Ishiwara Kanji, having graduated second in his class from the Japanese Army War College, was sent to Europe to observe the war along with other young officers. Throughout their return journey, Ishiwara and his fellow officers discussed the European war countless times, accumulating a vast number of questions. Upon arriving in Kwantung Leased Territory, they couldn't wait to see He Rui immediately.

The group of officers all chose to follow Ishiwara Kanji to Fengtian. Upon receiving He Rui's reply, they prepared to set off overnight. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw many officers standing outside, ranging from Lieutenant Colonels to Lieutenants.

Ishiwara didn't know what these people intended to do. While he was puzzled, the leading Lieutenant Colonel Sato stepped forward and said, "We heard that you gentlemen are going to see He-kun. We will go together."

Although Ishiwara knew that some of the men in front of him were supporters of the Nagata Tetsuzan and Okamura Yasuji faction, he did not refuse and answered readily, "Then let us go together."

Everyone boarded the train. Seeing a group of Japanese officers, the passengers dared not approach. Ishiwara Kanji and Lieutenant Colonel Sato didn't mind and chatted. When asked about Sato's purpose for seeing He Rui, Sato sighed, "How does Ishiwara-kun find Kwantung Leased Territory?"

"I find it very prosperous," Ishiwara replied.

Lieutenant Colonel Sato smiled bitterly, "After He-kun took control of the regions outside the Pass, the Chinese population in Kwantung Leased Territory began to leave rapidly. Now the remaining population is only a little over seventy percent of what it was a year ago, and the economy is much more depressed. If this continues, the remaining population in Kwantung will decrease even further by next year."

Ishiwara Kanji didn't find such changes strange at all. Before Ishiwara could speak, another officer said, "With He-kun's talent, is it strange to achieve such results?"

Lieutenant Colonel Sato was speechless for a moment. He Rui's talent was recognized as extraordinary by the Army War College; reaching this level was not strange. If He Rui couldn't do it, many Japanese officers would actually be disappointed. But the current situation indeed put huge pressure on Kwantung Leased Territory. If I didn't mention it, it seemed inappropriate.

At this time, Ishiwara Kanji spoke, "If you have doubts, just ask He-kun face to face when we see him. Gossiping behind his back is beneath the dignity of an Imperial soldier."

Hearing this, the Japanese officers all fell silent. Lieutenant Colonel Sato felt somewhat aggrieved and asked, "I wonder what Ishiwara-kun will ask when he sees He-kun?"

Ishiwara answered frankly, "When He-kun was in Japan, he said that war would inevitably drive a large number of weapons beyond imagination to appear on the battlefield. This time in Europe, we saw new weapons such as poison gas, airplanes, and tanks. Their power completely exceeded our imagination, and even made us feel that the old mode of warfare has been overturned. But recalling He-kun's teachings, I feel that perhaps we have misunderstood the application of new weapons. When seeing He-kun this time, I must seek his guidance in person."

The observation group members who had been to Europe nodded one after another. Ishiwara had voiced everyone's thoughts. During this observation, although they felt the European battlefield displayed amazing combat power, the Japanese officers were unwilling to be intimidated by these surface phenomena. However, the Ministry of War and the General Staff Headquarters in the rear were even more behind the times than the Japanese observation group on the front line. At this moment, perhaps He Rui was the only one left who could help Japanese officers find the answers.

Lieutenant Colonel Sato stopped speaking. He looked at the group of Japanese officers accompanying him to seek an audience with He Rui. Seeing the expectation in many of their expressions, he could only temporarily suppress his own feelings and try to assume a detached expression.

For Japanese officers, He Rui was undoubtedly their idol. Attending the Japanese Military Academy (Shikan Gakkō) and then being admitted to the Japanese Army War College was a dream path for Japanese officers. He Rui was undoubtedly a 'fellow traveler' of the Japanese officers.

During his studies at the Japanese Army War College, He Rui gained the recognition of the Japanese government with his knowledge and was hired as a special consultant. After graduating and going to the provinces, he had a meteoric rise, inheriting factional political resources and becoming a regional power in just two years. This was the standard path for scions of Japan's top prestigious families.

Now He Rui had seized Inner and Outer Mongolia, fulfilling the concept that Japan domestically regarded as—'Manchuria and Mongolia are the lifeline of the Empire'. While Japanese officers were envious, they all felt that He Rui was worthy of being the pride of the Japanese Army War College; the valedictorian of the War College indeed deserved his reputation.

When encountering confusion, if they didn't seek answers from this 'Junior' or 'Senior', were they supposed to go ask those old fossils in the Army Ministry?

The train arrived in Fengtian. Led by reception personnel, the group marched in neat formation through the streets of Fengtian. Seeing that Fengtian was orderly and without vagrants, they were all very pleased.

Arriving at an auditorium and standing still, they saw He Rui striding out. Lieutenant Colonel Sato and others saluted, while Ishiwara Kanji and other young officers bowed, "Greetings, Senior!"

"At ease, sit!" He Rui ordered.

The group of Japanese officers sat down in orderly rows. Lieutenant Colonels and Majors sat in the first row, while Lieutenants took seats in the back rows according to rank. Song Youwen, the secretary beside He Rui, couldn't help but marvel inwardly seeing the strict discipline of the Japanese officers.

He Rui thought nothing of it and said straightforwardly, "Gentlemen, you are all the most precious assets of Asia's future. I am very happy to see you today. Why don't you ask questions directly? After answering your questions, I will express my views on Japan's future."

As soon as this was said, Major Ishiwara Kanji immediately stood up and said, "Senior, during my trip to Europe this time, I saw a constant emergence of new weapons on the European battlefield, and I am truly uneasy. I wonder how Senior views the development of military affairs?"

He Rui didn't answer immediately. He turned and wrote three terms on the blackboard: Airplane, Tank, Poison Gas. Then he turned and said, "Is Ishiwara-kun shocked by this?"

"This is only part of the reason. What affects me even more is that the strength of European countries seems bottomless. The war has been fought for three years, yet they still have the reserves to continue fighting. With Asia's strength, we would be unable to resist a full-force strike from the European powers. This is the most disheartening thing for me. I ask Senior for guidance."

He Rui sought confirmation, "May I take it that Ishiwara-kun has witnessed the national power of the European powers and is greatly shaken?"

"Exactly so." Ishiwara admitted readily. Not only Ishiwara, but the Japanese officers who had gone to Europe to observe also nodded one after another.

He Rui turned and wrote the term 'National Power' on the blackboard. He turned back again and continued to ask, "Do you gentlemen have other views on this aspect?"

The officers looked at each other for a moment, then all looked at He Rui without saying a word.

Seeing that everyone was in agreement, He Rui replied, "I expounded on the theory of Geopolitics in Japan. Its core is that our human nations all rely on mountains, rivers, oceans, and climates to form development paths that conform to the local natural environment. The performance of European countries' national power in the military sphere is related to their Geopolitics, and has nothing to do with the outdated theories of national character, nor the even baser racial theories. Spain lacks mineral resources locally and cannot build strong industrial strength. This country can only face the war as a neutral country in Europe. This is not because Spaniards love peace; it is purely related to the natural endowments of this country."