Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 271 The warship returns home! The whole country is in an uproar! Gongdelin is shocked! Truman is shocked! (Seeking monthly votes)

China, Tiangang

The biting sea breeze carried the chill of deep winter, but it could not dispel the fervent anticipation brought about by the bustling crowds at the port.

The spacious dock was enveloped in an unprecedented atmosphere, a collective feeling that mixed tension, excitement, and an indescribable sense of pride.

On the dock, the eagerly awaiting figures from all sides created a vivid scene.

Secretary-General Wang from Beijing, dressed in a crisp woolen overcoat, stood solemnly at the edge of the dock with several senior officials.

"The commander said that Comrade Wu Wanli is a fine man!"

"Leading the 7th Steel Regiment to liberate Incheon again, capturing a top-tier aircraft carrier and battleship, and cutting off the retreat route of the US Army's 1st Division."

"I heard that he even commanded the final battle that annihilated the US Navy fleet?"

"He's truly a military genius of our time..."

He pursed his lips, gazing intently at the horizon, and sighed.

At this moment, Secretary-General Wang's fingers turned slightly white from the force he exerted, and his heavy expectations almost materialized.

"Yes, without Comrade Wu Wanli, I don't know how many more years it would have taken for the People's Republic of China's navy to develop before it had an aircraft carrier..."

"Now we have aircraft carriers and battleships, and they are all top-notch."

"Some people say that the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea was the founding war of the new China and the time to prove that the new China's army was the best in the world."

"The Battle of Incheon, commanded by Comrade Wu Wanli, is a battle worthy of being recorded in history, marking the beginning of the new China's naval power!"

"I just don't know what the supposedly invincible aircraft carrier Enterprise actually looks like."

Naval officer Liu Daosheng stood beside him, and as the naval representative, he tried his best to remain calm as he spoke.

His sharp eyes betrayed the turmoil in his heart, and his palms, pressed tightly against his trouser seams, were already soaked with sweat. His heart was pounding with excitement at this unprecedented glory for the navy.

"For the navy, aircraft carriers may indeed be the main combat force to be developed in the future."

"But for China as a whole, the USS Missouri, the battleship on which the Japanese devils signed the surrender document, also had an additional political significance!"

"Everyone is really looking forward to it, even Old Master Sa from the old Beiyang Army has come..."

Secretary-General Wang adjusted his glasses, looked to the other side, and sighed.

Among the crowd, the most eye-catching was Sa Zhenbing, an old Beiyang Navy officer with white hair and beard, wearing an old-fashioned naval officer's overcoat.

"Grandpa Sa, let me help you."

A soldier from the People's Liberation Army Navy approached to offer assistance and respectfully whispered something.

"Thank you, young man, but I don't need anyone's help!"

"I want to stand here and watch for myself as the Chinese fleet defeats the world's number one navy!"

Sa Zhenbing stubbornly pushed away the outstretched hand, his cloudy eyes reflecting the shimmering sea.

At this moment, it was as if half a century of wind and rain had passed through his heart, recalling the gunfire and humiliation of the Sino-Japanese War and the Boxer Rebellion.

The sea breeze ruffled his white beard, silently telling tales of endless vicissitudes.

Countless cameras had already been set up throughout the port.

A Soviet journalist, wearing a Pravda badge around his neck, excitedly adjusted his camera, preparing to document the Chinese naval power of the "great proletarian camp."

Other reporters were equally on high alert, their faces filled with disbelief and excitement at the prospect of witnessing a miracle.

Several Chinese journalists wearing "Xinhua News Agency" badges on their chests suppressed their inner elation.

They tried their best to keep their hands from trembling as they held the pens, preparing to faithfully record this glorious moment that was destined to be recorded in history.

The port also specially organized representatives of workers, students, and families of fallen naval personnel.

They held bouquets of flowers, their cheeks flushed red from the cold wind, and their eyes brimming with tears of emotion.

Everyone, regardless of status, nationality, or stance, is waiting for a common signal—a fleet powerful enough to shatter the boundaries of the old world's understanding.

fleet!

The new Chinese navy fleet is coming into view!

Someone shouted first, "Look! They're here!"

In an instant, all eyes were drawn like magnets to the horizon where the sea meets the sky.

On the distant horizon, the tips of several small masts pierced the sea like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

Immediately afterwards, several, even dozens of outlines began to become clear.

A deep, powerful whistle pierced the sky, approaching from afar, like the proclamation of a giant beast awakening.

The Chinese naval fleet cleaved through the vast blue waves and sailed toward the port with unstoppable momentum!

As the distance closed, the size and power of the fleet were truly revealed, and the overwhelming sense of oppression gripped everyone's hearts like a tangible hand!
Leading the way was the battleship USS Missouri, its massive hull almost filling the center of the field of vision.

Under the sunlight, the muzzles of the nine 406mm cannons pointed darkly at the sky, like the fangs of a sleeping Eastern dragon.

The huge, wide deck resembled a steel plain, with several towering turrets standing like small hills.

Everyone who witnessed it saw it as a mobile, heavily armed steel fortress!
Sa Zhenbing suddenly leaned forward, gripping the cold, icy railing tightly with both hands, his cloudy old eyes fixed on the flag representing the Chinese Navy on the bow of the ship!

Tears, which he could no longer hold back, streamed down his deeply lined cheeks.

"This is the ship!"

"The Japanese, who first destroyed the Beiyang Fleet and later invaded China, signed their name on it..."

Sa Zhenbing murmured to himself, his voice choked with emotion.

The images of his comrades who died in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, and the tragic state of the Beiyang Fleet's wrecked ships, surged through his mind like a tidal wave.

Following closely behind the USS Missouri, an even more breathtakingly large object appeared.

That flat, island-like flight deck is like a steel continent floating on a blue sea—the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier!
Its massive body stretches almost to the horizon, and its island-style superstructure appears both exquisite and majestic on the wide deck.

The massive take-off and landing platform and carrier-based aircraft on the deck are awe-inspiring, demonstrating the terrifying power of eagles taking off and landing and dominating the sky!
Even seasoned foreign journalists were taken aback by the sight of this colossal ship, the first of its kind they had ever seen.

"Oh my God..."

"This is probably one of the largest ships currently in service!"

The Soviet journalist instinctively pulled out a small booklet and quickly flipped through the comparative size data, muttering to himself.

His colleague next to him immediately raised his camera and frantically pressed the shutter button on the majestic silhouette, excitedly exclaiming.

When the two giant ships finally slowly entered the harbor and docked with the help of tugboats, the entire port erupted in cheers!

"Oh my God!"

"This...this is a ship?"

"This is simply... a Great Wall at sea!"

An elderly worker representative gasped in surprise, his hands trembling with emotion, unsure of where to point.

"Did you see that, Mom?"

"That's a cannon! A cannon bigger than our house!"

A primary school student, carried on his father's shoulders, waved a small paper flag vigorously, his face flushed red.

Naval officer Liu Daosheng clenched his teeth, but his eyes welled up with tears.

He quickly compared the captured, modified, and insignificant "warships" in his mind.

These two steel mountains before us are not only spoils of war, but also the dream of generations finally taking root!
He felt an unprecedented power surge through his body; a strong military was the foundation for truly standing up!

At this moment, all the reporters present went completely crazy.

The clicking of camera shutters created a continuous drumbeat, and the flashes instantly illuminated the edge of the dock as if it were daytime.

Sa Zhenbing took a deep breath and, with great excitement, solemnly gave a standard naval salute to the USS Missouri, which was slowly coming to a stop and fluttering its red flag.

His murky tears reflected the cold gleam of the turret and the fiery red of the flag.

At that moment, the grief and indignation of the past decades of poverty, weakness, and being bullied by others in the Beiyang Navy clashed violently with the national prestige supported by the steel behemoth before him.

"We've avenged ourselves...we've avenged ourselves!"

His aged yet powerful voice finally broke through his throat, echoing over the bustling harbor and stirring up a wave of excitement in the hearts of countless people!
When Xiao Zhenhua led the naval officers and soldiers onto the Tiangang Wharf, deafening cheers blended with the sound of the waves, like a symphony dedicated to victory and pride.

They wore brand-new Chinese Navy uniforms, and although their faces showed signs of fatigue from the long voyage, their backs were straight and their eyes shone with pride.

They are the Chinese warriors who snatched victory from the jaws of the world's strongest navy and returned in triumph!
They are heroes who sailed back across the waves in their giant ship!
Secretary-General Wang and others in the front row at the dock were the first to applaud, and the cadres' faces were filled with satisfaction and excitement.

Liu Daosheng and other naval officers stood tall like pine trees, their eyes burning with fervor as they gazed at the returning flagship and its heroes.

Sa Zhenbing nodded vigorously, his eyes brimming with tears, filled not only with the satisfaction of avenging his defeat but also with boundless expectations for this newly formed navy.

Reporters' flashbulbs went off wildly as they scrambled to capture this historic moment.

Cheers of "Hurrah!" and "Long live!" rose and fell. Workers took off their hats and waved them, students jumped for joy, and families of fallen soldiers wiped away their tears and threw the flowers in their hands forward.

The entire port was bathed in unparalleled glory, and everyone rushed to express their deepest admiration for the heroes.

"Look! Those are our fine young men of the navy!"

"Well done! You've really made us Chinese proud!"

"The Missouri! The Enterprise! A true steel behemoth!"

Long live the Navy!

Just as the uproar and unparalleled glory were about to reach their peak, the crowd's eyes involuntarily followed the movement of the special figures behind Xiao Zhenhua.

Those were figures supporting each other as they emerged from the cabins of the wounded soldiers returning home on the ship—the wounded soldiers of the 7th Steel Regiment.

The leader was Wu Siyi, whose arm was in a sling across his chest, and whose leg was also injured and tightly bandaged. His forehead was wrapped with gauze that had seeped blood.

He walked with a limp, each step heavy and difficult.

Beside him were wounded soldiers from the 7th Steel Regiment, also wrapped in bandages, leaning on makeshift crutches, and some even being carried by their comrades.

Their faces bore indelible traces of gunpowder, and their uniforms were tattered and covered in congealed and discolored blood and dirt.

Those tattered wounds and bleeding bandages silently tell the story of the flames of Songaksan, the fierce battle at Incheon Harbor, and the cruel price of that world-shaking naval war.

The deafening cheers, which had been deafening just moments before, cooled instantly, like a branding iron plunged into ice water, gradually turning into a suppressed silence and gasps of cold air.

In the vast space of the port, only the howling of the sea breeze and the crashing of the waves in the distance could be heard for a moment.

The stark contrast sent a powerful emotional shock through those who were initially basking in the euphoria of victory.

The smiles on many people's faces froze, their eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

The flowers that were originally intended to be presented to the heroes were held tightly in their hands, and some even fell to the ground due to trembling hands.

The Chinese people clearly saw the price paid behind the magnificent aircraft carrier "Wanli" and the battleship "Missouri".

Those are the vibrant yet scarred lives before us, the broken bodies of those who survived the most brutal meat grinder, carrying the legacy of countless fallen comrades.

This hard-won victory came with such tragic grandeur!
Just then, Wu Siyi's face, etched with the marks of hardship and resilience, suddenly lifted up.

"Comrades of the Seventh Steel Regiment, do you still remember the military song taught by the Commander-in-Chief?"

"A thunderclap, a sword, ready—sing!"

He roared suddenly in a hoarse but powerful voice.

The first sentence, hoarse yet incredibly penetrating, shattered the silence like a thunderclap!

In an instant, all eyes were focused on him.

"A thunderclap, a sword, a pack of fierce tigers, the Steel Seventh Regiment!"

"Iron will, iron will, iron-blooded defenders of the nation, protecting our homeland!"

"The battle cries terrified the enemy, and their fame spread far and wide for their invincible record!"

"Attack with unwavering resolve, defend with impregnability, and triumph over the enemy's corpses!"

In an instant, all the wounded soldiers of the Seventh Steel Regiment, who were supporting each other, roared with all their might.

After shouting it once, they continued to repeat it, in an endless loop, just like the Seventh Steel Regiment's tireless battles for the country.

This song is not a gentle hymn, but a roar after a bloody battle!

It is the cry of an iron will!

Hoarse, rough, and even a little off-key, yet it contains an invincible power and a resolute determination to face death!
Every word struck like a hammer blow to everyone's heart!

Their tattered, blood-stained uniforms and their bandaged, mutilated bodies became the most poignant footnote to this song!
As soon as the song began, the palpable spirit of steel and the unwavering belief in victory instantly dispelled the heavy heartache and ignited the passion in everyone present.

Shocked!

Moving!

admire!

Countless complex emotions spread wildly through the crowd!
First came scattered low growls in response, then the crowd erupted like tinder that had been ignited, bursting into a thunderous roar of shouts and applause!
"Seventh Steel Regiment! Well done!"

"They're all tough guys!"

The workers' representatives clenched their fists and shouted excitedly.

"The battle cries terrified the enemy, and their fame spread far and wide for their invincible record!"

Upon hearing this, the passionate students couldn't help but shout it out again and again.

"After graduation, I must join the Seventh Steel Regiment, even if it's just as a soldier!!!"

Military academy cadet Ma Shuai looked at the shocking scene before him and made a silent resolution in his heart.

"Hail, Steel Seventh Regiment!"

"Magnificent! Wu Wanli!"

Mr. Meng adjusted his glasses and said excitedly.

Sa Zhenbing was already in tears. He no longer looked at the giant ship, but instead gave a perfectly standard military salute to the group of wounded soldiers who were shouting military songs!

Soon, countless people joined the torrent of singing and shouting.

"The battle cries terrified the enemy!"

"His reputation for being invincible in every battle has spread far and wide!"

"Attack with unwavering resolve! Defend with unyielding strength!"

"We march in triumph, trampling over the bones of our enemies!"

The wounded soldiers roared out military songs, but more importantly, they were their battle declarations.

The roars from the crowd were not just echoes, but also heartfelt praise and a complete surge of national pride!

The entire Tiangang area was in an uproar once again!
Cheers, applause, military songs, and slogans converged into a deafening roar, even more powerful, passionate, and moving than when the giant ship was being welcomed!

"Report this to the capital immediately!"

"The fleet, with its aircraft carriers and battleships... is back!"

"Some of the heroes of the Seventh Steel Regiment have returned!"

Secretary-General Wang took a deep breath as he watched this scene, suppressing his surging emotions, and said...

These few words, encapsulating a myriad of emotions, are about to shake the capital and the world through radio waves!
"Secretary-General Wang, what should we do with these soldiers from the Seventh Steel Regiment?"

"A staff member asked."

"Didn't they recently establish a new seventh military factory?"

"It just so happens that they are all from the Seventh Steel Regiment. Let them be treated and then sent back to continue serving the country."

"Every soldier in the Seventh Steel Regiment has military merits, and their appropriate position is determined based on the size of their military merits."

Secretary-General Wang said.

"The Seventh Steel Regiment's contribution is immense; it's not enough to just recognize their collective merit!"

"If military merit were the standard way to determine placements, Wu Siyi would be the director of the Seventh Military Industrial Plant!"

"That factory is the production line for the newly funded MiG fighter jets, could this be..."

The officer was slightly taken aback.

What happened to the MiG fighter jet production line?

"Once Comrade Wu Wanli leads the Seventh Steel Regiment to cooperate with friendly forces to annihilate the US Army's First Division, this production line will become a free aid."

"Whose credit is this?"

"It's all thanks to the Seventh Steel Regiment!"

"What's wrong with properly resettling these meritorious comrades?"

"You...be more careful next time!"

"Go and arrange for the power to be switched on! The people of the whole country will be overjoyed when they hear about this!"

Upon hearing this, Secretary-General Wang patted the officer on the shoulder and said...

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the officer immediately agreed.

Soon, the news was broadcast to the capital and even the whole country via radio!
Newspapers in Beijing and other parts of the country rushed to print their own editions to share the good news with the public.

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

Beijing, in the hutongs
"Breaking News! Breaking News! A phenomenal victory!!"

"Newspapers for sale! The 7th Steel Regiment has decisively defeated the US military at Incheon! They have captured a massive warship!"

"Wu Wanli led his troops to liberate Incheon again, capturing the American aircraft carrier and the 'Missouri' battleship that the Japanese signed!"

"Warships have returned home, and the latest photos have been printed on the front page of newspapers!"

"Extra! Look at the extra!!"

A thin newsboy, with a thick stack of newspapers still smelling of fresh ink tucked under his arm, ran along the stone-paved road of Dongsi Archway.

His youthful voice cracked with excitement, yet it pierced the morning tranquility with unparalleled clarity.

This news struck like a thunderbolt, waking up the entire capital!
"What? Steal what?"

An elderly man who had gotten up early for a walk suddenly stopped, his cloudy eyes wide open.

"The 7th Steel Regiment? Incheon? An aircraft carrier?!"

The rickshaw driver stopped abruptly, straining to listen intently in disbelief.

"Comrade Wu Wanli again?"

"Say it again? What ship did you capture?"

The breakfast stall owner, too busy peeking out the window to even scoop up the piping hot fried dough sticks, said...

In an instant, it was as if invisible threads were pulling the crowd toward the newsboy.

"Give me one!"

"Save me one!"

"Young man, keep the change, just give me the money!"

People eagerly stretched out their trembling hands, scrambling to buy the newspapers.

The newspapers were sold out in the blink of an eye, and those who didn't get one were so anxious that they stamped their feet and urged the newsboys to hurry up and get their newspapers.

A middle-aged man dressed in a long gown, who looked like an accountant, practically snapped up the last newspaper.

Clutching the thin "extra edition" as if it were a scorching hot iron, he rushed into a roadside "Yutai Tea House" with a shiny signboard.

In the teahouse, the aroma of tea mingled with casual conversation, creating a slow-paced atmosphere typical of the early morning.

The middle-aged man's intrusion and the look of disbelief mixed with ecstasy on his face instantly drew everyone's attention.

"Everyone! Something earth-shattering has happened!"

"What wonderful news!"

"Our Volunteer Army fought an incredible battle in Incheon, Korea!"

"Comrade Wu Wanli led the Seventh Steel Regiment in a surprise attack, fighting a bloody battle at Incheon Port!"

"With the cooperation of our Soviet comrades, we captured the United States' newest aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, in one fell swoop!"

"Not only that, there's also the USS Missouri, the battleship that forced Japan to surrender from the USS Missouri River!!"

"Furthermore, in coordination with the navy and air force, we will annihilate the entire US naval fleet that came to our aid!!"

The accountant, his voice booming and trembling, unfolded the newspaper and shouted excitedly.

"Om————"

The entire teahouse instantly erupted in chaos!

"My God! An aircraft carrier?" "That...that's a behemoth of ironclad beasts that can launch planes from the sea, isn't it?"

A tea drinker dropped his gaiwan (lidded teacup) on the ground with a "thud," shattering it into pieces without even noticing.

"Didn't you hear the extra news? The USS Missouri!"

"The Japanese devils signed their surrender document on that ship! Now it has been seized by our elite 7th Steel Regiment!"

An old man, his beard trembling with excitement, slammed his fist on the table and said...

"That's satisfying! It boosted our national prestige!"

The young student, his face flushed, clenched his fists and slammed them on the table in approval.

"hiss……"

Some people gasped, repeatedly looking at the unimaginable description in the newspaper.

After everyone understood the contents of the newspaper, a tremendous sense of national pride, mixed with an incredible feeling of dizziness, swept over them.

Even the shopkeeper behind the counter, who was adjusting the abacus, was stunned, his fingers frozen, as several abacus beads clattered to the ground.

At this moment, Zhou Tiezui, the storyteller who was about to begin recounting the history of the previous dynasty amidst the clamor of the tea drinkers, snatched the newspaper, read it carefully, pondered for a long time, and then suddenly slammed his gavel.

*Smack!*

In an instant, the noise in the teahouse stopped abruptly.

Zhou Tiezui took a deep breath and unfolded the folding fan in his hand, which was painted with the heroic image of Zhao Zilong at Changbanpo.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Today we won't talk about the Former Han and Later Han dynasties! Let's talk about the heroes of our time!"

"Even if Guan Yu were reborn or Wen Hou were reincarnated, they would still be no match for the mighty leader of China today!"

His gaze swept across the bustling teahouse, and he began his storytelling in a booming voice.

"Outside Incheon Harbor, amidst a sea of ​​troops, the steel tiger of America is entrenched on the sea frontier, with aircraft carriers blotting out the sky and battleships displaying ferocious firepower!"

"Isn't this situation just like Cao Cao's million-strong army surrounding Zhao Zilong of Changshan like an iron barrel at Changban Slope back then?"

"However, Leader Wu, full of heroic spirit, held a steel gun and led the fierce warriors of my Steel Seventh Regiment. That was the Beiwei Iron Cavalry beside Zilong!"

"Faced with layers of fire and numerous traps set by the US military, Leader Wu remained calm and resourceful, finding a glimmer of hope in the most impossible situation!"

"At a single command, the entire army charges forth with courage!"

When Zhou Tiezui got excited, he stood up and mimicked a charging posture.

"Amidst the roar of artillery fire, Leader Wu led from the front, displaying bravery surpassing even Wen Hou Fengxian, and courage exceeding that of Leader Zhaolong!"

"They slaughtered so many that the American troops were terrified and howled in fear!"

"Charge! Break through! Charge again! Break through again! Seven in and seven out... No, that's not right!"

"It should be said that they cleaved through the waves amidst a vast army, heading straight for the enemy's heart!"

He slammed his gavel on the table with a loud thud that sent shivers down everyone's spine. He swallowed hard and continued speaking.

"What about the USS Enterprise, the aircraft carrier known as a sea fortress?"

"Leader Wu seized it in the palm of his hand with a smile!"

"What about the mighty USS Missouri, which is renowned throughout the world?"

"My goodness, it has become a warship of the Chinese Navy!"

"This is the story of the valiant general who single-handedly stormed the dragon's lair, displaying the prestige of our nation and stabilizing the seas and mountains!"

"The army, benevolent and righteous, is as majestic as a rainbow, opening up vast sea frontiers!"

Zhou Tiezui excitedly raised his voice again, shouting out the words he had just spontaneously come up with.

"it is good!"

"well said!"

"Reward!"

The teahouse erupted in applause and cheers that nearly lifted the roof off; some even threw money as tips!

People listened with great excitement, as if they had witnessed firsthand that magnificent feat of overwhelming power.

Under Zhou Tiezui's artistic embellishment, Wu Wanli has become an unparalleled war god in the hearts of the people, a combination of Zhao Yun and Lü Bu!
Not only in the capital, but also in other places, storytellers have all started to reform their stories, using Wu Wanli as a model.

There's no other reason than that it's incredibly popular, and the amount of footage and materials related to its success is countless!

For a time, this became a must-listen trend in teahouses!

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

Smoke filled the Gongdelin canteen.

A group of former high-ranking Kuomintang generals sat around a long table, fiercely debating the reasons for the defeat in the Huaihai Campaign.

The military map spread out on the table was weighed down by an ashtray and a teacup, as if it still bore witness to the smoke of battle from that year.

"Huang Wei is an amateur; he bears the main responsibility for the battle's failure!"

Yang Botao couldn't hold back any longer and immediately slammed his fist on the table and said...

"What did you say?!"

Am I an amateur?

Huang Wei was caught off guard and immediately retorted angrily.

"Did I said wrong thing?"

"You have absolutely no idea about mechanized warfare!"

"The 12th Army Corps was surrounded at Shuangduiji, and he even chose the wrong direction to break out!"

"Tank units crammed into the mud, acting as live targets—what is this if not incompetence?"

"Commander Du shouldn't have put you in command in the first place!"

Yang Botao slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed, and said.

"Brother Yang, wasn't your 18th Army's 'Tiger Regiment' also wiped out by Su Yu?"

"It's better to blame yourself for not holding the Huihe River defense line than to blame Huang Wei."

Li Xianzhou, who was standing to the side, smiled and said.

"you--"

Upon hearing this, Yang Botao was about to retort.

"Gentlemen, the reason their army was able to win the Huaihai Campaign is ultimately because of its strong combat power."

"Even the US Army is suffering setbacks in Korea now, so our defeat back then wasn't entirely unjust."

Wang Yaowu suddenly tapped the rim of the bowl and tried to smooth things over.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment.

"The army might be able to fight desperately, but what about the navy and air force?"

"How can they fight the US navy and air force with just a few small boats?"

"Without air and sea superiority, the Korean battlefield will be in a very passive position."

At this moment, Song Xilian said quietly.

"Be careful!"

Liao Yaoxiang adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and whispered his advice in a Hunan accent.

"Breaking news!"

"The 7th Steel Regiment of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, led by Wu Wanli, once again liberated Incheon and captured the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the battleship USS Missouri!"

"After that, Comrade Wu Wanli commanded the navy and air force to annihilate the US fleet and achieve a great victory!"

Suddenly, the loudspeaker at the management office crackled to life, and the announcer's impassioned voice rang out.

"Clang-"

Du Yuming smashed his teacup on the ground, splashing hot water all over his trouser leg, but he didn't even notice.

"Wha...what? They stole the aircraft carrier?!"

Huang Wei suddenly stood up and shouted in shock.

"Liberate Incheon, annihilate the entire US fleet, and even seize American aircraft carriers and battleships!?"

Yang Botao stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, only snapping out of his daze when the cigarette burned down to his fingertips.

"Okay!"

"This Wu Wanli is even more formidable than Zhang Lingfu!"

"The USS Missouri... the ship the Japanese signed the surrender document on! That's a fucking slap in the face to the whole world!"

In the corner, the usually arrogant Liao Yaoxiang suddenly burst into wild laughter, laughing until he coughed and gasped for breath before speaking.

"Back then, we laughed at them, calling them 'country bumpkins,' but now they've even taken back an aircraft carrier..."

Du Yuming slowly shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"If the Chairman hears this news, he'll probably be so angry he won't be able to sleep."

Wang Yaowu sighed deeply and remarked with emotion.

Inside the Gongdelin Temple, the crowd was either shocked, silent, or forced to smile bitterly.

Faced with such a victory, these former Kuomintang generals were genuinely impressed and remembered the name Wu Wanli.

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

Washington, D.C., inside the Oval Office of the White House
The flames in the fireplace burned brightly, but they couldn't dispel the atmosphere in the room, which had suddenly plummeted to freezing.

Secretary of State Dean Acheson entered with heavy steps, the telegram clutched in his hand trembling slightly.

"Mr President……"

"Something has happened in Incheon."

Acheson handed the telegram to Truman and said in a hoarse voice.

"Just tell me the result."

Truman looked up from the documents, his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses sharp as an eagle, and said with a hint of impatience.

"The Chinese 7th Steel Regiment captured Incheon, annihilated the 4th Brigade, and cut off the retreat route of the US Army 1st Division."

"After the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and the battleship USS Missouri were captured by the Chinese army, they were used directly to cooperate with the air force to annihilate our provisional fleet."

"Bang!"

Truman slammed his fist on the desk, sending the pen flying and crashing down, spilling black liquid that resembled a spreading bloodstain.

"What!?"

"What exactly is going on!"

"Wasn't the Inchon Landing Ridgway Ridgway's trump card for annihilating the Chinese army?!"

"Why did it have to turn out like this!"

He stood up abruptly, his face ashen, and asked.

"Mr. President, that Chinese man named Wu Wanli is terrifying..."

"He's just like Rommel on the African battlefield!"

"Despite having inferior forces, they dared to launch continuous attacks and achieve victories!"

"But don't worry, he's in the same situation as Rommel."

"Our national strength is insufficient, and our logistical support from the rear is inadequate; we cannot outlast us!"

"Their complete annihilation of the US Army 1st Division was merely to clear the way for the main force to retreat safely."

"With their current ammunition and food reserves, it is impossible for them to launch another major counter-offensive in the short term."

Acheson said.

"and then?"

"I don't care about aircraft carriers and battleships; those are nothing to America's massive military industry!"

"But this crushing defeat, with the entire naval fleet being annihilated, is an irreparable loss of national prestige for the United States!"

"Moreover, the retreat route of the 1st Infantry Division, which was originally intended to turn the tide, has been cut off. Has Ridgway's strategy failed?"

Truman said with a dark expression.

“Mr. President, we can still let the 1st Division of the U.S. Army go all in.”

"A direct assault on Seoul, or in coordination with Ridgway's main force south of the Han River, to fight a decisive battle against the Chinese army..."

Acheson hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"No!"

"Even if we win this decisive battle, there's nothing glorious about it, after all, China is just a poor and backward agricultural country."

"But if we lose, there is a risk that the entire UN force will be defeated, and the situation in the Korean War could collapse rapidly!"

"If it were a major war with the Soviet Union, that would be one thing, but why are we risking our lives against China? Is it worth it?"

Truman took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down before speaking.

"Mr. President, what should we do now?"

Upon hearing this, Acheson asked.

"Use our strengths to attack their weaknesses, and prioritize a conservative and prudent approach."

"Order the U.S. 1st Infantry Division to turn its attention to Incheon and launch a full-scale attack, making sure to secure an escape route and logistical lines!"

"Order Ridgway to lead the main force of the UN forces in a continuous and fierce attack on the south bank of the Han River, but do not fight a decisive battle."

Truman said.

"Mr. President, from a military perspective, this can only threaten the retreat of the Chinese and North Korean forces, but it cannot cut off their retreat route."

Upon hearing this, Atchison immediately offered a reminder.

"The threat was enough; we underestimated them before."

"We always regard China as a weak country and always have a mentality of quick victory."

"But this battle has truly awakened us!"

"China's strength, at least in military strength, absolutely makes it the number one power in Asia right now!"

"By retaking Incheon, annihilating the culprit, the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment, and capturing that Chinese man named Wu Wanli, we can regain our American dignity!"

"Then let the 1st Incheon Division hold its ground, waiting for the Chinese army to be unable to hold out and retreat, and then launch a fierce attack in coordination with Ridgway's main force!"

"The previous success of cutting off the retreat route of the Chinese and North Korean troops and annihilating them in one fell swoop is unlikely to be achieved now."

"However, it is still possible to severely damage the Chinese and North Korean armies and annihilate two or three of their corps in one fell swoop using this method."

"In this way, we can at least claim that we have a slight advantage in this major battle."

"The real victory will have to wait..."

Truman rubbed his temples and said, sounding slightly tired.

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

Outside Seoul, the headquarters of the U.S. Army's 1st Division
"Damn Miller, he couldn't even hold Incheon with the remnants of the 4th Brigade!"

"Not only could Incheon not be defended, but the port of Incheon was also breached, resulting in the loss of the aircraft carrier and warships!"

"Those damn navy bastards are blaming us for the annihilation of their fleet, saying it's all because we failed to defend Incheon Port!"

"ridiculous!"

"Our soldiers fought valiantly in Incheon Port, but they were tied up by the Chinese Air Force and couldn't even fire a single naval cannon shot at the Chinese army in Incheon Port!"

Lieutenant General Thomas angrily tore the battle report to shreds and roared.

"Sir, judging from the battle report, Miller's command is normal; it's just that this Chinese army is too strong."

"Take the battle at Incheon Port for example. They actually managed to win the hand-to-hand combat while being attacked from both sides, and then stormed into Incheon Port!"

"And over at Songyue Mountain, the Chinese army actually left behind secret tunnels that weren't completely destroyed, which means they had already laid out these during their retreat!"

"The tactics of the commander of the 7th Steel Regiment of China are terrifying..."

The chief of staff of the U.S. Army's 1st Division sighed and said.

"How is the situation in the Battle of Seoul? How long will it take to capture it?"

Lieutenant General Thomas clenched his fist and asked.

"Sir, our attack has been successful. We have removed all the strongholds and barriers outside Seoul!"

"But with the capture of Incheon, our maritime logistics line was cut off."

"With insufficient ammunition supplies, the artillery clusters are finding it difficult to sustain high-intensity firepower..."

"This means that if we continue our fierce attack on Seoul, it will become a gamble."

"If we can't take it down before we run out of ammunition, we're finished..."

The chief of staff of the U.S. Army's 1st Division sighed and said.

"Sir, the President bypassed General Ridgway and gave us the order directly!"

"The 1st Army Division will change its attack direction and launch a fierce assault on Incheon!"

"We must annihilate the entire Chinese Seventh Steel Regiment and capture Wu Wanli!"

"Then, when the opportunity arises, we will delay until the main forces of the Chinese and North Korean armies withdraw, and then, in coordination with the main forces of the UN forces, wipe out two or three Chinese armies as a whole!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer strode in with a telegram and said...

"To wipe out two or three Chinese armies in one fell swoop is to lower one's strategic objectives..."

"But that's enough. Two or three armies is about half the strength of the Chinese army!"

"China's Seventh Steel Regiment?"

"They probably only have one or two thousand men left. What can they use to stop us!"

Lieutenant General Thomas snorted coldly.

"Cough cough..."

"Sir, we can't let our guard down!"

"The Chinese 7th Steel Regiment still has one or two thousand men left, but Seoul's military strength is still quite strong."

"If the Chinese 7th Steel Regiment holds out until we're almost out of ammunition, and then coordinates with Ding Wei and his men in Seoul to launch a counterattack, are we supposed to hold them off with bayonets?"

Brigadier General Harrison coughed twice as a reminder.

“Sir, Harrison is right.”

"Even if we run out of ammunition, we could still be defeated without tanks and artillery if we run out of fuel and shells."

"If we want to take Incheon back in one fell swoop, we must use the most intense attack."

"In this situation, ammunition and fuel will be consumed extremely quickly!"

"Moreover, we cannot commit all our forces to a fierce attack; we must also leave some troops to block the Chinese army in Seoul from attacking our rear."

"The dispersal of troops undoubtedly increases the difficulty of capturing Incheon in a short period of time."

Upon hearing this, the Chief of Staff of the 1st Division of the U.S. Army nodded in agreement.

"Give me a specific number: if we launch a full-scale attack on Incheon, how long can our ammunition last?"

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Thomas's eyes flashed with worry as he asked.

"48 hours!"

After thinking for a long time, the chief of staff of the U.S. Army 1st Division said.

"Then 48 hours!"

"Conquer Incheon within 48 hours!"

"Order the entire army to turn around and march on Incheon!"

"This time, we must annihilate the entire Chinese Seventh Steel Regiment!"

Lieutenant General Thomas clenched his fist and gave a loud order.

(End of this chapter)