Chapter 23: Education Department

The mist from the Xiang River, carrying the early‑autumn heat, hit my face. Li Yuxuan stood on the stone steps of the Changsha pier, looking at the bustling city before him—gray‑blue City wall winding and undulating, shouts rising and falling from the stilt houses along the river, dock workers lugging cargo boxes back and forth. Most people wore neat short hair, exuding a bold vigor distinct from that of the Imperial Capital and Modu.

This is Xingcheng. He inhaled deeply; the air was a mix of coal smoke, mist and the pungency of chilies—strange yet vivid. The urgent task was to report to the Education Department first.

He hired a Rickshaw and asked for the Education Department's address. The driver weaved through narrow alleys, and when they passed a sweet fried rice cake stall, the tempting aroma reminded him that he had only hastily nibbled two eggs that morning.

After finishing the registration, he resolved to have a bite. As he thought this, the rickshaw stopped in front of a small blue‑brick building. A weathered painted wooden sign hung at the entrance, the characters of Hunan Province Education Department faintly legible, and beside it a red paper with black lettering notice stood out conspicuously.

Stop, who goes there? The guard at the door blocked the way. The man wore a faded uniform, an old foreign rifle at his waist, and his eyes were full of vigilance.

I am Li Yuxuan, transferred from the Beijing Military Department to take up this post. He took out his appointment letter and handed it over.

The guard squinted, examined him carefully, then broke into a smile: So it's Director Li! We'd heard for a long time that an official who had studied abroad was coming, but didn't expect him to arrive so quickly.

Much obliged. While Li Yuxuan filled out the register, he took a small Brocade Box from his luggage—inside was a piece of chocolate brought back from Germany, originally intended for the director, but now it seemed more practical to bribe the guard first.

A small token, not a sign of respect.

How could I accept… the guard declined verbally, but his eyes were fixed on the Brocade Box, his hand already honestly taking it, swiftly slipping it into his pocket, the wrinkles on his face blooming with a smile. "You're too courteous! I'll go report to the director right away!"

Watching the guard's hurried retreat, Li Yuxuan shook his head inwardly: The bureaucratic customs of the Republic are indeed the same everywhere.

About a quarter‑hour later, the guard jogged back, a smile plastered on his face: Director Li, the director is waiting for you in the office, this way please.

Li Yuxuan straightened his collar and walked through the courtyard. The courtyard was laden with pomegranate fruit, while weeds at the wall corner had grown to half a person's height, giving a hint of desolation.

"Report!" he stood at the office doorway.

"Enter." A hoarse voice came from inside.

He pushed the door open and entered, only to see a middle‑aged man behind the desk, wearing a long robe, round‑framed glasses, and bent over reading documents. His hair was slightly disheveled, not like an official, but more like a down‑and‑out scholar.

"You are Li Yuxuan." The man lifted his head, his gaze calmly settling on him.

"Indeed." Li Yuxuan stood at attention, handed over the appointment letter, "I, your subordinate, have been ordered to report."

"I am Yi Ke Nie." The man took the appointment letter, placed it on the desk, waved his hand and said, "No need to call me director."

Li Yuxuan was about to speak, but Yi Ke Nie showed a helpless wry smile: "What director? I'm here specifically waiting for you."

"What?" Li Yuxuan was stunned.

Yi Ke Nie sighed, pointed to a newspaper on the desk: "Read it yourself. Yuan Xiangcheng issued a new Local Official System in May; all provincial Education Departments have been abolished and merged under the Civil Affairs Office. This 'director' of mine has long been a nominal title."

Li Yuxuan picked up the newspaper and indeed saw, in the Local Official System Reform Decree, clauses abolishing the provincial Education Departments and establishing Education Sections under the Civil Affairs Office. He felt a thud in his head, and the newspaper in his hand nearly slipped.

"Then… where should this subordinate take up a post?" His voice trembled. He had traveled thousands of miles from Yanjing; could he now have nowhere to set foot?

Yi Ke Nie looked at his embarrassed demeanor and, understandingly, said: "Come with me to the First Normal School. I've already spoken with the principal; let's see how he arranges it."

"Am I not even a section chief any more?" Li Yuxuan was even more shocked. From the appointment from the Army Department, to being a section chief of the Education Department, to now possibly having no formal position at all, the gap was enormous.

Damn, damn the Republic! He cursed inwardly, but couldn't vent—he couldn't lose his temper at this former director.

Yi Ke Nie seemed oblivious to his mood, continued sorting the documents on the desk: The First Normal School is lacking professors; you studied abroad, understand modern education, so it's suitable to go there. It's better than staying here; at least you'll have a meal to eat.

Watching him pack the documents one by one into a box, Li Yuxuan felt a mix of emotions. From being an outstanding graduate of the Berlin Military Academy, to a section chief of the Hunan Education Department (though a nominal post), to now possibly becoming a lowly school teacher, his situation had truly plummeted.

"How could it be like this…" he muttered to himself, feeling a wave of helplessness. Had he known the Education Department had already been abolished, he would have stayed in Yanjing to find another way, at least he could still look for a post in the Army Department.

"Stop dawdling, let's go." Yi Ke Nie lifted the box; the principal was still waiting. Though the First Normal School is a school, it is also a place teeming with talent; going there might not be a bad thing.

Li Yuxuan had to steel himself and follow. As he stepped out of the blue‑brick building, he glanced back. Sunlight struck the plaque of the Hunan Province Education Department, looking especially ironic.

The Rickshaw headed toward the First Normal School. Li Yuxuan leaned against the carriage wall, watching the street scenery flash by, his mind in turmoil.

First Normal School… he whispered the school's name, and suddenly a thought stirred in his heart: isn't that future great man studying here?

Perhaps this sudden turn of events isn't entirely bad. At least, he is one step closer to the person who will change China's destiny.

The Rickshaw turned the corner, and an austere school gate came into view; the lintel bore the bold characters "Hunan Provincial First Normal School". Li Yuxuan inhaled deeply, stepped out of the carriage. Whatever awaited him ahead, he would have to go inside and see for himself.