On the night of July, Xiang Linghui returned to Beijing. Pei Chengyi personally went to the airport to greet the Chief of the General Staff.

"Ling Qixiao, are they gone?"

"Gone, left in the morning." Pei Chengyi glanced at Xiang Linghui and said with a wry smile. "Mr. Xiang, you will really lose your burden, leave such a big trouble, and go to Chengdu without caring about anything

"I'm also asking you to get to know these military commanders, if you don't meet now, you have to cooperate in the future. Isn't it? ”

"That being said, but

"I greeted Ling Yunxiao, as long as he doesn't make trouble, the other army commanders won't make trouble Ling Hui smiled and said, "There is basically no problem on the sword army's side, Yang Guangcuo patted his chest and promised to obey your command." According to my idea, let the sword army enter Tibet first. ”

Pei Chengyi frowned slightly. "Item total. You promised again?.

"It's not a promise, someone has to do the groundwork, right?

"Well, since you've agreed, I don't have anything to say

"I helped you remove obstacles, and you should thank me.

Xiang Linghui took out a cigarette, "The war will definitely be fought, in the few days you have been in Pakistan, Yuan has talked to Li Cunxun several times, and he is probably creating the last condition." ”

"Why do you want to go to India?"

Xiang Linghui nodded and said, "Since you have already guessed, I won't say more." I don't know exactly how to do it, these things have always been the responsibility of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and Li Cunxun's kid has the means, so I'm not afraid that he won't be able to make a reason. The key is how to fight, that is, how to fight the battle after entering the army of Sikkim. ”

Pei Chengyi took the cigarette handed by Xiang Linghui. He took two puffs on his point.

"Tell me what you think." Xiang Linghui lit a cigarette and glanced at Pei Chengyi. "Although the combat plan has not yet been decided, with your personality, you must have a clear idea

"The idea is there, it's just not clear."

Xiang Linghui frowned slightly, and motioned for Pei Chengyi to continue.

"Compared to previous wars, this time there is a big difference." Pei Chengyi sighed and said. "The war on the peninsula, except for air operations, was mainly ground warfare, and there was not much fighting at sea. Although the U.S. military caused us a lot of trouble, it was limited to the initial stage, and the scope of the war was very limited. We were able to concentrate our forces on the ground fighting. The war in Japan, in addition to air combat. The main thing is a war at sea, and there is not much fighting on the ground. The attack on the Ryukyu Islands met with little trouble. The combat operation went very smoothly. In the late stages. There is no difficulty at all. India is not the Korean Peninsula or the Japanese archipelago. This war will certainly cover land, sea and air, and every direction is very important. If we want to win beautifully, we have to fight well in the air and on the ground. He was also stunned to fight well at sea. After all, we have been engaged in construction for many years, and the conditions in the frontline areas have greatly improved, and as long as we rationally use all kinds of forces, we have a very good chance of victory. The key to fighting a good war is to operate at sea. The navy attacked alone, and the logistics support line alone was thousands of kilometers long. Whether the fleet can accomplish its mission and whether it can seize sea supremacy in the Indian Ocean will have a decisive impact on the entire war

That is to say. The Navy is key. ”

Pei Chengyi nodded, what he wanted to say was this true thought.

"I thought about it too, so I rushed back in the evening."

Pei Chengyi frowned slightly, not figuring out what Xiang Linghui meant.

"On the way back, I went to Qingdao and talked to Lin Xiaolei for a few hours." Xiang Linghui smiled and said, "Although Lin Xiaolei is a little bit of a bit of a salt and oil and doesn't take anyone seriously, when it comes to combat, he is more active and serious than anyone else. He had similar thoughts. After all, we are all army generals, and we still have some confidence in air operations, but our understanding of sea operations is far from enough

"Mr. Xiang, what do you mean

"If you have time, you can go to Qingdao. Talk to Lin Xiaolei in person

Pei Chengyi nodded and said, "It's okay." I'll go tomorrow. It's just a matter of the former money command

"Generally, let Yuan Chenhao be responsible, and I will talk to Yuan about other things. Since it has been decided to fight, the front-line command should be established as soon as possible, and it can't be delayed forever. ”

Hearing Xiang Linghui's assurance, Pei Chengyi was a little relieved.

Although the General Staff has dozens of sets of operational plans for Pei Chengyi's reference, before the war breaks out, Pei Chengyi must come up with a set of regular operational calculations. The so-called is not in his position, not in his position. Before the front-line command was formally organized, Pei Chengyi could only work as the head of the operations department, and he could not arrange combat tasks for various combat units like the commander-in-chief of the front, and therefore could not formulate detailed combat plans. These things are all linked one by one, and the middle link is not in place, and the rest of the work cannot be carried out smoothly.

Pei Chengyi went to the airport to pick up Xiang Linghui, just to ask Xiang Linghui to find Yuan as soon as possible to determine the matter of the front-line headquarters.

The next morning, Pei Chengyi left the General Staff and went to the Navy Command.

Compared with the General Staff, the naval headquarters in Jiaozhou Bay appears even more shabby. As early as after the Peninsular War, Lin Xiaolei, then chief of staff of the Navy, proposed that the Navy Headquarters be transferred to Zhoushan, or Kaohsiung, or Yulin Port. To put it simply. It is to move the naval headquarters to the south and face a wider sea area. Lin Xiaolei's proposal was supported by Yuan, but the ensuing Japanese War and the conflict in southern Tibet delayed the matter of the Navy Reconstruction Command. It's not that Yuan is unwilling, but that military spending is limited. According to the calculation submitted by the Navy, "if the headquarters is transferred to Zhoushan, the cost of infrastructure construction alone will be as high as tens of billions of yuan, and the cost of transferring to the other two locations will be even higher." The money is equal to:

"The huge price of skin-type warships, or the Jinxiaolei of 10,000 officers and soldiers, is very stingy in the treatment of high-ranking officers and men, but it is very stingy in infrastructure construction that has nothing to do with the combat effectiveness of the fleet. Besides, the office building of the General Staff Headquarters has been used for several years, and Xiang Linghui is reluctant to take the money to rebuild it, and the navy has to be even more economical.

When Pei Chengyi arrived, Lin Xiaolei was discussing combat operations with Zhang Weichang, Mu Qingyun, Lonely Moray Eel and others.

It must have been Xiang Linghui who said hello, otherwise Lin Xiaolei would not have called a few catties of the navy and the main generals over.

"General Pei, you don't give us face."

"Commander Lin, what do you say?" As soon as Pei Chengyi sat down, he was dismounted by Lin Xiaolei.

"If you're going to poach people from the navy, you should say hello in advance. When it comes to transferring people, I have been trying to fill the gap during this time. Lin Xiaolei smiled and said, "It's not that I don't support the work of the General Staff, but it is the intention of Yuan and the Chief of the General Staff to recommend the establishment of a front-line command, and the Navy will definitely support it." It's just that you poached hundreds of people, and the grassroots troops complained to me every day. ”

"Complaining?" Pei Chengyi laughed. "The Navy won't be short of more than 100 officers, right?"

"They are all the best Tokashi officers in the Navy. You've poached us, what are we going to do? Lin Xiaolei smiled even more happily, "Then again. Whether they can serve in the General Staff, or under General Pei, is also their creation, at least it is much better than staying in the Navy. ”

Hearing this, Pei Chengyi was completely sure that Xiang Linghui greeted Lin Xiaolei.

With Lin Xiaolei's personality, if it weren't for Xiang Linghui's special advice, he would definitely not be so polite to Pei Chengyi.

"General Pei, how are things going at the front-line headquarters?" Zhang Weichang got to the point.

"It's being dealt with, mainly on the Yuan side." Pei Chengyi sighed. Said. "Mr. Xiang is personally responsible for this matter, as long as Yuan loosens his mouth, I will go to Pakistan immediately. This time I came, which is also what Mr. Xiang meant. Although the Yuan nominally authorized me to command combat operations with full authority, naval combat operations are very different from land combat operations and air combat operations, and I was born in the army and do not know much about naval operations. Mr. Xiang asked me to come here precisely to discuss with you the main issues of naval warfare. ”

"What are the problems with dealing with the Indian Navy?" Lin Xiaolei smiled coldly and said, "Twenty years ago, we could defeat the Indian Navy without an aircraft carrier. Now we have a fleet second only to the US Navy in the world, and we can defeat the Indian Navy more easily. ”

"It's never a good thing to underestimate the enemy, after all, the Indian Navy also has six aircraft carriers."

"General Pei is right, we must pay attention to the enemy." Zhang Weichang grabbed in front of Lin Xiaolei and said.

Lin Xiaolei snorted coldly and did not dwell on this topic.

"What does General Pei mean is that the Navy is not under the command of the Forward Command?" Mu Qingyun pulled the topic back.

"We can't say that, after all, modern warfare is a systematic war, not a war of a certain branch of the armed forces.

Pei Chengyi picked up the cigarette and scattered one for each of the others before lighting it for himself and said. "As Commander Lin said, we will definitely be able to defeat the Indian Navy, but Chief of Staff Zhang is right, the Indian Navy has more than just a few aircraft carriers, but a more powerful system combat capability. If the three aircraft carrier battle groups have more than doubled the combat effectiveness of the Indian Navy, then the military command system that the United States has helped India establish and the modern warfare concept have increased the overall combat capability of the Indian armed forces several times. Not to mention, during my years in Pakistan, Pakistan paid the most attention to the comprehensive combat capability of the Indian army. Naval warfare has its own uniqueness, but as the striking distance of combat weapons is getting farther and farther, modern naval warfare has undergone great changes, and it is a part of the overall war, and it is impossible to exist separately from the overall war. If the Navy acts alone. It is not only the Indian Navy that will have to be faced, but also the Indian Air Force and even the Indian Army. I'm not underestimating the combat effectiveness of the Navy, but I don't want to lose the war. You all know the importance of this war to the country and the nation, and you also know how much attention Yuan and the Chief of the General Staff attach to it. As the commander-in-chief of the front, I have to take responsibility for the war, so I hope that everyone will actively cooperate

Pei Chengyi's words are reasonable. Lin Xiaolei was not convinced.

I saw the change in the expressions of several admirals. Pei Chengyi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

2 years at the National Defense University were really not in vain. As a senior general, Pei Chengyi mainly learned the operational characteristics of other services and arms in his advanced studies, and the navy was the key point among the key points. Although in terms of naval battle tactics, Pei Chengyi is far inferior to any of the admirals present, but in the general direction, Pei Chengyi is no worse than Lin Xiaolei.

"So, General Pei meant. We still have to obey the command of the front command? ”

Hearing Lin Xiaolei's words, Pei Chengyi smiled bitterly.

The country is easy to change, but the nature is difficult to change.

Lin Xiaolei is Lin Xiaolei, although he was very polite at the beginning, but this sentence is very shocking.

Fortunately, Pei Chengyi was mentally prepared and was not affected by Lin Xiaolei. "Since Yuan appointed me as the commander-in-chief of the front, and I have full command of the war operations, and the naval operations are part of the war operations, I will definitely ask about it. Of course, this is not to say that I will interfere with your command. It's just a hope that the Navy will act according to the operational plan. ”

Lin Xiaolei nodded slightly, and seemed to agree with Pei Chengyi's statement.

This performance of the naval commander surprised Pei Chengyi a little, because in his opinion, Lin Xiaolei should have reacted more excitedly, rather than making concessions.

"Does General Pei have a specific battle plan?" The sinus gills spoke.

This is also my other front paw this time, Pei Chengyi smiled and said, "The overall war is only determined by the General Staff, and my task is only to improve the battle plan." You must have read the plans of the General Staff and have an idea of combat operations. After the establishment of the front-line command, I will come up with a concrete war plan as soon as possible. Because of the peculiarities of combat operations at sea, I think that it is up to the command of the Navy to submit the tactical plan of the Navy. ”

Lin Xiaolei frowned slightly and glanced at Pei Chengyi.

"That is, it is up to us to decide on combat operations?" Zhang Weichang looked even more surprised.

"Not a combat operation, but a tactical plan." Pei Chengyi emphasized the basic point. "Only by getting the Navy's tactical plan can I complete the overall war plan. After all, you know more about naval operations than I do, and you know better how to defeat the Indian Navy

Lin Xiaolei smiled slightly and said, "General Pei." You're too modest, aren't you? ”

"Commander Lin, I'm not modest, I'm telling the truth." Pei Chengyi also laughed. "To be honest, I also spent a lot of time learning about combat operations at sea, but I learned something. It's not as good as actual combat experience. What's more. Combat operations at sea have a bearing on the success or failure of the entire war, and we must not let go of any mistakes. It can even be said that after a decisive victory in the Navy, we will launch a large-scale offensive in other directions. In this way, the actions of the Navy determine the subsequent combat operations, and also determine the overall war strategy

Lin Xiaolei nodded and said, "General Pei is right, before you arrived, we were discussing this issue. ”

Pei Chengyi put on a deaf look. I took the opportunity to light a second cigarette.

"We all have the confidence to defeat the Indian Navy, but when it comes to absolute certainty, no one dares to pack a ticket." Pei Chengyi was open and honest, and Lin Xiaolei was also very refreshing, "There are many problems in combat operations, and they are also very difficult to solve. Don't say anything else. The fleet acts alone, and without sufficient support forces, it is difficult to take the initiative after entering the Indian Ocean. Seizing sea supremacy is only the first task of the navy, and if it is necessary to carry out landing operations, it will be difficult for the navy's existing strength to provide sufficient support for landing operations. There are many similar problems, and solutions need to be found as soon as possible. In general, there is a high probability that the Navy will suffer heavy losses in battle, and we must be mentally prepared

"Where there is war, there are losses." Pei Chengyi let out a long breath and said, "The key is not the loss, but whether the task can be completed." ”

It depends on what the task is, Zhang Weichang said it for Lin Xiaolei.

"Just as Commander Lin said, the important task of the navy is to seize sea supremacy." Pei Chengyi took two puffs of his cigarette and said, "What tasks are there next, this has to be decided according to the specific situation of the war, and I can't make any conclusions." Of course. The navy should be prepared in advance, or at least make a battle plan in advance. ”

"There is no need for General Pei to worry about this matter. We'll make the arrangements. Lin Xiaolei paused slightly, "What I want to know is." Can General Bae guarantee adequate support for the navy. ”

"I'll do my best to arrange." Pei Chengyi smiled, and only then did he take out the documents he brought. "This is the preliminary combat plan that I came up with after discussing with Mr. Xiang, and there are still many places that have not been perfected. If all goes well, several countries on the coast of the South China Sea will open military bases to us. When the time comes, long-range aviation of the Air Force can be deployed forward. ”

"Air Force?" Lin Xiaolei immediately frowned.

"It can also be long-range aviation of the Navy."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaolei nodded slightly.

"Regardless, the Navy's combat operations are particularly critical." Pei Chengyi glanced at several admirals and said, "The situation may change, after all, diplomatic work is still ongoing, and it is still uncertain which countries are willing to provide us with military bases." It is best for the navy to formulate different operational plans according to different situations, so that combat operations can be determined as soon as necessary and when necessary

Lin Xiaolei handed the document to Zhang Weichang. said: "When does General Pei need the Navy's battle plan?" ”

"The sooner the better."

After thinking for a while, Lin Xiaolei said: "I can't guarantee anything else, when General Pei arrives in Pakistan, we will be able to come up with the first battle plan." ”

"That's for the best." Pei Chengyi was very satisfied with Lin Xiaolei's answer.

"If General Pei is free, we can also discuss the details of the combat plan for the thugs, after all, General Pei is not an outsider." Zhang Weichang smiled and said, "Say it again." General Pei's direct participation and better understanding of the Navy's combat operations were of great help to command combat operations. ”

Pei Chengyi didn't immediately express his position, and turned his gaze to Lin Xiaolei.

"That's fine, let's talk about it in the afternoon." Lin Xiaolei glanced at his watch, "It's not early, let's have lunch first." It is rare for General Pei to come to the Navy Headquarters, and today I am doing the east to pick up the wind for General Pei. Of course, the specifications are not very high, and I hope General Pei will forgive me. ”

"Commander Lin, what you said is polite, if you can fill your stomach, I will be satisfied

"It's easy to fill your stomach. General Pei must not be allowed to go to the naval headquarters. I have to go back hungry.

Everyone laughed.

Although Pei Chengyi did not have many opportunities for contact with Lin Xiaolei, and even regarded Lin Xiaolei as an opponent for a time, through this contact, Pei Chengyi knew that Lin Xiaolei was a cheerful and scheming soldier. If you can get rid of your unruly attitude, you can even become a popular soldier.