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

It was already evening when we returned to the capital. The train slowly pulled into the station, and a faint crimson glow of sunset lingered on the horizon outside the window.

Liu Yuheng got off the train with his luggage. As soon as he stepped out of the station exit, he saw a black jeep parked in the square in front of the station, with a young cadre in a neat military uniform standing next to it.

When the man saw Liu Yuheng come out, he quickly stepped forward, stood at attention, and saluted: "Team Leader Liu, the Military Commission sent me to pick you up. The car is over here."

Liu Yuheng nodded and got into the car with Li Guoqiang and three other staff members. The car drove through the evening streets and headed towards the Military Commission compound in the twilight.

The car stopped briefly at the entrance of the Central Military Commission compound, and the sentry checked the identification before letting it pass.

Liu Yuheng got out of the car, took the heavy briefcase from Li Guoqiang, said, "Wait downstairs for a while," and then turned and walked into the office building.

The corridor lights were on, and it was eerily quiet, with only his own footsteps echoing in the empty space. He stopped at the door of the boss's office, knocked twice, and a familiar voice called out, "Come in."

The boss sat behind his desk, holding a document and flipping through it under the lamp. He looked up, saw Liu Yuheng, put down the document, and pointed to the chair opposite him: "You're back? Sit down."

Liu Yuheng sat down in the chair, placed his briefcase at his feet, and straightened his back.

The boss glanced at him, a hint of concern in his voice: "You've been running around for over three months, you've lost a lot of weight. How are things? What's the situation in the Northeast?"

Liu Yuheng skipped the pleasantries, opened his briefcase, pulled out several prepared documents, and began his report: "General, this time I visited most of the troops in the Northeast Military Region, and the overall situation is relatively stable. The downsizing has been implemented quite thoroughly, and training is progressing normally. However, there are a few things worth noting."

He went on and on, from Chen Tao's case to the regimental commander's attempt to bribe his relatives, from grassroots military discipline issues to the circumvention practices of certain units during the downsizing process. His tone was calm, without embellishment or avoiding the issues.

The boss listened with little change in expression, but occasionally nodded and paused to ponder for a moment while turning the page.

After explaining the situation, Liu Yuheng closed the documents, put them back in his briefcase, sat up straight, and waited for the boss's response.

The boss was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Your trip down there was worthwhile. Some problems can't be seen from sitting in the office."

"It's definitely time to strengthen military discipline. If we don't address this kind of issue sooner, it will become a major problem."

He put down his teacup, changed the subject, and looked at Liu Yuheng: "If it weren't for Old Chen asking for you, I wouldn't have let you go."

Liu Yuheng smiled but did not reply.

The boss didn't dwell on the topic, waving his hand and saying, "Alright, for now, help Lao Luo prepare for the military discipline inspection matter. You're getting married anyway, so take advantage of this time to get it done. After the conferment of ranks, you can prepare to transfer to a local position."

After saying that, he paused, then added, "By the way, do you know about your recent rank conferment? Do you know what level it is?"

Liu Yuheng sat up slightly straighter: "I've heard some things... it seems to be two stars."

The boss chuckled and said, "If it weren't for Old Chen speaking up for you this time, saying that your experience participating in the December 9th Movement should also be counted, you probably would only get one star this time. You're lucky, kid, that Old Chen spoke up for you."

Liu Yuheng's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately said, "I'll go and thank the old brigade commander later."

The boss nodded and didn't pursue the topic further. He reached for another document on the table, flipped through it, and said casually, "Over the next few days, you and your team will compile a detailed report on these situations and submit it. But there's no rush. You just arrived today, so go back and rest first. You'll have tomorrow off, and you can start working again the day after."

Liu Yuheng stood up, raised his hand in a military salute, and said, "Yes, sir."

He turned and left the office, gently closing the door behind him. The corridor remained quiet. He walked back the way he came and reached the waiting area downstairs. Li Guoqiang and the other three were still sitting on the benches waiting for him. They all stood up when they saw him come out.

"Alright, you've all worked hard. Go back and rest now. You'll have a day off tomorrow. Come back the day after tomorrow to organize the materials you have into a formal report."

The four men stood up straight, saluted, and replied "Yes, sir," then each picked up their belongings and turned to leave.

Liu Yuheng stood at the entrance of the office building, watching the four young men walk into the night, their figures gradually disappearing under the streetlights. Then he went down the steps, walked to the car parked in the courtyard, opened the door, and got in. He started the car and slowly drove out of the Military Commission compound.

By the time the car entered Nanluoguxiang, it was completely dark. There were no streetlights in the alley, only the orange glow from the windows of each household, forming a broken band of light in the night.

Liu Yuheng slowed down the car and stopped at the entrance of compound number 95, then turned off the engine.

He got out of the car and walked to the gate, only to find it locked. Just as he was about to raise his hand to call for help, a door opened beside him, and a figure walked out.

Yan Bugui held a kerosene lamp in his hand, squinted at the door, and recognized Liu Yuheng by its light. He quickly put down the lamp, hurried over, opened the door, and said with a smile, "The eldest son of the Liu family is back? I heard the car just now and knew it was you. Coming back so late, have you eaten?"

Liu Yuheng nodded politely, "Teacher Yan, we haven't eaten yet." He stepped into the courtyard and nodded to Yan Bugui, "Thank you for opening the door."

"You're welcome, you're welcome, it's my pleasure." Yan Bugui stood at the door, rubbing his hands together. He watched Liu Yuheng's figure disappear into the doorway of the east wing, stood there for a few more seconds, and then turned around and went back into his own room.

As he entered the house, his wife peeked out from the inner room and asked, "Who's back?"

Yan Bugui lowered his voice and said, "The eldest son of the Liu family is back."

Liu Yuheng walked to the door of the east wing and knocked.

Footsteps sounded from inside the house. The door opened, and Liu Shuanzhu stood in the doorway, holding a bowl of water. He paused for a moment when he saw Liu Yuheng standing outside. "Yuheng? When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me beforehand?"

Liu Yuheng stepped across the threshold, bringing in a gust of cool night air: "I just arrived in Beijing. I came here right after reporting to the Central Military Commission."

Liu Shuanzhu quickly stepped aside, saying, "Come in, come in! Your mother was just talking about you."

Hearing the commotion, everyone inside got up. Wang Xiuhe came out from the inner room wearing a coat, Liu Tingting rubbed her eyes and sat up from the kang (a heated brick bed), Liu Erhe also peeked out from his room, and Liang Fangfang also went to the door to take a look.

Liu Yixuan was awakened by the noise outside the door. He opened his eyes groggily and saw Liu Yuheng standing in the doorway. He grinned and mumbled, "Uncle..."

Liu Yuheng walked over, sat down on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), and reached out to pat Liu Yixuan's head: "Yixuan, be good, keep sleeping."

As soon as Liu Tingting saw Liu Yuheng, she jumped off the kang (a heated brick bed) and ran over without even putting on her shoes properly: "Brother! You're back! Did you bring me a gift?"