A gust of cold wind blew across the river, and the rising snow was boiling. It fell layer by layer, covering the bodies of the invaders Soviet border guards and the blood spilled by the heroes who died in the Chinese border guards.

Guns rumbled in the Soviet Union, and shells landed several kilometers in China. The whole China territory west of Treasure Island was blocked by Soviet artillery.

The rumble of guns broke the tranquility of the virgin forest. From time to time, the large-caliber artillery shells fired by the Soviet border guards made a deep explosion in the glade, and fried black craters in the snow.

Because the trees are tall and dense, some shells exploded in the treetops, splitting the towering century-old trees in two, and the animals in the forest gave out a burst of frightened cries and ran around in the Woods.

China's border guards retreated and counted the number of people. Wei Lianchang sweated and ran to Ma Kechang to report: "Ma Kechang, count the number of people several times, one soldier is missing!"

Ma Kechang couldn't help but be surprised: "Did you find it among the sacrificed comrades?"

"I found it, no!"

"Won't it be removed?"

"At that time, the troops retreated, and I was at the end. I looked at the scene and left when I saw no one. "

"It wasn't the enemy who caught the prisoner, was it?" After Ma Kechang asked, Wei Lianchang became more nervous.

"Of course not. When the enemy retreated, they were carrying and dragging their wounded. They didn't see our people. Besides, even if there is, it can't be taken away so easily. "

"That's not necessarily. I was injured, unconscious, and I don't know if I dragged it away. " Cao, deputy chief of staff, is also a little nervous.

"If you are injured, you will freeze to death at night!" Ma Kechang thought for a moment: "I see, tell you the truth, you should send some people back to Treasure Island at once. Now the cannon is in a hurry, so we can't get on. As soon as it gets dark, we will touch it, and when we die, we will see people living and bodies! "

"Yes!" Wei Lianchang immediately ran to decorate.

When the troops returned to the station, the cookhouse squad had prepared meals, including braised pork, scrambled eggs and celebration wine.

Despite winning the battle, Chen Shaoguang, the deputy company commander, was lost by the reconnaissance company of 133 Division, and Wang Lianchang of the 2nd17th Regiment of the 73rd Division was also sacrificed. These two comrades enjoyed high prestige in the army, and everyone felt very uncomfortable and could not eat.

Ma Kechang advised along while, this just a person to drink some porridge. Then, around the sacrificed comrades, after no one said anything, they silently wiped their weapons, all holding back their efforts to avenge the sacrificed comrades.

The sun slowly sets on the treetops of Ran Ran, and it gradually darkens in the virgin forest.

The shelling of the Soviet border guards opposite Zhenbao Island was tight and loose. Everyone stood in the snow and looked in the direction of Zhenbao Island. Although it was tens of meters dark and nothing could be seen, everyone was anxiously looking forward to going to the island.

At this time, a faint light appeared in the forest. Someone shouted, "Come, come, come back."

The brigade shouted to meet, only to see several dark figures carrying a person, panting and wheezing.

Ma Kechang turned on the flashlight and saw the body of a Soviet soldier being carried out. What's going on here?

Someone recognized it and said, "Isn't this Ivan's bearded driver?" "

Wei Lianliang said gloomily, "I have been looking for it for a long time, but I can't find it. I can't see anything in the dark. I must be dead. " Bring the beard back first. If our people let them bring it, we will exchange it with them. "

Ma Kechang frowned. "This is the only way, but be careful not to make mistakes."

He turned back with a flashlight and said, "Our comrades-in-arms, plus this, make a total of twenty. It's no good putting them all in the snow. It would be terrible if a bear came at night. There are many wolves. "

"Take them all into the house." Some people say.

"I can't bring it indoors. No door can stop bears and wolves."

Wei Lianchang said, "If we don't hang them all on the beams, we'll send people to guard them below."

"That's a good idea, too." Ma Kechang thought for a moment: "Empty all the houses where people live, prepare quilts and backpacks, and go into battle lightly."

The soldiers wrapped their fallen comrades in quilts and hung them all on the beams. Ivan's driver's bearded body was also reshaped, wrapped and hung on the beam.

At dawn, the correspondent came running and said, "Deputy Commander Xiao Quanfu of shenyang military area command has arrived at Wulin Cave with the front finger of the military area command and wants you to attend a meeting."

And Cao, deputy chief of staff, with the command team, hurried to the front of the military area command.

1March 2, 969, Beijing, the cold wind whistling in early spring, the jasmine flowers just sprouted, and the hay on the ground showed a hint of goose yellow and full of spring.

Mao Zedong stood beside the passage of the flower bed, with his hand behind his back, walking and looking at the spring scenery in front of him. The cold wind shook the silver hair on his forehead, and he seemed completely unaware of it.

After a long pause, he heard footsteps behind him, then turned and strode to the living room.

Premier Zhou and his secretary are standing at the door of the living room. When they saw Mao Zedong coming, they were welcomed by him.

"Chairman, haven't you had a rest after working all night?"

"It's the same old problem. I can't sleep. Come out and get some air. "

"In spring in Beijing, don't come out for activities if the weather is bad."

"That is an objective reason, not an explanation. What matters is itself. "

Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai said when they entered the room. "Madam President, I have just received a report from shenyang military area command. This morning, the Soviet border guards invaded Zhenbao Island again and fired the first shot, killing and injuring our border guards. Our border guards were forced to fight back. The fighting lasted for more than an hour, and both sides suffered minor casualties. "

Mao Zedong sat on the sofa and nodded slightly to show that he knew. His mood was calm: "They would have fought long ago. It will be a small fight at first, and then it may be a big fight. We are prepared for this. Don't be afraid when we come. It's no use being afraid. "

"Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs will immediately notify the Soviet Embassy and lodge a strong protest."

"If we protest, they will do the same. Reasonable and unreasonable, I can't say clearly. It is important that we have the confidence to win. "

Zhou Enlai said with approval: "In this battle, our soldiers fought bravely and had a spirit of not fearing death."

Mao Zedong got up from the sofa and walked around the room twice. He said, "Treasure Island is a good name. I don't think the treasure is of much value. What is really valuable is our soldiers' spirit of "one is not afraid of hardship, and the other is not afraid of death". Can people not talk about spirit? This spirit is priceless and fundamental. "

In a short time, Mao Zedong's thinking became more active. He turned to Zhou Enlai and asked, "How is the preparation for the Ninth National Congress?"

"It is proceeding rapidly, and the report and representative review are basically ready."

"I think there should be Treasure Island heroes among the nine delegates. I really want to meet them. "

Zhou Enlai nodded happily: "The hero of Treasure Island can attend the Ninth National Congress, which is also a great encouragement to the whole party, army and people all over the country."

"We fight, the first is not afraid. Or what I said in the past. Tit for tat is fair play. Treasure Island is very small, just a little, but it can cause many problems, so we should not be careless. We must handle policy issues well and take the initiative. Only by mastering the initiative can we cope with all kinds of complicated situations. "

"I'll talk to Comrade Xiao Quanfu again. The situation is complicated. We must be calm, rational, self-disciplined and strive for initiative. "

After reporting to Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai hurried back to Xihua Hall. As soon as he entered the office, he immediately picked up the phone: "Comrade Xiao Quanfu pointed out in front of shenyang military area command? I am Zhou Enlai. "

"The prime minister. I'm Xiao Quanfu. Do you have any instructions? "

"Chairman Mao is very concerned about the situation there. You must do a good job. I have three opinions to tell you. "

"Please ask the Prime Minister for instructions."

"First of all, we must strictly abide by border discipline to prevent the situation from expanding. They may come again, so we should be prepared to fight back. Second, be reasonable and exercise restraint. We should ask those who were killed by the Soviet side on Treasure Island to get their bodies back as soon as possible, and we can inform them by radio. Third, for the comrades who died, we must do a good job of family members and bury their bodies. We should vigorously publicize heroic deeds and educate the troops. If there is any situation, it should be reported immediately. "

"Please rest assured the Prime Minister that we will resolutely do it!"

Prime Minister, put the phone down. The secretary came in: "Premier, you see it's noon. You haven't had breakfast yet."

Zhou Enlai's thin face was tired. He smiled and said, "Never mind, we should have lunch and breakfast together."

1on March 2, 969, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China (PRC) sent a note to the Soviet Embassy, strongly protesting against the invasion of Treasure Island by Soviet border guards.

The wording of the note is extremely harsh and the tone is extremely tough, which has never been seen in previous diplomatic documents.

This note expresses that the aggression of the China government and the people of China against the Soviet border guards has reached an intolerable level, and directly expresses the determination of the people of China to safeguard territorial integrity and sovereign dignity, as well as their determination to resolutely prepare to fight back against the aggression.

The full text of the note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China (PRC) is as follows:

Soviet Embassy in China:1On the morning of March 2, 969, Soviet border guards invaded Zhenbaodao area in Heilongjiang Province, China, and shot and killed many border guards, creating a very serious border armed conflict. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of People's Republic of China (PRC) was ordered to lodge a strong protest with the Soviet government.

At 9: 00 17 on March 2, the Soviet border authorities dispatched a large number of heavily armed soldiers, four armored vehicles and cars to openly invade the uncontested Baodao area of China, and made a crazy provocation against the patrolling Chinese border guards. First, they shot and killed many of our border guards.

After repeated warnings to the Soviet border guards were invalid and unbearable, our border guards were forced to defend themselves and fight back. This serious bloodshed was entirely caused by the Soviet authorities.

This is another serious crime committed by the Soviet authorities in the long-term deliberate aggression against China's territory, armed provocation and continuous bloodshed.

The China government insists that the Soviet government punish the perpetrators of this incident, immediately stop violating China's territory and armed provocation, and reserves the right to demand that the Soviet side compensate us for all losses.

The China administration once again solemnly warned the Soviet government that the sacred territory of China was inviolable. If you insist on provoking an armed conflict on the Sino-Soviet border, you will be resolutely countered by the people of China, and all the consequences arising therefrom can only be borne by the Soviet government.

Almost at the same time, the Soviet government also sent a note to the people of China and the government of China, protesting strongly against its so-called "blatant armed invasion of Soviet territory."

The diplomatic war triggered by the armed conflict in Zhenbao Island was very fierce from the beginning, and China and the Soviet Union refused to give way to each other, which soon reached a white-hot level.

Khabarovsk, Soviet Union, Far East Military Region.

The battle conference room was full of generals of the group army.

At the emergency meeting just held, it was decided that seven motorized infantry divisions and special forces deployed by the Far East Military Region in Khabarovsk Krai should immediately prepare for the battle.

Two motorized infantry regiments of avant-garde troops immediately entered Damansky Island, cooperated with the border guards of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to complete the siege of Damansky Island, and recaptured Damansky Island from China in the shortest time. Colonel leonov is still in charge of the specific operational command.

The meeting soon ended and the officers walked out of the meeting room one after another. Everyone's expression is very serious, and the atmosphere of talking and laughing at ordinary times has disappeared, because everyone has realized that the next battle will be fierce.

From the armed conflict on March 2, the Soviet border guards found that China people were more sophisticated, more mature, more fighting spirit and sacrifice spirit than they had imagined before.

Although the Soviets have considerable military advantages in the Far East, China also has many troops. In Heilongjiang province, there are more than a dozen production and construction corps composed of educated youth.

Data show that these young people, both men and women, are the direct source of strength for China's army.

General Losik was pale, his eyes were red and swollen, and he looked very tired. He went to a telephone on duty and picked up the earphone: "Get through to Moscow, Ministry of Defense."

This is a private line telephone, and it will be connected soon.

"Marshal Graetsch division? Hello, the situation has not changed. Our troops have already started to act. "

"I think it should be confined to Damansky Island, but we should give them a head-on blow and destroy the enemy to the maximum extent. How many enemies occupied Damansky Island? "

"There are about two battalions."

At the other end of the phone, Graetsch thought for a moment: "Do they have heavy weapons support?"

"At least not yet, we only found some light artillery. There are no tanks and no planes! "

"When necessary, you can consider using special airborne troops, because the General Secretary has placed great hopes on airborne troops. The Kremlin, the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff all hope that this unit can be fulfilled. "

Admiral Losik hesitated, and finally expressed his opinion: "Because the enemy is far away, about forty or fifty kilometers, we don't want to use airborne assault troops for the time being. The army is enough. "

"Well, then, you can do it according to your opinion. However, I also want to tell you a regrettable news. Not long ago, according to the situation of Damansky Island, the General Staff Department transferred a group of officers from the whole army to carry out cold-resistant inspection, and found that a considerable number of officers could not stand the cold-resistant training in snow. Many of them have frostbite. You know, Moscow is only MINUS ten degrees. This is intolerable! "

Marshal Rodrigo almost flew into a rage. He went on angrily: "Why did Napoleon retreat from Moscow? Why didn't Hitler occupy Moscow? Because they are afraid of the cold, their soldiers are shivering in the snow like a group of old women in the face of the cold. The Soviet Red Army can live in the snow for days and nights. But now that this advantage is gone, what do we have? We almost lost the ability to fight in the snow. This is pathetic. From now on, the troops of the Far East Military Region will immediately carry out cold-resistant training without delay. "

Brezhnev sat on the sofa behind the desk and closed his eyes. He has been on the phone for more than two hours, and he is really a little tired.

In his view, the headache is a lot of domestic problems that need to be dealt with urgently, such as fiscal deficit, agricultural crop failure and so on. He can't spread corn planting everywhere like Khrushchev.

There's a group of suslov, and there's something about him everywhere. At this time, there was another armed conflict on the Sino-Soviet border, and even he could not tell whether it was fierce or auspicious.

There is a telegram from the Far East Military Region transferred by the General Staff on his desk. He turned on the telegraph and began to read.

The door opened and Marshal Graetsch came in. Brezhnev pointed to the sofa beside him and motioned for him to sit down.

Without any pleasantries, he came straight to the point and said, "Comrade Graetsch, what do you think of the armed conflict on the Sino-Soviet border?

"China is about to hold its ninth national congress. I think there is no doubt that they will take anti-Soviet as the general line of their foreign policy."

"So what is the purpose of anti-Soviet?"

Graetsch hesitated. He obviously didn't think of it. "Of course, they have other purposes, such as territorial expansion ambitions."

"No, no!" Brezhnev shook his head: "Damansky Island is very small. For China and the Soviet Union, the role is very limited, but it is a sign and a signal. This is an important step for them to destroy the socialist family and the capitalist movement in the world. "

Brezhnev was a little excited, put his hand on his chest hard, and then slapped the telegram on the table. "We must insist and understand who is the real Marxism–Leninism and who is the proletarian party founded by Lenin? Is it * * *? Or Sue * * *? "

"I think history will prove who the real Marxism–Leninism is, which is not difficult to figure out."

"This is a telegram from various production organizations in the world. You can have a look. " Brezhnev handed the telegram to Grics.

Although Graetsch is not interested in party affairs, this time, he still takes it seriously.

Many * * * production party organizations in the world regard the Soviet * * * production party as the natural representative of the * * * production movement. On some important issues, they often don't ask questions indiscriminately, and the Soviet Union follows suit.

Grics's face with a smile.

In Beijing, Zhou Enlai read and revised the last word of the manuscript, and then gently put down his red and blue pencils. Straighten up from the table, gently pat your sore back with your right hand and walk slowly to the window.

He is old and tired.

Just nine years later, this respected "young man" is old, and his thick black hair has been replaced by sparse gray hair; Ying Ting's body seems to have only a thin skeleton, which makes the original Chinese tunic suit look particularly obese.

His face has also lost its radiant look, and a few quietly looming age spots make people tearful and sorry; Bright and intelligent eyes, also full of too much anxiety and melancholy, become deep and dignified.

It's already midnight on March 4th. 1969. Outside the window, large tracts of snow piled up quietly, like a Qi Fei hitting his heart, making him breathe so heavily and feel so heavy.

Tomorrow, the manuscript he just revised will be published in the newspaper. It is a topic that shocked the world to overthrow the Tsar Su Xiu.

It usually appears in the headlines of major newspapers in various countries and spreads in dozens of languages. There is no doubt that the political structure of this world will undergo great reorganization and division, but in any case, the most worrying thing is our motherland and people.

From 1950s to 1960s, China had only one enemy, and that was American imperialism.

Under the pressure of military blockade, political isolation and economic sanctions, the people of China managed to survive through independence, self-reliance and tenacious struggle. But now, there is an enemy behind China, and it is a huge giant.

China will face two huge demons at the same time.

"Imperialism and all reactionaries are paper tigers, and the revolutionary people are invincible." Even so, when a country and a nation are faced with such a terrible crisis of survival, the physical and mental burden of being a prime minister is unimaginable and unbearable for ordinary people.

"Premier, everyone who came to the meeting is here." Secretary du went up behind him and reminded him.

"Okay, I'll go now. This manuscript will be published in the newspaper tomorrow. Ask them to proofread it and send it right away. "

In the conference room, more than 20 responsible comrades from the State Council, the General Office of the Central Committee, the Foreign Affairs Office, the Public Security Department and the Beijing Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection packed this small reception room to the brim.

Because it is late at night, many people are whispering and guessing the content of this emergency meeting. When Premier Zhou came in, everyone stood up together and expressed their complicated feelings with warm applause.

Zhou Enlai waved everyone to sit down, his voice hoarse.

"Let you come today, because there is an emergency to inform you. On March 2nd, the Su Xiu traitor group launched an armed provocation in Zhenbao Island on our side of Wusuli River in Heilongjiang. Our border guards fought back forcefully. I don't want to go into details. You can read tomorrow's newspaper. "

For the participants, most people don't know the border situation. When they heard the news, they immediately talked about it.

"Su Xiu is crazy, should teach them a good lesson ..."

"They can make a phone call, we can also call in the past! He has tanks and cannons, and we have spiritual atomic bombs. "

After a short pause, Zhou Enlai stopped the discussion and said seriously, "I invite all of you to study this problem. The border struggle is a complex and sensitive issue, and we should follow Chairman Mao's teaching and carry out rational, beneficial and restrained struggle. I have handed over the problems there to comrades in the foreign affairs department and the military department. Tomorrow, major newspapers and periodicals in China will publish protest articles of the China government, and many people in factories, mines, enterprises and institutions will spontaneously organize demonstrations. "

"I think this spontaneous demonstration of the revolutionary masses is necessary. It embodies the determination that national dignity is inviolable and expresses the people's good wishes of not being afraid of violence and upholding truth and peace. However, we must be especially vigilant to prevent a very small number of class enemies from fishing in troubled waters and taking the opportunity to make trouble. "

Speaking of which, Zhou Enlai's voice paused.

Xie Fuzhi stood up and said somberly: "Please rest assured that I will arrange it as soon as I go back, and I will be on duty day and night to ensure that there is no problem."

Zhou Enlai turned to Ji Pengfei and said, "Go back and arrange the work of the foreign affairs department, inform the embassies as soon as possible, explain what happened, and don't let them panic."

Finally, he said to the comrades of the Beijing Revolutionary Committee: "To control the number of marchers, we must ensure that we grasp the revolution and promote production, and the factory cannot stop working. The slogan has been drafted by my office and will be sent to you immediately. The weather forecast will still have snow tomorrow, so be sure to organize and pay attention to safety. "

It's past 1 o'clock in the morning to send away the people from the ministries and commissions. Zhou Enlai was the only one left in the empty conference room.

Holding a cup of warm water and some sleeping pills, the secretary walked up to the crowd and said, "Premier, take your medicine and go to bed early!" " "

At the moment, Zhou Enlai's thoughts have flown to the northern frontier. Su Xiu's attempt at armed provocation failed this time, and it will certainly cause trouble again in embarrassment.

Once the war breaks out, who can unite the army against the enemy?

Yes, it should be suggested that the Chairman immediately set up a military team to study Su Xiu and absorb all the teachers!

"Take the medicine!" Zhou Enlai just woke up, pushed the cup away, put on his coat and said, "Come, come with me to see the chairman at once."

Outside, it's snowing hard. The floating snowflakes threw the whole world into chaos. The towers, pavilions, pine and cypress flowers and trees in Zhongnanhai are completely covered with thick snow. In addition to the call sign of the vigorous north wind, there seems to be a mysterious light between heaven and earth.

Zhou Enlai tightened her tight coat and strode out. On the road, two rows of deep footholds were left.