Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 144 Annihilation of the US 38th Regiment!
"Wait, let me add something."

"The captured South Korean soldiers were released in batches toward Seoul, and some of the surplus American light weapons were distributed to them."

"Add a line to the confusing telegram: the defeated Seventh Steel Company is disguised as South Korean defeated soldiers and is fleeing towards Seoul."

"The Navy SEALs have sent men to pursue them, but the 7th Steel Company is running too fast. We hope the Royal Rifle Regiment of the British Army will be ready to ambush them!"

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then gave the instructions.

"The Royal Rifle Regiment of the British Army? Isn't that the support unit in Tashan?"

"Company commander, you led the British to ambush the fleeing South Korean soldiers?"

"If we use the same method twice, will it stop working...?"

Liu Hanqing frowned slightly, looking worried.

"Doesn't work? It's guaranteed to work!"

"Can you guess why the British 29th Brigade is holed up in Uijeongbu, but only sent one regiment to support the Tasanri defense line?"

"You should know that the pursuers of the U.S. 38th Regiment consisted of two corps, the 50th Corps and the 27th Corps."

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and asked.

"Company Commander, are you saying that the British army never wanted to rescue the American troops?"

Liu Hanqing was slightly taken aback, and then said.

"Of course, but they dared not completely disobey Ridgway's orders, so they sent out a regiment."

"Even the speed at which this group moves is strange; they haven't even reached Tashan yet."

"So I conclude that they would love to have an excuse to delay their arrival, and now the excuse of ambushing Steel Seven is perfect for the British army."

Looking at the battle map, Wu Wanli said with certainty.

"Company Commander, everyone used to say you were good at fighting. I thought it was because you were brave in battle and always took the lead."

"Now it seems you relied on your deep understanding of people's hearts!"

Liu Hanqing said with admiration in his eyes.

“My two older brothers fought in countless battles. I grew up listening to them talk about all kinds of battles. They would often borrow books from Instructor Mei’s family to tell me stories.”

"Why am I talking about it? Because I don't recognize many of the words, but I love listening to stories about war."

"I don't know how my brother and Instructor Mei are doing now."

As Wu Wanli spoke, a sense of concern arose in his heart.

Although he didn't have much of a childhood bond with Wu Qianli, after their souls were swapped and they fought side by side, he felt a camaraderie that rivaled that of family.

"They're probably... worried about you too."

"To be honest, I miss home too, especially now during the Spring Festival. Which ordinary person doesn't want to reunite with their family for the New Year?"

"But if we don't fight, the people might be eating dumplings one second and then suddenly being hit by a bomb from American imperialism the next."

"Those people from Northeast China who were killed by the American devils will never have the chance to celebrate the New Year with their families again."

A hint of sadness flashed in Liu Hanqing's eyes as he spoke.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. Taking Seoul, the capital of South Korea, as soon as possible would be the best New Year's gift to the Chinese people!"

"Check if there are any other issues. If not, then proceed with the plan."

Wu Wanli waved his hand and said.

"No problem, I'll do it now..."

As Liu Hanqing spoke, he was about to go downstairs.

"and many more!"

"Company Commander, I have a suggestion!"

Suddenly, Chenggong, who was on guard duty, poked his head out and said something.

"Nonsense! Why aren't you standing guard properly? What are you doing, interrupting us? Have you no military discipline?!"

At this moment, Wu Siyi, who was on patrol, saw this and immediately scolded him.

"Brother Chenggong, we just need to follow orders..."

Xu Mumu, who was on duty with him, tugged at Chenggong's sleeve and whispered words of advice.

"It's alright, let Comrade Chenggong speak."

"This is the first time I've heard any additional opinions since I became the company commander."

Wu Wanli walked up to Chenggong, a hint of encouragement flashing in his eyes.

"Company commander, if we let the South Korean troops move like this, they might not clash with the British troops. They might even surrender as soon as they hear gunfire."

"We happen to have some American prisoners of war, and it's troublesome to guard them. Why don't we let these South Korean soldiers injure a bunch of them in front of the other prisoners? That would cut off their escape route of surrendering directly."

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he spoke with a hint of excitement.

"I did use the South Korean army to kill American soldiers as a pledge of allegiance at Sumun Bridge, but why did it result in the deaths of a group of soldiers?"

Wu Wanli looked at Chenggong with great interest and asked.

"Because there are too few US soldiers, the South Korean army doesn't have enough to go around."

"But if someone has to lose an arm or a leg, it's still enough."

"The wounded U.S. troops let these South Korean soldiers take them back with them. As for whether they killed them on the way, we have no idea."

He successfully lowered his voice and said.

"Isn't this a bit..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Mumu swallowed hard, suddenly finding the ruthless success somewhat unfamiliar.

"Comrade Xu Mumu, what are your thoughts?"

Wu Wanli seemed to notice that something was wrong with Xu Mumu and quickly asked.

"No...no, it's just that I feel a little..."

Xu Mumu stammered as she spoke.

"Isn't that too brutal?"

"Once you're on the battlefield, put aside all your sentimental feelings!"

"Remember, mercy to the enemy is cruelty to your own people!"

Wu Wanli looked at Xu Mumu seriously and said.

"Yes!"

Seeing Wu Wanli's gaze, Xu Mumu quickly and loudly agreed.

"Success, you're doing great."

"In prehistoric times, were there any vacant promotion positions in the guard platoon?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Sniper."

The prehistoric people succinctly stated this.

"Let Comrade Chenggong take the position."

Wu Wanli said.

"Thank you for your guidance, Company Commander!"

A burning glint flashed in Chenggong's eyes as he shouted.

"Comrade Xu Mumu, please grow up quickly. The battlefield is not a drill; you may lose your life at any time."

"Prehistoric, you should train this soldier more, so he doesn't drag the Steel Seventh Company down."

Wu Wanli sighed, patted Xu Mumu on the shoulder, and gave instructions.

"Don't worry, Company Commander, I will definitely train him into a respectable soldier!"

Upon hearing Wu Wanli's slightly stern words, Shiqian immediately responded loudly.

"Go and implement what Comrade Chenggong has suggested."

"I'm really looking forward to seeing how Ridgway will react to the situation."

Wu Wanli smiled and waved.

Historically, the Third Battle was probably one in which Ridgway used only South Korean casualties to allow the main Allied forces to retreat at a leisurely pace.

However, in this life, the sudden emergence of Wu Wanli has brought an end to the predicament of the US 38th Regiment and the British Rifle Regiment.

When the capital division in Seoul also revolts, it's uncertain whether Ridgway, caught in a dilemma, will make a desperate gamble and launch a final, all-or-nothing battle.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately agreed.

Wu Wanli nodded slightly and walked out of the command room, just in time to see Yu Congrong, Lei Gong, and others walking over.

"Company Commander, the defenses are all set up. Our Steel Seventh Company will definitely hold out until the very last moment. We won't be any worse off than during the Battle of Songgu Peak!"

Yu Congrong said with a smile.

"Who said I was going to lead the Steel Seventh Company to defend to the death?"

"With too many losses, the plan to launch a surprise attack on Seoul can no longer be implemented."

Wu Wanli shook his head and said.

"Not hold out to the death... Company Commander, then how should we fight?"

Pinghe asked.

"We just need to hold them off for long enough for the 38th Regiment of the US Army to collapse."

"Lei Gong, plant anti-tank mines on the road that the US 38th Regiment will definitely take. When they come, give them a good beating."

Wu Wanli said.

"Don't worry, platoon leader, I guarantee that none of the American tanks hit by the landmines will be able to move!"

Lei Gong's eyes lit up, and he replied.

"Pinghe, contact the Air Force and order them to bombard the left rear of the US 38th Regiment!"

Wu Wanli opened the Sky Eye Map, looked at it, and then said.

"Rear left flank of the 38th Regiment, U.S. Army? Company commander, is there anything special about that position?"

Pinghe asked.

"The Navy SEALs have confessed that their commander is in this position, and bombing this place might just take down their rear command center."

Wu Wanli smiled and responded with this excuse. Actually, he wasn't sure if that was the location of the US military commander, but seeing the unusually dense concentration of troops, he decided to take a gamble.

"Yes!"

Pinghe should descend the road.

"Gao Daxing, place the armored vehicles behind the position. When the time is right, the armored forces of the Seventh Steel Company must launch an attack immediately!"

Wu Wanli gave the instructions.

"Yes!"

A hint of excitement flashed in Gao Daxing's eyes as he responded.

"The rest of you, follow me to the position and prepare to cooperate with the main force to completely wipe out this US 38th Regiment!"

Wu Wanli said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the other key members of the Seventh Steel Company all agreed.

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

Outside the Tashanli defense line
"Company Commander, you've given all the orders!"

Liu Hanqing reported.

"Reporting to the company commander, the forward armored battalion of the U.S. 38th Regiment is currently receiving reports from ******* River."

"Ready to fight!"

Wu Wanli put down his binoculars and said.

"Yes!"

The soldiers of the Steel Seventh Company on the position cocked their guns and stared intently into the distance.

On the horizon, a row of American tanks suddenly appeared, their massive gun barrels bearing traces of battle, yet still imposing.

Inside a tank
"Sir, we are approaching the Tashanli defense line. Should we have the engineers clear the mines?"

"A U.S. soldier asked."

Inside a tank in the center
"Are you out of your mind? The SEALs have already taken over Tashanli. Don't hesitate, charge over there! The pursuers are getting closer and closer!"

"This was stated by the U.S. Army armored commander."

Although he was somewhat worried about the false information, his concern was limited to the Steel Seventh Company's Pyrrhic victory over the Navy SEALs and the transmission of false intelligence.

He never imagined that the elite SEALs would be defeated so thoroughly, giving the Steel Seventh Company ample time to set up a new minefield.

"Yes, sir!"

The communication radios of each tank responded.

Soon, the American tanks accelerated and charged forward.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In an instant, the tank triggered the mines planted by the gun platoon, and a series of explosions suddenly rang out.

Shrapnel from anti-tank mines tore through the bottom armor of tanks, instantly killing the American tank crews inside.

"Fuck you!"

"We've been tricked! Prepare for battle!"

Upon seeing this, the U.S. battalion commander immediately shouted.

On the front

"Comrades, give them a good beating!"

Wu Wanli picked up his submachine gun, pulled the trigger, and shouted.

"Thump thump thump thump thump thump thump..."

Yu Congrong personally aimed a heavy machine gun at the American troops and began firing wildly.

The soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company also raised their guns and fired at the American troops.

These American soldiers were only thinking about escaping through Tashanli, and now that they saw that Tashanli had not been taken over, they were stunned.

"call out--"

"call out--"

At this moment, shells slammed into the remaining heavy armor of the American troops, and clouds of fire rose up.

Many American soldiers hiding behind tanks were hit by shrapnel from the explosion and were blown away and fell to the ground.

"Retreat, retreat!"

Seeing this, the U.S. battalion commander had no choice but to give the order.

Upon hearing this, the American soldiers immediately retreated like a receding tide.

……

38th Regiment of the U.S. Army
"Sir, something's wrong! The SEALs haven't taken Tashanli at all!"

"Our forward armored battalion has suffered heavy losses from anti-tank mines and Chinese firepower, and has now collapsed. What should we do?"

The chief of staff of the U.S. 38th Regiment said.

"What?!"

"What about the Navy SEALs? Did they all defect?!"

Upon hearing this, Commander Locke's eyes widened instantly, and he asked incredulously.

"Sir, the SEALs may have been... wiped out by the Chinese troops in Tashan."

The chief of staff of the U.S. 38th Regiment speculated.

"How is that possible? They are our most elite unit! And they are equipped with a large number of heavy armored vehicles!"

Commander Locke's heart sank to the bottom, and he said.

"Sir, I strongly suspect that there's more than just the Chinese Steel Seventh Company in Tashan. This might have been a conspiracy from the very beginning!"

"That's what the chief of staff of the 38th Regiment said."

"Forget about their conspiracy, pass down the order: all troops, advance in a staggered attack, and wear them down!"

A glint of madness flashed in Commander Locke's eyes as he gave the order.

"But we don't have enough heavy armor. If we fight like this, we'll probably suffer heavy losses."

"Perhaps we should hold out for a while and wait for the British Royal Rifle Regiment to arrive..."

The chief of staff of the U.S. 38th Regiment advised.

"Sir!"

"A telegram from the Royal Rifle Regiment of the British Army: they have received a telegram from the Navy SEALs that they have set up an ambush position and are preparing to ambush the fleeing 7th Steel Company!"

At this moment, a staff officer, covered in sweat, ran up carrying a telegram and said...

"Fuck you!"

"You mean they wasted time setting up ambush positions instead of coming to provide support?!"

Commander Locke angrily tore the telegram to shreds and roared.

"They're only generating electricity now to avoid a bloody battle with the Chinese army, and they also have a reason to be deceived!"

A flicker of despair crossed the eyes of the chief of staff of the 38th Regiment of the U.S. Army, and he spoke.

"Artillery! Even if we lose our armor, we still have our artillery!"

"The artillery was protected nearby by the guard battalion, so the casualties were not significant!"

"Tell the men, regardless of losses or ammunition, bombard the Tashanli defense line with all the shells as quickly as possible!"

"As soon as the artillery fire stops, launch a general offensive!"

Commander Locke clutched his chest, barely suppressing his anger as he gave the order.

"Yes, sir!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff quickly agreed and was about to go down to convey the message.

“Buzz buzz buzz buzz——”

In an instant, the sound of fighter jet engines filled the sky.

"An air force formation mixed with MiG fighters, is finished..."

Commander Locke looked up at the sky, and his entire body went limp instantly.

In the sky

Inside Wanli No. 1
"Enemy artillery spotted, begin bombardment immediately!"

Wang Wei looked at the situation below, his eyes lit up instantly, and he gave the order.

"Roger that!"

"Roger that!"

"Roger that!"

……

Immediately, all the pilots pulled on the control sticks and began to dive downwards.

“Buzz buzz buzz—”

With the roar of engines growing louder and louder, fighter jets swooped down to low points, dropped their bombs in an instant, and then gracefully pulled up.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Deafening explosions rang out one after another, and flames instantly engulfed Commander Locke and his men.

Soon, the continuous bombing reached the nearby American artillery camp, and the sound of artillery shells being blown apart and steel breaking echoed one after another.

Upon seeing this, the American artillerymen panicked and abandoned their guns, fleeing in all directions.

After the command center and artillery were bombarded by the Chinese Air Force, the entire US 38th Regiment was thrown into chaos.

Tashanli position
"it's time!"

"Comrades of the Seventh Steel Company, get on the tanks and armored vehicles, charge forward, and annihilate the US 38th Regiment in one fell swoop!"

Wu Wanli gave the order loudly.

"Yes!"

The soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company were filled with excitement and responded loudly.

(End of this chapter)