Chapter 41

  January 7th, morning. I arrived at the camp of the Western Zun Liberation Army's First Brigade by car and heard their training voices from afar, especially the out-of-tune "1, 2, 3, 4" commands. My car stopped in front of the camp gate because it was blocked by a sentry. Liu Hu jumped off the car and shouted at the Western Zun sentry: "Can't you see this is the commander's car? Let us pass quickly."

  The soldier at the gate was a bit dazed. When he saw me get out of the car, looking very majestic, he immediately saluted and said: "Search Zhang."

  I was stunned for a moment, and it took me half a day to realize he was calling me "Shou Zhang", I forced a wry smile and returned a military salute, saying: "Hello, guard! Just report that Tang Ning from the 7th Army has come to visit!"

  That Na Xi Zhu soldier initially widened his eyes in confusion, but when he heard "Tang Ning", he looked at me again and suddenly became alert, standing up straighter and saying loudly: "Shi, sou Zhang! Wo qu huan lü zhang (Yes, Commander! I'll go call the Brigade Commander)". After finishing speaking, he picked up the phone from his pocket and spoke for a while. Before long, I saw Daviel and others hurrying over in a rush. Daviel walked up to me, saluted and said: "Jun Zhang Tong Zhi (Commander Comrade)"

  I couldn't help but smile wryly and said to Zhao Jun, the political commissar of the First Regiment: "It sounds quite awkward to me, Commissar Zhao."

  Zhao Zhengwei smiled a little awkwardly and then said to me, "General, please come in." I nodded and followed them into the courtyard, where I saw rows of Western-style PLA soldiers marching in formation on the playground. On the side, there were also Western-style PLA soldiers practicing stabbing techniques, creating a lively scene. I watched with great interest, while Daviel beside me was excitedly explaining, spitting out words all over the place. I smiled and listened, and even if I didn't understand, there would be timely translations to explain.

  After the inspection, I came to the conference room and sat down with a smile: "I was surprised when I saw it, but more of it is happy and satisfied, you are very good!"

  Daweil was overjoyed after hearing that, while Political Commissar Zhao Jun said, "That's what we should do, it's our duty."

  "I listened and looked at him and said: 'Don't be so modest, if it's good then it's good, no need to be humble!' I continued to ask: 'What do you guys usually do during your break time?'"

  Zhao Jun replied, "Commander, during our rest time, the Xizang soldiers all gather around us to learn Chinese characters. We have no choice but to organize a unified study session after dinner. The teaching materials are the Chairman's quotes and everyday expressions."

  "Not bad! You've got a set!"

  Zhao Jun heard my praise, his expression was a bit excited and continued to say: "Now the soldiers are learning after finishing one by one on stage to express their own experiences and accusations against the Xizang government, all expressing their desire to establish a government like ours, the situation is very good, haha."

  I said: "Well, don't be too excited, we need to keep it up and also pay attention to the dietary habits of the Western Zhou warriors."

  "Yes, I will pay attention."

  "What's the current situation with party member development here?"

  Zhao Jun replied: "In addition to Zhang Chang being a party member, 10 other comrades have submitted their applications to join the party, and we are currently reviewing them!"

  I nodded and said to Davier: "Davie, is there any trouble? If so, just mention it."

  Daweer said after listening to the translation: "Commander, can you give us military uniforms like yours? We are all in the revolution just like you."

  "I listened to the translated words and said: 'Alright, I'll go back and make arrangements. Is there anything else?'"

  Davril shook his head and said, "No more."

  I stood up and said: "Well, I'll go back then."

  Zhao Jun hastily said: "Commander, stay and have lunch before leaving, Zhang Liang is still nagging to talk to you!"

  I thought to myself: Liangzi has also been transferred here as an instructor, and it's really been a long time since I last spoke with them. I nodded and said, "Then let's just eat here."

  Zhao Jun hastily said: "I'll go and arrange it now."

  I nodded and said: "En."

  I called Davier out to take a look, and we came to the warriors' dormitory. The quilts were stacked neatly, swept clean, and there was even a duty roster posted on the wall. I patted Davier's shoulder with satisfaction and said, "Good."

  Dawei looked at me with a satisfied gaze and said, "Thank you for the compliment." I was taken aback by his words and thought to myself: these few words were spoken very standardly. After I came out, I arrived at the playground and saw Liangzi teaching Western boxing to the soldiers on the field. I walked over to take a look, and when Liangzi saw me coming, he walked over and saluted, saying "Commander." The soldiers also immediately stood at attention and said "Good morning, Chief!" I also gave them a solemn military salute. Seeing my serious salute, each of the soldiers was somewhat moved. Liangzi asked, "Commander, want to see some moves?"

  I glared at him and said, "You and me?"

  Liangzi listened and shook her head, saying: "With you? That's just asking for trouble!"

  "I heard someone say: 'You go ahead and busy yourself for now, let's have dinner together later and chat.'"

  Liàngzi listened with shining eyes and said: "Alright."

  I nodded and went to take a look elsewhere. At lunchtime, I met other cadres of the First Brigade under Davier's introduction and made an exception to drink wine. I guess when I get back, Lao Cheng will nag again.

  After finishing the meal, I didn't stay long and returned to the military department. As soon as I arrived at the military department, I ordered two sets of military uniforms for each person in the first brigade. After handling this, I was about to take a rest and sober up from the wine when Lao Cheng, Lao Pang, and Lao Lan came over. Lao Cheng saw me and smiled, saying: "Good, Commander, you had a good drink at noon!"

  I heard him say: "Went to the first trip and took a look, had a drink with them in the afternoon, isn't this building relationships?"

  Lao Cheng didn't say much about this issue, but instead asked: "How is it? How's the situation with the First Brigade?"

  I heard someone say: "You sit down." After I invited them to sit down, I shouted: "Liu Hu, Liu Hu."

  Liu Hu quickly walked in and said: "Commander, what's going on?"

  "Go and make three cups of tea."

  "Yes."

  I then said to them: "The situation is not bad this time." Then I told the situation, and Lao Cheng said: "Yes, the spirit is commendable!"

  Lao Pang then asked: "What was the soldier's attitude like?"

  "I replied: 'Not at all, no hostility whatsoever.'"

  Lao Pang nodded after listening, and Lao Lan said: "Then Military Commander, should we report to Director Lin?"

  "I heard him say: 'Of course, I'll call back and report in a moment.'"

  At this time, Liu Hu walked in with a tray of tea and served them one by one. After he went out, I continued to say: "Now it's already January 7th, and it's been a week since the last meeting, so I think we should take action too."

  Lao Pang said: "Not necessarily, now there are still three other airports and two roads under construction. I think we have to wait until they can be used before the commander-in-chief will give the order to attack."

  Lan Canmou also said: "Right, after all, we now have 3 armies, if the logistics supply is not resolved well, it's impossible to start a war."

  I nodded and said: "That's best, let the First Brigade train more while they still can!"

  They all nodded in agreement after listening. After chatting for a while, they all left because they had something to do, and I closed my eyes and fell asleep to sober up.