Courtyard Houses: Starting with Li Yunlong's Comrades-in-Arms

Liu Yuheng opened the document in front of him, cleared his throat, and read it aloud word by word: "All soldiers who are unable to adapt to high-intensity training due to injury or illness shall be discharged; all those with disabilities shall be discharged; soldiers over forty years of age shall be discharged or retired in accordance with military regulations; all company and platoon-level officers over forty years of age shall be transferred to civilian work; all battalion-level officers over forty-five years of age shall be transferred to civilian work; one-third of the personnel in all division and regimental headquarters, including the staff, operations, and logistics departments of the army headquarters, shall be reduced."

After reading the last point, he closed the document and glanced at everyone present: "Also, officers and soldiers who are willing to voluntarily transfer to civilian work or retire can register at the political department of their respective battalions. They will be given priority in terms of policy, and those with special difficulties can report separately."

The meeting room was eerily quiet. After Liu Yuheng finished speaking, he didn't say anything more, just sat there, waiting for everyone to process what he had just said.

The silence lasted for almost half a minute. Then Old Li took over the conversation.

"Comrades, I understand how you feel. It's hard for anyone to lose so many comrades. But, as the saying goes, 'The army remains, but the soldiers come and go,' that's an age-old truth. After years of fighting, some of our comrades are covered in injuries and illnesses, and some have even suffered lifelong disabilities. Under these circumstances, keeping them in the army would be a burden for the unit and torture for them as well. Going back to their hometowns and doing some easier work is still contributing to the construction of our country."

He paused, glancing at everyone present: "Letting them go home doesn't mean abandoning them. Resettlement, demobilization benefits, and medical compensation—all these policies will be in place. They will receive all the necessary support."

Liu Yuheng spoke again: "What I just said are the principles. But there is one exception. If there are personnel who meet the above-mentioned conditions for troop reduction but have special circumstances, or are personnel necessary for the troops, or have special talents, and whose retention in the troops would be beneficial to the troops' development, their respective units can submit reports to apply to remain in the troops. However, both I and the political commissar must sign for it to be implemented. Apart from this, no one may act on their own."

He straightened up, his gaze sharpening once more: "After you return to your units today, immediately tally the exact number of troops to be reduced from each regiment and battalion. I know some companies have more men than others, but during the reduction period, no personnel transfers between units are permitted. Everything will be arranged by the military headquarters. All units must strictly follow orders; anyone who tries to cheat will face my wrath."

That last sentence was like a knife, severing any lingering hesitation or hope in the air. The officers exchanged glances, then stood up simultaneously. The sound of chair legs scraping against the floor filled the air in unison, and dozens of them spoke at once, their voices so loud they shook the conference room windows.

"Obey orders without question!"

Liu Yuheng sat there, looking at the people who had stood up, nodded, and said nothing. He waved his hand, signaling the meeting to adjourn.

One by one, everyone turned and left the meeting room. The sound of footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor, and the voices also gradually disappeared.

The meeting room fell silent, leaving only Liu Yuheng, Lao Li, the two deputy commanders, the deputy political commissar, and the chief of staff still seated. Liu Yuheng stood up, put away the documents on the table, and glanced at the people around him.

"During this period, Lao Li and I will stay at the military headquarters. The rest of you will all go down to the various units to supervise the downsizing of each division. The situation of each division is different, and the problems they encounter are also different. After you go there, call back to report any issues immediately. If anyone tries to pull any tricks, engages in any collusion, falsifies reports, or keeps personnel on the side, I will not let them off the hook."

The two deputy army commanders, along with the deputy political commissar and chief of staff, stood up simultaneously and nodded solemnly.

Deputy Commander Wu was the first to speak: "Don't worry, Commander, I'll keep a close eye on things after I go down there, and there won't be any problems."

The deputy political commissar and the chief of staff also expressed their opinions, and no one said anything more. They turned around and left the meeting room to prepare for the troop deployment.

Liu Yuheng was the last to leave the conference room. The corridor was empty, save for the ringing of a telephone from the distant duty room. He stood at the conference room door, looking at the deserted end of the corridor, and let out a long sigh. Old Li walked beside him, the two of them walking out side by side, neither of them speaking.

As they reached the door, Old Li suddenly spoke up: "Old Liu, do you think this time will go smoothly?"

Liu Yuheng didn't answer immediately. He stood at the door, looking at the gray sky outside, and remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "Whether it goes smoothly or not, we have to do it. The order has been given; there's no turning back."

He turned to look at Old Li: "What about your side? Have you looked at the list?"

Old Li nodded: "I've seen it. The preliminary data from each division has been compiled, and the approximate figures are roughly what you estimated before. I've had the official document delivered to your office; you can take a closer look tonight."

Liu Yuheng hummed in agreement and said nothing more.

In the following days, lists of troop reductions were submitted one after another.

Personnel officers from each regiment and battalion carried thick rosters and made repeated trips to the military headquarters.

Liu Yuheng's desk was piled high with documents, each page filled with names. Behind each name was a living, breathing person. He knew some, had seen some, had only heard of some, and had no recollection of some. But regardless of whether he knew them or not, these names would be removed from the 45th Army's organization, leave the barracks, and return to where they came from.

He went through them one by one, making annotations next to some names, circling some, and checking some. When he came across a familiar name, he would stop and look at it a few more times, recalling the person's appearance, what they had said, and the battle they had fought.

He put down his pen, rubbed his temples, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh. The sky outside was already darkening, but the office lights illuminated the lists clearly. He had been looking at them all afternoon; his eyes were a little sore, but the unease in his heart was far more painful than the stinging in his eyes.

In the evening, he closed the file, stood up, and left his office. His military jacket was draped over the back of his chair, but he wasn't wearing it; he was only wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Xiao Li followed behind, and the two went downstairs and walked slowly through the barracks.

Liu Yuheng took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it, took a drag, and the smoke quickly dissipated in the evening breeze. He took a few steps, then suddenly asked, "Xiao Li, how was your last visit home?"

Xiao Li was taken aback, clearly not expecting the commander to ask about this. He scratched his head, a slightly embarrassed smile on his face: "It's great. My parents are overjoyed to know I'm the commander's bodyguard. They brag to everyone they meet, saying I'm working for a high-ranking officer in the army. And last time the commander asked me to bring back some cigarettes and alcohol, my dad was so happy when he saw them. He cleaned those two bottles of alcohol thoroughly and put them on top of the cabinet, saying we'd drink them when I get married."