Chapter 66

  That night at 9 o'clock we arrived in Zhongdu, and after getting off the plane, we went directly to the Military Commission to handle the handover procedures and check-in certificates for the Xishan Hotel. Just as I was about to leave, I was informed that Vice Chairman Lin wanted to meet with me, so I had to wait in the rest room. Although I was very tired, there was no way out, so I waited. Chas and others were also resting in another guard's rest room outside.

  I was both tired and hungry, the feeling was really unbearable, and my heart kept scolding. But just then, a famous staff member of the Military Commission came in with a young military officer carrying 2 plates of pastries and a cup of hot tea. The officer smiled at me and said: "Commander Tang, the chief knows you've just arrived and haven't had dinner yet, so he instructed me to bring some snacks for you to temporarily fill your hunger."

  I stood up and politely said: "Ah! Thank you Vice President Lin! I've troubled you."

  "Don't mention it, you're too polite, nothing else, I'll take my leave first."

  "Ah! Right, my guard doesn't know..."

  "Oh, they have it too, probably eating now! Hehe."

  "That's good, nothing else."

  "Please use it, goodbye!"

  "Alright."

  He had just gone out and closed the door, I immediately put a piece of green bean cake into my mouth and swallowed it without chewing. After a wolf-like devouring, the pastry was swept away, and now I have some spirit, drinking hot tea to quench my thirst. When I finished drinking a bottle of hot water, I still hadn't received notification from Vice Chairman Lin to meet with me, so I paced back and forth impatiently. After another ten or twenty minutes, I finally received notification that Vice Chairman Lin was going to meet with me. I quickly tidied up my uniform, lifted my spirits, and followed the staff's guidance to arrive at the conference room door. The staff whispered: "The vice chairman has been working continuously for 8 hours, please choose the important ones to say, shorten the meeting time, the vice chairman is not in good health, do you understand? Commander Tang."

  I nodded, and the staff member knocked on the door and said: "Director, Comrade Tang Ning, Commander of the Western Military Region, has arrived." A slightly tired voice came from inside: "Let Comrade Tang Ning in."

  "Yes." The staff member indicated that I could go in, and I nodded and opened the door to enter. At this time, my mood was a bit bewildered, wondering what Chairman Lin wanted to see me for so late at night. As soon as I entered the room, I saw Chairman Lin sitting on the sofa looking at me with some kindness, and I quickly saluted and reported: "Vice-Chairman."

  Vice President Lin waved his hand with a smile and said: "Alright, you've had a hard journey, take a seat."

  "Yes." After I sat down, I said: "Vice President, are there any instructions?"

  Vice Chairman Lin still had a smile on his face and said, "Nothing to instruct, I just called you over to chat with you." After finishing speaking, he looked at me carefully again and said, "Well, compared to before, you have more momentum now. After all, you are also the commander-in-chief, commanding 5 or more armies and 200,000 people."

  I hastily said: "In front of the leader, I will always be a small soldier."

  Vice President Lin listened and smiled even more, saying: "The few battles you fought were quite good, you won with style, and you saved the face of our nation!"

  I modestly said: "That was due to the leadership of the Central authorities and the bravery of our soldiers in killing the enemy, I really dare not take credit for it."

  Vice Chairman Lin looked at me, smiled and said: "You, still trying to fool me, was that battle plan given by us? Merit is merit, I never mix water, so you'd better not say those false words, got it?"

  "Yes." Vice President Lin nodded and said, "You came this time at the president's behest, wanting to ask you what ideas you have for the future?"

  I was taken aback and hastily said: "I listen to the organization, I listen to the chairman, I listen to you!"

  "En." Vice President Lin said, "Now those negotiating representatives are still negotiating with us. I estimate that it will not take a month to reach an agreement. How is the prisoner situation on your side?"

  "I replied: 'Vice Chairman, the prisoners are doing well now. I have arranged for political instructors to give them lessons every day and reform their worldview.'"

  "What's the use of that?"

  "I quickly said: 'The effect is very good, some captives are willing to join our team.'"

  "Really? Is that so?"

  "Is there something wrong, Mr. Vice President?"

  Lin Vice President said: "Now, countries like Grenada are negotiating with us on the issue of prisoners of war. I estimate that in the end they will still release them, as long as they can make up for our losses! If you spend your efforts on prisoners, then do so. Any breakthrough would be a good thing."

  "Yes."

  "Now, some comrades are reporting their work to the chairman and reflecting on your situation."

  "Mr. Chairman, does this reflect my situation?"

  "Yes, judging from what you've reflected, you have a lot of problems!"

  "Huh?"

  "Your main problem is that you have a tendency to be arrogant and also have a warlord style in the army, not listening to suggestions from your subordinates and doing things autocratically." After finishing speaking, Vice Chairman Lin stared at me.

  "Of course I'm angry!" I said. "This is out of thin air, Vice President! Don't believe it?!"

  Vice President Lin smiled and said: "This is not a matter of whether I believe it or not, but whether you have it or not. It's a matter of whether the Chairman believes it or not."

  I asked somewhat bitterly: "What about the chairman's view?"

  Vice President Lin looked at my expression and suddenly burst out laughing, I was a bit hairy! He laughed for a while before regaining his composure and said: "Looking at you, who looks like a commander, like a timid little soldier! Is the chairman so confused? Would I and the old general let people slander you?"

  I felt relieved all over and thanked him sincerely: "Thank you, Vice Chairman!"

  "Thank me for what? You should thank the chairman!"

  "Yes."

  "This time, the chairman let you come and report on your work, mainly because he wants to transfer you away from your current position."

  "What? But...?"

  "This has already been decided, now it's just a matter of preparing you mentally."

  "Yes." I said reluctantly.

  "Now you have 3 choices for your new position, which one would you choose?"

  "Which three?"

  "One was to serve as Deputy Chief of Operations Department in the General Staff, one was to serve as Shanghai Garrison Commander, and another was to serve as Sichuan Military Region Chief of Staff."

  I thought for a moment and asked: "So I'll just be an empty commander if I go to be the commander?"

  Vice President Lin looked at me and said, "I know what you're thinking, but I can't answer that. You should think about how to discuss it with the president when you get back, or you can also consult with the general manager."

  "Yes."

  "Alright, don't think too much about it either, what's yours is yours, most importantly your thoughts should be upright, got it?"

  "Yes."

  After I walked out the door, I thought to myself: I still came after all. All I could do was smile wryly and head straight to the Xishan Hotel with Chase and the others, it's too late to go see the boss today, let's just go tomorrow instead.