Chapter Fifty

  February 2nd, the 7th Army Headquarters. I didn't sleep well last night, yesterday evening, I received a call from Vice Chairman Lin Gang, at that time, I was in the courtyard practicing boxing with Chase. After hearing the guard's report, I rushed to the office, picked up the phone and said: "Hello, Commander Lin, this is Tang Ning, what's the matter so late?"

  The phone rang and Vice Chairman Lin Gang's bright laughter came over the line: "Haha, what? Can't I call you?"

  I hastily said: "No, Commander, you know I didn't mean that." But in my heart, I thought: Do I dare?

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang said: "The meeting has just ended, it's about your appointment in the Western Garrison."

  I was shocked and asked hastily: "Director Lin, what's the specific situation?"

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang said with a relaxed tone: "The central government has decided to establish a province in the area of Xizang under our control, and accordingly establish a provincial military region. This will facilitate daily management and military operations."

  I mechanically replied: "Yes, yes." My mind had long been thinking about what position I would hold in this newly established military district.

  Vice Chairman Lin Gang continued: "This newly established provincial military region has jurisdiction over the 40th, 25th and 7th Armies as well as the Western Zunyi People's Liberation Army First Military Region, a total of four armies."

  I'm getting more and more excited, as the main event is about to begin. Vice Chairman Lin said calmly: "Tang Ning, your appointment was a topic of intense debate, with everyone trying to figure out where you should be placed, what position would be reasonable and suitable for you! Do you want to know the Central Committee's final arrangement for you?"

  I was hooked by Vice Chairman Lin Gang's words and said without thinking: "Think, Commander-in-Chief."

  Lin Gang said excitedly: "I guaranteed you to the chairman and others, that's why you took the post of commander of this provincial military region."

  I was stunned and felt a blank in my mind, although I had hoped for this position, but when I heard the appointment with my own ears, I couldn't help but feel a little incredulous, and exclaimed: "Ah! Is it me? Have I become the Provincial Military Region Commander?"

  "Haha, I won't say more, the formal order will be conveyed tomorrow, 7 days later I will personally go to Xilong and talk with you, after that we will immediately form, the specifics I'll tell when I arrive."

  "Yes! Commander-in-Chief."

  "Alright, don't reveal what I said today for now, wait until tomorrow when the appointment is announced and then talk about it, got it?"

  "Yes."

  "Alright, you go ahead and work hard, your future is boundless, got it?"

  "I understand."

  "Alright, it's settled then." The phone call ended after that.

  I slowly put down the phone, and my mouth was still muttering: "Am I a commander? Am I a commander?" As I said this, my eyes became brighter and brighter, and finally I laughed and said: "Haha, great! Great!"

  "Comrade Commander, what's wrong?" Chas asked as he entered upon hearing the noise.

  I said: "It's okay, it's okay." I continued smiling foolishly...

  Suddenly, a ring of the phone woke me up. I saw Chase pick up the phone and say: "Hello, 7th Army Headquarters." "Looking for General Tang, oh, okay, please wait, ma'am!"

  I answered the phone and said, "Who is it?"

  "It's me, Tang Ning."

  As soon as I heard it was Zhu Yan, I hurriedly said: "Ah! You're so late, aren't you resting yet?"

  "Ah, missing you, can't sleep!"

  I was so moved and said: "Me too, I've been busy and forgot to call you."

  "You focus on your work, I'm fine."

  "Alright."

  "Tang Ning, I just found out you've become the Provincial Military Region Commander, congratulations!"

  "How did you know?"

  "Grandpa said."

  "I just found out too."

  "Yes, I heard from Grandpa that it was thanks to Vice Chairman Lin's strong support that you were able to take office this time."

  "I just received a call from Vice President Lin, and he also told me on the phone."

  "Alright, but you also need to be careful with Vice President Lin. He knows about our relationship and has been strongly supporting you for this position, so think carefully."

  "I said solemnly: 'I understand, don't worry! I will forever be loyal to the Party and loyal to the people.'"

  "Hey, don't forget what you said at my place." Zhu Yan reminded.

  "Really? Oh, I haven't forgotten. Once things are stable here, I'll come and marry you." I was stunned for a moment before responding.

  "En." Zhu Yan said with some embarrassment.

  "Don't worry, I promise." I said solemnly.

  "Alright, take care of yourself over there."

  "Got it, you too."

  "Alright."

  "By the way, how did you get my phone number?"

  "Dummy, you just knew it!"

  "Where did you make the call?"

  "Haha, my grandfather is right next to me."

  "What?!?!"

  "I'm out of here!"

  "Oh!"

  I hung up the phone and couldn't help but wonder if what she said was true. Was the boss really next to her? I smiled wryly, shook my head and went back to sleep.

  "Colonel, sir, we've arrived." I was brought back to my senses by Chas's words and found myself at the office door. I walked in and sat down on a chair, saying: "Chas, go take a look if there are any new situations that need my attention?"

  "Yes, comrade officer."

  Before I knew it, it was 9:30. I thought to myself, "Why hasn't the appointment arrived yet?" I rubbed my tightly furrowed brow, picked up the tea that Chase had brewed for me, and took a couple of sips. Since there was nothing else to do, I stood up and walked to the door, calling out, "Chase."

  "What's up? Comrade officer."

  "Go with me to see General Lan."

  "Yes."

  As we were just leaving, the signal officer ran over and saluted me, saying: "Commander, urgent telegram from headquarters."

  I received the telegram and took a look, the appointment had finally arrived. It read: "Approved by the Central Government and the Central Military Commission: The original territory under our control in Xizang is now designated as 'Xizang Special Province'. The Xizang Provincial Military Region will be established in Xizang Special Province, with the 40th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, the 25th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, the 7th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, and the First Army of the Xizang People's Liberation Army under its jurisdiction. Tang Ning, former commander of the 7th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, is appointed as the Commander of the Xizang Provincial Military Region; Zhang Sheng, former Chief of Staff of the Northwestern Military Region, is appointed as the Political Commissar of the Xizang Provincial Military Region; Xu Feng, former commander of the 25th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, is appointed as the First Deputy Commander of the Xizang Provincial Military Region; Pang Weiguo, former deputy commander of the 7th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, is appointed as the Second Deputy Commander of the Xizang Provincial Military Region; Zhou Kai, former commander of the 40th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, is appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Xizang Provincial Military Region; and Cheng Jinsan, former Political Commissar of the 7th Army of the Longwei People's Liberation Army, is appointed as the Deputy Political Commissar of the Xizang Provincial Military Region. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... This is to inform you! Central Government, Central Military Commission February 2, 2063."

  After I finished reading it, I immediately ordered: "Notify, hold a meeting!"

  "Yes." The communications officer received the order and went to relay it.

  After finishing speaking, I stood up holding the telegram and read it again and again, and got excited once more. After calming down, I immediately walked towards the military department's conference room.