Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 205 Wu Wanli, the First Man to Launch a Lone Counterattack!

358 Hill, the headquarters of the 7th Steel Regiment

"Wanli, as soon as our air force arrived, it severely suppressed the US air force, which was outnumbered in terms of fighter jets, and the battlefield situation was instantly reversed!"

"The US Air Force has suffered heavy losses, and air superiority has fallen into our hands. All twenty US tanks have been destroyed!"

"Yu Congrong led the artillery battalion down the mountain to break through from the front, while Gao Daxing and Ping He led the assault battalion and reconnaissance battalion to successfully pincer attack the American forces from both sides!"

"It is estimated that more than half of the 2nd Battalion of the US 32nd Regiment have been killed, with only a few hundred men remaining, fleeing in disarray to the rear!"

Liu Hanqing reviewed the battle reports from each battalion and summarized them.

"Well done!"

Which direction are the US troops fleeing in?

Wu Wanli looked at the Sky Eye map and asked with a smile.

"One force headed south, presumably intending to rejoin the main force, while another fled towards Lizhou."

Liu Hanqing looked at the battle map and said.

"Good riddance!"

"Telegram to my brother, asking him to send a battalion to assist in the defense. Also, telegram to Commander Li Yunlong, requesting reinforcements for the defense."

"The rest of the Seventh Steel Regiment, pursue the American deserters heading towards Lizhou!"

"We can take this opportunity to conceal our battle plans and launch a surprise attack on Lizhou!"

Wu Wanli slammed his hand on the table and said domineeringly.

"Wanli, the main force of the US 5th Division should be arriving soon. It's too risky to launch an attack now..."

Liu Hanqing sighed and said.

"High risk, high reward!"

"Once we capture Lizhou, we will gain access to the airport, fuel, weapons, ammunition, and a secure bridgehead!"

"And this would allow us to crush the South Korean 8th Division in one fell swoop, cut off the US auxiliary line-filling forces, and force them to divide their forces to defend the supply lines and the rear."

"Moreover, the US military probably wouldn't have thought of or given the order to use the New Eighth Army as a trump card."

Wu Wanli waved his hand and said firmly.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing didn't know what else to say and immediately agreed.

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

On the command vehicle of the 5th Division of the United States

"Sir, the first battalion suffered a crushing defeat. One group is fleeing towards us, while the other is retreating to Lizhou!"

"Judging from the telegram, they were facing the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment, which was fully equipped with American weapons."

"This regiment was the vanguard in the liberation of Seoul and the most elite force in the Chinese army, with extremely strong combat capabilities."

"With the addition of the Chinese Air Force, they destroyed the tank company in one fell swoop, severely damaged the Lizhou Air Force formation, and utterly defeated the First Battalion."

"This unit is currently pursuing a battalion of routed soldiers and is advancing recklessly towards Lizhou."

The U.S. Chief of Staff handed the telegram to Major General Edward and said...

"Does the Chinese army, so reckless and ignorant of its own fate, really think its luck will last forever?"

"Telegram to General Ridgway: Requesting two hundred fighter planes for support. I want to wipe out this arrogant Chinese ace!"

Major General Edward snorted coldly, tossed the telegram aside, and said nonchalantly.

"Encirclement and suppression?"

"Sir, does that mean we shouldn't attack the Chinese army's southern defense zone of the Han River?"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff paused slightly in surprise.

"Fight, of course we'll fight."

"Order the 32nd Regiment to launch a feigned attack on the Chinese army's Tiande Peak position. With an artillery battalion and an anti-aircraft artillery company, that would be enough to block the main force of the Chinese army."

"The remaining 33rd and 34th Regiments, plus two artillery battalions and two tank companies, are heading towards Lizhou to encircle it."

"Order the South Korean 8th Division to send two regiments to prepare for an ambush in the Xiaoxueling area."

"Order the fleeing battalion that was being pursued to do their best to lead the Chinese army towards the Xiaoxueling area."

Major General Edward looked at the battle map and said.

"Sir, what if the Chinese army doesn't take the Xiaoxueling route?"

The U.S. Chief of Staff frowned and asked.

"Hmph, their speed will definitely be greatly reduced if they take those rugged and long roads."

"By then, when they are exhausted, our tank company will be able to catch up with them, encircle them, and they will still be doomed!"

"I've mobilized two divisions to encircle and annihilate this so-called Steel Seventh Regiment. I refuse to believe they can escape!"

"Go and prepare. In this battle, I will show the Chinese how steel can be destroyed."

Edward snorted and said confidently.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the U.S. Chief of Staff immediately responded.

…………

27th Army Headquarters
"What? He's gone too far!"

"Where the hell did he learn this habit of disobeying orders on the battlefield?!"

"I told him to focus on defense, but he led the 7th Steel Regiment on a lone counterattack! He's actually planning a blitzkrieg against Lizhou!?"

"This is not like when we were on a full-scale offensive. Now we are on a strategic defensive posture on the western front."

"If Wanli gets stuck in a quagmire, I'm stuck between saving him and not saving him!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately slammed his hand on the table and said with concern.

"A cowardly soldier makes a cowardly army, and a cowardly general makes a cowardly army. Of course, I learned this from Commander Li."

Seeing this, Kong Jie couldn't help but laugh.

"Kong Erlengzi, who are you talking about?"

"How could it be the same as what happened back then? Breaking out wherever you wanted was still breaking out."

"But what right does Wanli have to attack Lizhou? Is this what you call defense?"

Li Yunlong glared at Kong Jie and immediately retorted.

“Old Li, what Comrade Wu Wanli said makes a lot of sense.”

He said that passive defense is defense, and active defense is also defense.

"Taking Yeoju means eliminating the South Korean 8th Division, crippling its arm, and at the same time taking down one of the three major airfields on the western front of the US military, which is of great significance."

"only……"

After Zhao Gang finished speaking, his eyes were also full of worry.

"If we fight like this, the pressure will be concentrated on the Seventh Steel Regiment!"

"It's like I'm leading the main force of the 27th Army to support him, while he's leading the 7th Steel Regiment to launch the main attack!"

"It's not that I'm unwilling to play a supporting role for young people, it's that I'm afraid they won't come back!"

Li Yunlong looked at the battle map and sighed.

"Old Li, should we send someone to follow and support Wanli?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately asked.

"No."

"Sending too few is useless and will only hold us back; sending too many, what will happen to our positions?"

“Wanli leading a regiment on an attack can be described as active defense, containing and dividing the US offensive forces.”

"But if we send out large numbers of people, it may be difficult for us to extricate ourselves."

"When the US reinforcements arrive, Tiande Peak will become the breakthrough point south of the Han River."

Zhao Gang shook his head and said calmly.

"Old Zhao, when Wanli comes back, you'd better give him a good boost in his ideological education."

"I knew he was daring and aggressive, but this time the damn guy led several thousand men in a lightning strike right into the center of the enemy force of nearly 30,000!"

"I had to gather eight battalions and so many allied troops to agree to attack Ping'an County, and this kid..."

Li Yunlong had the words on the tip of his tongue, but in the end, he couldn't bring himself to say them.

If it weren't for the potential repercussions, he would have said that this kid really resembles his father.

"Old Li, what should we say to the higher-ups about this reckless blitzkrieg?"

Kong Jie asked.

"Wanli had already spoken to me beforehand, and I agreed. You guys even tried to persuade me, but I stubbornly refused to listen!"

Li Yunlong waved his hand, taking all the blame upon himself.

"Eh?"

"Old Li, what you're saying makes it sound like I'm afraid of taking responsibility."

"Count me in. Maybe if Wanli does something good, I can get some credit too."

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately came out to join in protecting the road.

"Okay!"

"I think I should give you two a moral education lesson first. If the upper beam is crooked, the lower beam will be crooked too!"

"If you hadn't spoiled Wanli so much by protecting him, he wouldn't be like this now!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang said with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Look at us! And you're the one talking about us?"

"Old Zhao spoils Wanli too, and he gives us ideological lectures. It's all our fault for leading him astray, hahaha..."

"Alright, let's talk about the next battle plan."

Seeing this, Li Yunlong knew that Zhao Gang was also protecting Wu Wanli, so he immediately laughed and then his speech about deployment returned to a serious and earnest tone.

"Now Zhang Dabiao's 80th Division can basically cover the front line, while the 79th Division protects the flanks to prevent sneak attacks."

"In addition, we also have the 81st Division that can be used as a reserve force."

Kong Jie also regained his seriousness and said, "Order Zhang Dabiao to send more reconnaissance troops to closely monitor the movements of the US military."

"In addition, while ensuring the defense of the position, we can launch a probing attack against the US military."

"If the US military retreats out of fear of war, it proves that their main force is not with us."

Li Yunlong thought for a moment and then said.

"The main force isn't with us?"

"Old Li, do you mean the main force of the US 5th Division might join forces with the South Korean 8th Division to attack the Steel 7th Regiment?"

"These are the main forces of two divisions. Would they really temporarily shift their strategic objectives to Wan Li and his men?"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately asked.

"Hard to say."

"This unit has become a banner of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and its significance is extraordinary."

"Once they annihilate the 7th Steel Regiment, it will be no less significant than when we annihilated the 1st Marine Division."

Zhao Gang shook his head and said.

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

"If it turns out that the US forces sent to attack Tiande Peak are a detachment, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

"He wants to eat the Steel Seventh Regiment, right? I'll eat his regiment first!"

"Then we'll have the 81st Division flank the American troops and encircle them like dumplings."

"I refuse to believe he won't come back to help!"

"Go down and get ready!"

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table and said.

This was the best way he could help alleviate the pressure on the Seventh Steel Regiment.

After all, once the main force leaves Tiandefeng, the American devils may be able to open a way to attack Seoul.

Although he was worried about Wu Wanli, he dared not take such a risk.

"Yes!"

Kong Jie immediately agreed.

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

Daejeon, UN Command
"It's only been a short time since the fighting started, and Edward has already lost twenty tanks, dozens of fighter jets, and more than a thousand soldiers as casualties?!"

"After being beaten like this, he still has the nerve to ask me for another two hundred fighter jets as support?"

A flash of anger crossed Li Qiwei's face as he asked.

"Sir, China has concentrated all its air force resources on localized areas, and given that they were facing China's Iron 7th Regiment, their defeat is understandable."

"Now Major General Edward has woven a giant net and is preparing to gather the main forces of two divisions to annihilate the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment in one fell swoop!"

"Chief of Staff Van Fleet said."

"Two divisions' main force, just to encircle and annihilate a single Chinese regiment?"

"What about Defeng that day? Will they stop fighting?"

Li Qiwei rubbed his temples and asked.

"Edward sent the 32nd Regiment to launch a feint attack, while also blocking the Chinese army's path to reinforcements."

"Chief of Staff Van Fleet said."

“A feint attack is fine, but if the Chinese army really wants to rescue them, then they might as well let them out.”

Li Qiwei suddenly realized the opportunity and his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

"Sir, do you mean to use the 7th Steel Regiment of China as bait to lure out the main force of the Chinese army on Tiande Peak, and then find a way to take Tiande Peak in the process?"

Chief of Staff Van Fleet instantly understood Ridgway's meaning and exclaimed in shock.

"That's right!"

"Order the 1st Cavalry Division to temporarily slow down its attack on the Taihua Mountain area, and transfer the 1st Cavalry Regiment to move towards Tiande Peak."

"Once the main force of the Chinese army dares to leave Tiande Peak, immediately cut off their retreat!"

"After cutting them off, the remaining forces of the 1st Cavalry Division will swiftly seize Cheondeok Peak, then detour around to the rear of the main force on the Chinese eastern front along the Han River, achieving a strategic encirclement and simultaneously threatening Seoul!"

Ridgway stood up excitedly, looking at the battle map and saying...

"Great plan!"

"In this way, the main force of the Chinese army will have no choice but to break through the encirclement, abandon Seoul, and retreat voluntarily. We will usher in an unprecedented great victory!"

"However, the foundation of everything is that we must first be able to successfully ambush the Chinese Seventh Steel Regiment and surround them."

"Otherwise, it's all just empty talk!"

A flicker of excitement crossed Chief of Staff Van Fleet's eyes, but he remained sober.

“I’ve reviewed Edward’s plan, and it’s generally fine.”

"By the way, when will the support from the 1st Army Division arrive? Our backup plan may still need to be implemented."

Li Qiwei changed the subject and asked.

"We have just dispatched troops to replace the 1st Army Division stationed in West Germany in preparation for the Soviet threat."

"The 1st Army Division has now boarded a warship, ready to support the Korean battlefield."

VanVleet said with a smile.

"That's no problem!"

"Pass down the order: proceed with this plan!"

"Isn't the Chinese military arrogant? Yet some confused media outlets call it the pinnacle of light infantry?"

"I'll make them taste the raging waves of America and completely break the backbone of the Chinese people!"

Li Qiwei raised his head arrogantly and said in an arrogant manner.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Van Fleet immediately agreed.

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

The temporary command post of the 7th Steel Regiment in the distance from Xiaoxueling.
"Wanli, at this rate of marching, it won't be long before we cross Xiaoxueling and head straight for Lizhou."

"But I find it a bit strange that this group of American troops we are chasing seems to be taking the fastest route to Lizhou."

Liu Hanqing frowned.

"Isn't this normal?"

"The American devils want to escape to Lizhou as soon as possible, so naturally they'll take the fastest route!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately spoke up.

"You idiot, it's not just this strange thing, the American devils have even reduced the frequency of their bombings."

"Logically speaking, even if they suffered heavy losses of fighter jets, they should at least have transferred air force units from other places to intercept us."

"But now it seems like the US Air Force is afraid we won't pursue them anymore, so they hardly care about us."

Lei Gong also sensed something was wrong, took a puff of his pipe, and said.

"I don't think we need to be too careful. Don't we all know the story of Zhuge Liang using the Empty City Stratagem on Sima Yi?"

"It just so happens that the US military's offensive forces are weakest in the eastern part of the Han River. They may not be able to provide support in time, so they are deliberately making us suspicious and delaying us."

Gao Daxing said.

"Commander, we're deep in enemy territory, it's best to be cautious."

Pinghe couldn't see anything at the moment, so he could only offer a reminder.

"There must be an ambush in the Xiaoxueling area!"

Wu Wanli glanced at the Sky Eye map of Iron Heart and said confidently.

"what?!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes widened, and they were all shocked.

Countless battles before had already proven Wu Wanli's battlefield judgment, so no one would doubt him.

At this moment, everyone's heart became heavy.

They set up an ambush in advance; this was a premeditated attempt to wipe out their Seventh Steel Regiment.

"Don't worry, I estimate it's just an ambush by the South Korean 8th Division."

"Dealing with these South Korean troops is a piece of cake."

"Pinghe, you lead the reconnaissance battalion in several groups and sneak towards the rear of the ambush position at Xiaoxueling."

"This is the ambush location I expect the South Korean army to take. I can't say exactly, but it should be in this area."

"When the time comes, you lead your men to sneak over there, and as soon as the gunfire starts, attack immediately!"

As Wu Wanli spoke, he used a pencil to draw a range on the combat map in front of the "Iron Heart Sky Eye Map" marker, and then handed it to Pinghe.

After all, the South Korean 8th Division might make some minor adjustments, drawing a slightly larger area, which would both be safe and increase the likelihood that Wu Wanli's speculation is true.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Pinghe immediately took the map and agreed.

“Gao Daxing, you lead the assault battalion to ambush them on the only road from Xiaoxue Ridge to Lizhou. I don’t want them to be able to retreat to Lizhou.”

Wu Wanli thought for a moment, then gave the order.

"Yes!"

Gao Daxing quickly agreed and went down to prepare.

"The remaining artillery battalion, with the anti-aircraft artillery company at the rear, the guard company in the middle, and the fire support battalion at the front, should continue towards Xiaoxueling while remaining vigilant, without letting them discover anything amiss."

"When we're almost at the Little Snow Ridge battlefield, Lei Gong, you should set up the cannons in advance and get ready to blast them to smithereens!"

"They dare to ambush me? I'll make sure they never leave alive!"

"After eliminating the main force of the South Korean 8th Division, we can advance directly to Yeoju, and taking Yeoju will be as easy as taking candy from a baby!"

Wu Wanli smiled slightly and looked into the distance with high spirits.

At that moment, he was unaware that his blitzkrieg with the 7th Steel Regiment had completely disrupted and altered the UN forces' deployment, becoming the eye of the storm in the entire battle.

Ascending the high city wall, a thousand miles of sorrow arise; a mountain rain is brewing, and the wind fills the tower…

(End of this chapter)