Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 155 The Seventh Steel Company! Ready to pull off a big heist!

A narrow gorge, the temporary command post of the first assault regiment.
"Commander, the losses in the previous battles were too great, and all the units are complaining, especially about the lack of heavy firepower and ammunition."

"In addition, there were too many wounded, and the medicine had been exhausted. The wounded at the back could only watch helplessly as they sacrificed themselves..."

Mei Sheng rubbed his stinging eyes, handed several battle reports to Wu Qianli, and sighed.

"I know wars are tough, but which of our wars has ever been easy?"

"Our firepower has always been insufficient, but we must still strive for victory with the weapons we have."

"The British troops will be here soon. Am I supposed to go to the division headquarters now to ask for guns, cannons, and medicine?"

Wu Qianli looked at the telegram below and said with difficulty.

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng fell silent for a moment.

"elder brother……"

It wasn't until Wu Wanli walked in and saw Wu Qianli's exhausted profile and dry, pale lips that he called out with a touch of heartache.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Wu Qianli's body trembled slightly. He slowly turned his head to see clearly, and his bloodshot eyes instantly filled with joy.

"coming……"

Wu Qianli opened his mouth, as if he had a lot to say, but in the end, he only said one sentence.

"They're here. The entire Seventh Company is here, waiting outside."

"Political Commissar Mei, what happened to your eyes...?"

Wu Wanli noticed the redness and swelling around Mei Sheng's eyes and quickly asked.

"It's nothing. When we were blocking the British troops, a rocket was trying to hit me, but it just flew past me not far in front of me."

Thank God, it's nothing serious!

Mei Sheng waved his hand dismissively and said.

"It's not that it's nothing serious, it's just that we don't have enough medicine. Old Mei didn't want to use it herself, so she gave it all to the seriously wounded."

"The army doctor said that if it is left untreated, I might go blind."

Wu Qianli said.

"Go away! Your brother just curses me. What blindness? My eyesight is perfectly fine, I can see farther than an eagle!"

"You have no idea how fierce the battle was. Commander Tan led his guard platoon to the front line to boost morale, but he was wounded by artillery fire."

"The entire assault team suffered one-third casualties and countless wounded."

"I, Mei Sheng, need to heal my wounds, but don't our comrades below need to as well? They are all the apple of their parents' eyes..."

Mei Sheng patted Wu Wanli on the shoulder, offering words of comfort.

"The Seventh Steel Company brought a lot of captured medicines. Political Commissar, don't push yourself, get treatment quickly."

"If I go blind, I won't be able to see my wife and daughter when I go back home..."

"When your daughter grows up and gets married, all dressed up in a beautiful red dress, wouldn't you want to see her?"

Wu Wanli felt a pang of pain in his heart and quickly said...

"This……"

When Mei Sheng thought of his wife and daughter, the softest part of his heart felt as if it had been struck hard, and he couldn't help but feel a little touched.

Yes, it's been so long since I've seen my wife and daughter. I wonder if my wife will cry, and if my daughter will grow into a beautiful young woman.

It would be such a pity if I never got to see them in this lifetime.

"Old Mei, stop trying. Everyone has advised you so many times, it's time to listen to them this time."

Seeing this, Wu Qianli offered some advice.

"Can you guarantee that all the wounded will have access to medicine?"

"They also have families, and they also want to go home properly..."

After struggling for a moment, Mei Sheng, still concerned about his comrades, said...

"can!"

Wu Wanli nodded emphatically, his eyes revealing a determined look.

"Okay, I trust Wanli."

"Commander, the battlefield really does temper a person. Your brother is no longer the naive kid who stopped the big boss's car. He's a fierce general on the battlefield now."

Mei Sheng smiled slightly, and looking into Wu Wanli's eyes, he was momentarily moved.

"I don't think he's changed much. He led the Steel Seventh Company and rampaged through the Korean battlefield, daring to fight any kind of battle."

"Did you hear that? Don't be so reckless in the future!"

Wu Qianli looked at Wu Wanli, suppressing the corners of his mouth that were turned up, and used both hands to rub Wu Wanli's face together, squeezing it together like a steamed bun.

"Brother, I'm a company commander now, give me some face..."

Wu Wanli patted Wu Qianli's hand lightly, both amused and exasperated, and said...

"So what if you're the company commander? Even if you become a corps commander, you're still my brother!"

"You brat, you don't recognize your own brother anymore, huh?"

Wu Qianli gently rubbed it and scolded him.

"No, no, no..."

"Brother, there are still many old Seventh Company men waiting outside. Why don't we go see them first?"

Wu Wanli quickly replied.

"Okay, Lao Mei, let's go take a look together."

Upon hearing this, Wu Qianli felt a strange pang in his heart and said...

He didn't know how many of those old comrades were still alive, and considering they had been through so many battles, he was genuinely worried.

"Alright, let's see what kind of mess Wan Li has made of the Seventh Steel Company."

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng smiled and nodded, then followed him outside.

……

outside
The soldiers of the Seventh Steel Company were already standing in neat rows, waiting for inspection.

"A thunderclap, a sword!"

"Get ready!"

When Yu Congrong saw Wu Qianli come out, he quickly shouted loudly.

"A thunderclap, a sword, a pack of fierce tigers, the Steel Seventh Company!"

"Iron will, iron will, iron-blooded defenders of the nation, protecting our homeland!"

"The battle cries terrified the enemy, and their fame spread far and wide for their invincible record!"

"Attack with unwavering resolve, defend with impregnable fortifications, and triumph over the enemy's corpses!"

The veterans and new soldiers of the Steel Seventh Company stood tall, gripping their American-made firearms, and roared loudly.

The red flag bearing the words "Steel Seventh Company" fluttered in the cold wind and snow, and the man holding the red flag was Lei Gong, the first veteran of the Steel Seventh Company.

"Great! Yu Congrong, Pinghe, Lei Gong, they're all here, and there are quite a few new faces too. The army is strong and well-equipped..."

"Wanli, you led the Seventh Steel Company very well, very well!"

Wu Qianli glanced at the first row of soldiers, their uniforms impeccable, and smiled with satisfaction.

"Commander, Political Commissar, if the armored vehicle convoy hadn't been temporarily hidden, we would have driven here in tanks for your inspection!"

Yu Congrong said proudly.

"No need for that. This is better, it makes it easier for me to see you all."

Mei Sheng added with a smile.

"Political Commissar, your eyes..."

Pinghe noticed Meisheng's wound and felt a pang of sympathy.

"Political Commissar Mei, this kind of thing can't be delayed."

"Quickly, someone bring us the medicine to treat Political Commissar Mei's injuries!"

Upon seeing this, Liu Hanqing quickly said...

"I come!"

"Idiot, Old Bai, grab the first-aid kit and come with me!"

Seeing an opportunity to prove himself, he quickly said...

"Row!"

Bai Gangjun, carrying a medical kit, walked towards Mei Sheng.

"Brother Chenggong, we two aren't professional enough, why don't we let Lao Bai go?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Mumu said.

"We have to get there... We'll just have to listen to Old Bai then!"

Successfully said this, and pulled Xu Mumu along to follow Bai Gangjun.

"Political Commissar, although this man's combat record isn't great, ranking last in the Seventh Company, he's an expert in battlefield medical first aid."

"You have enough medicine, so you can focus on your treatment."

Shiqian looked at Bai Gangjun and said with relief.

"Political Commissar, your condition is a bit serious. It's not a convenient place here. Let's go to the tent to treat you."

Bai Gangjun examined Mei Sheng's injuries and said.

"Commander, then I..."

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng hesitated for a moment.

"I will handle the fighting; healing is the priority."

"Besides, we still have Wanli here, so fighting a blocking battle shouldn't be a problem."

Wu Qianli said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng followed Bai Gangjun and the others.

"Brother, how's the battle going?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli asked, "The disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves is still too great. Fortunately, it's just a blocking operation."

"Now that the problem of medicines has been solved, the problem is firepower and ammunition."

Wu Qianli said.

"Is the assault regiment even short of ammunition now?"

Wu Wanli was slightly taken aback and asked.

"It was originally enough, but the previous harassment and ambush battles consumed too much of our resources, so it's not quite enough anymore."

"However, we can still fight this battle, but the lack of heavy firepower is hard to make up for."

"The first assault regiment has about 1,100 men left, of whom only 1,000 are capable of firing a gun."

"Each of the three battalions has about three to four hundred soldiers, and they are divided into nine companies, each with about one hundred soldiers."

Wu Qianli said.

"How about the weaponry?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Each company would have about one Type 92 heavy machine gun, two Czech light machine guns, plus a uniform Type 38 rifle and three bazookas."

"I've concentrated the mortars into one artillery battery, there are thirteen mortars."

"Actually, it's much better than back home, but the British army has a force of over three thousand men, and they're equipped with a heavy tank battalion and an artillery battalion, so it's a bit tricky..."

Wu Qianli thought for a moment and estimated.

"This……"

"How long are we ordered to hold them off?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"In ten hours, just the last ten hours, the 50th and 38th Armies will be able to reach their designated positions and basically complete the encirclement of the British 29th Brigade."

"This is the last defensive position. Beyond here lies flat terrain, allowing British reinforcements to quickly and easily reach Dead Eagle."

Wu Qianli said.

"Ten hours..."

"Brother, what if the British army doesn't take the narrow pass and chooses to take a detour?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Then I would be more than happy to accept that."

"This is the fastest route. If they take a detour, the terrain is rugged, and there is even a possibility of tank breakdowns. It would take at least eight or nine hours to get around."

"At that time, our people will be divided into several groups to carry out guerrilla warfare and harassment, so there will be no need to risk our lives."

Wu Qianli said with a smile.

"Brother, I asked Division Commander Zhang Dabiao for some weapons and ammunition, which will be a good supplement to the First Assault Regiment."

"Six Browning light machine guns, two M2 heavy machine guns, plus two 60mm mortars."

"By the way, Yu Congrong, didn't I tell you to carry more ammunition? How much did you bring?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Hehe, don't worry, Company Commander. I almost got into a fight with the people at the ammunition depot while they were moving the ammunition."

"We brought six hundred boxes of light machine gun ammunition, two hundred boxes of heavy machine gun ammunition, thirty boxes of artillery shells, and I also..."

Yu Congrong smiled and said halfway through, then stopped abruptly.

"Hey kid, you've got the potential to be a bandit!"

"What else? These are all our own people, so speak quickly."

Wu Wanli said with a smile.

“You were talking about ammunition, so I figured grenades are ammunition too, so I took dozens of boxes of them as well.”

Yu Congrong said with a smile.

"Hey! You little rascal, I was wondering why we needed a few more military vehicles, turns out they were for hauling ammunition!"

"Each machine gun is equipped with a hundred boxes of ammunition. How did you even come up with that idea?"

Wu Wanli laughed and scolded.

"Company commander, including ours and the assault regiment, we have dozens of machine guns, which averages out to about ten boxes of ammunition!"

"With this amount of ammunition, if you keep firing continuously for ten hours, it won't amount to much more!"

Yu Congrong spread his hands, feigning innocence.

"What kind of machine gun can keep firing indefinitely? Are you planning to use it for one battle and then scrap it?"

Wu Qianli kicked Yu Congrong's butt and said.

"By the way, what's the situation with the personnel and equipment of our Steel Seventh Company?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"Reporting to the company commander, we have replenished our weapons, ammunition, and personnel. The Steel Seventh Company now has 240 soldiers, consisting of four platoons of 60 men each and four squads of 15 men each."

"Every man in the company was equipped with a Garand rifle and five hand grenades."

"In addition, each squad is equipped with one Browning light machine gun, three Thompson or M3 submachine guns, and one bazooka, while each platoon is equipped with one M2 heavy machine gun."

"In addition, the artillery platoon has about ten American mortars."

Liu Hanqing reported.

"With the 4-4 system, the Seventh Steel Company has become a reinforced company!"

"Moreover, each company was equipped with a total of twenty machine guns, sixteen bazookas, nearly fifty submachine guns, and ten mortars!"

"Wanli, you're having a much better time as a company commander than Lao Tan and I do!"

Wu Qianli said with a smile.

"Company Commander, being Company Commander Wanli isn't as comfortable as it seems."

"It's because our Steel Seventh Company has Wan Li as its company commander that the whole company is living such a comfortable life..."

Lei Gong looked at Wu Wanli and said.

"Yes!"

"Take Yu Congrong for example. He even brought a military vehicle to move ammunition. Anyone else would have been kicked out long ago."

"But Commander Li Yunlong and Deputy Commander Kong Jie both value Wan Li, so Division Commander Zhang Dabiao turned a blind eye."

Liu Hanqing said.

"Well, the army commander may indeed care about me, but how could he possibly go out of his way to speak to the division commander just for a small company commander like me?"

"Let's not talk about that anymore, bro, give me my combat mission!"

Wu Wanli said.

"I can't assign combat missions, only the battalion commander can."

“Wanli, it doesn’t matter when there are few people chatting, but you are now a company commander, so please try to address me by my title when we are working.”

Wu Qianli patted Wu Wanli on the shoulder and whispered some instructions.

"Yes! Captain!"

"Please assign combat missions to the Seventh Steel Company, Commander!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli immediately straightened his back and said.

"The Seventh Steel Company is now strong and well-equipped with fierce firepower. I will hand over the main position on the right side of Yixiantian to you."

"As soon as the British arrive, give them a good beating!"

Wu Qianli said.

"Commander, should we attack as soon as the British arrive?"

"In that case, it might not be so good."

Wu Wanli looked at the map of Hearts of Steel in his mind and said.

"Tell me, what do you think?"

Wu Qianli asked, seemingly somewhat habitually.

"Brother, under normal circumstances, the British heavy tank battalion should be in front, with the main force following behind."

"I think it would be better to wait until the British heavy tank battalion is almost past the narrow passage before bombarding their tanks and armored vehicles from the rear!"

"After the tanks and armored vehicles exploded, the wreckage could separate the British heavy tank battalion from the main force of the British 29th Brigade."

"Moreover, judging from the elevation angle of the terrain at Yixiantian, once their tanks are out there, the threat of artillery fire will not be very strong."

Wu Wanli laughed.

"But what if the British heavy tank battalion goes directly to support the British rifle regiment? Aren't we supposed to hold them off?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately asked the question.

"It's alright. Our ultimate strategic goal is to crush the entire British 29th Brigade. Once the British tank battalion is separated, the British 29th Brigade will have no hope of breaking out."

"According to intelligence, this British army is also an elite force that fought in the North African theater and the Normandy landings. It's impossible that they don't understand this principle and wouldn't do this."

Wu Wanli said with certainty.

"Okay, let's do as Wanli says!"

"I will relay the order to all battalions and companies to let the British tank battalion pass first before engaging them!"

"However, I have one request for you. Once you agree, you can go and set up the defenses."

Wu Qianli said.

"any request?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"I know you and the Steel Seventh Company are formidable fighters, but this is a defensive battle. Don't launch an attack without being certain of victory."

Wu Qianli smiled bitterly.

"Hahaha... Don't worry, Commander, I'm always cautious in battle!"

"Seventh Steel Company, follow me to the main position, get ready for a big heist!"

After quickly making his promise, Wu Wanli smiled and waved as he walked toward the position.

(End of this chapter)