The Second Coffin Nail

September in Beijing is characterized by clear skies and crisp autumn air.

Zhao Pingan had only been back from Harbin for a few days when Zheng Yaoxian arrived.

Now, Zheng Yaoxian is not only in charge of intelligence, but has also begun to take charge of some other tasks.

After all, Zheng Yaoxian's abilities were far superior to Xu Zhongyi's, and Zhao Ping'an's former secretariat secretary, Comrade Zhou, had been dispatched to Jiangnan to serve as the vice governor in charge of industry.

Zheng Yaoxian was promoted to the position of acting secretary of the secretariat.

This time, Zheng Yaoxian wasn't here to report on the Far East, but rather on something else entirely.

"Boss, the nuclear submarine is a success."

Zhao Pingan raised his head.

Zheng Yaoxian placed a report on the table: "Project 627, reactor development completed."

Yesterday, it passed the final acceptance test at the Northwest Base, and all parameters met the standards.

Zhao Pingan picked up the report and turned the pages one by one.

Zheng Yaoxian continued, "The hull is already being outfitted at the shipyard. Commander Xiao said that if all goes well, sea trials can begin next year."

Zhao Ping'an nodded and put the report down.

"Has Professor Qian found out?"

Zheng Yaoxian said, "I know. He sent people to participate in the entire acceptance process."

Zhao Pingan suddenly spoke up, "Keep a close eye on external intelligence lately, especially from the other side of the strait and across the ocean, as well as naval equipment."

"Yes, sir, I will be careful." Zheng Yaoxian nodded and left.

In early October, Beijing experienced its first autumn rain.

Zhao Ping'an was reading documents in his office when his secretary knocked on the door and came in, handing him a telegram.

"From the island."

Zhao Ping'an took it, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.

October 10th, North of the island. The Standing Committee's representative assembly opened.

"Chang, will you still act as you did in history?"

In mid-October, news began to arrive one after another.

Zheng Yaoxian came almost every day, each time bringing a new intelligence report.

October 12: Chang gave a report at the meeting, determining the overall strategy for "restoring the nation." The slogans were loud, saying that they wanted to "restore" the nation.

As Zhao Ping'an looked at the intelligence report, a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips. Clearly, the Northern War and Li Mi's actions in Canglan made Chiang Kai-shek feel that he was capable again.

To be honest, although Li Mi was chased around like a rabbit by Wang Yaowu and Zhao Baoguo, he had also undergone some training. His troops had a significant combat advantage against both Canglan and Annam. Many times, Li Mi's company could make a battalion from Canglan and Annam run around.

As for Li Mi, when he was with Chang, he couldn't even enter the meeting room during meetings; he could only listen in from outside. So it's normal for Chang Kai-shek to have this idea.

October 15: The United States forced Chang to withdraw from Kinmen and Matsu, creating a divisive situation of "ruling across the strait".

He often refused, saying, "Without Golden Horse and Golden Rooster, there would be no Taiwan Island."

Zhao Ping'an lightly tapped the two small dots on the map with his finger.

October 18: The Eighth National Congress of the Communist Party of China adopted the "Political Program," and Chang was elected President, while Chen, a civil engineering tycoon, was elected Vice President.

The congress determined that the policy toward the Republic would shift from "military counter-offensive" to "political counter-offensive as the main approach, with military action as a supplement."

Zhao Ping'an looked at the intelligence report and suddenly smiled.

Zheng Yaoxian was stunned for a moment.

Zhao Ping'an rarely showed a sneer.

"It's difficult now. The United States wants to divide the Taiwan Strait and control the country, diverting our attention and planting spies. They don't want to counterattack, but they can't. They've been talking about counterattack for ten years, and now they can only turn it into a political counterattack."

"But who can he fool with his 'political counterattack'?"

If he could provide enough food and clothing for the people, he wouldn't have had to flee to the island.

Now we can not only provide people with a stable living environment and secure jobs,

It also provides ordinary people with electricity, electrical appliances, radio, television, and a variety of entertainment options.

His idea of ​​a counterattack is pure wishful thinking.

Zhao Ping'an's thoughts and actions on this matter were the same as those of later generations: one must be strong oneself to succeed.

There are now some people who don't like eating fatty meat.

Although many people grumbled, "They've only had a few days of good life, and they're already being picky!"

But everyone understands that this "disease of affluence" is a result of improved living standards in most areas, where meat is readily available and can be eaten whenever desired. They just say it and let it go, without taking it to heart.

Therefore, Zhao Ping'an had unwavering faith that the people would stand firmly on the side that was good for them.

Zheng Yaoxian said, "Sir, what should we do next?"

"No rush, let's wait and see, maybe Chang will give us a surprise!"

On October 23, the General Assembly concluded.

That evening, Zheng Yaoxian delivered the final intelligence report.

This was a typical concluding speech. He said,

"The Republic and Taiwan are both part of the territory of the Chinese nation and cannot be separated."

They declared, "We will never abandon our sacred responsibility to recover [the lost territories]."

Zhao Ping'an stared at that passage for a long time.

I recall the words Mr. Song brought back when he came to Beijing at the beginning of the year—that Taiwan could be an autonomous region with a high degree of autonomy.

The usual reply is: "We can consider it, but it will take time."

Now, he says at the conference, "We will never give up on recovering it."

Zhao Ping'an suddenly remembered something someone had said: Although Chang had sided with the United States, he was never ambiguous about upholding the principles of a country.

In retrospect, that statement was probably correct.

But Chang also knows that having only this one stance is not enough.

The Americans won't let him get away with this. The conspiracy to divide the country along the strait won't stop just because he refuses.

In November, Beijing experienced its first snowfall.

It's not big, just a thin layer. It falls on the roof and tree branches, and melts the next day.

Zhao Pingan received a notification: a meeting.

The location was in the sea. When he arrived, several people were already seated in the conference room: Commander Liu, Commander Xiao, several leaders from the General Staff, and personnel from Unit 501.

The leader sat in the main seat, his face serious.

Once everyone had arrived, the leader got straight to the point: "We all know about what happened on Taiwan."

Everyone nodded.

The leader said, "Their conference lasted ten days and determined the general strategy of 'opposing the CCP and restoring the country'."

They shout the loudest, but the real problem isn't with them, it's with the Americans.

"The Americans are pressuring Chang to withdraw from Kinmen and Matsu, wanting to divide the strait and govern accordingly. Chang has refused. But the Americans won't give up. Tensions across the strait will only get higher and higher."

The leader looked at Zhao Ping'an.

"Comrade Ping An, what do you think?"

Zhao Ping'an stood up and walked to the map on the wall.

He pointed to the two small dots, Kinmen and Matsu.

"These two islands are now in our throat. The Americans want to turn them into barbed wire separating the two sides."

Chang was unwilling because he knew that if the Golden and Matsu Islands were to be withdrawn, Taiwan would truly become an isolated island.

He turned around and looked at the people present.

"Our stance should be summed up in four words: no concessions, no withdrawal."

The leader nodded.

Zhao Pingan continued, "Kinmen and Matsu are the territory of the Republic."

American citizens have no right to force anyone to withdraw.

It's good that he doesn't withdraw; but if he can't hold on, we'll have to help him hold on.

Commander Liu asked, "How can we help?"

Zhao Ping'an said, "Military preparations. Troops are assembled, artillery is ready, and we can fight at any time."

But it wasn't a real fight; it was just a show for the American people.

He walked back to his seat and sat down.

"We now have J-7FM, Doppler radar, Beidou, Type 022, and missiles."

If the Americans want to cause trouble in this sea area, they'd better think twice.

Our army, air force, and navy have caught up with or even surpassed the United States in terms of technology. However, the United States still has a certain advantage in terms of existing naval and air force units.

Now, all we need is one event to divert the United States' attention from Taiwan, and that will be our opportunity.

The meeting room fell silent.

The leader looked at Zhao Ping'an and asked, "You mean, we should fight next year?"

Zhao Pingan said, "It's not about fighting, it's about preparing to fight."

Whether to fight, when to fight, and on what scale—the initiative is in our hands. But the premise is that we can fight at any time.

The leader thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, I hereby appoint Comrade Ping An as the clerk, with the Navy and Air Force leading the development of feasible operational plans. Other departments will cooperate."

After he finished speaking, the leader stood up.

Meeting adjourned.