Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 212 A Shocking Change in Lizhou, Undercurrents Surge!
Baiyuan Canyon ambush site, temporary command post of the New Eighth Army

"Reporting to Quan Kaka! Commander Wu, Kaka, is calling!"

At this moment, Lu Taijian rushed over and handed the telegram to Quan Douguang.

"Commander Wu, you're too kind. I was just a prisoner who was captured after I was disguised as a refugee."

"I am grateful to Commander-in-Chief Wu Kaka for valuing me and giving me the American prisoners of war so that I could return and serve as the commander of the First Division of the Capital."

"Later, under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Kaka, we accomplished the great feat of liberating Seoul!"

"That's how I became the commander of the new Eighth Army, and gained control of tens of thousands of soldiers."

"Now Commander Wu has ordered us to disguise ourselves as the 7th Steel Regiment and ambush the American troops. I reckon we're about to have another big operation!"

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

As Quan Douguang read the telegram filled with gratitude and pleasantries, he couldn't help but express his heartfelt emotion.

"This is not difficult."

"The New Eighth Army already had a large number of political commissars and instructors sent by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and we prepared military uniforms and bugles in Seoul before we left."

"With the current all-American firepower and the elite veterans who fought in the Battle of Seoul, our combat strength is only 30-40% weaker than the 7th Steel Regiment!"

Lu Taijian said proudly.

"That's good!"

"I suspect that Commander Wu Kaka wants to set up an ambush in Hongyun Canyon, and has us disguise ourselves as the 7th Steel Regiment to ambush in Baiyun Canyon, just to confuse the main force of the US 5th Division!"

Quan Douguang stared at the battle map for a long time before finally discerning Wu Wanli's battle intentions.

"But……"

"The main force of the US 5th Division still has at least 17,000 soldiers. Although Commander Wu's 7th Steel Regiment has several thousand elite soldiers, are they really enough to fight?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Taijian immediately expressed some concern.

"We have to fight even if it's not enough."

"To hold Lizhou, we must have strategic depth, resist step by step, trade space for time, break up major battles into smaller ones, and seize opportunities."

"If we just stay inside the city, we'll only be worn down by fighter jets and artillery."

"You didn't pay attention in class during your last few days in Seoul. You're supposed to be Commander Wu's student, but that's a disgrace."

Quan Douguang thought for a moment, then looked at Lu Taijian and laughed and scolded.

"I have always followed you and done whatever you asked me to do. I have no experience in leading troops."

"But Quan Kaka, aren't we officers?"

"Why did you bring all the members of the Yixin Society to sign up, making us all sergeant trainees for the first term of the Korean War?"

Thinking of this, Lu Taijian scratched his head and asked.

“After all, we are a rebel group, and our status is special.”

"Becoming a student of Commander-in-Chief Wu, the first hero, and more importantly, becoming a student of Liu Hanqing, the director of the student affairs office, will solidify our foundation."

"This is a status that others can only envy—a direct subordinate. After all, Commander Wu Kaka and I had discussed our suspicions..."

Quan Douguang leaned close to Lu Taijian's ear and whispered a few words.

"what?!"

Lu Taijian's eyes widened instantly, and he blurted out in disbelief.

"This matter cannot be discussed openly. In short, once we have firmly established our status as a direct descendant, we will have nothing to fear from any storm!"

Quan Douguang's eyes lit up with anticipation as he smiled.

"Yes!"

"The other students are fine, but Park Jung-hee seems a bit strange."

“I always felt that he wasn’t the type to be subservient to others, and I couldn’t even see the deepest affection between us.”

Lu Taijian frowned.

“I know, but this person is indeed capable. There aren’t many people in our uprising army who can lead troops, so we can only use him for now.”

"And not long ago he assisted Commander-in-Chief Kaka in capturing Lizhou and defeating the US Airborne Regiment. Commander-in-Chief Kaka even praised him."

"So it's a bit inappropriate to say anything bad about him now. Let's talk about it later. With the elite of the Seventh Steel Regiment keeping him in check, he won't dare to have any wicked thoughts."

"Carry out Commander Wu's instructions: we must disguise ourselves well while inflicting heavy damage on these American armored forces!"

"This is the first battle since the formation of our New Eighth Army, and we must fight it brilliantly!"

Quan Douguang forcibly suppressed his inner worries and said.

"Yes!"

Park Jung-hee said.

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

Inside an inconspicuous house in Lizhou City
"How ridiculous!"

"You, a graduate of the Japanese Army Officer Academy, really think you can be given important responsibilities?"

"What's more, you were once a member of the puppet Manchukuo army!"

"They haven't investigated thoroughly yet. If they really dig it out, what do you think will happen to you?"

The spy, Li Cheng'an, smiled and said.

"asshole!"

"Later, I joined the Restoration Army and became a member of the anti-Japanese national restoration armed forces!"

"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll execute you on the spot and then I can even curry favor with Commander Wu!"

Park Jung-hee seemed to have been hit where it hurt, and angrily slammed his fist on the table and cursed.

"Hahahahahaha..."

"Stop pretending, Park Ka-ka. You went from the puppet Manchukuo regime to the Restoration Army, then to the South Korean army, and then followed Chun Doo-kwang's uprising."

"These examples show your flexibility and adaptability; you're a practical and capable person!"

"If I remember correctly, you also have a Japanese name, Takagi Shigeo, right?"

"You resemble a person, Lü Bu from the Chinese Three Kingdoms story, but I hope you have a better ending."

Li Chengan laughed without any fear.

"Just say what you want to say, or I'll kill you!"

Park Jung-hee pulled out a pistol, pressed it against Lee Seung-an's head, and said coldly.

The other person was practically pointing their finger at him and calling him a traitor; he really wanted to pull the trigger immediately.

"I am President Syngman Rhee's cousin, and I have come in person to represent our sincerity."

"As long as you are willing to cooperate with the UN forces as an inside agent in Lizhou City, we guarantee that you will at least become a major general and division commander after the mission is accomplished!"

"It's much better than being a major and battalion commander with hundreds of men, isn't it?"

Li Cheng'an felt the cold muzzle of the gun pressed against his head and got straight to the point.

"Major General Division Commander?"

Upon hearing this, Park Jung-hee felt a little tempted.

Given his current situation and achievements, he could at most be a colonel or regimental commander in the New Eighth Army, and certainly wouldn't reach the division level.

"Park Kaka, you've listened to me for so long, so you must have already decided on a side, right?"

Li Cheng'an slowly moved the gun barrel that was pointed at him away and said.

"You're right. A true man lives between heaven and earth; how can he remain subservient to others for long?"

"Tell me exactly what I want to do."

Park Jung-hee put away his gun and asked through gritted teeth.

He did indeed have a bias in his mind.

From a local perspective, the exhausted 7th Steel Regiment only had a few thousand men, and even the most elite troops could only exert limited power.

Facing the US 5th Division, which has more than 20,000 elite troops and superior armor, artillery, and air force, the chances of winning are slim.

Overall, the UN forces on the western front numbered over 100,000, while China had only tens of thousands of troops defending the southern front of the Han River, leaving them with limited manpower.

No matter how you look at it, Wu Wanli has no chance of winning.

"Can you guarantee that those hundreds of people in Lizhou City will obey you?"

Li Chengan asked.

"They've been with me for a long time, and they'll stay with me no matter which side I join. They're practically my old friends, so don't worry."

Park Jung-hee said with a hint of confidence.

"it is good!"

"After you lead the elite light infantry of the US Army across the mountains to Lizhou City, you will be the one to open the city gates!"

"There are only a thousand wounded and exhausted soldiers in Lizhou City. They can't possibly withstand a sneak attack from within and without!"

Lee Seung-an lowered his voice and spoke to Park Jung-hee.

"I see!"

Park Jung-hee nodded without changing his expression and said.

"Also, do you have any intelligence to provide to the UN forces?"

"This might help you more than just a major general or division commander."

Lee Seung-an leaned closer to Park Jung-hee and asked with a hint of greed.

“My rank is too low, they didn’t tell me the specific deployment.” “But their main force left the city, probably to ambush your armored units in the White Plains Canyon.”

"I don't know anything else."

Park Jung-hee said.

"it is good!"

"After it's all done, let's drink a celebratory toast together!"

Li Cheng'an silently noted it down and said with a smile.

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

On the main command vehicle of the US 5th Division

“Sir, Park Jung-hee has agreed to our terms.”

"We've exhausted every means to defeat the Chinese Seventh Steel Regiment!"

The U.S. Chief of Staff said with a smile.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

"Isn't the 7th Steel Regiment of China known for its blitzkrieg tactics?"

"Don't they like to use inside agents?"

"I will defeat them in their own way and crush the military pride of the Chinese people!"

Major General Edward laughed.

"According to Park Jung-hee's words, the Chinese army is indeed planning to ambush our armored forces in Baekwon Gorge."

The U.S. military chief of staff said.

"Humph!"

"Last time the US 25th Division split up its forces, they used it to burn down Anshan. Do they really think I'll fall for that a second time?!"

"I used armored units as bait to lure away their main force!"

"As for inside agents and raiding forces, they are just an extra layer of insurance."

Major General Edward looked at the battle map, his heart filled with excitement.

"This insurance is still very necessary."

"Although the Chinese army does not have enough troops to defend both canyons, it is still possible that sentries were arranged in the Hongyun Canyon where the ambush was planned."

“Once their sentries issue a warning, their troops ambushed in Baiyuan Canyon may immediately withdraw to Lizhou, and our plan will have been in vain.”

"Sir, how many soldiers do we need to deploy for the surprise attack on Lizhou?"

"The U.S. military chief of staff asked."

"Not too much, a thousand is enough."

Major General Edward thought for a moment and then said.

"one thousand?"

"Sir, isn't this a bit too little?"

“These guys are the elite troops of the Chinese army, I’m worried…”

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

"A lot."

"There are only a thousand wounded and exhausted soldiers inside Lizhou City, and there are also hundreds of inside agents who opened the city gates."

"If they lose this battle, they can all commit suicide!"

"Moreover, if there are too many people, the speed will slow down, and the probability of being discovered will increase."

"Just do as I say."

"More than 3,000 elite armored troops took the Baiyuan Gorge to draw the main force of the Chinese army, while more than 10,000 main force troops took the Hongyuan Gorge to bypass and launch a surprise attack."

"A thousand mountain troops will advance directly into Lizhou, and with the help of inside agents, capture the city."

"With three armies advancing simultaneously, even a single Chinese division cannot hold out!"

Major General Edward waved his hand and said proudly.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the US Chief of Staff seemed to think there was no problem and agreed.

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

Hongyuan Canyon, the ambush position of the 7th Steel Regiment
"Wanli, Quan Douguang has already deployed the main force of our 7th Steel Regiment in a safe and camouflaged manner."

"Just wait for the American devils' armored forces to arrive, then get ready to face a hail of bullets!"

"Speaking of which, Quan Douguang and the others were in the first class of the Korean War, and they were our students."

"This battle will be a good opportunity to see their ability to fight independently."

Liu Hanqing handed a telegram to Wu Wanli and smiled.

"This time, the Americans have really gone all out."

"In order to take Lizhou City by detouring and launching a surprise attack, they were actually willing to use armored troops as bait."

"I have a feeling that the US 5th Division will be much more difficult to deal with than the US 25th Division."

Wu Wanli looked at the telegram and sighed.

"This is not hard to understand. The US 25th Division was completely wiped out by us in Seoul because of its arrogance."

"It's normal that the US 5th Division is paying so much attention to our 7th Steel Regiment now."

"I'm just a little curious, when did the American devils also develop the spirit of sacrificing their lives?"

"Did those armored units really know there was an ambush, yet they still obediently went inside?"

Liu Hanqing asked curiously.

"The commander of the 5th Infantry Division probably guessed that there was an ambush there, but he certainly wouldn't tell the armored units."

"How's the 27th Army doing?"

"If we could send another division to support us, the situation on the Lizhou battlefield wouldn't be so dire."

Wu Wanli asked.

"They were blocked by the US Army Cavalry Regiment, and the 1st Cavalry Division and the British 27th Brigade were engaged in fierce fighting with the 38th Army nearby."

"If anything happens at Tiande Peak, they can either launch a fierce attack on Tiande Peak to try to break through the Hanjiang South defense line, or retreat and hold their ground to continue blocking the 27th Army."

"So for the time being, we have no reinforcements and can only rely on ourselves."

Liu Hanqing sighed and said.

"Then let's fight. I wasn't afraid in Seoul before, and I'm even less likely to be afraid now."

"However, I always felt uneasy, as if I had overlooked something."

Wu Wanli frowned.

"Report to the leader!"

"The ambush position has been completed, and we are just waiting for the main force of the US 5th Division to come through!"

At this moment, Yu Congrong ran over to report.

"Reporting, Commander! A scout called and said that the main force of the US 5th Division is indeed heading this way. Luckily, you predicted it!"

At this moment, Pinghe also came over to report.

"It's alright, Wanli, don't worry too much."

"Didn't the main force of the US Fifth Division come to Red Cloud Canyon as you guessed?"

"You've always been meticulous in your planning, so you shouldn't have overlooked anything."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hanqing immediately offered words of comfort.

"let me see……"

Wu Wanli took a deep breath, suppressed his unease, closed his eyes, and immersed himself in the Iron Heart Sky Eye Map.

Not long after, he suddenly opened his eyes, inwardly exclaiming how close he had come to disaster.

In the Sky Eye map of Hearts of Steel, an elite US military force of over a thousand men is attempting to traverse the mountains and launch a lightly armed raid on Yeoju.

If Wu Wanli hadn't been cheating, the US military might have actually succeeded in their sneak attack.

"The American devils learned a terrible lesson in Seoul. They might be betting on not just two routes, but three!"

Wu Wanli immediately pointed it out.

"A three-pronged attack?!"

"Impossible, Commander! There are only two routes available: one for artillery and one for tanks!"

"Are those American devils going to take the fortified city of Lizhou with just light infantry, without bringing any heavy weapons?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong asked with some doubt.

"Yeah, why are you so brave to fight like that?"

"unless……"

"There's a traitor in Lizhou City, acting as an inside agent for the American devils!"

Wu Wanli sneered, quickly realizing this was the only possibility.

(End of this chapter)