Chapter 185: Deciding the Future

January 20, 1938, Jiangcheng, a temporary residence of the Li Mansion on Luojia Mountain. The winter in Jiangcheng was wet, cold and bone‑piercing; although far from the front‑line artillery, the wartime auxiliary capital's air still swirled with tension and unease. Inside the makeshift lodging, the charcoal brazier burned brightly, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere between father and son.

Li Nian'an brushed away the smoke outside Jinling City, changed into a clean officer's uniform, yet the fatigue in his brows and something deeper could not be erased. He sat on the sofa, his back straight as a rod, his sharp gaze fixed on his father Li Yuxuan sitting opposite.

"Father," Li Nian'an's voice broke the silence, carrying a barely perceptible accusation, "the 'heroic martyrdom' telegram from Tang Shengzhi—was that your hand?"

Li Yuxuan's hand holding the tea cup paused slightly, he lifted his eyes to glance at his son, neither confirming nor denying, and said lightly, "Brother Mengxiao faced the crisis without hesitation, sacrificed his life for the nation, and is a model soldier. The whole country needs such an example."

"A model?" Li Nian'an's mouth curled into a mocking arc, "A man who abandoned his troops, fled in panic, and finally died on an obscure road—becomes a model? Father, you use this method to clean up after the principal and the party‑state; don't you think… it's too filthy?"

"Nian'an!" Li Yuxuan set down the tea cup, his voice deepened, "Watch your wording! In extraordinary times, extraordinary actions are taken. Some matters cannot be judged by appearances alone. Tang Mengxiao's death, regardless of how it unfolded, resulted in his 'martyrdom', which boosted morale, stabilized public sentiment, and gave the principal and the government room to maneuver. That is enough."

"Enough?" Li Nian'an sprang to his feet, the suppressed emotions finally erupting, "Morale built on lies? A maneuver bought with a murky life? Father, is this the party‑state you pledge loyalty to? Is this the principle we bleed and sacrifice for? I saw it clearly outside Jinling City! The Kuomintang, from top to bottom, is rotten! Bureaucratic corruption, incompetent command, factional infighting, treating soldiers and civilians like weeds! With such a party, such a nation, what hope remains?!"

He walked to the window, pointing at the bustling yet unmistakably decaying streets of Jiangcheng, "Look! How is this any different from before Jinling fell? Officials still scramble for power and profit, profiteers of national disaster are everywhere! And over there—" He lowered his voice but with more force, "over there the New Fourth Army has already been established in Nanchang, their Xinhua Daily is also being published in Hankou, clear in voice, definite in aim! The Japanese Imperial Guard Cabinet even declares 'they do not consider the National Government an opponent', what a humiliation! Yet within us, we are still scheming against each other!"

Li Yuxuan listened silently to his son's accusations, his face showing no expression; only after Li Nian'an finished did he speak slowly, his voice bearing a world‑worn bleakness: "Nian'an, you are right, and not entirely right."

He stood, walked to his son's side, and together they gazed out the window: "The Kuomintang is indeed sick, seriously ill. Bureaucratism, corruption, infighting… these are all stubborn ailments. But you must understand, it still represents the legitimate government of Huaxia, the flag of the resistance. The principal… he also has his difficulties; various forces need balance, and an international outlook must be maintained."

"What about the principle? The Three Principles of the People?" Li Nian'an pressed.

"Principle?" Li Yuxuan shook his head lightly, a complex smile appearing, "A principle is an ideal, a goal. But reality is mud, a swamp. Rolling in mud, can one stay completely untouched? You say over there they are better; they may now seem more vigorous, more 'clean'. Yet does their principle guarantee the sole remedy to save Huaxia? That lychee we both have tasted—red skin, white flesh, but the seed is black. In this world, whose principle or party can claim its core is perfectly bright and pure, without impurity?"

He turned, his gaze deep as he looked at his son, "When I was young, I too was like you, full of ideals, seeing everything in black or white. But after so many years, I have seen much and experienced much. Whether it is the Three Principles or the Republic, both are foreign imports that must be tempered and transformed on Huaxia's soil. To decide now which suits this land best is premature."

Li Nian'an looked at his father, the anger in his eyes gradually replaced by bewilderment and heaviness, "So, father, your choice is… to stay in this mud? Even knowing it is sinking?"

Li Yuxuan gave no direct answer; he returned to his desk, pulled a map from a drawer—not a map of Huaxia, but a detailed chart of the Nanyang islands. He spread it on the table, his finger pointing at Sumatra, Borneo and other locations.

"Nian'an, do you remember what I once told you?" Li Yuxuan's voice grew low and solemn, "You cannot put all your eggs in one basket. The resistance must be fought to the end; it is a national cause beyond doubt. But our Li family cannot place all its hopes on this domestic chessboard."

His finger traced the map, "I have already told you about Nanyang—rich in resources, many Chinese, strategically located. Over the years I have, through covert channels, set up some industries there and forged some connections. After the resistance wins… you will go straight to Nanyang."

Li Nian'an stared at his father in shock, then glanced at the Nanyang map, "You mean…?"

"Do not think of victory before considering defeat. Do not think of advance before considering retreat," Li Yuxuan's eyes burned, "Between us father and son, someone must stay in the country, whether for the lingering sentiment in our hearts or for the responsibility to the principal and this nation. Yet someone must also, for the family, for the future, keep a fallback. If… if my side ultimately cannot act, you, over there, establish a firm footing, command troops, hold a region, even… claim kingship and dominance, that is not impossible. It is far better than being uprooted later, dying without a burial place."