Chapter 18: Yanjing

In July 1914, Yanjing was already steeped in the midsummer heat. The locust trees in the narrow alleys drooped their leaves, cicadas sang up and down, making the ancient capital ever more sweltering. Li Yuxuan sat in a rickshaw, watching the street scenes flash by outside the window, and couldn't help thinking: Time really flies; in the blink of an eye it's July, only a few days since leaving Germany, yet it feels like a whole different world.

"Sir, where are you headed?" the rickshaw puller, a lean man, turned his head and asked, beads of sweat beading on his forehead beneath the brim of his straw hat.

"To the Army Department," Li Yuxuan replied, his hand tightly clutching the leather satchel that held his Graduation Certificate and recommendation letter.

"Alright, sir, sit tight!" the puller shouted, quickening his pace; the rickshaw jolted over the uneven cobblestones, emitting a "creak."

Li Yuxuan slightly lifted the carriage curtain, gazing at the scene outside—both familiar and strange. Shops lining the street displayed all manner of signs: silk boutiques, tea shops, foreign firms... Pedestrians in long robes and mandarin jackets brushed past the occasional automobile; braids were now rare, replaced by various short haircuts, exuding a hint of the New Era.

"Yanjing has really changed," he muttered to himself. Six years before studying abroad, he had once come to Beijing with the Jiang Family's trade caravan; back then one could still see Qing soldiers dragging braids on the streets, but now even the patrol officers wear new-style uniforms.

"Sir, have you been to Yanjing before?" the puller, ears perked, replied.

"Hmm, I came once before I went abroad to study," Li Yuxuan nodded, "Back then Qianmen Street didn't have so many foreign trinkets; now even electric lights are lit."

"Exactly," the puller laughed, "Since the founding of the Republic, Yanjing changes day by day. I heard the emperor in the palace has abdicated, and even foreigners dare to open cinemas on Wangfujing Street."

The two chatted intermittently as the rickshaw passed bustling Wangfujing, skirted Dongdan, and gradually entered a solemn district. Here the buildings were mostly gray walls and gray tiles, with armed guards stationed at the entrance, the atmosphere markedly different.

"Sir, we've arrived," the puller stopped, pointing to a small blue‑brick building ahead, a sign reading "Army Department" hanging on it, the Stone Lion at the doorway still imposing.

Li Yuxuan hopped down, fished a Silver Yuan from his pocket and handed it over: "How much?"

"Three mao is enough, sir," the puller quickly waved his hand, "You must be the official who returned from studying abroad, right? Pulling your rickshaw is my good fortune."

Li Yuxuan didn't persist, shoved a Silver Yuan into his hand: "Take it, it's hot, buy a bowl of sour plum soup."

The puller thanked him profusely and left; Li Yuxuan smoothed his suit—tailored in Shanghai on purpose, thinking he needed to look formal for the Army Department—took a deep breath and walked toward the main gate.

"Who goes there? Halt!" the guard at the entrance blocked him, hand on the gun holster at his waist, eyes alert.

"Hello, I am Li Yuxuan, here at Yanjing's Army Department to report for duty, just graduated from the German Berlin Military Academy in Germany." He produced his Graduation Certificate, handing it over with both hands, "These are my credentials."

The guard examined the documents carefully, then checked the roster in his hand before stepping aside: "Alright, please register your personal information and reporting matters."

In the adjacent duty room, a bespectacled clerk handed over a registration book and a brush. Li Yuxuan took them, neatly writing his name, native place, alma mater, reason for reporting, and finally signing the date—July 6, 1914.

The clerk took the registration book, glanced at it, and said to a young officer beside him, "Xiao Wang, escort Officer Li to the conference room and have him wait. The Chief and others are holding an emergency meeting; please wait a moment."

"Yes." The officer called Xiao Wang stood at attention, saluted, then gestured "please" to Li Yuxuan, "Officer Li, this way, please."

Li Yuxuan followed him through the spacious courtyard, where several towering ginkgo trees stood, their lush foliage casting extensive shade. In the corridors, uniformed soldiers hurried by from time to time, speaking in low tones, their expressions somewhat solemn.

"What meeting are the Chief and others holding?" Li Yuxuan couldn't help asking.

Officer Xiao Wang lowered his voice: "I hear it's related to Europe. Yesterday news came that the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, and the Germans are mobilizing troops; it looks like a major war is coming."

Li Yuxuan felt a stir inside. Indeed, it had arrived. The gunfire in Sarajevo had ignited the fuse, and the first World's opening curtain was officially drawn. He hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly, that even China's Army Department was holding an emergency meeting.

"Will our country join the war?" he asked again.

Xiao Wang shook his head: "Hard to say. The Chief and Deputy Chief disagree; some say we should side with the Allied Powers, others say we should maintain Neutrality. After all, we just finished a war, our national strength is depleted, and no one wants to be drawn into Europe's conflict again."

As they spoke, the two reached the doorway of a conference room. Xiao Wang pushed the door open: "Officer Li, please wait here; I'll inform you as soon as the meeting ends."

"Thank you." Li Yuxuan entered the conference room; it was empty, a long mahogany conference table held several documents, and a huge map of China hung on the wall, with various garrison locations marked in red ink.

He sat on a chair by the window, staring blankly at the ginkgo trees outside. The flames of war in Europe had already ignited; will that fire reach Huaxia? What choice will the Yuan Datou Government make? And he himself, a fresh graduate of a military academy returning from Germany, what role can he play in this ever‑shifting turmoil?

The Pocket Watch in his pocket ticked, as if urging something. Li Yuxuan fished out the watch, opened it, and found a tiny photograph inside—a picture taken before he left Germany, showing Guderian, Rommel, and himself together. The three men wore military uniforms, smiling brightly; who could have imagined that a few months later they might stand on opposite sides, perhaps even meet on the battlefield.

"Alas." he gently closed the Pocket Watch and slipped it back into his pocket. Whatever the future holds, he must first get through this hurdle at the Army Department. He hopes the officials here will value his talent rather than merely focus on his Study Abroad background.

The conference room door opened, and Officer Xiao Wang poked his head in: "Officer Li, the Chief's meeting has adjourned; you may come over."

Li Yuxuan stood, smoothed his lapel, took a deep breath, and walked toward the Chief's office.