Chapter 186: Conversation

Li Nian'an was silent for a long time, looking at the unfamiliar sea area and islands on the map, then looking up at the white hair that had quietly appeared at his father's temples, and finally nodded heavily: "I understand, Father. The domestic ship, I will row with you. But the back route in Nanyang… I will keep it in mind."

That night, the principal of the Wuchang camp looked at the report presented by Dai Yunong, which was a brief summary of Li Yuxuan's recent activities and that his son Li Nian'an had arrived in Jiangcheng.

"Jingxing, lately, how is his mood?" the principal asked casually.

"Replying to the principal, Jingxing appears calm on the surface, but according to those who have dealt with him, the Jinling incident has hit him hard. He seems to have some reservations about the current state within the Party," Dai Yunong answered carefully.

The principal gave a short "hm" and said nothing further. He picked up another document, a proposal to reorganize and weaken certain local forces and irregular units that suffered heavy losses in the Songhu and Jinling battles, which also vaguely touched on a check on Li Yuxuan's systemic power.

"Tell the subordinates that reinforcement for the Third War Zone must be prioritized," the principal said thoughtfully, "As for Xuewen… the young man, full of vigor, having experienced the Jinling tragedy, his thoughts are understandable. Have the political training department keep an eye on guiding him; as long as he doesn't cross the line, let him go for now."

"Yes, principal," Dai Yunong acknowledged, adding, "Also, regarding the establishment of the New Fourth Army and the publication of the Xinhua Daily in Hankou…"

The principal waved his hand, a hint of annoyance on his face: "The Republic matters can be set aside for now. The immediate priority is to stabilize Jiangcheng's defenses and seek international aid. The Guard's statement is outrageously arrogant, which we can use to rally domestic public sentiment. Tell the propaganda department to launch a full‑scale rebuttal, demonstrating that our National Government is determined to fight the war to the end!"

"Understood!"

After Dai Yunong left, the principal sat alone in his office, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.

A few days later, in the office of the Wuchang camp, the principal stood with his back to the doorway, gazing at the massive anti‑war situation map on the wall. Li Yuxuan stood silently beside him, just as he had for many years.

"Jingxing," the principal began slowly, his tone bearing rare fatigue and a barely perceptible sigh, "the Jinling affair has taken a lot out of you. Meng Xiao… died a fitting death, fulfilling his wish and preserving his honor."

"Young Master, you speak too highly; it's all within my duties," Li Yuxuan bowed slightly, his tone calm.

The principal turned, his gaze complex as he looked at Li Yuxuan, the one who had followed him since childhood, once a page, a brother, now a trusted senior minister. "I know, Xuewen, that boy, harbors resentment toward the Party and the state, perhaps even toward me." He paused, as if recalling long ago, "I remember when he was a child, playing at my knees, so clever and lively… in the blink of an eye, he became a commander capable of handling affairs alone. Yet his temperament is too fierce; it still needs tempering."

Li Yuxuan felt a stir in his heart, realizing the principal likely knew the Jinling events and the dispute between father and son inside out. "Young Master, please understand, Nian'an is youthful and impetuous; after this great upheaval, his grief and anger are hard to settle, his words may clash. I hope you, Young Master, will be magnanimous. I, Yuxuan, will strictly discipline him."

The principal waved his hand, walked up to Li Yuxuan, and patted his shoulder—a gesture of old master‑servant intimacy, yet separated by an insurmountable hierarchy: "Jingxing, between us, there's no need for such formalities. Xuewen is good material, like you, like the younger me, full of blood and drive. But…"

He shifted tone, becoming deep and a bit helpless: "But having only blood and drive won't win this war, nor can it govern this country. Right now we're walking in a mire; sometimes we must advance, sometimes retreat half a step, even detour and compromise. You understand this better than I do."

He stared into Li Yuxuan's eyes as if trying to see his innermost thoughts: "I know you're also bitter and weary. Seeing the state of the Party and the nation, seeing those incompetent fellows, can you, Jingxing, truly be willing? Yet you never left, always stood by my side. That friendship I keep in my heart."

Those words, unusually frank and tinged with a barely perceptible apology, made Li Yuxuan's expression soften as he lowered his head: "Yuxuan is apprehensive. Following the Young Master, restoring the state, is Yuxuan's lifelong ambition."

"Lifelong ambition…" the principal repeated, sighing softly, "Hopefully. Now the nation is in crisis, the Japanese give us no breathing room, and internal currents are turbulent. Over at the Communist Party, the New Fourth Army has been formed, the newspaper is thriving, its influence growing… Jingxing, we need unity but also vigilance. The Third War Zone, the southeastern half, I entrust to you. Guard it for me, and also keep an eye on that side."

"Rest assured, Sir! Yuxuan will spare no effort, solidify the southeast, block the enemy's westward advance, and will not betray your trust!" Li Yuxuan straightened his posture, pledging solemnly.

"Very well." the principal nodded, a hint of fatigue on his face, "You may go. As for Xuewen… let him command troops, fight, vent his anger onto the Japanese. But, Jingxing," he added at the end with a lingering tone, "there are certain lines you must not cross. You understand."

"Yuxuan understands." Li Yuxuan bowed deeply and left the office.

Walking the cold corridor of the camp, Li Yuxuan's thoughts churned unsettled. The principal's words carried both trust and rebuke, both friendship and calculation. He knew clearly what that forbidden "line" meant. The "Nanyang back route" he had agreed upon with his son was an absolute secret that could never be disclosed to outsiders.

Returning to the residence, Li Nian'an was still waiting for him.

"Did you finish seeing the principal?" Li Nian'an asked.

"Yes." Li Yuxuan took off his coat, looking somewhat weary.

"What… did he say?"

"It was nothing more than encouragement, entrustment, and… admonition." Li Yuxuan sat on the sofa, rubbing his forehead, "Nian'an, the principal is not without sentiment toward us, but first he is a leader, a politician. In his mind, the Party and state's interests outrank everything, including our lives and feelings."

He looked at his son, his tone grave: "The matter we discussed ends here; you must never bring it up to anyone again. In the army, you only fight, kill the devils. The rest is left to your father. Remember, whether the future turns red or white, the Li Family must survive, and thrive. The Nanyang route is our trump card; unless absolutely necessary, we will not act on it lightly."

Li Nian'an looked at his father's tired yet resolute face and finally nodded.