Chapter 152: Child

December 29, 1936, Xi'an, Li Yuxuan's temporary command post, the cold wind of the twelfth lunar month swirled up the dust in the courtyard and whirled toward the corridor. Inside the command post it was warm and cozy; fine Shanxi coal burned vigorously in a brass brazier, casting flickering light and shadow on the faces of the few people seated around.

The 18th Military Advisor Chief Huang Wei, experienced in army logistics, nevertheless always seemed a half‑step slow in the twisting calculations of this military‑political center. He furrowed his brows, clutching the internal report he had just received, and finally could not hold back, breaking the silence: "Director, this time… I really don't understand. Yang Hucheng's seven‑year‑old brat should, by all rights, be cleanly eliminated to remove any future trouble. Yet we not only spared his life but also took him in to raise? This… isn't that womanly mercy? When the child grows up and learns we dealt with his father, won't we be raising a tiger that becomes a menace?"

His question was blunt, and his voice rang especially loud in the quiet hall. Sitting beside him was Political Department Director Yuan Shouqian, who leisurely took a sip of hot tea without even raising his eyelids, only letting a faint, half‑present smile tug at the corner of his mouth: "Brother, you only saw Director Li reach out and take the child and thought the Director was soft‑hearted? You're looking at this pool too shallowly." He set down his teacup, his gaze turning to the figure in the shadows, the ever‑silent Director of the Second Division of the Military Committee's Investigation and Statistics Bureau, Dai Li, "Yu Nong, you come and enlighten Brother; you know this matter best."

Dai Li, hearing this, leaned slightly forward from the shadows. His sharply angular face bore little expression, but his eyes were as keen as a freshly honed blade. His voice was not loud, yet each word was clear, carrying a cold, penetrating force:

"Brother, Director Li keeping this child is not a sign of softness at all; rather, it is a masterful move. Inside, there are at least three layers of intent."

Huang Wei, even more puzzled, asked: "Three layers of intent? What waves can a seven‑year‑old child possibly stir up?"

Dai Li raised his first finger: "First, the Status and the Public Sentiment. The Northwest Army's structure is massive; Yang Hucheng's former troops are now leaderless, and public sentiment is anxious. Among them are die‑hard loyalists to Yang, those watching the wind, and those looking to switch allegiances. If we were to root them out completely, it would be satisfying but would inevitably chill the hearts of the Northwest officers and soldiers we could still win over, possibly driving them into desperate risks or even fully defecting to the other side. But if Director Li steps forward, preserves Yang Hucheng's sole bloodline, and provides 'foster care', what is that called? It is 'Cherish Old Friendship', it is 'benevolence to the utmost'! With this Flag, when we later reorganize and absorb the Northwest Army, resistance will be far smaller. Those mid‑level officers, what will they think? Director Li can even accommodate Yang Hucheng's child; surely our regard for us will not be too low. This is the supreme strategy of subduing an army without fighting."

He paused, observing Huang Wei's half‑understood expression, and extended his second finger:

"Second, the Financial Channel. Brother, you surely know that previously in Jinling, some of our 'business' dealings were not clean enough, and overseas Chinese newspapers caught wind of it, sensationalized it, causing many overseas Chinese groups to suspend donations to the interior, especially to our system, which had a considerable impact." Dai Li's voice lowered, with a hint of chill, "Now, with this child, we have an excellent pretext. We can launch a fundraising campaign abroad, especially among the Chinese communities in Nanyang and Meizhou, under the banner—'Fund for Raising and Educating Orphans of Anti‑Japanese Martyrs.' Yang Hucheng is now labeled a rebel commander, but to some of his former troops and to uninformed overseas Chinese, he is still seen as a victim blocked in his anti‑Japanese efforts. Using the flag of fostering his orphan, the money comes in with full legitimacy and is clean. Those overseas Chinese value bloodline, ancestral rites, and benevolence and morality; this money can not only make up the previous shortfall but also yield a surplus. The child is only seven; how much can we spend?"

Huang Wei stared dumbfounded, muttering instinctively: "Isn't this… using the dead's name to earn living people's money? Or using a child…?"

Yuan Shouqian chuckled lightly beside them and said: "Brother, in the political arena, sometimes the living are more useful than the dead, and a child more useful than an adult. The key is how you use them."

Dai Li, expression unchanged, extended his third finger: "Third, the Reputation and the Upper Intent. Director Li's action is meant for Jinling to see, and even more for the principal to see. I'm certain that when Director Li decided to keep this child, even at the moment he first took him in, he already sent an Encrypted Telegram to the Chairman, outlining the stakes and stating that it was to soothe the Northwest's public sentiment, to showcase the leader's benevolence, and to temporarily care for the orphan to observe future effects. Think about it: the principal has just endured a terrifying ordeal and surely harbors deep hatred toward Zhang, Yang and their subordinates. Yet as principal he cannot openly declare a desire to exterminate a child, which would damage his image of magnanimity. By voluntarily taking this hot‑potato, Director Li both resolves the principal's moral dilemma and demonstrates his ability to handle complex situations and his loyalty to the overall cause. This Political Capital is more useful than equipping an extra division."

Huang Wei asked, bewildered: "Weren't we supposed to raise him secretly?"

Yuan Shouqian and Dai Li exchanged a glance, and this time both couldn't help but laugh, though the laughter was cold, full of world‑wise sarcasm. Dai Li shook his head and said: "Brother, why are you still thinking about secrecy? How could such a big matter be hidden from the eyes of Party‑State Secret Agents? Forget about us agents; even those over there aren't idle. They need to know, and it's best if the news spreads unintentionally. What Director Li wants is the Name of Loyalty and Righteousness, the Reputation of Benevolence. If it isn't raised openly, where does the benefit come from?"

Huang Wei stared at the unspoken understanding and total control reflected on their faces, and a chill rose up his spine. He realized he could not keep up with this line of thinking; these winding, convoluted schemes were more complex and… filthy than any hard battle he had faced. He whispered hoarsely: "But the kid is only seven… you both just …"