Chapter 25: United States

The morning reading session at the First Normal School had just ended when Li Yuxuan was leading several students in drill practice on the playground.

"Teacher Li, there's a phone call for you. Okay, thank you. Could you please keep an eye on them for me, Teacher Wang?" He then quickly jogged to the administrative office and picked up the phone.

"Hello, this is he."

A familiar, steady voice came through the receiver: "Is that Jingxing?"

Li Yuxuan's heart tightened—this voice was unmistakable: it was Duan Qirui. He immediately straightened up: "Yes, Minister."

"How are things in Sanxiang?" Duan Qirui's tone was unreadable, with the faint clatter of a telegraph machine in the background.

"Thanks to your blessing, Minister, everything is fine. I'm currently teaching physical education at the First Normal School, and the students are all very diligent." Li Yuxuan replied cautiously, unable to guess why the Army Minister had suddenly called.

After a few pleasantries on the phone, Duan Qirui suddenly changed the subject: "Jingxing, there's something I need you to handle."

"Please give your orders, Minister."

"The United States is interested in discussing railway investment with us, and there's also some intent for military technology cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lacks someone with military expertise to accompany them. I figured you've studied abroad, know foreign languages, and are one of our own, so I'm assigning this task to you." Duan Qirui's tone left no room for argument. "Report to Beijing within ten days; we'll discuss the specifics at the Army Ministry."

Li Yuxuan was stunned, nearly dropping the receiver: "Yes, Minister."

After hanging up, he still hadn't snapped out of it. Go to the United States? Discuss railway investment? That had nothing to do with the artillery tactics he'd studied. Why would Duan Qirui suddenly think of someone as insignificant as him?

"What's wrong, Jingxing?" Zhang Gan happened to pass by and, seeing him standing dazed by the phone, asked with concern.

Li Yuxuan came to his senses, a look of apology on his face: "Principal, I'm sorry. Minister Duan just called, telling me to return to Beijing immediately, then go to the United States to discuss railway investment and military cooperation."

"Go to the United States?" Zhang Gan was somewhat surprised, then smiled with understanding. "It's fine, Jingxing. Establishing diplomatic relations and trade with the United States is a matter of national importance, far more significant than teaching physical education here. I suppose our time together was just too short. I wish you all the best on this trip, and if you ever have the chance, come back to the First Normal School for a visit."

"I will." Li Yuxuan felt a bit guilty—he'd only been at the school a few days and hadn't even finished preparing his lesson plans before leaving. It was really hard to justify. But Duan Qirui's orders were like military commands; he simply couldn't refuse.

"I'll go pack my things now and set out for Beijing this afternoon." He hurriedly bid farewell to Zhang Gan and headed toward the dormitory.

When the students saw him packing, they gathered around to watch the commotion. A sturdy, bright-eyed boy pushed to the front and asked curiously, "Mr. Li, are you leaving?"

Li Yuxuan recognized him as a third-year student named Luo Xuezan, who trained the hardest in physical education. He smiled and nodded: "Yes, I'm going on a business trip to the United States. You all need to keep up with your training, and I'll check on you when I get back."

"Is the United States far?" another student pressed.

"Very far—it takes over a month by ship." Li Yuxuan folded his military uniform as he spoke. "But there are a lot of novel things over there. I'll tell you stories when I return."

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, clearly illuminating the dust in the dormitory. Li Yuxuan looked at the room he'd only lived in for a few days and suddenly felt a bit dazed—from Yanjing to Sanxiang, from section chief to teacher, and now about to head to the United States. In this Republic era, plans really couldn't keep up with changes.

Nine days later, at Qianmen Railway Station in Yanjing. Li Yuxuan walked off the platform with his suitcase, looked at the familiar street scene, and couldn't help cursing under his breath: "These superiors really know how to order people around. I'd only just gone to Sanxiang, and now I'm back again, dammit."

After two days and two nights of bumpy train rides from Sanxiang, he'd returned to his hometown, handed the little one over to his mother, then immediately turned around and took the train to Yanjing. His bones were nearly falling apart. Right now, he just wanted to finish this errand quickly—even going back to Xikou to accompany his mother and take care of the child would be better than this pointless running around.

He casually hailed a rickshaw, and the puller deftly lowered the shafts: "Where to, sir?"

"The Army Ministry."

"Right away, sir, hold tight!" The puller shouted, then took off running.

The autumn wind lifted the hem of Li Yuxuan's coat. He watched the shops flash by on the roadside, still mulling over the trip to the United States. Railway investment was one thing, but military cooperation... Duan Qirui was probably hoping to get some weapons from the U. S., right? After all, Europe was already at war, and the Great Powers were all busy fighting—it was the perfect time to shop for goods from America.

When he reached the entrance of the Army Ministry, the guards recognized him and let him straight through. As soon as he arrived outside the Minister's office, Duan Qirui's adjutant came up to him: "Section Chief Li, the Minister is waiting for you."

"Reporting. Jingxing is here." Li Yuxuan pushed open the door and saw Duan Qirui frowning at a world map, with a diplomat in a Western suit sitting nearby.

"You're here?" Duan Qirui turned around and pointed to the sofa beside him. "Have a seat. This is Counselor Gu Weijun from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He'll be leading the delegation to the United States, and you'll assist him with military matters."

"Hello, Counselor Gu." Li Yuxuan quickly greeted him, inwardly marveling—so this is what a diplomat looks like? That presence.

Gu Weijun smiled and nodded: "Section Chief Li is young and promising. The Minister has often mentioned you. Having you along on this trip puts my mind at ease."

Duan Qirui tapped the map of the United States: "The international situation is getting more tense by the day. Europe is in chaos—Britain, France, and Germany all can't afford to focus on Asia. The Americans want to expand their influence in China while they can, offering to invest in our railways and even transfer some weapons production technology."

He paused, his eyes sharpening: "We can build the railways, but we must get the technology. Especially the production processes for artillery and machine guns. You studied these things in Germany. When you're in the U. S., keep your eyes open—ask what you can, remember what you can. Don't let any opportunity slip by."

Li Yuxuan understood clearly—this was the real reason Duan Qirui was sending him to the United States: to use the railway talks as a pretext to probe American military technology.

"Yes, Minister." He stood at attention and saluted. "I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

"Counselor Gu will go over the specific cooperation terms with you in detail." Duan Qirui waved his hand. "You'll leave for Modu tomorrow and board the American ocean liner Olympic. The tickets are already booked."

Leaving the Army Ministry, Gu Weijun invited Li Yuxuan to a nearby café for a detailed discussion. As they talked along the way, Li Yuxuan learned that this trip to the United States wasn't just about railways and military matters—they also needed to gauge America's stance on China's potential entry into the war. The Yuan Datou Government was hesitating over whether to join the Allied Powers in declaring war on Germany and wanted to see which way the wind was blowing in the U. S.

This assignment was far more complicated than teaching physical education in Sanxiang. Li Yuxuan held his coffee cup, gazing at the bustling traffic outside the window, and sighed inwardly.

From Berlin to Modu, from Modu to Yanjing, from Yanjing to Sanxiang, then back from Sanxiang to Yanjing, and now from Yanjing to the United States—his footsteps never seemed to stop. But that was fine; traveling more, seeing more people and things, was better than being stuck in one place, looking at the world from the bottom of a well.

He suddenly thought of his son, far away in Xikou, wondering if the little one had been crying.

"Section Chief Li?" Gu Weijun's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Ah, sorry." Li Yuxuan snapped back to attention. "Please continue, Counselor Gu."

The café's lamplight was dim and warm, casting their shadows. Outside the window, autumn had already settled over Beijing.