Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 265 Promotion to Army Commander! Lin Yoona's Feelings for Wu Wanli!

Seoul, Headquarters of the 9th Division
"What position do you think Commander-in-Chief Kaka will be promoted to after this battle?"

"Or what if they level him up before the game is even over?"

Lin Zhengshun scratched his head and looked at the battle map.

“Lin Kaka, the Chinese army is different from ours.”

"Their army is highly experienced, with far too many soldiers who have made great contributions."

"Unless Commander Wu and Kaka perform countless miracles, it is impossible for him to reach a truly high position."

“Take their Commander Li Yunlong for example, from the Huangma Uprising to the Long March, then the War of Resistance against Japan and then to Korea.”

"That's what makes a corps commander."

“Zhang Dabiao, one of his subordinates, had fought alongside him all the way here, and he was only a division commander.”

"It's difficult to get promoted, but it's definitely possible. It depends on the arrangements made by the Chinese Affairs Department."

said the chief of staff.

"Eh……"

"If someone had these achievements in the North Korean army, they would probably be at least a corps commander."

"That makes sense, the North Korean army is nowhere near comparable to the Chinese army."

Lin Zhengshun sighed and said.

"Let alone Commander Wu's achievements, just Lin Kaka's accomplishments after following him through the Incheon Campaign are enough."

"If I'm not mistaken, the telegram regarding your promotion will arrive soon."

"However, whether he will be promoted to deputy commander or commander is unknown."

The chief of staff thought for a moment and then said.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha……"

"I don't ask for much, I'd be happy to have a deputy army commander position."

"At our level, it's incredibly difficult to even take half a step up."

"As for the army commander, there will still be opportunities for him to fight alongside Commander Wu in the future."

Lin Zhengshun thought for a moment and then said.

"Reporting to Lin Kaka, the imperial commendation telegram and letter of appointment from the Chao Si!"

At this moment, Deputy Division Commander Zuo Jun smiled and personally led the way to speak.

"Awards and letters of appointment?!"

"Read quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhengshun's eyes flashed with a glint of light, and he said.

"Comrade Lin Zhengshun: We have just received good news from the front lines in Incheon!"

"I am delighted to learn that under the command of Comrade Wu Wanli, your unit fought bravely and valiantly in the Incheon Campaign, annihilating a large number of American troops and achieving remarkable feats!"

"As the military commander of the Ninth Division, you always led from the front in battle, commanded with composure, and were unparalleled in loyalty and bravery!"

"By forging an iron defense line with flesh and blood, we have greatly thwarted the enemy's arrogance and demonstrated the iron will and unwavering belief in victory of the Korean People's Army!"

"You and all the officers and soldiers of the 9th Division deserve great credit for the brilliant victory in this battle!"

"After deliberation by the headquarters, it has been decided that, effective immediately, the former 9th Division of Chaoyang will be expanded and upgraded to the 9th Army of Chaoyang!"

"Comrade Lin Zhengshun is hereby appointed as the first commander of the North Korean Ninth Army!"

"I hope you will guard against arrogance and impetuosity, never forget your original aspiration, and lead all officers and soldiers of the Korean Army to inherit the glory of the Battle of Incheon!"

"Let us carry forward the indomitable spirit of daring to fight tough battles and winning victories, and make new contributions to the cause of the liberation of Korea!"

"Korean People's Army Command".

"Lin Kaka, we've improved again!"

After Zuo Jun finished reading aloud, he sighed with emotion.

"Commander!"

"Very good!!!"

"You're right! Following Commander Wu Kaka was definitely the right choice!"

"We can win as long as we temporarily hand over command and then do nothing else."

Lin Zhengshun was shocked, then overjoyed.

“Lin Kaka, Commander Wu Kaka and some instructors are still in our army.”

"From the company level to the highest level, there are Chinese instructors and advisors."

"We don't need them much now, should we hand them over to the Chinese Communist Party headquarters?"

Zuo Jun said.

"No!"

"I request that Zhi Si keep all these instructors!"

"Didn't the Chinese army have many Soviet instructors and advisors before?"

"By keeping them, we are following precedent."

"Also, tell commanders at all levels that command can be temporarily transferred to them during wartime."

"The Chinese do fight better than us, which can greatly improve our combat effectiveness."

"In addition, let each instructor give a presentation on Commander Wu's legendary command and deeds, so that the soldiers can learn from and be inspired."

"Comrade Zuo Jun, we both have Chinese ancestral roots, so we should be more inclusive in accepting China's help."

Lin Zhengshun thought for a moment and then said.

"okay, I get it!"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Jun gave Lin Zhengshun a deep look and was about to leave.

"Wait, have Yoona come over here. I have something to say to her."

Lin Zhengshun said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Jun immediately agreed and turned to leave.

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

Not long after, the curtain of the division headquarters was lifted, and a blast of cold air mixed with snowflakes rushed in.

Lin Yoona, wrapped in a well-fitting cotton-padded jacket, walked in with her face slightly red from the cold.

She saw her brother sitting at the table, gesturing towards the stove beside him, and obediently moved over to warm herself by the fire.

"Yoona, come and sit down."

Lin Zhengshun put down his pen, looked at his sister's face, which appeared even more delicate in the firelight, and asked with gentle inquiry in his eyes.

Im Yoona sat down on the low stool next to the table as instructed, placed her hands on her knees, and lowered her head slightly: "Oppa, you wanted to see me?"

"Ah."

Lin Zheng responded with a sound of agreement, then pondered for a moment, seemingly considering how to begin.

"Yoona, what do you think of... Commander Wu, Kaka?"

Amid the crackling of the fire, he suddenly asked.

"what?"

Caught off guard, Yoona, like a startled fawn, abruptly raised her head, a hint of panic flashing in her clear eyes before she quickly lowered her eyelashes again.

"Commander Wu, Kaka?"

"He...he's a good person..."

Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her clothes, her voice barely audible.

Seeing his sister's reaction, Lin Zhengshun understood and a knowing smile appeared on his face.

But he still deliberately pressed on: "Is it just 'very good'? Be more specific? What do you think of him? How does he treat you?"

Yoona lowered her head even further, almost burying it in her chest, her voice muffled: "He...he's amazing...very brave,"

"Yes...he's very kind to everyone..."

The image of the canned food Wu Wanli handed me when we first met at Shuimen Bridge, and his resolute arm that blocked the cold muzzle of a gun, flashed through my mind.

Wu Wanli's dignified stance in upholding justice, and the gentle touch of him brushing snowflakes from his hair.

The reassuring tone in Wu Wanli's voice when he said, "The People's Liberation Army will protect every citizen,"...

Every scene made her heart beat even faster.

How does he treat you?

Lin Zhengshun persisted, his tone gentle yet tinged with a smile.

"Wait...wait for me..." "Hmm...very good..."

"If it weren't for him, I might not even be alive."

"Even if they are still alive, they may be bullied by people with bad intentions."

"Fortunately, I had the pistol you left me for self-defense, and I was lucky enough to run into Commander Wu Kaka not long after I fled."

"So... not only was I not badly injured, but my body is also completely innocent and has not been touched by anyone."

"If I had met Commander Wu a few days later, I wouldn't even have had the strength to lift a gun, and I might have been..."

Yoona's ears were so red they were almost transparent, and as she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes again.

That kindness was a sense of security and warmth she had never felt in the chaos of the world.

In reality, some girls might develop feelings for someone else after being comforted during a breakup and going through a low point in their emotional state.

But Lin Yoona almost died at Changjin Lake, and was saved by Wu Wanli, who also sent her to the medical team so that she could be protected by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

In addition, Wu Wanli's reputation spread one after another, and his status rose accordingly.

When Lin Yoona met him, Wu Wanli's status was not high.

But in Incheon, even his own senior brother was under the command of Wu Wanli.

It's not a lust for power, but rather an innate admiration for heroes and the strong.

Feelings had already begun to blossom.

"Yoona, do you... have a little crush on Wanli Kaka?"

Lin Zhengshun's smile deepened as he looked at his younger sister's shy and bewildered expression.

"like?!"

"No...no!"

"Oppa, don't... don't talk nonsense!"

"I...I'm so grateful to him! Extremely grateful!"

"He saved me, he's my benefactor... Commander, he... he's such a good person, I... I can't bear to think about it..."

The word struck Yoona like a scorching ember, causing her to jump up instantly, waving her hands frantically and stammering as she spoke.

Not only that, Yoona's eyes were slightly red with anxiety, as if some huge secret had been exposed, and she was both ashamed and anxious.

The tension and bewilderment in those denials revealed their true feelings more clearly than any admission.

Lin Zhengshun could easily see through his sister's insincerity; he knew this girl too well.

"Don't dare to think about it?"

"When did Yoona become so cowardly?"

"Or... is it that you actually feel the same way, but you just don't understand what it feels like?"

"After all, you've never experienced this before, have you?"

He leaned back in his chair, his tone softening, with a hint of knowing-it-all humor.

Im Yoona froze on the spot when her brother guessed what she was thinking.

Those inexplicable feelings of excitement and warmth that surge up whenever I think of Wu Wanli, that agonizing desire to get closer yet fear to do so.

Those hands and feet that didn't know where to go under his gaze... is this what love is?
She had never had any romantic experience; she was like a blank sheet of paper.

Is this unfamiliar, sweet and sour yet intensely attractive feeling what books describe as liking someone?

She dared not look at her brother, and could only stare intently at the leaping firelight.

My courage seemed to have been drained away, leaving only silence.

After a long time, so long that Lin Zhengshun thought his sister would not answer again, he heard a faint voice, almost swallowed by the fire, carrying a strong sense of shyness and uncertainty, drift out.

"Oppa... I... I don't know what liking someone is like, because I've never had it before."

"But when I see him... my heart beats very fast."

"I want to keep listening to him when he speaks..."

"When he's good to me, I feel warmer than anything else... When I can't see him, I can't help but wonder how he is."

"Does this... count as liking someone?"

Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and her face grew hotter and hotter. Finally, she added a sentence that was barely audible.

After saying that, she quickly covered her burning cheeks with her hands, her ears turning bright red.

It's like an overripe apple, wishing it could hide in the shadows by the fireplace.

Lin Zhengshun looked at his younger sister, who was so embarrassed she was practically steaming. The innocent helplessness revealed in her awkwardness and confusion made him feel both amused and warmed.

He didn't press her further or make any more jokes; he simply patted her shoulder gently and let out a low, pleasant laugh.

"Ah Xiba!"

"Silly sister, I knew it all along..."

"Otherwise, why do you think I would listen to Commander Wu, Kaka, so obediently?"

"Is it just for military merit?"

Lin Zhengshun smiled and said.

"Oh, I knew they were lying. But I have heard people talking about it."

Yoona blinked and asked innocently.

"Damn it! Who was discussing this?!"

"Ahem...that is indeed one of the reasons."

"But if that's the only reason, I shouldn't have agreed when Commander Wu wanted to take away my command and hand it over to Instructor Yu."

"Because at that time, the Ninth Division of the Republic of Korea had suffered heavy casualties and was almost wiped out."

"If word gets back to me that I'm being stripped of command and forced to perform meritorious service to atone for my crimes, it could affect my future prospects."

"The best way would be to refuse and then shift the blame to the lower-ups, and then execute a few North Korean officers."

"In that case, Commander Wu and Kaka can't really say anything."

"But doing so would damage Commander-in-Chief Kaka's authority and might also put him at odds."

"And who knows, he might even be my future brother-in-law. We'll have plenty of opportunities to cooperate on the battlefield in the future."

Lin Zhengshun smiled and said.

"Oppa, what brother-in-law?!"

"I heard, I heard that there's a girl named Anjing in the Seoul cultural troupe who also likes him."

"I...don't want to be that kind of bad person."

"As long as I can see him doing well, that's enough. He saved my life, and I can't let him suffer."

After a shy rebuttal, a hint of dim disappointment flickered in Lim Yoona's eyes.

"Ah Xiba!"

"How can someone be considered a bad person when there's not even any confirmed relationship?"

"Your brother is a division commander now, and he will continue to work harder to improve. He won't let you lose in terms of family background."

"You're so beautiful and have such a great personality, there's always a possibility."

"Just communicate normally with Commander Wu Kaka, and don't mention anything else."

"At the latest, he will make a choice after this war is over."

Lin Zhengshun said.

"The choices after this war is over?"

Yoona raised her head slightly, a hint of anticipation flashing in her eyes.

"Yes, if he takes you with him, it means he has chosen you."

"Not taking you with me means I chose the quieter place."

"Until then, just interact with him normally and try to behave well so that he likes you."

"My brother will try his best to keep up with him and follow his command on the battlefield to achieve military merits and advance his career."

Hopefully, he'll have a better impression of you because of all this.

Lin Zhengshun patted Lin Yun'er on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Ok!"

Upon hearing this, Lim Yoon-a nodded emphatically.

The flickering light from the fire illuminated the blush between the girl's fingers as she covered her face.

The snow outside the window was falling silently.

It's as if they are listening to the secrets that have just sprouted in this winter, secrets that dare not be spoken aloud.

(End of this chapter)