Chapter Sixteen

  On September 15, 2062, a massive convoy was traveling on the highway from New City to Tibet. The trucks in the convoy had soldiers standing on the back of the carriage, and some were towing large cannons, indicating that this was a military unit. I was also part of this convoy, no less! This unit was the 53rd Regiment. Sitting in an open-top military jeep, I asked the staff officer accompanying us: "How many more miles to Lhasa?"

  "Commissar, the vanguard of our division, 1st Battalion 1st Company has entered Tibet territory, still 800 kilometers away from Lhasa."

  "Well, we've made it to Lhasa on time, but the earlier the better, so let's give the troops more time to rest!" I paused and said to the signalman sitting at the back of the car: "Send a message to Deputy Regimental Commander Pan in front, ordering the convoy to speed up."

  "Yes."

  On September 20, my car was parked by the roadside. I shouted to each passing vehicle: "Soldiers have worked hard, persistence is victory. We are almost in Lhasa, when we arrive in Lhasa, I will take a three-day holiday."

  The warriors listened and excitedly shouted: "Good."

  On the evening of September 21, our 53rd Regiment arrived in Lhasa. Under the leadership of comrades from the Tibet Military Region, we moved into a barracks on the outskirts of the city. After a busy day, all the soldiers fell fast asleep, exhausted. At that time, I did not know that our 53rd Regiment had made history, marching urgently for 19 days and covering over 1,900 kilometers, including all heavy weapons and logistical supplies.

  On September 22, the Tibet Military Region Command. Commander Xiao Zhi listened to the report of his chief of staff and learned that the 53rd Regiment had arrived at the Lhasa barracks last night, and said with joy: "The troops brought out by Old Bai are really different, they arrived so early!"

  Li Kezhen, who was standing beside him, smiled and said, "Yes, arrived 6 days in advance. Not bad!"

  At this time, the commander's secretary came in to report: "Commander, Tang Ning, the regimental commander of the 53rd Regiment of the 27th Army, and Wu Jianguo, the political commissar, have arrived. They are just outside the office."

  Xiao Shuai laughed and said: "Haha, you're taking a break so soon?! It seems like you're eager for battle. Tell them to come in."

  "Yes." The secretary turned and left.

  "It seems we also need to speed up!"

  "Report," came from outside after a while.

  "Come in."

  I and Wu Zhengwei walked in, saluted and said: "Commander, the 53rd Regiment has been ordered to report for duty, please give us our mission."

  Xiao Shuai welcomed us with a big smile, saying "Welcome! Welcome!" and shook hands with us warmly. Then he introduced us to Li Zhengwei. We also saluted and shook hands with him.

  Comrade Xiao said: "Our Tibet Military Region is a secondary military region. Not long ago, we just quelled the rebellion in Tibet and many places still need troops to be stationed. This time, after receiving the order from the Military Commission to take defensive counterattack against Xizang, I have limited troops, so I had no choice but to ask Comrade Yao for troops. I hope you can understand and support us."

  "I replied: 'Commander, soldiers are just defending their homes and country, it's all the same wherever they go.'"

  "Good." Commander Xiao praised, "Well said! Then I won't be polite either. Let's take a look at the map, see! Your 53rd Regiment will arrive in Miwang by October 4th at the latest. After arrival, rest on the spot and wait for further orders."

  I looked at the military map on the table and saluted, saying: "Yes, but Commander! Can I have a copy of this military map?"

  Xiao Shuai listened and smiled, saying: "You don't say it, we would have given it to you anyway. What kind of war doesn't know geography and doesn't have a map? You can take the map on this table."

  I listened and immediately said: "Yes." After putting away the map, I said: "Chief, let's go."

  "Alright, be careful on the road!"

  "Yes, sir. Goodbye!"

  "Goodbye!"

  On September 23, 2062, the General Staff Headquarters of Western Tibet was extremely busy. The Chief of the General Staff, General Cauldron, had been very busy for several days since the formulation of the Liwu Plan. In fact, the mastermind and greatest supporter behind "Operation Liwu" was Prime Minister Nehru, which is why "Operation Liwu" looked more like a political directive than a military plan. As soon as the plan was proposed, a considerable number of high-ranking generals within the army strongly opposed it. First, there was General Tapa, Chief of Staff of the Army, who believed that the infrastructure in the Northeast Border Special Zone was too backward and could not bear the logistical support of a campaign-level battle. The army had been greatly weakened by demobilization and should adopt a defensive rather than offensive strategy. Agreeing with him was General Torat, former commander of the Eastern Front Command, who had drafted a detailed defense plan for the Northeast Border Special Zone as early as October 2058, preparing to establish a warning line composed of forward sentry posts, with two lines providing depth support in the rear. The most weighty among the opposition was General Singh, commander of the Indian 33rd Army stationed in the Northeast Border Special Zone, who did not want to go to war with Longwei at all and called "Operation Liwu" a "fantasy of bureaucrats in New Delhi". Moreover, he openly defied the orders of the Ministry of National Defense, ordering the troops at the Dola sentry post to withdraw 3 miles and retreat back to the McMahon Line. Despite so many opposing opinions, General Cauldron had grasped Prime Minister Nehru's mind and made a guarantee to Prime Minister Nehru and Defense Minister Menon. Relying on Nehru as his backing, Cauldron suppressed all opposition. First, he let Defense Minister Menon transfer General Singh away, then he carved out the Kekexiang area from the jurisdiction of the 33rd Army (which was restricted to Sikkim and western Bhutan), temporarily establishing the 4th Army in Tisipur, with a jurisdiction that included the Northeast Border Special Zone and eastern Bhutan. However, the selection of the commander of the 4th Army had not been decided yet, and today was the deadline; otherwise, he would be laughed at by his colleagues - the Chief of the General Staff could not even get a army commander! But who should take it? The capable and talented Singh faction was impossible to come and take it, while other factions did not accept this assignment, and there were no capable people on his own side to take it. At this time, the phone call came for him to report. He had no choice but to go.

  The Prime Minister's Office. Colonel Caul reported: "I don't know what some people are doing, the country arranges his position, but he is like a deserter..."

  "Who's a deserter?" Army Chief of Staff General Tapa thundered. "This crappy plan can win? That's the biggest joke in the world!"

  "You..."

  "That's enough! Are you selling vegetables? This is the Prime Minister's residence! Where is Colonel Kaul?" Nehru thundered.

  "I..."

  "Haha, so you've come out yourself, can you handle it?" General Tapa, the Chief of Staff of the Army, said sarcastically.

  "Who?!" Colonel Kaul's face turned green with rage, then he said: "How can I not?! Hmph! Not like some people! Coward!"

  "Say it again!" Army Chief of Staff Tapa exclaimed in a flustered tone.

  Nehru said: "Enough, is it finished or not? Let General Cauldwell be the commander of the 4th Army."

  On October 4, 2062, Caul officially took over as the commander of the 4th Army and led the military operations in the "Northeast Border Special Zone". It was unprecedented in the Western Zhong army to have a chief of staff directly command an army, and it was also extremely rare in the entire world's military history. Obviously, from the proposal to the implementation of Operation Liwo, there were too many non-military factors involved. The direct consequence was that the 33rd Army, which had been stationed in the highlands for years and was familiar with the terrain, was not used, while troops from New Delhi who lacked experience in mountain warfare were sent directly to the highlands at an altitude of nearly 4,000 meters without even winter clothing. None of these were thought of by General Caul.

  What was I doing at that time?