Implementing a "ten-year" comprehensive buyout of all private land across more than 11 million square kilometers of national territory—Zhao Tianlin struggled to imagine what such a situation would look like, but could only form a rough picture.

The policy of buying out all private land over ten years was not inherently complex. Land ownership within the passes was nothing more than state-owned or private, while land ownership under the Northeast Government was collective or state-owned. Once the comprehensive buyout was implemented, the state would use money to purchase all land ownership rights from collectives and individuals. From that point on, private land would no longer exist in China.

With the state owning all land rights, it could naturally plan and use land as it wished. For a centralized industrial nation, this was an excellent foundation. The people would receive land bonds—those with small amounts of land would be paid directly, while those with large holdings would receive ten-year bonds with installment payments.

Having earned a law doctorate in America, Zhao Tianlin still felt it was too radical. "Chairman, the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish—do we have enough personnel to complete all this work?"

He Rui greatly appreciated Zhao Tianlin's steadiness. Of course, this might also be due to age. Zhao Tianlin was 37, Wu Youping was 30—a seven-year difference. Greater steadiness meant better understanding. Of course, it might also mean greater difficulty accepting. But He Rui needed his comrades' support and had to explain clearly.

"Many policies cannot be tangled together. Please understand what I'm about to say separately. After liberating all of China, we need to implement industrial layouts nationwide. Starting from these industrial layouts, we'll first promote land buyouts in agricultural production areas and regions radiated by industrial enterprises. Land buyouts in other regions will be completed based on the state's assessment of different geographical conditions and corresponding industrial layouts."

"Industrial products need buyers, but our market is currently very weak—the people have no money to buy industrial goods. After the people obtain land use rights, they'll need to purchase means of production to complete production. They'll need capital."

"The Northeast Government's finances have long been running deficits on paper. In reality, through wartime general mobilization, we've frozen considerable economic activity. Once these activities resume, once we repay the currency that needs to be paid and restore product prices, the amount of currency in circulation will increase. Though industrial production capacity is also increasing, it can't keep pace with currency growth, inevitably leading to significant inflation. At that time, the Northeast Government will face an enormous economic crisis. Only by obtaining assets equivalent to the currency to hedge can we stabilize the economy and public sentiment."

"In extreme cases, a country could exist with only government and citizens, production and distribution—completely excluding market operations. But that's an extreme case. The market's efficiency only manifests in short-term and medium-short-term profit pursuit. Under normal conditions, the market is also necessary. Even though the market economy itself creates enormous problems for social fairness, that's a problem for politics to solve—the market itself must exist."

After stating these important issues in one breath, He Rui made his request to Zhao Tianlin: "With these situations coexisting, we need laws to provide legal support and services for these matters."

Zhao Tianlin's mind swirled with legal domains related to these issues. Just trying to determine the scope of different laws left him confused. He finally gave up thinking about law and tried to work out a thread of logic. Eventually feeling he'd grasped something, he said: "Chairman, are you trying to use land buyouts to solve these problems?"

He Rui waved his hand. "I just emphasized that these policies cannot be tangled together—they must be understood separately. These are all problems to solve, not our direction. Our direction is to increase China's total industrial and agricultural output fivefold through two five-year plans after national liberation, while striving to complete the supporting social service systems."

Only then did Zhao Tianlin feel he understood. The Northeast Government's development had been extremely rapid—more than tenfold over the past eight years. However, Zhao Tianlin didn't believe development across all of China could be this fast, because the Northeast's development had cobbled together a military-heavy industrial system under the special circumstances of the European Great War. The Russian Civil War and the post-civil war Soviet period had allowed this system to operate well, with the Northeast Government obtaining tremendous resources through various trades with Russia.

All of China's population was more than ten times the Northeast's, and geographical conditions varied greatly. Copying the Northeast's experience was akin to marking the boat to find the sword.

After further contemplation, Zhao Tianlin said earnestly: "Chairman, please take care of yourself. Among us, no one else can lead the execution of such a massive national construction and development plan."

He Rui already had the awareness and determination, and answered confidently: "I will do my utmost. The specific work must rely on our comrades."

Zhao Tianlin reflected on what He Rui had mentioned. Though land buyouts were important, they weren't decisive. When the conditions needed for many policies were pieced together, using land buyouts to solve them seemed logical.

After land buyouts, working people who wished to farm could still obtain land without paying rent. From this perspective, land buyouts no longer felt like the sky being overturned.

Seeing that Zhao Tianlin could now accept the land buyout policy, He Rui felt the comrades should also understand through discussion and study. The matter wasn't so mysterious—the people exchanged land ownership for currency printed by the central bank, which they could then use for consumption and investment.

At this stage, the government—starting from "fairness"—provided the people with land for farming and production, allowing living standards to develop rapidly in a small commodity economy.

He Rui continued explaining: "China currently has over 11 million square kilometers of territory. Not all of this 11 million-plus square kilometers is privately owned—much belongs to the state, and unclaimed wasteland covers an even larger area.

"And those who own private land aren't all qualified to enter the new era. Those who owe blood debts have reached the time to repay them. Those who insist on using war to keep China in the old era will be crushed. Their land will be confiscated without compensation, in part or in full. How are the legal preparations for this work progressing?"

"They're ready," Zhao Tianlin answered. Having spoken, he couldn't help but sigh. Many were destined to perish in the old era, but thinking that the vast majority of Chinese would live better in the new era, Zhao Tianlin had to take on this work.

Time quickly reached November 10th. A staff officer entered to report: "Premier, Xu Shuzheng and his forces have begun moving south."

Duan Qirui sighed. "Ah, let them go."

Seeing Duan Qirui's manner, the staff officer said no more and withdrew. Duan Qirui suddenly wanted to call him back but still didn't speak.

On November 8th, Duan Qirui had gathered the Anhui Clique generals and informed them of the arrangement to accept Northeast Army reorganization. By this point, Duan Qirui no longer ordered his brothers to accept—he merely informed them of his decision. Xu Shuzheng had jumped up shouting: "Chief, we still have 200,000 brothers, over 100,000 rifles—are we really going to surrender without firing a single shot?"

Duan Qirui hadn't tried to persuade everyone then. No one was stupid; everyone understood clearly. What they said aloud was for others to hear. As long as no one joined them in being foolish, they'd behave themselves.

Yet Duan Qirui hadn't expected that Xu Shuzheng—the general he'd most favored—had also left. Thus, the 20,000 most capable troops of the Beiyang Anhui Clique had begun moving south with their equipment. From their route, they were preparing to withdraw to Henan first.

Duan Qirui's own heart was cold. He truly didn't want to persuade anyone now. Though 20,000 had left and tens of thousands more hadn't gathered at the positions He Rui had specified, 100,000 of the least capable troops had still reached the positions awaiting reorganization. He had saved at least 100,000 men—Duan Qirui felt he had done right by his Anhui Clique brothers.

At 0:00 on November 11th, the Northeast Army garrison north of Shanhaiguan marched straight to Shanghai Pass. The area was already a sea of lights—all Beiyang troops at Shanhaiguan had assembled before the pass, with each platoon having someone holding a torch.

Upon seeing the Northeast Army arriving to take command, the Shanhaiguan Garrison Commander stepped forward and exchanged salutes with the Northeast Army division commander. The Garrison Commander then handed over his sidearm. The Northeast Army division commander accepted it, and they saluted each other again.

The Northeast Army had already set up powerful spotlights on the heights. One by one, the bright lights came on, illuminating all of Shanhaiguan. The torches were no longer needed and were extinguished one after another.

Both forces stood in neat formation. To the sound of the military band, the Republic of China's five-color flag slowly descended from Shanhaiguan. As the music shifted to the Northeast Government's march, the Northeast Government's red flag rose slowly up the flagpole.

At this moment, the gate for the Northeast Army's southward advance had been completely opened.

After the ceremony, the Beiyang troops began surrendering their weapons. Soldiers queued up to place their weapons in the light cast by the spotlights. Meanwhile, the Shanhaiguan garrison led Northeast Army personnel to take over the weapons and ammunition depots.

At this same time, British Ambassador Plenipotentiary Sir Jordan, who had napped in the afternoon, was wearily discussing communication issues with Anhui Clique's Xu Shuzheng and others with his subordinates.

There was no shortage of people in the Duan Qirui government willing to sell information to the powers, and Duan Qirui's surrender didn't surprise Jordan. The only problem was that Duan Qirui had surrendered too quickly.

"Your Excellency, we can request that Xu Shuzheng and others lead their troops south to join forces with Cao Kun and Wu Peifu. If they insist on staying in Henan, they won't receive any support from us."

Hearing the diplomatic officer's introduction, Jordan's slightly furrowed brow didn't relax. Jordan didn't know how to evaluate his old acquaintance Duan Qirui. Should he call Duan Qirui obstinate? Or should he say Duan Qirui could see the situation clearly?

Either way, Duan Qirui had consistently refused to meet with Jordan in person. Combined with the Anhui Clique's decisive surrender, this wasn't good news for the British Empire.

A young voice broke the silence: "Your Excellency, we can request the troops stationed in Hebei to block the Northeast Army's southward advance."

At these words, everyone looked at the callow youth with disgust. Third Secretary of the British Foreign Office Bernard directly scolded him: "You go pour tea for everyone now."

The young man hadn't expected that his heartfelt concern for the British Empire would get him expelled from the meeting. But the others didn't speak up, clearly tacitly approving the request. The young British official stood up with an aggrieved expression and left.

Only then did Bernard speak for Jordan to the group: "At this moment, British forces stationed in North China must absolutely not leave their stations!"

No one else made a sound. Everyone understood clearly—facing a million-strong Northeast Army, the few thousand British troops in North China couldn't even be called a fighting force. Staying in their stations without conflict was currently the best choice.

Not only did mid-level personnel like Jordan think this way—the British garrison, having already received warnings, thought so too.

The Boxer Protocol contained these provisions: "The Chinese Government agrees that the Legation Quarter shall be considered as specially reserved for the use of Legations and Consulates, and shall be managed by them. No Chinese shall be permitted to reside therein, and the defence thereof shall be of their own concern." "The Chinese Government agrees that the Powers shall have the right to maintain permanent guards at the several points specified." "The Chinese Government agrees that the Powers shall appoint officers to maintain the communication lines between the Capital and the sea. The points now occupied are: Huangcun, Langfang, Yangcun, Tianjin, Junliangcheng, Tanggu, Lutai, Tangshan, Luanzhou, Changli, Qinhuangdao, Shanhaiguan."

The gates of the British garrison station at Shanhaiguan were tightly shut, clearly conveying the message that they absolutely wouldn't venture out. There were 300 British troops here. The commanding officer, Major Stephens, felt he was still safe at this stage. On the afternoon of November 10th, Major Stephens specifically assembled the troops, counted heads, confirmed all personnel were inside the station, and then ordered the guards to strengthen security and absolutely forbid anyone from leaving.

At 6:40 AM on November 11th, Major Stephens was awakened by his subordinate: "Major, many Chinese troops have come to the gate!"

"Is it the Northeast Army?" Major Stephens immediately became alert.

"Yes!" the subordinate answered. "But they also brought the local police chief."

Major Stephens was stunned. The local police chief was a middle-aged man in his forties who was usually very deferential to the British garrison. Had this fellow been summoned now—was the Northeast Army trying to express friendliness?

But on second thought, that didn't seem right. Rumor had it that the Northeast Army was well-versed in Western military etiquette. Bringing the police chief seemed inexplicable. If they wanted to demonstrate force, the army alone would suffice. If they wanted to convey greetings, sending troops would be enough. A local police chief didn't belong with the military at all.

The matter was so strange that Major Stephens put on his uniform and quickly climbed to the station's observation tower to look. The sight gave him a fright—the entire station was surrounded by Chinese troops, but standing at the very front was a group of thin local Shanhaiguan police officers.

Just then, the Shanhaiguan police chief below pointed at Major Stephens, who had climbed the tower, clearly having recognized him.

Meanwhile, someone in civilian clothes was shouting through a megaphone in English: "Listen, British inside! Someone has come to the local court to accuse you of killing local Chinese citizens, robbing and assaulting local merchants. We now demand that you come out and surrender within 30 minutes. Otherwise, you will be treated as an armed bandit gang and face complete annihilation. It is now 7:01. At 7:31, we will begin our attack!"

After finishing once, the translator caught his breath and shouted again: "Listen, British inside..."

On any normal day, Major Stephens would probably have fired a shot right then. However, looking at the artillery outside—clearly French 75mm guns—the British garrison's camp couldn't possibly resist. Moreover, the Northeast Army had defeated hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops; the British garrison was even less of a match.

With truly no alternative, Major Stephens could only steel himself and lead a few subordinates out the station gate. From a distance outside, he shouted: "Who exactly are you people?"

The Chinese translator with the megaphone immediately answered in English: "We are from the local Shanhaiguan Police Station. Because you are equipped with rifles, machine guns, and other military weapons, we've requested assistance from Northeast Army troops."

Major Stephens truly wanted to fight the Northeast Army immediately, but he really didn't want to die. Though he felt tremendous humiliation, if he died, everything would be lost. Major Stephens had no choice but to shout: "We demand to negotiate with the Northeast Army!"

Five minutes later, at the midpoint between both sides, Major Stephens stood facing Northeast Army Colonel Yu Cen and local Shanhaiguan Police Chief Yu Daqing.

Colonel Yu Cen wasn't wearing Northeast Army combat fatigues but rather the Northeast Army's field gray service uniform. The translator conveyed Police Chief Yu Daqing's words to Major Stephens: "Don't talk to me about the Boxer Protocol. You're a group of suspects—killers must pay with their lives, debtors must repay their debts, this is natural justice. I advise you: suspects and armed bandits are different. Suspects get a trial after arrest. For armed bandits, we police shoot first and ask questions later!"

Major Stephens felt his nose would twist off from anger, yet he had absolutely no way to deal with this damned Police Chief Yu Daqing. Finally, he could only turn to ask Colonel Yu Cen: "Colonel, do you know about the Boxer Protocol?"

Colonel Yu Cen sneered coldly. "As a soldier, I have no reason to yield to bandits. However, Major, making a wise choice for your subordinates' lives at this moment is not shameful."

Major Stephens felt a breath stuck in his chest, suffocating him, while his back ran cold. At this moment, the translator chose the perfect time to pull out his pocket watch and check it, then announced loudly: "It's already 7:20. In another 11 minutes, we'll begin bandit suppression."

Facing such naked threats, Major Stephens made his decision: "Colonel, please allow me to surrender to you."

After saying this, Major Stephens added viciously: "Colonel, the generals you serve will certainly face trial for their irrational acts of war!"

Colonel Yu Cen had done things like personally delivering a declaration of war to the Japanese Kwantung Army Headquarters. A small British major's threats only amused him. "Haha, Major. I accept your surrender. Well then, let's quickly begin the surrender ceremony. I'm very busy."