Chapter 47: Eastern Expedition, Northern Campaign 2

Since those three letters to Germany left his hands, Li Yuxuan's heart had felt as if a heavy weight were hanging from it. He went to the mail office at the school gate almost every day to ask if any overseas mail had arrived. Jiang Ruiyuan, on the other hand, kept his composure, focusing on the overall coordination of the Eastern Expedition Army without pressing his Third Division individually, but the young officers under him could no longer hold back.

One morning, just after morning drills, Huang Wei gripped his rifle and sidled over, sweat still beading on his forehead, his tone urgent: "Director Li, when exactly are we moving to the front?"

Li Yuxuan was bent over checking ammunition crates. Without looking up, his voice was calm but carried an unyielding authority: "On the battlefield, address me by my rank. Call me Division Commander. What's the rush? Wait a little longer."

"Yes, Division Commander." Huang Wei met with a soft rebuff, scratched his head awkwardly, and stepped back, but the anxiety in his eyes was impossible to hide.

No sooner had he left than Du Yuming and Hu Zhongnan gathered around. "Wuwo, what's the word? Director—oh, I mean Division Commander—what did he say?" Du Yuming whispered, his urgency matching Huang Wei's.

Huang Wei sighed and shook his head helplessly: "Same old line. Told us to wait."

"Wait?" Hu Zhongnan's brow immediately furrowed. He nodded toward the official road where dust still faintly rose in the distance. "The other main divisions have already set out for Chaozhou and Shantou. I hear the front lines have already clashed—the sound of cannon fire has carried back. Are we just supposed to sit here listening to the noise and watching?"

"Well, since the Division Commander says to wait, he must have his reasons." Huang Wei patted Hu Zhongnan's arm, his tone consoling, but he too couldn't help glancing eastward.

Li Yuxuan took all this in, his expression unchanged on the surface, but inwardly he was more anxious than anyone—if those three old friends didn't come soon, not to mention these eager officers under him, even he himself would soon be unable to suppress the restlessness of the entire division.

That wait lasted a full two months.

Until late autumn of 1925, when the sky over Yangcheng finally cleared of its lingering gloom, revealing a rare azure blue. Li Yuxuan was in the division headquarters running through maneuvers on a map of the East River region when a guard suddenly burst in, reporting with a hint of surprise: "Division Commander, three foreigners are outside, from Germany. They say they're your friends!"

"What foreigners?" Li Yuxuan shot to his feet, the gloom of recent days swept away, the corners of his mouth lifting uncontrollably. "From now on, call them Colonels! And the interpreter I asked you to find?"

"Already waiting outside!"

"Good!" Li Yuxuan gave his uniform a firm shake and strode out briskly. "Come with me to welcome your three future Colonels!"

Outside the division headquarters, three foreign men in well-fitted suits, travel-worn, drew everyone's attention. Their temperaments differed, but they all carried the same quiet, professional soldier's alertness. The soldiers around couldn't help murmuring:

"Them? The ones the Division Commander waited two months for?"

"They don't look like fighting men. That build—not as sturdy as the Second Battalion Commander..."

"I hear they're experts brought in from Germany. Hope they're not all show..."

Li Yuxuan paid no attention to the chatter. He strode forward, arms wide open with a warm smile: "My dear friends, senior! I've finally been waiting for you!"

Rommel, standing on the far left—lean, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's—stepped forward, shook Li Yuxuan's hand briefly and firmly, and got straight to the point: "Li, no need for pleasantries. We need the Rebel Army's troop deployment map, the sooner the better."

Guderian, the tall one in the middle with gold-rimmed glasses, seemed more relaxed. He patted Li Yuxuan's shoulder with a smile: "Skip the introductions. The three of us happened to be on the same ship and already 'interrogated' each other on tactical concepts. We know where we stand."

Karl Dönitz on the right was the most composed. He nodded slightly, his gaze carrying a hint of scrutiny and appreciation: "Junior, quite the pull you have." He paused, glancing at his two companions. "Looks like your situation here is indeed tricky. But I trust their abilities."

"You've had a hard journey. Let's talk inside!" Li Yuxuan gestured for them to enter, the heavy stone that had hung in his heart finally crashing down.

Inside the division headquarters office, a military map was spread across the long table. Li Yuxuan explained in detail the Rebel Army's troop disposition under Chen Jiongming, their defensive lines, and the terrain features of the East River region. The three German officers listened intently, occasionally exchanging rapid German.

Rommel's finger landed precisely on the Huizhou city defense line: "Core stronghold. The city wall is solid. A frontal assault would cost too much. We must find weak points at the seams of the defense line. Night infiltration and surprise attack might work wonders."

Guderian's gaze was fixed on the winding supply lines behind the Rebel Army: "Their lifeline is the supply route toward Chaozhou and Shantou. Organize a fast mobile force, outflank and cut it off here. Once the enemy in Huizhou runs out of ammunition and food, their morale will collapse on its own."

Dönitz, though skilled in naval warfare, also had unique insights into land combat: "We can launch a feint frontal attack to draw in and exhaust the enemy's main force as much as possible. At the same time, dispatch an elite squad to secretly wedge in from a weak flank and strike directly at the enemy command center."

In just a few words, a calm, efficient, and aggressive operational concept had become clear. Li Yuxuan's eyes lit up as he listened—this was exactly the kind of "practical ruthlessness" and "dimensional strike" he needed to break the current stalemate!

"Excellent! From now on, training and operations will rely entirely on you three!"

"Part of the job," Rommel replied calmly, then shifted tone with a hint of challenge. "But, Li, your soldiers must be able to keep up with my training intensity."

"Don't worry. They're all top picks, fine young men. They won't let you down!" Li Yuxuan said with full confidence, then called out loudly toward the door: "Someone!"

"Division Commander, your orders?"

"Order all officers at the company level and above to assemble on the drill ground immediately! I'm announcing important personnel appointments!"

"Yes, sir!"

Moments later, the Third Division's officers stood in neat formation on the drill ground. Those in the front row—Huang Wei, Du Yuming, Hu Zhongnan—all had eyes full of curiosity and anticipation. Who were these figures the Division Commander had waited two months for?

Li Yuxuan strode up to the makeshift platform, swept his gaze across the assembly, and announced in a booming voice: "Attention, everyone! Today, I introduce three new Colonels to the Third Division! They will fight alongside us to crush the rebels!"

He first looked to the left and called out: "Huang Wei!"

"Here!" Huang Wei stepped forward and saluted.

"This is Colonel Rommel, who will take command of your First Regiment from today! He excels in flexible, mobile tactics and winning by surprise. Your First Regiment must give it your all to learn from him!"

"Yes, sir! Mission guaranteed!" Huang Wei replied loudly. As his eyes met Rommel's sharp gaze, he felt a chill and shed all contempt.

"Du Yuming!"

"Here!" Du Yuming stepped forward.

"This is Colonel Guderian, who will take command of your Second Regiment! He has deep expertise in armored assault and high-speed advances. On the future battlefield, speed is life! Your Second Regiment must grasp this thoroughly!"

"Yes, sir!" Du Yuming's eyes flashed with excitement. Lightning Assault—this was exactly the combat style he longed for.

"Hu Zhongnan!"

"Here!" Hu Zhongnan stood at attention and saluted.

"This is Colonel Dönitz, who will take command of your Third Regiment! Though Colonel Dönitz comes from the Navy, his understanding of outflanking and focused strikes is enough for us Army men to benefit greatly! Your Third Regiment must learn with all your hearts!"

"Yes, sir!" Hu Zhongnan answered in a low voice, looking at Dönitz's calm, still face, thinking to himself that this Colonel was probably the most inscrutable of all.

The three German officers stepped forward in unison, faced the formation, and said in slightly stiff but clear Chinese: "Pleasure to cooperate!"

Li Yuxuan looked with satisfaction at the officers' expressions—doubtful yet more inspired—and waved his hand firmly, issuing the final order: "Now, each regiment, fall out! The new Colonels will immediately familiarize themselves with the troops and begin training! After training, the entire army will march out to the east to suppress the rebellion!"

"Yes, sir! Suppress the rebellion! Suppress the rebellion! Suppress the rebellion!" The roar of hundreds of voices merged into a wave, shaking the leaves on the trees around the drill ground.

The officers dispersed, clustering around their new Colonels, and the drill ground gradually fell quiet. Li Yuxuan stood alone on the platform, gazing into the distance at the autumn sun growing hotter, and let out a long, relieved breath.

Two months of waiting, all the anxiety and uncertainty, had now turned into firm confidence. He instinctively touched the pistol at his waist, feeling the cold metal, and a sharp, confident smile curled at the corner of his mouth.