Chapter Thirty-Three

  November 25, Central Military Commission conference room. The Chairman looked at the comrades who came to the meeting and said slowly: "This time, I asked everyone to come over mainly to discuss the Xizang battle, to see if it is still necessary for us to continue fighting. After all, continuing to fight would mean entering Xizang's territory. Who will speak first?"

  Everyone looked at each other, seemingly waiting for the first person to stand up and speak. After a while, the old general spoke seriously: "I'll say my own views first. In my opinion, looking at the current situation on the Western Front, whether we fight or not is both possible. We have the initiative on the battlefield, and we just need to analyze which one is more beneficial to us. If we want to fight, we must continue to increase our troops in Tibet and strengthen our logistics. If we win, we can gain a foothold in South Asia. If our army fights from north to east, we can gain the Bay of Bengal and thus gain access to the Indian Ocean. If we don't fight, we can save a large sum of money and alleviate financial pressure. My views are finished, let's discuss."

  The chairman listened and smiled: "The old general's words are very reasonable! Other comrades can also speak out, let's hear their opinions!"

  "As the chairman has spoken, I'll also say my own views. For a country like Xizang, which looks at Western faces and wants to be the boss, there's only one way: to fight, to beat them until they can never turn over again. Otherwise, if we let them develop, we'll have headaches later on. Our borders will never know peace. And now that our country is almost isolated internationally, it's even more necessary to fight! Eliminate the danger at its root, my words are finished."

  The chairman nodded in agreement and praised: "After all, it's a regular class graduate, speaking clearly and to the point!"

  Prime Minister Zhou Ping said: "Mr. Chairman, may I say a few words."

  "The chairman said: 'Alright, Zhou Ping, you speak.'"

  The Premier nodded and said: "I think whether to fight or not mainly depends on whether our finances can support it. War is about spending money, since the implementation of our country's five-year plan, our economy has made great progress. However, with Russia withdrawing its investment and personnel, demanding debt from us, and natural disasters severely impacting our economy, which had just started to recover, now ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet! This is the current domestic situation.

  I'd like to talk about the international situation as well. Since we've been continuously at war in Korea, Afghanistan, and the Green Empire, Western powers have been eyeing us with hostility. The big brother in the north has also been suppressing and restricting us, fearing that we'll surpass them and become the 'big brother' of communist countries. Everyone can see that we're basically surrounded by a large circle of enemies on all sides.

  In this environment, I think we must be cautious about taking military action against Xizang (Tibet). My opinion is to stop here, we've already taught Xizang a lesson, there's no need for further major military plans to strike Xizang. This is my view, Mr. Chairman."

  The chairman listened and said with a serious face: "What the Premier said is very right. Our people now even have problems eating!"

  Lin Gang hurriedly said: "Chairman, although we have difficulties, but we should see that in the future, once we occupy the northwest and northeast of Xizang, not only will our territory expand by several hundred thousand square kilometers, but we will also possess rich resources such as mica, coal, iron, aluminum, chromium, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, gold, oil, etc., and be able to severely intimidate Western countries."

  The chairman listened with some excitement and nodded, saying: "Does anyone else have any opinions?"

  Vice President Liu Gengyun said: "I agree with the Premier's opinion, not to continue attacking. We cannot take aggressive action, making our limited friends like brother countries in Africa change their views on us."

  The chairman listened and frowned, saying: "Well, are there any other opinions? Everyone?" After looking around and seeing no one wanting to speak, the chairman said: "Then I'll say a few words. In my opinion, for countries that provoke war without reason, we can only fight back, let other countries know that we're not soft persimmons that can be pinched at will, and make them dare not confront us directly; even if we don't fight Xizang now, would those international countries treat us favorably? Obviously impossible, so it's not considered internationally; domestically, the people are living a bit hard now, but when our country is in danger, they selflessly support this country, they all know the truth that 'without a country, there's no home', comrades, don't underestimate Xizang! If we don't fight back and make them surrender, it's likely to be another Japan, a lesson from history! So my intention is also to continue fighting, fight until they surrender, humph! And what about us occupying over 700,000 square kilometers of land? Well, then we'll occupy even more, this is too much underestimation of us, if we don't take tens or hundreds of thousands more, it would be a waste for them!" The chairman finished speaking and looked at everyone before continuing: "Let's have a democratic vote on the Xizang issue. Comrades who agree to continue attacking, please raise your hands." After finishing speaking, the chairman raised his hand and looked at the voting situation, "Well, 7 to 4 passed." The chairman nodded and said: "Then let's move on to the next question, which is how to fight? Does anyone have any methods?"

  The boss said, "I think it's better to let the frontline commanders say, they know best." Lin was about to speak when the boss preempted him. After hearing what the boss said, he said, "We can set a general strategy and direction!"

  The old general said: "What strategy? What direction? The chairman just said, fight to the west until surrender! This is the direction! The plan sent from the eastern front last time was very good, didn't we all pass it? That plan had already planned action in the east of Xizang, did Comrade Lin Gang not see that plan or think it's no good?"

  Lin Gang also said after listening: "That plan is not bad, but it's too vague. What I mean is to clarify every step."

  The old general said: "Then Lin Gang is planning to take command in person?!"

  Lin Gang heard and said: "You!"

  The chairman said: "I think, just follow that plan, I also had a conversation with Comrade Tang Ning, he and you Lin Gang were very similar when you were young, very innovative, very powerful. We will supplement and implement that plan. Lin Gang, you are in charge of revising the plan, after finishing, bring it to me to take a look. You have 2 days. Also, I suggest sending another troop into Tibet to participate in the war, my intention is to send two more armies."

  "Which two armies?"

  The chairman looked at Lin Gang and said: "What's your opinion?"

  Lin Biao said seriously: "Now the 27th Army is in Northwest to defend against Afghanistan; the 38th, 39th, 40th and 54th Armies are in North and Northeast to defend against Tsarist Russia and Outer Mongolia; the 13th Army is in Yunnan, the 58th Army is in East China, the 67th and 43rd Armies are in South China. These troops cannot be mobilized! I think only the 11th and 25th Armies can be sent over."

  The old general said: "I think the 11th and 40th Armies should be swapped out, after all, we can't afford to lose on the Western Front!"

  The chairman listened and said: "Well, then adjust the 40th Army and the 25th Army. At the same time, I think we should form a new army with the 201st, 84th and 142nd Divisions, and name it the 7th Army. What do you think?"

  The boss nodded and said: "I think it's okay."

  Lin Gang also said: "Well, this is easy to command, I agree."

  "Agreed."

  "Agreed."

  The chairman looked and said: "Then form the 7th Army, directly led by the Military Commission, and let Tang Ning be the army commander."

  The boss said: "No opinion, agree."

  Lin Gang also expressed his agreement. The Premier said: "Chairman, I think Tang Ning is shouldering too much responsibility."

  The chairman said, "There is progress only with pressure. Comrade Tang Ning is not the kind of person who forgets who he is after being promoted. He is very clear about his responsibilities. I think it's still a bit light!" He paused and continued, "This little devil even came up with a plan for me. He plans to establish an army mainly composed of Western people to consolidate our controlled territory in the future. Haha!"

  "Oh? Not bad!"

  "That's right, not bad!"

  "The chairman continued: "Then the candidates for other positions in the 7th Army will be arranged according to the current personnel configuration of the 201st Division, and the missing personnel from the 84th and 142nd Divisions will be supplemented immediately. Does anyone have anything else to add?"

  After seeing that no one had anything to add, the Chairman said: "Alright then, the Military Commission will issue the order and have the 7th Army formed immediately. The meeting is adjourned!"

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang and Central Military Commission member Lieutenant General Huang Weizhong sat in Vice Chairman Lin Gang's special vehicle. As soon as the car started, Lieutenant General Huang Weizhong asked Vice Chairman Lin Gang: "Old Chief of Staff, why did you let that little brat Tang Ning be promoted to Commander of the 7th Army this time? Didn't you stop him?"

  "Prevent? Haven't you seen the Chairman and Old Zhu having made up their minds to pull Tang Ning up, I will go touch this sore spot?"

  Huang Weizhong couldn't help but say with a hint of jealousy: "This kid is really TM lucky, becoming a general at the age of 21!"

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, looked at Huang Weizhong and said: "Lucky? At 21 years old, he was recognized and promoted by Yao Wugui, Zhu Laozong, and even the Chairman. Is this just luck?"

  Huang Weizhong said discontentedly: "That was his lucky day, he just happened to run into a fight!"

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, said angrily: "Why don't you go fight a few battles? Don't just stay behind and talk big. Think about what you've been doing since the country was liberated. You're almost dying in a woman's belly!"

  Huang Weizhong said listlessly: "Isn't this liberation?"

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, hummed and said, "However, this kid Tang Ning has indeed fought a beautiful battle! If I were to go up there, it would be no different." His tone was full of admiration.

  Huang Weizhong nodded and Lin Gang, the vice chairman, said slowly: "I heard that Tang Ning is going to be the granddaughter-in-law of the old president. Tell us as much as you know, but don't cause any trouble in the days to come. After all, we are fighting for the country, do you understand?"

  Huang Weizhong suddenly realized and said: "No wonder the old general was like that today! Alright, I'll go back and inform immediately!"

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, seemed to suddenly think of something and said: "Right, also, from now on, that person in my family, whatever she says in the future, you all listen less, without my consent and nod, don't allow it, do you understand? A woman who is always meddling in these things!"

  Huang Weizhong nodded and said: "Yes." But in his heart, he thought: What if I don't listen? What if something unexpected happens, won't I be finished?!

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, seemed to see something and said sternly: "Huang Weizhong, did you hear that? If I find out you're being hypocritical, your good days are over."

  Huang Weizhong was frightened and hastily said: "Yes, I will resolutely obey orders!"

  Lin Gang, the vice chairman, looked like he had used up all his energy, leaning back against the rear of the wheelchair, closing his eyes to rest. Huang Weizhong was secretly wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.