Facing Ishiwara Kanji's counter-question, Takahashi Korekiyo wasn't stumped at all. He laughed, "Young people certainly are spirited. Ishiwara-kun, are you dissatisfied with the cabinet's resolution?"

Ishiwara Kanji shook his head. "This subordinate is just puzzled why His Excellency Makino Nobuaki was sent as the representative to the Paris Peace Conference. Now that China's market has opened to Japan, and the European war has ended, the world will enter a period of peace. This subordinate would rather believe that His Excellency Makino Nobuaki expected to reduce the animosity between China and Japan—first obtaining the rights and interests in Shandong, then honorably returning them to China in exchange for the Japanese Navy's right to enter the port of Qingdao and most-favored-nation treatment in Shandong. But with things developing as they have, hasn't the result run counter to that?"

Takahashi Korekiyo couldn't help but be surprised. He no longer held any illusions about Japanese officers; these soldiers often shouted slogans of seizing Manchuria and Mongolia or conquering China at every turn, completely lacking the ability to understand political economy. The reason he had wanted to meet Ishiwara Kanji was that the young man's views on 'counter-cyclical adjustment' already far exceeded those of ordinary soldiers, possessing the vision one would expect from a senior civil official.

Hearing Ishiwara Kanji's reasoning now—that he didn't pursue war but instead started from a political and economic perspective—Takahashi realized this was no longer the level of an ordinary officer. Perhaps his insight even surpassed that of Prince Yamagata.

But having seen so many Japanese officers, Takahashi Korekiyo dared not easily trust them. He probed again, "Ishiwara-kun, I have heard there are moderates in the army who believe the best situation is for Japan to exist as the Britain of Asia, with China as Japan's India. I wonder what your thoughts are on this?"

"Absolutely impossible," Ishiwara Kanji answered briskly. "Your Excellency, China does not lack talents like He-kun; it is simply not an object Japan can conquer. The best situation at present is for Japan to help China develop its raw material production to obtain a stable supply. While China opens its market to Japan, Japan should open investment opportunities to Chinese capital. While Chinese investors gain returns, Japan can fully utilize that capital to develop its own industry and economy. Having read the cabinet's annual national development reports, I feel these things deeply. Thus, I truly do not understand why His Excellency Makino Nobuaki incited anti-Japanese sentiment nationwide in China. His Excellency followed Prince Ito in his early years; he is not of the military faction."

Takahashi Korekiyo had to conclude that the young officer before him could view problems at a serious national strategic level. While heartened, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. The result of Makino Nobuaki's actions at the Paris Peace Conference was indeed not what he or Prime Minister Hara Takashi had expected.

"Ishiwara-kun," Takahashi asked, "perhaps it is precisely He-kun who is driving this matter from behind the scenes. Within just two years of governing the Northeast and Mongolia, he has already begun selling large quantities of industrial products into the interior. Looking across China, the person who least wants Japan to sell industrial products to China must be He-kun. Knowing his methods, inciting this matter would likely be effortless for him."

For a moment, both Ishiwara Kanji and Taira Toyomori were speechless. Both were close to He Rui and held his abilities in the highest regard. If He Rui were personally behind this, he could indeed stir up anti-Japanese sentiment throughout China.

However, after a moment, Ishiwara Kanji couldn't help but defend him. "If what Your Excellency says is true, then among His Excellency Makino's inner circle, there must be someone colluding with He-kun. Or perhaps His Excellency Makino exchanged views with He-kun on how to act at the Paris Peace Conference?"

Seeing Ishiwara Kanji turn the tables like this, Takahashi Korekiyo was amused and laughed out loud. He had heard that Ishiwara was a very spirited fellow in his youth; seeing him dare to speak like this now, it seemed the man hadn't become slick just because he had reached thirty.

Still, Ishiwara's argument wasn't entirely irrational. If He Rui were really playing tricks behind the scenes, he would surely leave some trace. He Rui had indeed met with the Chinese Foreign Minister, and when the Japanese side conducted their diplomatic simulations, they had assessed the possibility that the Chinese diplomatic mission might withstand the pressure and refuse to sign the agreement.

The officials sent by the Beiyang government this time were all highly educated diplomats of excellent character and reputation. These were men who cherished their reputations like a bird cherishes its feathers, unwilling to be stained by a scandal.

This was also why Takahashi Korekiyo was so disappointed with Makino Nobuaki. He didn't want to see the current state of affairs; Sino-Japanese relations were already poor, and China's hostility toward Japan was only growing. Such hostility not only hindered the opening of the Chinese market but also threatened the possibility of attracting Chinese investment. Politically, this was an unacceptable outcome.

Yet Makino Nobuaki had triggered exactly this result, and the courage and determination displayed by the Chinese public made even Takahashi feel uneasy. The burning of Zhaojialou, the beating of Zhang Zongxiang—the masses had directed their fury at the Beiyang high command and adopted fierce methods.

Duan Qirui and Zhang Zongxiang were figures Japan had spent considerable effort cultivating. The current events had left the reputation of the pro-Japanese faction Japan had invested so much in in tatters. Paying such a high price for interests in Shandong was simply not worth it.

Moreover, Takahashi still felt He Rui was not entirely innocent. Perhaps he had used more ingenious means to instigate this?

If He Rui knew his old acquaintance viewed him this way, he would surely have praised Takahashi for having the vision of a politician. Although He Rui had not intentionally incited the masses—knowing already the intensity of domestic nationalist sentiment—he had indeed worked his influence upon the Chinese diplomatic delegation.

At this time, however, He Rui did not join the fierce national movement in a high-profile manner. Instead, he put all his energy into organizing and guiding the nationalist sentiments of the people in the Northeast. At this stage, he needed that sentiment.

With Zhao Tianlin and others coming forward, students in the Northeast schools did not parade, let alone cause trouble. By elucidating the internal factors of the current crisis, the Beiyang government's prestige among the students in the Northeast plummeted; its legitimacy had utterly evaporated. He Rui felt his current goal had been achieved. The Beiyang government had to be overthrown. These students would become the grassroots cadres of the Northeast government within a few years; in the war to liberate all of China, He Rui did not want any of them to view Beiyang as the legitimate authority.

Northeast University had resumed normal teaching. After classes ended, Li Hongguang of the Law Department carried his heavy bag and left the classroom. Not long after, he led a person to the dormitory. Many people were already waiting there; hearing there was a student from Beijing, even more rushed over, eager to hear exactly what had happened.

The visiting student was named Li Junyu. Seeing so many students gathered, Li Junyu was excited. He stood up and vividly described how thousands of Beijing students and citizens had marched through the streets, rushed into Zhaojialou, and caught and beaten Zhang Zongxiang, who had been disguised as a Japanese.

The young students cheered repeatedly upon hearing of such a feat. Seeing the enthusiastic response, Li Junyu struck while the iron was hot. "Now universities all over the country have joined the Student Federation. I came here to invite the students of Northeast University to send representatives and join us."

Unlike their previous enthusiasm, however, the expressions of the students now turned cool. This puzzled Li Junyu greatly. Why would the students of Northeast University lose interest in such a grand cause?

But that was exactly what happened. The students of Northeast University cared only for the excitement in Beijing; they had no intention of joining the student movement themselves.

When Li Junyu returned to his residence disappointed, he did not yet despair. Perhaps because there had been too many prying eyes before, those who wanted to join had been unwilling to speak out publicly. He had left his address; surely they would come privately.

He waited until nine o'clock, but there was no knock on the door. Just as his eyelids were beginning to droop and he prepared to sleep, a knock finally sounded. Li Junyu quickly tidied his clothes and went to open it.

Standing outside were not Northeast University students in their uniforms, but soldiers in black. The leading soldier pushed his way in; he was extremely strong, and Li Junyu could not even block the door, forced aside by the man's strength.

Several black-clad soldiers entered the room and conducted a silent search. Once they confirmed no one else was present, one of them produced his credentials. "Student Li Junyu, I presume? We are from the Security Bureau. Please come with us."

Without allowing any explanation, they hoisted Li Junyu up and took him out. Two cars were parked outside. The Security Bureau men stuffed him into the back seat of one, sandwiching him between two soldiers.

The car started and drove into the vast, dark night, heading toward an unknown destination as it quickly disappeared into the shadows.