Chapter Thirty-Seven

  "I continued: 'What's the situation on the Western Front?'"

  The chief advisor said: "No."

  I bowed my head and thought for a moment, then said: "I want to integrate the troops at the fastest speed, replenish the personnel and start training immediately."

  "Yes."

  "Dismissed."

  I asked Old Xing who was staying with me: "Has the funeral of Commander Pan Cheng and Xue Fei been arranged?"

  Lao Xing nodded and said with a heavy tone: "It's done. The ashes have been sent to our hometown."

  "Uh-huh."

  Lao Xing continued: "They also died in vain, sacrificing for the country, it was worth it!"

  I immediately said: "I still hope that everyone among us will take good care of themselves, by the way, Old Xing, you are now considered to have regained your former position, how is it?"

  Haha, I didn't expect it either, Old Gu and the others didn't think so too! It's still better on the battlefield!

  I said: "Don't be so sentimental! You must lead the troops and the 201st Brigade well!"

  Lao Xing listened and said: "It seems like from the 53rd regiment, it's been us who have been leading, and the regimental commander hasn't really led before, just giving orders from above!"

  I heard Old Xing say: "Get out, I don't want to see you."

  "Haha, I'm leaving then, you can rest assured!"

  I smiled and nodded, saying: "En."

  The next day, I received a notice that the new recruits from the rear had arrived, and I immediately arranged for each division to receive and take charge of training them. I was busy discussing with Lao Cheng and others how we should implement the follow-up part of the Winter Thunder plan. At this time, I received a telegram from the Military Commission, which said that the 7th Army would rest for one month and wait for the attack order at that time. After reading it, I ordered the lower levels to intensify training, and I also asked about Davier's situation. Deputy Political Commissar Lao Wu replied: "He is now very correct in his thinking, studying actively, and has great prestige among the captured soldiers. Under his leadership, the prisoners have undergone a significant transformation. Oh, by the way, he can't stop thinking about how we can catch Kaur and scold him." I nodded my head in satisfaction, saying: "Well, it seems that he has been remade quite well! Let's take a look first, if it's good, let him join the party first."

  Political Commissar Lao Cheng said: "I also mean this, let's observe for a while longer."

  I asked Lao Cheng: "Commissar, how is the soldiers' food now?"

  Lao Cheng replied: "It's okay, occasionally add some wild flavor."

  "Uh-huh."

  I picked up the document on the table and took a look. The document listed the personnel situation of the entire army. I only realized that I had also become a big shot after reading it. The entire army has 3 divisions, 2 regiments, 1 transportation battalion, 1 military police company, and 1 cultural troupe. Among them, the 201st division has a full strength of 12,221 people, the 54th division has 8,624 people, and the 142nd division has 8,712 people. In addition, there are 2,021 people in the guard regiment, and 1,235 people in the artillery regiment. The main force has a total of 33,600 people. At that time, adding various civilian personnel, the logistics department will have more than 35,000 people. I looked at the data above and smiled foolishly. Others saw my smile and shook their heads, then lowered their heads to work.

  Time flies quickly, and in the blink of an eye, a month has passed. It's December 27th today. At 9:00 this morning, I was handling matters at the military department as usual when the Military Commission arrived. I took over the telegram handed to me by the communications officer, and after taking a look, I was shocked to see that it read: "Special Order: The 7th Army under Tang Ning's command is ordered to postpone its attack plan. In order to better complete military actions against the enemy, the 40th and 25th Armies are hereby ordered to join the battle sequence. The 40th and 25th Armies must arrive no later than New Year's Day. Before their arrival, the 7th Army is not allowed to attack. To coordinate the battles of various armies, the Military Commission has decided to cancel the Eastern Front Command and the Eastern Front Forward Command, and approve the establishment of the Western Zhun Campaign Headquarters. Lin Gang will serve as the commander-in-chief and political commissar, with no deputy commander-in-chief appointed. Commander Lin will have full command over the battle. The headquarters will be established on New Year's Day, and its location will be in Davang." I didn't expect Vice-Chairman Lin to come personally, let alone take command. But then again, this is an external campaign, and the vice-chairman wouldn't try to undermine me, would he? After some thought, I decided to call everyone over for a meeting.

  An hour later, I saw that everyone had arrived, so I passed on the telegram. After everyone finished reading it, I asked: "What does everyone think?"

  Lao Xing stood up and said: "General, Vice Chairman Lin came to take over as commander-in-chief, which is very normal. His ability is widely recognized. If he weren't in poor health, he wouldn't be in a state of semi-retirement. I think this is worrying that General's experience is too shallow. The 25th and 40th armies that came this time are all veteran troops. Although they are called an army, they are actually at the scale of a group army, with over 50,000 people each. The concern is that General will not be able to command them, and..."

  "And what?"

  "What's this?"

  I saw Old Xing being a bit nagging and impatiently said: "Hurry up and say it, what's with the beating around the bush?"

  Lao Cheng said, "Let me say it. Actually, Commander, you're a bit of an unspoken issue. You were already a commander at 21 years old, and if we go back in time, you would have been a lieutenant general by now. Look at the current commanders - aren't they all old revolutionaries? The top is afraid that your reputation will be too big, and it won't be good for you. If this time you lead the troops to victory again, what will happen? Will you be made commander of the military region? And if you fail, how will they deal with you? Will they just remove you from office? This is something that the top doesn't want to see. From the repeated instances of skipping ranks and promotions, it's clear that the top highly values you and regards you as a talented individual to be cultivated. Moreover, this time Vice Chairman Lin came to command the 40th Army, which is his own faction, and he has also commanded the 25th Army before. He is rich in experience of large-scale warfare and has a wealth of experience. Adding to that, Commander, you are young and understand the actual situation, so this is the most stable method." After finishing speaking, he sat down and looked at me, not just him, but everyone else was also looking at me. I listened and thought for a moment: "Ah, it's still a matter of seniority!" My mouth said, "Yes, that makes sense, I will obey the orders from above." Everyone's expression relaxed when they heard this, and Old Han stood up and said, "Commander, how should we welcome Vice Chairman Lin? It's estimated that he will arrive tomorrow, and his people will arrive today to set up the command post for preliminary work. Shouldn't we send someone to cooperate and assist?"

  "Go, you should go!" I ordered Director Sun Hao, "Your logistics department must send someone to take a look immediately. Once they arrive, go and assist them. If they lack anything, prioritize replenishing it."

  "Yes."

  I asked again: "How is the road from Damxung to Nyingchi Airport now?"

  "Now the highway can accommodate two-way traffic, and the road surface is still passable, but once it rains, it's a bit precarious, mainly because I'm afraid of landslides!"

  "I said: 'Tell the person in charge of the road construction team to think of a way to solve the problem and try to minimize the danger as much as possible.'"

  "Yes."

  "If there's nothing else, let's adjourn."

  "Yes."