Chapter Fifty-two

  After Old Wu and Yang Zhi left, I sat in the chair quietly thinking. I was confused, I didn't know how to speak or do things from now on! I also knew that if I could climb to this position within 3 years, there must be someone watching me, waiting for an opportunity behind my back. But can I just be careful all day? Isn't that becoming an old man? As long as I have a clear conscience and am worthy of the Party and the people, it's fine. Ten years later, when I look back on myself now, I think I was too naive. Once you enter the high-level vision, no matter how loyal you are to the country or responsible to the people, it's useless. At least you have to let the high-level know that you are loyal to them, but how do they know? They also need to listen to reports from subordinates, what if no one reports or makes a small report? I didn't think of these things, nor did I think of the 10-year catastrophe that was about to come, those crazy 10 years.

  On February 5, Zhang Sheng was the first to arrive at Disbul. I had a lot of respect for my former superior, and before he arrived, I led the military personnel to wait at the entrance of the military department. As soon as I saw him get off the car, I immediately went up to greet him, saluted and said: "Old chief, welcome." I found that Zhang Sheng had aged a lot compared to before, with more wrinkles on his face, thinner body, but in good spirits, and his voice was still loud and clear as before. He said: "Haha, now you are half a level higher than me, this chief can't be called again, be careful not to be reported to the chairman."

  I immediately invited him in, saying: "Old Chief, come in quickly, it's cold outside and warm inside. Let's talk after you go in." When we arrived at the conference room, I introduced Old Cheng to Director Zhang. After the introduction, everyone sat down. I said: "Old Chief, I've been looking forward to seeing you for a long time, haha."

  "Comrade Tang Ning," said Zhang Zhengwei with a stern face, "I'll say it again. Now you are the commander of the military region and I am the political commissar of the military region. I am not your superior, do you understand?"

  I understood what he meant as soon as I heard it, nodded and said: "Yes, I know, Comrade Zhang."

  Director Zhang nodded in satisfaction and said, "Well done this time! Not only did you take back the Tsangnan Valley, but also took down the eastern part of Xizang. I'm both delighted and excited!"

  "I exclaimed excitedly: 'Soldiers are meant to expand territory and build eternal merits.'"

  I saw Zhang Zhengwei's face looked a bit ugly, and I realized that I had just gotten excited and misspoken again. Zhang Zhengwei sighed and said: "It's okay to say this here, but don't ever say it outside, or the Revolutionary Committee will find out and you'll be in for an inspection!"

  I nodded and said: "I know, but we don't have a revolutionary committee yet?"

  "Quickly," said Zhang Zhengwei, "I heard that the Chairman has already approved it. The Revolutionary Committee is going to set up a branch in Xizang Province."

  I frowned and said, "Since they've come, they've come."

  Zhang Zhengwei also said: "After the military region was established, the General Command was abolished."

  "Then shall we stop fighting?"

  Director Zhang nodded and said: "Yes, when I came, the old general manager told me that it was estimated to be a negotiation."

  I felt a bit disappointed and said: "The situation is so good now, what a pity!"

  Zhang Zhengwei said: "The domestic economy is not doing well now! The country has to tighten its belt to fight these battles."

  I sighed and didn't say anything else. After the meeting was dismissed and everyone left, Director Zhang held me back and said, "Little Tang, I have some things to discuss with you."

  I heard him say: "You go ahead and speak."

  Director Zhang looked at me and said: "This time you were on the front line, didn't Vice Chairman Lin Gang give you a hard time?"

  I shook my head and said, "No."

  "What did he say to you then?"

  I repeated to Commissioner Zhang what I had said to Vice Chairman Lin, and after listening, Commissioner Zhang secretly let out a sigh of relief and said: "Well, that's good!"

  I smiled and said: "Don't worry, I know what's at stake."

  "Well, that's good then, nothing wrong."

  "Alright."

  "Oh! Right! The old general told me before I left that you should lead the troops well and get involved in less political stuff."

  "Alright, if there's nothing else, you can take a rest first, you've been busy all day."

  "Alright, I'm old! Sitting in the car for so long is a bit unbearable. Okay, you go ahead and busy yourself, I'll take a rest."

  "Alright, Chas! Take Zhang Zhengwei to rest." I instructed Chas.

  "Yes."

  After Chas led Zhang Zhengwei to rest, I picked up the phone and said: "Connect with the Ministry of Internal Affairs." After a while, it was connected, and I said: "Is that Dielievo?"

  "Four! Commander, sir! Is there anything I can do for you?"

  "Come into my office and call Daviel!"

  "Come at once, Your Excellency Commander!"

  In just a few minutes, they arrived. I said: "Sit down." They sat down as told, and I said: "I have something to ask of you today!"

  They looked at each other and stood up together saying: "At your service!"

  I said seriously: "You can't call me like this from now on, or there will be trouble."

  "What's the reason?"

  I then told them about the Revolutionary Committee wanting to set up a branch, and they looked puzzled, asking: "What do they do?"

  I slapped my forehead and said, "Right! You don't know yet?!" Then I explained the functions of the Revolutionary Committee again. After listening, they all lowered their heads in contemplation. After a while, Dyer asked, "Isn't that a bit like our Ministry of Internal Affairs?" I nodded and said, "A bit, but definitely more powerful than the military's internal affairs department."

  Dawei said: "Then they came, and I and Dier Yao as comrades who had just arrived, would...?"

  I said: "Not for the time being."

  They looked at each other with some concern, but didn't say a word. I said seriously: "Now I'm giving orders." As soon as they heard this, they straightened up and listened to my orders. I continued: "I order you, as the commander of the military district, to keep an eye on those people from now on. If there's any movement, report to me immediately." They listened excitedly and said: "Yes!" I went on to say: "This task is only known by the three of us, it must be kept secret! Do you understand?"

  They all nodded heavily and said: "Yes."

  "Diao Ye, you immediately select a batch of elite personnel from the 107th Army to form a new internal affairs team, directly responsible to me. From now on, without my order, you are not allowed to mobilize them."

  "Yes."

  Dawei said: "Comrade Commander, is someone going to move you?"

  I shook my head and said: "This is preparing for a rainy day, just in case something happens later and we suffer losses."

  "Yes."

  "Alright, you guys go prepare then."

  "Yes."

  After they left, I said in a low voice: "In Zhongdu, I have no way with you; here, if you dare to move my people? Hehe!"