"Mitsuko, don't be deceived by them. These guys don't even care much about their own lives," He Rui said as he poured himself a drink. He Rui was still somewhat shaken internally. If it were purely official business, or purely a private matter, he could make a decision decisively. But when the two were entangled, even He Rui would hesitate.

Mitsuko chuckled lightly. The current her could understand this matter very easily. Both China and Japan were now republics; there was no issue of imperial bloodlines for heirs. Even so, if He Rui married a Japanese wife, it would still create an atmosphere of Sino-Japanese friendship among the Japanese public. Japanese citizens would feel that China did not discriminate against Japanese people just because it was powerful.

As a reporter, she would be very interested in such political calculations. However, if she herself were treated as a bargaining chip, no one would like being arranged like that. Mitsuko completely understood why He Rui would refuse.

"Nii-chan, just now I had a feeling like I returned to more than ten years ago. I like this feeling. Being by Nii-chan's side, I feel safe."

"I think you should deserve more," He Rui advised.

"Nii-chan, I don't have that many demands. It's enough if you can come back to eat. I really don't mind you running around for the things you want to do. I can take care of myself."

"...I already have a woman."

Mitsuko was stunned for a moment, then quickly sighed, "I can only accept the other party's existence."

Hearing this, He Rui didn't know what to say for a moment. This was a situation He Rui rarely encountered. Finally, He Rui sighed. However, after sighing, he still didn't know what to say. He Rui even evasively had a thought: if he were facing a difficult negotiation opponent right now, he wouldn't be as awkward as he was at this moment.

Looking at He Rui's embarrassed state, Mitsuko couldn't help but smile, "Then, Nii-chan, I want to go back to China with you."

"...Okay," He Rui replied resignedly. At the same time, he felt a bit grateful in his heart; Mitsuko had at least given everyone a way out.

---

Aside from the private matters being somewhat troublesome, the official visit to Japan was quite successful. In Nagasaki, all sectors of Japan showed great enthusiasm for promoting Sino-Japanese friendship. At the time of parting, President Taira Toyomori said to He Rui on the pier, "He-kun, I have great expectations for the results of this visit."

He Rui was also expectant. "When President Taira visits China, I look forward to having more agreements to sign."

"I think we can definitely look forward to that," Taira Toyomori nodded. "And the exchanges between China and Japan also need to be strengthened."

"There is currently no lack of employment opportunities. As long as the Japanese government organization led by Ishiwara-kun is strong enough, the Chinese government welcomes laborers from Japan."

Taira Toyomori just nodded but didn't respond. It wasn't that labor cooperation couldn't be discussed, but once management problems arose, both governments would bear significant pressure. The Japanese side might feel China was treating Japanese people as coolies to be exploited—after all, Japan had very rich experience in exploiting Korean coolies. Meanwhile, public opinion within China might also perceive Japanese laborers as coming to China to make money, stealing many high-income jobs. Given China's population, there were currently very many Chinese citizens with low incomes who lacked the ability to engage in high-income work. Once the situation turned into that, both governments would have to bear tremendous pressure.

He Rui had long known there would be many troubles in executing this, so he extended his hand to Taira Toyomori. "President Taira, there is nothing to worry about. *If three people are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through gold*. We have so many comrades working hard together; there is no hurdle we cannot pass."

Taira Toyomori grasped He Rui's hand. "I look forward to meeting He-kun again in China's capital."

Amidst the sound of the steam whistle, Taira Toyomori and the others waved goodbye to He Rui. Standing by the ship's rail, He Rui also waved goodbye to Taira Toyomori and the others. Recalling fifteen years ago, He Rui had said to the crowd seeing him off, "China and Japan must have a war. Please fight for Japan, gentlemen."

Leaving Japan once again, many former classmates, friends, and the previous era had all become the past together. Now, a bright future had unfolded. The country of Japan had a very strong mentality of admiring the strong. Addressing this status quo, China had fully demonstrated its strength. As China became a more powerful existence in the world, East Asia would inevitably march quickly on the path of peace and development.

When the figures of Taira Toyomori and the others turned into small dots, He Rui finally returned to the cabin. Before He Rui could speak, the secretary had already delivered a telegram. After reading it, He Rui couldn't help but frown slightly. This was a telegram from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "The French government has always respected China and holds the greatest goodwill towards the Chinese people. However, some people harboring dark psychology do not wish to see the prosperity and development of both countries and are attempting to use various means to create misunderstandings between the two countries. The French government believes the Chinese government will certainly be able to see through those tricks and firmly maintain the friendly cooperation between the two countries together with the French government."

This headless and tailless diplomatic content inevitably meant something had happened, and it was something the French government could not fully control. He Rui looked at the secretary, but the secretary wasn't very clear either. But this kind of thing shouldn't have much to do with relations between China and France. As for diplomatic disputes, there was no rush. He Rui prepared to understand the matter after returning to China.

---

5:00 PM in China was 9:00 AM in France.

MP Annon of a small French party, the "French United Revival Party," had just walked into his office when the Director of the Parliamentary Disciplinary Committee appeared at his door and walked straight up to him. The heat of late June couldn't dispel the chill emanating from the Disciplinary Commissioner. MP Annon felt a chill down his spine. He had originally stood up to express welcome, but the words of welcome almost froze in his mouth, unable to come out.

With a *pa* sound, a newspaper was slammed in front of MP Annon. Picking up the newspaper with some unease, MP Annon's eyes quickly widened. After reading the headline of *The Times*, MP Annon almost jumped up and shouted, "This is the British sowing discord!"

The Disciplinary Commissioner did not immediately express agreement. He stared at MP Annon, making Annon feel that the matter was likely not that simple. After a good while, the Disciplinary Commissioner spoke slowly in a cold voice, "The Parliament is preparing to issue the Parliament's view. But MP Annon, an MP elected by French citizens, has an obligation to protect France's interests."

"I will immediately convene a press conference! I will expose the evil intentions of the British!" MP Annon said with angry emotion. Although his face showed anger, MP Annon was actually somewhat happy in his heart. Being attacked by the British was not a bad thing for MP Annon and the "French United Revival Party." The French public would naturally think that a French MP attacked by the British was a good person for France, worthy of votes. If this matter could be blown up, for a small political party, it felt like God was lending a hand.

The Disciplinary Commissioner didn't make a sound; he continued to size up MP Annon with a cold gaze. This made MP Annon feel the matter wasn't simple. Finally, MP Annon asked as calmly as possible, "As an MP, I always take protecting France's interests as the highest principle."

The Parliamentary Disciplinary Commissioner then said coldly, "As a political party, you have the right to formulate your own platform. But when elucidating this political platform, it must be accurate and unambiguous. MP Annon, the British are indeed sowing discord, but please believe in the capability of the British; this provocation is not without aim. When you convene the press conference, please be sure to carefully study your party's campaign platform first. My personal suggestion is that you can find a professor from a university political science department to consult on this."

MP Annon couldn't help but frown. The campaign platform of the "French United Revival Party" wasn't just proposed now; their views hadn't changed essentially over several elections. Why was there a need for political-level study now?

The Disciplinary Commissioner didn't explain. He dropped a sentence, "This matter has not entered the Disciplinary Committee for discussion now, but it may not necessarily not happen in the future." After speaking, the Disciplinary Commissioner turned and left MP Annon's office, carrying a chill with him.

MP Annon sensed that the Disciplinary Commissioner was issuing a very severe threat just now. As a fellow MP, he felt he had no reason to receive such severe criticism. For a moment, MP Annon felt the Disciplinary Commissioner was even more detestable than the British. With resentment, MP Annon prepared to read the news in the British *The Times* again. The "French United Revival Party" was just a small party and wasn't qualified to be in *The Times*, let alone the front-page headline. Just this treatment in the news made MP Annon very happy.

The newspaper shook as if butterfly wings were vibrating in the air as it was picked up. MP Annon happily read the news in *The Times*: "...This paper notes that many French political parties, represented by the French United Revival Party, have proposed their campaign platforms in this election. In their campaign platforms, these French political parties believe that the French economy has achieved tremendous success, and in the future, the French economy will achieve even more and greater success. With the continuous improvement of French national power, France will regain the status of the French World Empire.

"The French United Revival Party is merely a representative, representing French political parties and a considerable portion of French public opinion..."

Reading this far again, MP Annon smiled so much his mouth couldn't close. If the French United Revival Party really became the representative of French right-wing parties and "a considerable portion of French public opinion," that would be simply wonderful! Currently, the French United Revival Party only had one seat. According to what the British were trumpeting, the French United Revival Party might very well possess five, or even ten seats in this parliamentary election.

The French economy was currently very strong, and the next parliament might complete its term. With ten seats, the French United Revival Party could potentially obtain a ministerial position, or at least many lucrative posts, through cooperation with other parties.

Moreover, MP Annon indeed believed that France had sunk for too long. Winning the Great European War and recovering Alsace and Lorraine had indeed revitalized the spirit of the French nation. But after paying such a huge price, France had not been able to return to its former glory. In the current global economic crisis, it was possible for France to regain its former status. This expectation shouldn't be MP Annon's personal idea, but an idea that all French people should have. There was no problem with this idea!

Thinking of this, MP Annon had already started thinking about how he should fiercely attack the British at the press conference. Many ideas swirled in his mind, making MP Annon somewhat impatient. Under such high spirits, MP Annon soon felt tired. He prepared to finish reading the article in *The Times* quickly and then rest for a moment.

"...The French public opinion embodied by French political parties is an arrogant and rude attitude. This arrogance is rooted in French culture. In countless moments, it was precisely this arrogant attitude that led to France's failure. This paper believes that France's failure is likely right ahead!"

MP Annon's original fatigue was swept away. Anger towards the British made MP Annon decide to immediately convene a party meeting of the French United Revival Party to pool wisdom and launch a fierce attack against the British nonsense.

No sooner said than done. MP Annon called his secretary in and told him to immediately contact a portion of the party members who couldn't be reached by phone. MP Annon himself would call to notify other party members, telling everyone this "good news." The spring of the French United Revival Party had come!

The party meeting ran from the afternoon straight into the late night. The party members formed a consensus: after so many years, they were finally going to make it! Immersed in excitement, everyone pooled their efforts. Under the collective wisdom of the party members, they wrote out the explanation of the French United Revival Party's platform and the rebuttal to the British, producing a thick stack of documents.

The party members also felt that so many documents were not suitable to be read at a press conference; they had to organize a simpler and more powerful rebuttal. But everyone was tired, so they agreed to continue the discussion tomorrow.

Early the next morning, these party members gathered again and began further revisions. By the afternoon, the exhausted crowd finally managed to produce a six-page statement. Seeing the unwilling expressions of the party members, MP Annon emphasized again, "The press conference must be short and powerful. We will publish the more detailed content in the newspapers!"

Hearing this compromise, although some party members were disappointed because the parts they wrote couldn't make it to the press conference, they reluctantly accepted it for the sake of a bright future. The secretary asked at this moment, "Mr. Annon, should we find a professor from the Political Science Department of the University of Paris to talk to?"

Annon thought of the warning from the Parliamentary Disciplinary Commissioner and hesitated. But he quickly replied, "No need. If those professors really understood elections, why don't they run for office? The politics in those people's eyes is different from ours. We don't need to look for trouble."

The secretary and others thought about it and felt it made sense. The large political parties in the French Parliament had good relationships with political science professors. If they trusted these political science professors, it would mean the suggestions of this bunch of professors would cause the ruling party to be toppled frequently. Looking at the results, trusting these people was worse than not trusting them.

"Everyone, start working according to the plan," Annon ordered. The members of the French United Revival Party stood up and left one after another. Some went to contact newspaper offices, others went to contact reporters. MP Annon stood up; he was going to visit his biggest financier. Yesterday, he had already notified this businessman of the news. The other party was very happy and called back half an hour after hanging up, specifically inviting Annon to come to his place after completing the preparations for the press conference.

Approaching the businessman's door, MP Annon suddenly saw that his leather shoes were dirty. He remembered there was a shoeshine boy nearby, so he rushed over there. Just like Marius's words in *Les Misérables*, "Polished boots represent a polished conscience."

The shoeshiner was still there, but the group of children that originally gathered had turned into a group of old gentlemen. Moreover, these old gentlemen looked like people from the provinces, with the honest and simple look characteristic of country folk. Next to them was a large banner: "Shoeshine 1.5 Francs."

Since the start of Sino-French economic cooperation, the price of a shoeshine had slowly risen from 0.5 Francs. Last month's price was still 1.25 Francs; in just one month, it had risen again.

Relative to everyone's income, this price wasn't unacceptable. MP Annon walked up, and as the old gentleman began to shine his shoes with unpracticed but very serious movements, he couldn't help but chat with the old gentleman.

Annon knew that the children had been taken away by the police responsible for catching truant children and sent to school. MP Annon had even voted in favor of this bill. Although he was very skeptical about whether the execution would yield results, it was always a good thing for French children to read more books. So MP Annon asked how the old gentleman came to Paris to shine shoes.

It was a bit difficult to communicate with the provincial accent, but the old gentleman still understood and replied, "I came to Paris with my daughter and son-in-law. I wanted to find a job, and the City Hall sent me here."

"Can you get used to it?" MP Annon asked with some emotion. Currently, French factories lacked workers, so they recruited many people from the countryside. The old gentleman looked to be over sixty, yet he still relied on his own labor to earn money. It was indeed admirable.

The old gentleman replied, "This is quite good. Dozens of people a day. I can earn two francs for one shine."

MP Annon immediately asked, "Old gentleman, how much can you earn?"

"It's hard to say. But recently, the City Hall had us go to the shoe polish wholesaler to stock up. They gave us new shoe polish, seems like it's produced in... some place. The price also dropped. Now, for one shine, I can earn about 25 centimes."

1 Franc was 100 centimes. For the old gentleman, if he could shine 40 people's shoes a day, that would be 10 Francs. If he came out to work 20 days a month, that would be 200 Francs. Although in terms of Pounds Sterling, it was only 2 Pounds a month, for a Frenchman, especially an elderly person with little labor ability, this income really couldn't be considered small.

So, although MP Annon could roughly guess that the so-called "some place" referred to China—because France and China had recently reached an agreement on light industrial products, and France had expanded its imports of Chinese light industrial products—MP Annon felt there was no need to dwell on such trivial matters now.

Soon, wearing shiny leather shoes, MP Annon stood at the door of the businessman he had an appointment to meet.