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PART I: WAR DRUMPS BEYOND THE WALL
CHAPTER 1: FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW OF MANCHURIA
The Manchurian sky in early winter was an endless gray canvas, sheltering a blanket of snow that seemed to swallow every sound. The north wind, carrying sharp ice particles, caressed Lieutenant He Xiang's face mercilessly. He pulled his scarf tighter, feeling the cold seeping into his bones despite his layers of clothing. Several months had passed since she stood on the podium of Eternal Flame Academy, the medal of valor for saving Professor Lin heavy on her chest, the name "He Xiang" clearly engraved, no longer the shadow of her brother.
Several months had passed since she stood on the podium of Eternal Flame Academy, the medal of valor for saving Professor Lin heavy on her chest, the name "He Xiang" clearly engraved, no longer the shadow of her brother.
Now, she led a small patrol unit on this volatile northern border. The soldiers under her command, who had initially looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, slowly began to respect her. Her courage and ingenuity on that first mission had silenced many doubters, although occasional snide whispers about the "female officer" could still be heard in the larger barracks.
That morning, their task was to investigate reports of increased activity by a local separatist group. The group that had once been armed with only old rifles and fanatical fervor was now reported to have more modern weaponry. He Xiang sensed something was amiss.
"Look around!" he ordered, his voice firm and piercing the silence. "Report any unusual tracks."
Old Sergeant Li, the most senior soldier in his unit, nodded. "Yes, Lieutenant!"
They moved along a narrow valley flanked by steep cliffs. Suddenly, Corporal Zhang, who was leading the way, stopped and motioned. He Xiang hurried over to him.
In the thin layer of snow covering the frozen ground, heavy wheel tracks were clearly visible. Not the kind of carts or civilian vehicles that usually passed by. These tracks were wider, deeper, leading to a hidden path that was not marked on their maps.
"These are not local merchants, Lieutenant," Corporal Zhang said. "Too heavy, and they look like they've just passed by."
He Xiang crouched down, examining the tracks closely. His military instincts screamed alarm. "We'll follow. Be careful, keep your distance."
As dusk began to fall, casting a pale orange light on the snow, Xie Xiang sat by the small campfire they had built in a sheltered alcove. The cold was getting more bitter. He took out an old compass from his pocket. It was not a military-grade compass. It was a small compass with a plum blossom carved on the cover, a gift from Hu Yanzhen when they were cadets, before all the chaos began. He smiled faintly. Hu Yanzhen, for all his frivolity, always had a way of surprising.
He also thought of Lee Junshan, with his calmness and sharp analysis. How were they doing now? Their correspondence was brief and formal, hindered by distance and the secrecy of duty. The academy felt like a distant dream.
A shadow fell over him. Old Sergeant Li. "Lieutenant, it's time for night patrol. I'll take the first shift."
He Xiang nodded, putting the compass away. "Yes, Sergeant. Stay alert."
His mind went back to the task. The ruts. Where did they lead? And who did they belong to? That night, under the stars that felt so close in the clear Manchurian sky, Xie Xiang knew that his mission here had just begun, and that it would probably be far more dangerous than he had imagined.
Flashback – Several Months Ago, Nanjing
The room was stuffy, filled with high-ranking officers with solemn faces. He Xiang stood tall, his cadet uniform replaced by a new second lieutenant uniform. In his hand, an official decree from the Ministry of Defense. His name: Xie Xiang.
"Lieutenant He Xiang," General Zhang, the official he had once saved, stared at him with an unreadable look in his eyes. "This decision is not easy. You are a precedent. Many will be watching your every move."
"I understand, General. "I will prove that the trust given to me is not in vain," He Xiang replied, his voice firm.
Outside the room, Hu Yanzhen and Shen Junshan were waiting for him. Hu Yanzhen immediately embraced him enthusiastically.
"I told you! They can't resist your greatness, Xiang Xiang!" he exclaimed, a wide smile on his face.
Lee Junshan only smiled faintly, but his eyes showed genuine pride. "Congratulations, He Xiang. Take care of yourself."
"You too," He Xiang replied, feeling the warmth of their friendship. At that time, the three of them, full of hope, were about to begin a new chapter in their service, unaware of the severe test that awaited them.
Back to the Present - Manchuria
The next day, after reporting to the nearest command post about the discovery of the wheel tracks, Xie Xiang had to face a bitter reality. Major Feng, the pot-bellied and sour-faced commander of the post, only glanced at his notes.
"Treads, Lieutenant? In such a large area?" he snorted. "Probably just small-time smugglers. Don't waste your time on trivial matters. Focus on your routine patrols and make sure the main supply lines are secure. That's an order."
He Xiang held back a growl. "With all due respect, Major, the tracks are unusual and lead to an unmonitored area. I'm afraid this could be a threat..."
"Threat?" Major Feng laughed sarcastically. "The biggest threat here is the coming winter, Lieutenant. And perhaps... the young officer's overzealous imagination." Several other officers in the room also smiled disdainfully.
He Xiang saluted stiffly. "Yes, Major."
He walked out of the room with clenched fists. He knew what he saw. And he would not give up just because he was being underestimated. If the official command would not act, he would find another way. That night, he wrote a letter. Not an official report, but a personal letter. To Lee Junshan. He told him of his findings, his doubts, and asked for the opinion of his friend who he now knew was in the intelligence unit in Nanjing. He trusted Lee Junshan's sharp analysis.
As he folded the letter, his gaze fell back on the compass Hu Yanzhen had given him that lay on his makeshift desk. A reminder of the courage, the friendship, and the promise they had once made under the banner of Eternal Flame Academy. These tracks in the Manchurian snow were only the beginning. And He Xiang was determined to follow them, wherever they led.
****to be continued Chapter 2