Chapter 10 Chapter nine

The lodging place prepared for the two reporters is the smaller one of the three natural karst caves under the cliff on the south side of the camp.The open space inside the cave is circular, the size of two rooms, and the ceiling is very high. A 300-watt light bulb hangs from the top to the bottom, illuminating every corner in every detail.A line of spring water flows out from the mountain, forming a washbasin-like spring pool in the center of the open space. The water is as deep as a foot, clear to the bottom, and a dark stream leads it to the entrance of the cave, so the water in the pool will never be short and never to leak out.Two camp beds have been arranged on the left and right sides of the cave. A folding table and a folding chair are placed in front of each bed, and a curtain that can be unfolded and folded is hung (actually two square military raincloths).There is also a folding table in the center of the clearing, on which is a telephone, and next to it is an air force can with a large bunch of red, yellow, and pink wild flowers just picked from the mountain forest.

It is these messy-looking wild flowers set off by the green and pleasant green leaves that give the whole cave a lively and fresh vitality. Before entering the cave, Bai Fan was in a happy state of mind. Now when he saw these wild flowers, his eyes lit up immediately, and he shouted: "Ah, so beautiful!" Xiao Qun also saw these flowers, with a satisfied and grateful smile on his face.Because of this bunch of mountain flowers, he once again experienced the thoughtfulness and care of the host in receiving them. "Thank you, Captain Jiang, for preparing such an elegant working environment for us. Only by working hard can Bai Fan and I be worthy of such a good place to live!" He said emotionally.

Jiang Tao generously made a "this is nothing" gesture. "You two are welcome! I have limited conditions here, as long as you are still satisfied, I will be relieved!" With the help of Liu Erzhu and the guard platoon leader, the two reporters quickly settled down.Yin Guocai sent someone to bring tea, and Jiang Tao stayed with the reporter in this cave, taking care of everything in detail.Xiao Qun suddenly realized that if he wanted to write the article on army reform from the perspective of war, he should hurry up and interview Jiang Tao now.After the battle starts at dawn tomorrow, Jiang Tao may not be able to spare time.

"Captain Jiang, we would like to ask you to introduce tomorrow's battle right now," he said to Jiang Tao after finally sitting down, "and then introduce yourself!" "Reporter Xiao must be a person who regards the profession of journalism as his first life." Jiang Tao said, making people feel the respect in it.Although he believed that he had established quite a harmonious personal relationship with the female reporter, as soon as Xiao Qun spoke, he knew which reporter he should focus more on. "...well," he said with a loud laugh, "since you're holding on so tightly, I'll just obey. Please, I'll show you something first!"

He led them out of the cave, to the combat sand table in the command tent, and raised the sand table signal stick for the second time since this morning. "In order to facilitate the two of you to get into the situation as soon as possible, I will first give a general introduction to the combat plan for the recovery of the entire Gongmu Mountain area." The topography of the area is roughly stated. "The battle to recover the Gongmu Mountain area consists of two parts. One is the offensive battle of the No. 001 highland of the B regiment, and the second is the offensive battle of the A regiment led by myself. You can see clearly from the sand table that the No. 001 The highlands and the surrounding small highlands account for only one-ninth of the entire area of ​​Gongmu Mountain, while Qipanling and the surrounding highlands account for eight-ninths of it. In fact, it is these eight-ninths that our regiment is responsible for capturing. All the highlands, mountain legs, and protrusions." He used the sand table signal stick to draw slowly and forcefully along the Qipanling ridge line from west to east, and at the same time raised his eyes to look deeply at Xiao Qun and Baifan to emphasize their strength. Impressions of one's own words.Then he fluently described the battle plan of the A regiment tomorrow, fearing that the two reporters would not understand the beauty of this plan, he explained it in detail.

"Comrade reporter, I think the main content of the battle to recover the Gongmushan area is the battle of Qipanling. Our regiment will use a beautiful battle of annihilation tomorrow to complete the glorious mission entrusted to us by the motherland!" Finally, he said in an unquestionable tone I concluded my own words, and in order to show my impartiality, I did not forget to add the following words: "Of course, the offensive battle on the No. 001 highland is also very important. Regiment B is a unit with a glorious tradition. Commander Liu Daoming must also Great success!"

If he was just a hospitable host before he entered the command tent, at this moment, in the eyes of Xiao Qun and Bai Fan, he is already and only a stepper who is about to go to war, with a firm and fierce expression, full of confidence and desire for victory Corps commander. ——No matter which one of them, Jiang Tao's image at this time is more in line with their original imagination. Stepping out of the command tent, Jiang Tao realized that he had already achieved great success with the two reporters. His introduction to tomorrow's battle of Qipanling obviously left a deep impression on Bai Fan and Xiao Qun, who lacked military literacy!

It was time for lunch. To express his welcome to the two Beijing guests, Jiang Tao held a small banquet in the cave where the reporters "stayed".Although the table was full of hot, cold, meat, and vegetarian canned food, the two journalists who had seen the world discovered that there were many dishes they had never heard of, and the host gave everything he had to entertain them. It was this meal that showed the host's sincere welcome attitude, which made Xiao Qun and Bai Fan's feelings that lasted all morning reached the climax, and also melted their last point about this excellent infantry commander who was almost impeccable. Be alert.

"Captain Jiang, I have to admit that I have been a reporter for so many years and have seen all kinds of feasts, but seeing such a table here today, I have never been moved before!" Xiao Qun sincerely To, honestly. "Me too!" Bai Fan hurriedly followed up and said, "Teacher Jiang, thank you for your kindness!" Jiang Tao noticed that at this moment, the female reporter's beautiful, big smiling eyes flickered brightly. A layer of tears! The rising happiness in Jiang Tao's heart almost drowned himself. "Today, at the important moment of my life, in my forward command post, I am ashamed, but also full of pride and honor to entertain you with such a table of crude military meals!" He echoed their words, In response to their feelings, he said, "To entertain distinguished guests like you who want to but can't, you should go to the Beijing Hotel. But this is not Beijing. But it's nothing, as long as I don't die for my country, I will return to Beijing to make up for it after the war is over." Please, both of you!... Now please raise your glasses, for victory, do it!"

He stood up, and Xiao Qun and Bai Fan also toasted and stood up.Because the words just now partly conveyed his true thoughts and feelings deep in his heart, his words and his expression when he said them involuntarily revealed the sincerity and sincerity, which moved Xiao Qun and Bai Fan once again. . "Come on, let's toast to tomorrow's victory, and to Commander Jiang's success!" Xiao Qun said. "Cheers!" Bai Fan also said. An extraordinarily sincere and touching atmosphere dominated the meal, and both host and guest drank several glasses of "Butterfly Spring" sparkling wine.After dinner, Xiao Qun took the opportunity to ask Jiang Tao to introduce himself. Everyone in the cave happened to be in a slightly drunk and over-excited state of mind. They didn't realize it, but their thoughts changed in an extremely pleasant and comfortable feeling Very active.Although, Jiang Tao doesn't think he is still very clear-headed, it seems that he has never been so clear-headed like today.

"Well, respect is worse than obedience. I'll just talk about myself..." Jiang Tao said.He had been looking forward to this moment since he made that decision this morning, and the active cooperation between Xiao Qun and Bai Fan gave him a happy feeling that he was close to success.His self-report quickly made the two reporters into a state of ecstasy and passionate listening: born in the artillery fire of the Tianjin campaign; grew up under strict father discipline; After reading Clausewitz's "On War", I have been yearning for a military career since then; some representative events experienced after joining the army at the age of sixteen, they are enough to illustrate a talented and intelligent military commander The training received in the army life and his growth process, the latter can also show that he will always be a strong man in life.Jiang Tao also focused on the three times he entered the military academy for further studies, and believed that they gave him indispensable nourishment from two aspects of traditional military theory and modern concepts.He talked about the "reform achievements" of Group A over the years in affirmative and clear language, and vaguely talked about the criticisms he received for "reforms" in an indifferent tone, as if they were ridiculous and never had an impact on his life and beliefs .He did not forget to introduce his broken marriage to the reporters, and praised Yulia and the bearded painter for their bravery in a sincere tone, expressing that he not only did not hate them, but admired their spirit of love supremacy.He even asked Bai Fan and Xiao Qun if they knew there was a famous bearded painter in the Beijing art circle, "This man's paintings have been exhibited abroad many times!" He said.Regarding Bai Fan's question about whether his relationship with a certain female military doctor is "so romantic" as others have said, he smiled brightly, neither admitting nor denying it, just saying what a man and a woman can do, as long as it doesn't hurt The third party should not be blamed.But the problem now is that some people often use some unfounded rumors to hurt a person who wants to do something. "Of course you understand what I mean," he said at last. He did not forget to talk about his ideals. "I think that our generation should no longer hide our thoughts, pursuits and beliefs. I can tell you frankly that my lifelong dream is to be a great soldier. If I were born in an era of great changes in history, my The ideal is to be Napoleon or Kutuzov, Patton or MacArthur. But I am living in a peaceful China, a peaceful age, and my ideal is to seize every opportunity to make myself a successful soldier, I mean to make I quickly ascended to a higher ladder, and once the motherland needs soldiers, I can lead thousands of troops and make great achievements." "Now let's talk about my hobbies. It's similar to your profession: I like literature. Of course I don't read all the bullshit novels. What I like are the works handed down by everyone who describe war, such as Homer's epic poems and Leo. ; Tolstoy, only these works can give you a broad and thorough understanding of the nature and character of war. Homer believed that the battle of Troy was the result of the battle of the gods on Mount Olympus, and Tolstoy Think of the Russo-French War from 1805 to 1812 as a back-and-forth movement between two tides in the Great Lakes of Europe, one day you swim over the other, and the next day I ride over." He knew he had reached the most exciting point, Eyes become brighter and passionate. "Tomorrow's battle in the Gongmushan area is certainly a just war, because we want to regain our own land and maintain national dignity, but from a military point of view, it can hardly be regarded as a real war. It's not big enough in terms of size, territory, or vigor. But we as soldiers live in an unfortunate peaceful time, and even this kind of war that is not a war is very important to us. I personally think that another aspect of this war The layered meaning is that it will allow a group of newcomers with ideals and talents to stand out and stand out, so that they will not be buried in the long peaceful years after the war and can smoothly take up the position of senior commander of our army. Give us, and they will be able to live up to the expectations of the people and shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Great Patriotic War, defeat the powerful invaders, and make themselves famous as the greatest soldiers in history!" He's done.From the highly excited and concentrated expressions on the faces of the reporters, he knew that he had really succeeded today. The two reporters, especially the male reporters, had been introduced by him from the real world into a mythical world about him, and he regarded it as a world more than the real world. A more real world, from now on he and Bai Fan can only circle around in this world.Jiang Tao didn't think he lied to the reporters. He just slightly changed the primary and secondary positions of the No. 001 highland battle and Qipanling offensive battle in the overall situation. Besides, he felt that everything he said was true , including his views on the war, his ideals and dreams.As the conversation deepened, he himself took the lead in entering the "role" and became truly excited.No, he did nothing wrong.Everything he does is to achieve that ultimate goal, as long as that goal is valuable, everything he does is meaningful and correct. But he also realized it was time to call it a day. The power of "Butterfly Spring" sparkling wine is fading.He always thought he was sober, and he was especially sober now.When the article reached its climax, the two reporters, especially the male reporter, had to be given some time to chew and digest and understand the main point of the article.Jiang Tao smiled solemnly, stood up, with a thoughtful expression flashing between his brows, and said to the guest: "We can only talk about this today, I still have some business to deal with. If you have any other requests, please do so now." Speak out!—Once the battle starts, I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to take care of you!" The two reporters exchanged glances.For a long time, they have been feeling Jiang Tao wholeheartedly. Jiang Tao felt that when the article reached the climax, they felt that their understanding of the leader in front of them had also reached a new height.But at this time their moods were different: if Bai Fan's demeanor could be called calm at the beginning, then at this moment, two flames were already burning on her cheeks, and those eyes were extremely devoted to her. So much love and dream-like light leaked out of the beautiful and focused eyes unconsciously; when Jiang Tao's long self-narration was going on, Xiao Qun kept the original leaning listening posture, motionless. At that time, not only was he unaware of his own existence, but he was also unaware of Jiang Tao's existence. All that existed was a voice, a story, and an important chapter of a "big article" that he had been eager to write.Jiang Tao's self-report not only gave him many fresh and strong shocks, but also more and more brought him the joy and excitement of a treasure hunter who finally found a gold mine after years of trekking in the deep mountains.Xiao Qun is now even very grateful to Liu Daoming, the head of the division's frontier command post and regiment B, for rejecting him and Bai Fan. A reformer in the military who "hidden in a deep boudoir."In any case, next year's "China Journalism Award" must be won by him!Thinking of this, his two eyes also shone brightly.Hearing Jiang Tao's last words, Xiao Qun's thoughts immediately turned to a very specific matter across thousands of mountains and rivers. "Excuse me, Commander Jiang, is there a fax machine in the regiment that can communicate with Beijing?" "No." Jiang Tao said, frowning inadvertently.But he soon understood what Xiao Qun needed, and his eyes dimmed and then lit up again, "But I can connect you with a direct line to Beijing, so that you can send news from the front line to the rear in time!" "That's great!" Xiao Qun exclaimed.Five minutes later, Jiang Tao used the telephone in the cave to arrange a direct line to Beijing for the two reporters through He Yan at the military headquarters.Xiao Qun had just reported the phone number of the editor-in-chief's office, and the call was connected.It was the editor-in-chief himself who answered the phone. "Editor-in-chief, it's me, I'm Xiao Qun!" "I'm Bai Fan!" The two reporters rushed to talk to their superiors first. For a moment, both Bai Fan and Xiao Qun felt that they had a lot to say to their "family members" thousands of miles away.They have gone to great lengths to settle down at the front of the war zone, and they have met Jiang Tao, a man who respects, understands and is willing to help them; the battle at Gongmu Mountain will start at dawn tomorrow, and they cannot help being excited, and so on.During this period of time, Xiao Qun sent back the first battlefield news to the newspaper through the editor-in-chief-"The recovery battle in the Gongmushan area is ready, and the morale of our officers and soldiers is high."Xiao Qun’s description of the battle was based on Jiang Tao’s introduction: the whole battle consisted of two parts, one was the Qipanling attack commanded by Jiang Tao of the A Regiment of the L Division, and the other was led by Liu Daoming of the B Regiment of the Division. The No. 001 highland offensive battle commanded by the head of the regiment focused on the Qipanling area.Now he and Bai Fan are in Commander Jiang's forward command post, from here they can learn about the whole process of tomorrow's battle.Xiao Qun asked the editor-in-chief to keep someone on duty day and night, and they may use the dedicated telephone line provided by a certain army headquarters to report battlefield news to the newspaper at any time.In just ten minutes, Jiang Tao heard his name being mentioned more than a dozen times by two reporters. He suddenly thought: at least at the editor-in-chief of this authoritative newspaper, Qi Panling from the A regiment The battle of the battle has now become the focus of the battle of Gongmushan, and his forward command post has become the center of this war! Ten minutes later, Jiang Tao left the reporter's cave, feeling extremely comfortable.There are many gains: he successfully "invited" the two reporters to Maoerling and won their respect; as soon as the battle broke out at dawn tomorrow, the dedicated telephone line in the cave, together with a complete The huge public opinion machine will rumble into action, and according to his wishes, report his victory in Qipanling to the capital, to the whole country, and to those leaders who care about this war!In this way, his name, his meritorious deeds, and the battle of Qipanling itself will no longer be buried in the victory of the B group!Before the war started, he had won the first initiative from the head of the military division and Liu Daoming!