Chapter 222: Moonlit

On the afternoon of January 5, Gongde Lin organized a political study. The content was Huaxia's ethnic policy and the Southwest Bandit Suppression situation.

The study was led by the Education Section chief of the Management Office, a former cadre in his thirties surnamed Zhao. He first read a passage of a document, then let everyone discuss.

Du Yuming raised his hand and spoke: "Section Chief Zhao, I have a question. The report says there are over a hundred thousand bandits in the Southwest; among so many, there must be ordinary civilians who were forced. When the Liberation Army conducts Bandit Suppression, how do they distinguish bandit leaders from coerced followers?"

Section Chief Zhao nodded: "That's a good question. Our policy is 'The chief evildoer must be dealt with; coerced followers are not questioned; those who merit merit receive rewards.' For bandit heads and Backbone Members steeped in blood debts, we suppress them resolutely; for ordinary bandits who were forced to join, as long as they lay down their weapons and confess, they are treated leniently. Those who voluntarily surrender and merit merit will even be rewarded."

Huang Wei interjected: "What if the bandits break up into small groups and hide in civilians' homes, how will the Liberation Army find them?"

"Rely on the masses," Section Chief Zhao said. "Bandits harm the people; the masses are victims and also our eyes and ears. As long as we mobilize the masses and establish grassroots regimes, bandits will have nowhere to hide."

Li Yuxuan listened quietly. He had implemented these policies during the Kuomintang era—the so‑called '30 % military, 70 % political.' But the Kuomintang's problem was that the slogans sounded loud while implementation lagged. Local officials were corrupt, military discipline was lax, and the so‑called 'pacify the people' often turned into 'harass the people,' so the populace eventually leaned toward the bandits or the Communist Party.

What the Republic is doing now is exactly what the Kuomintang wanted to do but failed to achieve.

"General Li, what is your view?" Section Chief Zhao suddenly called on him.

Li Yuxuan came to his senses, thought for a moment and said: "Section Chief Zhao was entirely correct. I'll add that the Southwest is mountainous, the terrain complex, and transport inconvenient. Bandit Suppression requires not only military clearance and political division but also road construction. When roads are open, the Liberation Army's mobility improves, material transport becomes easy, and civilians' travel and trade are facilitated. Roads open, then orders flow. Orders flow, then the people's hearts are at peace."

The words were spot on. Section Chief Zhao's eyes brightened: "General Li is right! Our Second Yejun is now conducting Bandit Suppression while building roads. Commander Liu and Vice Chairman 1516 have said, 'We must build highways to every county seat and every township.'"

The study session lasted two hours. After it adjourned, Du Yuming said to Li Yuxuan: "Director, what you said just now was excellent. Road construction is indeed the key."

"Back then when I was in the Southwest I wanted to build roads," Li Yuxuan said, "but there was no money. The War of Resistance had just ended, everything lay in ruins, the National Government's finances were empty, and they couldn't fund road building. The Republic now… is probably also short of funds, but they can mobilize the masses for voluntary labor."

"That's the difference in organizational strength," Wang Yaowu reflected, "the Kuomintang can't move the people, while the Republic answers a single call with a hundred responses."

Just then, Liu Guangzhi walked over: "Jing Gong, I have a letter for you."

The letter came from Nanyang and was in a commercial letter format. Li Yuxuan returned to his room, opened it, and inside was a "business report" written by Li Nian'an, detailing the harvest and export situation of Borneo's rubber plantations. At the end of the report, in extremely small print, a line was written:

"The old Southwest unit writes, saying the hometown is unsettled, hoping to return. The son replies: Nanyang is safe, do not worry."

Li Yuxuan understood the meaning: remnants of Kuomintang forces in the Southwest had contacted Li Nian'an, wanting him to return to "reorganize and rally." Li Nian'an refused.

He placed the letter on the kerosene lamp and burned it. The ash fell into the ashtray like black butterflies.

On January 10, Beiping was hit by a heavy snowfall. A thick layer accumulated in Gongde Lin's courtyard, and the War Criminals were organized to shovel the snow. Li Yuxuan, being older, was allowed to rest inside.

He sat by the window, watching Du Yuming, Huang Wei and the others swing their brooms in the courtyard, working feverishly. Wang Yaowu even built a snowman, using a coal briquette for eyes and a carrot for the nose.

The scene reminded him of Huangpu Military Academy. In winter, the students were also organized to clear snow, then they had snowball fights, and the youthful laughter carried far. Back then, Chen Geng was the most mischievous, always stuffing snowballs into classmates' collars. Xu Xiangqian was the most diligent, piling the snow in perfect rows…

Now those students have become founding heroes of the New China, while those same students… have become War Criminals.

History is like that, pushing former Classmates toward different destinies.

In the afternoon, Liu Guangzhi brought a fresh newspaper. The front page of the January 9 People's Daily carried a headline: 'United States Government Announces Continued Recognition of the Kuomintang Group, Does Not Recognize the People's Republic of China.'

The article's wording was harsh: 'American imperialism is unwilling to accept defeat in Huaxia, continues to support the Kuomintang reactionary remnants, interferes in Huaxia's internal affairs… Huaxia's people fear no threat and will surely accomplish the great cause of national reunification…'

Another page had a small news item: 'Chaoxian Situation Tense, Prime Minister Kim Il‑sung Delivers Speech.' The article said that Chaoxian leader Kim Il‑sung gave a New Year address in Pyongyang, emphasizing 'the Chaoxian people yearn for reunification,' but gave no specific actions.

Li Yuxuan set the newspaper down, his brows knit tightly. He understood international politics. The United States' refusal to recognize New Huaxia implies economic blockade and Diplomatic isolation. The tense Chaoxian situation means Huaxia's Northeast Border could become unsettled. With internal troubles and external threats, Huaxia's path is difficult.

During dinner, he shared these thoughts with Du Yuming and the others.

Du Yuming analyzed: "Since the United States does not recognize, British, French and other Western European countries will likely follow suit. Huaxia's diplomacy now mainly relies on the Soviet Union and Eastern European nations."

Wang Yaowu said: "Over in Chaoxian… I think trouble is coming. North Chaoxian wants reunification, South Chaoxian has United States support, so they'll eventually clash. Once they do, what will Huaxia do? The Northeast borders Chaoxian; Lips Gone, Teeth Cold."

"First resolve internal issues," Li Yuxuan said, "Bandit Suppression, Land Reform, economic recovery. When the interior stabilizes, we can meet external challenges. As for Chaoxian… we'll watch how the situation develops. If United States involvement is shallow, it may be fine. If the United States intervenes massively, Huaxia will likely be unable to stay out of it."

On the night of January 15, Gongde Lin suddenly heightened its alert. The number of patrolling soldiers doubled, and the searchlights illuminated the courtyard brightly.

Liu Guangzhi entered Li Yuxuan's room, his expression solemn: "Jing Gong, I have something to tell you. The Public Security Ministry has busted a Kuomintang spy cell that was plotting against you."

Li Yuxuan was not surprised: "Do they want to save me? Or kill me?"

"Both," Liu Guangzhi said. "They first tried to bribe the local doctor to poison your medicine; after that plan failed, they intended to create chaos and strike you amid the disorder. Fortunately we uncovered everything in advance."

"Thank you all."

"It's our duty," Liu Guangzhi paused, "Jing Gong, do you know why the spies are targeting you so closely?"

Li Yuxuan gave a wry smile: "I know. I've lived too long and know too much."

"Therefore, please be extremely careful. We will rigorously inspect your food and medicine. If anything abnormal appears, report it immediately."

After Liu Guangzhi left, Li Yuxuan could not fall asleep for a long time. He recalled many things: the Kuomintang high‑level clandestine deals, the secret negotiations with the United States and the Soviet Union during the War of Resistance…

He knew too many secrets; that was his original sin. The Kuomintang feared he would speak out, and the Republic… might also be trying to extract something from him.

Outside the window, the searchlight beams from Gongde Lin swept across, casting moving shadows on the wall. In the distance, the command to change guard could be heard.