It was freezing cold outside. Yan Huiqing, who had been chilled to the bone even inside his car, felt warmth the moment he stepped into the hallway of his home. Entering the house, beyond the warm air, he could already smell the aroma of lunch wafting from the open kitchen. Yan Huiqing was already hungry; he changed into his slippers and went straight to the dining room connected to the kitchen.

Mrs. Yan was reading a newspaper, so engrossed that she didn't notice Yan Huiqing's return until she heard his footsteps. She hurriedly picked up the newspaper and, while serving Yan Huiqing rice, tucked it into a corner out of his sight. Although Mrs. Yan tried her best to make her expression look natural, her worry couldn't be hidden; instead, her deliberate attempt made it all the more obvious.

Yan Huiqing sighed, "Madam, I've made you worry."

Mrs. Yan knew she couldn't hide it and couldn't help but sigh, "Master, you are suffering." aside from the official newspapers which remained silent, other private newspapers were cursing Yan Huiqing. Some newspapers, in order to incite reader emotions, cursed Yan Huiqing as the Zhang Bangchang or Qin Hui of today.

Yan Huiqing had long known this situation would arise. Moreover, when he was a diplomat in the Beiyang Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he had been cursed before, and presumably, he would be cursed in the future. So Yan Huiqing even smiled, "It's a small matter, Madam need not take it to heart."

Mrs. Yan felt that Yan Huiqing must be acting under orders, and seeing his reaction, she could basically confirm it. But distressed for her husband, Mrs. Yan said, "Master, with so many people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, why must you be the one to bear this infamy?"

Yan Huiqing urged his wife to eat while it was hot. Once she began to eat, Yan Huiqing ate and said, "Next, the country is going to exert diplomatic pressure on the United States. If I don't say it, who will?"

Mrs. Yan hadn't expected the United States to be China's next target and was stunned. It wasn't until Yan Huiqing urged her that Mrs. Yan continued eating. It was only after finishing dinner that Yan Huiqing continued to explain to his wife, "Madam, we have now formally established diplomatic relations with Britain. Although there is still wariness between China and Britain, cooperation will be the main theme. My statement was entirely to express our country's friendly attitude towards Britain. At this moment, when China, Britain, France, and other European countries begin to approach each other to deal with the United States, only then can the United States feel greater pressure. If I speak, the United States won't misunderstand later. As long as I am still the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the United States won't think there are different lines within our Ministry."

Mrs. Yan didn't understand diplomacy, but she felt truly relieved at this moment. Yan Huiqing's words proved he was acting under orders, and the one truly making the judgment was He Rui. With He Rui's character, he certainly wouldn't push Yan Huiqing out and then disregard him.

With her mind at ease, Mrs. Yan asked, "Master, but you said China would provide port berths for British warships. Is the country really going to do this?"

"Madam... Haha..." Yan Huiqing wanted to explain but couldn't help laughing out loud. It seemed his wife's level in the diplomatic field was no different from ordinary people. Ordinary people interpreted diplomatic statements by supplementing parts of the words with their own imagination. The diplomatic circles, however, looked at the internal logic of the statement. Diplomacy is a very serious job that allows for no falsehoods. You could say that everything spoken in diplomacy is empty, or you could say everything spoken is real. How to distinguish depends on the interpreter's own level. At least, the British Foreign Secretary's understanding of Yan Huiqing's statement would certainly be vastly different from Yan Huiqing's wife.

At this moment, the British Foreign Secretary was already sitting on a ship bound for home. Because of the cooperation of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China and Britain had already signed agreements on 'Sino-British Business Personnel' exchanges and 'Study Visas', paving the way for British lords to come to China to make money. The Foreign Secretary's seat in the British House of Lords could basically be confirmed, so his mood was excellent. He even had the mind to consider the extra parts beyond this substantial diplomatic achievement.

Yan Huiqing's proposal that the United States should give up one-third of its naval tonnage was purely empty talk, representing only the Chinese side's differing attitudes towards Britain and the United States. As for 'convening a conference of China, France, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States to discuss countries providing berths for the British fleet', that was China's gesture of goodwill to the British side.

To receive such a gesture, the Foreign Secretary would naturally receive a relatively high evaluation upon returning home; this was a good thing. The British Foreign Office had already begun attempting to reconstruct the world situation under the new circumstances of accepting China as a new Great Power. China's gesture meant that Britain's resistance was greatly reduced.

All the information in Yan Huiqing's words was just this. As for whether China would hold that meeting, it didn't matter at all. Even if China really sent invitations to other countries, at least the United States wouldn't participate. Even if the United States participated, France, Japan, and the United States wouldn't really give the British warships berths. Since France, Japan, and the United States wouldn't give berths, China would naturally go with the flow and not give them either.

These were all little tricks in diplomacy, not even worth mentioning.

However, China's attitude towards the United States made the British Foreign Secretary somewhat concerned. While the Sino-British war was ongoing, China had already expressed a considerable attitude of opposition towards the United States. Now that China and Britain had restored peace, was China really going to exert diplomatic pressure on the United States?

Since the Great War in Europe, Britain had always considered the United States to be its greatest future enemy, with the Soviet Union's threat to Britain second only to the United States. Now, because of its own geopolitical interests, China maintained good relations with the Soviet Union. This was a choice a mature politician and diplomat would inevitably make.

The regions where the Soviet Union bordered China were sparsely populated with low transport capacity. Given the strength China was now displaying, the Soviet Union would be very worried about the Far East region. He Rui's consistent friendly attitude towards the Soviet Union, as well as the agreement not to deploy troops on the Sino-Soviet border, was to minimize Soviet concerns as much as possible.

At this time, China's diplomatic pressure on the United States was undoubtedly beneficial to Britain. However, the Foreign Secretary wasn't confused by such appearances. If China could handle the United States, what next... presumably it would be Japan's turn.

The conflicts and hatred between China and Japan were so deep. From the perspective of various interests, China would deal a heavy blow to Japan, forcing Japan to ultimately submit to China.

The British Foreign Secretary did not sympathize with Japan and even hoped China would move against Japan sooner. China currently had no navy; no matter how poor Japan's economy was, its naval strength was sufficient to defend the Japanese homeland. Japan couldn't beat China, and China couldn't beat Japan in the short term. If war broke out, China would likely retake Korea and Taiwan, which originally belonged to China. And such a result would only make the hatred for China within Japan engraved in their bones.

As long as there were contradictions, Britain had space to intervene. The more intense the Sino-Japanese conflict, the greater the space for Britain to manipulate.

Thinking of this, the British Foreign Secretary felt his chest open up with satisfaction. The British Empire had indeed suffered losses in the war just ended, but this loss hadn't shaken the international order constructed by the British Empire; instead, it had become more stable because of He Rui's experienced, mature, and wise choice.

From the look of it now, He Rui's style of action was very conservative, and he wouldn't be easily used by the British Empire in the future. But the British Foreign Secretary believed there could only be one reason for failing to persuade He Rui: the British Empire hadn't offered enough benefits. As long as the benefits were sufficient, He Rui would definitely choose to cooperate with the British Empire. This was the diplomacy the British Empire had tried and tested over the past few hundred years. Since this experience had never failed in the past or present, it would be equally effective in the future.

Today's ally is tomorrow's enemy; today's partnership is the price exchanged for other partners tomorrow. The British Foreign Secretary believed that Japan had accepted so much help from the British Empire, and it was finally time for Japan to pay the price for the British Empire's half-century of investment.

At this time, Kita Ikki, who was unwilling to let Japan become the price, finally met He Rui. In the warm room, Kita Ikki grabbed He Rui's arm, weeping uncontrollably.

Japanese newspapers had published He Rui's photo too many times. Upon arriving in China this time, a trend had already started among the Chinese populace of hanging a portrait of He Rui indoors. Kita Ikki hadn't seen He Rui in person, but he had seen many expensive, exquisite, and vivid portraits in shops. In the half-body portraits that looked like full-body photos, He Rui wore the uniform of a Republican civil official, looking heroic, a hundred times more vivid than the figure in the small photos.

However, the He Rui appearing before Kita Ikki seemed to have walked out of the portrait, yet what the portrait couldn't embody was the focused and condensed temperament on He Rui. Just walking towards Kita Ikki made Kita Ikki feel his scalp tingle. This was the temperament of Asia's most powerful leader—no doubts, no hesitation, facing all realities directly.

He Rui's first sentence wasn't a greeting, but a prophecy. "Kita-kun, Japan will absolutely not fall into endless despair. As long as I am here, Japan will definitely have a bright future!"

That voice, full of confidence and vitality, vibrated Kita Ikki's eardrums and then warmed his heart. Kita Ikki knew He Rui was Japan's most powerful enemy, an enemy who could cut off Japan's future and destroy all of Japan. Precisely because of this, He Rui's words were conversely so persuasive. If He Rui was willing to release the iron palm choking Japan's throat, Japan could survive.

Kita Ikki unconsciously lowered his head to He Rui in a Japanese kneeling bow. "Please, He-kun, you must save Japan!"

A moment later, Kita Ikki had been pulled up from the ground by He Rui. "Kita-kun, Japan is my second hometown. I will neither let Japan sink nor let Japan fall into despair. China has settled other matters and has time to face Japan. Sorry to have kept you waiting."

Tears burst from his eyes. Kita Ikki finally confirmed that the expectations of those Japanese comrades for He Rui were indeed true.

Over the past few months, Kita Ikki had conducted field investigations among the Chinese populace and had also accepted studies. He was already very clear about China's changes. Once his emotions calmed down, Kita Ikki immediately asked, "I wonder how He-kun intends to make Japan walk the same path as China?"

He Rui didn't answer but asked instead, "Have the Japanese people recognized who their enemies are now?"

"They have recognized them!" Kita Ikki answered decisively. "The Japanese powerful elites are all Japan's enemies!"

"Really?" He Rui asked again. Kita Ikki could hear He Rui's skepticism.

It was already around 4 p.m. In the freezing winter month, a group of university students and other youths were kneeling in front of Sakuradamon, blocking the road. They held banners like 'His Majesty the Emperor Rules Personally' and 'The Emperor Loves the People', expressing their trust in the Japanese Emperor. These people were kneeling or bowing ceaselessly in the ice and snow toward the main gate of the Imperial Palace, hoping to convey their loyal hearts into the palace through such actions.

The Japanese government had carried out several arrests and suppressions in the past few months. Those considered likely to 'cause trouble' had either been arrested or had fled. Taira Toyomori's reputation was too great, and he had deep connections within the government; after returning to the country, he was placed under semi-house arrest. Scholars like Taira Toyomori were either arrested or under house arrest.

Those who could move freely on the streets now were either commoners or people considered submissive and peaceful. This group of people who summoned the courage to come and petition had all once been students and intellectuals who trusted the government extremely, firmly believed His Majesty the Emperor was diligent and loved the people, and had no thoughts of violent revolution.

However, the economic recession had left them with absolutely no way out. Furthermore, the ruthless arrests and suppression by departments like the Japanese Tokkō made these people have to believe that the Emperor was being hoodwinked by these people.

Since the situation was so, these people gathered in front of the Imperial Palace, coming to petition peacefully with the resolve to die. They believed, or rather they would rather believe, that if even a few words about the current state of society reached the Emperor's ears, the Emperor would not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear.

Nearly half of the students in various Japanese universities had been arrested. These students and intellectuals hadn't been arrested not only because of their extremely moderate attitude but also because their backgrounds helped them. So when the officers of the Imperial Guard Division guarding the palace gates saw some familiar faces, they were unwilling to use violence to drive them away.

Moreover, talk of major disarmament had been clamorous in the army recently. Everyone in the Japanese army knew that due to the economic recession, Japanese tax revenue had regressed to the level of ten years ago. From any angle, the country could no longer afford to support so many troops. Although the Imperial Guard Division wouldn't be disbanded, the ordinary soldiers and junior officers within the Imperial Guard Division might not be so lucky.

The rumored disarmament plan said that a large number of ordinary soldiers would be forced to retire without severance pay. NCOs would take over soldiers' jobs, and officers would effectively be demoted in use to ensure officers and NCOs could have a salary to support their families.

With the current economic situation, retiring meant unemployment. The officers and soldiers of the Imperial Guard Division also hoped the economy could improve quickly so that they and their families wouldn't have to endure hunger. So even if some officers shouted angrily for the junior officers and soldiers of the Imperial Guard to immediately drive these people away, the officers and soldiers refused the order on the reasonable grounds that 'one must not leave one's post without permission while on guard duty'. The officers had no choice but to curse that other units were going to rebel. In such a time, the students had already knelt into a mass in front of the tall Sakuradamon.

Before long, people from the Tokkō appeared, and police rushed over one after another, gathering more and more. Just when the guarding officers and soldiers thought the Tokkō and the police were going to start arresting people, they saw a few people run over and say something to the leaders of the Tokkō and the police.

The Tokkō leader looked indifferent; after standing for a while, he actually turned and left with his men. The police leader looked grim, strode up to the students, and scolded, "You are disturbing the Sacred Hearing; this is a grave crime! I order you now, leave immediately!"

The students intended to let the Emperor know of the people's desperate situation, so how could they be willing to leave? The leaders among them answered loudly, "We know we are guilty and will naturally plead guilty and submit to the law later. But this time we want to ask the Emperor to know the current situation. As long as there is an order from the palace, we will immediately go to the police station to surrender ourselves."

The police leader cursed in anger, shouting for the students to get lost. But cursing aside, he didn't beat or arrest anyone. Seeing the students' firm yet very mild attitude, completely without any violent action, the police leader cursed a few more times and then actually turned and left. A moment later, the police also left under the leader's order.

At this time, outside Sakuradamon, apart from the army guarding the palace strictly holding the bridge leading to the palace, only those petitioning students kneeling on the ground in the fluttering snow remained.

Outside Sakuradamon were buildings like the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice, with no residents. Only this group of students remained in the snow, insisting on kneeling and requesting that the Emperor send someone to hear the people's appeal. Looking at their posture, they were prepared to kneel indefinitely.

As time passed, those guards in front of Sakuradamon couldn't help but feel some expectation. Perhaps the Emperor would really send someone to come and receive the letters prepared by the students. If that really happened, it would mean the Emperor had finally decided to intervene personally, and Japan might be saved. At least the situation might turn for the better.

Not only were the students outside Sakuradamon waiting, but the guards were also waiting. The snowflakes continued to drift down, and the snow on the ground grew deeper and deeper.