Chapter Forty-six Spare Plan

  The sudden ringing of the phone woke Ji Youguo up from his beautiful dream.

  "I'm Ji Youguo..." Ji Youguo lowered his voice, "What? When did it happen? I'll be right there."

  When Ji Youguo got out of bed, he found that his wife had turned over and fallen asleep again. He quietly put on his slippers and robe, and tiptoed out of the bedroom.

  Ten minutes later, Yuan Shou arrived at the Xiyuan Garden study.

  "Just received the latest news from the General Staff Department." Wang Yuanqing also looked disheveled, probably like Ji Youguo, and was also called up from bed by phone. "Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Indian Army Commander Vohra and Navy Commander Das are all in the bombed house."

  "How could they be together?" Ji Youguo said as he buttoned up his shirt.

  "The General Staff didn't mention it, I guess they were discussing impeachment of Santos."

  Ji Youguo was shocked. "What did Santos do?"

  King Wong immediately shook his head. "The bomb was dropped by a Pakistani fighter jet, the unit and location of the aircraft, the identity of the pilot, the type of bomb used, the source of tactical intelligence, and the identity of the tactical commander who ordered the bombing are all under investigation. Once we have confirmed information, the General Staff will notify us immediately."

  "Hurry up and prepare the car, we're going to the General Staff Headquarters. Also, have Zhao Rundong and Huang Guowei go over there too."

  Five minutes later, Ji Youguo and Wang Yuanqing left the Presidential Palace.

  The car team had just set off for less than five minutes when the phone rang.

  "I am Wang Yuanqing, yes, understood." After hanging up the phone, Wang Yuanqing said to the premier beside him, "The Military Intelligence Bureau received a message that the Pakistani intelligence department has just arrested an air force officer."

  Ji Youguo nodded silently, without saying a word.

  After the motorcade arrived at the General Staff Headquarters, Zhao Rundong and Huang Guowei also rushed over one after another.

  "The military is still investigating and I have already asked General Xu Qiliang to meet with the Pakistan Air Force Chief of Staff, hoping to get more information."

  "Is Pan Yunsheng still here?"

  "I've already contacted him, he'll be here within ten minutes."

  "Let's go to the conference room." Ji Youguo didn't stop in his tracks. "After Pan Yunsheng arrives, have him come over directly."

  Ten minutes later, the head of Military Intelligence who had returned temporarily on official business arrived at the cipher conference room of the General Staff.

  "The message has been received." Pan Yunsheng did not waste the precious time of several 'big shots'. "In addition, I also received a message that the captured Pakistani Air Force officer was the senior staff who planned the tactical bombing mission. Preliminary judgment, he had been turned over and provided incorrect target information for the aircraft in the bombing action, or let the bombs that should have destroyed the air defense position deployed in the Ludhiana suburb deviate by thousands of meters and hit Rahul Gandhi's temporary residence."

  "Can it be proved that this is an action planned by Indian intelligence agencies or the CIA?"

  "We don't have any reliable evidence in our hands, even if we catch the Pakistani military officer who betrayed his country, it can't prove anything." Pan Yunsheng sighed, "I've already contacted high-level spies active in India, hoping to get a breakthrough from the Indian intelligence department."

  "What does it mean?" Ji Youguo asked again.

  "The greatest suspicion is not on Santos, but on the CIA, or some American interest groups. Rajiv Gandhi had dozens of safe houses and was under tight protection, with his movements strictly confidential. Without the support of Indian intelligence agencies, it would have been impossible for the CIA to know that Rajiv would secretly meet with the Army Commander and Navy Commander at a temporary safe house in Ludhiana, let alone accurately grasp the time of the meeting."

  Ji Youguo nodded slightly. "You stay here and handle this matter personally, get conclusive evidence as soon as possible."

  Pan Yunsheng agreed and he also did not plan to return to the experimental center immediately.

  "We must figure out how much impact this incident will have." Ji Youguo scanned the attendees. "One bomb took out Rahul, the biggest threat to Santos, and also killed the Army and Navy commanders who were dissatisfied with Vandal's suicide. Without a doubt, Santos is the biggest beneficiary of this mistaken bombing. In addition, Santos will definitely use this mistaken bombing to intensify the nationalist sentiment of the Indian people, and then consolidate his regime as a national hero."

  Zhao Rundong rubbed his forehead, "As expected, he will deliver a televised speech within four hours."

  "He will also target Pakistan." Huang Guowei sighed, "Claiming that Pakistan carried out the beheading operation and deliberately killed Gandhi to divert public attention. If he wants to, he can even put India in a state of war and gain the power of a wartime prime minister."

  "No matter what Santos does, it's impossible to turn the tide of battle." Peng Maobang's words were very brief.

  "Huang Guowei, you need to contact the Pakistani Foreign Minister as soon as possible." Ji Youguo had already made a decision. "Before the incident is investigated clearly, Pakistan should not make any statements to avoid escalating conflicts and being used by Santos. In addition, it can be announced that a temporary ceasefire will last for 24 hours."

  "Do I need to ventilate with America?"

  Ji Youguo rubbed his chin and quickly began to think.

  Even if the US had a million reasons to take out Rahul Gandhi and even masterminded and participated in it, not only would the US not be implicated but also condemn Pakistan's actions of targeting civilians and party leaders with a sympathetic face, standing firm on moral grounds.

  The key question is whether this was a US-planned action or an action authorized by the President of the United States.

  If it is, then there's no need to communicate with the US at all, everyone understands. If not, then we should test the US President's bottom line and figure out who is behind the scenes manipulating things.

  Thinking of this, Ji Youguo made up his mind. "Let's see how the US reacts, maybe Jia Pei will contact me proactively."

  Huang Guowei nodded in agreement, he also had this opinion.

  "I want to know clearly what impact this incident will have on the Indo-Pakistani War." Ji Yuanguo looked at Peng Maobang. "As national sentiment intensifies, the war is likely to drag on, which would be of no benefit to us. What method can we use to make the war end as soon as possible and make Santos acknowledge India's defeat?"

  "After the problem has intensified, even Santos may not be able to decide." Zhao Rundong muttered.

  "We can only end this quickly." Peng Maobang said, taking out a document. "Before the war broke out, we had considered this possibility and formulated this backup combat plan. Whether Santos and the Indian people are willing or not to stop firing, as long as India's military strength is destroyed, India will be forced to declare a ceasefire. Of course, from a realistic point of view, as long as the Indian Air Force is defeated, India will have no choice."

  Ji Youguo nodded slightly, it can be said that this is the most helpless measure.

  "The question is whether Pakistan can quickly knock out the Indian Air Force?" Huang Guowei worries more than anyone else.

  "It's out of the question to rely on Pakistan, we must take action ourselves." Peng Maobang handed the documents to Ji Youguo and said, "Our troops will participate in the war under the name of the Pakistani Air Force. The main targets are India's air force bases, ground command centers, anti-aircraft positions, and troop gathering points. As long as we destroy India's defensive capabilities in the northwest and threaten New Delhi, it will be enough to make India surrender."

  "How many troops need to be mobilized?"

  "It won't be too little." Zhao Rundong smiled wryly and helped Peng Maobang answer.

  Ji Youguo did not speak with the Minister of National Defense, and the Chief of General Staff looked over.

  "If Pakistan Air Force undertakes some secondary tasks, we would probably need to deploy one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty combat aircraft." After a slight pause, Peng Meng-bang continued, "The combat troops can be deployed within twenty-four hours, and the detailed revision of the combat plan can also be completed within twenty-four hours."

  Ji Youguo nodded slightly and looked towards the Minister of National Defense.

  "If we can end the war as soon as possible, it's necessary to take action. But...” Zhao Rundong sighed inwardly, “We must consider another situation, after directly participating in the war, will it lead to direct confrontation with India, and will it drag us into this war?"

  "We have already been drawn into this war and..."

  Ji Youguo pressed down on his hand, stopping Peng Maobang's words, and said: "We can only give up the plan to recover the southern Tibet region and avoid direct confrontation with India. Of course, it is only a temporary abandonment, not an eternal one. In addition, the blow must be thorough, so that India will not be able to pose a threat to us for the next ten or even twenty years. This way, India will not dare to confront us, and may even take the initiative to improve relations with us."

  Zhao Rundong's eyebrows jumped a few times. Could it be that before this, Ji Youguo wanted to take advantage of the Indo-Pakistani War to recover the southern Tibet region?

  "If we want to expand the scope of our strike, it's better for us to take on the Indian Navy rather than the Indian Army." After a moment of silence, Pan Yunsheng spoke up, "After all, sinking several warships will have a much smaller impact on the emotions of the Indian people compared to killing tens of thousands of Indian soldiers, but the military effect we gain will be much more significant."

  "How much strength is needed?" Ji Youguo looked at Peng Maobang.

  "We can mobilize our carrier fleet and dispatch a long-range raid by air groups. Probably one squadron of combat aircraft would be enough to complete the task. Of course, on condition that the Indian fleet leaves Cochin Port."

  "Santos will give us this opportunity." Zhao Rundong took over the topic, "Under the impetus of national sentiment, Santos will not be without a move. Dispatching the navy can not only avoid a ground war with Pakistan but also achieve a better effect. Most importantly, our special mixed fleet does not have an aircraft carrier."

  "It's rare! Old Zhao and Old Peng, who never hit it off, are actually singing the same tune."

  Ji Youguo said that, Peng Maobang and Zhao Rundong were both stunned for a moment, then the people in the conference room burst out laughing.

  "It's settled then." Ji Youguo knocked on the table, "Preparatory work must be completed within 24 hours. Once the timing is ripe, we will take immediate action. Old Peng, the battle operations are in your hands. Old Zhao, arrangements for the Ministry of National Defense's support work should also be made."

  "No problem, this time I'm willing to be the quartermaster general."

  "Lao Zhao, you're wrong this time. After winning the battle, the Minister of National Defense is the number one contributor."

  Seeing the two generals let bygones be bygones, Ji Youguo revealed a relieved smile. Perhaps, Peng Maobang and Zhao Rundong making amends was Ji Youguo's greatest gain after all.