Chapter 226: Korea

June 15, an unexpected visitor arrived at Gongde Lin.

Li Yuxuan was watering the cymbidium in the courtyard when he suddenly heard a familiar voice: "Jing Gong!"

He turned and saw a slightly plump, bespectacled middle‑aged man standing at the courtyard gate, dressed in a gray Zhongshan suit, with a warm smile.

"Song Gong?" Li Yuxuan was momentarily stunned, then recognized the visitor—Cheng Qian.

"Indeed, Jing Gong!" Cheng Qian hurried forward, tightly grasped Li Yuxuan's hand, "It's been months since we last met; are you… doing well here?"

"I'm fine, everything's fine," Li Yuxuan surveyed Cheng Qian, "You look healthy; where are you now…"

"In Sanxiang, doing some water‑conservation work," Cheng Qian said with a smile, "I came to Yanjing for a conference and specifically requested to see you."

The two sat on a stone bench in the courtyard. Liu Guangzhi, being considerate, had tea brought over and then retreated to a distance.

"I heard you were being treated well here, so I felt relieved," Cheng Qian lowered her voice, "Back in Shancheng, you repeatedly protected me and the people who contacted the Republic; those matters are remembered over there…"

Li Yuxuan shook his head: "Let's leave the past behind. Tell me about the present—how is Sanxiang?"

"We're carrying out land reform; it's bustling," Cheng Qian took a sip of tea, "The water‑conservation projects I'm overseeing are also progressing, with the management of Dongting Lake as a priority. The water‑works you handled in the Southwest back then, some of that experience we still use today."

They talked for over an hour, moving from Sanxiang's land reform to the Yangtze River's water projects, from the recent status of former colleagues to national construction. As a Rebel General, Cheng Qian has now integrated into the New Regime, and her words radiated confidence in Huaxia.

When departing, Cheng Qian took a packet of tea from her bag: "This is Sanxiang's Junshan Yin Zhen, your favorite brew."

Li Yuxuan took the tea, a wave of complex emotions rising within him: "Song Gong, you…"

Cheng Qian said seriously, "Jing Gong, everyone has their own aspirations. We all know your loyalty to your Young Master, but we also see your concern for the country and the people. During the bloody battles of the Third War Zone in the War of Resistance, you saved countless civilians… those deeds won't be erased just because of differing stances."

After seeing Cheng Qian off, Li Yuxuan stood alone in the courtyard for a long time. The setting sun stretched his silhouette, just like his long and contradictory life.

June 25, Sunday.

Li Yuxuan rose early as usual for morning exercise, then listened to the morning news. When the broadcast reported, "Korean People's Army crossed the th Parallel this morning," his hand froze.

The Korean War broke out.

All day, the atmosphere in Gongde Lin was noticeably different. War Criminals whispered among themselves, and the staff's expressions grew much more solemn. Li Yuxuan noticed that the guards had increased and entry control was stricter.

In the evening, Chen Geng rushed over. The Corps Commander furrowed his brow, his military uniform dusty and worn.

"Director, you've heard about the Korean situation, right?"

Li Yuxuan nodded and poured Chen Geng a cup of tea: "What's the detailed situation?"

"The Korean People's Army is advancing rapidly, having already taken Kaicheng and moving toward Hancheng," Chen Geng said, drinking his tea in one gulp. "The United States has already signaled its intention to intervene; Truman ordered the Seventh Fleet to enter the Taiwan Strait."

Li Yuxuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table: "Taiwan… what is their reaction?"

"They haven't made a public statement yet, but action is certain," Chen Geng said, looking at Li Yuxuan. "Director, you've stayed in the United States and have a friendship with President Ro, how deeply do you think the United States will get involved?"

Li Yuxuan pondered for a long time: "If my old friend were still alive, perhaps he would be more cautious. But Truman is different… The key is the Soviet Union's stance. If the Iron Man fully backs North Korea, the United States won't easily concede. This could turn into a proxy war, but behind the proxies…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but Chen Geng already understood the implication—this could be the prelude to the Third World War.

"The First and Second are currently in conference studying it," Chen Geng said, "Northeast border defenses have been reinforced, but… we just finished a war, and everything is in ruins awaiting reconstruction."

Li Yuxuan looked at the dimming sky outside the window: "You need to be mentally prepared. If the Korean conflict goes poorly, Huaxia may have to intervene."

Chen Geng flinched: "You think so too?"

"It's geopolitics," Li Yuxuan said slowly, "Northeast is Huaxia's industrial base; if the U. S. forces press to the Yalu River, how can anyone sleep on the couch beside us? Japan entered from Korea back then… that lesson has been remembered by the people for decades."

After Chen Geng left, Li Yuxuan spent the night sleepless. He stood by the window, gazing at the starry sky, his thoughts drifting far, far away.

He recalled 1914 in Germany, having personally witnessed how Europe gradually slipped into the abyss of World War. He recalled the events before the 1937 outbreak of the War of Resistance. He recalled those seemingly accidental yet inevitable chain reactions in international politics…

In the early hours, he sat at his desk and began writing a long letter. It wasn't a family letter to his son, but an analysis of the international situation and Northeast Asian security. After finishing, he sealed it carefully and placed it at the bottom of the drawer.

He didn't know who to give the letter to, nor whether there would ever be a chance to deliver it.

By late June at Gongde Lin, the cicadas on the phoenix trees sang ever more loudly. News of the Korean conflict kept arriving: the Korean People's Army captured Hancheng and continued its push southward. The United States, through the United Nations, pushed a resolution to organize the "UN Forces". Truman authorized U. S. troops to fight in Korea…

The curriculum in the Management Office also changed quietly. Besides domestic construction, international situation analysis was added. One afternoon, Liu Guangzhi organized a study of the People's Daily editorial "Korean War and China's Security".

"…We love peace, but we are not afraid of war. The Huaxia people have already risen, and will never allow any imperialism to invade our lands again…"