Chapter 26

  The good news came one after another, and after the meeting, I received a telegram from Dong Zhi, which said that after the 86th and 142nd divisions were drawn from the Sichuan Military Region, they would also be incorporated into the front command's combat sequence. The two division commanders would serve as deputy commanders, and other personnel of the current front command would remain unchanged.

  "It seems that the top has thoroughly handed over command authority to us, and our burden is even heavier."

  Lan Canmou said on the side: "As the power grows, so does the responsibility, this is a very normal thing."

  "I also said casually: 'Nothing, this is the organization's recognition and trust in our abilities.'"

  The deputy director listened to my words and suddenly laughed, I saw a daze, he said: "Hehe, now Tang Ning Tang Shizhang's political awareness has progressed very quickly, speaking is one after another, haha!"

  My face turned red as I heard that, and I touched my head with a sense of embarrassment, saying: "Isn't it because you taught me well?"

  He smiled and said with a sigh: "We are still very lucky on the front line! Soldiers, only war can reflect their true value."

  The deputy commander listened and looked at me, reminding me: "Lao Lan! You've said a bit too much."

  I thought to myself: Huh? Still treating me like an outsider? I felt a bit uncomfortable.

  Lan Canmoulang listened and shook his head, then turned to me and said: "I think Little Tang is not that kind of person who likes to wag his tongue, but a down-to-earth person who gets things done! What do you say, Little Tang?"

  I nodded slightly and shrugged, saying: "Don't praise me too much, Old Lan. I only know that a soldier's duty is to defend the country and protect his home, this is what I have come to realize after joining the army."

  The deputy director shook his head and said: "You have such thoughts, but some of our old comrades haven't thought as thoroughly as you."

  "I continued: 'People will change, once their status is different, their thoughts are also different, people all have ambitions.'"

  After I finished speaking, everyone suddenly fell silent, no one had the desire to speak, and they just sat there quietly, thinking. Suddenly, General Lan broke the silence and asked me: "Little Tang, why did you join the army?"

  I said with a bit of despair, "Even if I tell you, you won't believe me, and don't laugh at me! My ultimate goal in joining the army was just to not starve, afraid of starving to death! You don't know how hard it is when it's cold and hungry, that taste is unbearable, I don't want to experience it again!"

  Lan Canmoulang heard and asked: "Are you an orphan?"

  "I replied: 'It's almost the same for me. I only have one master, and he raised me by himself. He passed away a few years ago.'"

  The deputy commander said: "Why don't we believe? We're all the same, we've all suffered from hunger pangs! I and Old Luan joined the revolution because we couldn't make a living either."

  Lan said with a hint of frustration, "It's really ironic to say that after more than a decade into the new society, we still can't even solve the problem of people's basic needs! And yet, they're still talking about this movement and that spirit. I just don't get it." After finishing speaking, Lan's expression changed, realizing he had misspoken, and looked at me with a complex gaze.

  I continued: "I didn't hear anything, I didn't hear anything after leaving this door."

  Lan Canmou and Cheng Fu Shizhang listened with a relieved expression. Lan Canmou said gratefully, "Thank you."

  "I listened to Mang Shang say: 'What are you thanking me for? We're comrades-in-arms, we're comrades who share life and death!'"

  Lan Canmou and Cheng Fushizhang looked at each other and said in unison: "Right! We are comrades-in-arms!"

  "I asked: 'Don't the Chairman and others know about the current situation in our motherland?'"

  The deputy commander said: "Sometimes people get confused."

  The chief advisor said: "Nowadays, there is a prevailing trend in society where everyone only talks about the good things, and reports only happy news but not worries. The good things are exaggerated, while the bad things are all hidden and dragged on! As a result, from top to bottom, it's all just a chorus of praise, saying that socialism is great!"

  The vice president said: "Alright, say a few more words, the chairman will know about it, don't shout, you're the clearest!"

  I kind of understood after listening, but I didn't continue asking further either.

  That night, I, Lan Canmou, had a long conversation with Deputy Commander Tang. Our friendship deepened even more. People are like that, once they've connected on a deeper level, their feelings will also deepen. After the fact, I thought to myself: Have I changed too? Have I started caring about things outside of the military as well? Ah, Tang Ning, you'd better take care of yourself. I let out a long sigh and lay down on my bed to rest.

  On October 20, the 86th and 142nd Divisions from Shuzhou Military Region finally arrived. This was a guarantee for me to continue launching new attacks on the Western Zun Army, because our next opponents were not only the four brigades of the 4th Division but also two other divisions of the 4th Corps. I immediately arranged for them to do a good job in logistics.

  At this time, Colonel Kaul was racking his brains to plan to take back Davang, in order to keep his own position, and now he had no way out. But now the morale of the 4th Division is low, unable to withstand a battle, and it also needs to wait for logistical supplies, so Colonel Kaul made up his mind to concentrate the main force of the 4th Army after the supplies arrive, and launch an all-out attack on the Longwei Army.

  On October 19, the news of defeat reached New Delhi, and the whole of India was plunged into chaos and shock. The crowd gathered in front of the government gate, demanding that the government explain the reasons for the defeat and punish those responsible. The government hastily declared that it would shift all the blame to Daulatram's shoulders (Kaul again used Daulatram as a scapegoat when reporting on the war situation). Moreover, Prime Minister Nehru personally took over the Ministry of Defence and ordered the country to enter a state of emergency. The Indian government was so frightened that it even dug air-raid shelters in the parks of New Delhi, and for a time, the Indians were in a state of panic.

  The Chinese government called for peaceful negotiations with the Western government to resolve border issues after the great victory of Ke Jie Lang, but the Nehru government of Xizang not only brutally persecuted the overseas Chinese and descendants of Longwei in the country, but also purchased a large number of weapons from Western countries. At a rally, Nehru shouted out the name of Saint Gandhi, shouting "Drive out the people of Longwei". The attention of the major Western powers was suddenly focused on the two countries of Longwei and Xizang, focusing on the war zone between the two countries, focusing on the Davang area.

  At this time, the Davang area entered a brief period of ceasefire. Both sides were accumulating strength to deliver a fatal blow to their opponents. We were busy integrating the combat effectiveness of the 201st Division, and the transfer of cadres would inevitably affect the combat effectiveness of the soldiers below. The newly arrived 86th and 142nd Divisions were familiarizing themselves with the terrain and weather in preparation for the upcoming battle. I demanded that all units bring out their full strength before choosing to attack, so as to ensure victory in the battle and minimize casualties. Time passed slowly like this until October 27th.