When Li Dazhao finished talking and returned to the classroom, he happened to catch the third and fourth periods of the morning. It was 10:00 AM on June 14.

At this time, He Rui's secretary had opened the door of He Rui's office and said to Duan Qirui, "Speaker Duan, please come in."

He Rui's secretary called him last night and made an appointment for Duan Qirui to come to He Rui's office at 10 o'clock. Duan Qirui walked into the office and saw He Rui sitting at the table, yawning hugely. Seeing Duan Qirui come in, He Rui still finished yawning. While getting up, he wiped the tears brought out by yawning from the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand.

Duan Qirui had always been dignified and would never be so casual in front of others. Seeing this, he didn't appreciate He Rui's style very much in his heart.

However, Duan Qirui didn't care; he just felt a little trance in his heart. This was the first time He Rui had invited Duan Qirui alone to discuss matters. In the past year, the two had met in official capacities. Ten years ago, He Rui, who had just returned from Japan, went to Duan Qirui to receive an assignment. In ten years, the status of the two had reversed... No, that's not right. In just ten years, He Rui soared into the sky, becoming the leader of the Republic from a major, sitting in the position Yuan Shikai once sat in.

He Rui had already walked towards Duan Qirui. "Chief Duan, please sit." At this time, the orderly brought a basin of water. He Rui stopped, took a towel from the basin to wash his face, and then wrung out the towel to wipe his face and hands. Seeing Duan Qirui not sitting down, he went up to shake hands with Duan Qirui.

Looking at He Rui's somewhat red eyes, Duan Qirui asked, "Did Chairman He not sleep last night?"

"Hmm. Read documents all night. If there is any slight, please don't blame me, Chief Duan." He Rui said while inviting Duan Qirui to sit down. Then, He Rui picked up a half-smoked pack of cigarettes from the table in front of them, tapped one out, and lit it.

It was well known that Duan Qirui neither smoked nor drank. Seeing He Rui didn't offer him a cigarette, Republic National Assembly Speaker Duan Qirui didn't mind, but he didn't actively ask He Rui's purpose for inviting him either. He Rui took a puff of cigarette and said, "Chief Duan, everyone knows that you are the first artillery commander of our country and have always been known for strict governance of the army."

"You flatter me," Duan Qirui said politely. However, Duan Qirui graduated from a German military academy and returned to China in 1896, and participated in Yuan Shikai's Xiaozhan army training in the same year. At that time, Duan Qirui was in charge of 3,000 artillerymen. This was China's first modern artillery unit, and he was indeed China's first artillery commander. Hearing He Rui mention such glorious past events, he was indeed a little proud in his heart. Moreover, He Rui saying this also proved that he had no malice. He might even want to ask Duan Qirui to do something.

Sure enough, He Rui continued, "Chief Duan, recently we fought a few battles with the British Indian Army and captured many prisoners."

"Oh? The National Defense Force is indeed brave and skilled in battle," Duan Qirui replied in a tone of half-genuine, half-fake surprise. Just as he was waiting for He Rui to boast, he heard He Rui continue, "The British Indian Army is a colonial army. If they met the Beiyang Army, I'm afraid they would have lost even more miserably."

Duan Qirui smiled slightly politely. Who in the world didn't know that the current National Defense Force was born out of the Beiyang Army? He Rui saying this only meant that He Rui had not forgotten his roots.

"Chief Duan. We won too fast this time. Although the POW camp was built by working overtime, there is no one to manage the POW camp. This matter is also very urgent. After all, international organizations have requested to visit the POW camp at this time, and there is no one responsible in a hurry. I wonder if Chief Duan has any candidates?"

Duan Qirui had long heard Zhang Xiluan say that He Rui's way of doing things was comparable to an old fox in officialdom. As Duan Qirui saw, He Rui had prepared everything for the POW camp long before the war with Japan; how could he not prepare before the war started this time? Since He Rui said so, he must have a plan. Picking up the teacup and sipping slowly, Duan Qirui thought quickly and felt this was not a trap. He Rui had already mentioned that 'international organizations' wanted to visit the POW camp. Unless someone was stupid enough to abuse prisoners, what could happen?

According to Beiyang rules, those who could enter the POW camp would not be beaten or killed. If high-ranking officers were captured, they should be treated with courtesy. Presumably, He Rui meant the same. Thinking that the captured this time were British Indian POWs, Duan Qirui had a candidate in mind. Putting down the teacup, Duan Qirui said, "Chairman He, when it comes to dealing with the British a lot in Beiyang, I'm afraid it's Wu Ziyu."

Hearing Duan Qirui say this, He Rui immediately praised, "Indeed a good candidate. Why don't you ask Chief Duan to inform Wu Ziyu?"

Duan Qirui kept a straight face. "Chairman He, one does not plan for the government if not in the position. I am the Speaker of the National Assembly; how can I intervene in military affairs?"

Since Duan Qirui was so sensible, He Rui also laughed, "Chief Duan, don't misunderstand. My Beiyang brothers should be closer. It's just that there are so many domestic and foreign affairs right now that I really can't get away. If Wu Ziyu is in Beiping at this time, why doesn't Chief Duan invite Wu Ziyu for tea?"

At this time, the secretary came in and handed a document to He Rui. He Rui looked at it and said apologetically, "Thank you for the candidate recommended by Chief Duan. Please enjoy the tea."

Duan Qirui drained the teacup and replied, "Thanks for the tea, farewell."

Leaving He Rui's office, what Duan Qirui thought about was still the purpose of He Rui's move. On the surface, this was to draw closer the relationship between He Rui and the Beiyang brothers, but Duan Qirui was not sure if He Rui had other ideas. Finally, Duan Qirui decided to go to the National Archives to talk with Xu Shichang, the Director of the Archives.

In the plan to move the capital, the National Archives was the last batch. Someone even proposed in the National Assembly that a branch of the National Archives should be established in Beiping. There were too many things now, and no decision had been made yet. However, Xu Shichang would definitely stay in Beiping in the short term.

Xu Shichang was inspecting work in the Archives at this time. Hearing that Duan Qirui came, he immediately came to receive him. When the two met, Duan Qirui smelled the unique scent of a study on Xu Shichang and couldn't help sighing, "Brother Xu is truly noble and leisurely."

Hearing this, Xu Shichang was very happy. The status of Director of the National Archives indeed deserved the word 'noble and leisurely.' He laughed, "Did Brother Duan come this time to borrow documents?"

Duan Qirui didn't talk nonsense and told Xu Shichang what He Rui said. Hearing that Duan Qirui recommended the former Fengtian clique warlord Wu Peifu, and He Rui also had this intention, Xu Shichang couldn't help smiling. The Zhili clique was the branch closest to the British among Beiyang. Letting Wu Peifu manage the POW camp was very appropriate and very meaningful.

Hearing Duan Qirui mention that He Rui wanted to ask Duan Qirui to talk to Wu Peifu about this, Xu Shichang thought for a moment and replied, "Since Chairman He wants to ask Brother Duan to take action, why should Brother Duan refuse? Beiyang shares the same breath and branches; what's wrong with that?"

Seeing Duan Qirui still hesitating, Xu Shichang continued, "How about this? I'll invite Wu Ziyu and Brother Duan to have a meal at my house. Sigh... Duke Zhang doesn't want to leave Tianjin now. If we could invite Duke Zhang too, that would be best."

"What if Wu Ziyu refuses?" Duan Qirui didn't like Wu Peifu.

"Then wait for my news," Xu Shichang replied. At the same time, he felt that Duan Qirui and Wu Peifu were really alike in saving face and being petty.

In the evening, guided by Xu Shichang's family, Duan Qirui arrived at Xu Shichang's residence. Upon entering, he saw Wu Peifu sitting in the main hall. Xu Shichang had long determined that Wu Peifu could never refuse to come to dinner just because of pettiness. Seeing everyone was present, he ordered the food to be served.

Wu Peifu did feel some embarrassment. Now the Beiyang civil war had long ended. From the result, both the Zhili clique and the Fengtian clique were actually destined to be reorganized; no one could say who was smarter. It's just that the Anhui clique surrendered early and took advantage. But these were not enough for Wu Peifu to refuse Xu Shichang's invitation. Wu Peifu still understood the principle of 'never go to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason.'

Sure enough, after three rounds of wine, Duan Qirui said in a deep voice the reason for inviting Wu Peifu. Hearing that He Rui was looking for someone to manage the POW camp for the war against Britain, and Duan Qirui recommended Wu Peifu, Wu Peifu's face couldn't help changing. For the Zhili clique, nothing was more 'meaningful' than such a personnel arrangement.

Seeing Wu Peifu's expression change and showing signs of wanting to refuse, Xu Shichang slammed the table and said loudly, "Brother Ziyu, do you feel that the world has changed?"

"So what?" Wu Peifu replied with a straight face.

Xu Shichang continued, "Since Brother Ziyu can remember, has there been a male ruler reigning over the world?"

Wu Peifu was stunned. Since he could remember, those who truly reigned over the world were surprisingly not men. Since Empress Dowager Ci'an seized power, the Great Qing had only female rulers. Tongzhi grew up with difficulty but died early. When it came to Guangxu, who would really think Guangxu had real power? And Yuan Shikai bet on Cixi and abandoned Guangxu back then to have his later status.

Those men who seemed to hold great power bowed and scraped before a woman, allowing state affairs to decline day by day, eventually becoming unmanageable. Before overthrowing the Manchu Qing, Yuan Shikai couldn't be called majestic at all; he trembled in front of Empress Dowager Cixi and was cautious when facing Manchu princes.

Empress Dowager Cixi, who made Yuan Shikai bow his head and obey orders, was just a fearful and humble old woman when facing foreigners.

After Yuan Shikai became the Great President, China could hardly even maintain the surface of unification. The country soon fell apart, and military governors everywhere rose up against Yuan Shikai. Once Yuan Shikai died, the country fell into civil war even more. The three people present happened to be the heads of the nominal Beiyang center, the Anhui clique and the Fengtian clique holding actual power.

Thinking of this, Wu Peifu said in a deep voice, "Brother Xu, if Chairman He orders me to fight the British, I will go through mountains of knives and seas of fire without hesitation. But guarding the POW camp, is this wanting to see my joke?"

Duan Qirui didn't say a word. He could be sure that He Rui intended to choose Wu Peifu from the beginning; otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed immediately after hearing Duan Qirui mention it. As for Duan Qirui himself, he indeed wanted to see Wu Peifu's joke. As for what He Rui thought, Duan Qirui felt He Rui knew the relationship between the Zhili clique and the British very well.

Xu Shichang was a *Jinshi*, not a warlord. Hearing Wu Peifu acting so impulsively, he said somewhat resentfully, "Brother Ziyu, do you think China will lose?"

Wu Peifu shook his head hurriedly. "Absolutely not! The Zhili clique accepted reorganization back then only because Chairman He defeated Japan and is a hero of our China. Just as Brother Xu said, now there is finally a hero reigning over the world. What does my personal life and death matter? But I am not willing to be a mantis trying to stop a chariot and leave a bad name."

Xu Shichang wanted to facilitate this matter. Seeing Wu Peifu answer generously, he struck while the iron was hot. "The POW camp always needs a commander. Brother Ziyu, as a soldier, should naturally act according to orders. Why do you refuse to agree?"

Wu Peifu also felt that he actually had no reason to refuse, but he just didn't want to agree, so he could only remain silent.

Xu Shichang continued, "The Sino-British war is a national war. For decades, other countries have come to attack us. This time, it is our China consoling the people and punishing the wicked. Brother Ziyu, 'Those who offend the strong Han will be punished even if they are far away.' At this time when the country has use for you, don't you want to serve the country?"

Both Duan Qirui and Wu Peifu were stunned. They didn't feel this war had anything to do with them before. But hearing 'Those who offend the strong Han will be punished even if they are far away,' besides being shocked, a feeling of pride faintly floated in their hearts.

Xu Shichang actually looked down on these warlords, but Duan Qirui graduated from a German military academy, and Wu Peifu had passed the exam for *Xiucai*, so he was willing to spend his breath. He explained to the two, "Two brothers, the country fought with foreign countries before. Foreign countries only sent tens of thousands of people, and the country did its best but could not resist. The world was shaken, and the nationals were panicked. In this great war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops, the capital is surprisingly calm. Haven't you two brothers thought about why this is so?"

Wu Peifu thought for a moment and asked somewhat hesitantly, "Does Brother Xu think this battle is certain to be won?"

"Whether it is certain to be won, I don't know. But in such a situation, shouldn't a good man be part of it? If Brother Ziyu feels that Britain is closer than China, say it, and we will explain it to Chairman He. If Brother Ziyu has a clear conscience, why care what others say?"

Wu Peifu pondered for a long time and finally made up his mind. He stood up and bowed deeply to Xu Shichang. "I was confused; thank you, Brother Xu, for your guidance."

Xu Shichang said politely, "It's all for the country; Brother Ziyu doesn't need to take it to heart."

Wu Peifu turned to Duan Qirui again. "Thank you, Brother Duan, for the recommendation."

Seeing Wu Peifu being so adaptable, Duan Qirui was also stunned. But he couldn't say much at this time. Duan Qirui replied, "Brother Ziyu's talent is known to all our Beiyang brothers. Since Brother Ziyu is willing to take action, I can also report to Chairman He."

Although everyone still had their own ideas, at least the following meal was eaten quite harmoniously. Wu Peifu finished eating and left first. Looking at Wu Peifu's back, Duan Qirui heard Xu Shichang say, "Brother Duan, Chairman He's magnanimity is extraordinary. Having subdued Wu Ziyu this time, I'm afraid the Fengtian clique won't dare to fuss about land distribution in the future."

Duan Qirui sighed but didn't answer. The Zhili clique was called Zhili because most of the officers came from various places in Zhili. After becoming the Beiyang Army, they all bought land in their hometown of Zhili. He Rui carried out land reform. Although it was redemption and didn't make the Zhili officers lose everything, this grudge was indeed formed.

Wu Peifu had the highest prestige in the Zhili clique. If he could be subdued this time, perhaps as Xu Shichang said, this grudge could be turned over.

Seeing He Rui's position becoming more and more stable. Although Duan Qirui lost the heart to contend with He Rui, he could still only sigh.

From the time he could remember, Duan Qirui had never seen a real emperor sit firmly on the throne. Now this supreme throne finally welcomed a hero who unified the six directions. Duan Qirui had only seen the atmosphere of a hero ascending the throne in books, but he didn't expect that the atmosphere of the country thriving described in history books turned out to be true.