Chapter 49

  Seeing the Chairman hesitant to make a decision, the Premier stood up and said: "Chairman, everyone! I think this is a good idea. Let Vice-Chairman Lin take this position and let Comrade Tang Ning be his deputy."

  The chairman listened and shook his head, saying: "Lin Gang is not suitable for this position. Is there a deputy chairman of the Military Commission and Minister of National Defense who will take charge of a 2nd-level military district?"

  The Premier also shook his head and sat down, at this time Lin Gang spoke up: "Chairman, I remember you telling me before that we should cultivate and promote young cadres, let them take on more responsibilities, so they can inherit the torch left by our older generation. Chairman, Comrade Tang Ning has been tested in this battle, he is fully capable of taking on the role of Military Region Commander, and he has the ability to do so. I guarantee it with my party membership, if there's a problem, I'll take responsibility."

  Lin Gang's words were like a heavy bomb, stunning everyone. Lin Gang had never done such a thing before! This was setting a precedent. The old general immediately thought of one possibility: that Tang Ning had been poached by Lin Gang; Yao Yuan thought that Tang Ning had defected to Lin Gang? In short, everyone thought of this point or was thinking in this direction.

  The chairman looked at him deeply and said, "What are you responsible for? This is a matter of principle, it's not something that can be guaranteed just because you guarantee it. However, your words also make sense. Now, within our party, the method of using young cadres should be changed. We shouldn't always stick to the old framework and commit dogmatism. I think we should let Tang Ning take charge as the commander of the military region, with the rank of lieutenant general. It won't be under the jurisdiction of the Northwest or Sichuan Military Region, but will be directly led by the Central Committee. The name will be called the Western Special Province Military Region. Let Xu Feng from the 25th Army serve as deputy commander and Zhou Kai from the 40th Army serve as chief of staff. The 40th and 25th Armies will have their deputies take over, and Tang Ning will concurrently hold the position of the 7th Army. As for the political commissar, you decide who will take on that role."

  Yao Yuan spoke up first: "I think Comrade Zhang Sheng should take the job."

  Lin Gang's eyes sparkled as he listened, but he didn't say a word. The Premier nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, I think it's okay! Comrade Zhang Sheng has enough experience and ability!"

  Kang Yuan said: "I disagree! Comrade Zhang Sheng's problem has not been investigated clearly, he is still in labor reform and is still confessing to the problem. For this kind of problematic cadre, we absolutely cannot let him sit in a leadership position again."

  The Premier listened and disagreed, saying: "Comrade Kangyuan, your words are biased. What's the problem? His problems have been very clear. He was given labor reform on the farm by the Party to learn a lesson. Moreover, Comrade Zhang has made great contributions to the revolution and has meritorious service to the country. I cannot let good comrades be struck down by their past minor mistakes. I think Comrade Zhang is fully capable of taking this position."

  "What minor mistake? Is the mistake he made still small?"

  The Premier immediately became angry and said: "Comrade Kang Yuan, are you doubting the decision made by the Party regarding Comrade Zhang Sheng's past mistakes? Are you doubting Chairman Mao's decision?"

  Kang Yuanyi heard this and became flustered, saying: "I'm not suspecting the Party, I'm not suspecting Chairman Mao, I am..."

  The chairman interrupted, "Alright, alright. I think Comrade Zhang is still a good comrade. Everyone makes mistakes, as long as they correct them, it's fine. Moreover, this time we're appointing him is the party's test for him. Let him be the political commissar, and consider this an opportunity for him to redeem himself by making contributions. Let's see how he performs."

  With the chairman's gavel, the dust settled on the selection of the political commissar. The other positions were quickly decided upon, and thus the entire leadership team of the Western Zhejiang Military Region was finalized. Regarding the government personnel of Western Zhejiang Special Province, it was decided by the newly established military region to be submitted to the central authorities for approval, and it was also decided that Western Zhejiang Special Province would implement military control.

  The chairman saw that the matters of the military region and the government had been discussed and decided, and he was also a little excited. He said: "Today is a day that will be recorded in history! Today our country's territory has increased by 300,000 square kilometers of land, and the population has increased by more than 7 million!"

  "That's due to the Chairman's wise leadership and farsighted decision-making."

  "Haha." The chairman burst out laughing after hearing it.

  Kang Yuan continued: "Chairman, now that the Western Zhejiang Special District has just been established, the thoughts of the people there have not been fully liberated. I think it's necessary to establish a revolutionary committee there as well to assist the military district government in its work."

  "All right, it's settled then. It's crucial that we grasp this idea firmly. You immediately arrange for personnel to be dispatched and compile a list for me to review. Once I've given my approval, they will be sent out at once to assist with the work of the military district government." The Chairman said in deep agreement.

  The Premier was originally going to speak out in opposition, but seeing that the Chairman had already spoken out in agreement, he didn't express his opinion. The old general looked and listened from start to finish, but didn't say a word or show any expression. He kept thinking whether Tang Ning would collude with Lin Gang. After the meeting, he pulled Yao Yuan into his car and asked him. Yao Yuan thought for a moment before responding: "I also thought about this issue just now, I think it's unlikely, but can't be completely confirmed, so I proposed Zhang Sheng as an alternate member of the Politburo, let Old Zhang go ask him and keep an eye on him. With Old Zhang keeping watch, we can rest assured."

  The old general nodded and sighed, saying: "I'm afraid he's going the wrong way. Now Lin Gang hasn't fully exposed his ambition to seize power, once he does, he'll... Ah!"

  Yao Yuan looked at Lao Zong and said: "I think it's better to let him get married."

  The old man nodded thoughtfully and said: "Well, let me send our little girl to ask him."

  Yao Yuan said: "What if he really followed Lin Gang?"

  The boss said: "I think he won't do anything bad even if he follows Lin Gang!"

  Yao Yuan sighed and stopped talking. The boss ordered, "Old Yao, send someone to safely bring Old Zhang back immediately! Don't cause any more trouble." Yao Yuan replied, "Yes, I'll send someone right away." After finishing speaking, he opened the door and got out of the car, walking towards his own vehicle. The boss looked around and instructed the secretary, "Start the car, let's go back."

  "Yes, sir."

  The Premier returned to his office and immediately ordered: "Immediately let the relevant departments unconditionally release the materials and personnel of our army in Xizang, give priority to satisfying them, and try to satisfy whatever difficulties they have. After all, they are still on the front line, still fighting."

  "Yes."

  The Premier sat alone in his office, speaking softly: "I hope it's not another Lin Gang! Otherwise..." After finishing, the Premier shook his head, leaned back in his chair with a look of exhaustion, and stopped talking. His eyes stared at the ceiling, just like that...

  As the meeting came to an end, all departments started to get busy with the newly established Xizang Special Province, but it's hard to say how much of this is for the country and how much is for personal gain.