**Chapter 820: Empire's Survival (8)**

Before Japanese President Taira Toyomori entered Ishiwara Kanji's office, he expected to see an Ishiwara either raging or despondent. Upon entering, he found everything as usual: Ishiwara's secretary was quickly packing luggage, while Ishiwara sat at his desk reading a report.

Seeing Taira enter, Ishiwara rose to greet him. Seeing that Ishiwara was not in a state of exasperation, Taira felt relieved. He asked, "Is the Prime Minister going to China?"

Ishiwara nodded with regret. "I must explain the government's attitude to He-kun. I'm also somewhat perplexed and wish to consult him."

Taira felt Ishiwara truly needed to make this trip. The report of the Japanese army massacring Australian civilians had reached Tokyo, and its contents had stunned Taira. It was one thing to massacre civilians, but for the commanding officer to go so far as to attempt to murder the Military Police to cover up the crime was sheer madness.

"Prime Minister, I'm afraid He-kun will be very angry," Taira probed.

Ishiwara gave a bitter smile. "Heh, I don't think this matter is quite that simple. If our army hadn't undergone such deep-seated propaganda and education, how could that Major Nishimura have been so terrified! I believe He-kun will surely understand this layer."

Careful thought led Taira to agree. However, with Japan currently following China in anti-colonialism, only to produce a massacre, Taira felt somewhat disgraced.

Seeing Taira's academic sensibilities flaring up, Ishiwara invited him into a small office and advised him: "Such things are unavoidable in war. If that Nishimura hadn't tried to cover it up, he would have been convicted, but it certainly wouldn't have turned into this. So, on this trip to China, I will tell He-kun what happened. What's happening now won't just happen in Australia; as the Asian Allied Forces continue to win, we will eventually set foot on the European continent. At that time, we will surely encounter even fiercer resistance."

Taira could only nod in agreement. At that moment, Ishiwara's secretary knocked on the door; the luggage was packed. Ishiwara bowed to President Taira. "President Taira, I shall take my leave now."

"Safe travels," Taira wished him.

The flames of the Pacific War were far from China and Japan, and the Allied forces could only operate in the Eastern Pacific, so the journey was peaceful and smooth. Upon meeting He Rui, Ishiwara first conveyed Taira's concerns. After listening, He Rui smiled. "Professor Taira is indeed not a soldier; he always assumes that soldiers in war think about many things unrelated to the conflict."

Hearing He Rui's explanation, Ishiwara then said, "Teacher, I believe such things happen because the officers and men of the Allied forces still view Europe and America as the strong and fail to look them in the eye as equals. If they could understand that Westerners are also just a group of ordinary people, then even if the Allied units used heavy hands in battle, they wouldn't be so agitated after the fact."

He Rui sensed Ishiwara's intention to plead for the Japanese troops and replied, "Ishiwara, Australia is the region with the most intense colonialist sentiment; the resistance of the local people will surely be extremely fierce. I am not surprised by the intensity of resistance encountered by the Allied units during their sweeps."

Feeling that He Rui didn't want to escalate the matter, Ishiwara immediately took the opportunity. "Teacher, I will surely punish those lawbreakers severely. Please wait for the good news."

Seeing Ishiwara wanting to "hush things up," He Rui shook his head. "I believe there is no need to hide this. Such a serious matter must naturally be reported to the entire army..."

At this point, He Rui saw Ishiwara becoming somewhat nervous and softened his tone. "The unit designations need not be mentioned; just say it was the Allied forces in Australia."

Seeing that He Rui truly had no intention of exploiting the incident, Ishiwara felt completely relieved and replied, "That would be for the best."

He Rui then added, "The matters must also be discussed separately; they don't have to be lumped together. The ferocity of combat is not a problem. But losing rationality after the fact and engaging in wanton slaughter—that is wrong! Being a 'just army' doesn't mean our entire military has problems. But everyone's basic emotions are similar; if any unit loses its correct perception, such things can happen to any unit. In internal army education and domestic propaganda, we must ensure both the military and the people understand exactly what we oppose and why."

Ishiwara's concern was not to damage morale and military spirit, rather than showing mercy to those who committed the massacre. What He Rui said was exactly what Ishiwara hoped for, and he immediately agreed.

With that matter settled, Ishiwara asked, "Teacher, currently the Pacific War is very brutal, but the Indian Ocean region is basically in the hands of the Allied forces. As long as the entrance to the Red Sea is blockaded, the European armies will lose the ability to continue harassing the Indian Ocean. I assume you intend for the World People's Liberation Army to take the stage next. Can the WPLA handle such a burden?"

He Rui had originally planned to wait until the Red Sea was completely blockaded and the Pacific War was over before discussing this with Ishiwara. Since Ishiwara raised it now, He Rui explained, "The responsibility of the World People's Liberation Army is to liberate the entire world. The Asian Allied Forces only need to handle the highest intensity and ferocity of combat within it, not lead the WPLA."

China and Japan would contribute the most, yet wouldn't play the nominal lead role—Ishiwara was somewhat unwilling to accept this. However, he could understand the political significance of the WPLA and nodded in agreement.

Seeing Ishiwara's reluctance, He Rui couldn't help but smile. "Ishiwara, do you think the Japanese army will be unwilling to continue fighting once the Pacific War is over?"

Ishiwara shook his head. "Teacher, I believe Japan needs to see more concrete interests at this point. I wonder what you plan to do after settling Australia?"

He Rui knew Ishiwara represented the view of Japan's top leadership. Up to now, the Japanese economy had become active due to war orders, but everyone in Japan believed the war would eventually end and this prosperity wouldn't last. In Japan's eyes, the interests China won were immense. After driving out the colonizers, the entire Southeast Asia could be seen as part of the Chinese cultural sphere. Especially after the restoration of the Lanfang Republic, a country considered to be established by Chinese people appeared on Borneo, occupying most of its land. Although such a country was not Chinese territory, it could certainly be viewed as such. In comparison, Japan was still confined to its narrow homeland.

"Ishiwara, what is the thinking over there in Japan?" He Rui asked.

Ishiwara did not hide it. "Teacher, if Australia becomes independent, could it be divided into several new regions?"

Hearing that the Japanese side intended to obtain actual colonies, He Rui immediately shook his head. "Australia must be independent and establish its own constitution. There is no need to carve up Australia."

Seeing that He Rui didn't want to give Japan colonies, Ishiwara was very disappointed. Yet he continued to ask, "Teacher, do you intend to recognize the ownership of Australia by its white population?"

Noticing the reluctance in Ishiwara's expression, He Rui deliberately picked up his teacup and began to drink. However, He Rui had no talent for acting; his deliberate nonchalance was instantly seen through by Ishiwara. Hope rose again in Ishiwara's heart, and he stared at He Rui. "Teacher, your acting is truly poor. If you wanted to make me anxious, you should have at least scolded me with a stern face to make me feel the pressure."

"So that's how it is. Haha," He Rui laughed.

Seeing He Rui laugh, Ishiwara felt even more relaxed. He also felt thirsty and picked up his teacup to drink. While he was drinking, He Rui suddenly spoke: "A portion of the white Australians must be sent back to Europe."

This sentence made Ishiwara so excited that he choked, putting down his cup and coughing incessantly until his face turned red.

He Rui didn't like playing tricks on people. Seeing Ishiwara like this, he felt a bit apologetic and went forward to pat Ishiwara's back. After a few heavy pats, Ishiwara managed to cough up the water from his airway. With a flushed face, he asked, almost panting, "Which white people?"

No longer teasing Ishiwara, He Rui explained, "Australia's new constitution will fully allow immigrants from all countries. Everyone will be equal. Those who insist on racism must be sent back to their ancestral homes."

Ishiwara listened intently. Although he still felt like coughing, his brain began to think rapidly. He soon reached a conclusion: He Rui intended to completely replace the old immigrants with new ones. Although Australia would remain independent, it would no longer be a white man's country.

At this stage, only China and Japan had the capability for large-scale migration—or rather, only they could determine their economic control over Australia through large-scale migration.

Although both countries were capable of migrating, Ishiwara knew that Japan actually didn't have that many migrants, because Japan also needed a massive amount of labor to support its own industry. If few people remained in Japan, even if the contradiction between land and population were solved, domestic demand would disappear along with the migrants. If there were no domestic demand, it would naturally be impossible to maintain a powerful industry.

Compared to Japan, China's situation was much more optimistic. China's own territory was vast, and its single market of 670 million people was unique in the world. This enormous demand provided the foundation for China's powerful industrial capacity. Even if China migrated 20 million people, it wouldn't affect its industry; on the contrary, it could release excess population and allow Chinese people to live a good life.

If Japan migrated 20 million people, leaving only 30 million on its home islands, the Japanese economy would surely collapse. Therefore, what Japan truly hoped for was to acquire a large piece of new territory, not a region where they could migrate.

Ishiwara didn't voice his opposition, as there was no room for colonialism in the New World Order led by He Rui. Not only would Ishiwara's view of acquiring new territory be rejected by He Rui, but even if all of Japan demanded territorial expansion, He Rui would never accept it.

After thinking for a while, Ishiwara said, "Teacher, I don't oppose your view. However, if you want the Japanese people to be eternally grateful to you, you surely know what means to adopt."

He Rui smiled but didn't answer. To make the Japanese people eternally grateful, there was no need to give Japan new territory. When MacArthur was the "Supreme Overlord" of Japan, he only carried out land reform, and the Japanese people knelt to see him off when he left Japan—and that gratitude was from the heart. As America's junior partner, Japan was even more grateful. Everything He Rui had done so far was enough for the Japanese people to be grateful to him for at least a hundred years.

After discussing these grand directions, Ishiwara spoke with He Rui about the economy. Previously, through the Asian Economic Community, the two countries had already cooperated closely. Now, their industrial capacities were fully engaged; not only did they adopt identical standards for weapons, but they also provided each other with vast amounts of components. For instance, China's J-9 and J-10 fighters used components from both countries. Although China's production was larger and its components more numerous, if Japan stopped providing parts to China, China's military production would suffer significantly.

Of course, Japan wouldn't stop providing parts to China, as doing so would cause China to take reciprocal action. Then, Japan's war equipment would face an even more serious shortage of components. Separation would lead to mutual damage of interests, while cooperation ensured that both sides gained immense benefits.

Ishiwara was quite satisfied with Japan's current economic situation. Japan had eliminated unemployment, and its domestic imports were fully met. Goods filled the shelves of Japanese stores, and the people's purchasing power was quite high. Ishiwara was a follower of the Nichiren sect of Japanese Buddhism and had previously implemented the "Rice for Everyone" plan, which was a huge success, solving the food problem for the Japanese people. This achievement earned him the title of "Rice Bodhisattva" among Nichiren followers in Japan.

At this stage, the Ishiwara government had also absorbed China's experience in urbanization, vigorously pursuing housing construction, improving state-provided subsidized housing, and perfecting the mortgage loan business. In the midst of a thriving war economy, they provided mortgage loans to nearly ten million urbanizing Japanese, allowing them all to live in apartment buildings.

Ishiwara was betting everything; if China won the war, the massive loans Japan had issued could be smoothly recovered, thereby solving the most difficult step in Japan's urbanization. Therefore, Ishiwara didn't even consider failure; to win, he was willing to pay any price.

He Rui also didn't hide from Ishiwara the reality that the current potential of the New World Order had been temporarily tapped out. This didn't mean that the liberated areas would stop developing, but that their development had entered a normal phase. This normal development was still fast, but at most 10% per year—far from the 300% to 500% growth rate achieved by driving out the colonizers.

Ishiwara's acceptance of this was high, as Japan was only a small part of the New Order; receiving gains commensurate with that power already far exceeded what ordinary Japanese had imagined before the war. Thus, Ishiwara replied, "Teacher, the Japanese people are currently very supportive of the war. I believe they will be even more supportive hereafter."

"Heh. Speaking of which, Ishiwara, have you ever thought about opening a Shogunate?" He Rui joked.

Hearing this, Ishiwara couldn't help but burst into laughter. Japan was an extremely conservative country. Facing the label of "Regicide" pinned on Ishiwara, many of his supporters had proposed a suggestion—it was hard to say if it was a joke—that Professor Taira Toyomori succeed as Emperor, with Ishiwara establishing a Shogunate (Bakufu).

This approach was very "Japanese." Ishiwara had killed the Emperor's family and established the Republic of Japan, making him a regicide. According to Japanese tradition, if Ishiwara had killed the Emperor's family but allowed a descendant of the "Taira" clan (who had Imperial blood) to succeed as Emperor, with Ishiwara as the Great Shogun, then Ishiwara would not only not be a regicide but would become a famous figure in Japanese history.

Although Ishiwara himself had never considered opening a Shogunate, seeing that even He Rui had heard the rumor made him feel quite proud. At this thought, Ishiwara tapped the table and sang Oda Nobunaga's famous song: "A life of fifty years, under the sun and moon, is but a dream and a phantom. Once given life, how could it not perish!"

Although singing was never Ishiwara's forte, it was now filled with sincere emotion and a generous atmosphere. After finishing, Ishiwara said, "Teacher, when I decided to serve Japan, I never thought of personal honor or disgrace. The Minamoto, the Ashikaga, the Tokugawa—even if they were once powerful, compared to my achievements today, what do they signify?"

At this point, Ishiwara felt emotion welling up, and regret showed in his expression. "Teacher, in terms of talent, I am actually inferior to Nagata Tetsuzan. When Nagata-kun and I had that late-night talk in the snow at the Army War College, what he wanted to establish was an actual Shogunate dominated by the military; I laughed at him for being backward. The Republic of Japan belongs to the people; it is through the efforts of the Japanese people that Japan is what it is today. Establishing a Shogunate is just the result of some Japanese comrades being over-concerned. You should just take it as a joke."

He Rui didn't believe Ishiwara really wanted to open a Shogunate. Mentioning it was only to remind Ishiwara not to be held hostage by the Japanese elite. As Ishiwara spoke, He Rui wanted to say more but felt it inappropriate. Ishiwara had been Prime Minister for over a decade with outstanding achievements; He Rui's reminder held little meaning for him. And as Japan's leader, he was inevitably close to the Japanese elite.

With this thought, He Rui said, "By the way, when you go back, help me take a copy of a new manuscript I've written to Professor Taira Toyomori."

Ishiwara was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed. "Teacher has written a new book?"

He Rui went to his desk and handed a manuscript to Ishiwara. Ishiwara looked at the title: *The Story of Income Inequality in the 21st Century*.

Reading the title, Ishiwara was stunned. He looked up and asked, "How can this book be about the 21st century? Are you planning to predict the future so far ahead?"

Hearing this, He Rui was amused. It was 1942; Ishiwara, born in 1889, naturally saw the 21st century as the distant future. To He Rui, the 21st century was the more real world of his life.

Seeing He Rui laugh, Ishiwara thought his own impatience had triggered He Rui's mockery. He quickly said, "Teacher, I will surely deliver it to Professor Taira."

After putting the manuscript in his bag, Ishiwara asked, "I wonder what is described in this book?"

"It's about how economic development leads to inequality," He Rui replied frankly. "The more the economy develops, the more its inequality will be highlighted. And the impact of industry on society will completely change the social operation model. We call ourselves revolutionaries, standing at the forefront of the trends of the times. But the social changes caused by economic development are so profound that our views will be considered the senile conservative ramblings of the elderly by the 21st century."

At this point, He Rui reflected and laughed. "At that time, we will probably be called... the 'Old Guards' (Lao Bao)! Haha!"

"Are we very conservative?" Ishiwara was completely baffled.

He Rui didn't explain, just pointed to the bag containing the manuscript. "See for yourself. I think you'll curse me after reading it."

Ishiwara was puzzled; he didn't know what He Rui could have written that would make Ishiwara himself curse him.