"Chairman Chen, since you have such intentions, can we sign a memorandum on this issue?" the US Minister asked. No conversation is as effective as a written agreement. Of course, the US Minister also believed that a piece of paper was meaningless in the face of reality. However, with this memorandum, he could demonstrate his diplomatic achievements to the US government, which was a very important political accomplishment.

As long as it was a legitimate trade agreement that did not sell out China's interests, Chen Ke would not be afraid to sign as many copies as needed. Just like 21st-century China would absolutely not be afraid to sign the "Sino-US Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation" with the United States.

Therefore, in this memorandum, the US Minister promised that the United States would maintain benevolent neutrality regarding China's recovery of sovereignty, and agreed to return the concessions in China and cancel privileges. The People's Party explicitly promised to guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of all foreigners in China through law. In terms of trade, the People's Party promised not to adopt any discriminatory attitude towards US trade under the conditions of quota trade and various credit loan agreements signed by both parties. In this document, China and the United States proposed the term "Most Favored Nation treatment" in trade for the first time. That is to say, any trade preferential treatment granted by China or the United States to a third country would automatically apply to both China and the United States.

The US Minister was quite satisfied with this memorandum. He already knew about the agreement signed between Britain and the Beiyang government. Since Britain was willing to promise to give up its privileges in China, the United States' privileges in China could not compare with Britain's at all. Giving up these things in exchange for greater trade benefits—only a fool would not do this.

More importantly, the People's Party did not mention any military commitments. "Benevolent neutrality" is a very broad term. In extreme terms, as long as the United States did not join the allied forces fighting against China, it could be called benevolent neutrality.

Moreover, this document was a "memorandum." Even formal agreements could be torn up with various excuses, let alone a "memorandum." If the People's Party could not withstand the attacks of other countries, the United States would not mind stabbing the People's Party in the back along with other countries.

The news of the signing of the memorandum with the United States reached Beijing, and Zhang Yu gathered the comrades to inform them of the matter. Many comrades showed considerable regret, thinking that it would be best if they could handle such diplomatic work themselves. Some other comrades expressed strong envy that the Central Committee could complete such a major project. Observing the performance of the young comrades, a few more people were classified into the category of those needing further education and training.

A person's bearing is largely reflected in how they position themselves. The organization is like a machine; every part is important, even a small screw is necessary. To be able to position oneself accurately, focus on completing one's own work, and at the same time not pointlessly envy or be jealous of others' achievements—this is the quality required to take on heavy responsibilities. In this regard, Zhang Yu had also heard Chen Ke talk about education issues, but he felt that this might have more to do with nature.

Just like Comrade Li Runshi, he seemed to have no such thing as jealousy at all. All his energy and attention were focused on the work itself. What Zhang Yu appreciated even more was that Li Runshi never meddled and absolutely did not interfere with other people's work. However, Zhang Yu knew very well that Li Runshi was by no means ignorant of the work of other comrades.

After repeatedly judging in his heart several times, Zhang Yu said: "Comrade Li Runshi, the propaganda department in Hebei Province is in desperate need of people recently. I don't even dare to see Commander Chai Qingguo now. Whenever we meet, he asks me for people. We have always asked the army for people; there has never been a case where the army turned around and asked us for people. But I can't resist him now, so I can only send you there."

Li Runshi was slightly stunned. This transfer order was really inexplicable. However, after a moment, Li Runshi replied calmly, "I obey the organization's orders."

Seeing Li Runshi being transferred away from the diplomatic negotiation team, uncontrollable joy appeared on the faces of some young comrades. Zhang Yu had to start reflecting on whether his actions were not natural enough. Obviously, some people had already seen that he appreciated Li Runshi very much. And transferring Li Runshi away from the diplomatic negotiation team meant that they had one less powerful competitor.

However, Zhang Yu had to do this. After the People's Party completed the roping in of the United States, the mission of diplomatic negotiation was basically completed. The next step was to let the current situation develop for a while. Taking Li Runshi back to Wuhan from Beijing and then assigning tasks would be a waste. The task of the Hebei propaganda outlet was heavy and the work was difficult. It happened to give Li Runshi a great opportunity for training.

That evening, Xi Biwu, who had always had a good relationship with Li Runshi in the delegation, found Zhang Yu. "Minister Zhang, I also want to stay and work in Hebei. My home is in Hebei, and I want to stay and work in Hebei."

Xi Biwu was a young comrade in the judicial system. This negotiation team included young cadres from all aspects, and Xi Biwu was an elite selected from the judicial system in Xuzhou.

Zhang Yu smiled: "Homesick?"

Xi Biwu knew that Zhang Yu was joking, and he also smiled politely, "I feel that I am not suitable for diplomatic work. I still want to do some domestic judicial work."

"The work will be very hard," Zhang Yu said.

"I am in this line of work. I will do whatever needs to be done," Xi Biwu replied.

Zhang Yu had intended to observe Xi Biwu for a while longer, but seeing that he had volunteered, Zhang Yu smiled and said: "If you have made up your mind, write me a report."

"Yes!" Xi Biwu replied, "If there is nothing else, I will go write the report first."

After arranging the personnel transfer, Zhang Yu took the two comrades to find Pu Guanshui the next day. The station was extremely lively, with various troops either lining up for training or making various preparations for work.

The People's Party already knew that Japan was going to intervene in Chinese affairs and attempt to seize the Northeast. Chai Qingguo had now assumed the position of Commander of the Hebei Military Region, and Pu Guanshui assumed the position of Commander of the newly formed Eighth Army Group. The Eighth Army Group had ten armies under its jurisdiction. Because the reorganization time was not sufficient, each army was directly adapted from a division of the Shandong Military Region and the Henan Military Region. Things were indeed as Chai Qingguo had expected: the size of the newly formed units became smaller, but the configuration of automatic weapons was greatly increased.

Zhang Yu did not go to see Chai Qingguo first but went to find Pu Guanshui. For the two young comrades, meeting more people was a very important thing. Although Pu Guanshui would probably forget these two as soon as he saw them, whether they had met or not were two completely different natures.

As soon as they entered Pu Guanshui's office, they saw two comrades standing in front of Pu Guanshui. If it were any other time, Zhang Yu should have avoided it, but this time he had no intention of avoiding it. Pu Guanshui certainly knew that Zhang Yu had a reason for doing this. So he didn't ask, but continued his work. "Comrade Cao Yuqing, I want to ask you a question. You go around saying that the current Corps Commander is just a Division Commander. What exactly does this mean?"

Cao Yuqing was the Commander of the 38th Army, and next to him was Mu Husan, the Commander of the 18th Army. In the past few days, Cao Yuqing had said more than once that "the current Corps Commander is just a Division Commander, and some don't even count as Division Commanders." Naturally, someone spread these words everywhere, and the reason was also very clear: Cao Yuqing looked down on Mu Husan very much.

From the moment he saw Mu Husan also appearing in the office, Cao Yuqing dared not utter a sound. Being questioned by Pu Guanshui like this, he didn't dare say a single word. Pu Guanshui certainly would not let Cao Yuqing off. "Yes, Comrade Mu Husan has indeed been promoted relatively quickly. Half a year ago, he was just a regimental-level cadre, and you were already a Deputy Corps Commander. A Division Commander had to salute you first when seeing you. Now you two are both Corps Commanders, regardless of rank. You have thoughts in your heart, I can understand that."

After saying this, Pu Guanshui couldn't help but slam the table. "But, we choose military cadres because military cadres can win battles! Can reduce the sacrifices of comrades! A Corps Commander is also a member of the soldiers. Are you not yourself after becoming a Corps Commander?! You go around talking nonsense, what are you preparing to do?"

Zhang Yu understood as soon as he heard it. Not only was he working hard to promote outstanding young cadres, but the army was also completing the same work through this major reorganization. Zhang Yu turned a deaf ear to Pu Guanshui's subsequent criticism. He couldn't help but think of Gu Lu, the current Deputy Political Commissar of the Engineering Corps. He was also a young comrade promoted by Chen Ke and Qi Huishen. Who would have thought that he was just a small platoon leader a few years ago? But Zhang Yu had no idea how big the side effects of this kind of promotion were. The larger the organization, the fiercer the internal personnel struggle. Although struggle can promote progress, most of the time, it is realistic to have fewer beautiful imaginations about human nature.

The matter definitely ended with criticism and self-criticism as the solution. This matter did not involve any line issues. However, Pu Guanshui did not ask Cao Yuqing to apologize to Mu Husan personally, but asked Cao Yuqing to make a self-criticism to the whole army for the bad influence of his behavior. Zhang Yu agreed with this handling.

Zhang Yu didn't care much about Cao Yuqing. He carefully observed Mu Husan's performance. From beginning to end, Mu Husan was very calm, as if the object of Cao Yuqing's targeting was not him, Mu Husan, at all. This bearing made Zhang Yu very satisfied. If Mu Husan felt that he was looked down upon and thus gave birth to grievances in his heart, then such a comrade could only make Zhang Yu feel disappointed.

After letting Cao Yuqing and Mu Husan leave, Pu Guanshui quickly returned to normal. As he got up to pour water for Zhang Yu and the others, he asked: "These two comrades are..."

"These are the hands I'm providing to Commander Chai. Commander Chai is just different; he can actually ask for people from the civil departments to the army. I think this matter has to be written into our military history. He has set a precedent." After saying this, both Zhang Yu and Pu Guanshui couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Pu Guanshui laughed and said, "Minister Zhang, since you've already given the people, why don't you just give these two comrades to me? This will also allow me to leave a bad name in military history. Anyway, it's all about being famous; I don't care about good reputation or bad reputation."

"Then you have to go talk to Old Chai, or give me a big bribe right now," Zhang Yu also laughed.

Pu Guanshui knew that Zhang Yu definitely didn't come to find him just to crack jokes, and even if Zhang Yu didn't come, Pu Guanshui would have found Zhang Yu to communicate about the diplomatic situation. The movements of Japan made the Workers' and Peasants' Revolutionary Army quite concerned. Since they definitely had to fight with Japan, the earlier the preparations, the better.

Of course, Pu Guanshui first introduced the situation to Zhang Yu. The four armies of the Shandong Military Region and the Henan Military Region were broken up and reorganized. Because the firepower of the troops was strengthened, almost all machine gunners were assigned to Pu Guanshui.

"Comrade Chai Qingguo is quite miserable. The remaining troops have to be divided into three parts and handed over to Henan, Shandong, and those staying in Hebei in the form of skeleton units. However, Comrade Chai Qingguo will definitely be happy. In the newly formed Grand Military Region, the Henan Military Sub-district and the Shandong Military Sub-district both belong to the Jinan Military Region. The Commander of the Jinan Military Region is assumed by Comrade Wu Xingchen. With this big brother supporting from behind, Chai Qingguo is at ease, and I am also at ease." Pu Guanshui very cleverly introduced to Zhang Yu the method of how to stop Chai Qingguo's complaints.

When Pu Guanshui finished introducing the situation, Zhang Yu also told Pu Guanshui about the diplomatic situation. "Japan has supported the Tongmenghui and formed some government-in-exile. Now we don't know how they will handle the relationship with Zhang Zuolin. Zhang Zuolin comes from a bandit background and views his own interests higher than the sky; he will absolutely not submit easily. But we have never dealt with Zhang Zuolin. We don't know what choice this person will make at the last moment."

Pu Guanshui knew that Zhang Yu had to report the situation to the Politburo and the Military Commission when he returned to Wuhan, so he spoke bluntly: "We certainly hope to completely eliminate this kind of local power. These people in the Northeast have deep relationships with both Japan and Russia. As far as I know, Zhang Zuolin started his fortune by relying on the Japanese during the Russo-Japanese War. I am not optimistic about this person. Wu Peifu, who fled to Shanxi, also relied on serving the Japanese to get a lot of benefits."

"When to enter Shanxi... I'm afraid we don't need to consider this in the short term. We don't understand the situation in the Northeast. Why don't you ask Xu Shichang more? He should be familiar with this," Zhang Yu replied.

Pu Guanshui sneered, "These people are stubborn. Even now, they still haven't dropped that stinky air. I also went to see those people. Wang Shizhen is okay; at least he has basic politeness. President Xu Shichang, seeing me, a younger generation, shouted that we were usurping the throne and cursed me for betraying Beiyang. You ask him to provide information? Don't count on it now."

After exchanging intelligence for a while longer, seeing that there was nothing else to understand for the time being, Zhang Yu got up to take his leave.

When parting, Pu Guanshui asked closely: "If there is any latest intelligence, who should I ask?"

This question was well asked. A joint intelligence agency had not yet been established in the North, and almost all intelligence was controlled by the army. But the army happened to have no way to conduct diplomacy. Pu Guanshui had asked to the point.

"I will make a special report to the Central Committee, and I will notify you if there is news," Zhang Yu replied.

And Zhang Yu also remembered another question. He asked Pu Guanshui in a low voice, "Will we send troops in the winter?"

Pu Guanshui looked at Zhang Yu seriously and also said in a low voice: "It's hard to say!"

PS: The next chapter will be updated tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.