Chapter 27

  October 27th, after receiving the latest intelligence from the enemy, I immediately ordered a meeting. At the meeting, I briefly explained the situation of the enemy and looked at the comrades present before continuing: "Comrades, since our army recovered Dawang, in order to guarantee the logistics supply of our army, the leadership above specially dispatched personnel to start building a highway from Tibet to Dawang, which is expected to be open to traffic in early November. Therefore, under the circumstances that our army's supplies have not yet fully arrived, I think it is temporarily not advisable to launch an attack."

  Commander Peng Dehuai said at the meeting: "Our reconnaissance units have already figured out the enemy's troop deployment. In terms of numbers, we are 1.5 to 1 against the enemy, and in artillery fire, we are 2 to 1. Our army has a great advantage, and if the enemy makes any changes in the near future that are unfavorable to our army, I'm afraid it will cause significant casualties when we attack again."

  "I heard him say: 'Does Commander Pang mean to attack now?'"

  Pang nodded and said affirmatively: "Good! Soldiers value speed! Quick battle and quick decision!"

  I smiled and looked at others saying: "Is there any different opinion? Let's discuss."

  Commander Luo Ziyang said: "I agree with Commander Pang's words, now the soldiers' morale is high and their desire to fight is very strong. I think we can attack Punar and open the western gate of Xizang."

  " I agree with Comrade Tang's proposal. We will not attack for the time being. If we were to take Punaguchari smoothly, that would be a welcome development. However, our logistics supply line would again be extended, while the enemy's logistics line would correspondingly shorten. Comrades, let us not forget that the enemy's great rear base is the Henghe Plain, with convenient transportation and easy replenishment, whereas we are in mountainous terrain."

  At this time, General Lan Jingjiang said: "The enemy has the 4th Division in Puna, and behind it are the 5th and 6th Divisions. They will not arrive in Puna in more than a day; but we have not fully prepared for the attack, and it is very likely that we will lose if we launch a rash attack. Even if the attack goes smoothly, we will still face the enemy's two divisions counterattacking." After finishing his words, he took a sip of water and continued: "Puna consists of three places: Xela, Depu, and Kandra, which are in a straight line from west to east. The distance between them is relatively short, and they can support each other; therefore, even if we don't consider the enemy's 5th and 6th Divisions, it will be quite difficult for us to defeat the current 4th Division with a small price."

  The deputy chief of staff of the 201st Division, Han, stood up and said: "Let me say a couple of words, comrades, take a look!" After finishing speaking, he walked to the military map hanging on the wall, pointing at Puna and said: "There is only one highway from Puna to Wangji, which means we can only attack the enemy through this road. However, once we attack the enemy, we cannot give them enough time to reinforce, so we are in a dilemma: if we fight, we must end the battle within a short period of time; if we don't fight, it will be even more impossible." After finishing speaking, he sat back in his chair.

  I saw everyone thinking in the direction of attack, and I didn't stop them. After all, attacking Pune is a matter of time. Now it's good to think about the battle plan. I also said: "Just now, Deputy Chief of Staff Han and others expressed their opinions. I summarize two sentences: if we want to occupy Pune, we must not give the enemy another 2 divisions of time to reinforce, and if we want to occupy Pune in a short period of time, we must think of ways to make the enemy forces stationed in these three places unable to support each other. I think that to break this mutual support, the long snake array must be used to encircle and disrupt the enemy's deployment, and it is best to create a situation of division and encirclement. Therefore, I believe that during this period of replenishment and supply, we should also find roads that can bypass and insert into the enemy's rear, and attack him suddenly! I think everyone in this period should mobilize the masses, expand the scope of exploration, and ask if there are any other small roads?"

  "Yes."

  "Alright, dismissed! If you discover a new situation, report it immediately."

  "Yes."

  After the meeting, I pulled Wu Zhengwei and asked: "Old Wu, how is the education work of the captives going?"

  Wu Zhengwei listened and replied: "Not bad, now many prisoners are actively talking about their own hardships in life."

  "Well, okay! How much longer until you can join our team?"

  "It's hard to say, after all there are language difficulties, I'll hurry up."

  "Sigh, this is also something that can't be rushed."

  "By the way, I have something to tell you."

  "What's going on?"

  "Daville's transformation isn't bad! Mainly he hates the dark leadership of the Western Army, and when he heard that this time's defeat was all put on his shoulders, he was so angry that he cried loudly! Alas, a big man like him cried like that."

  "This is the sorrow of being a soldier!"

  "Yes, never mind, I'll go first and take a look over there!"

  "Alright then, I won't see you off, have a good trip."

  "You're still so hypocritical."

  "Hehe."

  On November 10th, I was furious in the command center and shouted: "Attack, attack, but logistics are not in place, roads have not been fully surveyed, how can we attack? What is Dong Zhi thinking now?"

  "Wu Zhengwei said on the side: 'Qualities, qualities! You are now a regimental commander and a forward command officer, what kind of appearance is this?'"

  "What's the matter? It's like this! Every day they rush, every night they rush, I've said it before, the timing isn't right, don't attack for now, and yet they're still rushing! NND!"

  "Wu Zhengwei still said coldly: 'What are you staring at? Your eyes can stare as big as they want, I'm not afraid. I have to remind you! Do you still have discipline and organization now?! Commander Yao originally wanted me to keep an eye on you, so even if you scold me, I must remind you.'"

  "You!!" As soon as I heard Commander Yao's three words, I was speechless. I sat on the chair, fuming with anger.

  "Alright, alright, everyone calm down and put away your tempers. What will outsiders think if they see us like this?" Vice Chief of Staff Han Peng advised.

  The deputy director also said: "This can't be blamed on Dong Zhi, I asked his former comrades-in-arms who were with him at the time, and they said it was the intention of Lin Gang, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission."

  I was stunned and said: "It's him!"

  Lan Canmou Chang said: "Yes, now the daily work of the Military Commission is all presided over by Vice Chairman Lin."

  "I said with doubt: 'Isn't he in poor physical condition?'"

  Deputy Commander Cheng coughed twice and looked at me, I took a look and immediately ordered Liu Hu to have him stand guard outside the house, no one is allowed in without my consent. After Liu Hu went out, I said to Deputy Commander Cheng: "Old Cheng, what do you want to say?"

  The deputy director said: "Vice Chairman Lin heard that he is now very positive and wants to get involved in everything!"

  "What can we do then?"

  "What can we do? Let's just say we're preparing for war and attack as soon as the opportunity is ripe."

  I got angry and said: "What's going on here! Can't the chairman take care of this?"

  The deputy director said: "Don't you know what the chairman has said?"

  "What's up?"

  "Lin Gang, I can rest assured with you handling things!"

  I was speechless after hearing it.

  Lan Canmou said: "We are just saying this now, but Vice Chairman Lin is actually quite skilled at fighting."

  I exclaimed in surprise: "Oh? Really?"

  "En, otherwise he wouldn't have become the first Defense Minister, his ranking in the military can be as high as third place."

  I was shocked and said: "Too unexpected."

  Wu Zheng said: "Let's just forget about these things for now and focus on winning this battle."

  I said: "Right, we military personnel are still mainly fighting! I think it's still according to the original plan."

  "May it go smoothly!" said General Lan.

  I said: "I found myself very lucky, so don't worry!"

  Wu Zhengwei rolled his eyes directly after listening, Lan Canmou shook his head straight away, and Cheng Fushizhang lowered his head to drink water, pretending not to have heard.