Since boarding the train to Siping in 1916, Zhao Tianlin had only returned to his home in Tianjin twice. He came back this time to complete the property transfer procedures with his family. Although Zhao Tianlin didn't need to go through the trouble at all, as a jurist, handling procedures was also an academic habit.

Sitting in the bedroom where he lived as a teenager, Zhao Tianlin could no longer find the appearance of the room in his memory. Moreover, the new construction of Tianjin's urban area had begun. Before long, the old houses here would be demolished, and brand-new residential buildings would be built. Next time he came, this place would look different.

He thought his thoughts would be immersed in the past, but unexpectedly, after sighing for a moment, his train of thought jumped back to work. Various numbers floated in Zhao Tianlin's mind, numbers concerning China's future education system. As well as those familiar and unfamiliar people who were listed.

As a scholar, Zhao Tianlin could clearly feel He Rui's views on those figures of the old era. Scholars outside the Beiyang clique believed that the He Rui government was the new Beiyang clique, and both were Beiyang like the old Beiyang clique. But in He Rui's view, the education received by the figures of the old era was the set to be abandoned. Whether Beiyang or non-Beiyang, they were birds of a feather. It was impossible for future China to give these people a place.

Zhao Tianlin's work was how to make the transition smoother and more thorough in the fault line between the old era and the new era as effectively as possible. Zhao Tianlin felt that this was a very arduous job. In comparison, the seemingly tedious work of the Asian International Tribunal was as easy as picking something out of a pocket.

Just thinking about it, the secretary outside knocked gently on the door, "Premier Zhao, Beiping is asking when you will set off."

Zhao Tianlin stood up and replied, "Tell them I'll arrive today."

Saying this, Zhao Tianlin looked around the old residence of his youth. Although the room furnishings and layout had long changed, the position of the window had not changed. Zhao Tianlin still remembered that when he sat by the window doing his homework, he would see the clear sky outside the window when he looked up. At that time, he only wanted to go to the wider world to see. Now he had traveled the wider world, only to find that the vast world was even more hopeless than China.

The car parked outside the door had started. Zhao Tianlin walked out of the door of the old residence and was about to get into the car. He stopped again and looked around. That old courtyard, the narrow passage, the clotheslines tied to the trees outside each house, and the washed clothes swaying in the wind.

Zhao Tianlin's new home in the capital Zhengzhou was temporarily in a 7-story building. The house had complete water and electricity, and heating. The balcony was connected to the laundry room, and the washed clothes could be dried on the balcony between bright glass windows through the lifting drying rack.

He Rui said that in the future China, everyone could live in such buildings. Since He Rui said it personally, Zhao Tianlin was willing to believe it. He hoped that when he returned here next time, what he saw would be such residences.

Seeing the reluctance in Zhao Tianlin's eyes, the secretary stepped forward and whispered, "Premier Zhao, many photos have been taken here. Even after demolition, this alley can be restored from the photos."

Zhao Tianlin nodded slightly, but stepped forward to pat the mottled courtyard wall, and stroked the rough bark of the big tree in front of the old residence courtyard for a while. Zhao Tianlin got into the car. The street scene flowed outside the car window, but Zhao Tianlin never looked out the window again.

That night, Zhao Tianlin arrived in the capital together with the President of Tianjin University (formerly National Peiyang University). Welcoming them were not only the new Minister of Education but also Minister of Commerce Morrison. Zhao Tianlin first agreed on a meeting time with the Minister of Education, and then went to the hotel with Morrison. At this time, the western restaurant was ready. The President of Peking University was already waiting here. The President of Tianjin University stepped forward to chat for a few words. Morrison led two officers wearing British Army general uniforms out. Then he introduced these two British division commanders to the Chinese side.

Zhao Tianlin did not look down on them because these two British division commanders were prisoners of war, nor did he look up to them because these two were British nobles. Everyone ate and chatted like normal friends gathering. They talked about British culture, history, law, etc., without mentioning the war that led to the capture of these two people.

After the meal, several people went to the reception room. Black tea was served, and only then did Zhao Tianlin ask, "Do you two have any opinions on the employment contract?"

The cold faces of the two British division commanders with British aristocratic style finally showed a little embarrassment. In the European war, noble generals like them would be treated preferentially. So they felt that even if Chinese culture was different from Europe, it was logical to be treated preferentially as a civilized country.

But they didn't expect that they actually received invitations from the Foreign Language Departments of Beiping University and Tianjin University (formerly National Peiyang University). Major General Somerset asked, "Your Excellency Premier, we graduated from military academies. Can't your country find suitable English teachers?"

Zhao Tianlin replied frankly, "What I want to invite you to teach is Heraldry."

"Heraldry?" Somerset was even more puzzled. As British nobles, they learned heraldry from a young age. This course was a piece of cake for them and was a basic course in the aristocratic circle. But the Chinese wanted to learn heraldry, which made Somerset and the other division commander feel very abrupt.

Zhao Tianlin explained, "Now part of our country's diplomats will be selected from the Foreign Language Departments opened by Beiping University and Tianjin University. Heraldry is a very important part of general European history. In the past Qing Dynasty, jokes were made in diplomacy because of not knowing this part of knowledge. You two gentlemen have accomplishments in this field."

This explanation resolved the doubts in the hearts of the two British division commanders. Major General Somerset asked, "May I ask, according to the agreement given to us by Your Excellency Morrison, if we accept this employment, we will no longer be subject to surveillance at any time, right?"

Zhao Tianlin nodded. He had also seen that agreement, so he replied, "Your personal freedom is subject to certain restrictions. But it is only limited to the fact that if you leave the city where the teaching school is located, you need to apply. And when there are some things about your subordinates that need to be inquired about, you have to cooperate. Other than that, no one will monitor you. Including normal rights such as your family coming to visit, you also enjoy them normally. Oh, by the way, the remuneration for your teaching has to be taxed according to China's tax law."

Major General Somerset looked at the other division commander, and both saw the emotion of agreement in each other's eyes. Turning back, Major General Somerset asked, "I've read the oath; why isn't the part about God in it?"

Zhao Tianlin replied frankly, "Because China is an atheist country. Freedom of religious belief is the right of the people, but the Chinese government does not recognize the existence of those supernatural objects described in religious classics in the real world."

Hearing this, Major General Somerset nodded. "Then, I swear in the name of the Earl of Glamorgan that I will abide by the agreement." Seeing Major General Somerset express his acceptance, the other British division commander also made the same statement.

After both sides reached an intention, the atmosphere relaxed. While chatting and laughing, the President of Peking University asked what kind of title the 'Earl of Glamorgan' was. This question aroused the interest of the current Earl of Glamorgan, who explained it to everyone. This explanation made the Presidents of Peking University and Tianjin University a bit dizzy.

The land of Glamorgan does exist, and this land is also an earldom. However, the one who truly holds the Earldom of Glamorgan is not the Earl of Glamorgan, but the Earl of Gloucester.

It turned out that the Earl of Glamorgan was not an independent title, but an earl title established under the title of Duke of Beaufort. And the owner of the title of Duke of Beaufort is surnamed 'Somerset,' not Beaufort.

The Earl of Glamorgan can be said to exist, or can be said not to exist. After the legitimate son of the Duke of Beaufort named 'Somerset' comes of age, he will obtain the title of Earl of Glamorgan. When the previous Duke of Beaufort passes away, the Earl of Glamorgan becomes the Duke of Beaufort, and the title of Earl of Glamorgan is granted again after the legitimate son of the new Duke comes of age.

Many people listened with half-understanding. Morrison saw the Earl of Glamorgan, Major General Henry Somerset, talking with interest, and could only interrupt temporarily. He asked frankly, "Mr. Somerset, our Chinese academic circle welcomes you. But do you believe what I said before now?"

Major General Somerset fell silent now, and even the British division commander next to him looked a little lost. Morrison re-emphasized, "Chinese academia believes that Britain is a powerful country in military and technology, more advanced than China. But Chinese academia also believes that Britain is much more barbaric in culture and politics than Chinese culture and politics. The barbaric acts that Chinese culture opposed two thousand years ago, Britain is not only doing now but also takes pride in. Therefore, you are very likely to be regarded as barbarians by Chinese academics. If you don't have the confidence to accept this fact, I personally don't suggest you accept this invitation."

The two British division commanders fell silent; they seemed a bit embarrassed. Morrison, Zhao Tianlin, and others were also silent. And Zhao Tianlin and others gave Morrison a big thumbs up in their hearts. After a long silence, Major General Somerset said, "I am willing to accept such an appointment, and I am very interested in exchanges with Chinese academia on civilization and politics."

Since the other party still accepted the employment in the face of such a situation, everyone relaxed. Zhao Tianlin had run for a day and was exhausted, so the meeting ended here.

Morrison didn't go to rest. After leaving here, he went to another reception room. Waiting inside was Morrison's old friend, Bassett, the brother-in-law of the former British Governor of Australia.

Bassett had a close relationship with Morrison, who was then the Deputy Director of the Northeast Department of Commerce, during World War I. Through military procurement for China, Bassett made a lot of money. In this gathering of old friends, Bassett didn't exchange pleasantries either, but took out a few glass bottles and handed them to Morrison.

Morrison took them and looked; the labels were all in Italian, completely unintelligible. Bassett said somewhat gloomily, "My dear friend, those Jews pitted us with fake medicine! I want to ask you to help me determine what ingredients are used in this medicine!"

Hearing the old friend's complaint, Morrison asked, "What medicine is this?"

"Those Jews guaranteed us that this is artemisinin they bought from China, and then changed the bottle and sold it to us in the name of an Italian pharmaceutical company! But this medicine is not only useless for malaria but also caused dozens of deaths. Now the British logistics department is investigating this matter! Morrison, you have to help me. You owe me this!"

Morrison sighed in his heart; business partners are so difficult when they cause trouble. Indeed, when Morrison pulled orders for the Northeast Government, he used his connections in Australia to obtain orders for ANZAC military supplies through bribery. Those orders also helped the Northeast Government gain recognition from Britain and France, opened up sales channels, and thus imported a lot of complete sets of equipment and technology for producing military supplies from Britain and France.

However, Morrison did not treat Bassett badly. In addition to benefits, Bassett's brother-in-law, the former British Governor of Australia, took a fancy to a French artist, but the Northeast Government found a way to sponsor that artist to perform in Australia. Letting the former Governor of Australia get what he wanted.

Business is business. It really can't be said who owes whom.

However, Morrison felt that this was also a business opportunity, so he asked, "Is this an Italian pharmaceutical company? How did it get involved with Jews? Are Jews the owners of this company?"

"It's the legal person!" Bassett replied angrily. Looking at him, if that Jewish legal person appeared in front of Bassett now, he would be eaten alive by Bassett.

But Bassett also knew that being angry was useless. He tried his best to calm down before continuing, "This war broke out too fast. The pharmaceutical company we established in Australia hasn't passed the application yet, so we can only let Italy transship!"

Speaking of this, Bassett thought of being deceived by the Italian Jewish dog thief and was speechless with anger. He could only pick up the coffee and drink it first to ease his emotions and not be rude in front of Morrison.

Morrison also wanted to continue maintaining the channel that had been cooperating for many years, so he gave a suggestion, "Is the application for the pharmaceutical company in Australia completed?"

Bassett nodded.

"If you have prepared the label style, you can let the Chinese pharmaceutical factory stick the label directly. As long as the route is open, it can be transported to Burma."

Hearing Morrison agree to help so readily, Bassett first thanked him, then pursued, "Can you send a batch of penicillin?"

Morrison found it interesting and asked with a smile, "Penicillin has not applied for sales to countries other than China. Can the British side accept it?"

Bassett smiled, "Mr. Morrison, don't you know how much of this medicine France has bought now?"

Of course, Morrison knew exactly how much penicillin France had bought. After the news spread that Morrison saved the son of the French Minister of Commerce, the French side imported a small batch for experimental treatment. Soon, French doctors discovered that penicillin had special effects on treating syphilis. Thus, the romantic French people's demand for this drug began to skyrocket. The European Navy also began to buy penicillin in large quantities through Swiss and French channels.

In high-temperature areas like India, inflammation and syphilis are huge threats to life. Morrison felt that this guy Bassett really dared to think and act, and was quite able to grasp the market.

As a business cooperation channel, naturally there is give and take. Morrison asked, "What does the Governor of the Malaya region think about rubber trade now?"

Bassett had actually prepared this line long ago. He replied confidently, "I have set up a trading company in Hanoi. Not only the Governor of Malaya, but the Governor of the Dutch colony also agreed to sell rubber to Hanoi."

Hearing this news, Morrison called his secretary and asked the secretary to take Bassett to solve the drug procedures tomorrow.

After sending off Bassett, Morrison felt much more relaxed. China's artificial rubber is progressing rapidly now, but there is still a considerable gap compared with natural rubber. And the Soviet Union is fully promoting heavy industry and has a large demand for high-quality rubber. A considerable part of the rubber imported by China is to be resold to the Soviet Union.

Now there is good news. In tomorrow's negotiation with the Soviet Import and Export Delegation, there is some content to talk about.

It was late at this time. Morrison didn't go home either; he just called home and rested in the hotel. Just lying on the pillow, Morrison didn't think about anything and fell asleep deeply. In the past half year, he had been running around abroad. After returning to China, he had to go to Kunming to recruit people. He was really exhausted.