Ship of Gold by Thomas B. Allen

Author:Thomas B. Allen [Allen, Thomas B.; Polmar, Norman]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612515274
Publisher: Naval Institute Press

19

TAN CHIH-KENG LOOKED DOWN at the heavily congested Pearl River from his tenth-story window in the white building that housed the headquarters of the South Sea Fleet. The building, relatively modern compared to the rest of the ramshackle city, was one of the few benefits of the Japanese occupation of Canton from 1938 to 1945.

As the “responsible person” for the South Sea Fleet, Tan had under his command the smallest of China’s three fleets but had responsibility for what was the most critical border, that with the People’s Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The Hanoi government had won control of the entire coastal region of the southeast Asian peninsula—largely with Chinese assistance—and then the fascists in Hanoi had turned on the long-suffering Chinese. Now, as the situation along the Vietnam-Chinese border was heating up again, came the report of the Glomar Explorer’s activities at the other end of his area command.

With an inward sigh, Tan turned from the peaceful congestion of the Pearl River to face the men seated in his office. Another sigh was warranted, he lamented, for his principal deputy was away at Yulin, the main base of the South Sea Fleet, on Hainan island. Thus, 54he must make the key decisions himself.

“Comrade Tan,” spoke up his staff political officer, Tuan Techang. “It is evident that we must demonstrate the efficiency and dedication of our men by immediately carrying out this new assignment of the party.”

A thought came to Tan: Could he measure frustration in his life by the number of inward sighs per day or—today—perhaps per hour? Tuan’s statement was to be expected. But he could not put Tuan in his place—that of a political hack—because Liu Tao-sheng, the chief political officer of the Navy, was also present. Finally, after an embarrassing delay in responding to Tuan, the fleet commander declared, “Of course. We shall carry out our responsibilities to the fullest.” He estimated that seven-eighths of Tuan’s utterances consisted of drivel.

“Are you certain that you are able to, Tan?” The speaker was Liu.

For the first time during the meeting, Tan glowered.

“I do not mean to imply that the esteemed South Sea Fleet is unable to meet its operational commitments,” Liu continued. “I wish only to say that with the current problems on the Vietnamese border, and the limited capabilities of your fleet, it might be better—shall we say more efficient?—to have Zheng’s fleet conduct the surveillance of the Glomar Explorer and be ready to act if necessary.”

“The Glomar spying activities are within the operational area of the South Sea Fleet,” Tan responded. “The South Sea Fleet will undertake the required surveillance and whatever action is necessary—or directed—from naval headquarters. We would ask of our honored colleague Zheng only that our aircraft be able to refuel at Chaoyang if absolutely necessary.” Then, turning to the others in the room, Tan said, “Thank you comrades,” hoping to end the frustrating session.

As the others quickly walked out—with Tuan, the last, casting an obvious I-told-you-so look toward the political deputy of the Navy—Tan looked at Liu, who stayed behind.

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