Wang Donglu sent a telegram to the hotel where his parents were staying, feeling truly disappointed as he left the telegraph office. He had taken leave specifically to go to Shenyang to receive his parents, but because of work, he had to cut his leave short and leave his parents behind in Shenyang.

Of course, his father had been an official in Guizhou, and his parents had traveled thousands of *li* in their lives. Wang Donglu believed his parents could certainly handle the situation. Public security in the Northeast had been steadily improving, and the 'Northeast bandits' famous within the Pass had become a historical term. In the land Outside the Pass, often considered barbaric, his parents were actually quite safe.

But Wang Donglu himself hadn't been able to ensure this family reunion concluded smoothly. Even if it wasn't his fault, Wang Donglu still felt quite disappointed.

After canceling his leave, Wang Donglu returned to his Security Bureau dormitory in Siping, changed into work clothes, put on his Military Representative armband, and went straight to the Siping Automobile Manufacturing Plant where he was currently assigned.

Following security protocols, Wang Donglu showed his ID and pass. The automobile plant produced two types of vehicles: trucks and civilian passenger cars. Production was divided into two lines, and the Military Representative Office in the factory was similarly divided into two groups.

Passing through the wide lanes of the factory, huge workshop buildings stood side by side. On the passages between workshops, workers vigorously pushed carts transporting parts. There were also two newly trial-produced forklifts moving cargo under the supervision of technicians. The two large horizontal steel forks at the front used for lifting goods were very conspicuous, and Wang Donglu couldn't help watching them as he walked. It wasn't until some people suddenly appeared in front of him that he turned his attention back to the road.

Approaching were several foreign technicians. The Siping Automobile Manufacturing Plant was currently the largest automobile manufacturing enterprise in the Northeast and had introduced a large amount of British and French equipment and technology. According to the contract, Britain and France needed to provide engineers and technicians to work here for two years. One-third of the technicians in the entire factory were foreigners. Wang Donglu privately believed that one of his jobs was to monitor these foreign technicians.

Stepping aside for these technicians, Wang Donglu continued toward the Military Representative's office. Along the way, he saw several groups of foreign technicians, all accompanied by Chinese technicians assigned as apprentices, and equipped with translators. In the past three years, the Northeast had established a large number of factories through joint ventures. The Northeast government gave very preferential treatment to these foreign technicians. Not only were salaries high, but residential compounds were specially built for them, consisting of four-story red brick buildings. Fitness facilities, commercial areas, and schools for those with children were provided. There were also clubs for relaxation, and even religious facilities were available.

Wang Donglu had originally planned to go to the United States to study, and now he felt that arriving in Siping was no different from arriving in a foreign country.

No, there were still differences.

According to those students who had returned from studying abroad, although foreign countries were industrially developed, they were not paradises. There were quite a few criminal incidents; all the scoundrels found in China could be found abroad. Foreign countries were even ahead in new types of criminal gangs emerging based on industrialization.

The foreigners in Siping, apart from those who came for trade, were technicians; these people were considered decent people abroad. It could be said that the average level of these foreigners in Siping far exceeded the average in their home countries.

Lost in these wandering thoughts, he arrived at the Military Representative's office, where he was immediately called over by Zheng Silang. Zheng Silang had a solid build, wore a work uniform, and sported the wide armband of a Military Representative; he looked like a robust senior worker. However, meeting Zheng Silang's gaze, Wang Donglu was intimidated by the intensity in his eyes. Such a sharp, knife-like gaze could not belong to a worker; only a career soldier would be so focused and ready to deal with any challenge at any moment.

Zheng Silang said, "Comrade Wang Donglu, I received an order that your assignment as a Military Representative in the automobile plant has ended. Complete your handover immediately and report back to the Security Bureau."

Wang Donglu was very puzzled. He had only interned for a few days, and now he was leaving? Was it because he asked for leave to see his parents and had fallen out of favor with the higher-ups?

But Wang Donglu asked nothing. He was just about to agree and leave when he suddenly remembered something. "Representative Zheng, my time here was short; will the Military Representative Office write an evaluation for me?"

A trace of a smile appeared on Zheng Silang's face. "We will write an evaluation for you; don't worry."

Wang Donglu took his leave and went to complete the handover procedures as instructed. The next day, he returned to the Security Bureau. As soon as he entered, he noticed his colleagues giving him strange looks. Upon meeting the Director of the Siping Security Bureau, the Director asked straight away, "Comrade Wang Donglu, write a report on your service as a guard for Chairman He."

"I have already written a report and submitted it," Wang Donglu quickly explained.

"That one is for our Siping Security Bureau, different from the one you wrote for the General Bureau," the Director said somewhat unhappily. After speaking, the Director pondered for a moment before continuing, "Go handle the transfer procedures after you finish writing; you have been transferred to the Investment Promotion Bureau."

"Yes!" Wang Donglu replied. After speaking, he asked, "Director, does the Security Bureau also have stationed agents in the Investment Promotion Bureau?"

Now the Director's expression showed great displeasure. "Comrade Wang Donglu, didn't you hear clearly? You have been transferred to the Investment Promotion Bureau. After completing the procedures, you are no longer a member of the Security Bureau!"

This news shocked Wang Donglu. He didn't want to go to the Investment Promotion Bureau; why was he suddenly transferred?

But the Director didn't give Wang Donglu a chance to ask. He hardened his expression and ordered, "Go write the report now, and handle the procedures quickly!"

"...Yes," Wang Donglu had to respond.

Two days later, Zhao Tianlin invited Old Master Wang and his wife to dinner. After the three sat down, Zhao Tianlin said, "Brother Wang, Donglu's job has been transferred."

Old Master Wang was both surprised and delighted, quickly expressing his thanks to Zhao Tianlin. Although Old Master Wang didn't know the system of the Northeast government, he knew the Qing official system very well. Every promotion path had rules. Different backgrounds—whether a *Xiucai* who purchased their title, a *Juren* with a provincial degree, or a *Jinshi* who passed the imperial examination—all had their own distinct routes.

Even within the *Jinshi* rank, the promotion trajectories for the top tier, regular *Jinshi*, and 'Associate *Jinshi*' were vastly different.

Only with connections above could one deviate from the conventional promotion route. As for transfers between civil and military positions, only someone with influence reaching the heavens could achieve that.

Although he didn't know the system of the Northeast government, Old Master Wang was certain that the Northeast under He Rui's rule was a government with a rigorous system. That Zhao Tianlin could achieve such a thing showed that his influence in the government was very powerful.

Zhao Tianlin waved off Old Master Wang and his wife's thanks. He habitually looked around the room, then whispered, "Brother Wang, you are wrong about one thing. I don't have such great ability to transfer someone from the military to a department like the Investment Promotion Bureau."

Old Master Wang was not surprised but felt more reassured, and quickly responded, "May I ask who you approached? Rest assured, Brother Zhao, I will immediately reimburse the expenses for you."

Zhao Tianlin sighed slightly. "Brother Wang, your esteemed father said you are cautious in doing things; I have always remembered that. Please don't blame me for what I'm about to say."

Old Master Wang immediately felt something was amiss and nodded silently.

"Brother Wang, I pulled out Donglu's examination paper and showed it to Chairman He before mentioning the transfer. Apart from this method, I really had no other way." After Zhao Tianlin finished speaking, he sighed apologetically.

Old Master Wang's reaction was just as Zhao Tianlin expected. He was not happy; his expression became solemn. As a genuine *Jinshi*, Old Master Wang was very wary of 'advancement by favor'.

Any official promotion requires opportunity. When choosing among officials with similar performance, having a patron naturally leads to faster promotion. But 'advancement by favor' is completely different. It implies a lack of ability and grossly insufficient qualifications, yet because one is favored by those at the top, they skip the necessary trials and ascend directly to the heavens.

Precisely because of ascending so rapidly, there is nothing under one's feet. Once abandoned, one will naturally fall directly to the ground and be shattered to pieces.

However, Old Master Wang was not overly uneasy. He trusted Zhao Tianlin and also felt that if He Rui were a person who relied on favorites, he would absolutely not have today's power and influence. A very direct proof was Zhao Tianlin in front of him; Zhao Tianlin would never follow a leader who promoted favored ministers.

After a moment of silence, Old Master Wang forced a smile. "Brother Zhao, I know nothing about the official system of the Northeast. I wonder what kind of *Yamen* the Investment Promotion Bureau is."

At this time, the restaurant just started serving dishes. Zhao Tianlin smiled, "Brother Wang, let's talk while eating."

After speaking, he poured wine for Old Master Wang and Mrs. Wang. Zhao Tianlin raised his glass. "Brother Wang, let me toast you."

Old Master Wang didn't know what kind of *Yamen* the Investment Promotion Bureau was, but Wang Donglu, having studied and worked in the Security Bureau for two months, knew the functions of the Investment Promotion Bureau very well due to his training.

The work of the Investment Promotion Bureau was just as its name suggested: responsible for attracting business and investment. The Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau was the Englishman Morrison. Among the foreign officials in the Northeast, Morrison had the highest position and the greatest real power.

In the Security Bureau's basic assessment, the Investment Promotion Bureau led by Morrison was considered low-risk. Because Morrison was the Director, he was responsible for attracting investment from foreign enterprises. And the Investment Promotion Bureau was not only for attracting foreign investment; several deputy directors under it were responsible for attracting domestic investment.

Just as Wang Donglu had seen, due to the special relationship between He Rui and Japan, Japanese zaibatsu tended to seek business opportunities directly from He Rui. Director Morrison was merely a shrewd and capable Investment Promotion Director with extensive connections within the Northeast government, without any of the arrogance typical of foreigners.

After arriving at the Investment Promotion Bureau, Wang Donglu began to receive departmental training. At the same time, he did daily work in the mailroom. Wang Donglu carried a backpack, with a clipboard tied to the strap, delivering documents to offices one by one.

After working for just two days, Wang Donglu saw quite distinguished visitors in the corridor of the Investment Promotion Bureau office building. The Japanese zaibatsu delegation, led by Deputy Director Guo Hanshan, who was responsible for attracting investment from Japan, went straight to Director Morrison's office.

Wang Donglu was somewhat puzzled. He couldn't guess how the Japanese zaibatsu representatives had offended He Rui so that they couldn't get approval directly from He Rui and had to run to the Investment Promotion Bureau.

But keeping his thoughts to himself, Wang Donglu took the letters for the investment promotion group responsible for the domestic Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions into their office. Everyone already had an impression of Wang Donglu, the new young man. After taking the letters, they took the clipboard handed over by Wang Donglu, signed on the document receipt attached to it, and said, "Thank you."

Wang Donglu liked the atmosphere of the Northeast government very much. Compared with the strictly hierarchical system of the Qing Dynasty, everyone here showed goodwill under discipline and training requirements. 'Thank you' was not directed at anyone specifically, but expressed gratitude to the person providing the service; this gratitude was for the task, not the individual. These styles did not exist in the knowledge Wang Donglu learned from his father, making Wang Donglu feel very relaxed.

When Wang Donglu passed the door of Director Morrison of the Investment Promotion Bureau, the office door was already closed. Although Wang Donglu was curious about what was being discussed inside, he continued to run his errands hurriedly.

The negotiation in the office was a routine business negotiation. The Japanese zaibatsu representatives did not get any opportunity to touch the economic core of the Northeast. He Rui only allowed Japanese enterprises to invest according to the investment regulations of the Northeast.

Since He Rui set the tone this way, the subsequent matters were naturally the responsibility of the Investment Promotion Bureau. After the Investment Promotion Bureau concluded talks, it would be the turn of relevant mining, agriculture, and other departments to review.

This time, the Japanese side hoped to invest in mining operations. Morrison inquired about the investment location and the types of minerals to be produced.

In the office of the Siping Government Building, half of the standing committee members of the Central Committee of the Civilization Party were present—four of them. Plus He Rui and Zheng Silang, a total of six people held a meeting.

He Rui's tone was very relaxed. "At this stage, foreign powers are unlikely to adopt direct military invasion, but will adopt methods of supporting their agents within China and controlling China's economic lifeline to obtain super-profits. After the Japanese zaibatsu came this time, Mitsui Yasuki, not knowing whose instructions he was under, actually asked if he could provide gold to the Northeast Bank. He is really audacious."

The four standing committee members were Wu Youping, Xu Chengfeng, Tang Gui, and Xu Jia, representing the three major departments of party, government, and military, as well as the Organization Department. Tang Gui had now returned to the Party Central Committee to be responsible for party affairs. Hearing He Rui's words, Tang Gui was somewhat puzzled. "Chairman, if they tested the waters in casual conversation, how do we judge whether they are audacious or not?"

He Rui then explained, "Secretary Tang, do you think Japan will only provide gold?"

Tang Gui shook his head. If they provided gold, it meant what the Japanese side wanted was ten or a hundred times more precious than gold.

He Rui continued, "That's why I said he is so audacious, actually daring to threaten us."

"Threaten?" Tang Gui felt He Rui might be too sensitive.

Xu Chengfeng saw the puzzlement in Tang Gui's expression and couldn't help giving a cold laugh. "Secretary Tang, Japan daring to make such a request is itself a threat. If Secretary Tang encounters such a thing next time, you might as well respond directly like this; there won't be a mistake."

Tang Gui blinked, even more confused. He fully understood that the Japanese were bad, but regarding expressing threats through gestures of goodwill, Tang Gui indeed hadn't been exposed to training in this area.