Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 223: Slaughtering a million American soldiers, the sword at his waist still carries a stench!

In the twilight, the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division.
"Send another telegram to Tonber!"

"Re-electrify Toynbee!!"

"Damn it, the Chinese army has completely surrounded us. Where are their reinforcements now?"

Major General Edward slammed his fist on the table in anger and roared.

"Sir, we've urged them many times, but General Toynbee still hasn't returned the call..."

The chief of staff of the 5th Division sighed and said.

"inability!"

"Keep the power on! I refuse to believe that the 1st Cavalry Division can just vanish into thin air!"

"He must launch a fierce attack on the rear of the Chinese army besieging Muyunli with the main force of the cavalry division before dawn tomorrow!"

"Military orders are absolute, and military law is merciless!"

"If he disobeys and misses a crucial opportunity, I will request General Ridgway to have him executed immediately!"

Edward said, looking extremely frustrated.

"Sir, General Towneber is calling!"

"They were harassed and ambushed by Li Yunlong's troops in China, and are now stuck in a quagmire and cannot come for the time being."

"He was determined to advance all his strength toward Cheondeokbong, and to break through the defenses of the Chinese 27th Army in one fell swoop, and advance toward Seoul."

"In this way, the Chinese army will have no choice but to retreat, which will relieve our siege..."

A U.S. military staff officer hurried over, handed Edward a telegram, and said...

"Fuck!!"

"By the time he takes Tiande Peak, the Fifth Division of the US Army will have been utterly annihilated!"

"He's... he's sacrificing us for his own great achievement!!!"

Major General Edward was so enraged that he nearly fainted.

He originally intended to use the 1st Cavalry Division as a waste, but he never expected to be tricked out of nowhere.

“Sir, I’ve looked at the details of the telegram. Quan Douguang has transferred the prisoners from the armored battalion to the 1st Cavalry Division.”

"We used similar reasons to refuse to rescue the armored battalion back then, but now that Tornber has evidence, he probably isn't afraid of our threats anymore."

"After all... he's just doing what you did again."

"If this kind of charge were brought before General Ridgway, you would probably have to go to a military court as well..."

The US Fifth Division looked at the details of the telegram and sighed.

"Is it too late for the US 5th Division to break out now?"

Major General Edward, his face pale, asked.

"We could still manage before, but now our air force has lost three hundred fighter jets, and our armored forces have been completely wiped out..."

"Do you think that with just over 10,000 infantrymen, it's possible to break through the 7th Steel Regiment, which has all the advantages in terrain, powerful firepower, and can even mobilize the Chinese Air Force at any time?"

"Or is it that it can crush the tens of thousands of troops of the 80th Division and the New Eighth Army?"

"Unless reinforcements come to our aid, the fate of the 5th Infantry Division will be similar to that of the 1st Marine Division and the 25th Infantry Division..."

A hint of sadness flashed across the face of the Fifth Division officer as he analyzed the situation.

"Reinforcements?"

Where can we find reinforcements?

"Fine, let's keep watch."

"We're just going to be used as expendable resources. Maybe we can really be saved once the 1st Cavalry Division breaks through Tiande Peak's defenses?"

Edward gave a self-deprecating laugh, suppressing his anger as he spoke.

He has always treated allied forces as resources, which has directly contributed to his current military achievements.

I never imagined that one day my own troops would become someone else's military supplies.

"Sir, good news!"

"Colonel Freeman, commander of the 23rd Regiment at Chipyong-ri, has led his troops to the rescue!"

"They joined forces with the 1st Cavalry Regiment on the way, and now they are called the Provisional 1st US Brigade, with a total of over 10,000 soldiers heading towards Red Cloud Canyon!"

At that moment, an American military staff officer ran over excitedly and said...

"what?!"

"Great!"

"But wasn't the cavalry regiment sent to attack Lizhou?"

"And what about the 23rd Regiment? I remember General Ridgway ordered them to reinforce Hengcheng, didn't he?"

"Who exactly is this Colonel Freeman? How could he have foreseen the crisis of the US Fifth Division?"

"I only knew that he was well-liked by General Ridgway, but I didn't know he also had such military talent."

Major General Edward jumped to his feet, looking both surprised and puzzled.

“Sir, I know a little about this Colonel Freeman.”

“He graduated from West Point and served in the 15th Infantry Regiment stationed in China. He even learned Mandarin and several Chinese dialects.”

"After the Pearl Harbor attack, he also went to the China-Burma-India battlefield."

"He assisted Lieutenant General Stilwell and participated in the logistical support for the Battle of Songshan, also known as the Battle of Nantianmen."

"Not long ago, he joined forces with the French battalion to win the Battle of the Twin Tunnels and defeated a part of the Chinese army before arriving at Chipyong-ni."

The chief of staff of the 5th Division thought for a moment and then said.

In addition to these, Freeman, who later won the Battle of Chipyong-ni, eventually rose to the rank of NATO Army Commander, becoming known as the most powerful army commander in the West.

"Colonel Freeman, the fate of the 5th Infantry Division rests in his hands!"

"Please, please, he needs to speed things up. Just give me, a senior alumnus from West Point, a hand!"

Edward saw a glimmer of hope, swallowed his pride, and spoke in an extremely humble manner.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff of the 5th Division of the United States quickly agreed.

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

Not far from Lizhou City, the temporary command post of the Provisional US 1st Brigade.
"Ha ha ha ha……"

"That idiot Edward, if he had known this would happen, why did he do it in the first place?"

"Alright, let's rest for ten minutes before heading to Red Cloud Canyon."

After reading the battle report, Colonel Freeman said with a hint of disdain.

"Sir, is it really a good idea for us to leave only one French battalion to guard Chipyong-ri and to disobey General Ridgway's orders to support the US 5th Infantry Division?"

"Colonel Model of the 1st Cavalry Regiment asked."

"Look at the timeframe they're asking us to reach Hengcheng. Is that something we can do?"

"Unless the Chinese army doesn't lay any ambush or resistance, we'll have to fight with all our might, exhaust ourselves, and then go and deliver food to the Chinese army!"

"Rather than accepting an order that will inevitably lead to defeat, we should go to Red Cloud Canyon, assist the US 5th Division in escaping its predicament, and then annihilate the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment from both sides."

"Moreover, I had already consulted General Ridgway about this matter beforehand, and he neither refused nor objected."

"Colonel Freeman said."

"What does it mean?"

Morant asked.

"It means that if we lose, I'll be punished for disobeying orders, and they'll use me as an example to intimidate the army. If we win, everything will be fine, and we can even share some of the credit with him."

Colonel Freeman lit a cigar, took a puff, and said.

"No wonder General Ridgway cherishes you; who wouldn't like a subordinate like you?"

"But my orders are to capture Lizhou. If I just leave..."

Colonel Morant glanced in the direction of Lizhou in the distance and said.

"That's right, General! There are only a thousand Chinese troops inside Lizhou City. With our tens of thousands attacking fiercely, we will surely be able to take it!"

"Furthermore, I am familiar with the situation inside Lizhou City, and I can bring American soldiers into the city. I'm not afraid of street fighting!"

Park Jung-hee, who was standing to the side, finally found an opportunity to interject.

"That's what I was thinking before: take advantage of the opportunity to blitzkrieg and wipe out Lizhou City, then go and fight the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment."

“But the latest intelligence and reconnaissance indicate that there is a reinforced regiment inside Yeoju City,” Colonel Freeman said, showing a document to Park Jung-hee.

"How can this be……"

"The Chinese army is so vigilant that it hastily recruited a unit called the 'Line-Filling Regiment'?"

Park Jung-hee's heart skipped a beat, and he exclaimed in surprise.

He was even thinking that the achievement of leading American troops into Lizhou would be the first step in gaining military merit.

"A brilliant Chinese scholar once said, 'If you save the land but lose the people, you will lose both the land and the people; if you save the people but lose the land, you will gain both the land and the people.' I think this strategic idea is very good."

"Instead of wasting manpower and time fighting to the death for a lone city, we should strike directly behind Red Cloud Canyon and wipe out the main force of the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment in one fell swoop."

"At that time, the so-called fortified city of Lizhou will be sandwiched between us and the French camp in Dipingli, and will be within our grasp."

"The Seventh Steel Regiment of China? It has quite a reputation. It's qualified to be a stepping stone on my path to becoming a general!"

"Pass on my order: the entire brigade shall break camp and depart for Red Cloud Canyon!"

"Colonel Freeman said."

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

Red Cloud Canyon, 7th Steel Regiment Command Post

"Commander, Zhang Dabiao, the division commander of the 80th Division, and Tan Ziwei, the deputy division commander, said that you are the deputy chief of staff of the 27th Army, so they sent a special telegram to ask for your suggestions on the next deployment."

"In addition, Quan Douguang of the New Eighth Army still respects you as the commander-in-chief and seeks your advice, just like before."

Liu Hanqing smiled and handed the telegram to Wu Wanli, saying...

"What do you mean by 'main attack' and 'feint attack'?"

"We fought a similarly costly battle back in Xinxingli!"

"The 80th Division and the New Eighth Army together number in the tens of thousands. We can just have each regiment take turns launching a full-scale attack."

"Whoever charges in first, they're the main attacker!"

Wu Wanli glanced at the battle map and said.

"Of course it goes without saying!"

"The first to break into Muyun will definitely be our Steel Seventh Regiment!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong immediately spoke excitedly.

"No!"

"Seventh Steel Regiment, do not move!"

Wu Wanli glanced at the Sky Eye map of Iron Heart and said with a solemn expression.

"The Seventh Steel Regiment is not moving?"

"Commander, our main force has not suffered many losses."

"Moreover, among these tens of thousands of attacking troops, our regiment has the fiercest firepower and the most elite personnel, making us a perfect weapon for attacking strongholds!"

"Alright then, Commander, let my assault battalion go!"

"I guarantee that I will break through the US Fifth Division's defenses in Muyun within three hours!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Daxing immediately volunteered to fight.

"You've gone too far, Gao Daxing! I'm still serving as the deputy regimental commander, how dare you try to steal my lead in the attack?"

"Commander, let me take the artillery battalion. I guarantee I can break through the American devils' defenses within an hour!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong was displeased and said...

"What are those two silly kids arguing about?"

"The commander must have his reasons for saying that. Let's be quiet and listen carefully!"

Lei Gong tapped his pipe as a reminder.

As the most senior comrade in the Seventh Steel Regiment, his words silenced Yu Congrong and Gao Daxing, who both turned to look at Wu Wanli.

"Do you think that if a group of American soldiers suddenly attacked us from behind during our attack on the US 5th Division, the 7th Steel Regiment would be completely wiped out?"

Wu Wanli rubbed his temples and said.

"This……"

"How is this possible?"

Yu Congrong was slightly taken aback and asked.

"The cavalry regiment has disappeared; it didn't come to Muyunli, nor did it go to attack Lizhou."

"The US 23rd Regiment is also missing. Our brother units on the Eastern Front were all set up and waiting to catch reinforcements, but we didn't see a single one."

“If we don’t take heed in this situation, we deserve to be doomed.”

Wu Wanli looked at the American troops rushing towards them on the Sky Eye map and shook his head.

"Commander, urgent telegram from Lizhou!"

"According to reconnaissance, a group of American troops swept past them and headed straight for Red Cloud Canyon!"

Pinghe took the telegram from the staff officer, quickly walked over, and handed it to Wu Wanli.

Upon hearing this, everyone present fell silent.

They admired Wu Wanli's absolute judgment, but were also worried about the upcoming battle.

"The commander of this US military unit is no ordinary person."

"They dare to bypass Lizhou and rush towards Hongyun Canyon, not only to annihilate us, but also to rescue the US Fifth Division."

"After rescuing the Five Perfect Divisions, we will join forces again and take Lizhou!"

"If I'm not mistaken, while they're attacking Yeoju, the 1st Cavalry Division should also be making every effort to break through Cheondeok Peak and open up the passage to Seoul."

Wu Wanli stood with his hands behind his back, pointing to several important marks on the battle map and explaining them one by one.

"This……"

"This strike will reverse the entire strategic landscape."

"This US military commander is indeed remarkable; he's much smarter than the commander of the 5th Division."

Looking at the battle map, Liu Hanqing sighed.

In the historical Battle of Chipyong-ni, Freeman led the 23rd Regiment plus the French Battalion against eight regiments of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Ultimately, at the cost of hundreds of casualties, thousands of heroic soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army sacrificed their lives.

This battle became a turning point in the Korean War, marking the end of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's strategic offensive and large-scale, deep-penetration mobile warfare.

After that, it basically turned into a strategic stalemate phase dominated by positional defense warfare.

"So what if they're incredibly powerful?"

"All of this is predicated on the fact that they can crack the tough nut of our Seventh Steel Regiment!"

"As long as we can hold out until the 80th Division and the New Eighth Army break through the US defenses around Muyunli, all those plans will become empty talk!"

Come on, everyone come on.

"The elite troops and renowned generals of the UN forces are all coming to fight to the death against me, Wu Wanli!"

"The more of my units I can eliminate, the fewer other units will suffer casualties!"

"Enjoying the best weapons and equipment, the most elite personnel, and even the cooperation of the entire Chinese Air Force, we should shoulder this responsibility!"

"Having slaughtered a million American soldiers, the sword at my waist still bears the stench of blood!"

Wu Wanli straightened his back, his eyes showing no panic, but rather a smile appeared on his lips as he spoke with boundless pride.

In an instant, upon hearing these words, the officers present felt a surge of patriotic fervor, as if the fighting spirit of the Chinese nation had been fully unleashed.

"What's wrong with risking my life to fight for the motherland and the people?"

"In the decades to come, when the world remembers the victories we fought, will they dare to mess with our descendants?!"

Yu Congrong immediately threw his hat off and roared as if facing death.

"Kill the enemy and serve the country, bringing blessings to future generations!"

"If we die in battle, comrades, we'll meet at the martyrs' cemetery!"

Wu Wanli glanced at the crowd and then gave a final shout to rally them.

"Kill the enemy and serve the country, bringing blessings to future generations!"

"See you at the Martyrs Cemetery!"

Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in everyone's eyes, and they all roared in response.

(End of this chapter)