Warshot (The Hunter Killer Series Book 6) by Don Keith (top ten ebook reader TXT) 📗

for the People’s Republic and the Party—had been built and named long ago, during the far more creative and colorful Imperial period. His destination, Qinzheng Hall, was a prime example. Originally constructed by the Kangxi emperor way back in the seventeenth century as the main hall of his palace complex, it now housed the office of the General Secretary of the Party, by far the most powerful man in all of China, a nation of almost a billion and a half people.

Yon Ba Deng had been sitting in his office, reviewing the reports from the Dongsha Island attacks, when the call came from the general secretary’s office. The general secretary desired to speak with him privately at the Assistant Vice Deputy to the Minister of National Defense for Naval Matter’s earliest convenience. Yon Ba Deng did not hesitate. He immediately closed the report, dropped it on his desk, and bounded out the door with only a quick word to his assistant about who he was going to see. It was understood by everyone who mattered that when Tan Yong requested the presence of someone “at your earliest convenience,” it actually meant “at this instant” would not be soon enough to honor the summons.

Yon Ba Deng normally enjoyed—one of the very few things he truly enjoyed beyond work—the short walk along the Southern Sea Lake to the Qinzheng Hall. Today, however, there was no time to tarry in the Garden of Abundant Beneficence or pause and gaze over at the temple on Yingtai Island.

When he arrived at the general secretary’s office, Yon was escorted into a small, darkened conference room. No one else was there. He sat in near-darkness, the silence only broken by the ticking of a clock somewhere in the room. Yon was beginning to worry that he had been forgotten when the lights abruptly flashed on. Tan Yong rushed in, unaccompanied by an advisor or bodyguard, and closed the door behind him. Yon Ba Deng jumped up and gave a quick bow toward the Chinese leader.

Tan Yong ignored him as he plopped down into a chair at the head of the small conference table. Only then did he motion for Yon Ba Deng to sit in the one to his right. Yon took that as a very positive sign.

“I am unhappy with the situation with Dongsha Island,” Tan Yong began without any prelude or pleasantries. “The rebels have just upped the ante with this missile attack. Are we going to be able to save the Qiqihar?”

“Honorable General Secretary, the ship was treacherously attacked by the Taiwanese rebels on the island. They somehow managed to sneak in at least six American Harpoon missiles, of which we were not aware. Another breach in our military intelligence, I am afraid. It seems some, unaware of the potential ramifications, have paid little attention to this particular speck of territory. The Qiqihar was quite skillful in destroying three of the missiles before they could strike, but the other three, I regret to report, caused severe damage and great loss of life. The ship is now being towed back to Ngong Shuen Chau Naval Base for repairs, if feasible. The fires are almost extinguished at last report.”

“Thank you, Assistant Vice Deputy to the Minister of National Defense for Naval Matters,” Tan Yong said with formality, frowning and shaking his head sadly. “Thank you for your candor. A most regrettable tragedy and, even worse, a severe loss of face for all China, but especially PLAN.” The president shifted gears with a wave of his hand. “After the shameful discovery of the indiscretions by Soo Be Xian, I find that we now need a reliable person to head our military organization. The Committee has decided to place great trust in you and immediately appoint you as Vice Deputy to the Minister of National Defense. You will also become the Party Assistant Secretary for National Defense. We will, of course, discuss the details of your new role later. Now, we have more urgent priorities that we will ask you to address immediately. We must determine how we are to deal with the rebels on Taiwan and the loss of respect that they have inflicted on us and our nation. And that will be your first duty.”

Yon Ba Deng maintained a stoic face, but inside, he was ecstatic. Li Min Zhou had honored her promise. Yon had no idea how she had done it, but that woman had precisely predicted what was going to happen. Somehow, she had helped to point his career skyward, pushing him up another rung of the ladder, just as she told him she would.

The lovely lady was, indeed, proving to be a very valuable ally. Perhaps she could eventually assist him to become the one sitting at the head of this table.

“Zongshuji,” Yon responded to the general secretary. “I have, of course, been studying this matter and have some ideas I can share with you. First, I am convinced that now is not the time to turn away and ignore the Taiwanese uprising. That would only signal to the rest of the world weakness and a lack of resolve, as well as give leverage to those insurgents on Formosa and within our own nation. Nor is it the time to answer with overwhelming force, of which we are certainly capable. We need to find a middle ground. One where we can regain face but also where we are most likely to not become involved in an all-out war with the Americans and their allies.”

“Is there such a path?” Tan Yong asked doubtfully, leaning forward. “I agree that starting a war with the Americans is not in our interests at this time. It would be counterproductive since we already bleed their economy and will eventually surpass them as the world’s top financial power. And we are also aware that they and especially their president have no will to employ their military. Against us or anyone else. Besides, we have already paid highly for significant