Chapter 53: Northern Expedition 6

A few days later in Badong, within the temporary command post surrounded by mountains, Li Yuxuan listened to the staff officer's report, and the tea cup in his hand almost slipped.

What? You mean they all defected? He furrowed his brows, his tone full of disbelief. After trudging here all the way, he had already plotted a purge plan in his mind—how could he arrive at Badong's borders and hear such news?

Yes, Division Commander. The staff officer handed over a stack of telegrams; they had moved three days ago. These warlords, seeking self‑preservation, each sent representatives to the Northern Expedition's National Revolutionary Army, pledging loyalty, acknowledging the National Government, and agreeing to the Flag change and reorganization.

He pointed to the names on the telegrams and explained one by one: among them, Yang Shen had already been appointed by telegram as the th Army of NRA's Army Commander and also the supervisor of the Sichuan‑Hubei border defense, becoming the first warlord in Badong to announce the Flag change. Liu Xiang also accepted the appointment, becoming the st Army of NRA's Army Commander, and still held the Chuandong region centered on Shancheng, with no loss of territory.

Li Yuxuan set down the tea cup, half laughing, half crying: "Then why did I come here?" Not to mention the pointless run; the surge he had been holding back felt like a fist hitting cotton, leaving his whole body weak.

Division Commander, what should we do now? the staff officer asked cautiously. The troops had just arrived at Badong, hadn't even had time to set up camp, and this turn of events truly caught them off guard.

You ask me, how would I know? Li Yuxuan massaged his temples, feeling them throb, and said, "Leave me alone."

Yes, Division Commander. The staff officer, understanding the mood, stepped out, giving him space.

In the command post, only Li Yuxuan remained. He paced irritably around the room, cursing the warlords in his mind: "Come on, you warlords, I finally managed to shake off those troublesome affairs and actually get some real work done, and you damn it defected? Whether early or late you never defected, but you chose to do it only when I arrived with my troops—so is this a joke?"

He had originally thought that after taking Badong, he would put down roots here, use the local resources to develop industry, forge guns and cannons, and build a modest capital for the future unification. But instead, they switched flags outright, becoming a legitimate part of the National Revolutionary Army, and he could no longer point a gun at his own men, could he?

"Alas, plans can't keep up with change." Li Yuxuan slumped in his chair, staring at the continuous green mountains outside the window, feeling hollow inside. This Southwest trip had turned out to be a wasted effort.

Just as he was sulking, a guard hurried in: "Division Commander, the Chairman has an urgent telegram."

He said. Li Yuxuan weakly lifted his eyelids.

The Chairman told us to return quickly, saying there was an important military matter to discuss.

Got it. Li Yuxuan waved his hand, his mind as clear as a mirror—what important military matter, it was clearly a summons to return and receive punishment. He stood up and said to the guard: "Send the order down, pack up, and set out tomorrow back to Yangcheng."

Yes, Division Commander!

Alas, never mind, the timing won't wait for me. Li Yuxuan looked at Badong's position on the map and let out a soft sigh. Perhaps he truly shouldn't have acted on impulse, disobeying orders and running out. Perhaps he should have come to Badong directly earlier.

A few days later in Yangcheng, in the National Government's reception room, Jiang Ruiyuan stood with his hands behind his back by the window. Hearing footsteps, he turned sharply, his face angry: "Niang Xipi, you still have the face to come back!"

Li Yuxuan stood at attention, bowed his head and said, "Young Master, I was wrong." He knew that any more excuses now would be useless; admitting fault was the only sincere thing.

Jiang Ruiyuan pointed at him, his anger uncontainable: "You… you really are going to drive me mad! I told you to stay put, yet you ran off to the Southwest—do you think your wings have hardened and I can't control you anymore?"

After a few curses, seeing that Li Yuxuan kept his head down and silent, his anger gradually faded, and his tone softened: "Enough, enough, just come back, just come back." He stepped forward, patted Li Yuxuan's shoulder, and said, "From now on stay by my side as an aide‑staff, you're not allowed to go anywhere else, lest you cause trouble again."

"Yes, Young Master." Li Yuxuan replied, feeling a sigh of relief inside—looks like this hurdle was cleared.

Oh right, he remembered something, looked up and said, "Young Master, I'm going to see my son. It's been several months, I don't know if the kid has grown tall."

Go ahead, go ahead. Jiang Ruiyuan waved his hand, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes, just enough to cool you down, seeing your hot temper, wondering when you'll change.

"Yes." Li Yuxuan smiled in response, turned and walked away briskly.

After he left, the Adjutant who had been nearby approached Jiang Ruiyuan and whispered: "Chairman, should we send someone to keep an eye on Li Yuxuan? His unsanctioned action this time might have been prompted by those people over there…"

No need. Jiang Ruiyuan cut him off, his tone firm: "I know his temperament; he seems stubborn, but he isn't that scheming. Just clean out those 'people over there' around him, and don't let irrelevant folks chatter in his ear."

"Yes, Chairman." The Adjutent nodded and asked, "Then we wait for his troops to return before we move in to clean up?"

Go ahead, go ahead, just see to it. Jiang Ruiyuan waved his hand, clearly not wanting to discuss further.

The Adjutent stepped out, and as soon as the door closed, he ran into the staff officer he had seen earlier.

By the way, are we really not monitoring Li Yuxuan? the Adjutent whispered, feeling uneasy.

The staff officer glared at him: "Stupid! Open surveillance obviously won't work; the Chairman would be displeased. Slip a few listening devices into his house, keep them hidden, so he won't notice. After all, he's already back, right under our noses; what trouble could he still stir up?"

What if… what if they discover he's still in contact with those people over there?

Do I still need to teach you? The staff officer's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "Just eliminate them cleanly, leave no trace. The Chairman wants quiet, not trouble."

Yes. The Adjutent shivered, quickly complying.

At this moment, Li Yuxuan was briskly walking home. Sunlight spilled onto the blue‑gray stone road, warm and gentle; he temporarily cast aside all the scheming and calculations, with only one thought in his mind: to see his beloved big son as soon as possible.