Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 142 Steel Seventh Company's Surprise Attack on Seoul from Niugu!

27th Army Headquarters
"Old Li, the Seventh Steel Company actually captured Tashanli with zero casualties!"

"The retreat route of the US 38th Regiment has been cut off. It's time to launch a general offensive and annihilate the entire US 38th Regiment!"

"And Wanli has also proposed a plan to launch a surprise attack on Seoul. You should take a look!"

Kong Jie's eyes flashed with shock and excitement as he strode over and spoke.

The news was like a thunderbolt to the command post. Kong Jie had barely glanced at part of the battle report when he eagerly took it to tell Li Yunlong.

"What?! They took Tashanli with zero casualties?"

"That was a crucial stronghold during the retreat of the US 38th Regiment!"

"We'll talk about the surprise attack plan later. What method did the Steel Seventh Company use to take it down with zero casualties?"

Zhao Gang, who was standing to the side, gasped and quickly took the battle report from Kong Jie's hand to read it.

"Damn it, Wu Wanli's capture of Tashan was a great achievement, and he suffered zero casualties..."

"Old Zhao, take a look and see if there's a problem. I have no respect for fabricating battle records!"

Li Yunlong said with some doubt.

"Old Li, Wanli is only twenty years old, and he is in the prime of his youth. With such a record, even if there are some losses, he is still a great contributor."

"If there are any flaws, we won't cover them up, but we can handle it however we want, but don't report it to higher authorities if it's a matter within the military!"

Kong Jie calmed down at this point and became worried that Wu Wanli would be held accountable, so he quickly made a statement.

Falsely reporting military achievements can be a big deal or a small deal, but if it is really made a big deal out of it, it may affect Wu Wanli's future path to becoming a general.

However, if it were handled within the military, neither Kong Jie, who was protective of his own, nor Li Yunlong, who admired Wu Wanli, would have deliberately exaggerated the matter.

"Old Li, this is probably not a lie. The Seventh Steel Company did indeed capture Tashanli with zero casualties!"

"Comrade Wu Wanli can be considered a military genius on the Korean battlefield!"

Zhao Gang looked at it two or three times, then slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his eyes filled with amazement as he spoke.

"That kid Wanli, he actually managed to get zero casualties?!"

"I've heard of fighting with superior numbers and zero casualties, but the intelligence clearly states that the US military outnumbers the Steel Seventh Company."

"How could a battle with fewer troops, a decisive and arduous one, result in zero casualties?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Li Yunlong's eyes, and he asked with his eyes wide open like copper bells.

"Wu Wanli led a guard platoon disguised as South Korean soldiers, incited and coerced the fleeing South Korean troops, and infiltrated Tasan."

"Afterwards, he killed the US commander, instigating infighting between the South Korean and US forces, causing them to kill each other."

"The US artillery company went to the rescue, but the artillery position was stolen by the Steel Seventh Company."

"Finally, just as the US military was about to suppress the South Korean riots, the air force strafed them, and the armored convoy of the Steel Seventh Company arrived, causing the US and South Korean troops to surrender immediately!"

"I have never seen such a style of play before. It utilizes every available factor and every move is perfectly timed."

"Take that time when they stole the American artillery position, for example. If the American artillery company had held it without support, or if they had engaged in a skirmish, Wanli might have lost his life!"

Zhao Gang analyzed with admiration in his eyes.

"That Wu Wanli is a fucking genius!"

"I've seen it all, this kid is bolder than anyone else when it comes to fighting!"

"It's like doing the Yangko dance on a knife's edge, but you manage to make something amazing out of it, hahahahahaha..."

"Now, the US 38th Regiment has no chance of escaping!"

A look of amazement appeared on Li Yunlong's face, and he laughed loudly as he spoke.

"Old Li, Wanli also proposed a plan in the telegram. This is a huge matter, and I don't know whether I should agree to it."

Zhao Gang took out the last page of the telegram and handed it to Li Yunlong, saying...

"This kid's plans are always audacious. What's he up to this time? Tell me quickly!"

Li Yunlong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked.

"Old Li, do you remember there's a road along the defense line from Goyang to Uijeongbu that can bypass the American forces and advance directly towards Seoul?"

Zhao Gang pointed to the strategic map and asked.

"I remember that road could indeed bypass the American defenses, but it was not conducive to the march of large troops."

"If too many people are sent out, the supply lines could easily be cut off by the US military, and even the gaps at both ends could be blocked."

"But if we send too few people, they won't pose any threat to Seoul at all. It's just suicide, and it's not worth it at all."

"This is very similar to the Northern Expeditions in the Three Kingdoms period in storytelling. It's almost like the situation in the Ziwu Valley. Didn't Confucius even give it the nickname Ziniu Valley?"

Li Yunlong laughed and said.

"What's wrong? Does Wanli have designs on Ziniu Valley?"

"Could it be that he wanted to draw the American devils' attention and disrupt the American defenses on the front lines?"

Kong Jie pondered for a moment and guessed.

"No, Wanli wants to be like Wei Yan, who launched a surprise attack on Hancheng!"

Zhao Gang's eyes were filled with surprise as he uttered a startling statement.

These words sent shockwaves through the command room. Li Yunlong and Kong Jie were both stunned, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"Wei Yan, who launched a surprise attack on Hanseong? We can't let him do anything reckless!"

"Even Zhuge Liang rejected this suggestion back then. This kind of strategy is too risky and won't work!"

"Does the Steel Seventh Company really think they're some kind of divine army? One company can take Seoul? No way!"

Li Yunlong was stunned for a long time before waving his hand and quickly rejecting the idea.

"The only favorable conditions I can think of are that after the US 38th Regiment is surrounded, the enemy will mobilize more troops from Goyang to Uijeongbu to provide support."

"If the defense forces are insufficient at that time, we will definitely have to continue to draw troops from the garrison of Seoul."

"Even if there is only one regiment of American troops in Seoul, it is not something that the Steel Seventh Company can shake!"

"Even the US military might feel insulted and send a portion of its troops to wipe out the Steel Seventh Company."

Kong Jie sighed, never expecting the Seventh Steel Company to have any chance of winning.

"This won't do. Let Wu Wanli fight well, don't lead the Steel Seventh Company to their deaths."

"He gets cocky after achieving a few successes; I won't let him get away with it."

Li Yunlong nodded, his expression slightly somber as he spoke.

At this moment, his perception of Wu Wanli's near-perfect military genius persona began to crumble, and he even wondered if he had overly mythologized Wu Wanli.

"Old Li, one Steel Seventh Company might not be enough, but if we add an inside agent from a division, do you think Seoul has a chance to be taken?"

A glint of light flashed in Zhao Gang's eyes, and his hands trembled slightly with excitement.

"Where did this division come from? Could Wu Wanli possibly conjure up something like that...?"

Li Yunlong was speaking when he suddenly remembered something, and he froze, his voice pausing.

"Old Li, there's still the Capital Division, completely wiped out!!!"

Kong Jie's eyes widened, he slammed his hand on the table, and shouted out excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.

"Bang—"

A white iron cup bearing the red characters "Serve the People" on the table fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

"Most importantly, he planned this move during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, and now it has become the key to breaking the deadlock..."

"How terrifying! Such computational power, such strategic planning, such far-sighted strategic vision—I am far inferior to them!"

Zhao Gang exclaimed with heartfelt admiration.

"If Wanli were in Shanxi, he'd be under my command. What kind of Ping'an County is this? I'd even fight him in Taiyuan!"

"Too late! Why did you join the army so late!"

Li Yunlong praised her with a mixture of admiration and regret.

"Old Li, I'm a little worried... Can we rely on Chun Doo-kwang and those South Korean soldiers who went back from Sumun Bridge?"

Kong Jie pondered for a moment and asked, "Quan Douguang's younger brother is with us, and we've also left behind evidence at the Shuimen Bridge. We have all the incriminating evidence against Quan Douguang and his gang."

"Moreover, we won a great victory in the Battle of Imjin River and are about to annihilate the US 38th Regiment. Coupled with the great victory in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, he should be able to see who will win this war."

"The US military can simply pack up and withdraw from the Seoul front, but what about the South Korean army? They'll most likely be cannon fodder, used to cover the US military's retreat and die."

"He will probably make the choice."

Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then said.

"That's true. Smart people know which side to side with, especially since we have leverage over him. But what if..."

Kong Jie asked, still somewhat worried.

"What if? What if Comrade Wu Wanli has already considered this? Look at the last paragraph of the telegram..."

Zhao Gang sighed and handed over the last telegram.

"If the plan succeeds, Seoul will be liberated ahead of schedule, the battle situation will be directly reversed, and countless comrades will not have to sacrifice their lives."

"If the plan fails, the entire Seventh Steel Company will sacrifice themselves to become one of the red streaks of the new China's national flag!"

"I am willing to draw my sword and stand guard to protect my country!"

Kong Jie took the telegram and, as he read it, tears welled up in his eyes.

Yes! The Chinese People's Volunteer Army only lost one company in the defeat!
Even if this company is the most powerful and elite, what does it mean to the more than 200,000 Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers, whose average number of soldiers is top-notch?

If successful, Seoul would be captured, the South Korean capital would fall, the US military would have to retreat across the board, and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army would win the entire Third Campaign with almost no major casualties!

Having figured this out, a moment of silence fell over the command post.

"Old Li, Old Kong, I also can't bear to part with Comrade Wu Wanli, especially since he is such a rising star."

"But someone always has to make sacrifices, especially small sacrifices to prevent big ones..."

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Gang broke the deadlock.

"Could we send more troops, even a regiment or a division, to go around with the Steel Seventh Company? That would give us a better chance of taking Seoul, wouldn't it?"

Kong Jie thought for a moment and then said.

"No, Ridgway isn't stupid. If he senses a threat, he might consolidate his troops at the front and retreat to Seoul."

"At that time, all of Wanli's painstaking planning will turn into nothing..."

Li Yunlong shook his head and rejected the suggestion.

"Eh……"

"Then we can only speed up the process of eliminating the US 38th Regiment and reduce the number of casualties in the Steel Seventh Company."

Kong Jie sighed and said.

"report!"

"According to the latest intelligence, the British 29th Brigade in Uijeongbu has dispatched the Royal Rifle Regiment to support Tasanri."

At this moment, the chief of staff spoke with a battle report in hand.

"British 29th Brigade?"

"By the time they arrive, the US 38th Regiment will have been wiped out by us!"

Li Yunlong waved his hand dismissively and said.

"Old Li, we can also make a fuss about this British 29th Brigade."

"The main force stationed on the Uijeongbu defense line is the British 29th Brigade, and the reinforcements on their flanks are only the Turkish Brigade, which is relatively weak in combat."

"After we annihilate the US 38th Regiment, we can press our advantage and pursue this Royal Rifle Regiment all the way to the gates of Uijeongbu Castle and launch a fierce attack."

"The faster and fiercer our attack, the more reinforcements the US military will draw from Seoul, and the more vulnerable Seoul will become."

"In this way, the chances of success for the Steel Seventh Company and the Capital Division will be even greater."

Zhao Gang thought for a moment and then offered his suggestion.

"Of course, Wanli is leading the Steel Seventh Company to risk their lives, we can't hold them back."

"After our 27th Army attacks, the other six main armies will definitely respond as well, and then the entire US defense line will be on the verge of collapse."

"If Ridgway dares not send the remaining reserves to rescue them, I'll fucking break through their defenses from the front!"

"Pass down the order: launch a general offensive and annihilate the entire 38th Regiment!"

Li Yunlong waved his hand and said domineeringly.

"Yes!"

The chief of staff quickly agreed and went down to relay the order.

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

Tashanli

"Company Commander, the army commander and the others have reviewed the plan to launch a surprise attack on Seoul along the Jagniu Valley and have already approved it."

"Once we defeat the 38th Regiment of the United Army, we can launch a surprise attack from a different direction."

"The main force at the front will fully cooperate with us at that time."

Liu Hanqing handed Li Yunlong's telegram to Wu Wanli and said.

"That's good. A more cautious commander might not agree with my tactics."

"How's the deceptive battle report being sent to the US 38th Regiment coming along?"

Wu Wanli felt slightly reassured and looked at Yu Congrong to ask.

"Reporting to the company commander, it's done."

"But I'm a little curious, what's the point of having the captured American artillerymen send that telegram saying all the artillery pieces were destroyed by the air force? Is it to lower the American guard?"

On the other side, Yu Congrong asked.

"It did lower their guard. I'm going to use artillery fire to wipe out these vanguard American troops."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and said.

"What does wiping out the vanguard of the US military have to do with this?"

Yu Congrong scratched his head and asked.

"The U.S. military did not know the exact time when Tashanli was occupied. The U.S. 38th Regiment, eager to escape, would definitely send all its armored units as the vanguard to open a passage for survival."

"If our artillery could destroy all their armored forces in one fell swoop, wouldn't this battle be much easier?"

Liu Hanqing thought for a moment and guessed.

"Instructor Liu is smart; he could guess that."

"Even if they don't let their guard down, artillery can still destroy some of their armored forces, it's just that the results will be smaller..."

Wu Wanli nodded and said.

"Reporting to the company commander, we have detected the vanguard of the U.S. 38th Regiment, approximately two companies strong, carrying tanks and machine guns, heading in our direction!"

At this moment, Pinghe rushed in and said hurriedly.

"Company Commander, the American devils came fast enough. If it weren't for your strategy that allowed us to quickly capture Tashanli, the Steel Seventh Company would probably be caught in a pincer attack!"

Liu Hanqing said with relief.

"We cannot be complacent; we must fight every battle with all our might!"

"Pinghe, Yu Congrong, you two lead the reconnaissance platoon and the artillery platoon to guard the defensive line. Hold the line firmly and do not allow a single American soldier to pass!"

"Lei Gong, all artillery is under your command. Instructor Liu and I will personally lead men to observe the movements of the American troops at the front line and transmit the bombing coordinates to you by telephone and flag signals!"

"Gao Daxing, I'm handing over the tanks and anti-aircraft gun armored vehicles to you. After the American vanguard is bombed, you immediately lead the armored convoy out and wipe them out."

"If we don't kill enough American devils, I'll hold you responsible!"

Wu Wanli gave the order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the key members of the Seventh Steel Company responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)