Chapter 135: Moon

In early October 1934 in Gannan, autumn was deepening. Outside Ruijin, Red Army troops were gathering in secret. Yongzhi stood on the hillside of Yepingcun, watching the winding columns in the distance, his cigarette having burned down to the end.

"Yongzhi, everything's ready," the Chief Aide hurried over, his face bearing the fatigue of days of toil.

"How are the soldiers' morale?" Yongzhi asked, his gaze still following the marching columns.

"They're all resolute," the Chief Aide replied, "Although reluctant to abandon the base, everyone understands this is the only way out."

On October 7, the Central Revolutionary Military Committee began issuing relocation orders to each corps. In the headquarters of the Red First Corps, Lin Husan studied the marching route map carefully.

"Corps Commander, this relocation…" the Chief of Staff began, then stopped.

Lin Husan didn't even look up: "Carry out the order. Tell the soldiers to travel light; discard all unnecessary baggage and equipment."

Meanwhile, at the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's headquarters, the deployment of stay‑behind duties was proceeding anxiously. Xiang Ying and Chen Yi fell silent when they received the orders.

"1.6 wan people staying behind…" Chen Yi forced a wry smile, "They want us to dance on the tip of a knife."

Xiang Ying patted his shoulder: "Old Chen, this is the Party Central Committee's trust. We must hold out until the main Red Army returns."

On October 9, the Central Revolutionary Military Committee issued the Yejun operation schedule for October 10–20.

Yu Jie emphasized at the Military Committee meeting: "This relocation concerns the Red Army's very survival. Every unit must strictly follow the marching plan."

Elsewhere, the Chairman, accompanied by Song Meiling, was touring the country. On October 12, they received guests from various circles on Lushan.

"The Red Bandits are already at the end of the road," the Chairman said confidently at the welcome banquet, "They will be completely eradicated in no time."

Song Meiling raised her glass gracefully: "Your support for the bandit suppression, Chairman, is noted in my heart."

However, while the Chairman was immersed in the joy of victory, the Red Army's relocation had already begun. On October 10, the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and the main Red Army, over 86 wan people, set out from Ruijin.

The Red Army's smooth launch of the Long March was inseparable from the secret agreement previously reached. On October 5, Pan Hannian and He Changong met with Chen Jitang's representatives at Xunwu Luotang and concluded five accords.

"Commander Chen hopes both sides will honor the agreement," the Guangdong forces' representative said cautiously.

He Changong smiled in reply: "The Red Army has always valued keeping its word. As long as your forces do not launch a proactive attack, we will never break the agreement."

This secret pact created conditions for the Red Army to breach the first blockade line. When Red Army units approached the Guangdong forces' defensive line, Chen Jitang's troops indeed fired only a symbolic few shots.

"They're seeing us off," Dehua said as he passed through the blockade line, unable to help but remark to the commander beside him.

On October 18, documents seized from the Eastern Route Army in Ruijin made the Chairman suddenly realize. He immediately halted the tour and flew back to Nanchang.

"Damn it!" the Chairman thundered at the military meeting, "Over eighty thousand slipped away right under our noses!"

He Yingqin reported cautiously: "Chairman, the most important thing now is to devise a pursuit plan."

The Chairman calmed down and began dispatching troops: "Order Xue Yue to lead two columns, Wu Qiwei and Zhou Hunyuan, in pursuit. He Jian will move the headquarters to Hengyang. Chen Jitang will garrison Shaoguan. Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi will deploy defenses in Guibei..."

He paused, then added: "Also, order Jingxing's Fifth Army to join the encirclement and interception."

When the order arrived, Li Yuxuan was in Kunming handling state affairs. He read the telegram and remained silent for a long time.

"Chairman, should we deploy immediately?" Huang Wei asked.

"No rush," Li Yuxuan waved his hand, "Let me think."

He walked alone into the office, took an old photo album from the Safety Deposit Box. Opening it, the first picture showed him and the Young Master together during the Qilu period, when they were full of vigor. The second picture was a group photo of Huangpu colleagues and students, many faces now forever lost to the flames of war.

Li Yuxuan lit a cigarette; it was the most eager smoking he had felt since traveling through time. Having arrived in this era, he rarely smoked, but today the ashtray quickly filled with butts.

When night fell, Li Yuxuan finally made a decision. He summoned his trusted generals and the men he had personally selected during the Northern Expedition.

"You four thousand will join the pursuit," Li Yuxuan said, "Remember, when you see the Red Army, fire just a couple of shots, don't hit the people."

A general asked in confusion: "Chairman, didn't the Chairman say…"

"Do you follow his orders or mine?" Li Yuxuan interrupted.

"We follow the Chairman!" the crowd answered in unison.

"Very well," Li Yuxuan nodded, "You are all my confidants; keep this matter from outsiders."

"Salute!" a general said.

"Loyalty!" the oath of the four thousand echoed in the night sky.

From October 21 to 23, the Red Army's main force successfully breached the first blockade line. When the news reached Hongdu, the Chairman erupted in fury.

"What is Chen Jitang doing?" he shouted into the phone, "The fourth defensive line was breached so easily?"

Chen Cheng said beside him: "Chairman, calm down; the most important thing now is to build the second defensive line."

The Chairman instantly ordered Chen Jitang and He Jian: "Rapidly construct a second blockade line between Rucheng, Renhua, and Chengkou!"

However, the Red Army had already seized the opportunity and was rapidly advancing toward Xiangnan. Yongzhi said to the Chief Aide during the march: "The principal only just realized now; it's already too late."

Within the pursuit forces, each contingent had different motives. Xue Yue's Central Army chased relentlessly but was always a step behind. He Jian's Xiang Army set up tight defenses but lacked the will to launch an offensive. And Li Yuxuan's Fifth Army contributed labor without effort.

"Corps Commander, the rear pursuers seem unenthusiastic," reported a reconnaissance soldier of the Red Third Corps.

Dehua sneered: "These people each have hidden motives, which gives us a perfect chance."

Meanwhile, Li Yuxuan in Kunming closely monitored the war's development. He received secret reports from the front daily, yet outwardly he always maintained a stance of "strictly obeying" the Chairman's orders.

"Chairman, could this raise the Chairman's suspicion?" a confidant asked anxiously.

Li Yuxuan said calmly: "Don't worry, his attention is now entirely on the Red Army."