Nagata Tetsuzan was a representative figure of the *Tōseiha* (Control Faction). Hearing He Rui discuss the future from the perspective of economy and development, he naturally understood. However, Nagata had to interrupt He Rui, "He-kun, you just mentioned learning from Bismarck's strategy of unifying Germany. But in your strategy, constitutes Japan Austria, or France?"

Hearing Nagata's question, the Army War College classmates quieted down, waiting for He Rui's answer. He Rui knew the level of this group of elite graduates perfectly well; they could clearly distinguish the different policies Prussia adopted towards Austria and France during the German Unification Wars.

"Nagata-kun. The issue now is not how the Northeast Government defines Japan, but how Japan defines itself. If it were up to the Northeast Government's expectations, if you can be Austria, do not be France. However, this matter is a two-way choice. If Japan wants to be Austria, we will treat it as Austria. If Japan wants to be France, we will deal with it as France."

Historically, after Prussia defeated Austria, Bismarck suppressed a group of politically immature figures, including King Wilhelm I of Prussia, and signed a peace treaty with Austria. No cession of territory, no reparations, only peace. For France, after Prussia won the Franco-Prussian War, it forced France to cede territory and pay reparations, thus forging a deep-seated hatred.

Nagata Tetsuzan knew very well that the Northeast Government currently lacked the power to brutalize Japan, but lacking it now did not mean lacking it in the future. He asked with a double meaning, "He-kun, after the Franco-Prussian War, Prussia demanded a war indemnity of 5 billion francs from France. Is He-kun truly completely unmoved by this?"

He Rui was displeased, so he pretended not to understand the implication and retorted matter-of-factly, "Does Nagata-kun feel that Japan has something amazing that China must obtain through aggression and plunder?"

These words were quite blunt, and the expressions of the Army War College graduates looked somewhat resentful. Even though Nagata Tetsuzan knew He Rui was expressing his displeasure, he couldn't help but be affected, feeling very unhappy. But this was reality. The natural gap between Japan and China determined that Japan's demand for China was high, while China's demand for Japan was low. If Japan could be completely self-sufficient, the current Continental Policy would not have so many Japanese gritting their teeth to persist despite knowing how difficult it was.

If Japan took the initiative to cut off economic and trade exchanges with China, the impact on China would be very limited. If China cut off economic and trade exchanges with Japan, the Japanese economy would definitely not be able to sustain itself relying only on long-distance ocean trade with other countries.

Nagata Tetsuzan did not want to see such a result, so he suppressed his unhappiness and continued to ask, "Since He-kun looks down on the policies formulated by the leaders of Germany and France, if you were in Bismarck's position, would you have any good strategies?"

He Rui was waiting for exactly this kind of question and immediately answered, "Germans say they are Deutsch, Germanic. French say they are Français, Gauls. Actually, in terms of bloodline, the two countries are cousins. Why do the two countries emphasize their differences? The reason lies in nationalism. Nationalism is a means to unite the interior in the face of external pressure. By defining who *we* are and who *they* are, one gains domestic unity to jointly cope with external pressure. France is like this, and so is Germany. In the face of aggressors, nationalism has a considerable positive and active role. However, after the aggressor is defeated, nationalism gets applied in other fields: economic nationalism, political nationalism. In short, it becomes 'attacking those who differ.' At this point, the negative factors of nationalism manifest. If I were Bismarck, I would try to promote the establishment of a Coal and Steel Community between Germany and France in the metallurgical industry, which concerns the industrial lifeline of both countries. Germany has coal, France has iron ore; if both sides carry out a kind of supra-sovereign cooperation on coal and steel, many problems can be solved."

Steel is the lifeline of all industrial countries. Hearing He Rui actually propose letting Germany and France cooperate in this field, many Army War College classmates revealed disapproving expressions, and only a few people nodded slightly.

He Rui knew that among this group of guys in front of him, a considerable portion were idiots not worth expecting anything from. But for those who could be saved, He Rui still wanted to try his best to save them. He continued, "Many people have a wrong understanding of cooperation, thinking that cooperation means 'you are in me, and I am in you.' This is wrong. You are you, and I am me; this is the foundation of cooperation. Everyone knows that cooperation is correct, but there are always some fools who treat the specific content of cooperation as cooperation itself, thinking that these specific projects are a panacea that should last for thousands of years. There are none who do not eat their own bitter fruit. Why cooperate? Because cooperation has a purpose. So, what is the purpose of cooperation?"

Nagata had not participated in the seminar discussion eight years ago, but in these eight years, he had observed and personally experienced the changes in the Northeast under He Rui's leadership. Since He Rui frankly declared that the purpose of unifying China was not to conquer the four directions, he followed He Rui's train of thought and asked, "I heard that He-kun believes that a rich country and strong army are not the ultimate goal, but rather that the target direction is the development of civilization. Presumably, He-kun believes that cooperation is for the development of civilization?"

He Rui knew that the conversation eight years ago did not make these Army War College classmates understand the development of civilization. Since there was an opportunity for discussion now, he naturally wanted to clarify the issue as much as possible. "What is civilization? Unlike you all, the civilization I believe in is neither kimono nor *changpao* and *magua*; neither Ukiyo-e nor ink wash landscape paintings. I believe the core composition of civilization should be survival and development. The realization mode of survival and development manifests as production and distribution. In practical application, production and distribution manifest as the insolubility of efficiency and fairness. If one must say there are highs and lows in civilization, what distinguishes high from low is the difference between the answers given by various civilizations in dealing with this insoluble problem of efficiency and fairness."

In Japan at this time, universities and military academies were the only two choices for ordinary people. And taking the university entrance exam not only required personal ability but also depended on background and family financial power. Therefore, the competition for military academy entrance was fiercer than for universities. The Military Academy was roughly equivalent to China's 985 and 211 universities in the 21st century, while the Army War College (Rikudai) was comparable to the level of continuous master's and doctoral studies at Tsinghua and Peking University.

Although at least two-thirds of the classmates still didn't quite understand He Rui's definition of civilization, people like Nagata, Ishiwara, and Okamura had already understood. Nagata slapped the table in great praise, "What a 'Efficiency and Fairness are Insoluble'! The word 'Insoluble' tells of all the bitterness! We youths exhaust our hearts for national affairs, yet feel there is no strategy to apply, even standing as equals against others, irreconcilable. Often it is not that there is truly right or wrong, but precisely that we think the path we chose can solve the difficult problem between efficiency and fairness, and do not think that what we face is an insoluble problem. Alas! I do not know if we are mad or foolish, only knowing to gallop straight forward."

Hearing these words, most Army War College graduates felt something in their hearts and all sighed. Ishiwara Kanji also nodded slightly, feeling his thoughts were much clearer. Fairness and efficiency might be insoluble, but social development had right and wrong. Even if Japanese civilization's development could not find an answer to the difficult problem of fairness and efficiency for the time being, that Japan must be a Japan where the working people truly had a place in the state power system, and should not be the current Japan where powerful officials monopolized rights.

If one used 'efficiency and fairness are an insoluble problem' as an excuse to prevent the people, who accounted for the majority of the country, from possessing political rights, that would be even more detestable!

Discussing up to this point, Nagata Tetsuzan asked straightforwardly, "I wonder if He-kun has any specific policies regarding foreign affairs after unifying China?"

He Rui knew that to make the Japanese Army give up the old Continental Policy, he must let them see the benefits of the new policy. Since Nagata and others could already understand part of He Rui's vision, he asked, "I wish to cease hostilities as soon as possible, but I wonder how you gentlemen view a ceasefire?"

Nagata did not speak. Okamura Yasuji asked with great tacit understanding, "I wonder how He-kun views the issue of the Kwantung Leased Territory and the Japanese Concessions?"

He Rui smiled, "With me, the issue of the Kwantung Leased Territory and Japanese Concessions does not exist."

Okamura couldn't help but purse his lips, pausing for a moment before asking, "Then what about the borders?"

He Rui answered, "I will add a sentence. Not only does the issue of Japanese concessions not exist with me, but all so-called foreign concessions also do not exist with me. As for the borders, since they already exist, let them continue to exist."

The so-called borders continuing to exist—Okamura thought He Rui meant he would not make requests to change territory. As for concessions not existing, Okamura felt He Rui was likely speaking his true thoughts. Thinking that the European and American countries were about to face a direct challenge from He Rui, Okamura found that some expectation and schadenfreude unconsciously arose in his heart.

Suppressing his mood, Okamura continued to ask, "Then what about the treaties?"

"I cannot say anything about the treaties at this time; gentlemen, please wait and watch the changes. However, after China is unified, I would be happy to see China and Japan establish friendly and trusting diplomatic relations. I look forward to the establishment of a zero-tariff free trade zone between China and Japan. The total population of Europe and America combined is only equal to that of China and Japan. If East Asia can unite, the manpower and financial power of this free trade zone will definitely not be inferior to Europe and America. I know deeply that Japan has a large domestic population and a scarcity of employment opportunities. I approve of the legal and convenient flow of personnel and capital between the two countries. China will provide labor employment visas to Japan. However, this matter requires mutual judicial assistance between the two countries based on compliance with both sides' labor laws to protect the interests of the workers."

Although a considerable portion of the Army War College classmates did not understand economics, Nagata Tetsuzan did. Hearing that what He Rui said were all key points of economics, he also felt He Rui was quite sincere. But such sincerity was currently only verbal. Nagata Tetsuzan smiled, "With He-kun's wisdom and insight, I absolutely do not doubt that He-kun can understand the inevitability of these policies. However, every country has many fools and few smart people. I wonder what He-kun's subordinates will think?" As he spoke, his gaze fell on Lieutenant General Hu Xiushan, who had been silent by the side the whole time.

Hu Xiushan saw so many Japanese officers looking over, so he looked at He Rui. Seeing He Rui smiling without saying a word, he answered, "Your Excellency Nagata, my Northeast Army is an army led by the Civilization Party. There is no such force as the German Junker officer corps. As for China's politics, for thousands of years, it has been centralized. Once unified, it will be centralized. Decisions at this national level naturally leave no room for local factional interests to beak in."

Hearing Hu Xiushan cite appropriately and speak clearly, many officers thought of the various separatist forces within Japan and couldn't help but nod and sigh.

Nagata knew that having reached this point, the only thing he could do was wait and watch. He said, "He-kun, whether to fight or make peace is for the government to decide. We military men cannot interfere. However, if the Northeast Army thinks there is an opportunity to exploit... the Great Japanese Imperial Army, even if unable to defeat He-kun, still has ways to hold He-kun back, making He-kun unable to display his aspirations. At such a time, if we say this, perhaps He-kun will not believe it..."

He Rui interrupted Nagata's words, "No, Nagata-kun, I completely believe it. And I very much look forward to the Japanese Army possessing such strength. If the Army, as one of the pillars of Japan, collapses, Japan will definitely be controlled by Europe and America. Europe and America only have thoughts of controlling and using Japan, and absolutely no intention of building Japan. If we both suffer injuries and perish together, Japan will inevitably fall into a situation of being controlled by Europe and America forever, and Japan will become a handle for Europe and America to contain China. The two countries will have no peace from then on."

Hearing these words, Nagata and the others all breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts. Especially Nagata; he actually still suspected why He Rui had not chosen the strategy of thoroughly crushing the Japanese Army. At this moment, he finally found a strategically reasonable explanation.

Although the Japanese Army coveted the resources and market of the Chinese mainland, it also resolutely maintained Japan's independence. When able to use Europe and America, the Japanese Army would certainly not let the chance pass, but regarding policies that made Japan a vassal of Europe and America, the Japanese Army resolutely opposed them.

No matter how fast China developed, for a very long time, it would be impossible to possess the strength to confront Europe and America. If the Japanese Army were thoroughly weakened and reduced to a group of people with no voice, Japan would very likely, due to hatred and fear, completely throw itself to the European and American side.

To be able to understand and grasp the degree of war at this strategic level required a commander who was steadfast, wise, and not blinded by hatred to grasp precisely. Moreover, this kind of thing could only be done, not spoken of. It was even more of a challenge and test.

Thinking of this, Nagata sighed, "If Principal Kawai Misao could attend today's gathering and see us speaking freely, he would be extremely gratified."

The Army War College classmates were all silent. He Rui then said loudly to the group of classmates, "Before Principal Kawai Misao gloriously committed seppuku, I personally met the Principal and asked him to allow me to send troops to escort him away. However, Principal Kawai Misao had noble character and resolutely refused to leave his officers and soldiers behind. Before the seppuku, I drank and talked for a long time with Principal Kawai Misao. The Principal exhorted me that regardless of whether China wins or Japan wins, we cannot let Europe and America win. Otherwise, East Asia will never be able to turn over. Today, Principal Kawai Misao's exhortations are still in my ears. In my lifetime, I will definitely not let Principal Kawai Misao's ideals fall through."

Saying this, He Rui raised his wine glass, "When I left Japan, many classmates went to see me off. At that time, I said, when China and Japan go to war, I still hope you gentlemen will fight bravely for the Empire. At this moment, seeing the brave performance of all you classmates, you are worthy of the name of samurai, and I admire it very much. Here, I pay tribute to Principal Kawai Misao and to all you classmates."

The group of Army War College graduates all raised their wine glasses. Nagata said loudly, "To Your Excellency Kawai Misao, salute!" He then drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone followed and drank the wine in their cups. Nagata said to Tojo Hideki, "Tojo, you are the duty officer today. Start the banquet."