Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 108: Beheading Major General Smith!
"Decapitated Major General Smith?!"

"The fact that the system has made a selection means it's possible!"

Upon hearing the system's announcement, Wu Wanli's eyes widened instantly.

Throughout history, the greatest military achievements have been: beheading generals, capturing flags, charging into battle, and being the first to scale the walls!

Wu Wanli had already accomplished: capturing the flag of the Polar Bear Regiment, fighting alone against dozens of American soldiers, and being the first to breach the Hagaru-ri...

Now, all that's left is to defeat the enemy general!

"From the perspective of rewards, the speed bonus of the Seventh Steel Company is more conducive to surprise attacks and is of great significance for the role of small elite units."

"The endurance bonus of the Steel Seventh Company is actually quite powerful."

"However, long-distance raids cannot be conducted at the company level, unless it is a flanking and encirclement operation like the raid on San Suoli, which is not feasible for the time being."

"Never mind, let's choose to behead Smith!"

"With Walker on the western front added to the total loss of American generals in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir!"

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and made his decision in his heart.

"Ding--"

"Selection complete. The Steel Seventh Company's group charge speed bonus (30%) has been issued!"

As the system's cold notification sound rang out, the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company suddenly felt as if they had become lighter, and their bodies underwent subtle changes.

But on the tense battlefield, no one pays attention to the subtle changes in their body; instead, they focus intently on the distance, preparing for any possible battle.

"Wanli, what do you think our Steel Seventh Company should do in this battle?"

Wu Qianli thought for a moment, then, almost habitually, asked Wu Wanli.

"Brother, if we want to advance directly, our best target should be the 1st Marine Division headquarters."

"Only by quickly destroying the command center of the 1st Marine Division can this decisive battle possibly end quickly!"

Wu Wanli answered without the slightest hesitation.

“Wanli, I remember that our previous targets when we drove straight in were always the American artillery positions, to seize the artillery.”

"The process of seizing the cannon was already very dangerous."

"Wouldn't it be too difficult to decapitate the top U.S. military commander this time?"

Mei Sheng thought for a moment, then asked with a hint of caution.

"Instructor, this situation is different from that in Hagaru-ri."

"In the Battle of Hagaru-ri, our main attack position was close to the artillery positions. We could find our position by listening to the cannon fire, and we could fight quickly and fiercely."

"Most of the US military's artillery has now been moved north to engage our decoy main force, and we are quite far away to the south."

Wu Wanli thought about the situation at the time and said.

"Wanli is right. Besides the distance, those artillery pieces should also be very close to their main armored force. We're not going to get the better of them."

Pinghe nodded slightly in agreement.

"Then how do we find the exact location of the US military command post?"

"The north side may not be able to hold out for long, and we are running out of time."

He Changgui asked.

"Don't we have an inside man? Let's ask him; maybe we'll get some information."

"If we really can't get any information out of them, we'll just break through to the center!"

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

“Meisheng, go ask those American soldiers and see if you can get the location of the American command post.”

Wu Qianli nodded slightly and said to Mei Sheng.

"Yes!"

Mei Sheng immediately nodded in agreement.

Soon, Mayson asked the American troops inside the position about the situation in English.

However, the American soldiers on the position remained silent. A few hesitated to speak, glanced at those around them, and then shut up.

"Instructor, they are going back to their country."

"They pretended to resist, so they could work together, and they could also keep it a secret from each other, considering their own interests."

"But if a question concerning the highest command center is asked on the spot, and only one person speaks, wouldn't that be treason in public?"

"Ask them one by one, focusing on officers and non-commissioned officers first, as they might be more willing to talk."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

"Wanli's idea is right. If we ask them one by one, no one will know who said it, and that will solve the problem!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong's eyes lit up.

"This kid knows how to manipulate people, it's a shame he's not a spy!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Gong smiled slightly.

"Let's do as Wanli says and hurry up!"

Wu Qianli nodded and looked at his watch.

"Good idea, let's do it!"

Mei Sheng instantly understood and immediately took action.

Soon, the American soldiers were separated and taken to Mayson for individual interrogation, and they quickly made progress.

"I know!"

"The command post arrived at the southeast side of Miri not long ago, and General Smith moved here as well, not far from our position!"

"It seems he moved here to boost morale, so he even came down to inspect the area."

"They said General Smith fought alongside us and would personally lead the guard battalion to support us if necessary."

Captain James glanced around cautiously and said in a low voice.

"Approximately how many guard troops are currently stationed at your command post?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng immediately asked excitedly.

"There was probably a guard battalion that suffered some losses, although they didn't participate much in the earlier battles."

"I estimate there are still about three or four hundred elite troops left!"

"Furthermore, they are well-equipped, have fierce firepower, and are quite formidable in combat."

James thought for a moment and then said.

"Three or four hundred people..."

How much heavy armor do they have?

Mei Sheng frowned and asked.

"Too many tanks were lost in the previous battles, so they were all concentrated and used. I heard that most of them were transferred to the north."

"But the temporary command post should also have an armored command vehicle, along with four M16 half-track anti-aircraft gun vehicles and two Pershing heavy tanks."

James thought for a moment and then said.

"Four M16 half-track anti-aircraft gun vehicles and two Pershing heavy tanks?"

"That firepower is indeed quite fierce..."

Mei Sheng sighed and said.

"Sir, I know your Steel Company is very powerful, but I still advise you to think it over carefully."

"Captain James said."

"I understand, thank you for your cooperation."

Mei Sheng sighed and turned to walk towards Wu Qianli and the others.

"How's it going, instructor? Did you get the information?"

Yu Congrong scratched his head and asked.

"We got the answer, but this battle won't be easy!"

"The good news is that the US military command post is not far to the southeast, so we can launch a rapid attack."

"But the bad news is that the US military command post still has three or four hundred elite troops, as well as four M16 anti-aircraft gun vehicles, two heavy tanks, and one armored command vehicle."

"However, Smith seems to have claimed that he will lead troops to provide support at a critical moment. I wonder if we can take advantage of that."

Mei Sheng said with a slight frown.

"If Smith really dares to come, we'll smash his teeth no matter how many of us there are!"

"But... I'm afraid he'll chicken out!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong said...

"I'm not afraid, he'll definitely back down!"

"The fact that the armored units of the 1st Marine Division were tricked into attacking north shows that they believed our main attack direction was to the north, but Smith moved the command post to the southeast!"

"What does this mean? It means he had been planning to break out and escape for a long time!"

"Brother, let's send troops now, or it will be too late!"

Wu Wanli immediately realized what was happening and said.

"Company Commander, if Comrade Wu Wanli is right, then even if we can't take the command post of the 1st Marine Division, we must rush there as quickly as possible!"

"If we can't take it, so be it. At worst, we'll hold him off and prevent him from escaping!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng quickly added.

"Yes!" "No matter how strong their firepower or how many troops they have, we'll risk our lives to stop them!"

Yu Congrong said.

"Brother, it's time for our Steel Seventh Company to unleash our swords again!"

Wu Wanli looked at Wu Qianli with a resolute expression and said succinctly.

"Swords drawn..."

"Our Volunteer Army is China's sharpest sword!"

"Comrades of the Seventh Steel Company, charge towards the US military command post and reclaim the dignity that we Chinese have lost!"

Wu Qianli picked up his submachine gun and shouted loudly.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company shouted in unison, their blood boiling with fervor.

They certainly knew what a U.S. Army major general's guard battalion meant.

That wasn't the wounded soldiers battalion annihilated at Xiaogaoling; this was an elite, core force.

But which battle fought by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was easy?

Even when facing the most powerful enemies, the heroes still go without hesitation!

At this moment, a company from the next assault regiment suddenly broke through to the front line.

"Comrades, you..."

A volunteer army company commander looked at this scene and was slightly taken aback.

"Comrades, I'll leave the fighting on the position to you."

"We have a more important decapitation mission!"

Mei Sheng quickly saluted the company commander and gave him a brief explanation.

"No problem, leave it to our Sixth Company!"

The company commander responded.

Soon, the soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company picked up their guns and charged in the direction they had been directed to.

In the biting wind and snow, the flag of the Seventh Steel Company fluttered in the wind, the flagpole trembled slightly but stood straight pointing to the sky, like an unbreakable spine.

....................................

1st Marine Division, Provisional Command

"Sir, we've fallen for their trap!"

"Judging from the artillery fire and troop strength of the Chinese army, the direction of the Chinese army's attack may not be the north, but the south!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff hurriedly handed the new battle report to Smith and said.

"What?!"

"Weren't you and your Chinese-American advisor very confident?!"

"Have we been tricked again?!"

Smith frowned and roared.

“Sir, I anticipated the current situation, which is why I had you deploy the guard battalion in the southeast.”

"The 1st Marine Division is now facing a life-or-death situation. Please lead your troops to reinforce the southern defense line!"

"This is what Chinese-American staff officer Fan Wencheng said."

"Lead troops to provide support?"

"Can my guard battalion really salvage the situation...?"

Smith hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Sir, the significance of our support goes far beyond just the combat strength of a guard battalion.”

"It's morale, the morale that has been shattered by the previous attacks by the Chinese army!"

"You just visited recently and even said you would support them in a critical moment. If there are no reinforcements now..."

The U.S. military chief of staff hesitated before speaking.

"Damn Chinese, how can they be so cunning? They have absolutely no idea about the romance of gentleman's war!"

"How are the armored units in the north? Can they be urgently recalled to reinforce the south?"

Smith slammed his hand on the table and said.

"It's too late. The Chinese army to the north has hidden a large number of artillery pieces, which will bombard the armored forces at the critical moment."

"The Chinese army has now firmly engaged its armored forces. If we withdraw now, the northern front will surely collapse!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff said with a mournful face.

"Shit!"

"Cannons to the north, cannons to the south..."

"Where did they get so many cannons?!"

Smith roared, his voice tinged with anger.

"Sir, these are ours. The Chinese People's Volunteer Army captured a large number of artillery pieces in Xinxingli and Hagaru-ri..."

"Under the combined assault of howitzers and Chinese suicide squads, our remaining armored forces were somewhat overwhelmed."

"According to battle reports from the front, some of our soldiers would rather be scattered than stay behind heavy armor."

"Because that is a key target for the Chinese military."

The U.S. Chief of Staff sighed and said.

"Heavy armor, key target..."

Upon hearing this, Smith's heart skipped a beat.

He left behind a small number of armored forces so that he could break out from a non-main attack direction at the last moment.

Now he has landed near the main attack direction, and the Volunteer Army has artillery to focus on armored vehicles, so his attempt to break out in armor would only make him too conspicuous.

"Pass on my order: dispatch a company, along with all M16 armored anti-aircraft vehicles and tanks, to provide support to the south!"

Smith hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Sir, aren't you going?"

The U.S. Chief of Staff paused slightly, then asked.

"The purpose of my going there was to boost morale, wasn't it?"

"I am not afraid of death, but I am trying to ensure the smooth operation of command."

"Now that the remaining armor in the command post has been brought along, we can just tell the front lines that I'm going there."

"I'm in the armored command vehicle, understand?"

Smith looked at the U.S. Chief of Staff and said.

"You're right, this is indeed a safer approach..."

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff remained silent for two seconds before speaking.

"By the way, inquire about the situation on the eastern front. Which position is under the most intense attack from the Chinese army, and which is under the weakest attack?"

“If necessary, I will have to lead my troops to support them. We have positions not only in the south.”

Smith thought for a moment and then gave the order.

"Sir, this arrangement violates the cardinal rule of military strategy: piecemeal tactics!"

"Moreover, the situation in the east is not dire, but the south is already on the verge of collapse. Why is it that only one company is being sent to support the south, while two companies are being prepared to support the east?"

After hesitating for a long time, Fan Wencheng finally mustered up the courage to ask.

Are you questioning my orders?

Upon hearing this, Smith felt a surge of anger and asked a question.

"No...no, I'm only considering it from a military perspective. This arrangement would lead to..."

Fan Wencheng suddenly realized that he had been too blunt and quickly tried to make amends.

"Enough with the talk, go and support the southern positions with that company!"

A hint of disgust flashed in Smith's eyes as he spoke.

"Sir, I was wrong, I just meant to..."

Fan Wencheng realized he was about to be abandoned and hurriedly tried to salvage the situation.

"Say that again and you'll die, you lowly descendant of Chinese!"

Smith picked up a coffee cup and smashed it over Fan Wencheng's head.

"Pong-"

The coffee cup hit Fan Wencheng on the head, and the scalding coffee instantly burned his skin red.

Broken coffee cups lay scattered across the ground, seemingly foreshadowing the fate of the 1st Marine Division.

Fan Wencheng touched the warm coffee and blood on his forehead, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.

Only after Smith blurted out the words "lowly Chinese descendant" did he realize that his Chinese identity would make it impossible for him to be given a significant role in the U.S. military.

"Yes, sir!"

Fan Wencheng instantly suppressed his hateful gaze, put on a submissive smile, and responded loudly.

(End of this chapter)