Seeing that the discussion was coming to an end, Xu Jia began to pack up his prepared documents. Then he heard He Rui ask, "Xu Jia, what is your view on the rotation system?"

Unsure of He Rui's intent, Xu Jia picked a positive aspect to mention. "I think it's very good. Without rotation, we couldn't have improved so quickly."

Knowing Xu Jia didn't grasp the seriousness of the issue, He Rui gave the answer directly. "We must consider future adjustments now. When we liberate the whole of China, we will need to prepare one million local cadres."

"Liberate the whole of China?" Xu Jia was stunned for a moment, then his spirits soared. But a moment later, he was astounded again. *One million cadres!* The entire population currently under the government's administration in the Northeast was only 20 million. That meant 5% of the population would need to become local cadres. This figure was beyond Xu Jia's comprehension.

He Rui didn't want Xu Jia to guess blindly, so he provided the answer. "I'll speak plainly. We cannot cultivate one million local Northeast cadres. We must look for cadres among those migrating to the Northeast from other regions, and have them return to Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi. This is the most efficient choice. Locals are more persuasive to their fellow provincials. This requires us to start considering this matter now."

Xu Jia went straight to the core question. "When does the Chairman plan to liberate the whole of China?"

"I don't know either; it all depends on the results of our development. For example, the General Staff will formulate a plan to liberate China, calculating that it requires 2 million troops and continuous combat for one or two years. How to raise 2 million troops? During the combat operations of these 2 million troops, how much weaponry, ammunition, equipment, and logistical supplies will be needed? If we can support this, then we can start the war. If we cannot, then we wait until these preparations are complete before starting. None of this is decided by me personally, but by realistic preparations. This is the operating mode of a modern industrial nation."

Xu Jia felt his heart racing; he didn't know if he was excited or uneasy. Conquering the world was a massive undertaking, yet He Rui spoke of it as lightly as going on a picnic. This made Xu Jia feel extremely unsettled.

After his emotions settled a bit, Xu Jia felt his shock was somewhat inexplicable. Following He Rui's plan: raise a sufficient army, organize one million local cadres to take over local governance across China. Equip the army and cadres with arms and supplies, and naturally, the war could be waged.

He Rui's line of thought was not only reasonable but also highly feasible. For a moment, Xu Jia suddenly felt a sense of absurdity and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Do you find this matter highly feasible, and much simpler than you thought?" He Rui asked.

Xu Jia nodded hurriedly, yet in his heart, he felt an indescribable dissonance about this natural progression. Thoughts flew through his mind for a while before he found the reason for this incongruity. "Chairman, do other Military Governors also think about the steps to unify China in this way?"

He Rui did not answer but asked back, "Do you think there are other ways to unify China?"

"...No," Xu Jia answered decisively, then asked, "Chairman, I just find it strange. With the insight of the current Military Governors, surely they wouldn't fail to think of this. But why don't they do it?"

He Rui lit a cigarette and looked at Xu Jia with interest. "Because they failed to build a system like ours. Under our system, not all 500,000 people are satisfactory. But these 500,000 people are fulfilling the requirements of their respective posts according to the system's demands, and we are also striving to make the organizations under the entire government complete the work requirements we set based on policy."

Xu Jia completely agreed with He Rui's view but still felt the matter was definitely not that simple, so he answered frankly, "Chairman, I think things should be more complex, right?"

"Yes, it will be more complex. But if you can look at it according to the laws of development, you will feel it is very clear. For example, before long, I will discuss the issue of redrawing the border with Soviet Russia. Do you have any views?"

Xu Jia felt dazed again. Aside from liberating the whole country, how did a new issue of border demarcation with Russia suddenly appear? And it was stated by He Rui in such a 'matter-of-course' tone. Faced with the impact of this content, Xu Jia simply gave up thinking. "Chairman, I will follow your arrangements completely."

He Rui decided to spare Xu Jia from thinking so much for now and smiled. "Alright, when the time comes, we will discuss it at the Party Committee meeting."

After Xu Jia's report concluded, He Rui wanted to continue reading the statistical reports for a while, but he couldn't focus. Xu Jia's performance left He Rui feeling a bit disappointed. He Rui considered the reactions of other core leadership members when facing the same problems. The result of his consideration was still unsatisfactory.

Young people lack experience; this is not their fault but a reality of their situation. They must personally experience great storms to gain a broader vision. Just like the Japanese military men who would soon arrive in Fengtian—only by bloodying their heads against a wall would they understand that all of Japan's current ideas for solving its predicament are wrong. Even exceptional talents like Ishiwara Kanji will have the same problem. This is the so-called limitation of history.

Thinking of this, He Rui suddenly remembered something. He hadn't yet prepared the itinerary for these young Japanese officers to visit. He Rui picked up a pen and began to list on paper the lines of thought the Japanese young officers might have, and the response content targeting their lines of thought.

In the morning, He Rui waited at the Office of General Zhen'an for the visiting Japanese youths. Before noon, the secretary came in to report, "Chairman, they have arrived and have been taken to the small auditorium next door."

He Rui then closed the military industrial production report file and told the secretary, "Contact the members of the electroslag remelting task force. I want to see them in the next two days."

The secretary hurriedly noted it down. Just as he finished writing, he saw He Rui had already stood up, put on his military cap, and strode out. The secretary wanted to follow but felt he had to handle He Rui's arrangement first, so he picked up the phone and began dialing the Metallurgy Research Institute.

He Rui walked into the small auditorium. The Northeast foreign affairs staff responsible for receiving the Japanese young officers immediately shouted loudly in Japanese, "Silence! General Zhen'an has arrived."

The Japanese young officers immediately formed ranks quickly, each standing ramrod straight. He Rui walked into the small auditorium and saw Ishiwara Kanji standing in the first row. As expected, a hairless lip means a shaky grip—this guy had only grown a small mustache, yet he immediately looked much more steady.

Meeting He Rui's gaze, Ishiwara Kanji's expression was immediately filled with joy and anticipation, unexpectedly unchanged from a few years ago in Japan. He Rui nodded slightly to Ishiwara Kanji, and Ishiwara Kanji also bowed his head slightly in return.

He Rui shifted his gaze to look at the other Japanese young officers. These youths all looked solemn and appeared very competent. He Rui stopped in front of the group. The foreign affairs officer in charge stepped forward and whispered, "Chairman, we have obtained the list."

He Rui nodded and walked up to Colonel Sato. "Senior Sato, long time no see."

Seeing He Rui wearing a military uniform of uncommon design, Colonel Sato thought it must be the service uniform of the Northeast Army. With warlords rife in China now, He Rui's uniform, which was vastly different from the Beiyang style, should represent He Rui's stance of independence from the Beiyang center.

But while the uniform style was different, the rank remained the same. The title General Zhen'an denoted a full General. As the highest administrator of the Manchuria-Mongolia region, this junior's rank of General was fully deserved. Colonel Sato raised his hand in salute. "General, long time no see."

He Rui extended his hand. After shaking hands with Colonel Sato, He Rui smiled. "Please introduce these fellow students to me, Senior Sato."

"Certainly," Colonel Sato replied.

The first to shake hands was naturally Ishiwara Kanji. He Rui didn't say much and just let Ishiwara Kanji stand beside him.

The next young officer saluted He Rui excitedly. "I am Yamagami Tomonari. I admire Senior's achievements in governing Manchuria and Mongolia very much."

When the next officer saluted, he said excitedly, "I have long heard of your great name. Hearing that you secured Manchuria and Mongolia so swiftly, you are truly a role model for my generation."

He Rui looked composed, but in his heart, he was somewhat disappointed. As He Rui expected, at least half of the visiting Japanese young officers expressed admiration for He Rui 'controlling Manchuria with impressive military prowess,' sounding like they were influenced by utilitarianism. Only a minority clearly expressed admiration for He Rui's achievements in governing the Northeast and Inner/Outer Mongolia.

Japan's national development was becoming increasingly constrained. The fastest way to solve problems was none other than exporting internal conflicts. If these youths developed along their current paths, most Japanese young officers would likely embark on a path of pure nationalism, which is the path of external expansion.

After meeting everyone, He Rui walked up to the podium and sat down, ordering, "Gentlemen, please sit."

Seats had already been arranged in the small auditorium. The Japanese officers sat down quickly. Their rows were neat, demonstrating strong habits of hierarchy and discipline.

"If I am not mistaken, you came to Fengtian to see what development the Northeast has made under my governance. I have arranged the itinerary for you, so please be patient. Before that, I want to say something to everyone. I studied in Japan for many years, and Japan is my second hometown. So facing the storm that is about to descend on Japan, I cannot help but give a reminder. An economic crisis is coming; Japan needs to prepare immediately."

Hearing He Rui speak like this, the Japanese youths all looked puzzled. He Rui continued, "If you have no interest in listening, I will only say this one sentence. I wonder if you are interested in listening further."

The young officers of the Japanese Future Society all looked at Ishiwara Kanji. Ishiwara Kanji just shook his head, signaling everyone not to ask questions. These young officers all shut their mouths and said nothing.

The other young officers looked puzzled but had no intention of asking. Seeing this, He Rui smiled. "In that case, let this matter end here. Everyone, prepare to follow me for the visit."

After speaking, He Rui stood up and issued an order to the Japanese young officers. "All rise!"

At the command, the Japanese officers stood up neatly. The guards beside He Rui and the reception staff from the foreign affairs department looked visibly moved. Just from their discipline and reaction speed, this group of Japanese young officers had already demonstrated the basic qualities a soldier should have. Especially this readiness to receive orders at any moment—even the officers of the Northeast Army did not quite possess it.

Japan, as China's greatest threat at present, truly lived up to its reputation.