Chapter 43: Huangpu Memories 2

The days at Huangpu Military Academy were like the flow of the Pearl River—seemingly calm but actually roiling beneath. The students' training grew increasingly harsh, the slogans on the field grew louder, yet Li Yuxuan kept feeling that something was changing quietly. On the surface, the cadets still rose at dawn for drills, studied at night, the mischievous remained mischievous, the competitive remained competitive, but the air carried an indefinable tension. That tension was like the stifling heat before a downpour, making it hard to breathe.

If there was anything during that period that could make people laugh out loud, it was Chen Gengyan's play. The kid didn't know which nerve he had crossed, insisting on cross‑dressing as Yuan Datou's concubine, wearing a borrowed qipao, his face painted in an indistinguishable red‑white, waddling awkwardly, and when he opened his duck‑like voice, the old master—almost sent Li Yuxuan, who was sipping tea, running for the door, his overnight meal nearly coming up. Afterwards Chen Gengyan smugly asked, "Director, does my costume look more like the real concubine?" Li Yuxuan, furious, grabbed the ruler and chased him, finally punishing him with twenty laps around the field before stopping.

Jokes aside, another atmosphere in the academy increasingly unsettled Li Yuxuan. The principal was silently establishing a stronghold, which worried him deeply.

Is it really for the cause, that you can even quit drinking, lust, and smoking? Li Yuxuan stood at the dormitory doorway, watching Jiang Ruiyuan in crisp uniform meticulously inspecting the students' bedding, and couldn't help a silent scoff. Since Huangpu Military Academy was founded, Jiang Ruiyuan's transformation had indeed turned heads. He rose before dawn, dragged Li Yuxuan to patrol the dorms, calling it a survey of the cadets' hardships; at meals he no longer talked stocks, instead discussing ideals and the Revolution with the students, even quitting years of smoking, saying he wanted to set an example.

All that aside, what Li Yuxuan found hardest to accept was that Jiang Ruiyuan had erected a Great Commander Banner embroidered with characters atop the fortress of Huangpu Military Academy! The day Li Yuxuan saw the flag fluttering in the wind, his heart gave a sudden thump. A student whispered, "Director Li, does the principal intend to turn Huangpu Military Academy into a Jiang Family Army?" He could only laugh it off and then turned to ask Jiang Ruiyuan about it.

This is the Revolutionary Army's flag, a symbol that unites Public Sentiment! I firmly support the Revolution, overthrow all counter‑revolutionary elements! Jiang Ruiyuan declared, then pounded his chest and added, "Tell them, if I were a counter‑revolutionary, let them come and beat me!"

Li Yuxuan rolled his eyes at the speech. He knew him too well; the last time Fan Shisheng said he would surrender, Jiang Ruiyuan could instantly adopt a resignation stance—if anyone truly dared to move against him, they'd be sure to bring the heavens down.

It's maddening; he can't run away, so he can only hope that the kid from Xikou will prove reliable in the future. He stared at the distant Character Flag, calculating that he needed to study more military texts later, just to keep an exit route. Lately, he felt more and more that he should make long‑term plans.

That afternoon, Jiang Ruiyuan summoned Li Yuxuan to his office and got straight to the point: "Jingxing, aren't you on good terms with these students? See if you can pull Jiang Xianyun in."

Li Yuxuan was taken aback: "Young Master, isn't Jiang Xianyun already at Huangpu Military Academy? He's a Backbone Member of the student corps—why pull him?"

"Hey, don't give me a half‑hearted answer!" Jiang Ruiyuan tapped the desk, his tone deepening, "I mean bring him into my camp so he's aligned with us!"

Li Yuxuan felt a thump in his chest—just as expected. He shook his head: "Then I can't pull him, Young Master. I've tried, but it's useless. Jiang Xianyun is a top student, pure‑blood, his eyes only on the Revolution and Mr. Sun; he's never been interested in forming cliques. The last time Li Yuxuan hinted that following the principal could bring a future, Jiang Xianyun shot back on the spot: 'The Revolution is for the nation, not for any individual.'"

"That's what you call pulling?" Jiang Ruiyuan glared, "You just mention him in passing and then leave him be—there's no way he'll become talent!" He stood, walked to the window and watched the students training on the field, his tone softening: "Jingxing, you must understand, if the Revolution succeeds, these people will become the Backbone Members of Huaxia's military. Keeping them close will be of great benefit to our future."

Seeing Li Yuxuan still silent, he waved his hand: "Fine, go attend to your own business."

"Alright, Young Master." Li Yuxuan turned as if granted a pardon and walked away.

He had just stepped out when a staff officer beside Jiang Ruiyuan leaned in, whispering, "Principal, Li Yuxuan isn't really obeying your orders. He pushes back on even pulling a person."

Jiang Ruiyuan was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Alas, Jingxing is fine in every way, but his temperament matches mine—once he decides on something, not even ten oxen can pull it back." He recalled the old days in Xikou, when the kid, to protect a neighbor's child, dared to clash with the landlord's guard; that stubbornness was exactly the same as now.

Enough, enough; I won't blame him for this. Jiang Ruiyuan waved his hand, saying as long as he doesn't go there, it's fine.

The staff officer's eyes flicked, and he asked again: "Principal, what if… he actually goes there?"

"Hey, shut your crow‑mouth!" Jiang Ruiyuan snapped back, a flash of harshness in his eyes, then softened his tone but with undeniable resolve: "If he does go, I'll pull him back myself."

Those words fell like a heavy stone, thudding in the air.

Outside the door, Li Yuxuan happened to hear the last sentence. He halted his steps, a swirl of emotions rising. He knew Jiang Ruiyuan's temperament—seemingly lenient, but he values his own people immensely, intolerant of any deviation.

He looked up at the field, where Jiang Xianyun was leading students in assassination drills, his movements crisp and decisive, the battle cries numbing the ears. In the sunlight, the Character Flag still fluttered, though it no longer seemed as blinding to him. Perhaps this is the norm in chaotic times—everyone fights for their own convictions: some for power, some for ideals, some for brothers.

Li Yuxuan inhaled deeply, straightened his uniform, and headed toward the Training Ground. Whatever the future holds, for now he would teach these students well, so they could live one more second on the battlefield—that was the most tangible goal. As for the indefinable undercurrents, let them keep flowing. In this great era, preserving one's true heart and fulfilling one's duties may be the greatest loyalty.