Chapter 40: My Era, Part 2

On the morning of February 21, 1924, Yangcheng was shrouded in a fog so thick it could not be dispersed. Jiang Ruiyuan, carrying a simple bundle of luggage, stood in the courtyard and said to Li Yuxuan, who was inventorying the weapons, "Jingxing, let's go."

The ledger in Li Yuxuan's hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and he looked at the man before him in disbelief: "Young Master, the military academy isn't built yet! The school buildings are only half repaired, and the enrollment regulations haven't even been printed…"

"I have already resigned," Jiang Ruiyuan's voice was so calm it showed no ripple, "I'm preparing to return to my hometown in Xikou. Will you come with me?"

Li Yuxuan felt a tightness in his chest. He recalled how, in recent days, Jiang Ruiyuan had locked him inside the house, thinking it was only a temporary melancholy, but never expecting him to actually leave for good. What made him helpless even more was that this Young Master wanted to take him along on his departure—if he defied his wishes, it might cause trouble with his mother in Xikou, earning him the charge of "disobedience."

"Never mind, I won't gamble on this anger," Li Yuxuan sighed to himself, bent down and picked up the ledger, "Going back is fine, I can finally see that child."

While packing, Li Yuxuan looked at the half‑drawn layout plans of the military academy, and a pang of bitterness rose in his heart. Because of this grievance, he tossed Sun Wen's heavy trust and the expectations of many brothers out of his mind—how could that be the demeanor of someone destined for great deeds? Yet, on second thought, Jiang Ruiyuan's stubborn temper, once unleashed, could not be pulled back even by ten oxen. Rather than let him grow increasingly restless in Guangzhou, it would be better to retreat to Xikou to lie low, perhaps allowing him to calm down.

That day the passenger ferry took the two of them toward Ningbo. Jiang Ruiyuan remained silent all the way, occasionally leaning on the rail to stare dreamily at the river, other times leafing through old newspapers brought back from Guangzhou. Watching him like that, Li Yuxuan's anger gradually faded—perhaps this Young Master truly felt aggrieved, or perhaps the mounting difficulties of the preparatory work were suffocating him, but he has always been stubborn and unwilling to voice it easily.

The news of Jiang Ruiyuan's resignation and return home spread back to Yangcheng like a winged arrow, and soon reached Sun Wen's ears.

That day Sun Wen was reviewing documents in his office when Song Qingling entered carrying a cup of hot tea, saw his furrowed brow, and asked gently, "Sir, have you encountered any difficulties?"

Sun Wen pointed at the telegram on the desk, half laughing, half crying, "Madam, take a look. In this world, how can a chairman of a preparatory committee serve for a month and then just decide to leave?" He picked up the telegram and read it again carefully, his tone full of helplessness, "Ruiyuan, that kid, still can't keep his composure."

Song Qingling said soothingly, "Perhaps he feels the difficulties are too great and got stuck on a stubborn point for a moment."

"Never mind." Sun Wen pressed the telegram onto the desk, his gaze becoming resolute again, "He, Principal Jiang, is shifting the burden, so I, as a gentleman, have to step in personally. The Revolution cannot be delayed."

In the days that followed, Sun Wen poured all his effort into the construction of the Huangpu Military Academy. He did two things: first, he personally took Liao Zhongkai to visit military and political officials, forcefully opening a funding channel that got the stalled preparatory work moving again; second, he sent letters to Jiang Ruiyuan in Xikou, one after another, each letter both affirming his abilities and understanding his difficulties, earnestly urging him, "Put the greater cause first and return to Yangcheng quickly."

But Jiang Ruiyuan seemed set in his mind; when he received a letter, he either pressed it into a drawer and didn't read it, or he complained to Li Yuxuan, "Sun Wen's words sound sweeter than a song. If he truly valued me, why didn't he refute Fan Shisheng back then?"

Li Yuxuan could only listen silently, but in his heart he understood: this Young Master was waiting for a respectable stepping stone.

Two months later, the bayberries in Xikou had turned red on every branch. Li Yuxuan was teaching his "son" characters in the courtyard; the child was nearly ten, his features gradually showing a heroic air, and the way he brandished a wooden rifle had a certain stance. Jiang Ruiyuan suddenly rushed in from outside, clutching a telegram, his face unable to hide his excitement.

"Jingxing, any news from Huangpu lately?" he asked hurriedly.

Li Yuxuan set aside the book he was holding: "Young Master, I heard the Huangpu Military Academy has already been set up. A letter from Guangzhou the other day said classes will start on May 5, Sun Wen will personally serve as the chief administrator, and Mr. Liao Zhongkai will be the party representative."

"It's done?" Jiang Ruiyuan's eyes lit up, the telegram in his hand rustling.

"Yes, I heard they enrolled over four hundred students, Soviet Advisors have arrived, and the school buildings and armaments are all in place." Li Yuxuan said deliberately in a matter‑of‑fact tone.

Jiang Ruiyuan, however, seemed jolted as if something had pricked him, and sprang to his feet: "Then why are you still hesitating? Quickly pack your luggage, we're heading back to Guangzhou now!" He walked toward the house while speaking, "We can't miss the opening ceremony's timing!"

Li Yuxuan stood where he was, watching his flustered back, a mix of emotions churning inside him. Over the past two months, Sun Wen's letters had arrived like snowflakes, saying all the right things, yet this Young Master remained unmoved. Now that the academy is built, he no longer needs to labor over preparations, and he is eager to return.

Such a way of acting truly brings the phrase "act according to circumstances" to vivid perfection.

Even while thinking that, Li Yuxuan turned and called to his son: "Xiao Shitou, come with dad to Guangzhou; I'll show you a real military academy."

The child cheered, tossed the wooden rifle aside, and rushed to hug his leg. Li Yuxuan laughed, lifted his son into his arms, and looking at the bustling figures inside the house, suddenly felt that although this Young Master was often willful, he always seized the opportunity at critical moments—perhaps that is his exceptional quality, appearing carefree yet knowing exactly what he wants more than anyone.

That afternoon, the three of them boarded the passenger ferry to Guangzhou. As the ship set sail, Jiang Ruiyuan stood on the deck, looking at Xikou receding into the distance, and suddenly asked, "Jingxing, do you think people will accept me as principal when I return this time?"

Li Yuxuan, holding his son, smiled faintly: "If the Young Master can apply the composure he cultivated while recuperating in Xikou to the construction of the academy, not only the students but even the Soviet Advisors will look at you with new respect."

Jiang Ruiyuan was momentarily choked by the words, then burst into loud laughter. The sea breeze lifted his coat's hem, the sunset's afterglow bathed his face, and the bewilderment and grievance in his eyes had long vanished, leaving only his familiar sharp vigor.

Li Yuxuan knew that the legend of the Huangpu Military Academy had only just begun.