Early the next morning, Major Liu requested He Rui’s presence to collect their armaments. The armory was under heavy guard; dozens of combat engineers had already stacked wooden crates filled with munitions in a corner of the courtyard, ready for transport.

He Rui carefully inventoried the supplies. Major Liu seemed unusually somber today, lacking his usual brisk efficiency. Once the count was finished, he presented He Rui with the official list. "This is the first batch of equipment allocated to you by General Zhang. It includes one hundred rifles, two machine guns, and ten thousand rounds of ammunition, along with daily essentials like caps, shoes, and socks. You can make further arrangements once you’ve raised your force in Siping. Additionally, General Zhang has provided five thousand silver dollars for military expenses. Please come with me to collect them."

He Rui conducted a spot check. The rifles were all Hanyang 88s, and the two light machine guns were French-made Hotchkiss M1909s. The factory grease hadn't even been wiped off; they were clearly brand-new stock.

He Rui left Xu Chengfeng and the others to handle the equipment while he spoke with Major Liu. "You’ve worked hard, Brother Liu. But you seem to have something on your mind today."

Major Liu sighed. "Alas... General Zhang has ordered me to accompany you to the Kwantung Government-General."

He Rui smiled. "You are serving your country, Brother Liu—that makes you a man of honor. As for the negotiations at the Government-General, leave those to me. You need only be there to lend the weight of your presence."

Major Liu still looked dejected, but he nodded. "You are a righteous man, Brother He. You have my thanks."

With the weapons and funds secured, word arrived that the Office of the Zhen’an General had received a telegram from the Kwantung Government-General: the Japanese side had agreed to He Rui’s visit.

He Rui prepared to depart immediately. Not only his officers, but even the cultural instructors came to see him off, having heard that he was heading into the heart of the Japanese administration alone to negotiate.

The instructors had all changed into their new military uniforms. Though they still moved with the gait of civilians, the uniforms gave them at least a semblance of military discipline.

Just before he left, a man stepped forward. He Rui recognized him as Tang Gui, one of the temporarily appointed team leaders. Coming from an impoverished background, Tang Gui had scored exceptionally well during his political review. He was diligent and proactive, marking him as a prime candidate for future leadership.

Tang Gui gave a somewhat clumsy salute. "I wish the Commander a safe and successful journey."

He Rui returned the salute. "Thank you. I wish you all a safe journey to Siping as well."

Xu Chengfeng stepped forward. "Commander, let me go with you as your guard."

"You..." He Rui was about to refuse when Cheng Ruofan interrupted.

"Commander, we’ve already discussed it. We want Chengfeng to be your bodyguard. Don't worry about the work in Siping—we’ll cover his responsibilities between us. We all agree that we can't let anything happen to you. We wouldn't trust anyone else to watch your back."

Zheng Silang also stepped in to persuade him. "Commander, please, understand how we feel."

In their current organization, Zheng Silang was responsible for external security, so the role of bodyguard would normally fall to him. Yet he was the one insisting that Xu Chengfeng go instead, proving how sincere their concern was.

He Rui realized he couldn't turn them down. It was June 16th. He had first met Duan Qirui in Beijing on May 22nd. Barely twenty-six days had passed.

In less than a month, their numbers had grown, and they had traveled thousands of *li* to reach the Northeast. A real sense of camaraderie had formed within the team. To deny them now on the grounds of "efficiency" would only make them see him as a cold and heartless leader.

"Alright. I’ll take Chengfeng with me," He Rui conceded.

The young men’s faces lit up. Before they could celebrate, He Rui added, "But don't just worry about me. You must look after your own safety as well. Just as you worry for me, I worry for you."

"Don't worry, Commander," Cheng Ruofan said quickly. "With Chengfeng gone, you’ve still got me here to hold things down!"

"Please! It’ll be a miracle if you don't start a riot," Zhong Yifu joked, throwing cold water on him. The group erupted in laughter, and the tense, somber atmosphere vanished, replaced by a momentary flash of youthful spirit.

Moved by their loyalty, He Rui raised his hand in a sharp salute. "Comrades, I’ll see you in Siping."

"Rest assured, Commander! We will complete our mission!" they replied in unison.

With that, the group split up. He Rui and Xu Chengfeng boarded the train for the Kwantung Government-General, accompanied by Major Liu and an interpreter named Zhao.

As the train rattled along, the group began to talk. Major Liu was clearly relying heavily on He Rui now, answering his questions with total transparency. Interpreter Zhao, the lowest-ranking member of the group, was a clever local who was fluent in Japanese. He spent the journey flattering the officers while providing a detailed overview of the Kwantung Leased Territory.

The Kwantung Leased Territory—or Kwantung-shu—was the area encompassing the Jinzhou Peninsula, including what would later be known as Lushun and Dalian. Originally occupied by Russia, it had been seized by Japan after the Russo-Japanese War.

The Japanese had developed the territory extensively, recruiting both Japanese and Chinese immigrants to build up its ports. By this time, it had already become a significant and well-developed regional hub.

As the train approached the border of the territory, Xu Chengfeng’s expression grew heavy. He turned to find He Rui looking equally somber. "Commander, you look troubled," he noted.

He Rui looked out at the Japanese road signs passing by. "When the nation is in such a state, how can my heart not be pained?" he replied calmly.

Xu Chengfeng sighed. "I wonder when we will finally be able to reclaim these concessions and drive the foreigners out for good."

Major Liu’s eyes widened, and he leaned in closer. "Commander He, it’s fine for us to say such things here, but for heaven's sake, do not repeat them once we reach the Kwantung Army Headquarters!"

The local forces in the Northeast lived in constant fear of provoking the Japanese or the Russians, and He Rui understood this all too well. Seeing the genuine terror in Major Liu’s eyes, he forced a small smile. "Don't worry, Brother Liu. I am not so reckless as that."

The train began to slow down. Looking out the window, He Rui noted that they hadn't yet reached the Kwantung station. As the group looked around in confusion, a squad boarded the train. They were led by a Japanese lieutenant, followed by four Chinese men in railway uniforms. The lieutenant was cold and arrogant, while the four men trailing him were acting like common thugs, shouting at the passengers to clear the way for the officer.

Encouraged by the lieutenant’s silence, the four lackeys grew even more aggressive. They cornered a merchant traveling with his family, demanding he open his luggage for inspection.

The merchant, forcing a smile, opened his trunk to reveal nothing but clothes. One of the men grabbed the trunk and dumped its contents onto the floor. The merchant could only watch helplessly as his belongings were trampled, all while stammering out apologies and insisting he had no contraband.

He Rui glanced at Major Liu and Interpreter Zhao. Both had looked away, their faces masks of helpless indignation. Xu Chengfeng, however, was radiating murderous intent, his hand hovering near the pistol at his belt.

The Japanese lieutenant had noticed He Rui’s uniform. He squinted at him for a moment, then began walking straight toward them.

He Rui smiled thinly and stood up, placing a firm hand on Xu Chengfeng’s shoulder to keep him in his seat.

The Japanese officer stopped in front of He Rui and looked up. Suddenly, he snapped to attention and delivered a crisp salute. "May I ask... are you Senior He Rui?"

He Rui returned the salute. "At ease," he commanded.

As the lieutenant relaxed, He Rui frowned. "Lieutenant, which class did you graduate from at the Military Academy?"

The entire carriage seemed to freeze. Everyone—Japanese and Chinese alike—stared at them in stunned silence.