Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

January 1954, Yunnan Province border.

Prince Siha’s car bumped along the rudimentary road.

Outside the window are rolling green hills, with occasional glimpses of bamboo houses, and farmers in ethnic costumes working in the fields.

The two Khmer Army colonels, who were observing the prince, were staring blankly out the window at the newly paved cement roads.

"Sir," one of them said in a low voice, "this road shouldn't have existed three months ago."

Prince Siha nodded without saying a word.

The convoy stopped at a mountain pass.

Liu Dazhu stood there, with a row of soldiers in camouflage uniforms behind him.

"Your Highness, welcome to our place." Liu Dazhu saluted and grinned. "Minister Zhao sent me to pick you up."

The prince first visited the training camp.

The campsite was built in the valley, so well hidden that it was impossible to see it from the outside.

Once inside, you'll find a hidden world—training grounds, shooting ranges, dormitories, canteens, and warehouses, all complete.

Liu Dazhu led the prince around to look at the sights.

"Sir, these are the subjects we practiced."

On the hillside, a squad of soldiers is practicing jungle concealment.

Once the camouflage-clad figure disappears into the woods, they become invisible from more than ten meters away.

The prince rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things.

"Where are they?" he asked.

Liu Dazhu shouted, "Get up!"

Suddenly, a dozen soldiers emerged from the bushes, behind the trees, and in the ditch, standing in a row.

The prince paused for a moment, then smiled.

On the firing range, general-purpose machine guns were used to establish crossfire positions on the hillside.

At the machine gunner's command, the machine gunner fired, bullet casings flying everywhere, and the target opposite was riddled with bullets.

From another direction, a 12.7mm heavy machine gun is firing.

The gunshots were deeper and more powerful; a single bullet snapped a small tree as thick as a bowl in half.

The prince watched intently.

Liu Dazhu then took him to see the RPG-7 rocket launcher.

The shooter approached stealthily in the jungle; the target, a hundred meters away, was an abandoned old truck.

The rocket flew out, leaving a trail of flame, and with a loud bang, the truck exploded into pieces.

Finally, there's the 107mm rocket launcher.

With all twelve cannons firing simultaneously, shells whistled through the air, covering a distant hillside with countless blast marks and billowing smoke.

The prince remained silent for a long time.

"Are these soldiers veterans?" he asked.

Liu Dazhu answered according to Zhao Ping'an's instructions:

"Most of them are veterans, about 2000 in total, and there are 1000 new recruits. Three months ago, these new recruits didn't even know how to fire a gun."

The prince looked at him.

"Three months? New recruits? And they can train like this?"

Liu Dazhu grinned: "Sir, this outline was personally compiled by the brigade commander and Minister Zhao. New recruits adapt very quickly when trained according to it."

A week later, Zhao Baoguo's troops crossed the border.

The target was an important stronghold of Li Mi's tribe, which was home to nearly two thousand people.

This is the gateway to the area controlled by the remnant army. If we take it, the rest of the battle will be much easier.

The battle began at four in the morning.

First is the 107mm rocket launcher.

The twelve launchers roared simultaneously, shells whistling as they flew toward the stronghold, creating a chain of explosions. Barbed wire was torn apart, watchtowers were overturned, and the remaining troops, still asleep, suffered heavy casualties.

Next came the mortars. The 60mm and 80mm shells seemed to have eyes, landing one after another on the remaining firing points, silencing the machine guns that were trying to organize a resistance.

Zhao Baoguo lay prone at his command post, staring at the firelight ahead. Reports from each company kept coming through the walkie-talkie.

"The First Battalion has moved into its designated positions."

"The Second Battalion has cut off their retreat route."

"Three battalions, stand by."

Zhao Baoguo didn't speak. He was waiting.

After the rocket artillery fire stopped, after the mortars extended, and after the remaining troops had recovered slightly from their initial panic, they began to run away.

"Third Battalion, advance!"

The soldiers of the Third Battalion charged down the hillsides on both sides.

Their camouflage uniforms were almost invisible in the darkness; only the flashes of gunfire revealed their location.

Use machine guns to clear the way in front, and 12.7mm heavy machine guns to suppress from behind.

The RPG-7 rocket launcher operator aimed at the makeshift firing point of the remnant troops—hit the bullseye with a single shot, his aim was impeccable.

The remaining troops were completely thrown into chaos.

Some ran east, but were blocked by the Second Battalion. Others ran west, but ran into the machine guns of the First Battalion.

Some people simply knelt on the ground, holding their guns, waiting to surrender.

The battle lasted less than two hours.

At daybreak, Zhao Baoguo stood in the center of the stronghold, watching the prisoners being brought out.

There were hundreds of people, densely packed together.

"Take a look and see if any officials are involved," he said.

The interrogation quickly yielded results.

Among the prisoners was a battalion commander surnamed Zhou, who was a former subordinate of Li Guohui.

When he was brought before Zhao Baoguo, his face was pale and his legs were trembling.

Zhao Baoguo didn't say anything, but simply sent someone to invite Wang Yaowu.

When Wang Yaowu got out of the jeep, the battalion commander surnamed Zhou was stunned.

He stared at Wang Yaowu for a long time, then suddenly stood up straight.

"Commander Wang...?"

Wang Yaowu nodded.

"Do you know me?"

The battalion commander surnamed Zhou swallowed hard.

"I met you once in Xuzhou in 1948. At that time, I was a platoon leader."

Wang Yaowu didn't speak, he just looked at him.

The battalion commander surnamed Zhou suddenly squatted down, covered his face, and his shoulders twitched.

After he finished crying, Wang Yaowu asked, "How is your Commander Li now?"

"Commander Wang, the division commander hasn't been doing well lately. Commander Li, who was sent from above..."

A knowing glint flashed in Wang Yaowu's eyes. "Let's go find a house first, and we'll talk things over in detail."

A few days later, Wang Yaowu sent a letter to Li Guohui.

The letter was very short, just one sentence:

"I am in Lancang. I request an audience."

Li Guohui was at his campsite in the mountains when he received the letter.

He stared at it for a long time, then asked the messenger, "Lord Zuo... has he really arrived?"

The messenger nodded.

Li Guohui remained silent for a long time.

That night, he quietly left the camp with a few bodyguards.

The meeting place was in a mountain valley, not far from either side's positions.

Zhao Baoguo arranged for security, but he did not show up himself.

Only Wang Yaowu sat on a rock, waiting.

When Li Guohui saw him, he was stunned.

Five years have passed. The once imposing commander of the 74th Army and the Shandong Provincial Garrison Commander...

He is now wearing a Zhongshan suit, his hair is slightly gray, and his face has more wrinkles, but his eyes are still bright.

"Commander Wang," Li Guohui called out.

Wang Yaowu nodded, gesturing for him to sit down.

The two remained silent for a long time.

Li Guohui spoke first: "Commander Wang, what brings you here?"

Wang Yaowu said, "Someone sent me here. They said there are over 10,000 people here, and if I can lend a hand, I will."

Li Guohui remained silent.

Wang Yaowu continued:

"Guohui, you know better than I do who Li Mi is."

You know better than I what he came to Lancang for.

The men under your command are the ones you brought from Yunnan, who have followed you through thick and thin.

Now that he's taken all the troops away, who do you think you are?

Li Guohui's expression changed.

Wang Yaowu didn't say anything more, but just stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

I won't force you.

However, I heard that Commander Du's family can't even afford tuition anymore (historical events have been brought forward).

Principal Chang's actions have left us all feeling deeply disheartened.

That's Commander Du! Guohui, you're just a division commander. You need to think about your own future.

"If you've made up your mind, send someone to find me. If not, then forget it."

He turned to leave.

Li Guohui suddenly stood up, somewhat hesitant.

"Commander Wang, we are all soldiers..."

"What's wrong? A little unconvinced?" Wang Yaowu interrupted Li Guohui. "I cherish the lives of these brothers."

I'm not afraid to tell you, do you know how many people were used here when we dealt with your base which had 2000 people before?

They deployed four battalions, less than 1500 men, in two hours, suffering 12 casualties, killing over 500, and capturing over 1300.

"This?" Li Guohui broke out in a cold sweat instantly. "Commander Wang, is it true?"

"Ask him yourself." Wang Yaowu beckoned towards the woods, and Zhao Baoguo released two of Li Guohui's captured officers.

Seeing that things weren't going well, Li Guohui quickly went forward to inquire and soon confirmed that Wang Yaowu's words were absolutely true. At this point, Li Guohui made up his mind.

"Commander Wang, I'll go with you, but I need some time."

"Okay, I'll wait a week. After a week, we'll continue the attack," Wang Yaowu said, following the plan he had agreed upon with Zhao Baoguo.

After returning home, Li Guohui began to secretly contact his former subordinates.

Li Mi's loyal followers were numerous and powerful, but Li Guohui also enjoyed high prestige within the military.

Many of the veterans who had followed him for years were tempted when they heard that he was the one delivering the message.

A week later, Li Guohui led more than 2,000 people and more than 3,000 family members away from the camp under cover of night.

By the time Li Mi discovered it, it was too late.

He sent troops to pursue them, but they were easily driven back by Zhao Baoguo.

A simple ambush cost Li Mi three battalions of troops, scaring him into fleeing in disgrace.

Wang Yaowu stood in front of the position, looking at the soldiers and their families dressed in tattered uniforms.

Their faces showed fatigue, confusion, and excitement at seeing familiar faces.

The battalion commander surnamed Zhou ran over and saluted Wang Yaowu.

"Commander Wang, Division Commander Li told us to come over first. He's still behind."

Wang Yaowu nodded.

In the distance, Li Guohui led the last group of people over.

He walked up to Wang Yaowu and stopped.

"Commander Wang, I've brought the person."

Wang Yaowu looked at him.

"What are your plans for the future?"

Li Guohui shook his head.

"I'll do as you say."

Wang Yaowu didn't say anything, but just patted him on the shoulder.

Li Mi led the remaining 5,000-plus people into the deeper mountains.

Zhao Baoguo stood on the hilltop, watching the direction they had fled.

Someone asked, "Sir, should we pursue them?"

Remembering Zhao Ping'an's words, Zhao Baoguo stopped the pursuit.

"It will come in handy."

"Commander, Li Mi's troops are incredibly weak! They're not even as good as the Central Army back then. How can they act so arrogantly with so few men?"

This time, it was the battalion commander who spoke; he had participated in many domestic battles and the Northern War.

"Stop talking nonsense and properly arrange for the instructors to do ideological work with these people. Some of them might be our comrades..."

Prince Siha's observers followed him throughout the entire process. The telegram was sent back to Yunnan Province that evening.