What is real cannot be fake, and what is fake cannot be real. In this era where radio has begun to popularize, although it indeed takes some time and money for ordinary Japanese to travel from the mainland to the banks of the Yalu River, it is not impossible to get news from the Yalu River.

The previous Sino-Japanese War, accompanied by the Great Kanto Earthquake, left unforgettable memories for the Japanese people. The rumor of rebuilding the Anglo-Japanese Alliance undoubtedly made those among the Japanese public who cared about politics believe that once the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was re-signed, Japan would be dragged into war again.

Soon, those who inquired about the news got a reply. Although the news sent back from the front through different channels all indicated that it was just an increase in troops, and only the Japanese Korean Army was mobilized. Neither the Japanese mainland army was mobilized, nor was there any order to start a war. Some news also emphasized that the Japanese Korean Army had issued a death order that no one was allowed to start a war without authorization. Anyone who violated this military order would be executed by military law.

But in the eyes of the Japanese in the rear, since a large number of troops had been sent to the border, they would fight sooner or later if not now. With the spread and repeated verification of the news, by early July, a panic had appeared in Japan.

Nagata received this news on the cruise ship to Britain. After reading the domestic report, although Nagata was angry, he did not show it. Because mobilizing a large number of Japanese Korean Army troops to the Yalu River was no longer something the Commander of the Korean Army could decide. It had to be ordered by the Three Chiefs of the Army.

As for the Three Chiefs of the Army, they also acted under orders. Expressing threats to China was a national-level decision, which had to be led by the Prime Minister and discussed through cabinet meetings. That is to say, at this time, Japan had a relatively clear attitude towards reaching an alliance or at least a quasi-alliance with Britain.

Nagata considered whether to share the news privately with Ishiwara at this time. Among the military delegation sent by the military this time, Nagata Tetsuzan was the head of the military delegation, and other members of the military delegation were the elite of the army. Ishiwara Kanji, a guy who was elite but unpopular, was also stuffed into the delegation after several discussions by the higher-ups, so Ishiwara did not have the authority to receive some news.

Finally, Nagata made a decision and invited Ishiwara over. After telling what happened, Nagata saw Ishiwara's indifferent look and couldn't help admiring Ishiwara's breadth of mind. Nagata also felt that this matter itself was meaningless; what was valuable was Japan's strategic thinking.

However, Ishiwara had no intention of discussing it at all, just listening quietly. Nagata knew Ishiwara felt these didn't matter at all. After waiting for a while, seeing Ishiwara remain silent, he could only continue to ask, "Ishiwara-kun. The Chief Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace invited the Prime Minister and several ministers to dinner before we set off. During the dinner, it was said that if China signs a treaty not to develop a navy and agrees to fully restore trade, China and Japan can negotiate."

"Is this to make He-kun laugh?" Ishiwara asked with a look of disgust.

Hearing this, Nagata felt expectant instead. "What do you mean?"

"If they really want to talk, why not propose that some industries must be invested by Japan in China within a certain period, with Japan providing technology and talents, China providing land and labor, and sales acting by Japan. If we talk like this, at least He-kun can still believe in the Empire's sincerity."

Hearing this, Nagata admired him very much in his heart. Because the condition Ishiwara just mentioned was the condition proposed by the Crown Prince after consulting veteran ministers like Saionji Kinmochi. After the Chief Chamberlain finished speaking, except for Finance Minister Takahashi Korekiyo, other ministers in the cabinet were actually a bit surprised, thinking that He Rui would not accept such conditions.

And Ishiwara, without attending the meeting, could make the same suggestion as a group of excellent upper-class members of the Japanese Empire by himself. Such insight was worthy of being recognized by the higher-ups as the person next to Nagata in the sequence.

Nagata wanted to praise him a few words but said nothing. With Ishiwara's intelligence, how could he not know the significance of this mission? There was a quite special relationship between Britain and Japan. Dispatching Ishiwara in a military delegation concerning such a major event as the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was equivalent to announcing to the British upper echelon that Ishiwara was the most valued talent in the Japanese army. The British side would also treat Ishiwara as a future member of the Three Chiefs of the Japanese Army.

If Ishiwara did not serve as one of the Three Chiefs of the Army in Japan afterwards, Britain would downgrade the reception of the main members of the military delegation sent by Japan in the future. After all, if Japan itself did not dispatch people worthy of pride in the Japanese army, why should the British value these Japanese soldiers?

Therefore, unless Ishiwara died himself after visiting Britain. As long as Ishiwara did not die, even if Ishiwara made a mistake, he had to be allowed to sit in the position of the Three Chiefs for a period of time. Anyway, it's never too late to settle accounts afterwards.

Thinking of this, Nagata asked, "Why did Ishiwara-kun make such a request? Do you think He-kun will agree?"

"If we cannot keep a few advantageous industries and let Japan obtain profits for continued industrial upgrading, Japan will be completely defeated in the competition with China. After all, China has a large population, and the types of exports at this stage highly overlap with Japan. A situation of price-cutting competition will inevitably occur. At that time, similar industries in Japan will inevitably be miserable. How could He-kun not know? Moreover, He-kun has no reason to refuse, unless Japan denies such conditions itself."

Nagata was slightly surprised. "Does Nagata-kun [Ishiwara-kun] think that domestic Japan will disagree?"

"Those people are short-sighted and only see immediate interests. They can never accept China's rise, so they naturally won't agree to any opportunity to cooperate with China. In their view, that is not cooperation with China, but recognizing that China has restored its status as the strongest country in Asia. And helping China become stronger. Hehe! Nagata-kun, you have to be careful of these people." Ishiwara sneered at the end.

Nagata didn't answer immediately. Ishiwara's words were sharp and saw through the current mood of the Japanese upper echelon. Twenty years ago, some people in Japan indeed proposed to do their best to make up for the Sino-Japanese contradictions caused by the First Sino-Japanese War and promote Sino-Japanese cooperation. But after the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, Japan won a great victory. People holding this view changed their minds one after another, and the contradictions between China and Japan deepened rapidly.

By now, some of the Japanese upper echelon accepted the changes in the situation and tried to restore Sino-Japanese relations. But this part was also very clear that if they wanted to resolve the resentment of 30 years, Japan must pay a huge price.

There was also a part of the high-level who did not consider resolving hatred at all. They believed that instead of paying a huge price and still being unable to resolve the conflict, it was better to stand directly on the opposite side of China and fight China to the end. Since Japan could defeat China once, it might not be unable to defeat it a second time.

More high-level officials were indecisive, unwilling to understand the true changes in the world, and even more unwilling to have their interests damaged. This was the most difficult thing Nagata felt at present. In Nagata's view, Japan must change. If a complete Japan could not be built, the current power holders would bring Japan to collapse.

Thinking of this, Nagata continued to ask, "If I guess correctly, Ishiwara-kun thinks Britain will lose!"

"Britain will fail militarily, but not necessarily in other parts. After all, He-kun doesn't want to fight Britain to mutual destruction. Since the purpose is peace, presumably Britain won't seek its own death either. However, after Britain accepts He-kun's request, it will find ways to limit China's development. At this time, Japan has a very great value to be used."

Having said this, Ishiwara sneered again, "Hmph, Japan does not lack people willing to be used. In their view, this is precisely using Britain."

Nagata felt he had nothing more to say. Since Ishiwara had seen through the entire situation and could firmly believe in his judgment of Britain, saying anything more was useless. But at this time, Nagata felt relieved about Ishiwara.

Ishiwara was five years younger than Nagata, and the two had fought side by side in Korea, earning the nickname 'Twin Walls of the Army.' Nagata was 42 years old this year, in the prime of his life. After visiting Britain, Nagata would go to the Army War College as the principal. After the term ended, he would serve as the Chief of the Army General Staff, and Ishiwara would succeed Nagata as the principal of the Japanese Army War College. That year Nagata would be 44, and Ishiwara 39.

As long as the political situation did not change drastically involving the two. Probably two or three years later, Nagata would serve as the Inspector General of Military Training, and Ishiwara would become the Chief of General Staff. Nagata believed that Ishiwara might be the most suitable candidate for the Chief of General Staff in the Japanese army now. As long as Ishiwara didn't cause trouble, he might become the longest-serving Chief of General Staff in Japan.

When Ishiwara no longer served as the Minister of War [Chief of Staff? Context implies rotation], Ishiwara would be supported to the position of Minister of War. It was estimated that Ishiwara would be 50 years old then. Even if his personality was still terrible, no one would really care about this. No one who became the Minister of War had a good personality. Moreover, in Nagata's view, although Ishiwara had a terrible personality, he was actually quite fair and did not focus on personal gain. He might not be a bad Minister of War.

Nagata knew very well that what Ishiwara wanted was an opportunity to display his talents. Now the door of opportunity had opened to Ishiwara. Nagata told Ishiwara his attitude, "Ishiwara-kun, no matter what, in a few years you will be the principal of the Army War College. Presumably, the instructors of the Army War College will also welcome you back to the school."

Ishiwara smiled slightly, "Thank you, Nagata-kun." Then he stood up and took his leave. Returning to his cabin, Ishiwara lay on the bunk, considering the many uprising plans he had deduced before in his mind.

The Japanese upper echelon was really hopeless. And Japan had reached the pass of choice. If the restoration failed, not only would Ishiwara and the comrades of the Future Society be executed as rebels, but Japan's future would also walk into darkness without a future.

During this period, the frequency of contact with Nagata increased greatly, and Ishiwara finally understood the morbid persistence of the power holders in their own interests. Even a smart person like Nagata was bound and corrupted by power, becoming one of that group of power holders. Even if he had seen the road to the future, Nagata still unconsciously rejected the correct choice.

This couldn't be blamed on Nagata. Because Japan's rebirth must be built on the destruction of old power. A person can sacrifice himself, but will not destroy himself.

So Ishiwara nodded. "If Nagata-kun has made a decision, please go on with your efforts, Nagata-kun. Thank you for your hospitality, Nagata-kun. Farewell."

After speaking, Ishiwara stood up and walked towards the gate. Watching Ishiwara's back, Nagata sighed slightly. He had always wanted to pull Ishiwara to his side, but judging from the current result, Ishiwara still stubbornly walked the path he chose. He had no intention of changing at all. This made Nagata feel regretful; such a smart person constantly lost opportunities to gain power because of personal stubbornness. It was really a waste of such precious intelligence.

Since those people were incurable, Ishiwara could only deal with them courteously but without sincerity first. However, this seemingly boring time was not completely uninteresting. At least Ishiwara could see the reaction of the British after continuous defeats in Britain. He could also see Britain's adjustment speed in the face of setbacks.

Ishiwara felt something from He Rui's doctrine, something He Rui never stated explicitly. That is, after China's rejuvenation, it would not adopt defense but would launch an attack. At least He Rui himself was full of the spirit of active attack.

This is a feeling hard to describe. If a reason must be found, it is like a tiger pouncing on its prey and tearing it apart when seeing it. When someone passes by a poisonous snake, the poisonous snake will launch an attack. Tigers and poisonous snakes do not do this out of malice or other emotions; they are just following their own instincts.

And the strong offensive spirit is not reckless, nor brave, but an instinct. He Rui is like this, and Ishiwara thinks he is also like this.