Chapter Thirteen Comrades Plus Brothers

  The blast at the Press Information Bureau in South Block, which houses the Prime Minister's Office, has sent shockwaves through New Delhi and Islamabad.

  Less than half an hour after the blast, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing came to the Presidential Palace of Pakistan.

  Pakistani President Sharif is holding a video conference with the three military chiefs and two intelligence bureau heads.

  "This is definitely not an attack we planned, and has nothing to do with us. After the Huma Yingling bombing case, I checked all external agencies and recalled all personnel involved in foreign operations, they are all within the country."

  "Who was behind these two attacks?"

  "We are investigating and cooperating with Chinese intelligence departments, but there is no definite news for now."

  "In any case, the Indian army has already begun mobilizing and we cannot remain indifferent."

  "With India's military might, if we don't use nuclear weapons, our air force can only last three days."

  "Loss of air superiority means the army can hold out for at most a week."

  "If India were to launch a surprise attack and blockade our major ports, the Navy would only have submarines that could break through the Indian naval blockade line, surface warships wouldn't even have a chance to leave port."

  "India is afraid of our nuclear weapons and will not take the initiative to go to war."

  "If it remains a localised conflict, India will not use nuclear weapons and neither can we. If the war escalates into a full-scale one, India would definitely launch a pre-emptive strike on our nuclear facilities and military bases where nuclear weapons are stored, destroying our second-strike capability. Without the last line of defence, we would certainly lose."

  ……

  In the heated discussion, Sheriff remained silent.

  Three years ago, Sharif defeated former President Zardari and was elected as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. After taking office, Sharif focused on domestic economic development, resolving tribal conflicts, improving the domestic environment, and achieved significant results. In terms of foreign policy, Sharif remained vigilant and closely watched India's every move.

  Two years ago, India proposed purchasing air-to-air combat aircraft and light support fighter jets. Sheriff knew that South Asia would not be peaceful.

  India's military expansion made Sheriff feel like a fish out of water, unable to rest for even a day.

  With Pakistan's national strength, it is impossible to engage in an arms race with India. India can spend tens of billions of dollars on weapon procurement every year, while Pakistan's annual military budget is only over $2 billion. Only by relying on China can Pakistan obtain affordable weapons and equipment to maintain a minimal strategic balance with India. However, as India accelerates its military expansion, Pakistan is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up.

  Nuclear weapons are a big stick, but not one that can be used at will.

  Twenty years ago, Pakistan received assistance to manufacture its first atomic bomb and immediately signed a secret agreement with China. Pakistan can only use nuclear weapons if it is subjected to a nuclear attack on its own territory or with the permission of China. For this reason, all Pakistani nuclear warheads have a chip provided by China on their detonators. Without the password provided by China, throwing out the nuclear warhead would not make much sense.

  At the time, Shari was Prime Minister of Pakistan.

  Sheriff was dissatisfied with this, but also understood China's difficulties.

  India follows a policy of nuclear bundling. If Pakistan uses nuclear weapons in war, India's first retaliation will not be against Pakistan, but against China.

  Most importantly, without China, even if Pakistan has usable nuclear weapons, there is no security to speak of.

  After the Huma Younus blast, Sheriff immediately had a hotline conversation with China's head of state, clarifying Pakistan's relationship with the blast and also got a commitment and guarantee from China's head of state.

  Will China enter the war or will it provide comprehensive assistance to Pakistan during the war?

  China may not necessarily enter the war, as China has many pressing issues to resolve, such as dealing with Japan in the east. However, China will definitely provide strategic assistance to Pakistan and may even send volunteer troops to fight in Pakistan after Indian troops invade its territory, just like it did when assisting North Korea.

  Sheriff did not want war with India at all.

  At this time, Pakistan does not need a large-scale war and cannot afford a large-scale war. Whether it is dealing with domestic terrorist organizations, quelling the unrest in tribal areas, or vigorously developing the economy and improving the living standards of over 100 million people, what Pakistan needs is not external warfare but peaceful development.

  The problem is that war is not decided by Pakistan.

  Sheriff sighed silently. Resolving domestic conflicts had exhausted his mind, and wandering among the great powers had left him mentally and physically exhausted.

  At this time, the secretary entered the study and whispered a few words in Sheriff's ear.

  "Please ask Ambassador Ye to go to my office, I'll be right there."

  After the secretary left, Sheriff interrupted the still heated debate and said: "Gandhi was killed in the explosion, and the Indian army is on high alert. From now on, all three armies will be on high alert. I will immediately contact the Chinese leader to seek China's opinion."

  Three Chiefs of Staff and two Directors of Intelligence were stunned at the news.

  Sheriff turned off the video call and sat for a while before getting up and leaving the conference room.

  Ye Ronghua's arrival indicates that China is highly concerned about what has just happened and attaches great importance to Pakistan's attitude.

  When meeting with Ye Ronghua, Sheriff first emphasized his respect for China and then subtly expressed his dependence on China. He also formally thanked the Chinese government through Ye Ronghua. However, specific matters could not be negotiated with an ambassador.

  After Ye Ronghua left, Sheriff dialed the hotline connected to the study of Zhongnanhai Xiyuan Garden.

  Ji Youguo was also waiting for Sharif's phone call, letting Ye Ronghua "take the lead", which is a respect for Pakistan and a necessary diplomatic means.

  "Mr. President, Pakistan's interests are China's interests and the future of Pakistani people is the future of Chinese people. The friendship between China and Pakistan has a long history and has withstood the test of time for over 60 years. China and Pakistan are not only comrades in arms but also brothers who share weal and woe. I firmly believe that no matter how strong the winds may be, they will never change our deep-seated friendship; no matter how great the difficulties may be, they will never stop us from moving forward. Tomorrow, I will send a special envoy to Islamabad to discuss matters of mutual interest with Your Excellency."

  After hanging up the phone, Ji Youguo let out a sigh and looked over at Peng Maobang who was sitting beside him.

  "It has been confirmed that Gandhi was killed on the spot, and Suzuki arrived half an hour late and did not enter the venue. After the explosion, he went to the Japanese Embassy and is expected to meet with the leader of the National Party either tonight or tomorrow morning. The National Party will elect a new prime minister within three days at the latest, and India will take drastic action."

  "Maybe it will take just five days."

  Peng Maobang slightly furrowed his brow, as Ji Youguo rarely expressed personal views on military issues.

  "After the Huma Yongling explosion, the three armies of India entered a state of war readiness and preparations for war began simultaneously. As soon as the Indian National Congress elects a new prime minister, they will declare war on Pakistan. Within five days, war is inevitable." Ji Youguo explained briefly, then asked, "What moves will Japan make? When will Ozawa leave New Delhi?"

  "The news has just been released and there is no reaction from within Japan yet. In addition, the Japanese cabinet held an emergency meeting. Suzuki will not stay in New Delhi for too long and may leave for Tokyo as early as tomorrow morning."

  "How about the US?"

  "There is no news yet, and the US President probably hasn't gotten out of bed yet."

  Ji Youguo smiled and shook his head. "The gates of war have been opened, go prepare."

  Peng Maobang didn't hesitate for a second and immediately stood up to bid farewell.

  On his way back to the General Staff Headquarters, he contacted Xiang Xingyou, the head of the test troops, by phone and issued a No. 1 combat readiness order.

  Hua Jianfeng received the order on the card table and immediately put down a good hand, bidding farewell to Lu Chengwen and Di Boqing.

  From Beijing to Yulin Port, the military transport plane flew for three and a half hours before transferring to a helicopter to head to the submarine base.

  The helicopter had just landed when Le Jiaceng and several senior military officers rushed up to greet him.

  "Have you received the message?"

  "Received, all crew members have returned on board, the submarine is in optimal condition, batteries are fully charged, and we are currently conducting food and fresh water replenishment operations."

  "How much longer?" Hua Jianfeng's footsteps were swift and light, as if he wanted to step onto the submarine in one stride.

  "For at least two hours, I have been in contact with the base's logistics department, and they are also doing their best."

  "Go and hurry them up again, and get all hands on deck."

  Hua Jianfeng did not go directly to the submarine, but instead went back to his dormitory, changed into casual clothes, packed a few changes of clothes, and locked the "last letter" he had written on the road in his drawer. If he sacrificed himself in battle, his comrades would check his belongings and find the last letter he left behind.

  Hua Jianfeng boarded the submarine, where thirty-three officers and men stood in two rows, waiting for the captain's orders.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, we will set sail urgently and rush to the distant battlefield. This time, it's not a training mission, but a combat mission. From now on, no one is allowed to leave the submarine. If you need to take a dump or write a will, be quick about it, we're departing in... " After glancing at his watch, Huajian Feng said, "one and a half hours."

  The officers and soldiers were all somewhat shocked - it wasn't a training mission, but a combat mission!

  Within half an hour, seventeen officers and soldiers handed over their wills. According to the rules, the wills of the officers and soldiers would be kept uniformly. If they could return safely, the wills would be returned intact; if they died at sea, the wills would be sent to their relatives. The other sixteen officers and soldiers did not write wills because they had already written them earlier and handed them over to the personnel department.

  At 7:30 pm, the last mooring rope was untied and the fore and aft ballast tanks of "Swordfish" began to take in water.

  About two minutes later, "Swordfish" dived into the sea.

  In the several dozen days that followed, the Swordfish would not again touch air.

  ****

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