Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 224 One Battle Decides the Fate!

Icheon, UN Command
"Fuck!!!"

"Dehua is incompetent, causing the loss of territory and the disgrace of the army!"

"It seems I have no choice but to step out of seclusion and personally annihilate the entire Seventh Steel Regiment of China!"

Ridgway angrily tore up the telegram announcing the fall of Yangcun and stood up, quite furious.

"Sir, Colonel Freeman has personally led the 23rd Regiment and the 1st Cavalry Regiment, forming the Provisional 1st Brigade, and is heading straight for the northern part of Red Cloud Canyon."

"As long as they join forces with the US Fifth Division to attack Hongyun Gorge, annihilate the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment, and then march straight to capture Lizhou!"

"Moreover, a cavalry division is advancing directly towards Tiande Peak, opening a direct route to Seoul. The overall situation can be stabilized!"

"As the commander-in-chief of the UN forces, you shouldn't take this risk. We should have enough reinforcements even without sending any."

"Chief of Staff Van Fleet said."

"One wrong step leads to another..."

"Back when they were the Iron Seventh Company, we underestimated them, and the entire commander of the 1st Marine Division was captured by them."

"Later, when they were the Iron Seventh Battalion, we still looked down on them. The US 25th Division was completely wiped out in the Seoul battle."

"Now they've grown into the Iron Seventh Regiment, and we're still viewing them from the perspective of a conventional army..."

"If they grow into a Steel Seventh Brigade, a Steel Seventh Division, a Steel Seventh Army, or even a Steel Seventh Group Army in the future... will we still have a chance of winning?"

Li Qiwei shook his head and said.

"This……"

"Do you think that the Provisional 1st Brigade of the United States, plus the 20,000 to 30,000 troops of the 5th Division, can't wipe out the small number of men in the 7th Steel Regiment?"

Chief of Staff Van Fleet frowned and said.

At this moment, his heart was also in turmoil.

After all, he still remembered that if the battle here ended in defeat, it would prove that Chu Yunfei's original strategy was correct.

He can't possibly go and apologize to the Chinese people, can he?

"The US 5th Division was surrounded by the Chinese 80th Division and the New 8th Army, totaling more than 40,000 troops."

"Even excluding their new recruits and ragtag soldiers, the several thousand rebels who participated in the Battle of Seoul and the more than 10,000 elite troops of the 80th Division were still very combat-effective."

"Only if I personally lead the army to attack their rear can I tie down most of their fighting force."

Ridgway said.

"Sir, can't we send the 1st Cavalry Division?"

Van Fleet asked in a low voice.

“What Edward did to the armored battalion was indeed too much, so it’s normal for the 1st Cavalry Division to have some concerns.”

"Besides, they didn't go before, and even if we give the order now, we can't guarantee 100%. Even if he goes, he can just drag things out and get there slowly."

"Fine, taking this opportunity to attack Tiande Peak is indeed a good choice. Success is fine, but if we fail, I'll settle the score with Tang Enboer!"

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

His current approach to warfare is based on pragmatism.

As long as we can win, anything is negotiable.

If we lose, then we'll settle all the old scores and new scores together!

"Sir, which unit should we send to provide support?"

Seeing this, Van Fleet stopped trying to persuade him and instead asked the question.

"My guard regiment, plus a regiment transferred from the west, will form the provisional 2nd US Brigade. We'll be setting off soon!"

"Two brigades and one division, totaling nearly 40,000 troops, I refuse to believe that the Chinese Iron Seventh Regiment has any chance of turning the tide!"

Edward clenched his fist and said.

"Then let's hope the 5th Division can hold out..."

Van Fleet prayed with a wry smile.

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

Seoul, Zhisi

"Boss, a great victory on the Eastern Front!!!"

"Hengcheng is liberated!"

"The main force of the US 2nd Division suffered a crushing defeat and attempted to break through!"

"Several armies on the Eastern Front have acquired large quantities of supplies, weapons, and ammunition!"

"That kid Wu Wanli's plan of 'west to east' has now succeeded halfway!"

Chief Chen said with a smile.

"West side against East side? Humph!"

"You believe that kid Wu Wanli?"

"Look at the current situation, it's clearly a feint attack in the east while the west is the main battleground!"

"Take a look at this, and here's the latest intelligence."

The boss tapped on the latest battle map markings and said, with a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"This……"

"Commander, two brigades and one division are encircling and suppressing the 7th Steel Regiment, and the 1st Cavalry Division is preparing to break through Tiande Peak. Isn't that a bit off?"

"In such a small area on the eastern side of the Hanjiang South Front, the American devils have actually amassed nearly 60,000 troops?"

"This accounts for half of the troops on the western front!"

"And Li Yunlong's 27th Army, plus Wu Wanli's 7th Steel Regiment, only had a total of about 30,000 troops..."

Commander Chen looked at the latest battle map and intelligence, and was shocked.

"Not only that, the 7th Steel Regiment is also surrounded by the US 5th Division and the US 1st Brigade. They have to face a fierce attack from 20,000 troops!"

"That Wu Wanli is such a worry!"

The boss sighed and said.

"Boss, judging from the current situation, the US military's encirclement is not yet complete."

"In other words, the Seventh Steel Regiment can still directly exit Red Cloud Canyon and head to Lizhou City."

After analyzing all the information in his mind, Chief Chen said.

"retreat?"

"Look at this!"

The commander handed a telegram from the Seventh Steel Regiment to Chief Chen and said.

"For the sake of the motherland and the people, the 7th Steel Regiment is willing to fight to the death to divide the US forces and ensure the successful annihilation of the US 5th Division."

"..."

"To kill the enemy and serve the country, to bring glory to future generations; if I die in battle, I hope to return to my homeland of China and be buried in a martyrs' cemetery..."

"fart!"

"I haven't even given them permission to sacrifice themselves yet!"

"You want to be buried in the martyrs' cemetery?"

"Many soldiers are buried in the frozen soil of the Northern Dynasties, and their bones have not been found to this day!"

"Moreover, with the combined fire of American artillery, the remains were probably... all shattered!"

After reading it, Chief Chen felt a heavy weight in his heart. Suppressing his worries and sorrow, he cursed loudly.

"Old Chen, I've thought of a battle in the Central Plains that seems very similar to this one."

The boss said.

"You mean the 74th Division, which is heavily besieged at Menglianggu?"

"Zhang is indeed arrogant, actually attempting to hold onto one place to lure our main force in the Central Plains, so we can then encircle and annihilate him!"

After thinking for a moment, Chief Chen immediately realized what was going on and said.

"yes……"

“But Wu Wanli is not Zhang, and his allies are not like Li Tianxia. We cannot let him not see reinforcements.”

The boss said.

"The 50th and 38th Armies on the western front suffered heavy casualties in the previous defensive battles and are still facing defensive pressure, so it is estimated that they will be difficult to be mobilized."

"The only troops we can mobilize now are probably those that just captured Hengcheng on the eastern front."

"Eh……"

"It's just that Ding Wei joined the court too late."

"If Ding Wei's army were also here, sending him to support Li Yunlong and his men would definitely be the most suitable option."

"Chief Chen said."

"Logically speaking, we should rest for a while after the city has just been captured, but the situation is critical and we can't delay any longer."

"Draw one army from the eastern front to support Wu Wanli and his men. The remaining army should seize the time to sweep through this strategic stronghold on the eastern front and strive to expand the gains against the US Second Division!"

The boss thought for a moment and then said.

"Sir, anyone can help expand the gains, but supporting the western front is crucial. Which army do you think would be the most suitable to be transferred?"

"Chief Chen asked."

"The predecessor of the 39th Army participated in the encirclement and annihilation of Liao Yaoxiang's army group. After entering Korea, it also won the Battle of Unsan, annihilating nearly two thousand American troops. What's wrong with sending them?"

The boss asked.

"The 39th Army was indeed brave, but it suffered too many losses in the Battle of Hengcheng and was not suitable to engage in any more bloody battles."

“I think we should send the 40th Army instead. They followed Lin Biao through three campaigns south of the Yangtze River and fought four battles. Their combat strength is definitely sufficient.”

"Most importantly, the losses are relatively small, which is more than enough to go and provide support!"

"Chief Chen said."

"Alright, let them go!"

"Tell them that the 38th Army's raid on Sansuoli and the 7th Steel Regiment's blitzkrieg at Lizhou have set a good example for them!" "This battle is extremely critical; you must arrive as quickly as possible without delay!"

The boss took a deep breath and gave the order.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Chen immediately agreed.

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

Just as both sides were making intensive troop deployments, the battle in Muyunli had already reached a fever pitch.

On the southwest side of Muyunli, the 80th Division's vanguard assault regiment launched several fierce attacks, but all were temporarily repelled.

Inside the command post of the First Assault Regiment

"Commander, Zhang Taofang has led his troops to charge several times, but the American defensive firepower is too fierce, and they can't push forward."

“There weren’t many American troops in Yangcun before, and sharpshooters could peek out and take out the strongpoints one by one.”

"But now the other side has set up anti-aircraft machine guns and is firing in a sweeping pattern. The three-three system and skirmish lines are no longer effective."

"The casualty figures are getting higher and higher, and if the fighting continues like this, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Commander Zhang Dabiao sent a telegram saying that we have one last chance, and if we still can't take it down, other regiments will be rotated in."

Mei Sheng said.

"I don't care about casualty figures, I just want Mu Yunli!"

"So many comrades from the Seventh Steel Regiment are still deeply surrounded, and we haven't even taken the outer defense line of Muyunli yet. We're too slow!"

"Form a new suicide squad, I'll be the captain, I'll personally lead the charge, and also..."

Wu Qianli said.

"Captain!"

"This time it really won't work!"

“They’re not the same firepower density. Wanli doesn’t want you to end up carrying your ashes back to Huzhou after trying to save the Seventh Steel Regiment.”

Mei Sheng said.

"I haven't finished speaking yet, so of course I won't just rush in recklessly."

"The telegram discusses Ziwei as deputy division commander and Zhang Dabiao as division commander."

"The First Assault Regiment requests artillery support directly from the division. Please give us a few more rounds, and we guarantee we'll charge forward."

"By the way... I'll also ask the New Eighth Army for help."

"They were once Wu Wanli's men, so they should show some leniency."

"If we had their howitzers, it shouldn't be too difficult for us to take them up."

Wu Qianli said.

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng still felt somewhat hesitant.

"There's no time! I'm going to organize the final mobilization right now. Hurry up and generate the power!"

Wu Qianli waved his hand and walked outside.

"Commander... take care!"

Mei Sheng saluted Wu Qianli and shouted.

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

The outer defense line of Muyunli is far away
Wu Qianli led a battalion of suicide squads, their eyes fixed on the wire mesh trenches and machine guns in the distance.

"call out------"

In an instant, the 80th Division's shells, accompanied by sharp whistles, rained down on the positions inside and outside Muyunli.

"Take cover, lie down!!!"

The U.S. Army major immediately lay down in the trench and shouted loudly.

The American soldiers, who had been on high alert, immediately dropped their weapons and lay down to take cover.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

A volley of mortar fire swept across the area, the sparse barrage kicking up some dust, but the shrapnel had limited effect on the American troops.

"Hahahahahaha..."

"see it?"

"The Chinese army's artillery firepower is so poor that it's not even as good as the Japanese army we fought against back then!"

The U.S. Army major looked up and laughed mockingly.

"that is!"

"The firepower of the Chinese is as weak and scattered as the punches my grandmother used!"

A U.S. machine gunner returned to his machine gun position and said with great relaxation.

"call out--------"

In an instant, the entire sky seemed to be torn into crimson, and countless artillery shells pierced the clouds with ear-piercing whistles.

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom..."

With deafening explosions, dense, brilliant fireballs exploded one after another on the American positions.

The ground at the US military position churned violently like boiling asphalt.

Sandbags and barbed wire between the trenches, along with the remains of American soldiers, were thrown thirty meters into the air.

"Fuck!"

"These cunning Chinese, they actually concealed their strength!"

The U.S. Army major had just dodged a round of artillery fire and looked up, only to see the overwhelming trajectories of shells reflected in his pupils once again.

New Eighth Army artillery positions
"Damn it! One round isn't enough! If the Americans see this, they'll think we can't afford to fire a cannon!"

"What's more, this is Commander Wu's brother, Kaka, leading the charge!"

"Fire out every last shell and every box of ammunition to cover Commander Wu's brother leading his troops in the charge!"

Quan Douguang gripped the telegram for help sent by Mei Sheng tightly and shouted loudly.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Another round of muffled shells rang out, and countless grenades flew in graceful arcs as they continued to rain down on the American positions.

The relentless barrage of artillery shells turned the outer perimeter of the US military positions in Muyunli into a sea of ​​fire.

The shockwave from the explosion uprooted the seven machine gun bunkers, and the steel barrels of the anti-aircraft machine guns twisted and deformed like noodles.

The American machine gunner had barely touched the trigger when he was thrown by the blast wave and slammed into the rocks behind him.

He was horrified to find that his legs were still in place, while his broken spine was being blown away along with his burning uniform.

The once complete ring-shaped defensive fortifications are now in ruins.

A U.S. anti-aircraft gun, positioned on a high vantage point, tumbled and fell amidst the flames, like a bottle cap being unscrewed by a giant's hand.

When the third round of heavy artillery barrage by the New Eighth Army began to extend its firing, the entire defensive line outside Muyunli was plunged into hellish chaos.

"This is combined infantry and artillery fire, a slow-moving barrage!"

"Chinese infantry and artillery coordination, quick to defend, they're coming up!"

The U.S. Army major huddled in the collapsed bunker, his eardrums bleeding from the shockwave, and roared loudly.

Through the burning pieces of cloth fluttering in the air, he vaguely saw countless bayonets gleaming on the distant mountain ridge.

"Drip drip drip drip drip drip—"

Accompanied by the unique bugle call of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, Wu Qianli personally led the suicide squad in an attack.

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

Inside the Twilight Clouds, the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division.

"Sir, the outer perimeter of Muyunli is under heavy attack by the Chinese army."

"Now a Chinese regiment has rushed onto the position and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with our soldiers. It is estimated that most of them will continue to pour in."

"If we continue to hold out, we will have to send reinforcements, and the casualties will be heavy."

"But if we don't defend them, we'll lose all the outer positions and the troops will have to retreat into the town of Muyunli and cower there."

"This means that the Chinese army's artillery can now bombard our command post and ammunition depots from a distance..."

"That's what the US Fifth Division Chief of Staff said."

"Fuck, you bunch of trash!"

"General Ridgway and Colonel Freeman, each leading a brigade, were about to encircle the Chinese army, but they couldn't hold out!"

"If we send reinforcements, what are our chances of holding out?"

Edward hesitated.

"Fifty percent!"

"Moreover, our elite troops will suffer heavy losses, and we may be much less capable when we join forces with the US 1st Brigade to attack the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment..."

"That's what the US Fifth Division Chief of Staff said."

"The key question is how long it will take for that damned US 1st Brigade to arrive. If they abandon the outer positions so quickly, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold out until then!"

Edward sighed, his heart filled with inner turmoil as he spoke.

"Sir, it's Mei Yi Travel calling!"

"They will arrive at the Red Cloud Canyon battlefield in one hour. We hope that we will join forces to attack them as agreed!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer rushed over to report.

"it is good!!!"

"Abandon the outer positions, concentrate elite troops and heavy firepower, and prepare to encircle and annihilate the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment in one fell swoop!"

"We can't afford to drag this out any longer. The first battle must be the decisive one, a single battle to decide the fate of the world!"

Upon hearing this, Edward slammed his hand on the table excitedly and roared.

(End of this chapter)