The Deputy Minister of Communications, Yao Qizhen, graduated from Waseda University in Japan and was a staunch pro-Japanese faction like Cao Rulin. After listening to Xu Shuzheng's account of what his own daughter had done, he became furious, slammed down the phone and ordered his secretary to prepare the car to go home.

  Back at the mansion, Mr. Yao sat on the sofa in the living room with a gloomy face and didn't say a word. Miss Yao came down from upstairs and saw her father's cloudy expression, so she rushed over to coax him: "Dad, who made you unhappy?"

  "Kneel down, you beast!" Yao Cilang suddenly burst into a thunderous rage, scaring Yao Yire so much that her legs went weak and she sat down on the carpet, tears streaming down her face.

  "You're always running wild outside, that's one thing, but this time you've actually gotten yourself into trouble with the Japanese and now there's a murder case involved, I can't control you anymore, let the police department handle you, you little beast!"

  No wonder Yao Cizhang was furious, he is a high-ranking official in the cabinet, deeply aware of the ferocity of the Japanese people. The Beiyang government is destitute and unable to collect local taxes, except for the remaining salt tax and the tax revenue from Chongwenmen, which can barely cover household expenses. Japan lent a large sum of money to Duan Qirui to recruit soldiers and maintain government operations. When you eat someone's food, your mouth becomes soft; when you take someone's hand, your arm becomes short. The Japanese really blamed themselves, and even Yao Cizhang's position as vice premier was unstable.

  Yao Yilei didn't know her father's difficulties, she had never suffered such a great grievance from childhood to adulthood, and suddenly burst into loud wailing, running upstairs to make trouble, wanting to touch the electric door and swallow gold. The servants desperately pulled her back, while Yao Cilang shouted loudly downstairs: "Let her go die! I'm ashamed of having given birth to such a daughter in front of our ancestors!"

  This made Miss Yao calm down, wiping away her tears and retorting: "What exactly did I do wrong? You've always taught me that one should repay kindness with gratitude, someone saved my life, shouldn't I repay them? If this is also considered a mistake, then what's the point of reading the classics?"

  Yao Cizhang was left speechless by her, puffing on his large pipe with a "ba-da-ba" sound. Suddenly, he heard the servant outside announce: "Xu Cizhang has arrived."

  Xu Shuzheng came uninvited, scaring Yao Qizhen half to death. He thought his daughter's trouble had escalated again and hastily stood up, saying: "Brother Zhen, what did the Japanese side say?"

  "Hehe, it's nothing serious." Xutuizhuang took off his coat and handed it to the servant, sat down and said to Yao Cichang: "The ignorant are not guilty, this case has nothing to do with your daughter."

  Yao Cizhang was still worried and asked what had happened in the end.

  Xu Shuzheng said: "Two Japanese spies died in the city, and the police department can't shirk its responsibility. But to say the least, it's still a grudge between foreigners. Miss Yao just had a kind heart and helped someone she shouldn't have helped. My brother will explain the situation to the Japanese side, so Mr. Yao doesn't need to worry, nor does he need to scold his daughter. Haha."

  When he said that, Yao's heart finally returned to his stomach, and when he saw his daughter crying with tears in her eyes, he was heartbroken.

  "What's involved?" asked Yao Zicong, handing Xu Shuzheng a Luzon cigar.

  "A very interesting young man." Xu Shuzheng's face floated with a meaningful smile, and according to the patrol report, he immediately thought of the "Julian" who had defeated the Japanese military officer at the Liu Guo Restaurant.

  The current international situation is complex, and the British, American, French and other powers who have been busy with the European war and have no time to look east have now freed up their hands to compete with Japan for interests in China. This overseas Chinese youth may be a spy sent by one of them. From China's perspective, neither side can be provoked, so the best approach is to sit back and watch the two tigers fight, and reap the benefits as a fisherman.

  "Xiao Lei, stop crying. Look what Uncle Xu brought for you." Xu Shu-zheng smiled and pulled out a paper box, opening it to reveal an exquisite small crystal bottle inside.

  Yao Yire, who was still crying upstairs, saw the crystal bottle and her eyes lit up. She hastily ran downstairs to grab the bottle, holding it tightly in her hands and exclaiming: "Chanel perfume, something I've been thinking about for a long time."

  Yao Cizhang knocked on his pipe and said: "It's really embarrassing to let you spend money again, Brother Zhen."

  Xu Shuzheng smiled brightly: "It's a friend from Paris who brought it, didn't cost any money, but I'm giving you perfume because I have a request for your sister."

  Yao Cizhang hadn't spoken yet, but Yao Yilei said: "Uncle Xu, what do you need me to do?"

  Xu Shuzheng said: "If someone wants to see me, you must inform them on my behalf."

  ……

  Chen Zikun got off the bus in a crowded area of Tianqiao, went straight to a second-hand clothing store and bought a half-new large coat, put it on, and then wore a felt hat, transforming himself into an unrecognizable person from the elegant Julian gentleman.

  Back at the Ziguangche factory, Xue Pingshun almost didn't recognize him. Chen Zikong mumbled a few words and came in. As soon as he sat down in the main room, Andrei walked out of the inner room with a serious face: "Things have gotten big."

  "It's just killing two Japanese dogs, what a big deal."

  Andre said: "When beating a dog, one must consider its master. At present, Japan has the greatest influence in China. If we kill their people, they will definitely launch a crazy revenge. I just went back to the Liu Guo restaurant and took a look around. Everywhere is filled with Japanese spies. For now, we can only change our strategy. Cut the Gordian knot quickly, go directly to General Xu Shuzheng for negotiations."

  Chen Zikun said: "We don't know him, where can we find him? Are we going to go directly to the Ministry of War and knock on the door?"

  Andrei smiled: "You don't know a socialite? Ask her to play matchmaker, it's sure to work."

  It has come to this, the two of them left through the back door and arrived at the telephone office to make a paid call. They dialed directly to Director Yao's residence, and the butler answered the phone. Chen Zikun said his name was Zhu Lian, asking for Miss Yao to take the call.

  Yao Yile heard that someone was looking for her, and she hastily picked up the phone, taking the receiver with a still racing heart.

  "Hey, who's there?"

  "Miss Yao, you've forgotten me so quickly?"

  Yao Yilei's heart beat even faster, and she lowered her voice to ask: "What is it?"

  "I would like you to introduce me to General Xu Shuzheng."

  "Ah!" Yao Yilei couldn't help but exclaim, Xu Cichang was truly ingenious and had anticipated this move.

  "What's wrong, is it difficult?" Chen Zikong's voice came from the receiver.

  "Not, not, not, it's not difficult, he... Xu Zilong is right here."

  Xu Shuzheng, who was standing beside him, puffed on his cigar and smiled confidently as he took the phone call. "I'm Xu Shuzheng."

  Yao Cizhang wisely drove all the servants out and retreated with his daughter.

  Chen Zikun handed the phone to Andrei, who had not yet spoken, and heard Xu Shuzheng say leisurely: "If I'm not mistaken, you should be a Russian."

  This time it was Andrei's turn to be surprised, but he just smiled faintly and said, "How did the general guess?"

  Xu Shuzheng said: "The Japanese can't investigate, it doesn't mean the Chinese can't investigate. Mr. Earl's Mandarin has a Northeastern accent, he should have lived in Harbin for a long time. Moreover, you exchanged a gold bar at the Sino-Russian Bank, and this gold bar had the double-headed eagle emblem of the Russian government on it. Therefore, if you are not a Soviet person, then you must be a temporary government person."

  "Andrei bowed his head: 'That's right, I am Andrei Vasilyevich, the plenipotentiary representative appointed by Admiral Kolchak, the ruler of the Provisional Government of Russia. Something unexpected happened today, and I hope it didn't cause you any trouble.'"

  Xu Shuzheng smiled and said: "This matter has nothing to do with me, I am the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, not the Director General of Police."

  "Andrei said: 'I'd like to have a face-to-face talk with you, can we schedule a time?'"

  "Tonight then," Xu Shu replied readily, "where are you? I'll send a car to pick you up."

  The two parties made an appointment to meet up, and Xutong put down the phone and bid farewell to Yao Cichang and his daughter before leaving.

  At the entrance of the telephone bureau, Chen Zikun nervously asked Andre: "Er Gui, aren't you afraid that Xu Shuzheng will tie you up and hand you over to the Japanese?"

  "Andrei said confidently: 'A general would never do something so short-sighted.'"

  Chen Zigong tried to persuade him but he wouldn't budge, so he had no choice but to sacrifice himself to accompany his lord.

  Ten minutes later, a car came and took the two of them to a large mansion in Anfu Hutong.

  The sky had already darkened, and the house was brightly lit. Andrei and Chen Zikun entered through a side door and rushed to the rear residence, arriving at a room where they saw a military officer standing with his back to them. Upon hearing footsteps, he turned around, beaming with joy: "Welcome, gentlemen."

  This was none other than Xu Shuzheng, the Deputy Minister of the Beiyang Army, who warmly shook hands with Andre and patted Chen Zikun on the shoulder, saying: "The young man is formidable! I'll send you a precious sword later."

  The room has been set up with a banquet to welcome the two envoys, eight exquisite dishes, a pot of warm huadiao wine, the room is warm and cozy, with famous calligraphy and paintings on the wall, elegant environment, quiet and peaceful.

  "Please, have a seat." Xu Shu-zheng smiled and personally poured wine and served dishes.

  After three rounds of drinks, getting down to business, Xu Shuzheng said: "Brother is a military man, not a politician, whatever questions you have, feel free to ask directly."

  Andrei took out a secret letter with the signature of General Golchak and said: "I have come to Beijing, representing the Provisional Government and your country, hoping that General Xu can introduce us to someone who can make decisions."

  Xu Shuzheng burst out laughing and said: "All matters big or small of the government, I can decide."

  Andrei wondered: "Your Excellency is just a general of the land army, why can you usurp the authority and make decisions on all matters?"

  Xu Shuzheng said: "Do you know where you are?"

  Andrei shook his head.

  Xu Shuzheng said: "This is the Anhui Club, and all members of the club are members of Parliament. And Brother is the founder of the Anhui Club, do you understand?"

  Andre made a sudden realization, stood up and formally handed over the secret letter to Xu Shuzheng.

  Xu Cileang received the letter and glanced at it, but it was all in Russian, not a single word could be understood. He put down the letter and said: "Since it's a secret meeting, let's relax a bit. What does the letter say? You can just tell me orally."

  Andrei then recounted the contents of the letter, which was nothing more than General Kolchak's request to the Chinese authorities to send troops to intervene and strangle the red regime in its infancy.

  Xu Shuzheng inquired about the current situation in Russia in detail, and after a moment of contemplation, he said: "Our country has been weak for a long time, the south is not yet unified, Shandong is occupied by Japan, with internal troubles and external threats, we can barely take care of ourselves, what ability do we have to interfere with your country's affairs?"

  "General, your words are wrong. It is precisely because of the severe internal and external troubles that we need to send troops to boost national prestige. I heard that you have 100,000 well-equipped combat troops under your command. Now that the European war has ended, can these elite troops be left idle? If you don't send troops again, I'm afraid that Guandong and Mongolia will fall into Japanese hands just like Shandong."

  Xu Shuzheng took a deep breath: "What do you mean by this?"

  "Andrei said, 'The outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War was precisely to compete for China's Northeast region. Now that Russia is declining, how can Japan let go of this opportunity? I heard that their interventionist army has already expanded to over 50,000 people, far exceeding the number of troops from other countries. General Xu, with your wisdom, it shouldn't be difficult to guess their purpose, right?'"

  Xu Shuzheng nodded slowly, asked some more detailed questions, and his expression became increasingly serious. He raised his wine cup and said: "General Kolchak's envoy, apart from you two, is there anyone else?"

  Andre said: "The fewer messengers, the better, just the two of us."

  Xu Shuzheng said: "Then you must keep this secret well."

  As soon as he finished speaking, the wine cup fell to the ground and shattered into pieces. Eight burly men holding box-shaped guns burst in through the door, their dark gun barrels trained on them.

  Andrei and Chen Zikun were stunned, motionless.

  "After the execution, hand over the body to the Japanese side." Xu Shuzheng finished speaking and stood up to leave.

  ……