Chapter 48

  The world on February 4th, in the Central Military Commission meeting room. The Chairman was smoking and listening to the Premier's speech. When the Premier finished speaking, he spoke up: "Well, the Premier has just briefed us on the general situation, especially the international environment. Comrades, the current situation is a bit tense for us! However, we must firm up our resolve. Imperialism is all paper tigers, there's nothing to be afraid of! How about it? Everyone speak up, let's discuss how to proceed and how to stand firm in the west. Lin Gang, you just returned from the front line, you're most familiar with the situation ahead. You go first."

  Lin Gang (Vice Chairman of the Military Commission) listened and thought for a moment, saying: "This time we attacked Xizang in two routes, both of which went very well. The southern route has ended the battle and smoothly occupied the eastern part of Xizang; the northern route has occupied the line of Lanbur, Simla, and Tialden, 80 kilometers away from New Delhi. Since we have not decided whether to occupy New Delhi or not, the 27th Army has been defending in Tialden."

  The chairman puffed on his cigarette and looked at Lin Gang, asking: "What's your attitude? What measures do you want to take?"

  "My intention is to stop at a suitable point and consolidate our current position."

  "The chairman continued: 'Specifically?' "

  Lin Gang continued: "My plan is to consolidate the eastern territory of Xizang in the south, and also do so in the north." Lin Gang looked at the chairman and went on to say: "Now our national strength is limited, all kinds of materials are relatively scarce, we can't afford a long war of attrition. The places we occupy in Xizang are rich in mineral resources, we also need time to digest them. That's all I have to say, Mr. Chairman."

  The chairman nodded to indicate that he understood, but did not speak immediately. Instead, he fell into deep thought. The Premier said, "Yes, Vice Chairman Lin is right. I agree with him, but I have a few additional points to make."

  The chairman listened and immediately said: "Oh? Then speak quickly."

  The Premier said: "Alright, Mr. Chairman, I think we can learn from the Green Empire, they were able to divide Korea into two, why can't we divide Xizang into two?! I think it's entirely possible, we can completely stop fighting with Xizang and negotiate a settlement, let them accept our proposal."

  Vice President Liu Qi asked: "What if they don't accept it?"

  The Premier was about to respond when the Chairman said in a loud voice: "Fight, we'll fight until he's willing to negotiate with us! I think we should talk to Pakistan and let them send troops to Kashmir, while our 27th Army advances from the north. Let's see how India defends itself! Afterwards, we can let Pakistan occupy all of Kashmir. I don't believe India will not be afraid if it loses Kashmir. It will definitely negotiate with us! Of course, before that, we need to put on a show and make the 27th Army advance further, so that they think their country is on the verge of collapse. At this time, we can offer them some hope through negotiations. What will they do when they see hope? They'll only negotiate with us."

  Everyone nodded after hearing it, the chairman smoked while looking at everyone one by one. After finishing a round, he said: "We might as well go all out and not do things half-heartedly. Let's directly establish a province in the western part of Xinjiang that we currently control and incorporate it into our national territory. Specifically, I think it should be like Xining and Tibet, as long as military power remains under our control. What do you think?"

  Lin Gang was the first to agree, and the Premier also nodded in agreement. Then Lao Zong and others all agreed. Seeing that everyone had agreed, the Chairman stood up excitedly and took a few fierce puffs of his cigarette. Kang Yuan from the Central Organization Department asked: "Chairman, so who is the specific candidate?"

  The chairman listened and said, "Let the comrades on the front line recommend candidates for government departments, they are the most clear! As for this army? Lin Gang, you have the most say in this matter, you first recommend a few candidates?"

  Lin Gang thought for a moment and replied: "What I want to ask is what level of military command would be suitable?"

  The chairman listened and said: "Well, now the eastern part of Xizang has 3 armies, plus a newly formed local army with 1 army, so there are 4 armies, and the territory is also nearly 300,000 square kilometers. Well, let's establish a military region, a second-level military region. Does anyone have any opinions?"

  Everyone naturally had no opinion. Lin Gang nodded and said: "There are only three candidates, Xu Feng of the 40th Army, Zhou Kai of the 25th Army, and Tang Ning of the 7th Army."

  The chairman listened and said: "Then which one are you inclined towards?"

  Lin Gang replied solemnly: "I choose Tang Ning."

  Everyone was shocked after hearing it, and the chairman was also surprised, asking: "What's the reason?"

  Lin Gang said: "He is the least experienced among the three, and it was not long ago that he took over as army commander. If we just talk about these things, Tang Ning would be the least likely to become the commander of this military region. However, Tang Ning was able to train a group of surrendered soldiers from Xizang before the attack, letting them fight for me, and then turned against the Sixth Division, breaking through the defense line without bloodshed and occupying Rugel. He did all this in just two days, at the cost of seven people lightly injured. Then, he spent half a month basically controlling the area around Xilong, quickly winning over the hearts of most Xizang people. All these things show that Tang Ning accomplished tasks that ordinary people cannot accomplish, he is a genius! He is currently our party's most capable young general."

  The old general listened to this and was shocked, Lin Gang was unusually praising someone in public, especially a young man. This shows that Lin Gang must have some ulterior motive, but what is it?

  At this time, Yao Yuan, the commander of the Northwestern Military Region, said: "I agree with Vice Chairman Lin's proposal. Comrade Tang Ning is a familiar figure to me. He is an extremely loyal warrior to the Party and the country. He has achieved his current achievements at such a small cost, which shows his ability and proves that he has won the support of all levels of the 7th Army. This also shows that he can integrate a troop in a short period of time and play one hundred percent of its capacity."

  Vice Chairman Liu said at this time: "I don't doubt his ability, but he's only 22 years old, comrades! A party member for only 3 years has reached today's position, such a rapid promotion is very risky! It may harm this comrade!"

  Kang Yuan also said: "Yes, he is only 22 years old and will become the commander of a military region. What will other comrades think? Especially the generals on the front line, what will they think? What will those old comrades think? I disagree with Comrade Tang Ning taking up the post of commander of this newly established military region."

  The chairman suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in thought, while everyone else looked at the chairman quietly, waiting for his decision.

  The chairman thought to himself: The 40th Army's Xu Feng is Lin Gang's old subordinate, the 40th Army is one of the three trump card field armies of the Eastern Wild, but Lin Gang did not nominate Xu Feng for this position, which means that Lin Gang still thinks Tang Ning is more suitable than Xu Feng; Zhou Kai of the 25th Army, insufficient in taking the initiative but sufficient in defense; Tang Ning is young and has a strong personality, does things with discretion, has a natural talent for commanding troops, as can be seen from New Delhi, he already has successful experience in managing large cities, withstood the test, but his seniority is too shallow, and he is also the old general's son-in-law, alas, who should be appointed?