"Your report will likely be seen as advocating for capitalism," He Rui asked in a flat tone, observing the young cadre in his thirties before him.

The comrade opposite him showed no nervousness at facing He Rui alone. Instead, suppressing his excitement, he answered courageously, "I am not advocating for capitalism, because we have all seen what a truly miserable world looks like. The current situation in the United States is at most a natural disaster; if it were in China, it wouldn't be considered a major event."

He Rui appreciated this comrade's attitude and changed the topic. "Comrade Li Runshi, you are responsible for the work in Upper Burma. How did your report end up with the intelligence analysis department?"

"Chairman, I have been writing articles for the party newspaper. After seeing them, comrades in the intelligence department asked me through the higher-level party organization to forward my observations on this economic crisis to them. Observations on the United States are not the main content of my series of reports; Upper Burma is adjacent to British India, so my observations are mainly directed at Britain, with a focus on reports regarding the Indian region."

"How do you view Britain?" He Rui asked, handing Li Runshi a cigarette.

Li Runshi took the cigarette and lit it. "What Britain is displaying now is its full strength. The power that the so-called world hegemon can mobilize has already been fully utilized." After speaking, he took the newly opened pack of cigarettes He Rui handed him and casually placed it on the armrest of the sofa beside him.

"And then?" He Rui continued to ask.

"The strength Britain is displaying now indicates that it no longer has the ability to lead the world order. Global geopolitics has already torn into several blocs, and Europe, situated on the political and economic fracture zone, will become a new source of turmoil. Any country that wants to solve its domestic problems through war can try to start from this fracture zone."

He Rui smiled; this view was of a very high standard. Li Runshi did not deliberately emphasize Germany. If Li Runshi believed that Germany's rearmament was merely a result, He Rui would have to admit that Li Runshi was a top-tier strategist. So He Rui probed, "Will the upcoming four-power conference between China, the US, Britain, and France heal this fracture zone?"

Li Runshi answered immediately, "The world has already formed a trend of economic tearing. We in China do not have the ability to reverse the direction of world economic development, and even if we did, we probably wouldn't sacrifice ourselves to help others. As long as the trend doesn't change, any of our efforts, from a results perspective, will only provide energy for the tearing."

From this reaction speed, Li Runshi had deeply considered the world situation, which made He Rui even more satisfied. However, the questions that needed to be asked still had to be asked. If his understanding was only at this level, it did not exceed the general cognitive level of the comrades in the Central Committee. He Rui asked as calmly as possible, "Comrade Li Runshi, when you mentioned countries utilizing the European economic fracture zone, were you referring to Germany?"

"Germany is an object that can be utilized, and Germany also has various internal and external needs to launch a war, but the countries wanting to utilize this fracture zone are not just Germany. Any country that wants to overturn the Versailles System hopes to use this fracture zone to trigger a war. As long as a war breaks out, regardless of who wins or loses, it will first destroy the Versailles System, thereby accomplishing the goal of overturning it."

He Rui laughed, "Hehe, even you and I can see the problem; Britain and France should have noticed this possibility."

Li Runshi shook his head. "The Versailles System was built on the relative superiority of Britain and France over the world. In reality, that superiority no longer exists. There must be people in both countries who see this reality, but these people are powerless. If the views of these sober-minded individuals were to become the mainstream in Britain and France, the Versailles System would collapse immediately. Therefore, their views must not become the mainstream opinion in Britain and France."

"The way you say that makes me feel you have a particular bias against the United States," He Rui said, retracting the smile that wanted to surface on his face.

Li Runshi was very focused, but not on reading He Rui's expression. He lit another cigarette and answered while thinking rapidly, "The United States was once a point of global economic growth, which is why it experienced twenty years of rapid growth. After the outbreak of the economic crisis in the US, its domestic international capital and domestic capital are engaging in a brutal slaughter to compete for the US domestic market. As of now, international capital is already at a disadvantage. Even so, the domestic production capacity of the United States is no longer something the US domestic market can digest. If US domestic capital wants to continue developing, it has no other way but to acquire markets on a global scale. With such a demand, the United States will definitely produce a leader who conforms to this demand. Even if US domestic capital has not yet formed a consensus, a US leader who conforms to this endogenous demand will appear in the future."

"Then what about us?"

Li Runshi hesitated. He Rui did not rush him but poured tea for Li Runshi. Li Runshi finished smoking the cigarette before asking, "May I make a guess about the Central Committee's decision?"

"You may," He Rui answered immediately.

"Over the past year or so, the United States has proposed several times that it wants to obtain the same treatment in China as France, but the Central Committee politely refused on the grounds that the Sino-French treaty has not yet expired. Furthermore, the Central Committee proposed holding a four-power conference between China, the US, Britain, and France, and invited the Netherlands as an observer to attend the meeting. Is the Central Committee hoping to create an image that China is doing its utmost to heal the European economic fracture zone?"

He Rui finally smiled. Although he didn't laugh out loud, the joy in his heart was comparable to laughing heartily. For high-level strategists, there was no such thing as being fooled by petty tricks. Geopolitics is neither complex nor profound. The main core of this doctrine has only two points: the first is a country's resource endowment, and the second is whether the country's leader recognizes that the vast majority of human social activities are economic activities, and based on such recognition, constructs an external environment conducive to their own country's economic development.

Of course, the second point naturally eliminates quite a few garbage regimes. For example, the Manchu Qing regime that insisted on "protecting the Great Qing but not China"—even if the Manchu nobles from top to bottom understood geopolitics, it would still be useless. The KMT, which rose and fell rapidly in this timeline, was the same.

He Rui believed that Li Runshi had already demonstrated the vision and height of a strategist. So in Li Runshi's view, since China had no intention of healing the world economic fracture zone, then exhibiting behavior that seemed to heal it must have a deeper plot.

In the eyes of those who have studied strategy but haven't elevated themselves to the level of a strategist, they would think that the 'China-US-Britain-France' four-power economic cooperation is China's grand strategy. This is the difference between a strategist and a non-strategist; they are not on the same channel. The 'China-US-Britain-France' four-power cooperation is China's current domestic economic policy and has little to do with China's world strategy. As for the benefits China gets from it, they are what China deserves in the cooperation, belonging to the normal dividends of economic development.

Since Li Runshi asked at this level, He Rui answered very frankly, "Since Britain and France have chosen war, we also think there is no reason to refuse this war. Then what we need to do is first determine our war needs. Our need is to break the world colonial system and establish a new world order led by China. What the United States wants is about the same as us. At this stage, I am pushing for economic cooperation between China, the US, Britain, and France to take advantage of the Hoover administration's urgent need for political achievements. Through cooperation, we can add power to China's large-scale industrialization. At this stage, we do not yet possess large-scale production capabilities, which Britain, France, and the US know very well. The three countries do not yet understand the necessary conditions and speed for industrialization well enough, so they are willing to borrow our market demand to help them restore economic confidence. But in at most five years, when various industries in China possess the capacity for large-scale production, I feel that a new 'Yellow Peril' theory will appear in the world."

Listening to He Rui's explanation, Li Runshi's brow was filled with excitement. He asked, "Every industry can mass-produce products; can it really be completed so quickly?"

He Rui sighed, "Alas, it will inevitably be unsatisfactory. I can make a prediction: within two or three years, a large number of private enterprises will mass-produce so-called fake and shoddy products. At that time, the people of the whole country will probably be pitted once, and perhaps with every round of industrial upgrading, the people of the whole country will be pitted another round. This will continue until the people's consumption power allows them to afford better goods, and the technological iteration of mass production upgrades to the point where the price of mid-range products is not much higher than low-cost products."

"This seems to be a very complex process?" Li Runshi was greatly interested.

He Rui, however, had little interest in discussing it in detail. He had caught the tail end of low-priced, inferior products. Of course, in that era, the trousers sold for ten yuan a pair by stall owners in the night markets of the urban-rural fringe were already of decent quality. So He Rui really didn't want to bring up those experiences he didn't want to recall, but he couldn't help but explain. He Rui answered, "Comrade Li Runshi, this situation ultimately boils down to the people's insufficient consumption power. Even if the people know that cheap goods are not good, they are still willing to buy cheap, mass-produced, low-quality goods. When the people really have purchasing power, at least the new generation growing up in an industrial society will not buy such goods. As the older generation gradually passes away, these low-quality, cheap goods will naturally be eliminated. Of course, this time will be relatively long. It could take as little as twenty years, or as many as thirty. I very much doubt whether this stage will truly fully arrive before the war breaks out."

Li Runshi did not have the slightest thought of criticizing unscrupulous merchants. He said somewhat expectantly, "For the whole country to be able to afford industrial products, this is indeed a great progress."

"That's right, we must see the progress. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater just because the water is dirty. By the way, Comrade Li Runshi, what is your view on the current wealth gap?"

Li Runshi did not hide anything. "I really dislike those people; they do not represent truly advanced productive forces. If they could be reformed, the situation would be much better."

"Hehe, Comrade, you are truly a kind person." He Rui sighed with genuine emotion.

Li Runshi also sighed with emotion, "Chairman, I have read your books. You believe that they should be finished off through market competition. Will this idea cause waste?"

"Capitalism developed through waste, and socialism is the same. But the capitalist system has a cold but effective method, which is bankruptcy reorganization. Through more effective recovery, losses are minimized. Since those private enterprises participate in competition in a free market environment, they should know that there are risks! Your kindness might very well lead to the state bearing the risks for this group of private enterprises, which is exactly what they crave."

Hearing He Rui speak so coldly, a look of unbearable reluctance appeared on Li Runshi's face, but soon, he sighed, "Indeed, revolution is not a dinner party."

He Rui slapped the table and praised, "That's right, revolution is not a dinner party! Everyone hates risk and will naturally try every means to transfer risk to others. Since we allow capitalists to exist, we should have a very clear understanding of this. Industrial support policies will have risks, but that doesn't mean the state has to bear the risks that capitalists must face themselves. Comrades have indeed heard lessons from the Party School about what creates productive forces and what constitutes state welfare for the people, but they still lack understanding. After all, everyone hates risk."

Li Runshi knew that these words touched on the struggle over the party line and didn't want to discuss it too deeply. He changed the topic, "Chairman, you said that imperialist countries would feel fear because of our construction achievements. Although they won't unite, their policies will definitely change because of our changes. In which areas do you think the changes will mainly occur?"

"The changes will mainly occur in the understanding of the vast number of oppressed people. The lies of imperialist countries will be seen through by more oppressed people. Previously, oppressed people could only choose one out of two: a terrible imperialist order or a not-so-terrible imperialist order. Now, oppressed people will discover that they can truly be liberated. The unfair world trade order of imperialism will be broken. Even poor countries can possess a certain degree of pricing power and receive financial transfers from the entire new order to help them build the basic parts of social operation as soon as possible.

Just like our current policy towards Korea, the price of minerals provided by Korea is determined by its labor costs and transportation costs. To improve Korea's labor level, the integrated economic organization has already begun providing funds for education and infrastructure to Korea. Moreover, these funds are interest-free loans to be repaid over twenty years. Korea is, after all, a member of the Sinosphere cultural circle; the people know the importance of education. As long as supervision is in place, this money can operate effectively.

Although railway and road construction is carried out by engineering companies from us and Japan, our current policy requires a certain proportion of Korean workers to participate, allowing them to earn wages through labor. This investment can also help Korea obtain certain returns. Furthermore, we accept Korean personnel to study at China's railway colleges and railway schools. These people will become the technical backbone of Korea's railway and road construction after their studies conclude, enhancing Korea's own technical capabilities.

This 'Korea Model' is currently operating acceptably. I believe that in the future, after this model is implemented and perfected in Korea, Upper Burma, and the Assam region, it will also be able to help various oppressed regions in the world step into the ranks of modern nations as soon as possible after their independence."

Li Runshi took it all in. When He Rui finished speaking, he nodded slightly. "If that is the case, the basic system for world revolution has already been completed."

He Rui felt very comfortable being able to have a high-level dialogue with a strategist. Since Li Runshi saw the crux of the problem, He Rui felt much more relaxed and sighed, "If China only destroys other imperialist countries, this world revolution will be like a change of dynasties in China, merely changing the master and doing it all over again. What imperialist countries fight for is markets; the biggest change is merely between direct political and military control versus control through the economic order they construct. The essence is all plundering other countries to fatten themselves. A true world revolution will definitely involve a lot of troublesome matters. But as you said, revolution is not a dinner party. The world must be liberated. If some countries have stagnant governments after liberation, or radicals who think they can skip the laws of development and reach the goal in one step, those who need to be beaten should be beaten, and those who need to be subverted should be subverted. Justice never comes without a cost!"

Li Runshi agreed deeply with this, nodding repeatedly.

Having spoken to this point, He Rui felt very relaxed and thought of specific matters. He asked, "How about it? Do you want to be responsible for the negotiations with the US, Britain, and France?"

"Is this the organization's decision?" Li Runshi asked, his expression surprisingly showing no hint of pleasant surprise.

He Rui deliberately answered, "What if this is my idea?"

Li Runshi answered decisively, "If that is the case, please forgive me, I refuse."

"I understand," He Rui also answered frankly. "Please also forgive my insincere suggestion just now."

Li Runshi smiled but didn't respond. He fully understood He Rui's probing and could also feel He Rui's deeper expectations. Since this probing was within a completely reasonable range, Li Runshi was neither excited nor happy about it; overall, he didn't feel much. He had experienced too much from a very young age, and his nature had long been as strong as steel. What he truly cared about was the world liberation He Rui wanted to accomplish. In recent years, many comrades would often say that the group in the Central Committee had changed and stood on the side of the rich. Li Runshi did not agree with such views; his only worry was whether He Rui had changed. Now that he was certain He Rui was still that cold, resolute, and unwavering leader of a socialist country, Li Runshi felt his heart settle. As for what work the organization would arrange for him, as long as it wasn't deliberately making things difficult, Li Runshi actually didn't care.

Just as he was thinking about whether to take his leave, Li Runshi saw that He Rui suddenly remembered something, so he swallowed his words back. He heard He Rui say, "Soon, I will give you materials regarding Roosevelt. Study them."

Li Runshi's eyes lit up instantly. "Analyzing the materials I've obtained, if this person can be elected, it will be enough to prove that the US upper echelon still has the ability to correct errors."

He Rui nodded. "Perhaps it is correcting errors, or perhaps it is going with the flow. After all, given the current situation in the US, only Hoover truly wants to salvage his personal political reputation for his terrible term, which is why he insists on running for re-election. Others do not have the determination to shoulder this responsibility. I want to emphasize that Roosevelt is one of the many future political successors cultivated by the US aristocratic class. His disability is merely a personal accident. For the US upper echelon, Roosevelt running for president at the age of nearly fifty is not an accident; this person's political energy in the US is very great. Of course, this also proves from another aspect that the US upper echelon still possesses the ability to correct errors."

Li Runshi laughed, "Chairman, it seems the one who really minds the US is you!"

He Rui answered without concealment, "The era of carnival for medium-sized countries has ended! The normal state of great powers dominating the world has finally returned. Looking at territory, endowment, and population, there are two and a half candidates for the future leaders of the world: China, the United States, and the Soviet Union."

Seeing that Li Runshi was not surprised but merely nodded in agreement, He Rui was very happy and couldn't help but joke, "Today, the heroes of the world are only you and I (Cao)!"

Li Runshi did not turn pale with fright. He intended to say something, but saw a writing desk for calligraphy by the wall of the room. He stood up, went to the desk, spread out the Xuan paper, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote with flourishing strokes:

Alone in the cold autumn,

By the Xiang River flowing north,

At the tip of Orange Isle.

I see ten thousand mountains turned red,

Layer upon layer of dyed forests;

The river is translucent green,

A hundred barges strive against the current.

Eagles strike the vast sky,

Fish glide in the shallow bottom,

All living things under the frosty sky compete for freedom.

Feeling the vastness of the universe,

I ask the boundless earth,

Who controls the destiny?

I once visited with a hundred companions,

Recalling the thick years of eventful times.

Just when we were young students,

In the prime of our youth;

With the spirit of scholars,

We rebuked the powerful.

Pointing at the rivers and mountains,

inspiring writing,

Regarding the marquis of ten thousand households as dung.

Do you remember,

Striking the water in midstream,

The waves stopping the flying boats!