Chapter 136

In January 1935, the cold in northern Guizhou's Zunyi was bone‑piercing. In a two‑story building in the city, the lights burned through the night without going out. Gu Yue wore a faded military greatcoat, the cigarette at his fingertips flickered uncertainly. His gaze swept over the weary faces of the attendees, and his voice resonated heavily in the cramped conference room: "The failure of the fifth anti‑encirclement campaign is not due to the soldiers, but because the command direction deviated."

Bo Gu wanted to speak but stopped, and finally lowered his eyes under the solemn gazes of everyone. When Zhang Wentian rose, the chair legs screeched: "I fully agree with comrade Gu Yue's view. The Red Army is at a critical juncture and must correct the wrong line."

Three days and nights of intense debate decided the future direction of this unit. When the meeting confirmed Gu Yue's leadership position in the Party and the Red Army, a fine drizzle fell outside the window. Su Lin stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Gu Yue by the window, looking at the rain‑soaked green tiles: "The road ahead will only get harder." Gu Yue pressed the cigarette butt out on the windowsill: "No matter how hard, it's still better than sitting and waiting for death."

In May, the Dadu River roared and surged. When the First Red Army Corps Vanguard Unit reached the bank, they saw the opposite shore studded with fortifications, and all ferries were under enemy control. The Chief of Staff reported to Lin Zhonghu with a furrowed brow: "The current is too swift; a forced crossing may be…" Lin Zhonghu lifted his binoculars, his gaze behind the lenses sharp as an eagle: "Send the order down— even if we have to swim across, we must go."

In the temporary command post, Gu Yue's finger moved slowly over the map and finally stopped at the Luding Bridge: "This is the only way out." The military elder murmured: "The defending troops have removed most of the bridge planks." Gu Yue straightened up: "Send the Fourth Red Regiment. Tell them this is a battle that decides the entire army's survival."

May 29, the iron cables glinted with a chilling light. Twenty‑two warriors climbed the ropes amid a forest of guns and rain of bullets, the swift river churning beneath their feet. One after another fell, hit by bullets and plunged into the torrent, yet the survivors kept moving forward. The assault team leader leapt first onto the opposite bank's bridgehead, his roar cutting through the smoke: "Advance for Huaxia!" When the red flag finally rose on the far shore, many battle‑hardened veterans raised a hand to wipe their faces.

In June, the First and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army met in Mao Gong, Sichuan. The celebratory gongs had not yet ceased when strategic differences already emerged. Zhang Guo paced back and forth in the command post: "March north? That's walking into a net! The Chengdu Plain is abundant in resources, an ideal place to establish a base." Gu Yue patiently reasoned: "Comrade Guo, the march north is to fight the Japanese. Now the nation's survival hangs by a thread, and we bear the expectations of the entire people."

The debate had not yet settled when the August 1 Declaration had already spread through secret channels across the country. In the Yanjing campus, students passed around a mimeographed bulletin by the street lamps: "The Republic is right! Unity against the Japanese is the top priority now." In a Modu residence, Zhou Shuren wrote in his diary: "Having read the August 1 Declaration, the language is earnest. If it can bring about a united front abroad, it would be a great blessing for the nation."

The news reached Jinling, and the principal slammed the document onto the desk: "Those people are trying to buy Public Sentiment!"

In September, the troops arrived at Lazi Pass of the Gannan Heavenly Pass. The Fourth Regiment was again ordered to assault the stronghold; the regiment commander's voice was hoarse during the pre‑battle rally: "Break through here and the road north to fight the Japanese will open!" After a day‑long fierce battle, when the last fire point was eliminated, the setting sun illuminated the smoke‑stained faces of the soldiers.

At the same time, Zhang Guo led his unit southward. When parting, the master‑of‑the‑army clasped his hand tightly: "Hope we meet again soon." Zhang Guo fell silent, turned, and walked into the southbound column.

In October, on the yellow‑earth slope of Wuqi Town in Shaanbei, a special unit arrived. The soldiers embraced and wept; Gu Yue stood on a soil beam watching this nine‑in‑ten‑survival unit, a light flashing in his eyes. Xu Haidong hurried over: "The Shaanbei troops welcome the Central troops!" Gu Yue grasped his hand tightly: "Thank you, comrades, for preserving the flame of the Revolution."

At the simple reunion banquet, the bonfire reddened the young faces. This expedition of one year and two days, spanning twenty‑five thousand li, finally reached a pause at this moment.

On December 9, the cold wind on Beiping streets cut like a knife. Thousands of students hoisted a banner reading "Stop the civil war, unite against the Japanese" and broke through the military‑police blockade. The water‑dragon could not disperse the fervent crowd; the shout "Huaxia people unite!" rang to the heavens. This salvation movement quickly spread across the nation like a prairie fire.

In the Yaodong of the Wayaobao in Shaanbei, a Chinese Communist Party Central Committee meeting was underway. Gu Yue pointed out: "Establishing an anti‑Japanese national united front is the top priority now." Meanwhile in Jinling, the signing of the He Mei Agreement caused a stir in both court and public. Even within the Kuomintang, doubts were voiced: "What is the purpose of this move?"

On that deep‑autumn rainy night, Li Yuxuan stood by the office window. Distant thunder rolled across the sky, and the sound of raindrops striking the glass reminded him of the old affairs of Qilu. The years when he marched side‑by‑side with the principal during the Northern Expedition were vivid in his memory, yet now, in this great shift concerning the nation's destiny, their paths have diverged.

"Young Master, it's not that Yuxuan disobeyed orders; I do not fear death." He whispered to himself, "It's just that I was born on this land."

Outside, the raindrops finally struck the glass.