Chapter Thirty-Nine

  I had just returned to the military department for a short time when I received Davier's application to join the party. I took a look at the application and was surprised by what was written on it, which was much better than my previous applications. I shook my head and went to Old Cheng's office, handed it to him, and he was also surprised after reading it. He thought for a moment and said: "He must have found someone to copy from, he can't even write Chinese characters, haha."

  I just thought of it and said: "En, right. How about him, did he pass?"

  Lao Cheng said: "This application is no problem, but let him join the party must be discussed and passed at the Party Committee meeting."

  I heard someone say: "You and I have agreed, what else is the problem? It's passed."

  Lao Cheng said: "That won't do, this program has to be carried out, otherwise others will say something."

  I said: "That's okay, but I still have to let him come out and work, his party membership is not through, how can he work?"

  Lao Cheng thought for a moment and asked me: "What do you think we should do?"

  "I replied: 'It's a special case, so let him come out first and we'll approve it at the next party committee meeting.'"

  Lao Cheng said: "Alright, I'll do as you say."

  "Well, I'm off." With that, I went out and ordered Daviel to select troops on the spot and report to the military department.

  I heard that the General Headquarters has started making preparations in Davan, but I didn't go. I'll just wait for Vice Chairman Lin Gang to arrive and await his orders before going. Besides, I don't have time to go there anyway.

  January 1st is the day when the General Command was established. I received a notice yesterday and came to attend this first meeting of the General Command. I, along with other main military officers, arrived at the command center's war conference room, where others were already present. We took our seats, and I noticed that people from the 40th and 25th armies had also arrived early. The commander of the 40th army was a robust man in his forties, looking very fierce; while the commander of the 25th army looked like a scholar, quiet and calm. They were both watching me, and I thought to myself: these are my future comrades-in-arms.

  Before long, we only heard "Vice Chairman Lin has arrived." We immediately stopped talking and saw Vice Chairman Lin Biao walking towards us while looking at us. He walked to his seat and sat down without saying a word, looking at each of us one by one. When he looked at me, his gaze paused for a moment before moving on to look at others. The direction we three military leaders were seated was quite interesting, forming a left-center-right lineup. To the left was the 40th Army, to the right was the 25th Army, and directly across from Lin Biao was my 7th Army. Lin Biao also noticed this arrangement, furrowed his brow, and said: "Next time you come to a meeting, make sure to sit in order! What kind of appearance is this? You're all standing on tiptoes!"

  Everyone was silent after hearing it. Vice Chairman Lin Gang said sternly, "What? Didn't you hear? Do I need to repeat it?"

  Everyone below us involuntarily said: "Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang listened and continued to say: "This time, I called everyone here, mainly to get familiar with each other. In the future, we will be fighting together. At the same time, I also want to say a few words." He paused for a moment, looked around, and said: "I hope that my orders will be executed by you without any discount or deduction. Otherwise, military law is merciless. Does everyone understand?"

  "Yes, got it."

  "Now, let me talk about the current situation. Currently, our army has concentrated 2 corps of troops in the western part of Xizang Autonomous Region and plans to enter Xigaze from there; In the south, Tibet has concentrated 3 corps of troops with over 130,000 troops, just one day's supply is very large, and so many troops are not conducive to deployment in these mountains. Our top priority is to get to the plains. My initial idea is to divide into three routes: The first route is the left route, along the Brahmaputra River northward, the main task is to occupy the towns along the way and pin down the 32nd Army of Xigaze, then eliminate it, and finally capture Shiliguri. This route will be taken by the 40th Corps; The second route is the right route, along the Brahmaputra River southward, its main task is to open up the Bay of Bengal, occupy Calcutta Port, this task will be undertaken by the 25th Corps; The third route is the central route, the main task is to directly attack the enemy's heart, capture Siliguri, disrupt the enemy's deployment, and destroy their will to resist. This route will be taken by the 7th Corps. What do you think?"

  As soon as the words fell, everyone began to talk in a low voice. After a while, I saw the commander of the 25th Army stand up and say: "Commander-in-Chief, from the map, my 25th Army is heading south from the northeast direction, which is equivalent to crossing the eastern part of Xizang. Our military strength is a bit insufficient?"

  Lin Geng said: "Your 25th Army looks like it has a heavy task, but actually it's not that heavy. Along the way, you don't have any main enemy forces, the only danger is several coastal cities. I don't care what method you use, give yourself one month to complete the task. If you can't do it, then don't come back."

  The 25th Army Commander gritted his teeth and shouted: "Yes, I guarantee the completion of the task." After finishing speaking, he sat down.

  Lin Gang said to the commander of the 40th Army: "Commander Zhou Kai, is there anything you'd like to ask?"

  "We have no problem!"

  Vice Chairman Lin nodded and said to me: "Comrade Tang Ning, what about you?"

  I listened and stood up saying: "I have a suggestion, I hope the commander-in-chief agrees."

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang listened with interest and asked: "Oh? Tell me."

  "I replied: 'I hope to have the right to handle various situations at the front line and take corresponding actions.'"

  "Exactly, is there anything else?" said Vice Chairman Lin Gang.

  "How much time can you give me, Commander-in-Chief?"

  Lin Gang said: "You three routes are all for three months. How much capability you have is how much space you occupy, but the military objective must be achieved."

  "Yes."

  Lin Gang said: "No problem, disperse the meeting, everyone will prepare separately and listen for my attack order."

  "Yes."

  Lin Gang said to me: "Comrade Tang Ning, stay a little longer."

  I listened and said to Lao Cheng and the others: "You go first."

  Lao Cheng nodded and led everyone out. When only I and Vice Chairman Lin Gang were left in the conference room, Vice Chairman Lin Gang stood up, walked to me, pulled a chair and sat down, then said: "Comrade Tang Ning, your army must quickly solve the 6th Division, and then capture Xilong. Your success or failure is related to the success or failure of the other two routes. If you capture Xilong, it will inevitably cause the enemy's morale to plummet, while reducing the obstacles for our left and right routes, allowing us to occupy our respective military targets and complete our tasks."

  "I listened and asked: 'Why didn't you let the 40th or 25th army complete this task?'"

  Lin Gang smiled and said, "Your troops are the most familiar with the enemy, and you still have those several thousand Xizang prisoners who have undergone thought reform. Don't tell me you haven't thought of using them!"

  "I immediately said: 'Commander-in-Chief, I understand.'"

  Lin Gang, vice chairman, nodded and said: "Tang Ning, you do a good job, I won't bury you."

  I listened and didn't think much of it, hastily saying: "Yes, Commander-in-Chief."

  Vice President Lin listened and said with great satisfaction: "Go."

  I stood up and saluted, saying: "Farewell, Commander-in-Chief!"

  "Alright."

  I quickly walked out of the conference room and took a car back to the military department.