Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 203 The Fourth Battle Begins!
27th Army Headquarters
"what?"

"Old Zhao, what's wrong with you now?!"

"Their four armies went to launch a fierce attack on Dahengcheng, while our army has to stay south of Hanjiang to assist in the defense for a while before we can attack that small Dipingli?"

"Our army deserves the greatest credit for the Third Campaign, right? Do they really think we're some stepchild?"

Li Yunlong looked at Zhao Gang, who had just returned from a meeting, and said with slight dissatisfaction.

"Old Li, there must be a reason why the higher-ups made this arrangement."

"I won't talk about others, but the 38th Army made a great raid on Sansuoli and fought a bloody battle at Songgufeng, earning the name of the Long Live Army. They were practically raised by their own mother, weren't they?"

"But what was the result? Didn't they end up fighting a defensive battle in Hannan just like us?"

Zhao Gang comforted him.

"I'll admit that Liang Daya from the 38th Army is a good man, but isn't this just a grievance?"

"Which of the US 1st Marine Division and the US 25th Infantry Division wasn't wiped out by our army? Seoul and Incheon were also liberated by our army. It's no exaggeration to say that we, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, made the greatest contribution!"

"Old Zhao, a cowardly general makes a cowardly army. If you're too incompetent in meetings, we won't get any meat to eat!"

"And you, Kong Erlengzi, don't think I won't remember you just because you didn't say anything. You were also part of the meeting at the headquarters!"

"If I were to attend the meeting, would they take the lead and not me?"

"Take Old Wu from the 39th Army for example. If it weren't for the grain that my regiment bought and lent to him during the Long March, I don't know how many people in his unit would have starved to death!"

"Trying to steal my main attack position? This is outrageous!"

Li Yunlong slammed his general's hat on the table and cursed.

"Li Yunlong, are you out of your mind? You're going to bare your teeth at me even before I say a word?"

"Besides, you were dismissed because of that grain purchase issue, yet you still have the nerve to bring it up."

"Don't let your current swagger fool you. In front of the old brigade commander, you're all smiles, and you even call Old Zhao a liar..."

Kong Jie looked at Li Yunlong with an innocent expression and couldn't help but retort.

"Kong Erlengzi, you've gone from Pigsy to a political commissar with glasses on? And you're lecturing me now!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong couldn't help but continue his tirade.

"Commander, let's calm down first. Actually, that..."

Seeing this, Wu Wanli quickly stopped Li Yunlong, wanting to say a few words of advice.

"See, Wanli is still the one who pleases me the most!"

"If I had known, I would have sent Wan Li to the meeting. He was the number one hero in the blitzkrieg that annihilated the 25th Division in Seoul. Who would dare to disagree with him being the main attacker?"

"Moreover, as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, he also took over some of the work of the Army Staff Department, and his rank is more than qualified to go!"

"Wanli, I know you're feeling frustrated too, it's alright, you can attend this meeting during the next battle..."

Looking at Wu Wanli, Li Yunlong's anger subsided considerably, and he spoke with a hint of fondness.

"Old Li, Comrade Wu Wanli had already participated in the meeting, and it was a small meeting with the General and the old Brigade Commander."

"The deployment of this campaign was mainly based on the suggestions put forward by Comrade Wu Wanli, which were fully adopted by the commander-in-chief!"

Zhao Gang couldn't help but interrupt.

"What?! Wanli's opinion?!"

Li Yunlong was slightly taken aback and looked at Wu Wanli with some disbelief.

He wasn't complaining, but rather he didn't quite understand why Wu Wanli, who had led the blitzkrieg of Seoul, wouldn't want to participate in the main attack on Hengcheng.

"Commander, according to our intelligence, the US military is mainly concentrating its forces on the western front, while the eastern front is mostly occupied by South Korean troops."

"Do you think fighting those South Korean troops or fighting the main force of the US military is more challenging?"

"Standing at the south of the Han River, fighting against overwhelming odds, that's what it means to make good use of someone."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then explained to Li Yunlong.

"That makes sense. No wonder Liang Daya of the Long Live Army was also placed here."

"Then why is the emphasis on attacking such a small town when we see that our army is going to launch the main attack on Chipyong-ni in the second phase?"

Li Yunlong frowned and asked.

"Although Chipyeong-ri is a small town, it is the junction of the eastern and western U.S. military."

"Taking Chipyong-ni would truly cut the US military's eastern and western fronts in two, which is of great significance."

Wu Wanli said.

"Comrade Wu Wanli, although I understand your thoughts, I also have a question."

"Since Chipyong-ri is so important, why not gather a large force and take it immediately?"

Zhao Gang asked.

"I've read the intelligence on this place. The battlefield is small and easy to defend, but difficult to attack."

"We can't make full use of our numerical advantage. One army is already the maximum number of troops we can muster, including reserves. Any more would be a waste."

"As for waiting, it's because we have to conceal our strategic intentions and not let the American devils know that we are going to fight desperately to take Chipyong-ni."

“Only when they gather their troops in Hengcheng and Hanjiang and have used up their reinforcement reserves can we take action against the poorly defended Jipyeong-ni.”

Wu Wanli looked at the battle map and explained.

"As expected of a general who rose to fame in one battle, his strategic vision is unique. It was our old Li who overlooked this."

Li Yunlong listened to Wu Wanli's words, looked at the battle map and pondered for a long time, and finally realized the truth.

“Look, Old Li is really rude to us, but he speaks softly to Wanli.”

Seeing Li Yunlong's attitude make a complete 180-degree turn, Kong Jie pouted and teased.

"Alright, alright, you Kong Erlengzi are an old man from northwestern Shanxi, why are you still arguing with my deputy chief of staff?"

"Old Zhao, tell me about the boss's specific arrangements and plans this time."

Li Yunlong waved his hand and said.

"During the Battle of Hanjiang South, the 50th Army was responsible for the western defense zone, the Xiulishan-Wenhengshan area."

"The 38th Army was responsible for the central defense zone, namely the Taihua Mountain-Dinggai Mountain area."

"Our 27th Army is responsible for the eastern defense zone, which includes only Tiande Peak."

Zhao Gang said.

"Tiande Peak... behind it is the Yangping Logistics Transfer Station, and in front are the US military's major town of Lichuan and the Lizhou Logistics Base."

“We only need to cross the Han River to the east, and we will be able to reach Jipyeong-ri in no time.”

Li Yunlong looked at the battle map and combined it with the intelligence, and slowly spoke.

"It seems the boss is taking care of us because he sees we still have offensive tasks ahead, so he's making arrangements to balance the distance and the defensive pressure."

Kong Jie said.

"The 79th Division, the vanguard, has already gone there to set up defenses, but there are defensive positions that friendly forces have dug in advance, so we only need to reinforce them."

Zhao Gang said.

"Since we're going to fight, we need to plan ahead faster."

"Wanli, I'm entrusting your regiment with the defense of Hill 358, the most forward position on Tiande Peak!" "You will face the fiercest attack from the US military. Are you confident?"

Li Yunlong looked at the map and said.

The 358 Hill is strategically located, guarding the mountain pass on the side of Tiande Peak. It is essentially a bridgehead for Tiande Peak, allowing for both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

However, due to its relatively narrow space, it is only suitable for placing elite troops and cannot accommodate too many soldiers, so the 7th Steel Regiment became the most suitable.

"Yes!"

Wu Wanli didn't waste any words and directly agreed.

"Good lad, you don't even flinch when it comes to tough battles."

"You should consolidate the opinions of the General Staff and compile a list of other defense deployments for me to see. I'd like to make good use of you as the Deputy Chief of Staff!"

"Order the entire main force to set off immediately and arrive at Tiande Peak at top speed!"

Li Yunlong gave the order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately responded in unison.

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

Daejeon, UN Provisional Command
"Sir, Hengcheng has been recaptured on the eastern front!"

"Unfortunately, only the North Korean army fell for the trap this time; the Chinese army failed to wipe them out..."

Chief of Staff Van Fleet sighed, speaking with a hint of regret.

"The Chinese army is too cunning. If we were only facing the North Korean army, we would have already reached the Yalu River."

Upon hearing this, Li Qiwei replied without any surprise.

"Sir, in the last battle, if the Chinese army hadn't captured Seoul and Incheon and obtained supplies, they probably would have had to retreat even if they had won."

"They attacked too fast; we simply couldn't burn all the supplies."

"However, this battle at least proves that your previous assessment of the Chinese army's weekly offensive was correct."

VanVleet said.

"That's right, the Chinese military does not have the capability for prolonged warfare."

"They always use infiltration and encirclement tactics, trying to defeat us in a short time, but we just can't beat them."

"This time I've decided to employ magnetic tactics to carry out Operation Butcher against the Chinese People's Volunteer Army!"

A ruthless glint flashed in Li Qiwei's eyes as he spoke.

What do "magnetic tactics" and "Operation Butcher" mean?

Chu Yunfei felt a slight unease, a sense of foreboding creeping over him, and asked.

“In the past, our UN forces deployed multiple routes and advanced rapidly, which created opportunities for the Chinese army to divide and encircle them.”

"The magnetic attraction tactic is to maintain constant contact with the Chinese army and annihilate it through a war of attrition!"

"During this battle, all units should try to stay close together and advance in unison, ideally in a straight line like holding hands!"

"I refuse to believe that the Chinese army can still infiltrate under these circumstances!"

Li Qiwei snorted coldly and said.

"This method is excellent. It can maximize our advantages in firepower and logistical support, and wear down the Chinese army!"

Upon hearing this, Van Fleet's eyes lit up, and he immediately praised him.

"No need for further words. I will launch a swift and fierce attack, giving the Chinese army no chance to rest or regroup!"

"Are the troops below ready to attack? I'm losing my patience."

Li Qiwei took a deep breath and asked.

"Sir, all troops on both the eastern and western fronts are in position!"

"On the western front, we have amassed a large force, divided into three corps, to launch attacks in three directions."

"First Army: 3rd Division, 24th Division, Turkish Brigade. Attack the western part of the Han River South Front!"

"The 9th Army comprises: 1st Cavalry Division and 27th British Brigade. To attack the central part of the Han River South Front!"

"The 10th Army comprises the 5th Division and the South Korean 8th Division. It is to attack the eastern part of the Han River South Front!"

"Each division has been overstaffed and supplemented, with at least 20,000 people!"

"As for the eastern front, the 2nd Division will be the main force, with the 8th, 5th, 3rd and 9th ROK Divisions advancing in tandem!"

Van Fleet pointed to the battle map and said.

"With so many elite troops assembled on the western front, retaking Seoul and Incheon should not be a problem."

"But is it really enough to hold down the Eastern Front with only the US 2nd Division, plus those four South Korean divisions?"

Ridgway asked.

“Sir, that’s more than enough.”

"The main force of the Chinese army is basically on the western front, which is where we will fight our decisive battle."

"As for the eastern front, if the Chinese army wants to go around to fight, it means they will have to use a small number of troops to withstand our main offensive south of the Han River!"

"Sir, with our armored forces and air superiority, if we also have a numerical advantage, how can the Chinese army defend itself?"

"This is an impossible task. If they dare to do it, we'll be happy to take Seoul in three days. No matter how many men they gather on the eastern front, it won't matter!"

"We can't exactly say that they're planning to give up Seoul and Incheon to us in order to take Hengcheng, can we?"

Van Fleet smiled slightly and said confidently.

"That's true. The Chinese army has finally achieved such great results, so it's impossible for them to have the courage to fight like this."

"Moreover, they just finished publicizing their capture of Seoul and Incheon. If we take it back right away, the negative political impact will be huge!"

"Let's attack according to this plan. In addition to taking Seoul and Incheon, let the front-line troops try their best to encircle and annihilate the newly expanded 7th Steel Regiment of China!"

"It was this unit that turned the tide of the last battle and made America lose face!"

"We absolutely cannot allow them to continue to grow and expand like this!"

"In this battle, we should strive to annihilate them all. If we can capture that Chinese man named Wu Wanli alive, we should do so; if we can't capture him alive, we should bring his body back."

"I want to show China that their number one hero is nothing under the American offensive!"

Li Qiwei clenched his fists and said with hatred in his eyes.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Van Fleet quickly agreed.

Chu Yunfei, who was standing to the side, did not speak, but left the UN Command Headquarters with a worried expression.

He knew that after the last major defeat, Ridgway was somewhat distrustful of him, so he could only temporarily lie low in the Seventh Company.

"Brother Yunlong, a new battle has begun. This time, the Americans have gathered all their strength and are really going all out. I hope you can continue to win."

"I don't want to see a national hero like Wu Wanli sacrifice his life on this land..."

Chu Yunfei glanced in the direction of Hanjiang South, sighed inwardly, and then boarded the jeep back to his residence.

(End of this chapter)