concepts based on the current state of the Japanese Army, derived from these summaries.

Seeing this, Nagata closed the notebooks. "I was just about to tell you two that new reinforcements are arriving. I plan to rush back to Tokyo tomorrow morning to seek an audience with the Minister of War and the Chief of the General Staff, and to submit the insights from this operation to both Excellencies. I will do my utmost to recommend your reports to them."

Okamura Yasuji and Ishiwara Kanji bowed slightly. "Thank you for your guidance, Nagata-kun."

Nagata Tetsuzan bowed in return. "Presumably, by the time I return, the selection for the commander of the Manchuria-Mongolia Army Headquarters will have been decided. I ask that you two continue to assist me and fight together for the Empire."

After speaking, he returned the notebooks to them.

Okamura Yasuji had assumed Nagata Tetsuzan wouldn't return to Tokyo for another few days. Given the urgency, he raised the most critical question: "Is it necessary for me to return to Tokyo with you, Nagata-kun?"

Nagata Tetsuzan shook his head. "If Okamura-kun were to return with me, it would naturally be of great help. However, the pressing task now is the reconstruction of the 19th and 20th Divisions. To complete this heavy responsibility as early as possible, I believe these two divisions must be rebuilt right here in Korea. You two must now shoulder the burden of this reconstruction."

Ishiwara Kanji had a slight reservation. "When rebuilding the 19th and 20th Divisions, can we apply these brand-new tactics in their training?"

Nagata Tetsuzan naturally knew how much resistance such a move would encounter, but he had already made up his mind. He answered immediately, "There will certainly be many seniors in the Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army Headquarters whose bravery and loyalty won victory for the Empire in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War. Their experience also comes from those two wars. However, this battle has proven that He-kun's understanding of war is already ahead of the Empire. Therefore, I will explain this matter fully to Excellency Tanaka and will also move quickly to promote the two of you so you can formally take charge of the reconstruction work as soon as possible."

Both Okamura and Nagata were currently Colonels. In the Japanese Army, field officers (Colonels, Lt. Colonels, Majors) were responsible for executing specific missions, and Colonel was the highest rank among executive officers. The power of decision lay in the hands of general officers; only after becoming Major Generals could they decide how the two divisions would be rebuilt. Both Okamura and Ishiwara strongly looked forward to rapidly improving the Japanese Army's combat effectiveness, so they bowed and replied, "Thank you for your hard work, Nagata-kun."

"You two are too polite," Nagata bowed in return. He then said to Ishiwara Kanji, "Ishiwara-kun, you are free-spirited and unconventional, and your words always cut to the heart of the matter. The Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army absolutely cannot do without you. In this moment of the Empire's great defeat, the atmosphere is unusual. Ishiwara-kun, *a gentleman is watchful over himself when he is alone*."

Ishiwara Kanji was also one of the few "China experts" in the Japanese military. Hearing this, he immediately recalled the source of the phrase: *'There is nothing more visible than what is secret, and nothing more manifest than what is minute. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself when he is alone.'* Bluntly put, Nagata Tetsuzan was warning Ishiwara Kanji not to make any more remarks that were out of tune with the current situation, so as not to affect the voice Ishiwara had struggled to gain within the army.

Although it was well-intentioned, Ishiwara Kanji simply smiled and nodded slightly, making no reply.

Okamura Yasuji, looking forward to Nagata's quick return to speed up the work of strengthening the Japanese Army, seized the time to ask, "Nagata-kun, the Imperial General Headquarters is under immense pressure this time. I believe the Headquarters expects to launch a counteroffensive within two months to retake Korea. What advice do you plan to give them?"

Knowing Okamura as he did, Nagata knew that Okamura Yasuji had a tenacious character and would never say things that were useless. Given the status of Nagata, Okamura, and Ishiwara, their influence on Imperial policy was negligible. Yet, Okamura still made such a request of Nagata, showing his expectations of him.

Facing such a trust, Nagata answered decisively, "If the War Ministry and the General Staff Office ask for my opinion, I will state clearly: we must wait at least three months, until six divisions have arrived in Seoul, before launching a counterattack."

At this, all three fell silent. It wasn't that they didn't trust the judgment of War Minister Tanaka Giichi or Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Suzuki Soroku, but rather that the pressure caused by this defeat was so great that these two men could barely bear it.

Just then, Ishiwara Kanji spoke up. "Okamura-kun, let's revise the guidelines as quickly as possible. We are frontline commanders after all; the more persuasive our report is, the better Nagata-kun can convince the Headquarters."

With that, Ishiwara Kanji quickly dried his feet, put on his shoes and socks, and walked out of the small room. Okamura Yasuji and Nagata Tetsuzan were a few steps slower, leaving only the two of them in the room. Okamura whispered, "Nagata-kun, although Major General Yagyū is serious, he is not an obstinate man. If Ishiwara-kun has time, he might as well pay a visit to Major General Yagyū before seeing the Chief of General Staff."

Nagata Tetsuzan recalled that Major General Yagyū had been the Chief of Staff when the current Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Suzuki Soroku, commanded the 5th Division. Since Okamura said this, Lt. Gen. Suzuki likely trusted Major General Yagyū deeply. He immediately responded, "I will definitely go."

The twenty-four hours passed quickly. Military affairs were demanding, and Nagata Tetsuzan handled the official business of the entire Manchuria-Mongolia Expeditionary Army alone, so busy his feet barely touched the ground. especially on the evening of the 27th, when the Northeast Bureau suddenly sent aircraft to bomb the Japanese forces, accidentally hitting an ammunition depot. Violent explosions could be heard throughout Seoul. Nagata Tetsuzan spent the entire night arranging the reorganization of the ammunition depots, working until past 4:00 AM before returning to headquarters. Although he saw the empty camp beds of Ishiwara Kanji and Okamura Yasuji, he had no time to look for them, instead holding a meeting on defensive arrangements with the commanding officers of the current defense forces.

By 8:00 AM, the military train Nagata Tetsuzan was to take was about to depart. Nagata ordered the train to wait temporarily, but did not go to disturb Okamura and Ishiwara.

At 9:00 AM, Ishiwara finally appeared before Nagata Tetsuzan, handing a notebook and a thick manuscript to Nagata with his own hands. "Nagata-kun, have a safe journey."

Nagata Tetsuzan was not worried that the standard of the guidelines written by Ishiwara Kanji would be low. Seeing that this thorn in the side, Ishiwara, was actually striving to be a 'gentleman watchful over himself when alone' and adhering strictly to etiquette in his speech and conduct, he felt much more at ease. He stood up and replied, "Thank you for your hard work, Ishiwara-kun."

At 9:30 AM, Okamura also appeared before Nagata. By this time, the exhausted Ishiwara Kanji had already collapsed onto a camp bed to sleep. Okamura handed his manuscript and notebook to Nagata, saying with some regret, "There are a few parts where my thinking is still unclear. I've revised them several times but am still not satisfied. I've specially marked those sections. Nagata-kun, please take the trouble to revise them on your way."

Nagata Tetsuzan nodded slightly without a word. Seeing the resolute and decisive look in Nagata's eyes, Okamura Yasuji offered no further exhortations. Instead, he stood at attention and saluted. Nagata Tetsuzan immediately returned the salute in silence. Immediately after, their hands gripped tightly for a moment, and Nagata strode out of the headquarters carrying the two draft guidelines.

Outside the city of Seoul, there were many mountain ridges and highlands with elevations of 500 meters. Through the train window, Nagata Tetsuzan's gaze fell upon the peaks of those mountains. Thinking of the future war, he couldn't help but think of He Rui. Further away in northern Korea, the Northeast Army commanded by He Rui had already deployed heavy troops, waiting for the Japanese counteroffensive.

Offensive warfare was far more difficult than defensive warfare. In those mountains ranging from hundreds to a thousand meters in altitude, the Northeast Army had months to build fortifications and stockpile supplies, waiting at their ease for the exhausted Japanese forces to attack.

Nagata Tetsuzan withdrew his gaze. His thoughts returned to Tokyo, where he was rushing back. For a moment, Nagata Tetsuzan's heart even felt a bit jubilant. The Great Japanese Empire had encountered too many crises and tests; the stronger the challenge, the more intense Japan's ambition became. Relying on Japan's determination, they had overcome crises time and again, finally achieving the strength they had today.

In the future Nagata planned for Japan, regardless of peace or war, mobilizing seventy million compatriots under the Supreme Command, rushing to obey orders—only the Army, universally touching upon the more than two hundred thousand active-duty soldiers, over three million reservists, five or six hundred thousand middle and upper-level students, and over ten million youths, would be sufficient to undertake this.

He Rui was indeed very strong, able to raise the strength of the Northeast to a level completely beyond the Japanese Army's imagination within a few years. Even so, if Japan possessed the national system Nagata was striving to promote, it could still crush He Rui with sheer power.

The current tribulations were nothing more than trials for Japan's rise. Nagata Tetsuzan waited with confident expectation to complete the preparations for the counterattack as soon as possible.