Chapter 203

When he entered the courtyard, he saw a three‑story gray‑brick building, a towering wall, and sentries standing solemnly with guns. Strangely, the yard was very clean, and a few locust trees with pale yellow blossoms were planted in the corners.

In the middle of the yard stood an old locust tree; under it a few people were playing chess, and when they saw the car arrive they all looked up.

They passed through the first courtyard, and the War Criminals who were playing chess or strolling stopped, curiously watching the newly arrived "big figure." Someone recognized Li Yuxuan and whispered, "It's the Director!"

"Which Director?"

"Which other Director could it be?"

Whispers rose.

The Director of Management Office, Liu Guangzhi, in his forties and formerly a political commissar of the Fourth Field, personally met him in front of the office building; his courteous manner surprised Li Yuxuan.

"General Li, you have had a hard journey," Liu Guangzhi said, shaking his hand, "The room is ready; please rest first, and we'll talk tomorrow."

The room was on the east side of the first floor, a single chamber of about fifteen square meters: a wooden bed, a desk, a chair, and a bookshelf. Clean sheets covered the bed, a thermos and an enamel jar sat on the desk, and the south‑facing window let sunlight in.

What further surprised Li Yuxuan was that the bookshelf already held several books—The Art of War, On War, On Protracted War—and a few military magazines.

"This is…" he said, pointing at the bookshelf.

Liu Guangzhi smiled, "I heard General Li enjoys studying military affairs, so we prepared this specially. If you need anything, you can ask at any time. As for meals, we have Special Meals; you may eat in your room or go to the mess hall."

This looks less like a War Criminal Management Office and more like a Cadre Rest Home.

The next morning, Liu Guangzhi came to speak with him. The meeting was in the Director's office, with tea set on the table.

"General Li, let's get straight to the point," Liu Guangzhi said, "Officially you are here for War Criminal Review, but in fact the superiors have instructed that, as an Anti‑Japanese hero who helped our Party, you are to receive special care. Thus your stay here is mainly for recuperation, study, and reflecting on your life. Anything you wish to write, you may put down; anything you wish to say, you may discuss with us."

Li Yuxuan fell silent for a moment, "What do I need to account for?"

"No need to 'account,'" Liu Guangzhi corrected, "What you need is 'recollection.' For example, during the Anti‑Japanese war, when you commanded the Third War Zone, which battles were fought brilliantly? What lessons did you learn fighting the Japanese? During the KMT‑CCP Cooperation, what did you do to promote unity against Japan? In the Liberation War, why did you resist passively? All of these can be written."

"What's the use of writing it?"

"To leave for posterity as reference," Liu Guangzhi said sincerely, "Your military experience is valuable for Huaxia's army building, and your life story is valuable for studying this period of history."

The conversation lasted an hour, the atmosphere remaining calm. Finally Liu Guangzhi said, "Additionally, some of our General Officers—who are former students of yours—may come to visit you. This is authorized by the superiors."

Li Yuxuan nodded, "Understood."

In Gongde Lin's main hall, dozens of Kuomintang War Criminals were studying On the People's Democratic Dictatorship. The instructor was the Education Section Chief of the Management Office, a former Beiping Underground Party member.

During the break, the War Criminals filed out of the hall in small groups to get fresh air in the yard. Du Yuming, Huang Wei, and Wang Yaowu gathered together and whispered.

"Big guy, guess who I saw yesterday?" Wang Yaowu said.

Xiao Biaodi said, "Who?"

Wang Yaowu: "Who else could it be? It's the Director, but I didn't expect the Director didn't go to Taiwan."

Huang Wei adjusted his glasses, "The Director has arrived; where is he? Where did you see him, Old Wang."

As they spoke, the gate to the second courtyard opened. Li Yuxuan emerged accompanied by Liu Guangzhi—this was per regulations, for a newcomer to familiarize himself with the facility.

The moment he appeared, the whole courtyard fell silent.

Those Huangpu‑origin War Criminals—Du Yuming, Huang Wei, Wang Yaowu, Song Xilian, Li Xianzhou…—all froze. Then, almost instinctively, everyone stood at attention and saluted!

"Director Li, hello!"

The voices were uneven, but the motions were uniform. Some performed the Kuomintang military salute, palms outward; others instinctively switched to the Liberation Army salute, palms forward. The scene was somewhat comical.

Li Yuxuan stood on the steps, looking at these former students and subordinates, his mood complicated. He slowly raised his hand and returned a standard military salute—palm outward, the old‑style salute.

Liu Guangzhi watched from the side, saying nothing.

Du Yuming was the first to step forward, his eyes rimmed red, "Director, you… you have suffered."

Li Yuxuan patted his shoulder, "Guang Ting, you're also here. Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine. This place… is better than I imagined," Du Yuming lowered his voice.

Huang Wei also came over; he had been an Army Commander of the Eighteenth Army, captured in the Huaihai Campaign. Seeing Li Yuxuan, he was unusually deferential, "Director, the student feels ashamed."

"What is there to be ashamed of," Li Yuxuan said, looking at him, "War is a matter of victory and defeat. As long as one lives, that's enough."

At that moment, a slightly plump man wearing thick glasses squeezed through—it was Xiao Biaodi, the former Kuomintang Northern District Commander and his nephew. He grasped Li Yuxuan's hand, "Director, do you remember me? Whampoa Fourth Class, Xiao Biaodi!"

Li Yuxuan recalled, "I remember. The tactical assignment you submitted back then was very solid."

Xiao Biaodi was so excited his hand trembled, "I never expected to see you here! Director, don't worry about this place; the meals are good, there's meat every day, better than when we were fighting out there!"

Those words made everyone around laugh, lightening the atmosphere.

Liu Guangzhi spoke at the right moment, "Everyone, General Li has just arrived and needs rest. Please return to your studies."

The War Criminals only then dispersed, but kept looking back repeatedly. When Li Yuxuan returned to his small courtyard and closed the door, he heard someone outside whisper:

"Director Li has arrived; Gongde Lin is lively now."

"Indeed, most are either his former students, his subordinates, or defeated underlings."

"I heard Ren Ming has attended his lectures…"