Turning to Chernakov he said firmly, “I will look into the matter of our discussion immediately, General Chernakov, and I will have an answer for you in the morning. Forgive me for not joining you for dinner this evening, but, as you can see my duties will keep me here. I will arrange for Captain Lu Chan to act in my absence as your host and to provide you with all amenities.”
In a few moments Lu Chan arrived. “It is good to see you again, Captain Lu Chan,” Chernakov told him. He recognized Lu Chan having met him previously in Hanoi.
The short stocky Lu Chan stood about 5’6”. His dark eyes smiled out of a round congenial face that lit up at seeing the Soviet General. It is a pleasure for me as well, General Chernakov,” Lu Chan responded. Then to Yang he said, “Sir, I had the pleasure of assisting General Chernakov on two occasions in Hanoi.”
Yang nodded irritably, “Yes, yes, Captain,” he said impatiently. “General Chernakov is here about the two Soviet technicians that have been charged with spying. Please arrange for the General and his aide to be taken to guest quarters. When you have done that, return to my office to discuss our findings on this matter. If you have no questions you may go,” he said dismissing Lu Chan. Turning to the two Soviet officers, “I trust you will rest well, General Chernakov,” he said coldly.
“I’m certain I will, General Yang. Thank you.”
As they left the Command office, a car was waiting. Lu Chan said, “General, I’m sure you and Major Sukhanov would like to freshen up and perhaps rest for awhile.”
“Yes,” agreed Pyotr. “It has been a long day.”
He went on, “At dinner this evening I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Will 1900 be agreeable? If so I will send the car for you.”
“1900 is fine; we’ll see you then.”
There was no discussion at dinner of Chernakov’s mission and Lu Chan proved to be a most agreeable host. He and Sukhanov provided excellent conversation allowing Chernakov the luxury of relaxation in what otherwise might have been a tense evening.
They talked of life in the USSR and China. The men had studied and each spoke several languages fluently. They also had similar interests in art and history.
“Tell me, Comrades, something about your lives in Russia,” Lu Chan looked intently first at Pyotr then Alexei.
Chernakov began, “My father was a teacher at the University in Moscow. My mother took care of our home and me. They are now dead. I was an only child,” the General smiled.
“Do you have a family, Comrade?” Lu Chan asked.
Chernakov replied, “I was married for 10 years, but my wife, Valeri became very ill and died a little more than three months ago. We had no children.”
“I am very sorry,” Lu Chan offered sympathetically.
Sukhanov intervened turning the conversation from the painful topic by sharing a little of his own history. He spoke with pride of his father, a World War II Soviet Air Force officer and then said, “He now instructs at one of our Soviet military academies.”
Sukhanov’s desire to emulate Chernakov was evidenced when he confessed that he planned to attend Voroshilov Academy like the General he served.
Lu Chan studied Alexei. With his classic good looks, height and athletic build, he could have easily been a model for the cover of Soviet Life Magazine, one of the many propaganda materials he had seen given to American prisoners for indoctrination. “Are you married, Major?” he asked.
“No, I have been too much occupied with my military career to take time for marriage. I am still young… only 28,” Sukhanov said in mock defense, his blue eyes filled with mirth.
Chernakov chuckled, “Alexei my young friend, the years fly by—don’t wait too long. If I had waited I might have missed my Valeri,” he said wistfully, “and I would not have wished to miss a minute of our time together.”
Sukhanov nodded, “Perhaps I will make more time for such pursuits; at least I will consider it, but you must admit General, serving our great country is almost as demanding as a marriage; nearly as much so as being married to a woman and not entirely without its own rewards.” Sukhanov’s dedication and love of his country was obvious. “Now Captain Lu Chan, tell us some of your history. What I know of China is most interesting. Are you from this province?”
“No, I was born in Yencheng,” Lu Chan began, “It is quite far from here to the North and West in Guizhou Province. My mother still lives in my village; my father is dead,” Lu Chan paused, “I was educated in State Peoples Schools.”
Chernakov looked at Lu Chan, “Obviously you have done well, Comrade; in what fields of study were you trained?” he asked.
Lu Chan answered quickly. “I had a talent for mathematics as well as learning languages. I also studied engineering. It is my hope to work in another field someday.”
“What made you choose the military for a career?” Pyotr asked.
Lu Chan’s eyes darkened, “The war had started in Vietnam, and I was conscripted into the Chinese Peoples’ Army. Very simply, my leaders observed my math and language abilities. They assigned me to the Intelligence Unit where I was trained to break coded messages. Eventually they placed me in charge of interrogation and the movement of prisoners. That was when I met you, General, if you recall.”
“Yes, that is so,” Chernakov responded thoughtfully.
Finishing dinner the two Soviet officers stood, “Thank you, Captain, we enjoyed your hospitality very much,” Chernakov told Lu Chan. “I will personally thank General Yang when I see him in the morning.”
“I too, enjoyed the evening, General,” Lu Chan replied bowing slightly. “I will see you in the morning.”
In their quarters, both Chernakov and Sukhanov reflected on their conversation over dinner. Sukhanov spoke, “It was an interesting time, General, however I believe the Captain knows a great deal more about us than we do about him.”
“Perhaps that’s why he serves in Intelligence, Alexei; he gets people to talk about themselves, but doesn’t reciprocate,” he said lightly. “Ah well, good thing he didn’t try to extract any secrets from us, eh, Major?” Pyotr was smiling. “I am tired enough I might have let down my guard.”
“I don’t think so, Sir, but I do think a night’s sleep will do us both good. And the accommodations are indeed better than the plane. It is no doubt somewhat cooler.” Sukhanov appraised the Spartan, but comfortable quarters. The sleeping areas were divided by a half wall open at the top. A ceiling fan stirred the air above beds under the protection of mosquito netting.
“I’m not certain, Alexei; the atmosphere was quite cool in General Yang’s office. Was it not?” Chernakov chuckled.
Lu Chan also reflected on the evening spent with the Soviet general and his aide.
What little he had told Chernakov and Sukhanov about himself was true. He was sure they knew there was much of his story that was missing.
The next morning two cars were waiting to take General Chernakov and Major Sukhanov to their plane. In the back seat of the second car sat two tired looking Soviet technicians. They still wore the drab POW jumpsuits. Their faces reflected disbelief upon seeing their Soviet deliverer.
Lu Chan emerged from the car smiling and greeted Pyotr and Alexei with a proper salute. “Good morning, General, I hope you slept well. General Yang sends his humble apologies for not greeting you personally this morning; however, he spent a great deal of the night arranging for the release of these Soviet citizens.
“He did ask me to convey his thanks for clarifying the obvious mistake,” Lu Chan’s face registered a subtle mix of humor and satisfaction. Looking into the Soviet General’s eyes he was thinking how much he admired this man who would walk into the dragon’s mouth and face General Yang so calmly. It was not often that Yang was forced to back down. Though he had won, General Chernakov had understood that he must allow Yang to save face, but Lu Chan knew that Yang would never forget his defeat at Chernakov’s firm but gentle hand.