Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 287: The surrender conditions offered to Wu Wanli, Commander-in-Chief of the South Korean Army Group? Wu Wanli's achievements are renowned throughout the world!
Tokyo, Japan: U.S. Forces Japan Headquarters.

Five-star General MacArthur, with his signature pipe in his mouth, was examining the situation in Korea in front of a map with the new U.S. Chief of Staff to Japan, Almond, and several trusted staff officers.

The heavy oak door of the headquarters was suddenly flung open without warning, the loud crash freezing the relaxed atmosphere inside.

"General!"

"Pyeongtaek City, Sunam Fortress, and Suwon City..."

"It's gone! All gone!"

"Our cruiser fleet stationed near Pyeongtaek Port was completely annihilated by the Chinese Navy!"

"Our elite 187th Airborne Regiment was completely annihilated by the 7th Steel Brigade within three hours in Suwon City!!!"

The American staff officer's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty as he roared in extreme terror.

MacArthur's lips, which were pursing a pipe, froze, and the pipe nearly slipped from his mouth.

The new Chief of Staff, Almond, grabbed the telegram, which was slightly damp with sweat, and quickly scanned it.

Immediately afterwards, his pupils contracted sharply, and the knuckles of his fingers gripping the paper turned white instantly.

"What the fuck?!"

"Pyeongtaek Port has fallen?!"

"The defending fleet was annihilated?!"

Almond's face turned ashen, and he cried out in disbelief.

"Explain clearly! Who is the enemy? How large is their force? What methods did they use?"

"Isn't the Chinese army going to make a major retreat?"

"With all the key players gone, how can they still launch such an offensive?"

MacArthur snatched his pipe and glared sharply at the major staff officer.

A sense of foreboding flashed through his mind, but he dared not believe the worst possible outcome.

"Sir, the main force of the Chinese army has indeed left!"

"But that Chinese general named Wu Wanli led the Seventh Steel Brigade and achieved such a record!"

The U.S. military staff officer's voice was still trembling as he spoke in a low voice.

"Steel Seventh Brigade?"

"That damned Chinese commander, Wu Wanli!?"

"Tell me the details, especially those concerning the navy, as this has never happened before in the history of warfare!"

As MacArthur spoke, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and up to the top of his head.

He suddenly stood up, his tall body swaying in disbelief.

All the officers and staff at the U.S. Forces Japan headquarters stopped moving at that moment.

They held their breath, their eyes fixed on the telegram in Almond's hand.

"General, the Navy has confirmed that a small mobile fleet led by a cruiser and escorted by three destroyers has been completely annihilated off the coast of Pyeongtaek Port!"

"The enemy has deployed at least one battleship with powerful long-range strike capabilities, as well as an aircraft carrier and a large number of gunboats!"

Chief of Staff Almond said.

"Pfft!"

Upon hearing this, a U.S. military staff officer standing next to the map dropped his folder to the ground, scattering papers all over the floor.

"Based on information pieced together from residual signals left by the port garrison, the attack began in the darkest hour before dawn."

"A Chinese battleship, at its maximum range, used its 406mm guns to conduct a surgical-style devastating bombardment of our port's fortifications and shore artillery positions!"

"The entire pre-designated defense zone was almost completely wiped out!"

Almond spoke in a heavy voice, as if reading an obituary.

406 millimeters?!

"That...that's the main gun caliber of the Missouri-class battleship!"

"Damn it, the consequences of the Battle of Incheon were too devastating, directly impacting the subsequent battle situation!!!"

"It's all the fault of those idiots in the US Army's 1st Infantry Division. They couldn't even hold Incheon Port back then!"

A lieutenant colonel who had served as a naval staff officer gasped and then said somewhat angrily.

"Surviving observation posts in the harbor confirmed that at the same time, a large number of carrier-based aircraft took off from the sea and bombed the dock area!"

"They not only destroyed the moored auxiliary vessels and warehouses, but more terrifyingly, they focused their bombing on the suspected ammunition depot!"

"The report describes it as a massive secondary explosion that 'illuminated the entire dawn'!"

"The entire western district of Pyeongtaek Port was instantly transformed into a boiling inferno, and the garrison suffered heavy losses!"

Almond continued reciting, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"The landing began when artillery and air raids destroyed almost all the resistance points."

"The last report came from a critically wounded officer who said he saw a large number of landing craft rushing toward the beach in the smoke."

"While the landing craft was violently rocking and the soldiers were in a sorry state, a young man dressed in the uniform of a Chinese People's Volunteer Army officer raised his gun on the extremely unstable landing craft!"

"His report estimated that he was precisely sniping our concealed heavy machine gun position from at least 700 meters away!"

Almond sighed and continued reading.

"My goodness!"

“700 meters?!”

"It's almost impossible to kill a stationary heavy machine gunner on a moving, rocking landing craft!"

"Not to mention, it's on the beachhead amidst gunfire and smoke, where life and death hang in the balance..."

"The Spear of God, this is definitely the Spear of God Wu Wanli, who already became famous in the Second War!!!"

"At this distance and in this environment, it requires composure beyond human limits, eyesight, calculation ability, and... almost superhuman luck!"

"No, this isn't luck, it's a devilish talent!"

Upon hearing this, a U.S. military operations staff officer shook his head with an absurd expression.

At this moment, low growls and gasps of cold air echoed throughout the Japanese headquarters.

"If I had known, I should have killed this Chinese man at all costs during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir!"

"Now, his physical strength, combined with his command skills and courage, is equivalent to five divisions!"

MacArthur finally sat back down in his chair, his once arrogant face now shrouded in an unbelievable ashen look. He muttered to himself, his voice low and menacing.

"Then, the situation in Shuinan became critical!"

"A reinforced regiment of the South Korean army held out for less than an hour inside the heavily fortified Susam Fortress!"

"Then Suwon fell, and the 187th Airborne Regiment was completely annihilated!"

Chief of Staff Almond sighed and read aloud.

"Wow!"

It's unclear which staff officer accidentally knocked over the coffee cup, but the brown stain spread across the expensive carpet, and no one paid any attention to it.

Everyone's heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by a cold, iron hand.

"The 187th Airborne Regiment?! Completely wiped out?!"

"Those are our elite paratroopers in Korea!"

"Well-equipped and well-trained!"

"Damn Trappnell, it's one thing to lose, but how did he manage to not even break through!"

MacArthur could no longer sit still. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, asking in a hoarse voice.

"General, Colonel Trappnell intends to use the South Korean army as bait, and after Wu Wanli's main force is trapped, use incendiary bombs to encircle and kill them."

"As a result, he misjudged the battlefield situation!"

"Wu Wanli used the 27th and 12th Armies to launch an extremely realistic feint attack, successfully luring away nearly 200 of our air support aircraft!"

"Then the Chinese Air Force seized the opportunity to attack and wiped out our remaining hundreds of fighter jets, and also bombed and destroyed the Suwon command post and artillery positions."

"In this situation, the 187th Airborne Regiment was leaderless and lost its artillery cover, so it is not surprising that it was completely annihilated in the general offensive."

Almond took a deep breath and finally finished reciting the words in a heavy voice.

At that moment, everyone in the command post, including MacArthur, was instantly petrified.

"Ridgway sent a telegram to North Korea saying that the naval fleet that was originally scheduled to depart would have to be postponed."

MacArthur paused for a few seconds, then spoke.

"Sir, the battle in Korea is at a critical juncture. General Ridgway urgently needs the support of the naval fleet and the army reinforcements carried on board!"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Almond quickly replied.

"so what?"

"Haven't you grasped the situation yet?"

"According to the intelligence we intercepted, as long as the Chinese blocking force can annihilate tens of thousands of our soldiers and capture Suwon, the Soviet Union will provide China with cruisers and destroyers."

"The Chinese Steel Seventh Detachment has now captured Suwon and has achieved its target number of enemy ships killed. The worst part is that we still don't know exactly how many ships they are talking about!"

"Furthermore, with our cruiser fleet completely annihilated at Pyeongtaek Port, the naval strength of our new provisional fleet may not be sufficient to defeat the Chinese Navy!"

"This newly formed provisional fleet must guarantee absolute dominance!"

"Because if this provisional fleet is defeated, it won't just be a matter of warships being destroyed."

"That means a large number of American Army soldiers on those transport ships escorted by the fleet were killed or captured!"

"These army reinforcements are very important; they are new supplies for the next campaign!"

"If our army is not replenished in time, and new Chinese troops enter Korea, then we will not be able to fight the next battle!"

"As for Ridgway's current urgency?"

"The main force of the Chinese army has already withdrawn, what's he worried about!"

"If 100,000 UN troops can't wipe out this Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade, then they might as well give me command!"

MacArthur snorted and immediately spoke.

"Strangle the Seventh Steel Corps of China?"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Almond immediately grasped the key point.

"Of course!"

"Isn't their current strategic objective to annihilate a sufficiently powerful Chinese army?"

"Why bother launching a fierce attack on the defenses along the Han River and Incheon? Just wipe out the Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade directly."

"Annihilate the 1st Marine Division, annihilate the 1st Army Division, annihilate the 5th Division, annihilate the 25th Division..."

"Conquer Seoul, conquer Incheon, conquer Pyeongtaek, conquer Sunam, conquer Suwon..."

"They stole our fighter jets, our aircraft carriers and battleships, and even annihilated our navy..."

"The Seventh Steel Brigade made the greatest contributions in these battles; such a unit is definitely worthy of its name!"

"As long as we can annihilate this Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade, although we will suffer a loss in terms of substance, at least we can at least save face!"

"Of course, there is another way to greatly enhance one's prestige while also replenishing one's substance, and to severely damage the morale of the Chinese and North Korean armies!"

As MacArthur spoke, his eyes suddenly lit up and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"What can we do?!"

Chief of Staff Almond was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and immediately asked.

"That means getting that Chinese man named Wu Wanli to join us!"

"He is a world-class young tactical genius, and he also commands China's most elite ace troops!"

"If he is willing to lead his troops to join us, it would be equivalent to us gaining the fighting strength of five more divisions!"

MacArthur looked at Wu Wanli's name in the battle report and said with a smile.

Five divisions!?

"General, I know this Chinese commander is capable, but isn't it a bit much to say that he's equivalent to five divisions?"

Chief of Staff Almond widened his eyes and said with some disapproval.

"No!"

I'm not exaggerating!

"The effect of a good tactical genius is not addition, but multiplication!"

There's a Chinese saying: "Even a clever housewife can't cook without rice!"

"If he could fight like this in the Chinese army, which had such difficult logistical and firepower conditions, his role in our UN forces will definitely be even more terrifying!"

MacArthur said.

"This……"

Are there any precedents of Chinese generals helping each other?

"Moreover, his family is in China, so he probably has some reservations."

Chief of Staff Almond asked, his brow furrowed.

"Have!"

"Isn't that Chinese lieutenant general named Chu Yunfei here as an advisor to Ridgway?"

"As for family members, it's just that the benefits aren't big enough."

"In ancient China, there was a general named Ma Chao. All his family members were with Cao Cao, and he was very famous, known as the 'Ma Chao of Western Liang'!"

"For personal gain, he was capable of attacking Cao Cao and causing the deaths of his entire family!"

"However, if Wu Wanli comes to join us, there is no need to worry about his family."

"Because his division commander's second brother, Wu Qianli, did not defect, China would not make things difficult for his division commander's family."

"Not to mention, he has a heroic older brother, and his family could never be in any danger!"

MacArthur said.

"That's true. With our senior brother here, Wu Wanli won't have to worry about his family if he comes to join us..."

"But what kind of price should we offer to persuade Wu Wanli of China?"

"It's a bit difficult to get a Chinese person into a high-ranking position in the United States or the U.S. military..."

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Almond immediately asked.

"Commander of the ROK Army Group!"

"Transfer and train new recruits to the existing South Korean army and give him command of 100,000 South Korean troops!"

"In the Chinese understanding, this is like rising to the top in one step, reaching the highest position in the imperial court!"

"Send the plan to Ridgway and the US. It's not difficult to give the South Korean military and South Korea a position, after all, we Americans don't need to pay much."

"Use both suppression and support measures simultaneously!"

MacArthur said.

"If these are the conditions, what if that Chinese man named Wu Wanli disagrees?"

Chief of Staff Almond thought for a moment and then whispered a reminder.

"As long as we capture him, that's fine. At worst, we can give him some new drugs, let the media take pictures and say he agrees."

"Regardless of the facts, it will certainly deal a heavy blow to the morale of the Chinese army and save face for the United States."

"Go down and generate electricity. Remember to also mention that the support fleet and the transport of the army will be postponed."

"I really don't believe that 100,000 American troops can't wipe out the 8,000-strong Steel Seventh Brigade!"

"I don't believe that Wu Wanli wouldn't be tempted by the offer of being the army group commander and having command of 100,000 South Korean troops!!"

MacArthur smiled and said.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Almond immediately agreed.

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

Soon, MacArthur's telegram reached the White House via radio.

However, what spread to the halls of power even earlier than this military telegram was the boiling fire of public opinion on American soil.

In Texas, USA, at a city square
The once vibrant fountain is now surrounded by a dense crowd.

Silence is the greatest accusation.

Looking around, beneath the stars and stripes, are even more heartbreaking signs.

"Where is my son, John? KIA in Chosin!"

(Where is my son John? He died at Chosin Reservoir!)

“Bring our boys home from Korea!”

(Let our children come home from North Korea!)
"How many more must die for nothing?"

(How many more people must sacrifice themselves for nothing?)

An elderly American woman with gray hair, wearing a faded wool coat, held up a photograph of a young soldier with trembling hands.

That was her only son, Tom Williams of the 1st Marine Division of the 10th Army, who was left forever in the icy snow of Chosin Reservoir last winter.

Her tears had long since dried up; her empty eyes held only endless sorrow and a deep-seated resentment towards the Truman administration.

"He told me he'd be home before Christmas! Truman! Give me back my son!"

Her piercing cries tore through the silence, eliciting a chorus of suppressed sobs from those around her.

New York, the bustling Times Square at the crossroads of the world, could not drown out the heavy footsteps of the marchers on Fifth Avenue.

Tens of thousands of people—workers, housewives, students, professors—from all walks of life, gathered together in a surging black mass under the organization of labor unions and anti-war groups.

"No More War for Wall Street!"

(Don't fight for Wall Street!)

"Truman = Death!"

(Truman is equivalent to death!)
“Korea: An Endless Meat Grinder!”

(North Korea: A never-ending meat grinder!)

Countless banners were erected, fluttering in the cold wind.

Someone set fire to a homemade Truman scarecrow, the flames roared and thick smoke billowed into the sky, eliciting a burst of excited shouts from the crowd.

American police officers tensely maintained order, their batons gripped tightly.

But they faced not only anger, but also a sea of ​​despair from thousands of broken families.

This kind of despair is enough to overwhelm everything.

In Washington, D.C., the anger struck directly at the heart of state power.

On Pennsylvania Avenue outside the White House, a human wall of protesters remained standing day and night.

The grieving family members brought their loved ones' belongings: bloodstained dog tags, faded letters, and unopened Christmas gifts, which were piled up densely outside the White House walls.

They are not merely sacrifices, but also cold, ironclad evidence, silently testifying to the immense cost of this war.

"Shame on Truman!"

(Truman is shameful!)

"End the War Now!"

(End the war now!)

The conflict is escalating, and an elderly father who has lost two sons has suffered a complete mental breakdown after being repeatedly refused a meeting with the president.

He stood in the center of Lafayette Park across from the White House, doused himself with gasoline, held up a family photo and his two sons' military medals, and lit a lighter in his hand!

"Harry Truman! Look upon their faces! Look upon your work!"

(Harry Truman! Look at their faces! Look at your masterpiece!)
As he shouted, flames instantly engulfed him, and a mournful curse echoed through the sky, causing immense chaos and unspeakable terror, until the wailing of fire trucks and sirens drowned him out.

Although the flames of the self-immolator were extinguished, the harrowing scene and the accusations directed at Truman remain vivid in memory.

This event spread like a curse, deeply etched into the minds of every eyewitness and even Americans who heard about it on the radio.

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

Inside the Oval Office of the White House, the atmosphere was suffocatingly oppressive.

The thick, deep red curtains were tightly drawn, unable to block out the faint sounds of protest coming from outside the window, and seemed to add a touch of oppression to the interior of this symbol of power.

The large desk was piled high with various documents, a reflection of the president's overwhelmed state of mind.

Truman's face was ashen, his cheeks flushed slightly with barely suppressed rage.

He wasn't sitting in a chair; he was more like someone on a vast, stormy sea, struggling to keep the course of the giant ship named "America".

Having just finished a heated debate with several cabinet members, the document on the table, summarizing reports of demonstrations across the country and the latest battle reports from the front lines in North Korea, resembled a blazing ember.

"Pyeongtaek Port is lost! Our cruiser squadron has been completely annihilated!"

"damn it!"

"Those Chinese actually dared to launch a surprise attack on our rear during the massive retreat!"

Truman slammed his fist on the table, sending the coffee cup flying. The bitter liquid spilled onto the documents, instantly spreading a dark stain like a festering wound.

"Mizuhara! Mizuhara is lost too!"

"The 187th Airborne Regiment, our ace paratroopers!"

"An entire regiment was wiped out by that Chinese commander named Wu Wanli!"

"And Shuinan too!"

"In such a short time, three important cities and a cruiser fleet have been lost!"

President Truman's eyes were bloodshot, and his voice went from a low murmur to a roar, and finally almost a scream.

"The UN forces went there to liberate the Korean Peninsula! To restore our national honor! Not to give the Chinese a record of victories or to make the Soviets a laughingstock!"

He suddenly turned around and pointed out the window.

"Listen!"

"Listen to the sounds outside!"

"The heart of the United States is surrounded by the curses of its own people!"

"My mailbox is overflowing with death notices! The newspapers are full of faces filled with despair!"

"Someone is even setting themselves on fire in front of the White House! Setting themselves on fire!! All because of this damned war that has no end and can never be won!"

"What are our soldiers on the front lines in North Korea doing? What is General Ridgway doing?! How did the situation turn out like this?!"

Truman roared angrily.

Upon hearing this, Secretary of State Acheson, known for his calm and rational approach, felt an unprecedented sense of pressure.

He knew that Truman's anger was not only due to the battlefield defeat, but also because this defeat had amplified the already surging anti-war sentiment at home and even directly affected the prestige of the United States.

"Mr. President, please calm down."

"The situation is indeed extremely dire, and the continuous setbacks at the front have greatly damaged the morale of our troops."

"The situation at home is a direct consequence of the setbacks on the front lines, but we are not without hope of turning the tide."

"This is a top-secret telegram just sent from Tokyo. General MacArthur has proposed a complete response plan."

Acheson handed the telegram to Truman and said.

Truman hurriedly took the telegram, his brow furrowed as he quickly scanned it.

When he saw the keywords "using both suppression and appeasement", "strangling the Seventh Steel Brigade", and "recruiting Wu Wanli to surrender", his eyes sharpened instantly.

MacArthur gave a detailed analysis of the Seventh Steel Squad's record, threat level, and Wu Wanli's value, and proposed a bold trade that even carried an Eastern allure.

They offered the position of army group commander-in-chief of 100,000 South Korean troops as bait to recruit this young, brilliant Eastern strategist.

A brief, deathly silence fell over the office. Even the faint shouts outside the window seemed to quiet down a bit.

Truman's breathing gradually calmed down, but his mind was racing, weighing the pros and cons behind every word.

"A combination of suppression and appeasement..."

Truman repeated the word under his breath, his fingers tapping on MacArthur's telegram.

"The Seventh Steel Brigade is indeed the ghost that haunts all the disastrous defeats and is the greatest spiritual totem of the Chinese army."

"Removing it would be enough to slap the Chinese in the face, temporarily shut up the conservatives at home who are demanding the withdrawal of troops, and at the same time prove to our allies that we still have the power to dominate."

"As for recruiting Wu Wanli, the Chinese commander, if we can succeed, it will be more than just saving face!"

"A Chinese war god who had just caused the U.S. Army, Navy, and even Air Force to suffer repeated setbacks has suddenly transformed into the commander-in-chief of a South Korean army group!"

"What a shocking plot twist!"

"This will be a devastating blow to the will of the Chinese army!"

"Their morale has collapsed! And our morale will skyrocket!"

"Imagine the soldiers' reaction to this news! Imagine how the New York Times will write it on the front page! Imagine the Soviets' jaws dropping in astonishment!"

"More importantly, think about the people in our country!"

"When they see in the newspapers that the young Chinese commander is defecting in a South Korean general's uniform, all voices questioning the war will be instantly drowned out!"

"This is not just a South Korean position; it is the most dazzling and powerful symbol of America's victory over the Reds!"

"It can give us much-needed breathing space at home and greatly boost morale and chances of winning the fifth campaign!"

Truman took a deep breath and said excitedly.

"That's right, Mr. President."

"MacArthur's plan was very clear: the first step was to concentrate superior forces and spare no expense to annihilate the Seventh Steel Brigade."

"The complete annihilation of this elite Chinese unit is a shot in the arm, enough to deter the Chinese military and make up for the loss of prestige caused by our recent series of defeats."

"The second step is to use the high position of commander-in-chief of the 100,000-strong South Korean army group as bait to try to recruit Wu Wanli himself during or after the annihilation."

"Even if the attempt to persuade him to surrender fails, as long as we vigorously publicize the fact that he was captured, it will be enough to cause ideological confusion within the Chinese army and severely damage its morale."

"After completing the above two steps, the morale of our army will surely be high, while the Chinese army will suffer heavy losses due to the loss of its core strength." "At this time, General Ridgway can lead his troops north to launch the planned fifth campaign."

"We will completely crush the main force of the Chinese army when we have a complete psychological and physical advantage!"

"Cripple them, terrify them, and force them back to the negotiating table!"

"Only then can peace be achieved on our terms, rather than through a humiliating withdrawal."

"This is not just a military operation, Mr. President; it is a strategic counterattack that concerns the fate of the nation, the restoration of dignity, and the rebuilding of confidence!"

"Without the destruction of the Seventh Steel Brigade and Wu Wanli's transformation as prerequisites, the cost and risk of our Fifth Campaign would have been much higher, and our chances of success would have been greatly reduced!"

"This plan is the key to a comeback from a desperate situation!"

Acheson fully understood the president's intention and immediately added.

Truman was silent for about half a minute, but that was not hesitation; rather, it was the calm before the storm.

His mind raced through the astonishing achievements of the Seventh Steel Brigade described in the battle reports, the wave of domestic demonstrations, and the Soviet strategy of potentially wearing down the United States from behind the scenes.

Ultimately, these complex and turbulent emotions converged in the president's mind into an unquestionable idea.

We must completely reverse this situation and regain control!

"approve!"

"Send a telegram to Ridgway immediately! Top priority!"

"First, order General Ridgway to immediately concentrate all available mobile forces, in conjunction with the air force and navy!"

"We must completely annihilate the Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade in the current area in the shortest possible time, at any cost!"

"This is the overriding top priority!"

"Second, while carrying out the annihilation operation, openly offer Wu Wanli the position of commander-in-chief of an army group with 100,000 South Korean troops as a condition for his surrender!"

"To show Wu Wanli personally our sincerity and the prestigious position we offer."

"Third, special instructions! During the annihilation process, you must try to capture Wu Wanli himself."

"Capturing him alive is the top priority!"

"At the very least, we need to obtain his belongings and confirm his identity."

"If the prisoners are confirmed alive, proceed with the guidance immediately according to plan!"

"Fourth, the above actions will employ a combination of suppression and appeasement, a two-pronged approach, to ensure the success of the objectives!"

"This is the fundamental prerequisite for winning the next phase of the battle and ultimately forcing China to sit down at the negotiating table and accept our conditions!"

"Tell Ridgway that I have granted him all the necessary permissions to execute this plan!"

"I want to see results! Speed! Determination!"

"The Seventh Steel Brigade must be wiped out. Wu Wanli's name must either appear on our prisoner list or in our ranks!"

"We must not allow him to continue leading that devilish army to wreak havoc in our rear!"

"Fifth, it is emphasized that only by successfully completing these two core tasks, severely damaging the will of the Chinese army, greatly boosting the morale of our troops, and significantly suppressing the anti-war wave in the country, can we take the initiative in the upcoming Fifth Campaign!"

"In addition, inform General MacArthur that his plan has been approved for implementation."

"He should explain the necessary arrangements for the extension of the support fleet and subsequent army replenishment battalions to Ridgway!"

"At the same time, we are closely monitoring any further developments in Soviet support for the Chinese fleet!"

After thinking for a few seconds, Truman immediately spoke.

"Yes, Mr. President!"

Without any hesitation, Acheson readily agreed.

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

At the same time, within the Zhisi
"Mizuhara... Mizuhara! It's liberated?! Really liberated?!!"

The operations director's eyes widened, and the red and blue pencils in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud" and rolled to the side.

The Chief of the General Staff rushed to the telegram delivery officer, almost snatching the stack of telegrams detailing the Suwon victory.

"Oh my God!"

"Pyeongtaek, Suunam, Suwon... Wu Wanli led his army to conquer three cities in succession!"

"The Seventh Steel Brigade, truly a divine army descended from the heavens!"

His eyes widened as he quickly scanned each word, muttering to himself.

"Liberate Suwon, then have breakfast!"

"That kid Wu Wanli, he not only said it, he actually fucking did it!"

"All the objectives demanded by the Soviet Union have been achieved. Well done!"

Commander Chen suddenly ripped off his military cap and slammed it onto the sand table, laughing heartily.

The heavy atmosphere that had been hanging over the headquarters of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army due to the strategic shift was instantly ignited by this earth-shattering victory!

The staff officers were stunned at first, then burst into thunderous cheers and applause. Some were so excited that they pounded the table, while others hugged each other in celebration.

The emotions that had been suppressed for so long erupted like a torrent at this moment, and the entire command room was filled with unbelievable ecstasy and immense pride.

"Well done! Well done! The battle was earth-shattering! The battle was magnificent!"

"Wu Wanli and his Seventh Steel Brigade have made tremendous contributions!"

"They are the heroes of all the Chinese People's Volunteers! They are the pride of the new China!"

"Comrades! The enormous sacrifices and patience that Wu Wanli and his comrades made were all for this moment!"

"The liberation of Suwon means that the UN forces' logistics base and largest airfield have been captured!"

"This means we have completely seized the initiative on the battlefield!"

"It also means that the cruisers and destroyers that the Soviet Union promised will be delivered soon!"

"Our navy needs them! Our future maritime frontiers need them!"

The boss slammed his fist on the table covered with maps and said excitedly.

"Boss, this is a big deal! Give the order immediately! Time is of the essence!"

Upon hearing this, Chief Chen immediately offered a reminder.

"Alright! Pass on my orders!"

"First, immediately report back to the homeland! Send back a detailed report on the victory at Suwon and the annihilation of the US 187th Airborne Regiment, word for word!"

"It is important to emphasize that Wu Wanli's troops have captured Suwon, successfully crippling the enemy's core supply base and fully fulfilling the exchange conditions set by the Soviet Union!"

"We earnestly request the Central Committee to immediately negotiate with the Soviet Union and ensure that our cruisers and destroyers are received as quickly as possible, without missing a single one!"

"Time waits for no one; this victory is well-deserved!"

"Secondly, a telegram of commendation is issued to the entire army!"

"In the name of the Volunteer Army Headquarters, we hereby inform all units of the 7th Steel Brigade of its brilliant achievements in Suwon, Pyeongtaek, and Sunam, and commend Comrade Wu Wanli and all officers and soldiers of the 7th Steel Brigade for their extremely bravery, tenacity, and outstanding combat achievements!"

"We call on the entire army to learn from the Seventh Steel Brigade, to learn from their fighting spirit of not fearing strong enemies, fighting continuously, daring to penetrate enemy lines, and daring to fight tough and fierce battles!"

"Give the soldiers at the front a boost of morale and make the enemy utterly terrified!"

"Third, provide full support for the evacuation!"

"The victory of the Seventh Steel Brigade is glorious, but their current situation is perilous!"

"Wu Wanli's troops are in a den of dragons and tigers, and 100,000 UN troops are like mad dogs, ready to tear them apart and avenge the loss of Suwon!"

"We must do everything in our power to ensure the safe return of this heroic unit!"

"Order Li Yunlong to lead the main force of the 27th Army on the western front to launch the most powerful feint attack on the south bank of the Han River at all costs, and to show the momentum of a main offensive!"

"Even if it only ties us down for an extra hour, it will open another door of survival for the Seventh Steel Brigade!"

"Order Ding Wei's 12th Army to provide full support from the north bank of the Han River!"

"Use all available artillery fire to bombard the American defenses along the river, creating the illusion that our army is launching a large-scale counter-offensive across the river!"

"Attract and contain more US air force and artillery fire, relieving pressure on Wu Wanli's breakout direction!"

"Order the navy and air force to fully cooperate with the Seventh Steel Brigade's retreat and breakout after completing their missions, such as receiving Soviet warships!"

"Remember, all support should be aimed at disrupting and delaying the enemy's pursuit, thus buying space and time for the Seventh Steel Brigade!"

"Fourth, send a secret telegram to Comrade Wu Wanli to commend and reward him!"

"The achievements of Suwon are unprecedented and unparalleled!"

"The headquarters and all the soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army are immensely proud of your and the Seventh Steel Brigade's heroic deeds!"

"Regarding the Soviet warships, the Central Committee is making every effort to advance the matter, so there is no need to worry!"

"The most urgent task at present is not to annihilate the enemy, but to evacuate safely!"

"You have become the enemy's highest strategic target, and the scale of the encirclement and suppression will be unprecedented!"

"Remember, preserving our manpower and protecting our heroic troops is our top priority!"

"The headquarters has mobilized all available forces to tie down the enemy's main force!"

"The evacuation route and timing are up to you to decide on the spot!"

"The headquarters has full confidence in your battlefield insight and command abilities!"

"There's no need to be overly concerned about how many more enemies we can annihilate, no need to linger in battle, and no need to pursue victory!"

"The safe return of each and every one of you, every soldier, is the greatest victory at this stage!"

"Bring back a fighting force for me and Zhiji! That's the greatest achievement!"

"Tell Comrade Wanli that the headquarters is waiting to celebrate your victory! Waiting for your return!"

The boss waved his hand and gave the order in a clear and organized manner.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff, who had finished taking shorthand notes, immediately responded.

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

The UN Command Headquarters, located in Seongnam City, the center of the Han River South Bank defense line.

"Sir, something terrible has happened!!"

At that moment, a U.S. military staff officer rushed in and shouted.

"what's up?"

General Ridgway was looking down at a supplies allocation order when he heard this. He didn't look up immediately, but calmly asked.

"Suwon Castle has fallen! All external communications have been cut off, and there has been no response for over half an hour!"

"The last contact made with a temporary underground command post in the city said that the headquarters of the 187th Airborne Regiment has been completely destroyed, and Trappnell's whereabouts are unknown!"

"The entire 187th Airborne Regiment, along with Suwon City, is gone!"

The U.S. military staff officer quickly replied.

"Dangdang!"

Upon hearing this, Chief of Staff Van Fleet lost his grip on the ceramic coffee cup, which shattered instantly upon hitting the hard concrete floor!

Thick, dark coffee splattered everywhere, like blood spilled on a battlefield, staining a large area of ​​the expensive carpet.

"What did you say?!"

Ridgway abruptly looked up, his body instantly stiffening, and quickly snatched the telegram from Major Gray's hand.

His eyes, which were already bloodshot from the continuous fighting, were now burning with unbelievable rage and a deep pain of humiliation.

"The 187th Airborne Regiment? It's really gone..."

"Those are the best paratroopers in the 'United Nations Forces'! They're made of gold!"

"The equipment and training are top-notch!"

"That old fox Trappnell just silently wiped out my entire regiment?!"

Ridgway's voice suddenly rose, and he slammed the telegram on the table, roaring.

Van Fleet stared intently at the telegram, his face ashen, his jaw clenched, and the muscles in his cheeks bulging horribly.

The destruction of the 187th Regiment was not just a loss of a regiment, but also represented the collapse of a belief.

This is the U.S. Army's most elite, highly mobile, and versatile paratrooper force, considered a sharp weapon in the counterattack.

In a desperate defensive battle to hold the city, they were wiped out once again by the Seventh Steel Brigade!

"General, we just received a top-priority coded telegram from Washington, a direct order from the President."

The U.S. military staff officer spoke again after a suffocating silence.

Ridgway and Van Fleet's eyes instantly focused on another coded telegram in Gray's hand.

The encryption level and sending unit marked on it made the air in the entire command center tighten even more.

Ridgway took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the raging storm in his chest, took the coded telegram, and scanned it quickly and sharply.

As his gaze moved down line by line, his tightly furrowed brows first rose in surprise, then fell deeply back down.

His facial expression shifted dramatically between extreme shock, absurdity, rage, and a hint of unbelievable madness.

The order to annihilate the Seventh Steel Brigade was not the only one given; MacArthur's plan to combine suppression and appeasement was also given the same mandatory enforcement power by the White House.

"Commander-in-Chief of an army group?! Commanding 100,000 South Korean troops?!"

"Give it to... to that 'Shot of God' Wu Wanli?!"

Ridgway read it aloud incredulously, each word sounding like ice crystals squeezed out from between his teeth.

"Ha! Just how terrified were Truman and MacArthur of that Chinese kid?!"

"You're going to offer such a huge price to buy him off?!"

"That's 100,000 South Korean troops! The Steel Seventh Brigade he currently commands only has 10,000 men!"

He abruptly looked up at Van Fleet, his eyes sharp as knives, filled with undisguised absurdity and deeply offended anger.

Van Fleet leaned closer to read the entire coded telegram. Even the muscles on his usually serious and rigid face twitched slightly, and a storm raged in the depths of his eyes.

The sheer size of the offer and the crucial nature of the target for surrender shocked even this commander, known for his ruthlessness and toughness.

"Mr. President, General MacArthur's idea is indeed extremely bold, and extremely expensive."

Chief of Staff Van Fleet nodded in agreement.

"expensive?!"

"This is a shame!"

"It is a desecration of all American servicemen who died in Korea!"

"This is a trampling on soldiers and the rules of war!"

"How many of our people did that Wu Wanli kill?!"

"1st Marine Division, 1st Infantry Division, 5th Division, 25th Division..."

"Which unit number doesn't represent the lives of countless American soldiers?!"

"He is now our mortal enemy! He is the Chinese commander who most deserves to be hanged!"

Enraged, Ridgeway's forehead veins bulged as he gripped the edge of the coded message and shouted.

Van Fleet was silent for a few seconds, his gaze falling on the location of Suwon City, which was tightly surrounded by a red encirclement on the battle map, his mind racing as he calculated various possibilities.

"General, no matter how absurd it may seem, this is the highest order, and we must carry it out."

"Moreover, to be fair, from a strategic perspective, even if there is only a sliver of a chance of success, it would indeed be a game-changing step."

"The symbolic significance and devastating impact on the morale of the Chinese army that Wu Wanli stood on our side was greater than the annihilation of several ordinary Chinese divisions."

Van Fleet finally lowered his voice and reminded him in an almost whispered yet unusually clear tone.

These words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Ridgway's anger, causing his raging fury to abruptly subside.

He certainly knew what it meant to recruit Wu Wanli.

A name that instilled fear in countless American soldiers, an Eastern genius commander who repeatedly dealt heavy blows to the "UN forces" with his rifle and tactical command skills.

If this strongest "spiritual backbone" of the enemy could defect on the front lines...

Ridgway took a few deep breaths of the cold air, forcefully suppressing the overwhelming sense of humiliation.

A cold voice echoed in his heart: The outcome of war always belongs only to the final winner; history only records the result, regardless of the process.

"Good! Very good!"

"Since the President and His Excellency MacArthur are willing to offer such a generous reward, then we will grant their request!"

"However, the President is referring to a combination of suppression and appeasement, not just appeasement!"

Ridgway's voice regained its usual chilling calm, and he abruptly turned around, striding towards the huge hanging battle map.

He picked up his baton, the hard wooden tip pointing to the winding curve of the Han River on the map.

"Give me the order!"

"First, the 24th Infantry Division! Secure the Han River defense line centered on Seongnam City like a nail!"

"Under no circumstances should any unit of the Chinese Seventh Steel Corps be allowed to cross the Han River and join up with the Chinese troops north of the Han River! This is a death order!"

"Secondly, the entire First Cavalry Division shall immediately cease its rest and advance from the east towards Suwon!"

"Third, the 2nd Infantry Division pursued them from too far north!"

"Order them to immediately cease all unimportant pursuit missions and retreat at top speed, circling back to the Hengseong area east of Suwon to establish a blockade!"

"I will build an impregnable wall to the east of the Seventh Steel Brigade! I will never allow them to escape eastward!"

"Fourth, the Third Infantry Division, immediately move south! Target—Pyeongtaek Port and surrounding waters!"

"Occupy all key high points! Inspect and blockade all ports and beaches that could be used for ship entry and exit!"

"Maintain firm control of the coastline! Especially Pyeongtaek Port!"

"We must not give them any more chance to escape by sea!"

"Fifth, order all mobile South Korean divisions and brigades in the southern hinterland to immediately abandon secondary missions and assemble at full speed to the south of Suwon and the Sunam region to await orders!"

"Be ready at any time to support the main force and intercept the enemy fleeing north!"

"Tell them this is a crucial battle! Don't let me down!"

Ridgway pointed to the battle map and gave a loud order.

Staff officers at all levels quickly picked up the telephones and radios, and the entire center instantly came alive, filled with shouts, radio silence, and the rustling of codebooks being turned.

Van Fleet kept his eyes glued to the map, especially the huge and dangerous gap on the eastern front.

The US Second Division's hasty retreat will take time, and Wu Wanli is no fool; he will definitely try his best to squeeze through this gap!
"General, the eastern front!"

"The gap that the US Second Division is trying to close is too large!"

"The Hengcheng area is extremely dangerous right now. Once the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade breaks away from Suwon, they will immediately head east to seek a breakthrough. They may break out from there before our main force can encircle them!"

"To the west, there is a cavalry division; to the south, there are South Korean troops and our three divisions guarding the coast; and to the north, the Han River is guarded by the 24th Division..."

"Only on the Eastern Front can the US Second Division be of great difficulty in quenching the immediate fire from afar!"

"We must send a force to the front immediately and block the pass at Hengcheng!"

When Ridgway paused after issuing the main orders, he immediately stepped forward and pointed to the Hengcheng area on the eastern side of the map.

"Who?"

"There are only remnants of the army and rear support troops there now! Where are the complete divisions?"

Li Qiwei asked with a furrowed brow.

"The ROK 9th Division!"

"This division has just withdrawn from the eastern front for rest and reorganization. Although its organizational structure was damaged, its troop strength is largely intact. It is the reserve force closest to Hengcheng!"

"If we march quickly, we can reach the Hengcheng front line at least 12 hours earlier than the US 2nd Division!"

“I recommend that Park Jung-hee, who has fought against the Chinese army many times and has combat experience, be put in command.”

"He was the only one who dared to go to Shuainan and hold off the Chinese army back then; he was incredibly brave!"

"Chief of Staff Van Fleet said."

Park Jung-hee?

Upon hearing this, Li Qiwei frowned.

He remembered the name; it was often associated with "defeat" and "chaos" in previous battle reports.

"Is he capable? Is he reliable?"

"He just slipped away from the Chinese!"

"Let him stand in front of Wu Wanli, so he doesn't collapse at the first touch and waste our precious time!"

Li Qiwei said this with a tone full of distrust.

"General, whether the Koreans can be relied upon depends on what we hold in our hands."

“My people have found out that Park Jung-hee’s family, his parents, wife and two young children, are all in our controlled area.”

“I have already secretly sent people there, and our people will bring them out.”

Van Fleet's lips curled into a cold smile as he lowered his voice and spoke in a volume only the two of them could hear.

"You mean..."

Ridgway instantly understood Van Fleet's meaning, and his pupils contracted slightly.

"Yes, General."

"By controlling his family in the early stages, we can ensure that he will not dare to surrender directly."

"After his family arrives, I will make sure that we set up a small garrison post next to Park Jung-hee's division headquarters."

"Protecting in name only, but controlling in reality."

"If the main force of the Chinese army attacks Park Jung-hee's defenses, his family will perish along with his defenses."

"If he can't hold out, the Chinese will step into his command post area."

"Therefore, it is not impossible that there will be unfortunate casualties from stray bullets during the final firefight."

Van Fleet's tone was flat and emotionless, as if he were stating a cold, hard fact.

The coldness and cruelty in those words sent a chill down Ridgway's spine, even though he was a seasoned veteran.

He stared intently at Van Fleet's face, which was as cold and indifferent as granite.

This is not a strategy; it is the most vile threat, a poisonous scheme to extinguish the last line of defense of humanity.

After a few seconds of terrifying silence, a flash of madness appeared in Ridgway's eyes.

Moral sense has been completely crushed by the series of failures and Washington's astonishing "price".

What he needs is a result!
The result is achieved at all costs!

"it is good!"

"That's settled! Bring Park Jung-hee's wife and children here!"

"The sooner we receive it, the sooner we can start playing like this."

"Furthermore, order Park Jung-hee! Immediately move the 9th Division of the Korean Army to Hengcheng at full speed to construct fortifications!"

"If the Chinese army advances, he must resist to the very last moment!"

Li Qiwei's voice was low and firm, carrying a ruthless, all-or-nothing quality.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Van Fleet immediately agreed.

He immediately turned around and whispered a few words to a trusted intelligence officer.

The other person's expression turned serious, and they quickly turned and left.

Ridgway took a deep breath and felt a mixture of morbid fatigue and excitement.

Just as he was about to catch his breath, the curtain of the command tent was violently ripped open again.

"Reporting to the General! Urgent enemy situation!"

"We just received a radio report from the forward observation post in the south of the city that a large enemy force has been detected! They are flying the banner of the 7th Steel Corps and their advance is heading straight for Seongnam City in the center of the Han River, which is right here!"

"Their vanguard has engaged in fierce fighting with our guard troops on the southern outskirts of the city!!"

"They moved too fast, and their attack was too fierce!!"

Suddenly, a U.S. military staff officer, covered in sweat and smelling of gunpowder from the battlefield, practically rolled in and shouted.

"what?!"

Ridgway and Van Fleet stared wide-eyed and almost simultaneously cried out!
Wu Wanli's Seventh Steel Brigade had just wiped out Shuiyuan in a bloodbath, and should have been exhausted.

Instead of quickly withdrawing, they rushed towards the Han River defense line to the north, which was the most fortified and heavily defended by the "United Nations forces," at an astonishing speed!
What does he want to do? !

A surge of fury at being blatantly provoked and a sense of astonishment at being torn apart by the prey instantly overwhelmed Ridgway!
"Order the 24th Division! Hold them off! Engage them! Engage them at all costs!"

"Send orders to all units! Encirclement and suppression forces! Full speed ahead!!"

Ridgway roared, spitting almost onto Van Fleet's face as he gave the order.

At that moment, only one thought remained in his mind.

Whether Wu Wanli intended to forcibly cross the river from the south of the city to the north or had other schemes, he had to immediately seize the beast that was biting the hunter's throat!
"If necessary, order the forward troops of the 24th Division to feign defeat and allow small groups, or even part of their main force, to penetrate deep into the southern part of the city!"

"Once they get in, we might be able to trap them in this final trap!"

Chief of Staff Van Fleet thought for a moment and then added.

Ridgway looked at him sharply, and in a flash understood the purpose of the trap.

The south of the city is a pre-planned, fortified fortress. Let them in, close the gates, and then the armies from all directions will converge!
"Proceed accordingly! All encirclement and suppression forces! Speed ​​things up!"

"They must be crushed in the south of the city! One hundred thousand troops, annihilate them! Leave no one alive!"

"And that Wu Wanli, whether he lives or dies, he must be kept here!"

Li Qiwei nodded emphatically, his voice filled with a resolute determination as he gave the order.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the U.S. military staff officer immediately agreed and ran to the radio station to relay the message.

Thus began a massive operation involving over 100,000 UN troops against the 8,000-strong Seventh Steel Brigade!
(End of this chapter)