Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 127 Upgrading the Armored Steel Seventh Company!
"Blitzkrieg!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present showed a hint of surprise.

"Wanli, I know you're talking about the tactics of the German Blitzkrieg."

"However, the US-ROK allied forces have built a large number of defensive fortifications near the 38th parallel, known as the Maginot Line of the East."

"We lack the large-scale armored formations like those in Germany, so we probably can't achieve that effect."

Chief Chen thought for a moment and then said.

"I know the current situation, so we can use them in combination."

"Gather the captured tanks and armored vehicles, and send several elite units to break through the Imjin River first and seize advantageous crossing points!"

"Once the main force has crossed the river, we can divide and annihilate the South Korean army, completely crushing them!"

Wu Wanli said.

"As I just said, at most we can achieve local and temporary air superiority."

"How long will it take to break through the Imjin River, as you just mentioned?"

Chief Chen thought for a moment and then asked.

"I don't know about other units, but as long as the Steel Seventh Company is the first spearhead, we will be able to break through quickly!"

Wu Wanli said.

"Didn't you just get a new batch of soldiers? How many troops do you have now?"

The boss asked.

"Nearly three hundred elite infantrymen, plus three tanks that haven't been approved yet!"

"As long as the headquarters equips the Steel Seventh Company with tanks and armored vehicles, we can break through the Imjin River defense line in twenty minutes!"

Wu Wanli said with a firm gaze.

"Twenty minutes?!"

Liu Hanqing stared wide-eyed at Wu Wanli in astonishment.

The last time he heard of such an arrogant officer was a Blitzkrieg general named Manstein.

"No jokes in the military?!"

With a mixture of admiration and astonishment, Chief Chen asked.

"Fifteen minutes!"

"As soon as the bugle sounds, the Seventh Steel Company will surely tear a hole in the Imjin River defense line within fifteen minutes!"

Wu Wanli gritted his teeth and said loudly.

"Ten thousand miles!!"

"Although the South Korean army is not as elite as the US army, its weapons and firepower are in no way inferior."

"I know you and the Steel Seventh Company are very strong. Isn't it too reckless of you to make such a bold claim?"

Liu Hanqing quickly pulled Wu Wanli aside and whispered words of advice.

"Wanli, if you go back on your word now, we can pretend we didn't hear anything."

"After all, it's a military discussion, so there's nothing wrong with sharing my thoughts."

Chief Chen also felt that he had gone a bit too far, so he smiled and tried to smooth things over.

"ten minutes!"

"I am willing to sign a military pledge!"

"If the Steel Seventh Company can't break through the Imjin River defense line in ten minutes, even with tanks, armored vehicles, and air support, then execute me!"

Wu Wanli clenched his fists and said resolutely.

"Wanli, you..."

Liu Hanqing looked at Wu Wanli with worry and concern, and sighed.

He dared not try to persuade him any further, fearing that if Wu Wanli were to suddenly appear in five minutes, he would really risk his life.

At this moment, the meeting room was completely silent.

"Are the tanks and armored vehicles we captured in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir enough to equip the Steel Seventh Company?"

After thinking for a long time, the boss asked.

"Enough, even more."

"However, armored forces are not all tanks; they also involve infantry support and the follow-up of armored logistics and maintenance units."

"Furthermore, we need to gather all the people in the Volunteer Army who know how to use tanks and armored vehicles and incorporate them into the Steel Seventh Company."

"Chief Chen said."

"You're right."

"The armored forces will also need to cooperate with the air force. I estimate that at most the air force will support the Steel Seventh Company and other units to break through the first line of South Korean defense and reach the US defense line in the area from Goyang to Cheongpyeongcheon."

The boss thought for a moment and then said.

"Yes!"

"The closer you get, the denser the US air force and artillery fire becomes, and the easier it is for armored assaults to be destroyed by large targets on the spot."

"Therefore, Wanli, you should make good use of armored forces and make sure to complete the advance at night and then conceal yourself."

"We must not be careless in combining the armored assault with your previous ingenious plan."

Chief Chen looked at Wu Wanli's young face and said with a hint of worry.

"Don't worry, Chief Chen, I have Instructor Liu with me. He said he has relevant experience and can give me some guidance."

Wu Wanli laughed.

"Boss, if this continues, the Steel Seventh Company will become the Armored Steel Seventh Company!"

"Wu Wanli is only a teenager, yet he has become the commander of the only armored unit in the Volunteer Army. His future is limitless!"

Chief Chen smiled and said.

After all, the pioneering troops were extremely important, and subsequent military expansions were basically based on these troops.

"That sets the tone for the battle. Go and prepare."

"Wanli, drink less alcohol, don't let those people lead you astray."

A smile appeared on the boss's face as he spoke.

"Huh? Drinking?"

Wu Wanli scratched his head, somewhat confused.

"The boss is referring to those two lads, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie."

"You've done your Commander Kong a great favor this time, and you've just become Li Yunlong's long-awaited favorite general."

"That's all for now, go and prepare."

Chief Chen reminded him in a low voice.

"Yes!"

Wu Wanli quickly saluted in response.

……

Outside the command post

As Wu Wanli came out, Chief Chen waved for Li Yunlong and Kong Jie to go and stay by themselves.

So the two, who had just been confused during the meeting, immediately walked towards Wu Wanli.

"Greetings, Commander Kong!"

"Greetings, Commander Li!"

Upon seeing these two important figures arrive, Wu Wanli immediately stood up straight and saluted.

"What army commander? He's probably been fired long ago."

"It's alright, it's just feeding horses and raising pigs. Commander Li Yunlong has done too much of that, I'll go and experience it too!"

Kong Jie sighed and said with a hint of frustration.

"Kong Erlengzi, stop bringing up my shortcomings. I really don't care about these things!"

"Ever since I started in the Hubei-Henan-Anhui region, I've been promoted and demoted five times, and I've been removed from the position of regimental commander three or four times!"

"If you're in a bad mood, don't take it out on me!"

"All I did was requisition the cotton-padded clothes from those KMT prisoners of war. What's the big deal? I might even have to go feed the horses with you!"

"Tell me, what kind of nonsense is this? Everything should be done with some sense!"

Li Yunlong, somewhat unconvinced, shouted loudly.

After all, Chief Chen had reprimanded him yesterday, and even threatened him by saying he would be put in charge of logistics, which made him, who was eager to fight, extremely anxious.

"Li Yunlong!"

At this moment, Chief Chen, who hadn't gone far, heard this and immediately came over and called out.

"Hey, old brigade commander!"

"You haven't gone far yet..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately turned around and said with a beaming smile.

"Let me tell you, if you say something like that again, you can forget about your position in the 27th Army and go straight to the logistics department to feed the horses!"

"Chief Chen said."

"The 27th Army... isn't that Old Kong's unit?"

"So Old Kong really went to feed the horses?"

"Don't be like that, old brigade commander. Although this Kong Erlengzi is indeed not as good as me in fighting, he is still a first-class general."

"Please ask the boss for leniency and see if you can..." Li Yunlong looked at Kong Jie and stood up for him at this crucial moment.

"Hey! Old Li, what do you mean I'm no match for you in battle or anything!"

"Also, you don't need to plead for me. I admit defeat this time. It's just feeding horses, it's not like it's never happened before!"

"Wu Wanli, the Steel Seventh Company, and countless other soldiers of the 27th Army, are all in your hands. They are all outstanding..."

Kong Jie glanced at Wu Wanli and sighed with a sense of dejection.

"Kong Jie, do you really want to feed the horses and don't want to fight anymore?"

Chief Chen smiled and asked.

"Old brigade commander, what do you mean by that?"

Kong Jie sensed something unusual and quickly asked.

"Your trusted lieutenant Wu Wanli pleaded with the commander-in-chief, and the commander-in-chief decided to keep you in the position of deputy army commander to atone for your crimes!"

"Shame breeds courage," these are the words Wanli used to plead with the boss, and I'll pass them on to you too: get brave!

"If the boss ever mentions your dough-making style from back in Shanxi again, he's talking about me!"

Chief Chen glanced at Wu Wanli, then looked at Kong Jie and cursed.

"Yes!"

"Shame will inspire courage... I, Kong Jie, will definitely go all out and fight a brilliant comeback!"

Kong Jie looked at Wu Wanli with excitement and gratitude, and with trembling lips, he loudly promised.

"Let Wanli and Hanqing tell you the specific battle plan."

"You two and Zhao Gang are old partners in the Jin-Sui region, so fight well and don't embarrass the old 129th Division!"

Chief Chen looked at his two old subordinates with high hopes before turning and leaving.

"Yes!"

Li Yunlong and Kong Jie quickly saluted and shouted at Chief Chen's back.

A unique sense of camaraderie among them stirred within them, and slowly began to spread.

"Wanli... thank you."

"I'm not afraid of losing my position, I'm afraid of not having a battle to fight, especially not having the opportunity to wash away the shame!"

"As the deputy army commander, I will definitely do my best to play a significant role!"

Kong Jie looked at Wu Wanli, slowly gave a military salute, and said sincerely.

"Commander Kong, I dare not accept such praise..."

"I was just going with the flow; it's mainly due to your previous achievements and abilities."

Upon seeing this, Wu Wanli quickly returned the salute and said...

"Wanli is right. How could we, the old guard who fought our way through, possibly be in charge of logistics?"

"Don't mention deputy commander. We're brothers, we can discuss whether it's a commander or a deputy commander."

Li Yunlong laughed heartily, put his arm around his old comrade's shoulder, and said...

"Old Li is willing to discuss things with people now, but when the guns start firing, everyone will have to listen to him!"

Not far away, Zhao Gang walked over with a smile and said.

"That's right, Li Yunlong's face changes faster than flipping through a book, I don't believe him."

"I'll give him some advice then, and let him cause as much trouble as he wants in Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately agreed.

"Old Kong, shut up. I'm too lazy to argue with you."

"Old Zhao, the tactical meeting ended so long ago, why are you only coming out now?"

Li Yunlong asked.

"I just listened to Wanli's tactical suggestions. He's incredibly arrogant, but I also feel that they're feasible."

"I stayed there and asked the commander and the others about the details and coordination of the Steel Seventh Company's previous achievements."

"And guess what? Wanli led the Steel Seventh Company and they never fought a battle that wasn't fierce, and they won every single one of them. They truly deserve to be called the number one elite elite!"

Zhao Gang stuffed the black fountain pen into his pocket and said, holding the notebook.

"Old Zhao is right!"

"Wanli, you really are a genius!"

"Back then, in the Battle of Xiaogaoling, a single company actually routed an entire American battalion!"

"It's comparable to how I crushed the Sakata Joint Force back then!"

Li Yunlong, his hat askew, looked at Wu Wanli and praised him with a smile.

"Commander, you're exaggerating. It was the result of the entire Steel Seventh Company fighting to the death. I was just one of them."

Wu Wanli said.

"Comrade Wu Wanli has a high level of awareness!"

"I heard you've joined the Party. Keep your mind armed with advanced theories; your future is limitless!"

Zhao Gang looked at the humble and talented Wu Wanli and said with great fondness.

"Thank you, Director Zhao!"

Wu Wanli laughed.

"How did you know that the General appointed me as the Director of the Political Department of the 27th Army? Did the General tell you?"

Zhao Gang asked with a smile.

"Commander Kong often mentions Commander Li Yunlong and you to me, saying that you are a team, and Commander Li Yunlong's most indispensable political work partner."

Wu Wanli had already prepared a response in his mind, and explained.

"Hey! I love hearing that!"

"When they transferred Lao Zhao away, I was furious for a long time, and I almost killed Chang Naichao, the Nationalist army division commander, over this matter!"

Li Yunlong said.

"Alright, Lao Li, let's not bother with this anymore. Let's hurry back and prepare to take over the new work of the 27th Army."

"Wanli, the commander has decided to entrust the main attack on the Imjin River to our 27th Army."

"Just say whatever else you have in mind, so we don't have to call you to the regimental headquarters for a meeting later."

"The Battle of Imjin River is estimated to begin in only two or three days, and time is of the essence."

Zhao Gang said.

"Old Li, you can believe me half-heartedly, but you should seriously consider Wanli's advice."

"The strategies he offered earlier were equivalent to the effectiveness of an entire regiment!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie quickly echoed and praised him.

“I know that Lao Li is not someone who cannot recognize talent.”

"Wanli, just say it, I'm listening."

Li Yunlong said.

"My lords, I suggest we first send a reconnaissance unit, equipped with watches, to observe the bombing and return times of the US Air Force!"

"Based on this timing, if we launch our attack at the right time, we might suffer fewer losses."

"As for strategic deployment, I suggest we focus our attention on the US forces at the Goyang City defense line."

"These South Korean troops are actually not a big threat to us."

Wu Wanli said.

"You mean, not just the Steel Seventh Company, but the entire Chinese People's Volunteer Army could crush these heavily armed South Korean troops in a short time?"

"It should be noted that the U.S. military's mechanized forces can provide support to the front lines within one to two hours."

"With the help of these American troops, we might end up fighting tooth and nail at the Imjin River."

Zhao Gang asked.

"Director Zhao may be new to the Korean War and not very familiar with these South Korean troops, which may have led to some misjudgments."

"These South Korean troops are nothing to fear. My estimate of breaking through in ten minutes is a conservative estimate."

"If a real fight breaks out, it'll probably tear a hole in five minutes, and the rest of the time will be enough for us to polish our shoes."

"As for the US military, I would love for them to send more reinforcements."

"After all, intercepting the American troops on the road is much better than fighting to the death in the turtle shell of Goyang Castle and Uijeongbu Castle."

Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"five minutes?"

"Comrade Wu Wanli, don't brag without thinking. Underestimating your opponent will only lead to trouble."

Zhao Gang frowned slightly, still somewhat worried, and said.

"Director Zhao, this kid is right. The South Korean army's combat strength is indeed not strong. There shouldn't be any problem."

Seeing this, Kong Jie stepped forward to help Wu Wanli.

"In that case, you can go back and give your Steel Seventh Company a good talking-to."

"In addition to the original veterans, the newly joined recruits, there are also tanks and armored vehicles that are to be transferred in, as well as related drivers."

"You need to coordinate their positions. In the Imjin River battle three days from now, I want to see the spearhead of the 7th Armored Steel Company revealed!"

Li Yunlong looked at Wu Wanli with hopeful eyes and said.

(End of this chapter)