Chapter Fifty-six

  I returned to Xilong and another wedding was held, I disagreed with holding it again, just a few of us getting together for a drink would be enough, besides, the influence is not good. But they were fine, directly coming up with a 'palace coup', the whole province fell into carnival, afterwards, I said: "Now the people's lives are not good, the country is also very difficult, this is extravagance and waste, if someone reports it, it won't be good."

  Lao Xing said: "This is what our warriors think, you are our comrade-in-arms, your affairs are our affairs, let alone this is a major event in your life."

  Xu Feng and Zhou Kai both said "right, right", Old Wu smiled and said: "Actually, it's not a waste, the soldiers are all standard troops, the local people are also casual, even if you only drink water at home, that's okay, no need to force it! In fact, the people of Xizhou are clear, their good days now have a bit of credit from Commander Tang, they are also taking the opportunity to express gratitude."

  "I said: 'How come the dishes on our tables are so abundant?'"

  Director Zhang spoke up: "That's our salaries for so many months all put together, you little brat! We did it for you and you still don't say thank you!"

  I was stunned for a moment, and then a surge of warmth rushed up, I choked back tears and said: "Thank you! Thank you all!"

  "Don't be polite, haha!"

  After laughing, Diao Luyu said: "As for someone reporting this problem, it's not worth considering. The people under my command are not vegetarians." Zhang Zhengwei and others all knew about the relationship between Diao Luyu and other former Xizang generals and me, and after hearing that, they just shook their heads and didn't speak. I also smiled and nodded to him.

  In just three months, Green again started to make things difficult internationally, saying that Longwei should withdraw from the occupied territory of Xizang and publicly apologize and make certain compensations for the aggression. Otherwise, they did not rule out military intervention. As soon as the words fell, they got the support of England and other countries. Our country ignored them and remained silent.

  On July 3, 2064, a massive fleet was sailing across the Pacific Ocean. The combined fleet, consisting of the 7th and 5th fleets under Commander-in-Chief Admiral Jonassen, was quietly heading towards the Indian Ocean. In the command center on board the flagship, Admiral Jonassen sipped his red wine and said: "This time we have dispatched 70 vessels including four aircraft carriers, as well as three divisions of ground troops. I believe that with such a force, landing at Gijiang Port will be a smooth operation. Moreover, there are five more divisions waiting to be transported by us. Attacking the newly occupied province of Longwei Country, which has no navy to speak of, is simply a trivial matter."

  "General Wilson reminded him: 'Sir, don't forget our defeats in Korea and Afghanistan.'"

  "Jonathan listened and said, 'This time we are blooming in multiple places. In the south, it is us; in the west, there are three armies from Xizang and the British-Indian Allied Forces; in Korea, we have three armies with 100,000 men; and in Afghanistan, we have regrouped three armies again. This time our goal is very clear: to eliminate Long Wei's troops in eastern Xizang.'"

  "Before such mighty power, we will surely emerge victorious and the shame of the Green Empire will be washed away by us. Our achievements will be remembered for eternity!" - Chief of Staff Wilson

  Jonathan stood up and said with a cup of wine in his hand: "Then let's toast to victory!"

  Wilson said: "Cheers!"

  The two of them finished off the beautiful wine in their cups with one gulp, looked at each other, and burst out laughing together!

  On July 9, the Green Empire once again invaded Afghanistan with a force of three armies, rushing straight to the capital Kabul; in Korea, the Green Empire also crossed the 38th parallel, advancing with fierce artillery fire. For a time, the world's attention was once again focused on Longwei Country.

  On the afternoon of July 9, Longwei National issued a national mobilization order, gathering troops to await orders, and ordering border troops to start martial law. By 4:00 pm, my 38th, 39th, and 54th Armies crossed the Yalu River into Korea for battle; at 4:30 pm, the 21st and 13th Armies entered Aofuhan; at 4:33 pm, the 27th Army on the northern bank of the Xizang fully implemented martial law, focusing all its might on the situation ahead.

  At this time, I was at the headquarters asking Zhou Kai, Chief of Staff: "How is Xili Guli now? Is there any movement?"

  Zhou Kai shook his head and said, "There is no news so far."

  Zhang Zhengwei furrowed his brow and said, "Now other places are making a move, but we're the only ones who aren't. The more we don't make a move, the more abnormal it is! I think we should issue an order for the whole army to mobilize, just in case!"

  I nodded in agreement, saying: "Yes, Comrade Zhang's analysis is reasonable. Order the 40th Army in Xiliugu to be on high alert, and the 25th Army in Jidagang to be on first-level alert. Order the soldiers to keep their clothes on and their guns in hand."

  "Yes." Deputy Chief of Staff Lan Jingjiang said and went to pass on the order.

  "After some thought and a glance at the map, I said: 'Order the 201st Division of the 7th Army to defend Agartala, the 130th Division of the 40th Army to defend Aizawl, and tell Commander Xiao Guohua of the 40th Army to keep a close watch on the Meghalaya bend.'"

  "Yes." The aide hastily made a phone call to relay the order.

  I stared at the map thinking about how to counterattack and defend in case the enemy launched an attack. Chief of Staff Zhou Kai said, "Commander, what if the enemy attacks us from both the west and south?"

  "I've heard that the west side must be firmly defended at Xili Guli, and the enemy cannot be allowed to enter; if the south side is attacked, then the enemy can only be the Green Empire, they will have to land and fight, but we don't have a navy, so... Hurry up and pass on my orders, if Jida Port is attacked, the 115th Division of the 40th Army doesn't need to fight hard, just hold off the enemy as long as possible, if not, then lead them deep into our territory, away from the range of the enemy's naval gunfire. Order the 40th Army to prepare two or even three lines of defense."

  "Yes."

  I said to Deiro: "You immediately organize people to cooperate with the local military control committee to go to each township and village to mobilize the masses for ideological work, otherwise when the time comes and the masses are attacked, they will be in a state of confusion and disorder."

  "Yes."

  I ordered Daviel: "Order the 107th Army to be on standby and reinforce at any time!"

  "Yes, I'll go prepare right away, Comrade Commander!"

  After I finished giving the order, I took a deep breath and picked up the tea on the table to take a big gulp. Lao Cheng said: "I think it's still an estimate now, not necessarily true that we're going to fight! Commander."

  I sighed and said: "Let's hope so, what we're doing now is also a preparation for any unexpected situation!"

  Lao Cheng nodded and sighed, shaking his head helplessly: "Just let the common people live a good life, but now they have to fight again, and the common people will suffer again."

  Deputy Commander Xu Feng said: "Yes, it's been more than half a year, and we've developed feelings with the local people! They are also kind-hearted good people, good masses!"

  Director Zhang said: "People are all the same, everyone wants to live a good life. Whoever treats them well will be treated ten times, a hundred times better in return. They can be selfless to an astonishing degree, that's just what people are like!"

  "This time if we win the battle, everyone will be promoted again!"

  Everyone who heard it burst out laughing, saying that I was thinking about the future without even fighting a battle. I looked at everyone and said: "In case of war, we must all protect ourselves well, I think this is going to be a big battle, a tough and bitter one."

  Everyone nodded in agreement.