Chapter 130: Private Army 2

One month later, the President's Office was brightly lit. Li Yuxuan adjusted the collar of his uniform, and, led by Qian Dajun, walked into the Chairman's office. The Chairman was standing by the window, back to the doorway, his figure looking somewhat desolate in the twilight.

"Young Master, I will set out tomorrow," Li Yuxuan saluted respectfully, his voice sounding especially clear in the spacious office.

The Chairman slowly turned, a rare gentle smile on his face. He walked to the tea table, personally lifted the Yixing teapot, and poured two cups of tea. "Jingxing, heading to the Southwest, be careful in all things." He pushed one cup toward Li Yuxuan. "In the Yunguichuan Region, those Turkey emperors are not to be trifled with. If you need anything, send a telegram at any time."

Li Yuxuan took the cup with both hands, his fingertips gently rubbing the warm cup wall. "Thank you, Young Master, for your concern." He sipped the tea, speaking as if casually, "My thirty thousand Private Soldiers will stay in Jinling; I ask Young Master to help watch over them."

The office fell silent for a moment. A hint of relief flashed in the Chairman's eyes, but he quickly regained composure. He raised his hand and patted Li Yuxuan's shoulder, the pressure neither light nor heavy: "Rest assured, I will look after them for you."

The two looked at each other and smiled, their smiles hiding a meaning only they understood. Outside, the last sliver of afterglow slipped below the horizon.

After seeing Li Yuxuan off, the Chairman paced alone in the office. He pressed the call bell, and Chen Bulei responded and entered.

"Chairman, has Chairman Li left?"

"He's gone." The Chairman sat down on the sofa, rubbing his brow, "Jingxing's move was indeed beyond my expectation."

Chen Bulei asked cautiously, "Could he have sensed something?"

The Chairman let out a light laugh, his gaze complex: "He knows what I think, I know what he thinks." He stood and walked to the map, his finger tracing the towering mountains of the Southwest, "So he left the troops in Jinling; this is his way of showing loyalty to me."

"Then… will the troops still be disbanded?"

"Disband, of course they must be disbanded; otherwise the men below will become disloyal." The Chairman turned, his tone resolute, "When he is far away, immediately begin disbanding that Private Army. Remember, do it with propriety and provide full Severance Pay."

He pondered briefly, then added: "After scattering the troops, also prepare several million dollars. Jingxing's trip to the Southwest will inevitably require funds for arrangements."

"Yes!" Chen Bulei bowed and took the order, "Chairman, your treatment of Chairman Li is truly benevolent and just."

The Chairman gazed at the heavy night outside, sighing lightly, "After all, he's been a brother who has followed me all these years…"

At this moment, the Special Train bound for the Southwest raced through the night. Li Yuxuan sat alone in a private compartment, idly handling an Ivory Seal. It was a gift from the Young Master years ago, engraved with the four characters "Sincere Unity."

Huang Wei knocked lightly and entered, "Director, I have already notified as per your order. However… the brothers can't understand why we should hand over the hard‑built troops."

Li Yuxuan slipped the seal back into his chest, saying calmly, "You can't catch a wolf without letting the child go; the Young Master is naturally suspicious. The more we show no reservation, the more he feels at ease."

"But those thirty thousand elite…"

"Elite?" Li Yuxuan chuckled lightly, "As long as the people are there, we can rally them anytime. What matters is the Young Master's trust." He looked toward the lights streaking past the window, "This trip to the Southwest is our real opportunity."

Huang Wei nodded vaguely, "After the troops are disbanded, how should the brothers be settled?"

"Let them return home temporarily." Li Yuxuan's eyes flashed, "When the wind calms, we will quietly regroup. Remember, fragment them, don't attract attention."

The next morning at dawn, the Chairman arrived early at the office. Chen Bulei had been waiting for a long time, holding a freshly drafted order.

"Chairman, the order to disband the troops has been drafted; please review it."

The Chairman carefully examined the document, adding an extra one million dollars to the Severance Pay column. "Jingxing has had a hard time these years," he muttered to himself, as if persuading himself.

"Chairman, you are benevolent." Chen Bulei flattered at the right moment, "When Chairman Li learns of this, he will be moved to tears of gratitude."

"Him?" The Chairman set down his pen, smiling meaningfully, "He might be cursing me in his heart."

Meanwhile, the train had already entered the Sanxiang Region. Li Yuxuan was writing the first telegram to the Chairman:

"The post has safely arrived in the Xiang territory. Along the way, I have seen the people's livelihood in decline, Bandit Trouble persisting. Remembering the Young Master's instructions, I will spare no effort to stabilize the Southwest…"

He paused at this point, then added, "As for the Private Soldiers, everything is at the Young Master's discretion; I have no complaints whatsoever."

Three days later, Jinling began the disbandment of Li Yuxuan's Private Soldiers. Unexpectedly, the entire process went unusually smoothly; after receiving generous Severance Pay, the soldiers quietly left the barracks, with only a few units causing minor disturbances.

"Chairman, the matter was handled unexpectedly smoothly," Chen Bulei reported, a puzzled expression on his face, "Chairman Li's former troops were very cooperative; no one caused trouble."

The Chairman stood by the window, gazing at the empty barracks on the Training Ground, silent for a long time. He suddenly asked, "Do you think Jingxing had long foreseen this day?"

"This… probably not?"

"No, he certainly anticipated it, after all these years as brothers." The Chairman turned, smiling, "That's why he cooperated so well. My brother… is becoming increasingly inscrutable."

At this moment, Li Yuxuan had arrived in Guiyang. He stood on the hotel balcony, gazing at the continuous mountains, holding a newly received telegram in his hand. The telegram contained only a brief line:

"The troops have been properly settled; no need to worry. Hope my brother returns victorious soon."

Li Yuxuan smiled faintly, pressed the telegram to the tip of his cigarette and lit it. The paper turned to ash in the night, drifting away with the wind.