Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 189 Wu Wanli Leads the Army in a Counterattack Against the US 25th Division! (7K Long Chapter as Compensation)

Concealed artillery positions along the Han River defense line

"Reporting to General Quan, Kaka!"

"Commander Wu has sent an urgent telegram!"

"Aim all artillery at the west side of the Han River and launch a blanket bombardment, especially on the ice!"

"The approximate bombing coordinates have also been provided. What do you think we should do?"

Lu Taijian glanced at the American bombers circling in the distance while holding the telegram, and said with a slight hesitation.

"Ah Xiba!"

What are you hesitating for?!

"Execute Commander Wu's orders without hesitation and fire immediately!"

Quan Douguang couldn't help but kick Lu Taijian and curse.

He knew perfectly well that a single word from Wu Wanli after the war could affect the fate of all Han's uprising troops.

If they disobeyed orders or hesitated during such a critical moment, leading to the failure of the Battle of Han River, half of the merits they had gained in the early stages would be wasted.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Taijian quickly agreed and hurriedly ran down to relay the order.

Soon, howitzers adjusted their muzzles and aimed at the position where the American forces were launching a surprise attack on the west side of the Han River.

"fire!"

A South Korean artillery officer with a thick beard waved his command flag sharply and shouted.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang..."

In an instant, countless howitzers flashed with muzzle flashes, and shells pierced through the white smoke above the artillery positions, cutting through the night sky with graceful arcs, and crashing down on the surface of the Han River.

Han River surface
"What?!"

"Fire! Take cover!!!"

U.S. Army Major Durant paused for half a second upon hearing the explosion of the shells tearing through the air, then shouted loudly.

The other American soldiers in the commando team reacted quickly and lay down on the icy ice.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The next second, shells from dozens of howitzers in the entire artillery regiment exploded instantly, and a brilliant cloud of fire rose up, with countless shattered ice blocks and fragments bursting into the air.

More than 100 American soldiers were killed instantly in this round of shelling, and countless limbs and blood clots mixed with crimson blood flowed in the icy cold waters of the Han River.

"Shit!"

"Help, me! Help..."

An American soldier whose legs had been blown off was submerged in the river before he could even finish shouting for help.

Many wounded American soldiers were struggling in the river, the low temperature slowly draining their strength. It was clear that they would die here if they were not rescued.

"Damn it... damn Chinese! How did they know our location for the raid?!"

U.S. Army Major Durant, who had barely escaped the shelling and swam back to shore, roared in anguish as he looked at the large number of dead and wounded soldiers.

However, before he could decide whether to rescue the enemy or continue crossing the river regardless, countless gunshots suddenly ignited on the opposite bank.

对岸
A platoon of South Korean soldiers gritted their teeth, forcibly suppressing their fear, and unleashed a hail of bullets at the American troops.

The west side of the Han River is indeed weak in defense, but it is not without defense.

Fortunately, Wu Wanli had the Iron Heart Sky Eye Map, which allowed him to spot the American commando team and immediately ordered them to open fire.

Otherwise, these few dozen South Korean soldiers, facing a US commando force ten times their size, would probably not hesitate for a second and would immediately turn tail and run.

"Da da da da da da da da da da da..."

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Countless gunshots rang out, and the dense bullets, like the scythe of death, ruthlessly reaped the lives of American soldiers in the Han River.

"Sir, the defending forces on the other side are on alert!"

"With the combined artillery fire and the strafing from the opposite bank, we have no way to cross the Han River. We should retreat first!"

"Our battalion only has a little over six hundred men left, we can't all die here..."

"A U.S. Army captain said."

This assault team, composed of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, was a key force for elite assault operations.

But after the previous attack and the losses from the recent shelling and strafing, they only had a little over six hundred soldiers left.

However, the US military, which can achieve such a high casualty ratio and still maintain combat effectiveness, truly deserves to be called an elite force.

"Fuck!!"

"Have you forgotten our glory in the Pacific theater?!"

"We fought our way from Australia all the way to Okinawa, the gateway to Japan, and were the first to land in Tokyo. We are the elite of the American army, how can we back down!?"

"Chinese reinforcements are arriving soon. This is the last chance. We have to fight our way through, no matter how many losses we suffer!"

"Machine guns, mortars, suppress the enemy defenders!"

"Furthermore, telegraph General William, requesting the air force to immediately destroy those damned artillery pieces!"

Major Durant clutched his bleeding left arm, which had been shot, and cried out in pain.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the American captain felt a surge of excitement and quickly agreed.

……

The order was quickly relayed to all locations via radio, and American soldiers on both sides immediately set up machine guns on the still intact ice, preparing to fire back.

The American artillerymen, who had not yet crossed the river, quickly set up mortars and aimed them at the South Korean soldiers on the other side, preparing to bombard them.

However, the next second, another round of artillery fire roared in.

"Whoosh—Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

This time, a barrage of artillery fire suddenly erupted near the US artillery positions, instantly blasting the newly deployed mortars into steel fragments.

Nearby American artillerymen were instantly engulfed in flames by the explosion, torn apart by shrapnel and mortar fragments into pools of flesh and blood.

"Sir, our support artillery has also been destroyed. If we continue the attack..."

The U.S. Army captain struggled to his feet and looked at Major Durant.

"Our machine guns are still in use, the offensive cannot stop..."

"Give our air force some time. Once we destroy those artillery pieces, I don't believe the South Korean army can stop us..."

Major Durant got up, brushed the snow off his shoulders, and glared fiercely at the opposite bank.

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

U.S. 25th Division Command
"Fuck!"

"Someone tell me, how did the Chinese army know our raid location?!"

Major General William clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and roared as he stared at the towering orange-red flames on the west side of the Han River.

“Sir, now is not the time to explore this issue.”

"The Chinese army on the Han River has used its last trump card: artillery. We will destroy all their artillery and then continue our attack."

"Once they lose their artillery, we can launch a massive offensive without any worries and take over the Han River defense line in one fell swoop!"

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Chief of Staff quickly offered a reminder.

"Are our artillery pieces able to reach their artillery positions?"

Major General William frowned and asked urgently.

"Their artillery positions are too far out of range, blocking our artillery's range, so we can't reach them at all."

"Besides, Chinese reinforcements are probably arriving soon, and it might be too late to move those heavy artillery pieces and bombard them again now!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff quickly said.

"That's true. If we could get hold of them, they might bombard our artillery positions first..."

"But the attack by our 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 2nd Regiment is still ongoing. Without air support, they might be severely suppressed..."

"I'm not just relying on the raiders' sneak attack. The defenders on the other side are exhausted, and a frontal breakthrough is entirely possible."

Major General William looked at the Han River defense line amidst the hail of bullets and felt a moment of hesitation.

"Eh……"

"Sir, everything you do will harm the 25th Division. You should make a decision quickly."

The U.S. Chief of Staff, looking at the tense battle situation, sighed and gave a reminder.

"Pass on my order: the air force formation will split into two groups. One half will continue to suppress the defenders at the front of the Han River, coordinating with the main force of the 2nd Regiment's attack. The other half will go to the rear of the Han River defense line and wipe out those damned artillery pieces!"

"Furthermore, send the remaining reserve regiment forward for a final all-out offensive to crush these Chinese troops in one fell swoop!"

After a moment of contemplation, Major General William spoke.

"This is a huge risk if the air force is divided up. Moreover, if no reserves are left, a failed attack and the enemy's reinforcements are repelled could result in a major rout..."

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff felt a sense of foreboding.

"These are not things you should be worrying about. Give the orders!"

"We're betting on a time difference; there won't be such a good opportunity later!"

Major General William listened to the whistling sound of another round of shells coming from the other side and said with a serious expression.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the US military chief of staff had no choice but to reluctantly agree.

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

Soon, the US Air Force formation that received the order split into two.

Dozens of fighter jets sped off towards the artillery positions behind the Han River, while the remaining dozens of fighter jets were scattered throughout the Han River defense positions, continuing to suppress the defending troops.

Artillery position

The anti-aircraft guns of the anti-aircraft company were pointed at the sky. The soldiers' hearts pounded with tension, but when they glanced at Quan Douguang, who was personally overseeing the operation with his officers not far away, they barely managed to suppress the thought of running away.

"General Quan, American warplanes are probably coming soon. Should we move to the air-raid shelter first...?"

Lu Taijian felt a surge of panic and quickly said...

Upon hearing this, the surrounding South Korean officers all turned to look at Jeon Doo-kwang and began to offer their advice.

Quan Douguang looked at the group of officers and smiled knowingly.

He understood perfectly well that these people were not just concerned about his safety.

These people thought that as long as he agreed, he, who always treated his soldiers like his own children, would definitely lead all the South Korean troops to retreat into the air-raid shelter.

"boom!"

Quan Douguang fired a shot into the air, and the chattering South Korean officers instantly fell silent.

"Ah Xiba!"

"Now is the most critical moment of the Battle of Seoul. If we run into the air-raid shelter, what will happen to these dozens of howitzers?!"

"With all our artillery gone, how can we stop an attack by an entire American division?!"

"Behind us is Seoul, and many of your families live in the city!"

"Our hands are stained with so much American blood. What do you think the Americans will do to our families after they enter Seoul, you bunch of idiots!!"

Quan Douguang roared loudly.

Although many refugees fled Seoul before, all the families of the First Division of the Capital Region remained in Seoul.

After all, the north was the front line and they couldn't run away, and other places were under the control of the US military. These traitorous family members dared not go, so they all stayed in Seoul.

Upon hearing this, the South Korean soldiers below were speechless for a moment. Looking back at their families, a new courage suddenly appeared in their eyes.

"You already know that in the Battle of Anshan on the west side, Commander-in-Chief Wu Kaka decisively defeated an American regiment, annihilating thousands of enemy soldiers. He will soon lead his troops to provide support!" "But there is also a new telegram from the Chinese Volunteer Army Headquarters!"

"Soldiers of the uprising troops who died in Anshan will enjoy the same treatment as soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army; they will receive the same pensions and preferential treatment for their families!!"

Quan Douguang shouted at the top of his lungs.

Upon hearing this, the South Korean soldiers below all wore expressions of disbelief.

Once upon a time, they were used as cannon fodder, a lackey force of the US military, and were treated with no dignity.

They were dead, and there was no way they could enjoy the same treatment as the US military. But now a telegram clearly shows that they are being treated as one of their own.

“Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz…”

At that moment, a series of roaring sounds came from afar, and dozens of American warplanes rushed towards them.

"Ah Xiba!"

"Behind us is Seoul, the place where our families live!"

"Even if they die in battle, they will have China's protection for the rest of their lives. What are you still hesitating for!?"

"Fire!"

Quan Douguang roared angrily.

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

In an instant, all the anti-aircraft fire roared up at once, and a dense barrage of large-caliber bullets, like a giant net of fire, enveloped the American warplanes.

The US Air Force did not expect that these South Korean troops would dare to fight so hard, and several of their aircraft were shot down when they were caught off guard.

Upon seeing this, the American pilots were initially surprised by the South Korean soldiers' will to resist, but then became even more enraged and dove downwards, determined to make them pay the price.

As Quan Douguang watched the approaching American warplanes and felt death drawing ever closer, he felt no fear. Instead, he lit a cigarette, took a few deep drags, and then smiled with relief amidst the swirling smoke.

If Wu Wanli hadn't released him at the Watergate Bridge to carry out the Winter in Seoul Plan, he might still be a prisoner in a South Korean POW camp.

Now he commands tens of thousands of troops and has become a renowned general through the Seoul Uprising. It's far more worthwhile than living a life of mere survival!
"Regret? We might be dying, hahahaha..."

Quan Douguang handed Lu Taijian a half-smoked cigarette, just like he had handed him the last cigarette on the battlefield of Changjin Lake.

"Ah, damn it! It is my honor to follow you to your death, Kaka!"

"If it weren't for General Quan carrying me all the way to the Water Gate Bridge, I would have died long ago. I am so lucky to have a commander like you who is willing to share everything with his subordinates!"

Lu Taijian took the cigarette with trembling hands, his eyes already wet with tears.

He was also afraid of death, but he did not regret dying with Jeon Doo-kwang.

To repay your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I would gladly die for you, like the Jade Dragon. A brother like Quan Douguang is worthy of my life-or-death loyalty!

"I'm willing to share everything, hahahahahaha..."

“You’re right. When Ridgway promised me the presidency, I considered accepting it, then holding power for a few years before handing it over to you.”

"But as you know, Ridgway was just trying to keep us in check. It is not in the United States' interest for South Korea to have a president with high prestige in the military. After the war, we will most likely be purged by the Americans, which is why I firmly led you down this path."

Quan Douguang looked at Lu Taijian and said with a smile.

"All of them..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Taijian looked at Quan Douguang in disbelief.

In a life-or-death situation, Quan Douguang had no reason to lie to him.

But when he heard that Chun Doo-kwang had even considered sharing South Korea's highest power with him, he was shocked and deeply moved.

Is it really possible for a friendship that transcends the highest power to exist on the tiny Korean Peninsula?
Before he could even react, Quan Douguang took his brother's hand and, looking at the sky filled with American warplanes, calmly faced death.

(The image above shows Kaka and Luka facing their death sentences in a South Korean court.)
"General Quan, look! The Chinese Air Force is here to help! We're saved!"

Suddenly, a South Korean soldier pointed to the sky and shouted excitedly.

More than a hundred Chinese fighter jets flew menacingly into the sky.

Inside Wanli No. 1
"Comrades, these American airmen are less than half the size of us. Leave them all behind and kill them!"

Wang Wei roared into the radio, pulled the control stick, and was the first to charge towards the US Air Force.

The other pilots were greatly encouraged and pulled the control stick, charging at full speed toward the American fighter jets.

Seeing this, the remaining American warplanes panicked and tried to escape.

However, Quan Douguang immediately ordered all anti-aircraft guns to sweep the other side of the US Air Force to prevent them from escaping.

Soon, Chinese fighter jets approached the US fighter jets and began a fierce attack.

Before long, the American warplanes fell and crashed one by one. Seeing no hope, the remaining American pilots parachuted to surrender.

After defeating the Chinese air force here, they did not linger at all and immediately flew towards the front line.

"Turn the guns around and provide fire support to the Han River front!"

Quan Douguang looked at the direction the fighter jets were flying and immediately understood, giving the order.

Soon, the artillery regiments adjusted their gun barrels and began bombarding the American troops advancing on the Han River front.

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

Han River Front
After the US general offensive was launched, all the artillery and half of the air force once again bombarded the Han River front.

By now, the machine guns and mortars on the position have been almost completely wiped out.

The heavily damaged defenders could no longer hold back the American advance and were quickly overrun, leading to a brutal hand-to-hand battle.

"kill!"

Wu Qianli, bayonet in hand, pierced the hearts of American soldiers for what seemed like the umpteenth time.

The moment he pulled out the bayonet, warm blood splattered onto his already flushed face, making him feel somewhat dazed.

Wu Qianli, a veteran of many battles, understood that his physical strength was nearing its limit.

At that moment, a U.S. Army sergeant seized the opportunity and launched a surprise attack on Wu Qianli with his bayonet.

"Pong-"

With a clang of bayonets clashing, Mayson laboriously deflected the American bayonet.

Seeing this, Wu Qianli quickly followed up with a stab, piercing the American soldier's heart on the spot.

"Battalion Commander, the comrades are almost at their physical limit. If we continue fighting like this, the Han River defense line will collapse in just a few minutes!"

Mei Sheng, holding a bayonet, leaned against Wu Qianli's back and said.

"Even if we're at our physical limit, we have to keep fighting!"

"If we back down, those South Korean troops who have revolted will collapse immediately!"

Wu Qianli leaned close to Mei Sheng's back and said.

Soon, the remaining volunteers on the position gathered around Wu Qianli and his men.

The US military pressed forward relentlessly, partially encircling them.

"Chinese people! Surrender!"

"Chinese people! Surrender!"

"Chinese people! Surrender!"

The American soldiers, speaking broken Chinese, shouted in unison at the Chinese People's Volunteer Army as they attacked.

Clearly, they wanted to force the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to surrender, reduce casualties, and take the position more quickly.

These volunteer soldiers, holding bayonets, struggled to resist, each one with the will to die, but they were all panting heavily, clearly at their physical limit, and some seemed about to collapse at any moment.

"No, everyone needs to be alert! You'll die if you can't concentrate!"

Wu Qianli roared.

"Focus your attention... I've got it!"

"Comrades, sing along with me!"

"With heads held high and chests puffed out, we crossed the Yalu River!!!"

Mei Sheng shouted in a hoarse voice.

"With heads held high and chests puffed out, we crossed the Yalu River!"

"To safeguard peace and defend our motherland is to protect our hometown!"

"..."

Soon, the volunteer soldiers roared out the song together.

That's right, it's a roar, because there's no energy left to control the pitch.

Motherland, hometown...

These words, as if possessed by magic, touched the softest spot in these most lovable people.

Resisting America and aiding Korea, protecting our homeland and defending our country, we will never regret it, even unto death!

In an instant, under the combined influence of adrenaline and their spirits, they seemed to return to the majestic and spirited state they had been in when they first crossed the Yalu River.

Seeing the change in the demeanor of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, the US officer realized that forcing them to surrender was no longer possible, and coldly waved his hand.

Soon, more and more American soldiers joined the strangulation, like a surging tide, threatening to drown the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's "Red Boat".

At this critical moment, countless shells landed on the rear of the American troops' positions.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

Countless fiery clouds rose up, and the raging flames engulfed the American soldiers in the rear.

"What?!"

"Haven't the Chinese army's artillery been destroyed by our air force yet?!"

The American officer stared in horror at the wave of attack behind him, which had been cut off by artillery fire, and shouted in disbelief.

“Buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz buzz…”

The next second, countless Chinese air force personnel roared into the battlefield, firing their weapons and charging recklessly toward the positions of the US air force.

At this time, US warplanes were deployed in various positions, accurately bombing or shooting at the wounded in the rear, without any warning.

Just as an American warplane finished its strafe, a veteran of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was hit by multiple bullets. His eyes were wide open, and he died in a shooting posture.

Inside the Wanli-1 fighter jet
"Fuck your mother, you American devils!!!"

With a heart-wrenching roar, Wang Wei pulled the control lever, firing his machine gun and charging towards the American troops, leaving no room for evasion.

The American fighter jet never expected Wang Wei to attack like this. Caught off guard, it was hit by multiple bullets and soon crashed to the ground, billowing black smoke.

"boom!"

The dazzling flames of the explosion illuminated the eyes of the veteran of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Under the force of the massive shockwave, his eyelids miraculously closed.

"Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip——————"

Just as the aerial battle was raging, the distinctive bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sounded below.

"Comrades, the time has come for the Party and the people to test us!"

"Charge with me! Counterattack the US 25th Infantry Division!"

With his gun in hand, Wu Wanli charged ahead towards the Han River defense line.

"Come on!"

"Kill American imperialism!"

"kill!"

"..."

Behind him, countless soldiers, their blood boiling, charged towards the Han River defense line with all their might and murderous intent.

……………………………………………………………

P.S.: Due to school matters, updates have been a bit unstable lately. Today, I'm posting a 7,000-word chapter to make up for it and let you all enjoy it!
Also, I'm just asking for some monthly votes. If I get 1,000 votes, I can do a giveaway. If I can get over 2,000, I'll add 10,000 more chapters. I'm making a promise, and I mean it!
(End of this chapter)