The special train passed through Shanhai Pass. After four years, He Rui saw the land of the Northeast again. Before the New Year, snow had already fallen in the Northeast. Facing the vast white land, He Rui couldn't help but recite softly, "North country scene: a hundred leagues locked in ice, a thousand leagues of whirling snow. Both sides of the Great Wall, one single white immensity. The Yellow River's rushing torrents frozen and lost."

The secretaries at the other end of the carriage saw nostalgia in He Rui's expression but couldn't guess the mood of He Rui talking to himself. He Rui just recited a few sentences, looked for a while longer, then sat back in his seat and continued to read the latest report. Seeing this familiar appearance, the secretaries relaxed and continued their work.

The central government had regular data reports every month. The statistics for December 1927 were not yet complete; the report in front of He Rui only predicted the GDP for the whole year of 1927.

GDP is the final result of production activities of all resident units in a country (or region) within a certain period calculated at market prices. China spent three years preparing before the statistics department could use GDP to compile statistics on the national economy.

After abandoning the statistical method of total industrial and agricultural output value, China's estimated GDP in 1927 was about 68 billion yuan, 142 yuan per capita. According to the current exchange rate of 1:2.4 between the US dollar and the Chinese yuan, China's annual GDP was 28.33 billion US dollars, 59 US dollars per capita.

The US Gross Domestic Product in 1927 calculated by the US Bureau of Statistics was 97 billion US dollars, and the US population had just passed 100 million. Per capita was 970 US dollars. The per capita in US dollars was 16.5 times that of China.

He Rui didn't care at all about the gap in per capita between China and the US. What was a 16.5 times difference in statistics? He Rui had seen a huger gap; statistically, the per capita difference between the two countries had been 50 times.

The huge difference in per capita figures even made He Rui feel very comfortable because it was too familiar. The Chinese Yuan detached from the gold and silver standard, and the statistical method of total industrial output value above designated size—this was the China He Rui was familiar with. Being able to complete such a statistical method proved that China had the ability to get on the right track.

The special train headed north all the way. From entering Shanhai Pass, the internal combustion locomotive arrived at the Sino-Soviet border within 24 hours. It stopped at the border line. A Chinese special train with Soviet gauge had stopped on the opposite side of the border line. Among the Soviet officials waiting on the opposite side of the border line, the leader was former Soviet Ambassador to China Molotov.

On the second day after confirming He Rui's official visit to the Soviet Union with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Molotov was recalled to his country. When He Rui and his entourage got off the special train and walked to the border line, Molotov stepped forward, "Mr. Chairman, as a member of the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, I welcome Chairman He to visit the Soviet Union." After Molotov finished speaking, he smiled and made an inviting gesture, "Mr. Chairman, take one more step forward, and you will step on the territory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."

He Rui stepped across the border line and shook hands with Molotov and other Soviet officials one by one. Escorted by accompanying Chinese security personnel, the group arrived in front of the special train in Soviet territory. Molotov said, "Mr. Chairman, this special train belongs to Chinese territory in terms of international law. I need to receive your invitation before I can step on Chinese territory."

These words sounded relaxed, increasing He Rui's favorability towards Molotov a lot. These details indeed fully represented the interests of the country and could not be sloppy. If Molotov got on and off the Chinese head of state's special train at will, what needed to be considered was not the safety of the head of state, but the issue of foreigners entering and leaving Chinese territory at will. From the perspective of national dignity, the seriousness of this problem was greater than the safety of the head of state.

"Comrade Molotov, would you like to get on the train together?" He Rui smiled at the Soviet Foreign Minister who was a few months older than him.

Soviet security measures were very strict. A Soviet KGB (OGPU at the time) special train cleared the way in front of the Chinese special train. According to the agreement between the Chinese and Soviet foreign ministries, two Soviet carriages were added to the rear of the Chinese special train. A Soviet Red Army colonel came to He Rui and saluted, "Chairman He Rui, I am Colonel Timoshenko of the Soviet Red Army. I am very honored to serve you. I and my comrades are responsible for your safety from the border to Kazan."

He Rui stood up and smiled, "Thank you, Colonel Comrade. Would you like a glass of vodka?"

"Very honored. But I have official duties, so I can only thank you for your kindness," Colonel Timoshenko replied.

After the colonel left, Molotov chatted with He Rui. As the Soviet Ambassador to China, Molotov had met He Rui several times, and the content of the conversation was all about issues between China and the Soviet Union. As the Soviet Foreign Minister, Molotov did not talk about Sino-Soviet relations but asked He Rui for his views on the world situation.

"Even if someone wants to start a war, the current actual economic situation is far from enough to trigger a war. For at least 10 years, the contradictions of countries around the world will be concentrated in the economic field." He Rui answered Molotov's question about world security.

Hearing He Rui's words, Molotov just nodded in agreement. Because Comrade Stalin's judgment was also the same, the scale of the Soviet Red Army was shrinking at this time, reaching the lowest number in history. To develop the economy, the Soviet Union learned from China's Five-Year Plan and promoted rapid industrialization of the Soviet Union through a planned economy.

Molotov turned the topic to the economy, "Comrade Chairman, you started the Five-Year Plan during the Northeast period and have rich experience. I wonder if you can give some suggestions for the Soviet Union's Five-Year Plan."

"I think Soviet comrades can execute the Soviet Five-Year Plan very well. Since there is a plan, there are goals to be completed. My suggestion is to distinguish the difference between China's current Five-Year Plan and the Soviet Five-Year Plan. China's Five-Year Plan not only includes plans for industrial and agricultural development but also plans for the development of China's domestic consumption capacity. I believe Soviet comrades will definitely notice these."

"Comrade Chairman seems very optimistic about the future world," Molotov probed.

"Yes, I am very optimistic. At this stage, the world situation has entered a state of balance. No powerful country will easily decide to break this balance. In my opinion, the Soviet Union's decision to go all out to develop the economy is very wise."

Since He Rui said so, Molotov also felt He Rui's goodwill towards the Soviet Union. Being a special train, it had the highest right of way. He Rui's special train drove west without stopping except for necessary water and fuel refills. The Chinese special train used an internal combustion engine, with an average speed of over 60 kilometers per hour. It took only 4 days from the border to Moscow.

Molotov was very emotional about this. Compared with Soviet trains, China's heavy industry development impressed Molotov deeply. Besides, Molotov felt that the relationship between He Rui and a female secretary went beyond a working relationship. But this point did not give Molotov any special feeling. If He Rui were married, this matter would have some value. Since He Rui was currently unmarried, this was a simple relationship between a man and a woman. Based on collected intelligence, the Soviet Union once thought He Rui was an ascetic. An ascetic becoming an ordinary person was really nothing to study. Compared with He Rui, the parties held by some Soviet ministers on weekends belonged to the category of abnormal sexual desire even if evaluated from a benevolent perspective. That was a matter more worthy of attention.

Comrade Stalin, First Secretary of the CPSU, had long learned from the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union that He Rui was not visiting the Soviet Union exclusively this time. The Soviet Union was the first stop of He Rui's visit to Europe. Since He Rui expressed goodwill to the Soviet Union, Comrade Stalin was also willing to let He Rui feel friendship.

The level of the welcoming reception was very high; Soviet Politburo members in Moscow all attended. But only these people attended, so the number of people was not large. Seeing Stalin and He Rui giving speeches, and then Comrade Stalin inviting He Rui to a table with a lot of alcohol, Molotov felt something was wrong. Toasting and even forced drinking among the Soviet upper class was a tradition. General Secretary Stalin not only had an amazing capacity for liquor but was also a good hand at urging others to drink.

Molotov knew He Rui had little interest in drinking, and the Chinese government also had very strict regulations on officials drinking. At this time, Stalin and He Rui had already walked to the table and sat down. Molotov wanted to lean over. Because although He Rui looked gentle and refined, he actually had quite a temper. Whatever He Rui didn't like, he wouldn't do it himself, and would never change because of others. If Comrade Stalin forced He Rui to drink, he would probably be unhappily rejected by He Rui, and He Rui might even leave in a huff.

At this time, Stalin asked, "Chairman He, can you drink some?"

He Rui saw the look of a veteran toaster on Comrade Stalin's face. That was a very mixed look: enthusiasm + smile without warmth, unfathomable depth + changeable emotions. In short, as long as they started drinking, the other party would switch freely in various situations. This is a manifestation of a controlling personality.

Since the other party was like this, He Rui checked Stalin first, "If it's just drinking one-on-one with General Secretary Stalin, I can probably drink a little."

Hearing He Rui answer like this, a veteran toaster's smile appeared on Stalin's face, "Then which kind of wine does Chairman He like to drink?"

"Vodka," He Rui answered.

"Bring vodka," Stalin ordered Kirov beside him.

He Rui smiled, "Comrade Stalin, I think you should be careful. Drinking one-on-one, you might suffer a loss."

This remark was certainly to provoke Stalin. At the same time, it wasn't bragging; disliking drinking and being able to drink are two different things. Of course, He Rui must also pin down Stalin. Although members of the Soviet Politburo should be people with a bottom line, the credibility of Russkies is not that high.

Sure enough, Comrade Stalin heard He Rui's meaning. He took a puff from his pipe, exhaled fragrant smoke, and asked, "Comrade He Rui, do you think we will take turns?"

He Rui didn't spoil Stalin either. "When I fight wars, I like fighting many with few the most. This can effectively improve the winning rate."

General Secretary Stalin had a very good sense of boundaries. He Rui indeed showed enough goodwill and respect, and Stalin had no intention of forcibly getting He Rui drunk. Doing so would be very impolite to the leader of a powerful country like China. Moreover, He Rui himself was a very excellent strategist. Stalin knew that offending He Rui wouldn't change He Rui's strategic judgment. However, Stalin still wanted to establish a friendly personal relationship with He Rui.

Turning to the Soviet Politburo members, Comrade Stalin laughed, "Comrades, Comrade He Rui hopes that everyone who participates must drink the same amount of alcohol. I think we should respect Comrade He Rui's view."

Hearing this, those Soviet Politburo members with poor alcohol capacity breathed a sigh of relief, and those eager to try also breathed a sigh of relief. They all knew Comrade Stalin's alcohol capacity. Since it was Comrade Stalin fighting He Rui, they only needed to liven up the atmosphere.

The waiter served Russian specialties like pickled cucumbers. Comrade Stalin waved his hand, and two bottles of vodka were placed on the right hand of the two. Lu Yueying behind He Rui was very uneasy. She knew He Rui sometimes drank a little wine. But a bottle of wine took a month to finish. Saying this is drinking is fine. Saying it is using some kind of seasoning is also no problem.

Seeing Stalin and He Rui affectionately opening the wine bottles and pouring a full glass for each other, Lu Yueying really couldn't imagine what He Rui looked like when drunk.

"To Comrade He Rui's health." Stalin finished the toast and clinked glasses with He Rui. He Rui and Stalin raised their cups and drank it all in one gulp.

He Rui and Stalin filled each other's glasses again. He Rui said, "To Comrade Stalin's health."

The second glass went down. The toast for the third glass was said by He Rui: "May Sino-Soviet friendship last forever!"

This time, the Soviet Politburo members also raised their glasses, "May Soviet-Chinese friendship last forever."

Three glasses of wine down. He Rui and Stalin poured for themselves respectively. Stalin said, "In the eras of the Qing Dynasty and Beiyang, the Chinese people suffered a lot under their leadership, which makes us feel very pained."

"Yes. I can understand very well the determination of Comrade Lenin leading the CPSU Bolsheviks to sacrifice their lives to overthrow the old regime and establish a socialist country. And I marvel at the achievements of the Soviet Union."

After the two finished speaking, they raised their glasses again. He Rui casually picked up the salt shaker, sprinkled a little on the back of his hand, then licked the salt on the back of his hand before raising the glass and drinking it all in one gulp. Lu Yueying was dumbfounded, not knowing what this was about. But Lu Yueying saw that the Soviets opposite didn't mind, and even showed appreciation. She could only guess that this was probably some way Russians drank vodka.

"You seem very familiar with Russia," Stalin said a sentence and drank the glass in one gulp.

The two poured wine again. He Rui answered, "I like Pushkin very much."

"Which poem?" Stalin was very interested.

He Rui raised his glass and recited loudly: "I am silent soon! But if, on a day of sorrow, The lyre's play strikes an answer in your heart..."

The translator beside him heard the real emotion in He Rui's voice and recited the original Russian text loudly. Many of these Soviet Politburo members had also read Pushkin's poems. This poem "I am silent soon" (Elegy/Stanzas) was a love poem and widely circulated. Although they didn't understand Chinese, they could hear the emotion in He Rui's voice and were equally affected.

"Wait, till the sleep of death upon me lies, And say with feeling, o'er my funeral urn: 'I loved him, to me he owes his inspirations, I gave him his last love, his final song.'" After He Rui finished reciting this masterpiece of Pushkin, he raised his glass again, "Let us pay tribute to Pushkin, the great poet!"

After speaking, he drank it all in one gulp. The Soviet Politburo members echoed sincerely this time and drank together.

Comrade Stalin didn't think he was an 'artsy youth' (Wen Qing), but his artsy heart was also greatly moved. Putting down the glass, Comrade Stalin asked, "Comrade He Rui, the Soviet Union is inspired by China's series of victories and hopes to be of help to China. I wonder if Comrade He Rui has any requests?"

"China's land area is only half of the Soviet Union's, but the population is 480 million. So China hopes to import grain, cotton, and raw materials from the Soviet Union." After He Rui finished speaking, he saw Stalin smile while raising his glass and saying, "We are willing to sell these commodities to China. In recent years, the Soviet Union has imported a lot of light industrial products from China, which has helped the Soviet Union a lot. This mutually beneficial trade should continue to expand."

A moment later, the two drank the sixth glass of wine. While pouring wine, He Rui said, "Now the Soviet Union continues to bear huge pressure in Europe and the Caucasus region. I think light industrial products only improved part of the daily life of the Soviet people. The Soviet Union's development of heavy industry is a decision worthy of admiration. This is also a wise decision of the CPSU Central Committee led by Comrade Stalin."

Stalin expressed his gratitude and drank the seventh glass with He Rui. At this time, the Soviet Politburo members who were once eager to try began to marvel at He Rui's alcohol capacity in their hearts. Looking at He Rui from a Russian perspective, He Rui was gentle and refined, like an intellectual who only liked to drink a little low-alcohol wine occasionally.

From the performance at the beginning of drinking, He Rui was indeed a refined intellectual who liked poetry. Even when drinking, He Rui was elegant. If they didn't know the glass indeed contained 60-degree vodka, they would think He Rui was drinking juice. However, this alcohol capacity was indeed somewhat amazing. Moreover, judging from He Rui's almost unchanged facial complexion, there was probably still a lot of room before reaching He Rui's alcohol limit. If they had rashly joined in just now, they probably really wouldn't be He Rui's match.

Stalin's alcohol capacity was amazing; these drinks were still far from making him drunk. But Stalin's attention was all on He Rui's words at this time. After Stalin expressed that he would continue to supply China with grain, cotton, and raw materials, He Rui was about to state his trade commitment to the Soviet Union.

Although he could feel He Rui's alcohol capacity, Stalin still raised his glass. He Rui didn't have stage fright; he drank another glass before speaking, then poured wine while saying, "We in China are willing to cooperate with the Soviet Union in heavy industry. If the technical equipment needed by the Soviet Union is not available or cannot be provided by China, we will also obtain it from Europe and America through some channels. In the final analysis, we will definitely do our best to meet the needs of the Soviet Union."

Lu Yueying roughly understood that the leaders of the Soviet Union and China were actually discussing business. But Lu Yueying felt men were really strange; why drink when discussing business? And drinking in such a way. Seeing Stalin express gratitude to He Rui, the two drank the ninth glass. Lu Yueying saw the large wine bottles in front of the two were nearly half empty, feeling her scalp tingle.

Stalin felt he drank very happily at this time. He Rui drank straightforwardly, and the content of the dialogue between the two sides was also satisfactory, so he lit his pipe. After He Rui also lit a cigarette, Stalin laughed, "I wonder if China has a need for cooperation in naval construction?"

He Rui laughed, "We have no plans to develop the navy for the time being."

Pipes are different from cigarettes; the tobacco is finished in a few puffs. Stalin knocked his pipe and laughed, "I wonder how big the gap is between the Soviet Union's shipbuilding technology and Japan's shipbuilding technology level?"

He Rui could hear Stalin's probe. He flicked the ash and poured wine, "Comrade Stalin, have a glass."

Seeing He Rui deliberately change the subject, Stalin judged that He Rui probably hadn't negotiated naval cooperation with Japan yet. So he put down the pipe, raised the glass and said, "Cheers!"

Ten glasses of wine down, Lu Yueying couldn't see any intention of the two ending. She lowered her head slightly, deciding not to watch these men's contest. Moreover, Lu Yueying also had a judgment at this time: even as leaders of great powers, as long as they are men, perhaps they are all the same in these matters.

The empty glass was put down, but immediately filled again. Stalin asked, "Chairman He Rui, I think you lean more towards the Social Democratic Party politically. I wonder what you think."

For a moment, the Soviet Politburo members fell silent. Those insensitive to politics also knew that if this question was asked within the CPSU, it would be a very serious or even severe question. As for members with high political sensitivity, they were somewhat strange why General Secretary Stalin asked such a question. Did he not trust He Rui?

But Stalin didn't care. Drinking to this extent, and the very good communication just now, made Stalin want to figure out He Rui's political leaning very much. The CPSU paid great attention to ideology; in this field, struggle was the main theme.

Staring at He Rui, Stalin saw He Rui's eyes brighten; this should be a reaction to provoked mood. Stalin believed that getting friends drunk was to test their attitude towards himself and their views on issues of interest, while getting enemies drunk was to trap them in moral and political traps. Now He Rui's emotions finally fluctuated; the subsequent answer could help Stalin understand He Rui better.

But He Rui's reaction, especially his gaze, made Stalin feel a kind of difference. A name suddenly popped up in Stalin's mind inexplicably, forcing Stalin to generate a speculation: is a person like He Rui that kind of 'moral vacuum'?