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

Team Leader Zhang returned the greeting, gestured for everyone to sit down, and then sat down himself, placing the documents in his hand on the table and looking around at the people present.

"Everyone's here. And the tasks are all clear, right?"

"Let me reiterate. This time, we're not just going down to supervise whether the troop reduction is in place. You'll be looking at three things: First, whether the troop reduction has been thoroughly implemented, and whether anyone has engaged in any underhanded tactics or found loopholes; second, whether the combat effectiveness of the troops has weakened after the troop reduction, and whether training can keep up; and third, whether any violations of rules or regulations have occurred during the troop reduction process, and whether anyone has taken the opportunity to engage in any underhanded activities."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping across the faces of everyone present: "You are going down here, representing the Central Military Commission. Investigate what needs to be investigated, look at what needs to be looked at, don't be afraid of offending people. If you find any problems, report them where necessary, and deal with them where necessary. Anyone who tries to be a peacemaker for me, I'll hold them accountable when I get back."

Several people nodded at the same time, but no one spoke.

"Alright, the specific division of labor is clear. Old Zheng will go to the southeast, Old Wu to the southwest, Old Liang to the northwest, and Liu Yuheng to the northeast."

He turned to Liu Yuheng, his tone carrying a hint of additional instruction: "The situation in the Northeast is rather unique. Some units have just returned to China and are not within the scope of this inspection, so you don't need to worry about them. But some units have been back for six months to a year, so go and check on them, identify any shortcomings, and offer some guidance. In particular, they are still figuring out how to transition from wartime to peacetime, and you have experience in this area since you just came from the field army."

Liu Yuheng sat up straight: "Yes, Team Leader Zhang, don't worry, I understand."

Team Leader Zhang nodded and stood up: "Alright, it's getting late, let's set off. Be careful on the road, and contact us as soon as we arrive."

Several people stood up at the same time, tidied their file bags, and left the conference room one after another.

Outside the small conference room, four staff members were already waiting in the corridor. They were all young men in their early twenties, dressed in neat military uniforms, carrying briefcases and suitcases. They were the accompanying personnel of the disarmament team, responsible for organizing data, recording information, and coordinating with local authorities.

The young man leading the group saw Liu Yuheng come out and immediately came up to him: "Team Leader Liu, the car is already waiting downstairs, and we can leave at any time."

"Let's go," Liu Yuheng said, striding downstairs.

The jeep drove out of the military compound in the morning light, heading towards the train station.

The train journey took nearly ten hours. Liu Yuheng leaned back in his sleeper berth, flipping through a document on the Northeast Military Region, page by page.

Several staff members nearby were either organizing documents, dozing off, or leaning against the car window looking at the scenery outside.

As evening approached, the train slowly pulled into Fengtian Station.

Liu Yuheng looked out the train window. There were already people waiting on the platform. After they got off the train, the middle-aged man quickly approached, extending his hand and speaking in a loud voice: "Are you Comrade Liu Yuheng? I am Wu Cheng from the Fengtian Military Region, Deputy Commander. Welcome to Northeast China!"

Liu Yuheng reached out and shook hands with him, smiling as he said, "Commander Wu, thank you for coming all this way to pick me up."

Wu Cheng waved his hand with a smile: "Of course, of course."

As he spoke, he shook hands with each of the staff members behind Liu Yuheng and beckoned them to walk towards the exit: "The car is waiting outside. Go back to the military region and settle in first. We'll treat you to a welcome dinner tonight."

As Liu Yuheng walked, he said, "Commander Wu, I must make this clear from the start. I'm not here as a guest; I'm here to find fault. If any problems are discovered, Commander Wu, please don't blame me for being ruthless."

Upon hearing this, Wu Cheng burst into laughter: "Team Leader Liu, you're very frank! Don't worry, feel free to ask any questions, our military region will fully cooperate."

The two talked as they walked out of the platform together. Several grass-green military vehicles were already waiting by the square, and Liu Yuheng bent down and got into one of them.

The car started, drove out of the station square, headed towards the military region, and entered the military compound in the twilight.

The car stopped in front of a three-story building. Wu Cheng got out first and called Liu Yuheng to get out as well: "Team Leader Liu, this is the military region's guesthouse. The conditions are not as good as in Beijing. Please check in first, put down your luggage, and then we'll go to the canteen for lunch."

Liu Yuheng got out of the car and looked up at the small building. It had blue bricks and gray tiles, clean windows and tables, and two pine trees planted at the entrance, making it look quite refreshing.

He nodded, turned around and gestured for the four staff members behind him to get out of the car and take their luggage.

Several people carrying briefcases and suitcases walked into the guesthouse lobby and went upstairs to settle in.

Liu Yuheng put down his luggage, washed his face, straightened his collar in front of the mirror, and then went downstairs.

Wu Cheng and four staff members were already waiting downstairs. When Liu Yuheng came down, Wu Cheng smiled and waved to him: "Team Leader Liu, let's go, I'll take you there. Commander Li and Political Commissar Wang are already waiting in the small canteen, just waiting for you to take your seats."

Liu Yuheng, accompanied by several staff members, followed Wu Cheng out of the guesthouse.

The small canteen is located behind the office building. It is a detached bungalow with a light on at the door. A soldier from the cooking squad is standing at the door. When he sees Wu Cheng and his men coming over, he pushes the door open.

When Liu Yuheng and his group went inside, there were already several people sitting there.

Wu Cheng stepped forward and saluted the middle-aged man in the main seat: "Commander Li, Comrade Liu Yuheng has arrived."

Commander Li put down his teacup, stood up, and took two steps toward Liu Yuheng.

Liu Yuheng immediately stopped and gave a standard military salute: "Commander Li! Liu Yuheng reporting for duty!"

Commander Li returned the greeting, looked him up and down, then smiled and extended his hand: "Yuheng, it's been years. You're much stronger than before. Come and sit down, don't stand."

Liu Yuheng shook Commander Li's hand, saying, "Old leader, you're still in good health. It's been years since we last met, and you're even more energetic than before."

Commander Li laughed heartily and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, stop flattering me. Come, let me introduce you." He turned to the side and pointed to the bespectacled officer next to him, "This is Political Commissar Wang, the political commissar of our military region."

Liu Yuheng saluted again and greeted, "Good morning, Political Commissar Wang."

Political Commissar Wang smiled and nodded, then extended his hand to shake his: "Team Leader Liu, I've heard so much about you."

Commander Li then pointed to the cadre in his forties or fifties next to him: "This is Deputy Commander Lin, who is in charge of logistics and equipment."

Liu Yuheng shook hands with Deputy Commander Lin again. After exchanging pleasantries, Commander Li invited Liu Yuheng to sit at the main table. The four staff members that Liu Yuheng brought were seated at the table next to them.

The dishes were already laid out on the table. The portions of Northeastern Chinese cuisine are indeed generous, with large plates and bowls.