Leaving Jiangzhe and heading north, the cities were not as beautiful as those in Jiangzhe. This did not make Okamura Yasuji and Yamamoto Isoroku feel any more relaxed, because on both sides of the train were the endless farmlands of the vast Huang-Huai Plain. Looking from afar, the rows of trees in the fields were as neat as if measured by a ruler. If the paddy fields of Jiangzhe had many curved shapes due to the terrain, then the fields on the great plain felt like stern and martial soldiers, filling Okamura Yasuji and Yamamoto Isoroku with awe.

"Without the well-field system, there is no way to achieve the governance of the Three Kings," Okamura Yasuji said slowly. As a "China hand," he had read Chen Ke's *Chinese Cultural Inheritance and the Rise of Materialism* and was very impressed by the section on Tang Taizong opposing feudalism and strengthening the imperial examinations. Although the People's Party resolutely attacked the feudal system, the scene before him reminded Okamura Yasuji of the "well-field system."

Yamamoto Isoroku was not too proficient in Chinese culture, but he had been to the United States and had seen similarly vast plains. The agriculture on China's plains had obviously undergone strict planning, and the irrigation system covered the entire plain region; the yield could be imagined.

"China will definitely challenge Britain," Yamamoto Isoroku said to Okamura Yasuji.

Okamura Yasuji nodded; this was already a certainty. With such powerful national strength, not challenging Britain's presence in Asia was completely incomprehensible from a Japanese perspective. "It is truly incredible that such a powerful China was made into that state by the Manchu Qing," Okamura Yasuji replied.

Yamamoto Isoroku nodded, but spoke of something else. "Will China sell the synthetic ammonia production line to us?"

Okamura Yasuji also had no certainty. Japanese spies had tried every means to steal China's industrial intelligence, but China's important industrial sectors were all under military control. They had lost quite a few personnel, but had no successes. If China didn't want to sell the production line to Japan, Japan had no way.

After arriving in Zhengzhou, Okamura Yasuji and the others visited the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce did not give the Japanese delegation a pleasant look. They asked a question straight away: "What currency does Japan intend to use to pay for the purchase?"

This blunt statement made Okamura Yasuji freeze. He hadn't expected China to agree so easily, but when asking about the payment currency, there seemed to be a sinister feeling. Of course, Okamura Yasuji was overthinking. According to the original intention of the Ministry of Commerce, they simply didn't want to sell the synthetic ammonia production line to Japan. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce had been feeding off the synthetic ammonia industry and its extended industrial chain for twenty years. To use a metaphor, they used to sell "banknotes," and now they were being asked to sell the "money printing machine." The comrades naturally felt extremely unhappy in their hearts. Controlling a monopoly industry and raking in money—no one wanted to give up those days.

The Japanese Embassy in China had already raised this issue with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Li Runshi's attitude was that it could be sold to Japan. This attitude was opposed by many comrades, who believed Japan would copy China's production line. This lawsuit eventually went to the Politburo, and Chen Ke supported Li Runshi's view. "Industrial technology diffusion is an inevitability. Only by having the ability to diffuse industrial technology can we bring about a positive national image. China used to be looked down upon because it made no contribution to world development. Of course, this contribution must be realized through normal commercial interactions."

The Ministry of Commerce rarely resisted Chen Ke's viewpoint. Chen Ke could only repeatedly explain to the Ministry of Commerce the promoting effect of competition on development, and that standing still and refusing to make progress was definitely not viable. When China stood still, it would fall behind the world. In China's most powerful periods, it had always learned foreign cultural technologies from the whole world and introduced foreign crops.

However, Chen Ke's persuasion and education had basically no effect. Besides the Ministry of Commerce not wanting to sell the synthetic ammonia production line, Japan had united with the Netherlands and Britain to cause trouble for China, which had a certain impact on China's commerce in Southeast Asia. Especially the comrades in the banking system, who had lost quite a few benefits in Southeast Asia, were now full of vengeful sentiments. The Ministry of Commerce had a very good relationship with the banking system, so naturally, they were also affected quite a bit.

Finally, Chen Ke had to bring out the ultimate reason of "organization resolution," which finally made the Ministry of Commerce resentfully accept the instruction. So Okamura Yasuji felt that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce had bad intentions. In fact, according to the Ministry of Commerce's original intention, they really wanted to beat Okamura Yasuji with sticks and drive him out of the Ministry of Commerce's gates.

Since the Chinese Ministry of Commerce agreed to sell, even if Okamura Yasuji had major doubts in his heart, he could only continue to negotiate. Okamura Yasuji's idea of paying with Japanese Yen was quickly rejected. The personnel of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce told Okamura Yasuji very seriously that no one internationally wanted Yen, so naturally there was no demand for Yen reserves, and China was the same. Using Yen—no way!

There were no economic talents within the Japanese military. Although they had considered the payment currency issue before coming to China, the military had no other currencies in hand. Seeing the Chinese reject it so simply and neatly, Okamura Yasuji could only suggest that China accept the method of payment in Yen, and use the Yen to purchase Japanese goods in Japan.

"The Yen has been falling. If we accept Yen, it is equivalent to getting currency that is constantly shrinking. Moreover, what is there to trade in Sino-Japanese trade? Can Mr. Okamura give us some suggestions?" The Ministry of Commerce was plainly and openly bullying Okamura Yasuji.

On the first day, the two sides "discussed" for a long time regarding payment currency but did not reach an agreement. Returning to their residence, the members of this military delegation were all furious. Japanese soldiers, after all, always felt that violence could solve all problems. They were quite hostile towards the financial magnates within Japan, and were even less willing to learn business negotiation skills from the financial magnates. Now negotiating with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, they felt that all crows under heaven are equally black—China's commercial departments were of the same virtue as Japan's financial magnates. For profit, they could disregard everything.

It was also strange to say that these Japanese soldiers cursed China's treachery, as if the Chinese side owed them. But at least these people did not let out ruthless words about teaching the Chinese a lesson. This was still somewhat different from their attitude when talking about Japanese financial magnates.

The negotiations on the morning of the second day also did not go smoothly. The Chinese side did not loosen up at all regarding the Japanese payment method. They still presented facts and insisted on the stance that China could not suffer a loss. Finally, Okamura Yasuji could only ask what currency the Chinese side could actually accept. The Chinese side's answer was also quite standard: RMB, British Pounds, US Dollars; if really necessary, hard currencies like gold and silver could also be accepted. In short, that constantly depreciating Yen was absolutely no go.

Just when Okamura Yasuji felt that this matter would probably not be settled, Foreign Minister Li Runshi met with Okamura Yasuji and the others in the afternoon. Unlike the Ministry of Commerce, Li Runshi asked: "What kind of payment means does the Japanese side feel it has?"

Okamura Yasuji didn't have any payment means either. He simply admitted frankly, "We are relying on domestic donations to purchase this equipment this time. In our hands, apart from Yen, we have nothing."

After saying this, Okamura Yasuji also made up his mind. If the People's Party made any request that the delegation could not fulfill, he would interrupt this negotiation and return to his country.

Perhaps seeing Okamura Yasuji's slightly tragic expression, Li Runshi couldn't help but smile. "Mr. Okamura, a successful negotiation is not signing an unequal treaty. Success means a win-win situation. So, what can be win-win in this matter?"

Okamura Yasuji and Yamamoto Isoroku could understand this paragraph. Except for understanding, they also didn't understand the meaning of "win-win." Okamura Yasuji didn't like to talk much, especially at such a critical moment, he had to think about "why" a few more times. On the contrary, Yamamoto Isoroku had done diplomatic work and was very good at talking in such situations. Seeing Okamura Yasuji glance at him, Yamamoto Isoroku spoke up naturally, "Our side merely represents those coming to discuss purchasing your side's synthetic ammonia production line, so we don't know how this win-win is actually a win-win."

"Then is your side actually acting in the capacity of merchants? Or in the capacity of the Japanese Ministry of Commerce? In the capacity of military representatives? Or in the capacity of agents of the Japanese military? At least we must first establish our respective standpoints before we can continue talking, right?" Li Runshi laughed.

After hearing these words, Okamura Yasuji suddenly had a feeling of enlightenment. The Japanese delegation originally represented the interests of the Japanese military, but had to disguise themselves as normal commercial representatives. And the Chinese Ministry of Commerce simply defined the delegation sent by the Japanese military as a "commercial delegation" and used commercial methods to deal with the Japanese military delegation. The Japanese military was originally disguised as business representatives. The current reality was that the military had not yet taken power domestically. Japan's Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, and other departments were firmly controlled by Takahashi Korekiyo and others. The means the military could implement were very few.

Seeing that Li Runshi did not have the intention of opposing this deal, Okamura Yasuji really wanted to complete this business. He could only take a slight step back. "We represent the identity of the vast number of soldiers who contributed funds. Of course, we also represent the attitude of the Japanese military. In order to ensure that the families of soldiers can use chemical fertilizer, we need to purchase your side's production line."

"Since your side says so, our side can consider selling the production line to your side, and can also consider accepting your side paying in Yen," Li Runshi replied.

Okamura Yasuji and Yamamoto Isoroku showed no signs of happiness after hearing this. The People's Party made a concession in selling the production line, but they would definitely ask for a return. Sure enough, Li Runshi continued: "Our side heard that the current Japanese cabinet has produced a 'Cooperative Budget Proposal' agreement and will gradually withdraw Yen. We also must ensure the stability of the Yen. As long as your side can confirm not to obstruct the execution of this 'Cooperative Budget Proposal,' we can reach an agreement with your side. Your side must know that by reaching an agreement with your side, we have already offended the Japanese cabinet and offended those people in Japanese diplomacy. Here, we also must have an explanation that we can present."

Okamura Yasuji and Yamamoto Isoroku both understood at this moment. What the People's Party wanted was for the military to make a certain concession, and a concession that the military would find very hard to accept.