Chapter 47

  Dispur is the capital of Assam in eastern India, a transportation hub connecting east and west, with an extremely important geographical location. When our vanguard troops, the 201st Division, arrived, they found that the Western Garrison had withdrawn, abandoning their posts! As I strolled through the city, I saw that the civilians were watching us in groups of three or four, not showing much fear. I asked Chas to go and ask them, and it turned out that news of our reforms in Rugel had spread here, and they were all thinking about it, yearning for reform to improve their lives. After hearing this, I understood why the Western Garrison did not stay to defend the city - in a city where the people's hearts are changing, it is impossible to hold on no matter what.

  I moved the military department into the original Xizheng City Defense Command, and started working. The first order I issued was to let Davier bring a division over to preside over the reform, and ordered him to follow me from now on, every time I capture a city he would go to reform it. Then, I ordered the 201st Division to rest, and the 84th Division to continue advancing towards Xilong. At the same time, I ordered the 142nd Division to send a regimental commander to garrison Disbul for a long time, and the remaining regiments to follow the 84th Division's actions. I asked Old Lan: "Chief of Staff, where is the 25th Army now?"

  The chief of staff replied: "They passed by here 2 days ago. They didn't attack here, but went straight to Langbul."

  "Ah, the 25th Army isn't slow either, haha!"

  "The 25th Army's attack on Langbulu is crucial! One of the enemy's 32nd Army's divisions is right there!"

  "Right, gnawing through this hard bone is already half the victory."

  "Well, after we occupy Sylhet, are we going to occupy Chittagong?"

  "The commander-in-chief only allowed us to capture Xilong, ensuring the rear of both left and right routes. I think let the 40th Army go fight!"

  "Alright, let's take care of Xilong first!"

  I also told Logistics Director Sun Hao: "Director Sun, you must ensure the smooth supply of logistics, and pay close attention to the roads along the way."

  "Yes, I have already sent people to set up checkpoints on the road from Disbuel to Rugel, and also added more than 30 newly captured large trucks to the logistics transportation team in the rear."

  I nodded and said to Yang Zhi of the Political Department: "You must cooperate with Davier's work, strive to win over the local people as soon as possible, stabilize the situation, and let this city operate as soon as possible."

  "Yes, Commander, I have informed the comrades below and will spare no effort to cooperate with Comrade Daviel's work."

  "Alright, thanks for your hard work."

  "Report, Commander-in-Chief, the Right Route Army has sent a telegram. They have occupied Kohima in Nagaland 2 hours ago and are asking if we can send someone from the Western Garrison to take charge of the reform." The signal officer came in to report.

  "Oh? They're really well-informed! Alright, you go back and tell Director Xu that we'll send someone over right away, and have him make the necessary preparations to receive them."

  "Yes."

  "I think the Western Army can't withstand a single blow! At this rate, I think we'll be able to occupy the entire Eastern region within a month!" I said with a smile.

  "Alright, but let's not be too careless, we should still be careful!" Lao Cheng reminded. "What Vice Commissioner Zheng said is right, Commander, you mustn't underestimate the enemy." Wu Jianguo, the cold-faced vice commissioner, said.

  I said: "It's impossible here, it's just unknown whether they will come from left or right."

  Lan Canmou said: "I don't think so. Looking at the actions of the 25th and 40th Armies, they are still being very cautious."

  I didn't continue with this topic, but instead asked: "Now that we've opened up the south, I wonder what's going on in the northwest?"

  "The situation is not bad, the 27th Army has already arrived at the Henghe Plain, I heard that New Delhi is having a thrilling day!"

  "Haha, that's good, I wonder if the chairman will play New Delhi?" I said with a smile.

  "How were we supposed to know? Let's just complete our own tasks first!" said Wu Jianguo.

  "En." I lowered my head to look at the map and after a while, I asked: "Does the garrison in Xilong know how many troops there are now?"

  Lan Canmou Chang replied, "According to the information we have received so far, it is only one regiment of troops. However, judging from the situation in Disbuel, Xizang does not seem to be determined to fight us to the death this time. Otherwise, they would not have given up Disbuel without firing a single shot."

  Deputy Chief of Staff Han asked: "I don't know what kind of tricks Xizang is playing?"

  I listened with my head down, walking back and forth, occasionally looking at the map. Suddenly, I had an epiphany and exclaimed: "They must be withdrawing from all fronts, abandoning most of the eastern region. They must be here." I pointed to Xiliguri, and everyone looked and said "Xiliguri". I nodded and said "Yes". I continued pointing to Xiliguri: "Everyone look, Xiliguri is the only city on the only passageway from East Tibet to Central Tibet. If we occupy it, it's like opening the door to central Tibet. If our army can capture Xiliguri, we can surround the entire eastern Tibetan army and shut the gate. So, with limited troops, rather than letting us defeat them one by one, or even encircle them, they chose to abandon and retreat to defend Xiliguri, guarding the gateway between East and Central Tibet."

  Lan Canmou Chang heard that: "Makes sense! Anyway, the east can't be defended, so just defend Xili Guri and do nothing but avoid mistakes."

  Pang Deputy Military Commander said: "It depends on the 25th Army's attack on Langbul, if the attack goes smoothly, then the enemy is likely to be defending Xili Guli."

  On January 23, my 84th Division occupied Xizong after the garrison there put up slight resistance and surrendered. At 7:00 am, they took over Xilong. Two hours later, the 25th Army also took over Langbur without encountering much resistance. After learning of this news, I became even more confident in my judgment, so I reported it to Vice Chairman Lin Biao. After hearing my analysis and judgment, Lin Biao said: "The enemy may very likely give up Xigaze."

  "What? Why?"

  "Haha, 27th army broke through Uttarakhand's capital Dehradun yesterday and is now only 30 km away from New Delhi."

  I was overjoyed when I heard this and said: "Excellent! This is just right. The Western Chu army has no will to fight now!"

  "Now, your task is to take charge of the reform work in all occupied cities with all your might. I have already informed the 25th and 40th Armies to cooperate with you."

  "Yes."

  When I was discussing reform with Daviel, Dier arrived and reported to me on the latest situation of Rugel. He had already handed over his work to the newly established Military Control Commission. I nodded and immediately ordered Dier to go to the 40th Army to preside over the reform work. Let Daviel send someone to Langbul first to preside over the reform, and then go to Langbul after the work in Xilong is finished.

  On January 24, the 25th Army occupied Xiliugou, and with that, the only pass leading to central Xiuzhuan in eastern Xiuzhuan was closed.

  On the 26th, the 7th Army received orders to quickly occupy Xierhe, on the 30th, the 40th Army occupied Ailao, on February 3rd, the 40th Army occupied Jidagang, and the fighting in the southwestern part of Xizang was completely over. I used three armies' strength to occupy the entire eastern part of Xizang in 20 days.