Chapter 63: The True Gathering of the General Stars

A few days later at the Nanjing Military and Political Department, a faint osmanthus fragrance drifted through the courtyard of blue‑gray bricks and tiles. Li Yuxuan wore a crisp Zhongshan suit, the Nobel Literature Award Badge on his clothing glittering in the autumn sunlight, and as he entered the hall the Adjutant of Feng Yuxiang came to greet him.

"Chairman Li, you finally made it." The Adjutant wore a smile, leading him toward the inner hall; the Minister had just been mentioning you.

Inside the inner hall, Feng Yuxiang was pondering a troop deployment map. Seeing Li Yuxuan enter, he laughed heartily: "Jingxing, rare guest, rare guest! Sit down, the Longjing tea just brewed, have a sip."

"Minister Feng, you're being modest." Li Yuxuan sat opposite him, his gaze falling on the Blueprints on the table. "I'm here today to request personnel."

"Got it, got it." Feng Yuxiang waved his hand, lifted his teacup and took a sip. A few days ago the Chairman had already sent word; the newly formed unit is ready, just waiting for you, the Army Commander, to give the order. He looked at the Adjutant and asked for the roster of the Fifth Army to present to Chairman Li.

"Yes, Minister!" the Adjutant replied and hurried off, steps light.

A moment later, a thick sheepskin paper file folder was placed before Li Yuxuan. He untied the cord, pulled out the list inside, and after scanning just two lines, his brows slightly lifted.

"Chairman Li, this is the personnel list of the newly formed Fifth Army." The Adjutant explained beside him, his tone tinged with envy. The Chairman had specifically ordered that this unit be a special formation, with five divisions, each division containing six regiments, nearly double the strength of a typical army. Usually an army has three divisions and nine regiments; your Fifth Army is truly the Chairman's prized possession.

Li Yuxuan's fingertips brushed the paper; the densely packed names flickered like sparks. He looked up at the Adjutant: "Is my unit's structure the same as other forces?"

"There's no way it could be the same!" the Adjutant quickly gestured: "The equipment priority for your Fifth Army is the highest; the Mauser rifles shipped from Germany, Maxim Heavy Machine Guns, and the Mountain Artillery Battalion are all to be supplied to you first. The Chairman said the Fifth Army should become a premier elite force even sharper than your former Third Division."

"Enough, give me the officer list." Li Yuxuan said no more, turned to the page listing General Officers, his eyes scanning quickly.

"Yes, Chairman."

"Wang Lingji?" He suddenly halted, his fingertip landing on a name, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes. "Wasn't this the one I captured in the Badong campaign? How is he on the list?"

The Adjutant was momentarily stunned, then explained: "Chairman, this person was indeed captured by you, but he has spent over a decade in the Sichuan Army, knows the Southwest terrain intimately, and has a solid training method. The Chairman said that a talent like this, rather than being idle, should be incorporated for your use, also demonstrating your magnanimity."

Li Yuxuan pondered briefly; he didn't really know Wang Lingji's abilities, heard he was a surrendered general, but had never seen him in battle. He nodded: "Alright, I understand."

Continuing down, his brows gradually relaxed, a faint, barely perceptible smile tugging his mouth: "Du Yuming, Hu Zhongnan, Song Xilian, Li Xianzhou, Zhou Zhenqiang serve as Division Commanders… hmm, all capable fighters."

Looking at the Deputy Division Commander list, his eyes brightened further: Fan Hanjie, Ceng Kuoqing, Deng Zicao, Chen Jincheng, Wang Yaowu… these are either top graduates of Huangpu or battle‑hardened warriors; the Young Master is indeed generous.

The Chairman said he would provide you with the best core. The Adjutant laughed beside him, "These people I screened three times before finalizing; none of them isn't a renowned figure."

"Give me the regiment commander list." Li Yuxuan's voice carried a hint of anticipation, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop.

"Yes, Chairman."

When he opened the regiment commander roster, Li Yuxuan's gaze froze. Yang Wenquan, Hu Jing'an, Liao?, Kang Ze, Song Ruike, Lin Weichou, Qin Daoshan, Liao Zongze, Cao Tian'ge, Zheng Tingji, Qiu Xingxiang, Chen Shizhang, Liu Zhenxiang, Liao Yaoxiang, Dong Yican, Zhao Zili, Xiong Xiaosa, Wang Tianxiang, Lu Yang… the densely packed names filled three whole pages.

"Why are they all Huangpu alumni?" He was a bit surprised, counted the numbers, "These are from the 4th, 5th, 6th batches, right? The Young Master is giving me his entire base?"

The Adjutant gave a wry smile, "There's nothing I can do, Chairman, these were all handpicked by the Chairman. He said you have experience leading student soldiers; the Huangpu kids may be young but are daring and eager, and under you can become great. Many of these have just graduated from the Military Academy or are fresh entrants, directly assigned to the Fifth Army, supposedly for you to hone them."

Li Yuxuan looked at the names, a sudden surge of heat rose in his heart. When he was director at Huangpu, he had seen many young trainees, their eyes ablaze with idealistic fire, much like his own at Baoding School years ago. He closed the roster, his fingertips gently stroking the cover: "Enough, enough. The young have their own vigor; with proper care they may become pillars."

He looked up at the Adjutant: "The uniforms, weapons, everything is ready, right? We can't have the Fifth Army brothers training shirtless."

"Replying, Chairman, everything is ready!" the Adjutant quickly answered, the uniforms are made in the German Army style, crisp and durable. The armory is at the camp outside the city; fifty thousand Mauser rifles, seventy Maxim Heavy Machine Guns, and thirty‑six Mountain Guns await your single order to be distributed.

Li Yuxuan stood, walked to the window, gazing at the street outside the Military Affairs Department. In the distance, new recruits were marching, their slogans carried on the wind, full of vigorous energy. He knew this Fifth Army bore many expectations — the Young Master's, his own, and those of the young soldiers.

"Tell the Fifth Army brothers to assemble at the camp outside the city in ten days." He turned to the Adjutant, his tone unwaveringly firm: "I will personally inspect the troops."

"Yes! The subordinate will issue the order at once!"

Feng Yuxiang watched his spirited demeanor and couldn't help laughing: "Jingxing, with that vigor, are you planning a big undertaking?"

"Of course." Li Yuxuan turned his head, eyes flashing. The Young Master gave me such a fine foundation; if I fail to forge a unit capable of hard battles, I would betray his trust.

He lifted the roster, his fingertips tracing the young names, suddenly feeling the weight on his shoulders heavy yet his heart solid. From Baoding School to the Badong battlefield, from the Third Division to the Fifth Army, his path had not been short, his encounters with life and death not few, but now holding this list, it was like the first time he donned a uniform, his blood hotly coursing through his veins.

"Minister Feng, I take my leave." He clasped his fists in salute, turned and strode out of the Military Affairs Department. Sunlight fell on him, stretching his shadow long, like a road leading far away.

The Adjutant, watching his back, suddenly said to Feng Yuxiang: "Minister, you said what the newly formed Fifth Army might become in the future?"

Feng Yuxiang looked out the window, speaking slowly: "What it can become is hard to say. But look at Li Yuxuan's gaze, you'll know this unit won't go wrong."

In the distant wind, the Fifth Army's horn seemed already sounding.