Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 325 Wu Wanli's Long-Range Flanking Maneuver! The Fifth Campaign is About to Begin!
The meeting room fell silent; even the thick smoke seemed to have stagnated.

Only the three enormous blades drawn by Wu Wanli with his baton on the map repeatedly slashed in everyone's minds.

That grand, meticulous, and ruthless battle plan struck everyone like a heavy hammer, arousing a profound shock and an impact that still needs to be digested.

A good ten seconds or so passed before the heavy breathing sound re-emerged in the silent air.

Kong Jie subconsciously reached for his pipe, but instead of lighting it, he just squeezed the tobacco tightly.

Ding Wei's fingers unconsciously traced across the tabletop.

Commander Fu stared at the arrow on the map that represented the Western Front Assault Group, his brows furrowing and then slowly relaxing.

Li Yunlong slapped his thigh suddenly, breaking the silence with a loud "Bang!"

Li Yunlong's voice boomed like a bell, and his rough fingers pointed straight at Wu Wanli, saying, "I'm convinced! I'm truly convinced!"

Look! Now this is what war looks like!

The massive force of hundreds of thousands of people was as clear in Wu Wanli's mind as manipulating the pieces on a chessboard, each one perfectly distinct.

Interweaving, main attack, assist, pincers, hammer blows... it's all there!
It's all clearly arranged: who should step up at each step, and where to drive the nail in at each step! What's that called?
This is what you call skillful command and brilliant military strategy!

Hahahahaha...

This kid is a soldier I personally trained!

He was just a greenhorn back then, but I knew he was a natural-born fighter!

Upon hearing this, several generals who had close ties with Wu Wanli also wore smiles of pride.

Kong Jie also stood up and nodded vigorously, saying, "Old Li is right!"

Comrade Wu Wanli fought his way up from a new recruit to the commander of the Seventh Steel Brigade right under our noses. Every battle he fought was one he fought with his own hard-won experience.

He blew up tanks in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, led the attack on the Blue House in Seoul, and fought a desperate battle against the American fleet at Pyeongtaek Port...

Which one of these things wasn't done with our lives on the line?

His command ability today is a true skill honed through blood and fire!
This isn't just empty talk or fancy rhetoric; it's real, hands-on training!

As the political commissar, Zhao Gang was naturally more reserved than Li Yunlong, but the admiration in his eyes was equally undisguised, and he replied in a steady and powerful voice:
"Old Li, Old Kong's words are very pertinent."

Comrade Wan Li's military achievements and command skills have proven that he is a rare and outstanding general in our army.

In particular, the strategic vision and insight demonstrated in the deduction and overall conception just now far exceeded the norm.

Given time, with his learning ability, battlefield awareness, and this seemingly innate talent for using unconventional tactics and breaking with established methods...

His future achievements may very well rival those of ancient military geniuses like Han Xin!
"The more troops you have, the better; strategic planning leads to victory from afar!"

These words carry immense weight!
A murmur of gasps filled the room.

Famous generals of the past, such as Bai Qi, Han Xin, Wei Qing, and Huo Qubing, have long been revered as gods in the military, serving as role models and legends.

Zhao Gang is known for his strict military discipline and meticulous thinking. At this moment, he actually compared the nineteen-year-old Wu Wanli to the military genius Han Xin and pointed out his potential to become a future "military god".

This was like dropping a bombshell in the heart of this desolate battlefield!

Even the CEO and Chief Chen's eyes held a deep sense of inquiry and surprise.

Wu Wanli, who had been thrust into this position of great power, seemed to have been burned by fire. The color drained from his young face instantly, and humility and embarrassment replaced his previous composure.

He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to the general, Chief Chen, and all the generals present, his forehead almost touching the edge of the table.

When he looked up again, he spoke rapidly, with a hint of fear tinged with forced composure:
"Political Commissar Zhao! Commander Li! Fellow leaders! You flatter me! You really flatter me!"
Wanli was just an ordinary person who, thanks to the guidance and support of his superiors and the hard work of his comrades, managed to achieve some merit.

These are just some of my humble thoughts presented at today's meeting, which came to me under the guidance and inspiration of the leaders at headquarters, combined with the lessons learned from previous bloody battles.

How could I possibly accept such praise from you leaders?
Saying things like "the more soldiers Han Xin has, the better" or "a military genius" is like putting me on the hot seat!
Do you think I don't know my own limitations?

However, I have only just learned to recognize a full map and barely understand how to deploy and recall troops.

In terms of actual command experience, compared with the commanders here who have fought hard battles for decades, I am just a toddler taking my first steps!
Historically, weren't figures like Zhao Kuo and Ma Su just armchair strategists who talked big but ended up harming the country and the army on the battlefield?
In my current state, isn't I just like those empty-talking Zhao Kuo and Ma Su?

What I just said was all empty talk. I urge all leaders not to take it seriously, and certainly not to compare me to the sages of the past.

I am truly unworthy of such praise, and I am utterly unworthy of this honor!

This self-deprecating confession, which is almost a form of humility, is less a simple act of modesty and more an instinctive stress response to overwhelming praise.

At the age of nineteen, and with the heavy responsibility of the "Steel Seventh Brigade" on his shoulders, he understood better than anyone the danger of a tree standing out in the forest being felled by the wind.

The boss suddenly broke the delicate silence with a deep, hearty laugh, turning to Chief Chen beside him, who also wore a smile, and said:
"Hahaha! Did you see that?"
When this kid is fighting, he can't hide his sharpness at all. He's as sharp as a newly sharpened triangular bayonet, capable of killing with a single blow!

But when it comes to being a good person, recognizing achievements, and receiving praise, they end up dragging themselves down into the mud.

They know how to keep their talents hidden, have self-awareness, and know when to bow their heads in the face of merit and when to reflect on themselves in the face of praise!

Excellent, very good! A rare find!

Chief Chen smiled, his deep eyes full of approval and commendation, and said, "Indeed, it is rare."

It is easy to be arrogant because of one's talent, but difficult to remain humble when one has achieved something.

Comrade Wu Wanli's combination of sharpness and composure is truly an indispensable quality for a good general and a tiger general.

The sharpness of a blade should be revealed on its tip, aimed at the enemy.

In life and in work, one must always have reverence in one's heart—reverence for the organization, reverence for one's soldiers and officers, and a clear understanding of oneself.

Fighting a war requires this kind of "tiger-like" drive, while living a life requires the caution of "walking on thin ice."

He handled it well.

The dual endorsement from the boss and Chief Chen was like an authoritative stamp of approval on Wu Wanli's performance.

The slightly strange atmosphere in the venue, caused by the overwhelming praise and Wu Wanli's "self-deprecation," was instantly replaced by a deeper sense of appreciation and expectation.

The generals looked at Wu Wanli with a newfound understanding and appreciation, in addition to their previous admiration.

Just then, Commander Song of the Ninth Army Corps, who was sitting in the front row, took off his military cap, tapped the table with his fingers, and said with a look of reminiscence on his face, "Commander, Commander Chen is absolutely right."

If you two hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten. Back then, he didn't even have a letter of introduction, and he just stopped my car to join the army, looking all chubby and innocent.

"I never imagined that the skinny kid who dared to stop a car to join the army back then would be standing in this position today, achieving such great success!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's gaze once again focused on Wu Wanli.

The image of that young soldier who stopped a car to join the army back then overlaps with the image of the young general standing at the core of the army's decision-making circle, wielding great power and influence.

The stark contrast created a poignant and warm atmosphere throughout the venue.

Faced with Chief Song's recollections and the smiling gazes of the crowd, Wu Wanli's embarrassment deepened.

He immediately stood at attention, gave Commander Song a standard military salute, and said in a voice full of sincere gratitude:
"Thank you, Chief Song!"

If it weren't for your exception to take me in back then, giving Wanli the opportunity to hold a gun, I, Wu Wanli, might still be in a fishing village now, and I certainly wouldn't be where I am today!
I will never forget this great kindness!
All the honors and achievements of the Seventh Steel Brigade are inseparable from the support and trust of its former leaders!

Just as the atmosphere was beginning to ease, a calm voice cut in precisely.

Ding Wei, the commander of the 12th Army, who had been silently pondering, leaned forward and lightly tapped his finger on the heart of the central core breakthrough zone in the battle plan on the map.

Ding Wei said, "Comrade Wu Wanli, your deployment plan is meticulously conceived, with clear key points and a well-defined direction."

On the western front, the 19th Army Corps, as the main force of the assault, launched a strong attack at the Imjin River, forming the first pincer movement, with its target pointing directly at Goyang and Uijeongbu, the outskirts of Seoul.

The intention was clear: to pin down the area north of Seoul, immobilize the US First Army, and keep the US Ninth Army in place, preventing them from retreating westward or supporting friendly forces to the east.

In the central direction, the 3rd Army Corps will be the main force, launching a fierce attack on the core defense line of the US Ninth Army, aiming to break through the enemy's defensive fortifications along the Lianchuan-Tieyuan line.

The 15th Army undertook the most critical mission of deep penetration, with the target being Kimhwa. This was the true core of the campaign, the scalpel that severed the enemy's lifeline on the eastern and western battlefields!

The 12th Army and my 60th Army, as subsequent echelon forces, were tasked with consolidating the breach that had been opened.

To ensure that the 15th Army, this sharpest weapon, can thrust forward with all its might, without any worries about its rear.

On the eastern front, along the line from Wontong-ri to Hangye Ridge, the 39th and 40th Armies, as the main force, will cooperate with the Korean People's Army to launch a diversionary offensive. Their mission is to hold back the enemy in front of them, while at the same time organizing elite troops to boldly penetrate through the southwest gap of Hangye Ridge and take Gapyeong directly!
That was a brilliant move!

It's like stabbing an invisible dagger into the enemy's backside!

This would sever the connection between the central UN forces and the South Korean Third Army Corps on the eastern front.

This also provides crucial insurance for the flanks of the main attacking force on the western and central fronts!

Ding Wei's analysis was logically clear and concise, almost perfectly extracting the core tactical ideas of Wu Wanli's massive operational plan in just a few sentences.

Many generals in the meeting room, including the commander who had just been reminiscing about Wu Wanli's past, couldn't help but follow Ding Wei's train of thought and re-examine the troop arrows on the map, their faces showing sudden realization and even deeper admiration.

Commander Fu slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Commander Ding's summary is excellent!"

A pincer movement on the western front, a strong offensive in the central route to annihilate the US Ninth Army, and an encirclement on the eastern front...

right! That's it!

A three-pronged approach, directly targeting the core!

Ding Wei abruptly changed the subject, a calculating look reappearing on his face, his gaze fixed on Wu Wanli as he said:
"However, in all these directions, the western front has the 19th Army Corps and its attached units, the central front has the main force of the 3rd Army Corps and three armies, the eastern front has the main force of the 39th Army and the People's Army, and even the infiltration units are all assigned to different units..."

So, Comrade Wu Wanli, what about you and your 'Steel Seventh Brigade,' an armored battalion with a glorious combat record, which has just received the strongest reinforcement from headquarters and now has a full 36 tanks?

Where does this 'super assault force' that you personally lead fit into the overall campaign structure?
What is the mission?
Where do you plan to place the Seventh Steel Brigade?
Is it to be placed in the middle, as a heavy blow to crush the last line of defense of the US Ninth Army?

Or should it be placed on the western front, serving as the second-line assault force after the crossing of the Imjin River?

Or perhaps there's an even more unexpected arrangement?
Could it be that they've been keeping this unit hidden all along, preparing to launch a surprise attack?
That would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut!

Ding Wei's question was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples!

The generals, who had just been immersed in the grand blueprint of the 50,000-mile campaign, almost simultaneously realized what was happening!
Yup!

The deployment was well-organized, with each corps and army assigned a clear mission, and even the Korean People's Army and infiltration forces were taken into account.

But the mission of the Steel Seventh Brigade, this newly armed "darling," was not explicitly stated!

Li Yunlong's smug smile froze instantly, turning into a mixture of concern and curiosity. He sat up abruptly and said, "Yeah! Wanli, what are you up to?"

Your Seventh Steel Brigade is now a heavily armed iron fist that has been given plenty of life support by headquarters!
A full complement of elite soldiers, a warehouse full of ammunition, all American-made weapons plus newly enhanced automatic firearms, plus more than thirty iron turtles!

With this kind of attitude, if we don't throw ourselves into the toughest part and get a few pieces of meat, can we live up to the big spender of the boss and Chief Chen?

Does it live up to the prestigious reputation of the Seventh Steel Corps?

"Tell me quickly! Where do you want to throw it?!"

Kong Jie nodded vigorously, his eyes serious, and said, "Not bad!"
Wanli, tell me quickly.

"Such a powerful assault force shouldn't be wasted on key points of frontal breakthrough!"

Zhao Gang frowned slightly. As the political commissar, he was more concerned about the limits of the troops' endurance. He said, "Although the Seventh Steel Brigade is a formidable fighting force, it has suffered considerable losses of key personnel in the recent fierce battles."

This is a good thing, as it allows for the priority replenishment of veteran elites to full strength, along with a large amount of new equipment.

However, it takes time to efficiently and quickly integrate new and old members and make personnel and equipment a unified force for combat!
Should they be sent directly into the middle to break through the core defenses of the US Ninth Army?

The initial casualties will likely be significant.

Even Chief Chen turned his head slightly, looking at Wu Wanli with a questioning smile, and said: "The boss and I have really gone all out, thirty-six tanks, a fully equipped armored battalion, plus those submachine guns, semi-automatic rifles and mortars..."

This is practically our strongest assault group on the entire eastern front.

Comrade Wu Wanli, with such a powerful reserve strike force, are you planning to leave it in the rear as a mere spectator?
Or is it already well-thought-out and intended to use it where it's most needed?

Please elaborate on your thoughts.

The boss didn't speak, but simply crossed his arms, his eyes, which seemed to see through everything, calmly looking at Wu Wanli, waiting for his answer.

The air in the entire conference room instantly tensed, and all eyes were focused on the young figure in front of the map.

Under the intense gaze of dozens of the most influential eyes in the room, Wu Wanli took a deep breath. The embarrassment and humility on his face vanished, and the toughness and calmness he displayed when making battlefield decisions reappeared in his eyes.

He did not answer immediately, but instead stepped forward, walked to the huge battle map, and picked up the command baton.

The tip of the stick swept across the map, eventually stopping on the mountain icon representing the defensive positions of the South Korean Third Army Corps in the eastern part of the battle line.

Wu Wanli's voice was steady and clear, carrying an undeniable decisiveness:
"Reporting to our leaders, the target area of ​​our Seventh Steel Brigade is neither Lianchuan and Tieyuan on the central front, nor the Imjin River on the western front."

Our first point of attack was the defensive area of ​​the South Korean army on the eastern front!
The South Korean army managed to cobble together a defensive corps from several divisions.

To my knowledge, this is the only group on the current UN forces front that has not been rebuilt, has suffered damage, is short of manpower, and has the most outdated equipment.

Internally, the command system is disorganized and coordination is inefficient.

On the eastern front, our army only needs to deploy a reinforced main force division, along with the firepower of two artillery regiments, to exert pressure head-on.

The key lies in the concentration of firepower and the intensity of the first wave of attacks.

If I'm not mistaken, the General Staff originally planned for a part of the Ninth Army Corps to carry out a diversionary operation in this direction.

However, according to my deduction, if the Seventh Steel Brigade were to attack from here, the effect would be completely different.

Not only can it completely crush the enemy in front of it, but it can also open up the widest and fastest breakthrough point for the entire battle with an absolute crushing force!

"Steel Seventh Brigade?"

Kong Jie raised a thick eyebrow and subconsciously asked a question.

Wu Wanli nodded, then thrust his hand forward sharply, drawing a wild trajectory from east to west that ran through the heart of Korea, saying, "Yes!"

The core mission of the Steel Seventh Brigade, which I command, is to defeat the South Korean defensive forces in front of us and, without any delay or entanglement, immediately turn all the way to the southwest!
Target—the core area of ​​the enemy's combined front!

What are the specific coordinates of the target?

Chief Chen, who had been silently pondering, suddenly spoke, his voice low and cautious.

Wu Wanli decisively shook his head and said: "The overall plan is roughly to make a large-scale advance and outflanking maneuver along the flanks and rear of the UN forces!"

Specific objectives will not be predetermined, as the battlefield is ever-changing.

Everything is based on seizing the best opportunity after breaking through and rapidly advancing, and taking advantage of the enemy's momentary confusion.

I will determine the enemy's most vulnerable and fatal joints based on the situation.

It could be that the main artery of the logistics hub has been cut off, two large troop groups have been forcibly torn apart and isolated, or the core of the enemy's command structure has been disrupted by an attack!
These targets are far more valuable than a forced assault on a pre-selected area!

Our core operational principle: Speed! Like a thunderbolt, speed is the only way to break through!

A collective gasp filled the otherwise silent conference room. An elderly staff officer, his temples streaked with gray, instinctively adjusted his glasses and asked, "Where is the 3rd Army Corps, the one launching the frontal assault?"
If this heavy hammer army, which is the absolute main force, cannot successfully break through the solid wall on the front.

The Seventh Steel Brigade's desperate attempt to break through enemy lines alone was surely a futile endeavor.

Wu Wanli nodded and said:
"If the 3rd Army Corps cannot break through the hard nut of the central defense line, no matter how deep my 7th Steel Brigade penetrates, it will eventually lose its support and foothold, and become an isolated force in danger."

The key to the success of this battle lies in one point: the breakthrough operation of the central army must become the strong foundation and reliable guarantee for our troops' rapid advance!

The power, determination, and speed of the 3rd Army Group's assault were fundamental to the survival of the entire large-scale flanking maneuver!

The commander of the 15th Army frowned, a flicker of fighting spirit in his eyes, and stared at Wu Wanli, saying, "The 15th Army is ordered to launch a major attack on the core hub of the Jinhua area, smash open the iron gate, and sever the east-west connection of the enemy's 9th Army!"

The boss suddenly spoke, his voice booming like a bell, decisively declaring, "Good!"

The position of the anvil on the front of the 3rd Army Corps must be absolutely secure!
Smash it at all costs! If you can smash it open, then smash it open; if you can't, then smash the bones to create a crack!

This will create depth and space for the Seventh Steel Brigade's large-scale flanking maneuver!
Wu Wanli, what do you need? Speak freely!

Wu Wanli thought for a moment, then answered decisively:

Four essentials!
Firstly, the mobile bloodline.

Vehicle, fully loaded!
As the spearhead, the tank battalion needs an additional 50% of its fuel and ammunition support vehicles.

Secondly, they are pioneers.

The engineering detachment needs to be reinforced to two battalions, equipped with sufficiently high-intensity, high-efficiency road-opening explosives and pontoon bridge components.

Thirdly, eyes and ears in the air.

The theater command’s direct reconnaissance aircraft squadron is required to provide real-time air situational intelligence according to the time window, route, and altitude specified by me.

Fourth, the iron gate at the rear was cut off.

Once our troops achieve a vertical breakthrough and penetrate deep into enemy territory, their eastern and western flanks will surely launch a fierce counterattack.

We need a powerful force to firmly control key points on the flanks, completely blocking the enemy's main force's east-west advance, and buying us a precious window of time to avoid being disrupted by a large-scale counterattack!

Every one of his demands hit the nail on the head, and every demand meant a huge allocation of resources and a readjustment of systemic support.

Hong Xuezhi, who was in charge of logistics and transportation, frowned deeply as he quickly calculated the transportation capacity and warehouse reserves.

Commander Deng, who was in charge of the deployment, looked at the huge, winding area on the map, repeatedly gesturing to the troop identification signs, and nodded silently and solemnly.

Without any hesitation, the boss turned to the chief of staff and said, "Approved!"

Relevant safeguards and collaborative arrangements should be coordinated and implemented immediately!

The entire military force must be prioritized and deployed around the core mission of this operation, without the slightest delay!

The atmosphere in the operations room was oppressive and heavy, as if it had been filled with molten lead.

Surrounded by the complex gazes of the crowd, Wu Wanli stood tall like a solitary peak and continued, "This plan is not a reckless gamble with one's life."

Their confidence stems from the strength of the Seventh Steel Brigade itself, with more than half of its members being veterans, all of whom are battle-hardened elites.

The thirty-six tanks it was equipped with, though not the best in the world, were mobile and reliable enough to form a core for breaking through defenses.

It is equipped with artillery and has the capability to provide indirect bombardment support during an assault.

The entire brigade's mobility has surpassed that of conventional main force divisions, and it carries a sufficient amount of ammunition to support high-intensity continuous combat.

Although the UN forces were numerous, their large troop formations made it difficult for them to coordinate their efforts.

My detours always took place at the edges of their defensive systems, in gaps between troops, and where troop density was low.

The first key to the success of the operation is that our troops must advance at a speed exceeding all the enemy's reserve mobilization plans!
This makes them have several times more troops than me, yet they are like giants facing lightning passing under their armpits, unable to defend themselves from both ends!
The second key point is that when breaking through the South Korean defenses, you must achieve a complete annihilation at the tactical level!

We must ensure that the enemy completely loses its ability to regroup and harass us in the short term.

If a stalemate develops, even if you manage to repel the attack, it will be a failure!

Smash the first blow, and the rest will be a smooth road ahead!

When Wu Wanli presented his battle plan, the conference room fell into an extremely tense silence.

The air seemed to freeze, with only heavy or suppressed breathing rising and falling, pounding on everyone's nerve endings.

"Huh—!"

A muffled thud broke the silence, and Commander Yang of the 19th Army Corps suddenly stood up.

Yang Dezhi's voice sounded like it had been sanded, each word delivered with force:
"Comrade Wu Wanli! You mean you're going to lead this entire brigade to break through the UN forces' eastern front and outflank them?!"
They plunged headlong into the fray, ignoring everything else, from the flanks to the rear, and kept heading west and south until they reached the rear of the main UN forces.

And they don't even set specific targets, relying on seizing opportunities?

You want to outflank and rear the main force of hundreds of thousands of UN troops?!

This blatant, almost insane tactical intention, shouted out by Commander Yang, instantly ignited a thunderbolt in everyone's hearts.

Kong Jie seemed to be jolted awake by that slap, and he stood up abruptly, his burly body swaying as he said:
"My God!"
Wu Wanli, I just praised you for your brilliant military strategy, and you dare to resort to such a desperate tactic?!

Those were hundreds of thousands of heavily armed enemies! The eastern front was weak, but it was still a relatively easy nut to crack among hundreds of thousands of people!
No matter how powerful your Seventh Steel Brigade is, you're still human, not made of steel!

You plunge in headfirst, surrounded by enemies on all sides, with shells and bullets whizzing by. How do you refuel and replenish your ammunition?

How should the wounded be evacuated?
What if the UN forces surround and kill you? No way!

I, Lao Kong, am the first to disagree!

This is practically a death sentence!

Political Commissar Zhao Gang, whose face was usually as calm as still water, could no longer maintain his composure, his brows furrowing into a deep frown as he said:

"Comrade Wanli's infiltration of the eastern front and deep behind enemy lines has immense strategic value, which is beyond doubt."

But the risks of this tactic are higher than imagined.

This is not just a matter of going deep into enemy territory alone; it means putting oneself in a desperate situation of continuous high-intensity confrontation, absolute disadvantage, and information isolation.

You just said 'fast,' but how much extreme and perfect execution and how much incredible luck does that 'fast' require?

Our responsibility as commanders is to consider the contingency plan. And what if?

Commander Song of the Ninth Army Corps looked grave, took a deep drag on his pipe, and said in a low voice, "Wu Wanli, have you thought about this?"

Once you get in, the South Korean army on the eastern front, although relatively weak, will receive support from the US military!
Once you breach the first layer, the enemy can immediately mobilize heavy forces to build a second, third, and fourth line of defense along your route. They will stop at nothing to plug this fatal gap!
Even if your knife is sharp, what if it gets dull? What if it breaks?
Boss, Chief Chen, isn't this tactic a bit too... risky?

The Seventh Steel Brigade was the sharpest spearhead of our Volunteer Army, a benchmark for the entire army. In case…

Thinking of his daughter and the bigger picture, An Changsen couldn't help but speak, looking intently at Wu Wanli:

"Wanli, we all witnessed your analytical and judgment abilities just now, and they are truly astounding."

Your strategic vision and tactical deployment demonstrate extraordinary courage.

But this mission of infiltrating behind enemy lines and breaking through the eastern front... it's practically like throwing this sharp knife out to pierce the enemy's heart.

But while piercing through, the knife itself might also... Could there be a more secure option?

Or, to put it another way, let other units bear some of the risk?

Chief Chen listened intently, his gaze shifting back and forth between Wu Wanli and the map, his tightly pursed lips revealing an unusual seriousness.

His staff officer was quickly taking notes in his notebook, the pen scratching softly, his brow furrowed in the same way.

"boom!"

Li Yunlong slammed his hand on the table, his brows furrowed, and said:

"Wu Wanli, are you made of iron and indestructible?"

Are all the soldiers in your Seventh Steel Brigade heavenly warriors descended to earth?

Outflank hundreds of thousands of UN troops?
What a loud tone!
Let me tell you, if you want to do it this way, count me in, Li Yunlong!
Our main force of the 27th Army will charge alongside you, and we'll die together!
"I'll risk my life, even if it costs me a hundred pounds, to protect you and the Seventh Steel Brigade!"

Ding Wei glanced at the battle map, his voice lowering to a level of unprecedented caution as he spoke:

"Calm down, Li Yunlong! Risking your life to protect him is a bad idea!"
Comrade Wanli's plan was incredibly audacious!
Wanli, listen to me clearly: I, Ding Wei, never submit to anyone, but today I'm convinced by your deduction!
But this task you're assigning me is really giving me a headache!

Look here, a ring road!
Look here, a tributary on the north bank of the Han River, the water is quite deep this time of year! And look at these highlands!

Every point is an excellent position for the enemy to block you!
How do you quickly traverse these natural barriers with your mobile column?

How can we guarantee the speed?

If the enemy deploys a regiment at a key point on your inevitable route, constructs strong fortifications, and coordinates with artillery and air power, your high-speed thrusting knife will be smashed to pieces!
How fast do you mean by "fast"? How fast will it take? What about your logistical support plans for fuel, ammunition, and evacuation routes for the wounded?!

All eyes were on Wu Wanli.

Those gazes were a mixture of shock, confusion, worry, admiration, and a hint of expectation.

They were completely impressed by Wu Wanli's ability to accurately predict the enemy's situation, but they were also deeply shocked by his almost suicidal assault mission. Their hearts were tormented and churning as if they had been thrown into boiling oil.

They need an answer, a reason that will prevent this shock from ultimately leading to destruction.

Wu Wanli raised his right hand and forcefully swept it across the narrow strip of land on the map that represented the South Korean army's defense line, stretching westward from the eastern coast:

"Commander Yang, Deputy Commander Kong, Political Commissar Zhao, Political Commissar An, Commander Song, Commander Li, Commander Ding, and all other commanders."

The mission of the Seventh Steel Brigade is to break through the weak eastern defense of the South Korean army at all costs, with the fastest speed and the strongest impact!
Ignore the flanks, because the flanks will be occupied by feinting forces!
We disregard the rear, because the real rear is the direction of our breakthrough and the victory we must create!

Is the enemy trying to encircle and blockade us?
That's exactly the result we wanted!

Are they waiting for us in a pre-arranged position?

Then crush them!

Run them over faster than they can build fortifications or mobilize reserves!
Let them not be able to surround or blockade us!

Fuel-fueled ammunition?

Assure?

That's a lifeline!
Our speed of penetration and destructive capabilities are our own guarantee!
The enemy's node has been paralyzed and captured!

Before the enemy is able to mobilize more troops to form a deadly encirclement, completely crush their will to resist at the front and disrupt their core deployment!

The comrades asked if we were confident?
You asked me if Wu Wanli was confident of success?
I... am not 100% confident of success!

But I have the resolve to 'die for my country'!

Every soldier in the Seventh Steel Brigade is determined to die for their country!

The enemy's rear is the front line of Steel Seven!
Steel Seven is willing to sacrifice its own heavy casualties to achieve minimal casualties for the entire army!
This is the meaning behind the existence of our sharp blade!
Leaders, we are very clear about what we are doing!
The Seventh Steel Brigade had a strength of just over 10,000 men, while we faced hundreds of thousands of UN troops!
In this battle, we are to be the spearhead! The hammer! The explosive charge!
We will use the nick and break of our sword to pry open the collapse of the entire UN forces' defense system!

The elite troops are meant to penetrate the enemy's most vulnerable points!
We must undertake the most dangerous missions! We must carve a bloody path for the hundreds of thousands of main force troops behind us!
If we shrink back and dare not plunge in the hardest, deepest knife.

Comrades on other fronts will have to endure the enemy's strong fortifications and artillery fire, shedding more blood and making greater sacrifices!

Commanders, our Seventh Steel Brigade is applying to carry out this mission not only because we are capable of doing it, but also because... we are willing to do it!
It is our duty, it is our responsibility to go!

For the overall victory of the campaign, and for the lives of hundreds of thousands of volunteer soldiers, we are willing to do it!

This is the mission of the Seventh Steel Brigade!

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

The command center was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the air felt heavy and oppressive on everyone's hearts.

The space, which had just been filled with heated debate, was now filled only with a suffocatingly heavy breathing.

Li Yunlong looked at Wu Wanli with his mouth slightly open, as if he were seeing this young soldier for the first time.

The heartache and indignation that had preceded his fierce opposition were gone from Kong Jie's face; instead, a complex mix of immense shock and profound regret appeared on his face.

Ding Wei's fingertips were still on that dangerous infiltration route on the map.

But he had forgotten to think about the tactical details; a strong, aching sensation suddenly rushed into his nose and eyes.

Zhao Gang's deep eyes held an uncontrollable emotion and respect as he silently gazed at the young figure who, though not particularly tall, seemed to be shouldering the heavy burden of a thousand troops.

Chief Song slowly put down his pipe, his gaze lingering on Wu Wanli's young face, as if trying to find a trace of fear or hesitation there.

But all he saw was a sincere openness and a fearless determination.

An Changsen closed his eyes tightly, and opened them a moment later, his gaze completely different.

Even the usually composed CEO and Chief Chen, who were sitting in the leaders' seats, had their facial muscles twitch very slightly at this moment.

Especially the boss, whose eyes seemed to pierce through all the fog, stared intently at Wu Wanli, as if trying to see through his very soul.

For everyone in the command center, the brief silence seemed to stretch on endlessly, and the air was filled with an immense power called "awe and reverence."

"it is good!"

A powerful, dragon-like voice suddenly rang out, breaking the suffocating silence.

The commander slowly stood up. His gaze swept over all the generals in the command room, finally landing on Wu Wanli's face.

The commander said in a deep and calm voice, "Comrade Wu Wanli, I have felt your and your Seventh Steel Brigade's will to fight."

I agree with the preliminary plan for the Seventh Steel Corps to carry out the deep penetration mission on the eastern front!
But this is only a preliminary plan, not the final plan; it's just a preliminary framework!

Each department should immediately take the lead in forming a top-level temporary staff support team!

I need to thoroughly analyze Wu Wanli's initial plan, inch by inch!
From personnel, equipment, supply and transportation capabilities, tactics for forcefully breaking through the most dangerous checkpoints, air cover and battlefield reconnaissance windows, the timing and location of rendezvous, and even the secrecy of every pre-planned assembly point and the route for transferring the wounded...

Everything must be implemented in concrete terms!
If any link in the chain breaks down, it's like driving a nail into the coffin of the Seventh Steel Brigade!
Everything is designed to create the conditions for the mission of the Seventh Steel Brigade!
Apart from ensuring the basic operational needs of the main attack groups on the western and central fronts, all other resources under headquarters should be prioritized to meet the requirements of the Seventh Steel Brigade!
Give me whatever I want!
Do you understand?!

"understand!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately responded loudly.

"Go back and prepare. The spring offensive of the fifth campaign will begin in three days!"
This battle involved a million troops on both sides, making it the largest hot war since World War II!
We cannot afford to lose!

The boss took a deep breath and looked at everyone.

"Yes!!!"

Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in the eyes of the generals, and they immediately gritted their teeth and responded loudly.

(End of this chapter)