Chapter 223: Moon

Inside the high walls of Gongde Lin, the early‑spring chill still seeped in through the mottled brick gaps. Li Yuxuan held a two‑day‑old copy of the People's Daily in his hand.

The headline on the front page read: "Sino‑Soviet Friendly Alliance Mutual Assistance Treaty Signed, Bilateral Relations Enter a New Era." His eyes lingered on the lead type, but his thoughts drifted to more distant times. In 1939, he had a brief meeting in Berlin with a Soviet military adviser. During the 1943 Cairo Conference, Roosevelt privately mentioned his expectations for the post‑war international order. Now the treaty is signed; the world has truly changed.

"Jingxing, today's newspaper."

Director of Office Liu Guangzhi's voice came from outside the door.

"Director Liu, please come in." Li Yuxuan set down the newspaper and smoothed his faded cotton coat.

The door opened, and Liu Guangzhi entered carrying a cup of hot tea, placing it on the simple wooden table: "A few of your students have come again today, saying they wish to consult you on some historical questions."

Li Yuxuan gave a slight nod.

"This afternoon, then." he replied briefly, his gaze returning to the newspaper, "What do you think of this treaty?"

Liu Guangzhi hesitated a moment: "Strengthening national defense and obtaining aid is very important for Huaxia's development."

"Indeed, very important." Li Yuxuan sighed lightly, "In 1923 I visited the Soviet Union and met a young Soviet representative. At that time they had experienced the revolution only five years earlier, and their situation was difficult. Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank."

He did not continue. Liu Guangzhi sensed there was more behind the elder's words, but did not press further. At Gongde Lin, Li Yuxuan enjoyed special privileges—he could not only read newspapers but also receive certain censored books. Liu Guangzhi always remembered his instruction: "Elder Li's erudition can serve as a mirror for us."

In February, Yanjing's cold wind was biting. Inside the Huairen Hall of Zhongnanhai, the signing ceremony of the Sino‑Soviet Friendly Alliance Mutual Assistance Treaty had just concluded. Zhou returned to the office, took off his coat, and seemed lost in thought.

"Wang Li, Director Li has already, according to your instructions, sent the full text of the treaty and related materials." the secretary reported softly.

Zhou nodded, walked to the window: "Brother Jingxing, what was his reaction after reading it?"

"According to Director Liu, after Li Yuxuan read it carefully, he only said, 'The board is set, the move is irreversible.'"

A complex emotion flashed in Zhou's eyes. "Give Director Liu a call and ask him, at an appropriate time, to inquire of Brother Jingxing what his view is on Article 7 of the treaty concerning military aid." Zhou turned and instructed, "Be tactful; don't let him feel it's a test."

"Understood."

At the same time, inside Gongde Lin, Li Yuxuan was conversing with several visiting students. Leading them was a middle‑aged General Officer, a Huangpu Sixth Class graduate, now serving as chief of staff of a Liberation Army corps.

"Director, what changes in the international situation will follow the signing of the Sino‑Soviet treaty?" a younger General Officer asked.

Li Yuxuan slowly lifted his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "Do you know the 1919 Treaty of Versailles?"

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

"That treaty," he continued, "sowed the seeds of a war twenty years later. Not because it was especially harsh, but because it rested on an unstable balance." He paused, "Today's treaty is different. It is an alliance of the weak and the strong, a necessary move for the New Regime to secure survival space. But you must remember, between nations there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests."

A hush fell over the room. These Republic generals, who had once fought the Kuomintang army on the battlefield, now listened attentively to the 'Director's' teachings, just as they had in the Huangpu classroom years ago.

"What you mean is…" the corps chief of staff probed.

"What I mean is," Li Yuxuan said, looking at the barren branches outside the window, "we must use this period to strengthen ourselves. Soviet aid is important, but it is even more crucial to learn their technology and cultivate our own talent. When I visited the Soviet Union, I saw how they rose from the post‑World‑I ruins, relying not on foreign aid but on education and technology." As he spoke, he gradually recalled certain matters.

"Director, what are you thinking about?" a General's question interrupted his thoughts.

"Nothing much, just some old memories." Li Yuxuan lowered his gaze, "Regarding this treaty, I advise you to focus on the transfer of heavy industry and the military industry. That is the greatest assistance the Soviet Union can provide, and it is what Huaxia needs most."

The visitors took careful notes. Upon leaving, the corps chief of staff turned at the doorway and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Director."

The door closed again, and Li Yuxuan sat back in his chair, picked up a pencil and wrote on a sheet of paper: Northeast, heavy industry, Five‑Year Plan, Self‑reliance. He then slowly tore the paper into pieces and tossed them into the furnace.

In March, Huaxia saw two wars without gunpowder erupt simultaneously.

One war unfolded in conference rooms and offices, where Chen Yun's State Council Finance Committee was implementing an unprecedented nationwide financial unification. The other raged among the forests and lakes of Huadong and Zhongnan, where the Liberation Army launched a massive Bandit Suppression campaign.

Inside Gongde Lin, Li Yuxuan closely monitored these two 'campaigns' through newspapers and the accounts of his visitors.

"Jingxing, Director Chen Yun's report was released today." Liu Guangzhi placed a document on the table, "All national fiscal revenue and expenditure, material allocation, and cash management have been unified under the central authority."

Li Yuxuan took the document and read it carefully. Having once overseen the Kuomintang Third War Zone and the Fifth Army, he knew well the importance of financial unification for a regime, as well as its difficulties.

"The Kuomintang's loss of the mainland was partly due to financial chaos," he said softly, almost to himself, "During the 1935 currency reform, I suggested to the Young Master the establishment of a central bank system independent of local forces, but it was not adopted."

Liu Guangzhi listened quietly.

"Chen Yun is right," Li Yuxuan continued, "but the key lies in implementation. Huaxia is vast, and local powers are deeply entrenched. Financial unification is not merely a policy; it is also a political struggle."

Liu Guangzhi looked at him in surprise: "Jingxing, how do you know…"

"And the Bandit Suppression," Li Yuxuan shifted the topic, "The newspaper says progress is smooth, but what about reality?"

"This…"

"If it's inconvenient to speak, then never mind." Li Yuxuan waved his hand, "But I'll point out one thing: Bandit Suppression cannot rely solely on the military. When I conducted a 'encirclement' of the Red Army in Yuzhang—sorry, at that time you called them the Red Army—I suffered that loss. Military clearance can only temporarily suppress; to eradicate Bandit Trouble, one must resolve land issues and employment, giving the common people a livelihood."

These words made Liu Guangzhi fall into contemplation. Indeed, some front‑line reports on the Bandit Suppression indicated that purely military actions were of limited effect, and many bandits were farmers forced into outlawry by livelihood concerns.

"I will convey your suggestions to the relevant departments," Liu Guangzhi said solemnly.

That afternoon, another group of special visitors arrived—several senior Liberation Army officers preparing to go to Tibet. They had heard that Gongde Lin housed an elderly general familiar with frontier affairs, and had come specifically to seek his counsel.

"Advancing into Tibet, preparatory work is more important than the military operation," Li Yuxuan said bluntly, "During the War of Resistance I was in charge of Southwest frontier defense, so I have some knowledge of Tibet. The key is not to defeat the Tibetan forces—they have limited combat capability—but to win the support of the Tibetan compatriots."

He detailed Tibet's geography, climate, religion, and social structure, especially emphasizing the importance of respecting Tibetan culture and religious beliefs.

"In 1931, I represented the National Government in negotiations with a Tibetan Tusi, and learned a principle: in frontier regions, force can only conquer land, while culture conquers hearts." He pulled a yellowed notebook from the drawer, "These are some of my records from that time; they may be useful to you."

The officers treated the notebook as a treasure, receiving it solemnly.

"Director, why…" a young officer couldn't help but ask, "Why are you willing to help us?"

Li Yuxuan was silent for a moment, then said slowly, "Because Huaxia can no longer afford division. I have seen the bitter fruits of division in Germany, and the benefits of strength in the United States. Huaxia must be unified, must be strong. As for party struggles…" He paused, "History will pass its own judgment."