Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 147 The Seventh Steel Company Faces the British Royal Rifle Regiment!
"Kite? It's fine as a code name, but we can't just call it that, can we?"

"You were the bravest soldier in the War of Resistance against Japan, a veritable Lu Bu of the War of Resistance. I think you should adopt the pseudonym Chu Fengxian!"

The bald man smiled slightly and said.

"Fengxian?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei was slightly taken aback.

The image of Lü Bu from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" instantly flashed into his mind. He was the one who shouted, "A true man lives between heaven and earth; how can he live a life of melancholy and subservience to others?"

"What? You don't like it?"

The bald man looked at the student and frowned slightly.

"Lu Bu was the most valiant general in the world who shot the halberd at the gate. I have adopted the pseudonym Lu Bu, which is extremely honorable."

"Thank you, Principal Xie, for bestowing this name upon me."

Upon seeing this, Chu Yunfei quickly spoke up.

"Alright! The fighter jet to pick you up is ready."

"Go down and get ready with the people you're taking, then board the plane."

The bald man waved his hand and said with satisfaction.

"Student, take your leave."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunfei's eyes flashed with surprise, and he said...

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

Outside the airport, in an oncoming car
"Brother Ligong, Sun Ming, I apologize for disturbing your peaceful lives by bringing you along this time."

"But after thinking it over, the people I trust the most are just the two of you."

Chu Yunfei said.

"You flatter me, Your Excellency. It is my honor to serve you."

Fang Ligong smiled slightly and responded.

"If the commander gives the order, Sun Ming will obey!"

Sun Ming sat up straight, expressing his loyalty.

"However, Your Excellency, on this trip to Korea, we really must..."

Fang Ligong paused halfway through his sentence, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"Brother Ligong, please don't be so formal. The driver is an elder in my family, and he is absolutely trustworthy."

"Just say what you have to say. It won't be convenient once we're on US military territory."

Chu Yunfei noticed Fang Ligong's worry and said...

"Sir, do we really want to help the US military devise strategies and discuss tactics?"

Fang Ligong nodded and asked.

"To be honest with you, I don't intend to wholeheartedly help the United States."

"Although the Chinese People's Volunteer Army had different political views from us, they were still the Chinese army."

"Although I, Chu, retreated with the principal, I have never forgotten that I am a proud Chinese and a Chinese soldier!"

"Don't even think about me recognizing a thief as my father, serving another country, or harming China's army!"

Chu Yunfei sneered and said.

"Sir, I agree with your ideals, but our wives, children, and elderly parents are all on the island. If..."

Fang Ligong nodded in agreement, but a hint of worry flashed in his eyes.

"I have already discussed this matter with the principal, and the principal also does not want the US military to win too easily, so our approach is correct."

Chu Yunfei said.

"In that case, I am relieved."

"Your Excellency, while we still have time, let's talk about the situation in North Korea."

"The Chinese People's Volunteer Army clearly lacked heavy firepower, so why was it able to achieve such great victories under the combined attack of the US Army, Navy, and Air Force?"

Fang Ligong breathed a sigh of relief and said.

"The key to victory or defeat in war is never weapons, but people!"

"The firepower of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in terms of light weapons was not lacking, and their organization and willpower reached the pinnacle of contemporary soldiers."

"When they can divide their forces into hundreds of groups to infiltrate the US defenses, they will then lie in ambush in the ice and snow."

"Finally, the key to their victory was that they were able to launch a simultaneous encirclement and annihilation of the US forces despite the lack of radios."

Chu Yunfei thought for a moment and then said.

"This means they can always maintain a numerical advantage on the battlefield, creating a significant local military superiority!"

A sudden realization flashed in Fang Ligong's eyes, and he said.

"This was the cornerstone that laid the foundation for victory or defeat, but what truly enabled the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to expand its gains was the unit called the Iron Seventh Company."

"If it weren't for them, I estimate that the 1st Marine Division would only have been defeated, not completely annihilated."

"Especially their new company commander, Wu Wanli, whose combat thinking is unconventional yet his moves are precise, and who takes risks yet never fails."

"If he had been born a few years earlier, he could at least have become a military commander in charge of the five main forces, or even a famous general who stirred up the winds of war!"

Chu Yunfei looked in the direction of North Korea, his eyes showing a mixture of amazement and curiosity.

"To command the five main forces and become a renowned general?"

"Your Excellency, isn't your praise a bit too high?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Ligong couldn't help but gasp and said...

"Brother Ligong, think about it. What if, during the Battle of Shanghai, someone led a company and wiped out the command system of an entire Japanese division, forcing the entire Japanese Class A division to surrender? What would happen then?"

Chu Yunfei smiled and asked.

"This... During the Battle of Shanghai, a single shot from a Japanese naval gun could wipe out an entire company."

"If Wu Wanli can accomplish such a feat, he will probably become famous overnight."

"But the battle backgrounds are quite different, so this comparison..."

Fang Ligong said upon hearing this.

"There are others with similar backgrounds. In the bloody battle of Songshan in Burma, also known as the Battle of Nantianmen, if he had been there, the expeditionary force would not have suffered such heavy casualties."

"Do you believe that by the time we fly to Seoul, Wu Wanli and the Steel Seventh Company will have already achieved another great victory?"

Chu Yunfei smiled slightly and said confidently.

"If that's the case, the US military might have to retreat beyond the 37th parallel."

"The commander of the 27th Army to which the Steel Seventh Company belongs is your old friend: Li Yunlong."

"At that time, he will become a military commander who can take over the capital of another country all by himself."

Fang Ligong was slightly startled and said.

"Hahahaha... The first ones to storm into Seoul might just be Wu Wanli and the Steel Seventh Company."

"We'd better hurry, because there are only a limited number of fighter jet slots!"

Chu Yunfei joked.

"Don't worry, sir! Sun Ming will definitely protect your safety!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ming quickly replied.

"Brother Yunlong, do you still remember the equipment you owe me for that entire battalion of equipment...?"

Chu Yunfei did not respond to Sun Ming, but looked in the direction of North Korea and said in a slightly dazed manner.

Soon, the car stopped a short distance from an airplane.

The U.S. military personnel led Chu Yunfei and others onto a plane, which flew towards Seoul.

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

Seoul, North Korea

"Fuck you!"

"Those damned British pampered soldiers, they actually let the 38th Regiment be completely wiped out!!"

"The commander of the rifle regiment, Ulster, even claimed that one regiment could take on an entire Chinese corps, yet he didn't even dare to provide support? Utterly absurd!"

"I want to shoot him! I absolutely must shoot him!"

Ridgway overturned the entire table and roared.

This time, Ridgway's anger was genuine, after all, the US 38th Regiment, which had done its best to provide relief, was completely annihilated, while the British Rifle Regiment, which was supposed to be providing support, didn't even get a chance to fight.

If this trend is allowed to spread among the UN forces, then there's no point in fighting; we can just wait for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to annihilate them one by one.

"Sir, according to the battle report from Regiment Commander Ulster, it seems they didn't go to Tashan to provide assistance because they were ambushing the Chinese Iron Seventh Company."

"Judging from the subsequent battle situation, the British Rifle Regiment was probably deceived by the Chinese army's fake telegram."

The U.S. Chief of Staff, seeing Ridgway's fury, quickly explained.

"Cheated?"

"Then tell me, does it take a whole regiment to ambush a company of Chinese troops?!"

"When did the Chinese army become so powerful that it requires more than ten times the manpower to ambush and annihilate them?!"

"They've found a good excuse to just stand by and watch someone die!"

"Now the US 38th Regiment has been wiped out, and the Steel 7th Company failed to ambush them. For the future of the UN forces, I will execute this Ulster even under pressure!"

Li Qiwei's eyes were filled with anger as he resolutely stated.

"Sir, an urgent telegram from Commander Ulster!"

"The Royal Rifle Regiment's reconnaissance units have disguised themselves as a harassment and blocking force during the main retreat and have engaged in firefight with the Chinese Iron Seventh Company."

"Commander Ulster said that they would soon launch an ambush and annihilation campaign to wipe out the Chinese Iron Seventh Company in one fell swoop and atone for their sins!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer rushed over and said...

"To atone for his sins? He's quick to react!" Li Qiwei sneered, a playful smile appearing on his lips.

"General, if the British Rifle Regiment can really annihilate the Iron Seventh Company, we should show mercy."

"After all, they are the elite troops of the British 29th Brigade, who once defeated Rommel, the Desert Fox, and participated in the Normandy landings."

"Moreover, it was once a unit commanded by British Field Marshal Montgomery."

“If we forcibly execute their regimental commander, the British will probably put a lot of pressure on us.”

Seeing this, the US military chief of staff seized the opportunity to plead for leniency.

"Hmph! Send the order to them: if they can really annihilate that Iron Seventh Company, I can acknowledge that their merits and demerits cancel each other out."

"But if you come back looking like a coward, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Li Qiwei paused for a few seconds before speaking.

"With such an order, they will surely put aside their worries and do their best."

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Chief of Staff smiled and said.

At that moment, they had no idea that such a death order would lead Ulster to sacrifice the entire Royal Rifle Regiment in order to save his own life.

"By the way, hasn't that Chinese military advisor arrived yet?"

"The tactics of the Chinese army are too evasive and risky. I need them to analyze the battle situation and the enemy's intentions for me."

Li Qiwei suddenly thought of this and asked.

"General, they have sent that Chinese general from the fifth class of the Whampoa Military Academy. He is Li Yunlong's old rival, who goes by the alias Chu Fengxian."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"Fengxian joining us? That sounds a bit..."

"Never mind, the name doesn't matter. Just issue the order to Ulster."

"We hope he can make a great start to welcome our Chinese advisors."

Upon hearing this, Ridgway, who had been stationed in Tianjin, China, frowned.

"Yes, sir!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff responded.

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

Dead Eagle, British Rifle Regiment Command

"What is the situation at the Seventh Steel Company of China?"

Commander Ulster looked at the battle map and asked.

"Sir, they seem to have taken the bait and are advancing towards our ambush direction, but their march is somewhat slow..."

The British Chief of Staff said.

"Slow march?"

"Could it be that they've discovered our intentions?"

Commander Ulster asked with some doubt upon hearing this.

“Sir, whether we find anything or not, the longer we delay, the more dangerous our situation becomes.”

"You have to understand that we are currently an isolated force, and we absolutely cannot engage in combat with the main Chinese forces, otherwise no one will come to our aid..."

The British Chief of Staff said.

"Impossible. The closest enemy to us is the US 24th Division. Even if we engage in combat with the Chinese army, as long as we can hold out, we might be able to turn the tide and win."

Commander Ulster pointed to the location of the U.S. 24th Division on the battle map and said confidently.

"Sir, have you forgotten that we just got killed in a fake rescue?"

The British Chief of Staff, known for his outspokenness, was about to speak out.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Commander Ulster coughed a few times.

"They just missed the rescue operation of the US 38th Regiment, which led to their complete annihilation."

"In this situation, the US military might develop a rift and deliberately not go all out to rescue us."

The British Chief of Staff said.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Commander Ulster couldn't help but feel a sense of worry.

"Sir, if the Seventh Company of China Steel doesn't enter the ambush zone soon, we might as well retreat first and then deal with it later."

Seeing that Regiment Commander Ulster was somewhat swayed, the British Chief of Staff quickly advised him.

"In that case, then..."

Commander Ulster hesitated for a long time, but was finally about to agree.

After all, he had an excuse to be misled by false information, so Ridgway probably wouldn't execute him; at most, he would be demoted or even given a good scolding.

These risks are nothing compared to the risk of the Royal Rifle Corps being wiped out.

"Sir, General Ridgway has given us a death order!"

"He said that if they could annihilate the entire Chinese Iron Seventh Company, they would atone for their sins, but if they failed to do so..."

The British military staff officer hesitated before speaking.

"Huh? Are you going to dismiss me?!"

Commander Ulster sensed something was wrong, and his heart instantly jumped into his throat.

"For failing to annihilate the Iron Seventh Company, Ridgway will execute you for treason by deliberately allowing friendly forces to be wiped out!"

The British staff officer lowered his head and said in a low voice.

"Fuck you!"

"I am a colonel of the British Empire, and a former subordinate of Field Marshal Montgomery!"

"Who does Ridgway think he is? A former British colony officer, daring to arbitrarily label me and kill me?"

Commander Ulster's heart sank instantly, and he felt deeply insulted, roaring angrily.

"It's over, it seems retreat is impossible."

Upon seeing this, the British Chief of Staff felt a chill run down his spine and thought to himself.

"The Chinese Iron Seventh Company, right? They captured the major general commander of the US 1st Marine Division, didn't they?"

"Let them annihilate us! Let the British Royal Aces teach these former colonial troops how to fight!"

"Pass down the order: continue to lure the Chinese Steel Seventh Company into the ambush zone and annihilate them in one fell swoop!"

Commander Ulster thought for a moment and then immediately gave the order.

Although Ulster was determined to fight this battle to save his own life, he still maintained his last shred of rationality and did not order his men to rush forward and pursue the Steel Seventh Company.

After all, the Seventh Steel Company is now an armored mechanized unit, and they might be the ones ambushed while being chased.

"Yes, sir!"

When the British Chief of Staff realized he couldn't persuade him otherwise, he had no choice but to give up and reluctantly agree.

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

In the distance, near Dead Eagle, the main force of the Steel Seventh Company was marching covertly through the snow, flanking the British Rifle Regiment.

"Company Commander, won't you be discovered if you let Gao Daxing lead the assault platoon to march slowly, disguised as the main force of the Steel Seventh Company?"

Yu Congrong scratched his head, looking somewhat worried.

"No, we temporarily supplemented the 80th Division with elite soldiers before we left. Now each platoon has nearly a hundred men."

"Given that they have tanks and anti-aircraft guns, the British Rifle Regiment won't suspect anything."

Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"Company Commander, didn't Commander Li Yunlong already send a large force to flank the British Rifle Regiment?"

"Wouldn't it be a bit unnecessary for us to go around it beforehand?"

Liu Hanqing asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Large-scale marches are too slow and easy to be spotted.”

"We must plan ahead for war and not take chances."

"Once we seize Hill 371, which is next to their only retreat road, the Royal Rifle Regiment of the British Army will truly be trapped!"

"Moreover, the British army will not expect us to arrive there so quickly. Their main force is probably concentrated in the front, which is a good time to defend against any openings!"

Looking at the British troop deployment on the Heart of Steel Sky Eye map, Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"Company commander, I've scouted the area with my men. Hill 371 is not far ahead, and the British probably only have one company stationed there!"

"This is the choke point controlling the British army's retreat route. The terrain is treacherous, easy to defend and difficult to attack. We must be careful."

At this moment, Pinghe ran back to report.

"No problem, let the comrades prepare for battle, and we'll try to go up the side path!"

Wu Wanli looked at the terrain map on the Sky Eye map and said.

"Take the back road?"

"Company commander, we're not familiar with the terrain. Isn't this too risky?"

At this moment, Lei Gong asked with some concern.

"Trust my battlefield instincts, just follow me!"

"Seventh Steel Company, prepare for battle!"

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and said confidently.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the core members of the Seventh Steel Company readily agreed.

(End of this chapter)