Chapter 21

  Kaul's current days are not going well, Prime Minister Xizang called him to ask for an explanation, why the first battle was lost, and more than 50 Xizang soldiers were wiped out; The military department also sent a warning to him, asking him to return on the 11th to report his duties, and to explain in detail the reasons for the loss and the current frontline situation, so as to consider whether there is still a need to continue the next military action. Kaul clearly knew that if the action plan was terminated like this, his future would undoubtedly be over, and he would retire from the army with the shame of defeat. He was thinking deeply and made a rare phone call to Darui, and even went to his place to ask about the unfavorable factors in the war and the reasons for the loss. Darui was surprised by his performance, and later thought: Kaul is so polite to me today, probably because of tomorrow's report, compared to his own future, my grievances are not important. Well, after all, we are colleagues, who has always been smooth sailing? If someone comes to ask for evidence, I'll help him cover it up. On the way back from Darui's place, Kaul thought: Based on what I learned from Darui, I can only blame this loss on Darui, compared to my future, you're just unlucky. After thinking about it, Kaul felt relieved and proudly said to his guard: "Later, go back and make me a cup of tea. Do you know?" "I know, sir." "En." Kaul nodded and continued: "Is the plane arrangement for going to New Delhi tomorrow morning done?" "It's done, sir." "En, not bad!" Kaul said happily, "You did a great job this time, I'll find an opportunity to arrange you to be a small official in the logistics department." His guard was very surprised that his commander was still gloomy when he went to the 7th Brigade Department, like he wanted to eat people. How could he change completely after talking to Darui and become so happy? The guard thought about it, but for such a good thing as a pie falling from the sky, he was still very happy to accept it. He said respectfully: "Thank you, sir, for your promotion." Then he flattered Kaul again, making him laugh happily.

  On the 11th, Kaol took a military plane to New Delhi and went straight to see Prime Minister Nehru. When he saw Nehru, Nehru's face was expressionless, and he coldly asked him to sit down, saying: "General Kaol, what brings you here?" Kaol thought to himself: Can't I come? If I don't get past this hurdle, will the military meeting still have good results for me? He said respectfully: "Respected Prime Minister, I came to report to you on the reasons for our defeat in this battle."

  "Oh? What reason? You are the commander-in-chief of the front line, isn't it your responsibility, whose is it?" Nehru heard Kaul's words and knew he had found a scapegoat. He was very disappointed with Kaul but couldn't see him fail this time because Kaul became the commander of the 4th Army and the execution of the "Riwo" plan was all due to his efforts in overcoming opposition. Letting Kaul step down would mean that he had misjudged people."

  "It was the 7th Corps Commander Daruwi who lost this time, completely due to his own mistake in underestimating the enemy. Of course, I also have responsibility for being overly eager for success."

  Nehru listened and said: "En, I understand. This time it's alright, you are my people in both public and private matters, but you also have to make achievements for me, don't let some people laugh at me."

  Kaul nodded beside him and said: "Yes, yes, yes."

  Nehru looked at him and said, "You will say this at the military meeting in the afternoon, do you understand? As for other things, you can think for yourself, I don't need to teach you, General!"

  Kao lowered his head and said: "I understand, I know."

  Nehru stood up, took two steps and said: "From now on you must win this war for me. This is a matter of national honour. It's also the first battle since our independence. The Western powers are watching us, do you know that?"

  "Yes, I will definitely try my best and let you taste the fruit of victory."

  Nehru then smiled and said, "General, it must be very tiring for you at the front. I won't disturb you any more. You can go back and rest now, and we'll have a spirited meeting this afternoon."

  "Right, I'll be off then, Mr Prime Minister."

  Nehru waved his hand, indicating that he was going down and didn't say anything else. Kaul only discovered the sweat on his forehead and back when he went out, and he took out his handkerchief to wipe it off while walking, thinking: It's finally over.

  In the afternoon military meeting, there was a heated debate over who should take responsibility for the loss. Nehru had no choice but to give both Kaul and Dhillon 50 lashes each and record a major demerit against them, giving them a chance to redeem themselves. When someone asked about the situation on the front line and what actions would be taken next, it was Kaul's turn to perform. He fluently explained the tactical disadvantages faced by the Indian army and proposed three options: 1) Continue attacking; 2) Cancel the "Riwo Na Plan" attack order and organize a defensive position on the spot; 3) Withdraw to a more advantageous terrain and hold out. After he finished speaking, the meeting erupted into discussion, and it was only after asking Kaul's opinion again that they finally decided to implement the second option. After the meeting, Kaul immediately flew back to the front line by plane.

  As soon as Caul returned to the headquarters, he sent someone to inform Dalvey to come to the headquarters for a meeting. When Dalvey rushed to the headquarters and heard the disciplinary decision given to him and the subsequent military plan, he could no longer control his anger in his heart and roared: "You bastard, you are not worthy of being a soldier! That damn military plan will win? You idiot!"

  Kaul's face, which had been smiling, immediately turned gloomy after hearing Dalvi's words. He angrily said: "Is this the attitude you should have as an officer to your superiors? These are orders for you, and whether you obey or not, you must obey! Take the latest deployment plan and get out of here!"

  Dalvi was so angry that he could hardly speak and turned around to leave. It was still his aide who caught up with him, holding a new deployment plan.

  I was pacing back and forth outside the headquarters, thinking about what to do next. At this time, a voice calling me came from the front: "Commander." I looked up and saw that it was Comrade Wu Zhengwei, and beside him stood a female soldier. In front of the female soldier hung a camera, and when I saw her, I thought: Ah, she's a reporter.

  "Wu Zhengwei introduced me by saying: 'Team leader, this is journalist Zhu Yan. She insists on interviewing you and I couldn't stop her!'"

  Reporter Zhu Yan bowed and said: "Hello, Chief."

  I also helplessly returned a military salute and replied: "Hello."

  "Huh? Commander! Haven't you had breakfast or are you feeling unwell? Why do you sound so listless?" Zhu Yan said in surprise, but a hint of a smile flashed in her eyes.

  This naturally didn't escape my eyes, I ignored her and said to Wu Zhengde: "Old Wu, let's schedule a meeting for all company-level cadres at the 53rd Regiment after lunch at 1 pm."

  "En, alright, I'll go and pass on the order," said Wu Zhengwei.

  I shouted at him and looked at Zhu Yan and said: "There is also a meeting time, it's not 53 teams that are not allowed to enter, so as to avoid disturbing the idle people."

  Wu Zhengwei listened and smiled, then turned around and left.

  I also turned around and left, just two steps away. Zhu Yan behind me said: "Don't go, don't go! Didn't the top say to let you cooperate with our reporter for an interview?" I stopped my footsteps and said: "I have nothing good to be interviewed about, you should interview the soldiers on the front line, those wounded soldiers, they fought bravely for the country and the people, just because of this you should go interview them." Just as I was about to leave, Zhu Yan said again: "The other four in our group have already gone to do interviews, I just want to interview you." As soon as I heard that, I frowned and said: "I'm busy."

  "Ah!" she said, and to my surprise, she burst into tears. I heard her sobbing and turned around helplessly to ask him: "Comrade Zhu Yan, what do you want to do?" As I spoke, I saw the passing soldiers stop in their tracks, wanting to come over and take a look. But as soon as they saw it was me, they quickly turned around and slipped away. One of the soldiers muttered under his breath: "I didn't see anything, I didn't see the commander making the girl cry, I didn't see anything." I smiled wryly and walked over to Zhu Yan, saying: "Alright, you have 5 minutes for the interview."

  Zhu Yan stopped crying immediately and wiped away her tears, choking with sobs: "I got 10 minutes."

  "I said immediately: 'Okay, just 10 minutes.'"

  After I finished paying off that big shot reporter Zhu Yan, I was exhausted and immediately went to the 53rd Regiment to settle accounts with Wu Jianguo. I've had a taste of that reporter's sharp tongue, and what's more, she's a female reporter, asking me how old I was when I joined the army, who in my family pulled strings for me, where my family lives... I'm dizzy just thinking about it. When I arrived at the 53rd Regiment and saw Wu Jianguo, I said: "You actually didn't hide?!"

  Wu Zhengwei said in surprise: "Why hide?"

  "I said: 'You'd better not come, bring that reporter over and let me find fault with him?! Eh?'"

  Wu Zhengwei said nonchalantly: "If even you can't stand it, how could I? You should also understand the feeling I had when I bumped into her just now."

  I was speechless after hearing Zhang's words. After a while, I said to Wu Zhengwei: "Today, I'll just eat lunch here and exhaust your hospitality!"

  Wu Zhengwei said: "That's great, usually you can't even invite this great Buddha!"

  I was speechless once again.

  After lunch, I presided over a meeting of cadres above the company level in the 53rd regiment. At the meeting, I mainly said that since entering Tibet, the 53rd regiment has not directly participated in battles, but from now on, we must make good preparations for fighting big battles, which greatly boosted the morale of these cadres. I also mentioned paying attention to preventing colds and gun maintenance issues in daily life. After the meeting, some cadres asked me if I had made a girl cry this morning, and as soon as I heard it, I immediately denied it and quickly ended the conversation and returned to the command center. As I walked away, I heard bursts of laughter coming from behind me. I said in a low, vicious tone: "Just wait until this is over, and see if I won't drill you all?!" The guard Liu Hu who was following me heard it and secretly prayed for them, reminding himself that he must obey the regiment commander's words today, otherwise today would be his last day.