Chapter 28: Leaving 2

The wind and waves on the Pacific Ocean had been tossing the ship for nearly a month, and when the outline of Modu Port finally rose above the horizon, Li Yuxuan stood on the deck, gazing at the familiar yellow earth, his heart a mix of emotions. Gu Weijun stepped forward, lightly patting his shoulder: "Jingxing, are the goods all arranged?"

"Three Maxim gun blueprints and fifty 75 mm Field Cannons have all been arranged. The cargo ship will arrive shortly, and it can reach the port next month." Li Yuxuan passed a list, densely recording the weapon models and delivery dates.

Gu Weijun examined the list carefully, gave a slight nod: "Very good. Yanjing is still waiting for us to return and report."

"Yes, sir." Li Yuxuan replied, while in his mind he was calculating how to get this batch of weapons' news to Jiang Ruiyuan as quickly as possible— the Sanxiang situation was tense, and these arms might relieve the urgent crisis.

During a brief stay in Modu, Gu Weijun went to contact the Army Department, while Li Yuxuan took the opportunity to visit the Jiang Family's residence in Shanghai. The servant informed him that Jiang Ruiyuan had gone to Guangzhou and, before leaving, specifically instructed that if Li Yuxuan returned, he must prioritize sending the arms to Hunan, as the National Protection Army urgently needed heavy firepower.

"Tell the Young Master, let him rest assured; I have my own judgment." Li Yuxuan left a handwritten letter, detailing the weapons' transport route, and then hurried north with Gu Weijun.

A few days later, at the Army Department in Yanjing, Duan Qirui sat behind his desk, his fingertips lightly tracing the Arms List, a rare smile appearing on his face: "This mission was handled splendidly, Jingxing. Obtaining Maxim gun blueprints from the Americans was truly difficult."

"All thanks to the Chief's daily mentorship." Li Yuxuan replied modestly. He knew well that Duan Qirui's words were both praise and a test— this batch of weapons had not gone through the regular Army Department channels, but was handled via Jiang Ruiyuan's connections, and anyone with eyes could see the link.

Duan Qirui laughed loudly, his laughter echoing in the office: "What a talkative youngster. I have consulted with the Deputy Chiefs, and placing you in the Sanxiang region would be underusing your talents."

He then shifted tone, his expression solemn: "From today, you will go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an Assistant Counselor, to undergo rigorous training with Gu Weijun. The European war is now in full swing, and diplomatic work requires much effort; we cannot rely solely on the gun barrel."

Li Yuxuan felt a stir. Being transferred from the Army Department to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed like a crossover, but in fact placed him in a more pivotal position— able to access core diplomatic decisions and even influence Huaxia's stance on the European war. He immediately stood at attention and saluted: "I will faithfully obey the Chief's order."

When he stepped out of the Army Department, spring was in full bloom. Li Yuxuan gazed at the iridescent glazed tiles on the palace wall and suddenly felt the road ahead much clearer. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he could observe international changes more directly, perhaps laying groundwork for future resistance— for example, seeking to maintain contact with the United States to sow the seed for later aid.

For the next two years, Li Yuxuan was especially busy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He accompanied Gu Weijun to various diplomatic venues, navigating among foreign envoys, evolving from an inexperienced novice to a composed professional, gradually becoming an indispensable young Backbone Member of the ministry.

He personally experienced China's decision‑making process to declare war on Germany, witnessed the Beiyang Government's wavering on the "join the war" issue; he once contested fiercely with the Japanese envoy at the negotiating table, and stayed up all night to secure Great Powers' recognition of China's tariff autonomy. These two years taught him profoundly that a weak nation has no diplomacy, and so‑called negotiations ultimately depend on strength.

In Beijing, 1916, the early‑spring wind still carried a biting chill, yet the streets were already abuzz with discussion. Li Yuxuan stood by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs window, looking at the protest edicts posted across the street, and frowned.

"Yuan Datou is still so obstinate," he muttered. Yuan Shikai, disregarding nationwide opposition, forcibly proclaimed himself emperor at the end of last year, changing the era name to "Redemption," which provoked Cai E, Tang Jiyao and others to launch the National Protection War; provinces in the Southwest successively declared independence, and the Beiyang Army fractured internally.

"After all that effort to push the Imperial System into the dustbin of history, he still goes against the tide." Li Yuxuan picked up the newspaper on the desk, which reported Yuan Datou's abolition of the Imperial System, but the situation had already spiraled out of control— the National Protection Army troops were at the city gates, and members of the Beiyang faction such as Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui watched from across the river, while this would‑be emperor‑president had become isolated and betrayed.

"The National Protection Movement has reached this point; let's see how it ends." He set the newspaper down, knowing that Yuan Datou's downfall was only a matter of time. He also understood that with the Yuan family gone, China would descend into even greater chaos.

"Once you're gone, it will be my turn to take the stage." Li Yuxuan rubbed his forehead. Duan Qirui will surely reclaim supreme power, Feng Guozhang will inevitably contend with him, the Southwest Warlord Faction will surely expand, and the forces Jiang Ruiyuan has amassed in Shanghai are now ready to emerge.

"I should also start planning early." He walked to the bookshelf, retrieved a ledger from a hidden compartment, which recorded the contacts and resources he had accumulated over the past two years— old ties in the Army Department, colleagues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, even the contact details of several American merchants; all of these would be capital for the future.

He planned to apply for a transfer back to the Southern Direction once the situation steadied. The waters in Yanjing were too deep, factional infighting too fierce; rather than waste energy here, he would head south to find Jiang Ruiyuan and put the weapons bought back from the United States to effective use.

"What a pity for these heroes." Li Yuxuan stared at the photograph of Cai E in the newspaper, feeling a surge of emotion. That National Protection general had overworked himself on the front lines and now was receiving treatment in Japan, likely with little time left. And the soldiers who gave their lives opposing the Imperial System— their blood may not have secured a true republic, but perhaps only set the stage for another warlord melee.

While he was pondering, the office door was pushed open and a secretary hurried in: "Assistant Counselor Li, the Chief requests you go to the conference room immediately; there is an emergency meeting."

"Understood." Li Yuxuan tucked away the ledger, smoothed his suit, and briskly walked toward the conference room. He realized another major event was about to unfold— Yuan Datou was already out of the picture, and the bigwigs of the Beiyang faction were holding secret talks, likely discussing the successor.

The corridor was dimly lit, yet Li Yuxuan's steps were especially steady. He knew the days ahead would be even tougher; in chaotic times, opportunity and risk coexist. But he was no longer the raw youngster who had returned from Germany two years ago; the two years of diplomatic service had smoothed his edges and clarified the path he should take.

Whether maneuvering within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or returning south to command troops, he had only one goal—to give this impoverished, weak nation a sliver of hope in chaotic times. He could speak of great love, but he had already boarded the principal's ship; as for accompanying the principal as an island guerrilla, that could be forgone. He'd rather go to Gongde Lin and never become any island guerrilla.

The conference room door was just ahead, and heated arguments could be heard from within. Li Yuxuan took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready.