Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 202 Wu Wanli personally deploys the overall strategy for the next battle!

In the following period, Wu Wanli devoted himself mainly to the reorganization and construction of the Seventh Steel Regiment.

But when an urgent telegram arrived, he set off again, taking Liu Hanqing with him to meet the boss.

Zhisi (or Liansi)

"Why didn't you continue your attack halfway through? I am ashamed of your army's sudden cowardice!"

Kim Kwon-moo, the North Korean deputy chief of staff who came to discuss the war situation, said.

"What did you say?"

"Our Chinese People's Volunteer Army fought bloody battles all the way, driving the US imperialists back to the 37th parallel!"

"Have you, a deputy chief of staff, ever been to a battlefield?!"

"What right or qualification do you have to evaluate my troops!"

"You should be ashamed of what you just said!"

The boss slammed his fist on the table and roared.

"Comrades, don't get agitated. We're just here to get some information."

"I hope we can continue our discussions in a friendly atmosphere."

Seeing this, Soviet officer Ivan quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"As far as I know, your army has produced a fierce general named Wu Wanli, who led more than a thousand volunteers and some defected auxiliary troops to capture Seoul and annihilate the US 25th Division."

"With such fighting power, why don't you dare to continue south and liberate the whole of Korea?"

"Could it be that your army doesn't listen to the opinions of such pro-war officers?"

In order to complete the mission, Jin Quanwu continued.

"Wu Wanli, Deputy Chief of Staff of the 27th Army and Commander of the 7th Steel Regiment, is here to report!"

At this moment, Wu Wanli, who was outside the door, couldn't stand it anymore and shouted to interrupt.

"Come in!"

"This is the fierce general you mentioned. You should listen to his opinion."

The boss pointed at Wu Wanli, looking somewhat weary.

"Comrade from North Korea, I understand your desire for the liberation of your country, but we really cannot continue fighting."

"The logistics supply lines have been stretched to their limit. If Seoul and Incheon hadn't been liberated quickly, and the US military hadn't had time to destroy all the supplies, we wouldn't even have enough bullets now."

"Furthermore, this comrade just recounted the achievements of our Volunteer Army in liberating Seoul and Incheon. Now, may I ask what significant contributions our allied forces made?"

Wu Wanli retorted, a hint of anger in his voice.

He would not tolerate anyone insulting the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. Even Ridgway of the UN forces was killed and forced to flee in disarray by him, let alone a chief of staff.

"We have captured Hengcheng, and now Hengcheng is entirely under our defense. Your main forces are mostly still on the western front..."

Upon hearing this, Jin Quanwu was about to present his battle record.

"report!"

"On the eastern front, US forces besieged Hengcheng, the North Korean Second Army Corps was defeated, and Hengcheng fell!"

At this moment, a staff officer from the Chinese People's Volunteer Army rushed in and said.

"This...how is this possible?"

Jin Quanwu's face instantly turned to panic, and he murmured in disbelief.

It should be noted that Hengcheng was captured by them while the US military and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army were fighting each other.

They were taken down by the US military so quickly, so they don't have any impressive achievements to show for themselves.

"Comrade, the Soviet Union will try its best to provide you with weapons and air force equipment, but these may take some time."

"As for taking the initiative in the battle, we will leave it entirely to you. I will speak to the North Koreans."

"Chief of Staff Kim, let me help you to rest for a while."

Seeing this, Ivan couldn't help but sigh, gave the commander a military salute, and then helped Jin Quanwu out.

"Hey, Wanli, you guessed right. As expected, everyone wants us to continue fighting, without any regard for the impending danger."

Chief Chen sighed and said.

"Since they've handed over command to us completely, that means they're not backing down."

"Tell me, what's the situation in Hengcheng?"

The boss looked at the staff officer and asked.

"Boss, our main force is concentrated on the western front, and the troops on the eastern front are simply not enough to hold the Hengcheng area."

"Moreover, according to the intelligence we intercepted, Hengcheng was a trap deliberately set by the US military, just waiting for us to walk in and annihilate us."

“We warned our allies many times, but they just wouldn’t listen, so…”

The staff officer said.

"I see. Then it's impossible to build a defensive perimeter around Hengcheng."

"Liu Hanqing said from the side."

"It's a pity that our forces are insufficient to achieve an advantage on both the eastern and western fronts."

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli said with a hint of regret.

It seems that the Third Campaign was mainly a major victory on the western front, while the eastern front only gained an advantage due to the spillover effect, but it was not a complete victory.

Will the US military continue its offensive?

The boss asked with concern.

"No, they've even started building up defensive lines, as if they're afraid of our attack."

The volunteer army staff officer said.

"This incident shows that Wanli's judgment was correct; the US military does indeed have the strength and intention to launch a counterattack."

"Wanli, you're a senior chief of staff now. What are your thoughts on the upcoming deployments? Feel free to share them."

Commander Chen looked at the battle map and asked with a frown.

"This……"

Wu Wanli scratched his head, somewhat hesitant.

With his foresight, he certainly had many ideas.

But everything on the battlefield changes in an instant, and a slight error can lead to a huge difference. He wasn't sure if he could grasp the details.

"It's alright, feel free to speak your mind. We're just setting the tone first; I'll discuss the specific details in another meeting."

The boss seemed to sense Wu Wanli's worry and quickly said something.

"Boss, I suggest that we first place Quan Douguang and his men behind enemy lines to establish multiple bases behind enemy lines and harass guerrillas."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

“You led them in the bloody battle in Seoul for so long, you should know their situation quite well.”

"But they are special after all, so let me explain the reasons first."

"Chief Chen asked."

"The upcoming battles will be particularly brutal, and there will be significant casualties."

"Compared to the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, their combat effectiveness and fighting will are still far inferior. I am worried that they will become a gap in the front line."

"But if they are placed in the rear, their advantage as native North Koreans makes them perfectly capable of guerrilla harassment missions and tying down a large number of US troops."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said without any politeness.

He did have some goodwill towards this insurgent force, but he was also afraid that this force, which was absent from the fourth campaign in history, would affect the front line.

Instead of placing them on the front lines to absorb the already limited supplies, it's better to deploy them behind enemy lines to make a difference, which also reduces the risk of them being breached.

"I think there's no problem. We should make full use of the strengths of each unit."

"In that case, let Quan Douguang recruit soldiers locally and expand it into an army, let's call it... the newly formed Eighth Army!" the commander said after thinking for a moment.

"The New Eighth Army? That's a good name."

Liu Hanqing, who was standing to the side, nodded and said.

"According to our latest intercepted intelligence, the US military will likely have the main force of three corps in the next campaign, plus two South Korean corps, totaling more than 200,000 troops."

"We still have the original seven armies, plus three corps of the Korean People's Army, totaling 7 men."

"In retrospect, we no longer have a numerical advantage this time."

The boss looked at the intelligence and battle maps on the table and introduced them with a slightly worried expression.

"Wanli, you can also give your opinion on how the other armies are deployed."

"You don't need to feel pressured. The boss and I already have some preliminary ideas, just for reference."

Upon hearing this, Chief Chen looked at him and asked again.

"Now that the North Korean army has lost Hoengseong, they have no advantage in the defensive operations on the eastern front."

"As for gaining an advantage in troop strength, there are ways to do so."

"On the western front, my suggestion from last time has been adopted. I presume the large-scale defensive fortifications on the south bank of the Han River are already in place?"

Wu Wanli asked.

"The 50th Army worked through the night to build fortifications and positions on the Xiushui Mountain range on the left, while the 38th Army built positions on the Taihua Mountain range on the right. The positions should be almost complete."

"Between these two mountain ranges lies the main road leading to the Han River."

"If the US military wants to get through, it must take over the Xiushui Mountains and the Taihua Mountains; otherwise, it will have to abandon its heavy artillery and tanks and go around the mountains."

Chief Chen pointed to the map and explained it to Wu Wanli.

"The Republic's Shield, plus the Long Live Army, is enough!"

"Commander, just send those two armies to the western front: the 39th, 40th, 42nd, and 66th Armies. Concentrate these four armies and send them to Hengcheng and Jipingli."

"Overall strategy: West to the east, East to the west, a classic example of the 'Tian Ji' horse racing strategy!"

"If we can achieve a breakthrough on the Eastern Front, we can threaten the flank of the Western Front and deter the US military from continuing its offensive!"

Wu Wanli said.

Upon hearing this, the command room of the Volunteer Army headquarters became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Upon hearing this, the boss's pupils suddenly contracted, and the pencil in his hand fell onto the battle map with a "thud".

He slowly straightened up, staring intently at Wu Wanli, his mind racing as he deduced the details of how to fight.

Chief Chen's slightly furrowed brows suddenly lifted, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

He subconsciously reached out and pressed his hand against the edge of the map, his knuckles turning white from the force. His Adam's apple bobbed, but he couldn't utter a word for a moment.

Liu Hanqing's eyes widened, his mouth opened slightly, and he even paused for a moment.

In an instant, everyone's eyes were focused on Wu Wanli, as if what he had just thrown out was not a strategy, but a bombshell.

"Wu Wanli, you really are a born warrior!"

"Boss, Wanli's idea is perfectly sound, even much better than the General Staff's previous plan of a gradual retreat and piecemeal resistance!"

Chief Chen finally snapped out of his daze, slammed his hand on the table, splashing water from his teacup, and exclaimed excitedly.

"Wanli, if you are willing to stay in the General Staff Headquarters, I will definitely give you an important position!"

"Fighting a war is not only effective on the front lines, but also in the rear command posts."

The boss exhaled a breath of stale air and looked at Wu Wanli earnestly.

"Boss, there's no need for that."

"I might have some brilliant ideas, but in the long run I'll just show my weakness. Let me stay on the front lines and keep fighting."

Wu Wanli admitted with a smile.

He was telling the truth; these were his advantages of foresight, but that didn't mean he was truly capable.

"What about the 27th Army? Why did you specifically omit the 27th Army?"

"You're also from the 27th Army, what's wrong? Planning to take a break after this battle?"

Commander Chen suddenly remembered this unit and asked with a smile.

"What rest and recuperation? The 27th Army will become the most important firefighting force."

"My plan is to serve as the general reserve force, first to support the blocking battle south of Hanjiang River, and relieve some of the pressure before launching an attack on Jipyeong-ni!"

Wu Wanli clenched his fist and said resolutely.

“I understand helping to defend the south of Han River, but why do you seem so wary of the enemy whenever you mention Dipingli?”

"Following the normal offensive strategy, the first target on the eastern front should be Yokogawa!"

"Once we capture Yokogawa, Topyori will be surrounded by our forces, and we can take it with a final siege."

Upon hearing this, the boss said with a hint of doubt.

"Boss, Hengcheng is indeed a strategic high ground on the eastern front and should be taken first, but Chipyong-ni is the connecting point between the US military's eastern and western fronts, and its location is also very important."

“If we can’t take them down, the US military will always remain connected, and we won’t be able to cut them off even if we fight all the way to Busan.”

"But there is really no space in this place to deploy the forces of several armies, so let the 27th Army fight it out themselves. My 7th Steel Regiment will be the main force."

Wu Wanli thought of his memories from his past life and sighed.

历史上，砥平里战役发生于1951年2月13日至2月16日，位置在京畿道杨平郡。

The main battle was between the 23rd Regiment of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, which was on the defensive, and five divisions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which were attacking.

The result was that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army suffered heavy casualties and was forced to retreat.

The Battle of Chipyong-ni was the fourth campaign of the Korean War, and it was a battle in which the Chinese People's Volunteer Army suffered heavy casualties.

According to Western statistics on the battle results, the four main divisions of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army were decimated after two days and nights of fierce attacks.

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army suffered more than 15,000 casualties, while the US military suffered only a few hundred.

In the later stages of the battle, the US forces broke out of the encirclement and launched a counterattack against the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, which suffered heavy casualties and was retreating hastily.

According to US military statistics, there were more than 4 battlefield corpses that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army did not have time to take away or bury.

The French battalion and the US 23rd Regiment alone collected and buried 4689 bodies of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers in front of the position. There were also corpses that were blown apart by artillery fire, which could not be counted in detail.

Now that Wu Wanli has come into this world, he will not allow such a tragic loss of life to happen again.

"Boss, this kid has always had excellent battlefield judgment. I think we should just listen to him."

Chief Chen thought for a moment and nodded.

"We can follow this as the general approach, but you'll have to convince your army commander, Li Yunlong."

"After all, he's determined to lead the attack. I'm afraid he'll throw a tantrum if I leave him to be the second force, hahaha..."

The boss said with a smile.

"Don't worry, sir, I will discuss it with Commander Li Yunlong."

Wu Wanli rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache, and said.

"Immediately convene a meeting of all army commanders! Refine the deployment according to Wan Li's plan—"

"Wanli, this battle can be said to be a strategic operation planned and executed entirely by your strategy!"

"If we win this battle, you will have already accomplished a great feat based on your strategy today!"

"Go down and get ready!"

"As the only elite American-equipped training regiment in the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, I hope you can play your due role!"

The boss looked at Wu Wanli, his eyes full of admiration, and said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli gave the commander a standard military salute and then turned and left.

(End of this chapter)