Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 350 The Game of Annihilating the US Seventh Fleet! Blitzkrieg at Jiangling!

[The system has detected that the host is facing a crucial decision on the battlefield. The system has been activated!]

[Option 1: After joining forces with Li Yunlong's Eastern Front Assault Group, launch a surprise attack and capture Chuncheon, the core city on the US Eastern Front!]

[Reward: Intermediate Mobile Infantry Commander Trait, Steel Seventh Brigade's marching speed +10%]

Option 2: After joining forces with Li Yunlong's Eastern Front Assault Group, lead your troops to complete a blitzkrieg attack on Jiangling City, the current core of the US Navy!

Using the coastal defense artillery of Gangneung Port, the main forces of the Chinese navy and air force will converge to annihilate the US Seventh Fleet and capture a new US aircraft carrier!

[Reward 1: Obtain the Super God Iron Infantry Commander trait, Steel Seventh Squad's wound healing speed +100%]

[Reward 2: Intermediate Urban Combat Expert Commander Trait, Steel Seventh Brigade's urban combat effectiveness +10%]

Soon, the system's cold notification tone finished playing.

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli was overjoyed, but his heart immediately sank.

The good news is that the Steel Seventh Brigade was full of wounded soldiers in this battle. With the 100% healing speed bonus, far fewer people will die, and they can recover their combat strength much sooner.

The remaining several thousand men of the Seventh Steel Brigade were too difficult to attack Jiangling, and after capturing it, they would have to use coastal defense artillery in conjunction with the Chinese Navy to fight the US Navy.

This tactic was actually used in the Battle of Weihaiwei during the First Sino-Japanese War, but back then the attacking side had the advantage. This time, however, it's hard to say...

"Eh……"

Wu Wanli glanced at the wounded soldiers, but still made the decision in his heart to launch a blitzkrieg to annihilate the US Seventh Fleet and seize the aircraft carrier.

【bite--------】

[The host has made a choice; reward will be distributed!]

In an instant, the system's cold notification sounded again.

At this moment, Wu Wanli could clearly feel that the wound on his arm was starting to itch and scab over.

"Reporting to the commander, our scouts have found surviving comrades from the 5th Logistics Regiment in a cave. It appears to be Regiment Commander Chenggong and two medics!"

At this moment, Pinghe quickly walked over and reported.

"Although Chenggong made some mistakes before, he fought this battle quite well..."

Upon hearing this, Lei Gong took a puff of his pipe and sighed.

"He led the cooks, logistics soldiers, and Korean soldiers of the 5th Logistics Regiment to hold off the US 2nd Division for so long, and his contribution was indispensable."

Looking at the corpses in the canyon, Liu Hanqing sighed.

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong, Gao Daxing, and the others felt a complex mix of emotions.

"Come on, come with me and have a look."

Upon hearing this, Wu Wanli immediately began walking away into the distance.

Upon hearing this, Yu Congrong and Gao Daxing exchanged a glance, both seeing the same astonishment and complexity in each other's eyes. They quickly dropped what they were doing and strode after him.

Liu Hanqing put down the map board in his hand, while Lei Gong carefully handed a bag of newly collected martyrs' belongings to the soldier next to him, and the two silently joined the team.

No one spoke; only the crunching sound of heavy military boots pounding on the ice and frozen earth echoed through the deathly silent valley.

Liu Hanqing took two quick steps to Wu Wanli's side and reported in a low voice:
"Commander, preliminary statistics from the battlefield cleanup indicate that the two line-filling battalions of the 5th Logistics Regiment ambushed the high ground on both sides of the canyon, and their casualties... were almost entirely wiped out."

Following the two thousand elite battalion that successfully led the reserves and counter-attacks, the hard-fought battle at the canyon entrance and the subsequent melee assaults... only one in ten managed to retreat.

They... are all great.

It's harder than we imagined...

Wu Wanli's jawline tightened as he stared intently at the dark entrance of the cave that was drawing ever closer.

There was no boisterous celebration or roaring tanks, only the deathly silence that followed a struggle on the brink of death.

It was this group of "ragtag troops" who used their flesh and blood to hold back the US 2nd Division, winning the opportunity for the 7th Steel Brigade to annihilate the enemy's rear guard battalion and make a strategic choice.

Pinghe stopped at the cave entrance and stepped aside to make way. The cave entrance was small, and the inside was dimly lit, exuding a strong smell of blood and the bitterness of herbs.

Lei Gong wrinkled his nose and said in a low voice, "He's badly injured."

Gao Daxing clenched his fists, while Yu Congrong gritted his teeth, his cheeks tense and hard.

Wu Wanli took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, bent down, and was the first to crawl into the cave.

The cave was smaller and more cramped than I had imagined. Several stiff military blankets were laid on the ground, and two young medics, their faces covered in exhaustion and blood, were anxiously taking care of a person lying down.

Under the light, the figure appeared unusually weak.

Chenggong's face was deathly pale from blood loss, his lips were cracked, and one leg was wrapped in a thick bandage of blood and temporarily held in place by a few rough tree branches.

When they successfully saw the flickering light and shadow at the cave entrance and recognized who it was, their pupils suddenly contracted.

A complex mix of extreme shame, disbelief, and immense pain instantly overwhelmed him.

Successfully tried to sit up, but the intense pain made him groan, and beads of cold sweat immediately appeared on his forehead. He slumped back onto the blanket.

He dared not look at Wu Wanli, much less at Yu Congrong, Gao Daxing, Liu Hanqing, Lei Gong, and Pinghe, his old comrades who had spent every day with him and who had utterly despised him when he left.

He twisted his head tightly against the cave wall, his lips trembling, and finally managed to squeeze out a weak, hoarse voice filled with endless regret and despair:

"Commander-in-Chief...you...how did you get here..."

Wu Wanli did not speak immediately, but strode forward, his tall figure casting a huge shadow in the small space.

But this shadow did not bring oppression; instead, it brought an incredible sense of concern.

He knelt heavily on one knee on the cold, rocky ground, his hand brushing aside the tattered military overcoat covering Cheng Gong's body, his gaze landing precisely on the blood-stained, wounded leg.

Wu Wanli carefully touched the frozen skin around the thickly wrapped wound with his fingertip and asked, "Leg injury? How are the bones? Any internal injuries? Medic!"

"Report...Reporting to the commander!"
My leg... my leg exploded off, the bones are badly shattered, and I've lost too much blood...

My stomach...it seems to have some kind of shock injury on my stomach too. There's no open wound, but it's been hurting terribly. I'm even afraid to breathe too hard...

We...we only have hemostatic powder and bandages...we have...we have no other medicine..."

A slightly older medic, whose face still held a youthful innocence, answered in a trembling voice.

"Damn! It's really not easy to have made it this far!"

Lei Gong's voice was filled with heavy heartache.

Gao Daxing turned his head away and raised his arm to wipe his eyes forcefully.

Liu Hanqing stepped forward and said in a low but exceptionally clear voice, "Well done! Success! You led the Fifth Logistics Regiment and managed to hold off those damned 8,000-strong US Second Division!"

Our tanks were able to crush those American defenders entirely because of the time you bought us!
The comrades of the Fifth Logistics Regiment are all heroes! Real men!

"That's right! I didn't expect you guys to actually hold the Second Division of the US Army at bayonet point!"

You're a true hero this time!
"A lad from our Seventh Steel Brigade is good no matter where he goes!"

Gao Daxing's gaze lingered on Cheng Gong's pale face, where there was no longer any trace of the disdain he once had, only deep shock and regret.

"You're pretty good! You didn't disgrace our Seventh Steel Brigade!"

Yu Congrong looked at Chenggong's broken leg and muttered something.

All of this happened too fast, far beyond what was expected.

He assumed that Wu Wanli's visit was perhaps out of a sense of responsibility as a superior, and that he would simply ask, "How are you feeling?"

He thought that Yu Congrong and the others had come to question him, to mock him, and perhaps even to spit on him again, just like when he had slunk away.

He was prepared to endure all the contempt and anger; that was the punishment he deserved.

He never expected that he would be met with such an overwhelming and undisguised outpouring of concern and...praise.
"Bone injury", "Too much blood loss", "A real man", "Didn't embarrass me"...

These words were like scorching chisels, instantly piercing through the defenses he had built with regret and self-loathing, and shattering all his tragic self-destructive thoughts in preparation for facing harsh criticism.

The heavy shackles he had carried since leaving the Seventh Steel Brigade, the suffocating feeling brought about by the mark of being a "deserter," were shaken to the brink of collapse in the face of camaraderie.

Successfully bit her dry, bleeding lower lip tightly, her body trembling violently, and tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

The two medics were taken aback by the sudden crying and didn't know what to do.

Finally, the crying gradually subsided.

Cheng Gong collapsed there, utterly exhausted, his chest heaving, and looked at Wu Wanli, saying:
"Now I completely understand what is most valuable for a soldier."

Is it an official rank? Is it a medal? I used to think it was...
But now I feel it's the team, the comrades-in-arms around me!

Never give up, never surrender. If only I had understood the meaning of these six words sooner.

I never intended to come out alive. I know it's too late for anything I say now. I have no right to mention the Seventh Steel Brigade to you...

I know that in your heart, in Political Commissar Liu's heart, and in the heart of every soldier in our entire brigade, I am a shameful deserter...

I brought this path to its own demise, but I still want to say I was wrong, really wrong.

I'm sorry to the Seventh Steel Brigade, and I'm sorry to my fallen comrades..."

With tears in his eyes and a bitter smile, Cheng Gong looked at Wu Wanli earnestly and said.

In an instant, the cave fell into a deathly silence.

Only the lingering echoes of a heart-wrenching confession reverberated between the cramped stone walls, striking the hearts of everyone present.

The heavy regret and intense sorrow were more suffocating than the battlefield smoke at the mouth of the canyon.

Gao Daxing clenched his teeth so hard that blood seeped from his gums. He slammed his fist into the rock wall next to him with a dull thud.

Liu Hanqing closed his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing rapidly.

Just then, Wu Wanli bent down, opened his arms, and hugged Chenggong tightly and forcefully as he lay on the cold ground.

"Don't say anything more. It's good that you survived. Take good care of your injuries. You fought very well in this battle."

"Our soldiers of the Seventh Steel Brigade, when united, are a blazing fire; when scattered, they are a sky full of stars."

Wu Wanli looked at the soldier and comforted him.

"Captain Wu, I..."

Chenggong looked at Wu Wanli with emotion, opened his mouth as if to say something.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, Commander Li Yunlong has personally led several armies of the Eastern Front Assault Group to Fupingli."

Commander Li Yunlong is eager to see you now; he wants to hold a meeting for the next phase of operations.

At this moment, a volunteer army communications soldier walked up quickly and said.

"I understand. I'll head over now. I happen to have a new operational plan to report."

As Wu Wanli spoke, he patted Chenggong on the shoulder and walked out of the cave.

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

Fupingli, inside the Eastern Front Group Command Post
"That was so much fun! So much fun!"
Wu Wanli, that guy, crippled the US 2nd Division in one battle, causing more than 10,000 American soldiers to be killed or wounded!

This victory is something they couldn't achieve by dragging their feet on the western front!

Kong Jie looked at the latest battle report and laughed heartily.

"Of course, look who trained these soldiers!"

But you, you blockhead, don't need to be so happy for so long. Didn't the battle report already reach you?

Li Yunlong said.

"Indeed, we saw it a long time ago, but this battle is still a battle for the survival of the Seventh Steel Brigade. If we lose and are surrounded by the First Cavalry Division, we're finished."

But they are so determined and ambitious; they are truly remarkable!

Kong Jie nodded and said.

"Actually, the Seventh Steel Brigade was not the only contributor to this battle. The battle report said that the Fifth Logistics Regiment fought a last-minute attack and was almost wiped out."

The commander was successfully seriously injured, and the number of people in the entire regiment who could still move could be counted in a few seconds. It's terrible..."

Zhao Gang sighed and said.

"I've seen the data on this success. Although their character needs to be tempered, they are indeed excellent at fighting."

Ding Wei nodded and praised.

"They showed some guts this time, well done!"

Wait... where are Jeon Doo-kwang and Lim Jung-soon?

Kong Jie suddenly realized something and immediately asked.

"They went out of the city to welcome Captain Wu. Everyone says that Wu Wanli is not only a meritorious official, but also their benefactor."

Ding Wei said with a smile.

"That's true."

Without Wu Wanli's support, Quan Douguang would still be a South Korean prisoner captured by him, and how could he possibly become the commander of the new Eighth Army?

Lin Zhengshun got his position as commander of the 9th Army by fighting alongside Wu Wanli in the Incheon Campaign.

It is only right and proper to go and greet them now.

Wait a minute... why didn't the battle report mention Wang Yousheng, who was the deputy regimental commander?

"I hope that kid isn't badly injured too."

Li Yunlong looked at the battle report again and suddenly asked a question.

Upon hearing this, Duan Peng, the battalion commander of the guard battalion who was personally standing guard at the gate, couldn't help but look over.

"Wang Yousheng, he gloriously sacrificed his life..."

Zhao Gang took a deep breath and said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong's heart trembled slightly. He opened his mouth, but then fell silent.

"Old Li, it's common to die in war, we have to be more optimistic..."

Upon hearing this, Ding Wei patted Li Yunlong on the shoulder and comforted him.

"I remember Wang Yousheng. He was bullied back then, and I made him fight back. He was really happy and relieved."

Ah... The whole country has been liberated, and we have gained the upper hand in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, but our old brothers in northwestern Shanxi are all gone.

I, Li Yunlong, am also a human being. I have a heart, I have a liver, and I have feelings...

But to subdue these damn imperialist powers, I won't suffer; I'll hold my breath and kill them!
Wherever the sword points, nothing can stand in its way!
Even if I, Old Li, am the next to fall, we must still draw our swords and fight for the future of the new China!

Li Yunlong clenched his fist and slammed it hard on the table as he spoke.

"Reporting to the commanders, Wu Wanli, the commander of the Seventh Steel Corps, is here to report!"

At that moment, Wu Wanli's voice came from outside the door.

"Enter!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang immediately spoke up.

Soon, Wu Wanli strode in, followed by Quan Douguang and Lin Zhengshun. Li Yunlong, seeing Wu Wanli approach, said loudly:
"Wu Wanli, you're a good lad! You fought this battle decisively and efficiently!"
Not only did they annihilate an entire main regiment of the US 2nd Division, they also launched a counterattack, knocking out half of the main force of the US 2nd Division!
Pretty!

"You really managed to take a big bite out of that tough nut on our eastern front!"

"that is!
Fupingli is strategically important; with this blow, the enemy on the eastern front will lose their backbone.

What's even more remarkable is that you anticipated the enemy's ignorance and used fake telegrams and feigned defenses to lure the main force of the US 2nd Division, this "buffalo," directly into the ambush. You were bold and meticulous!
Ding Wei, don't you think so?

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie immediately replied.

Ding Wei nodded, a smile appearing on his usually composed face, and said, "That's right."

From feigning an attack to wear down the defenders of Fupingli, to launching a general offensive that broke through the city from four directions, and then successfully ambushing the main force of the US 2nd Division by taking advantage of the time difference.

The entire scheme was meticulously planned and executed with resolute decisiveness.

Finally, Comrade Chenggong also did a good job, using the Fifth Logistics Regiment to delay the enemy's main force in a key position, creating an opportunity for the Seventh Steel Brigade to turn around and catch up with the tail of the US Second Division.

This ability to adapt to changing circumstances and make decisive decisions is remarkable!

Comrade Wu Wanli, your battle truly showcased the might of our army!

"Ah, if I were here, I would definitely lead the New Eighth Army to fight alongside Wu Kaka to the death."

Everyone knows that Wukaka never loses a battle, so the soldiers will charge forward fearlessly!

Upon hearing this, Quan Douguang added his praise.

"Exactly! Wu Kaka is the number one military genius of the younger generation on the Korean battlefield, and no one can stop him!"

Lin Zhengshun nodded in agreement and praised.

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

The scars on his face were still visible, but thanks to the amazing recovery ability granted by the system, his energy and spirit had improved a lot.

Wu Wanli did not feign modesty. He straightened his back and replied in a calm voice, "Reporting to the commander, the Battle of Fupingli was a victory won by all the officers and soldiers of the Seventh Steel Corps and the brothers of the Fifth Logistics Regiment with their lives!"
Especially the 5th Logistics Regiment, they were at the forefront, fighting to the last man and shedding their last drop of blood…

When Wu Wanli mentioned the warriors who turned to ashes in the canyon, his voice lowered and his fists clenched unconsciously.

Their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

Comrade Chenggong's desperate resistance bought valuable time for the overall battle, and we will report this to the Volunteer Army Headquarters.

Zhao Gang took over the conversation, speaking solemnly.

Li Yunlong waved his hand, his expression turned serious, and pulled the map towards the center, saying, "Alright!"
We've praised them, and recorded their achievements; let's get down to business!

Taking Fuping Village is just the first step!
The headquarters just called and suggested that our Eastern Front Assault Group join forces with the main forces of the 15th and 60th Armies that are coming from the Central Breakthrough Group to form an even larger assault fist!

First, concentrate our forces and capture Chuncheon, a key node on the US eastern front!

Then, from here, we will strike directly at Gapin, the central hub of the entire US battlefield!
The objective is clear: to completely divide the US military into two major blocs, East and West!

As long as Gapin is firmly pinned down by us, his American troops on the western front will have nightmares!

After Li Yunlong finished speaking, a slight murmur arose in the conference room.

The staff officers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army quickly recorded the key points of the orders, while the commanders of each army stared intently at Gapyeong and Chuncheon on the map, carefully considering the routes and deployments.

Taking these two points and tearing apart the enemy's defenses is indeed a very attractive strategic idea.

However, just as everyone was deep in thought, Wu Wanli slowly shook his head, his sharp gaze sweeping across the map, finally settling on Jiangling City, another coastal city.

"Reporting to my esteemed commanders!"
Regarding the next operational direction, I have a different idea.

Wu Wanli said.

Li Yunlong raised a thick eyebrow and said, "Don't be polite, just say it, I'm listening!"

Upon hearing this, Kong Jie and Ding Wei also cast inquiring glances.

Wu Wanli stepped forward, his finger precisely pressing on the "Jiangling" sign representing the port city, and said in a resolute tone:

"I believe the most urgent task is to launch a blitzkrieg against Jiangling City! Completely annihilate the remnants of the US Second Division hiding inside the city!"

These words were like a bombshell dropped into the conference room!
"A lightning attack on Jiangling?!"

"The US Second Division now has only about ten thousand remnants left, holed up in Jiangling City?"

"Nonsense! Comrade Wu Wanli, didn't you read the intelligence?"

Gangneung Port! That's no ordinary port!

There are heavy troops from the U.S. Seventh Fleet stationed inside!
Battleships! Cruisers! And aircraft carriers!

Their naval guns have a range of over ten kilometers! Before we even get close to the city walls on land, we'll be obliterated by their overwhelming naval fire!

"This was said by a staff officer of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army."

Another chief of staff from the 12th Army shook his head repeatedly and said, "Yes, Commander Wu!"
Your Seventh Steel Brigade and the Fifth Logistics Regiment fought brilliantly in Fupingli, we all acknowledge that!
But land warfare is land warfare, while Jiangling is a three-in-one operation involving land, sea, and air!
Charging headlong into the enemy's guns? That...that's far too risky! It's practically a suicidal attack!

"The Seventh Fleet's terrifying firepower is something we can't withstand head-on!"

Another senior staff officer added, his face clearly showing his disagreement.

Despite the intense questioning and shock from the crowd, Wu Wanli's expression remained unchanged.

He stood there steadily, meeting Li Yunlong's deep gaze, and unveiled an even more earth-shattering plan:
"Commendations, my plan is not just to annihilate the remnants of the US Second Division in Jiangling City."

We must also seize this opportunity to annihilate or capture the main force of the US Seventh Fleet anchored in Gangneung Harbor!

In an instant, the entire command post fell into dead silence!
Even the sound of breathing became unusually clear.

"What?! Annihilated or captured... the US Seventh Fleet?"

Even Ding Wei, who was used to seeing all kinds of things, opened his mouth slightly, looking incredulous.

Kong Jie suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at Wu Wanli.

Zhao Gang frowned, his pencil unconsciously drawing a deep line on the paper.

Li Yunlong's pupils also suddenly contracted as he looked Wu Wanli up and down.

Annihilating a division and annihilating an aircraft carrier task force are completely different concepts!

Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Finally, Wu Wanli broke the suffocating silence and said:

"The core of my plan lies in one word: speed! It has to be as fast as lightning!"

The remnants of the US 2nd Division, fresh from their defeat, fled like startled birds into Jiangling City, hoping to survive under the protection of naval guns.

Kaiser himself certainly reported the disastrous defeat at the Fupyeong-ri Gorge.

But they didn't expect that we wouldn't follow the conventional approach of attacking the heavily defended 'Kahei' in Shiji's plan, but instead dared to fight back with an attack, sending our main force straight to Jiangling, which he thought was safe!

When naval fleets, especially large aircraft carrier groups, are at port for rest, replenishment, and maintenance, that is precisely when they are most vulnerable!
Large numbers of non-combatants and supplies were piled up at the port.

A warship at anchor has virtually no ability to turn or maneuver!
Our greatest advantage is that the enemy would never expect us to dare to attack here, let alone that we would dare to launch a war of annihilation against their fleet!

Catch him off guard!
The operation will proceed in three steps!

Step 1: A fierce and rapid land assault on Jiangling city!
I've calculated that as long as we deploy a sufficient number of heavy artillery units, coordinate with infantry and tank assaults, and provide air cover, we can achieve our goal!
We can seize the outer positions of Gangneung before the U.S. Seventh Fleet completes its full combat preparations, and eventually break through the city's defenses to defeat or annihilate the remnants of the U.S. Second Division inside the city!
The second step: After taking Jiangling City, the key is to immediately control the coastal defense artillery positions in the port area!
These large-caliber coastal defense guns were originally used by the US and South Korean militaries to defend against naval attacks.

Now, we're going to turn it around!

Become our sharp arrow aimed at the enemy's heart!
The range and power of the coastal defense artillery are enough to pose a deadly threat to large U.S. warships that are anchored in the harbor and almost stationary!

Step 3: At the same time our coastal defense artillery group opened fire, we immediately requested coordination from the Volunteer Army Headquarters!
The order was given to the main force of our concentrated naval fleet to launch a full-speed attack!
Order the main force of the air force to be deployed in full force!

Land-based long-range artillery provides full support!

After the coastal artillery fire disrupted the enemy ships' formation and caused great panic and chaos, the Chinese Navy rushed into the port area or the surrounding waters to concentrate its attacks on the enemy ships!
Our air force bomber groups dive-bomb, targeting flight decks and hangars!
Fighter squadrons engaged enemy escort fighters in dogfight!
A three-in-one system encompassing land, sea, and air!
Objective—Completely destroy the main force of the US Seventh Fleet!
If we can cripple its aircraft carrier and prevent it from launching and recovering its fighter jets, the entire fleet will become easy prey for us!
Capturing an aircraft carrier is by no means just empty talk!

Wu Wanli's plan unfolded before everyone like a clear battle plan, full of overwhelming offensive power and awe-inspiring courage.

The room remained silent, but the atmosphere had shifted from shock and doubt to deep reflection.

He was not describing a fantasy, but a surprise attack plan with clear logic and a well-defined timeline.

This plan fully utilizes the enemy's unexpected direction and the time when the enemy's defense system is weakest.

Zhao Gang was the first to come to his senses and try to remain calm and analyze the situation.

He pushed up his glasses, picked up another document on the table, and said, "Comrade Wu Wanli, your plan... is extremely audacious!"
In terms of tactical surprise, it does have the advantage of being unexpected.

Using coastal defense artillery to counter-bomb enemy ships... there are similar cases in history.

During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, the main force of the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet was holed up in the Weihaiwei naval port, and as a result, the Japanese army captured the land-based forts.

The Japanese army turned the Qing army's own shore guns around and bombarded the Beiyang Fleet in the harbor with fierce fire!

Ultimately, this led to the flagship "Dingyuan" being damaged and stranded, and the entire Beiyang Fleet being destroyed by the very fortifications it had once relied on.

This is the 'Weihaiwei Incident'.

However! The lessons of history are equally profound!

Firstly, the Japanese army paid an extremely heavy price in capturing the forts surrounding Weihaiwei.

Secondly, the Beiyang Fleet was trapped in an isolated port, in extremely poor condition, and its command was chaotic, resulting in a serious disconnect between the Qing government's land and sea forces.

And what about the US military we are facing?
The Seventh Fleet is one of the most powerful mobile strike forces in the Pacific.

Their naval guns had larger calibers, longer ranges, and command and communication systems far superior to those of the Qing army!

Jiangling City's defense system is far more complex and robust than that of Weihaiwei back then!

Even in dire straits, the remnants of the US 2nd Division could hold out for reinforcements by relying on reinforced concrete fortifications and almost unlimited naval gunfire support!
I'm not completely against your proposal, but I want to emphasize the enormous risks and extreme difficulty involved!
If they are not careful, the assault troops will be caught in a crossfire between naval guns and the defenders, resulting in incalculable casualties!

Seizing coastal artillery positions and successfully turning the guns to bombard enemy ships requires combat coordination accurate to the minute!
If any link in the chain is delayed or fails, the entire plan will collapse.

It could even lead to our elite land forces and main naval and air force units suffering unprecedented and enormous losses in Jiangling!
Comrade Wanli, is it really impossible not to reconsider this move?

We will proceed steadily and surely, following the plan of the General, and concentrate our forces to launch a strong attack on Jiaping.

Although the casualties in direct combat will be considerable, the risks are manageable, and the strategic benefits are clear and definite!

Wu Wanli readily accepted the risks and difficulties pointed out by Zhao Gang, without avoiding them; on the contrary, his voice became even more resolute:

"Political Commissar Zhao's analysis is spot on!"
Jiangling is a tough nut to crack; conquering it is ten times more difficult and a hundred times more dangerous than attacking Jiaping!
The casualties are expected to be extremely high!

I am very clear about this!
But it is precisely because it is difficult! Precisely because it is dangerous! Precisely because the US Seventh Fleet could never have imagined that we would attack here, that we must attack!
Let's go for the big gamble!
Political Commissar Zhao mentioned "stability," and Dajiaping means "stability" in the sense of proceeding step by step.

But this 'stability' was exactly what the U.S. military's top command had anticipated!
Ridgway would judge that we must seek a decisive breakthrough head-on.

Then Chuncheon and Gapyeong Fortress will surely be heavily fortified and fortified!

What awaits us is a bloody grinder for attacking the fortress!
Every inch of land gained requires the lives of countless soldiers to be sacrificed!

Even if we manage to take it in the end, we will inevitably be exhausted, giving the US military ample time to redeploy and adjust its defenses!
We suffered heavy casualties, but we only managed to create a small opening. We are still far from forming a decisive encirclement and separation!

The enemy's massive naval and air force can still provide support from all directions!

The battlefield situation will eventually be dragged into a quagmire of attrition warfare!
Is it true that such a "steady and cautious" approach results in high casualties?
Or would it be more costly to strike unexpectedly and concentrate all forces to instantly paralyze a core point of the enemy?
Which one yields higher returns?

Break the deadlock! No destruction, no construction!
To attack Jiangling is to deliver a fatal blow to the enemy's strongest limb at sea!

If we win, we will not only wipe out the remaining 10,000-plus troops of the US 2nd Division, but also completely destroy the most important maritime stronghold and strategic mobile force of the US military on the Korean Peninsula!
The destruction of the Seventh Fleet will directly shake the United States' global strategic deployment!
This disrupted their naval plans!

They simply cannot replenish so many giant ships in a short period of time!
Sea control and air superiority over North Korea's east coast will change hands dramatically!

Ridgway must be panicking!
This will force him to drastically reduce his forces and expose a huge weakness!
This will give us real initiative across the entire peninsula!

Capturing another aircraft carrier would be a victory worthy of being recorded in history and boosting national prestige!

Can such enormous strategic benefits be compared to a direct assault on two inland fortresses?!

After these words were spoken, the conference room fell silent.

Wu Wanli's viewpoint was incisive and hit the nail on the head regarding the current stalemate.

How to achieve a strategic victory that can change the course of the battle after making huge sacrifices, rather than just bleeding out blood to capture a tactical point.

What he showed was not blind fanaticism, but a desperate gamble after a deep weighing of the costs and strategic benefits of brutal war!
Li Yunlong placed his hands on the table, his gaze shifting back and forth between Jiaping and Jiangling on the map, his eyebrows furrowing into a deep frown.

The air in the entire command post seemed to freeze, and everyone's eyes were focused on the supreme commander of the Eastern Front Group, awaiting his final decision.

Suddenly, Li Yunlong made a snap decision and slammed his hand on the table!
"boom!"

"Damn it! Let's do it!"
Wu Wanli! You're a lone wolf that eats people!
He wants to bite off the fattest piece of the enemy in one go! He has the same recklessness I had back in the day!

Alright! I'll give you permission to attack Jiangling!
Shiji only gave a suggestion! Attacking Chuncheon and Kapei was just one of the options!

It wasn't said that you had to take that route!

The battlefield situation changes rapidly, and a general in the field may disobey orders from the emperor! We must be prepared to bear this responsibility!

As he spoke, Li Yunlong's mind clicked instantly, and he began to make adjustments and deployments at an extremely fast pace:

"Wu Wanli, your Seventh Steel Brigade is the sharpest blade!"
We'll replenish your recruits, supplies, and ammunition, and prioritize equipping you with the American weapons captured in Fupingli!
All the vacancies in the company and platoon due to sacrifices were filled with full strength according to wartime special approval!
I'll send you two more powerful helpers!

The entire force of the New Eighth Army and the North Korean Ninth Army will be assigned to your command!

As auxiliary forces in the attack on Jiangling City!

The 27th and 12th Armies, as per the headquarters' plan, will coordinate with the main forces of the 15th and 60th Armies coming from the central route to set up their formation and launch a fierce attack on Chuncheon!

Make it look like we're going to fight a decisive battle on the main battlefield, to mislead that old devil Ridgway!
Let them redeploy their troops to the two Jiaping areas, thinking that this is our main direction of attack!

In this way, strong pressure is maintained on the front, confusing the enemy's main force.

And you, Wu Wanli, can lead the elite 'Sharp Knife Group' to carry out a secret operation against me!

Bypassing the front, like a steel nail, it pierced straight into Jiangling's weak spot!

After hearing Li Yunlong's adjustments, Ding Wei's tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he clapped his hands in approval:
"Old Li, this adjustment is brilliant! A feint attack on Chuncheon's assembly, while secretly preparing a deadly move in the harbor area!"
This ensured that the main battlefield had sufficient strategic feint forces to avoid collapse due to excessive troop withdrawal, and also gave Comrade Wu Wanli enough resources to tackle the tough challenge of Jiangling!
What a brilliant feint!

Li Yunlong nodded and continued, "That's right!"
Wu Wanli, you will be in charge of the land operations portion of the Jiangling Campaign!
He was in overall command of the Seventh Steel Corps, the New Eighth Army, and the Ninth Chao Army!

As for the navy and air force, I need to personally coordinate with the commander-in-chief and directly with the general!
Request the mobilization of all major warships that the People's Liberation Army Navy fleet is capable of deploying!
We request the Air Force to allocate as many long-range bombers and escort fighter groups as possible!
The commander-in-chief had specifically instructed that any important operational direction set by Comrade Wu Wanli must be given full support!

I don't think it'll be a big problem!

Headquarters understands better than we do what destroying the Seventh Fleet means!
They will support us as long as it achieves our tactical objectives!

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Gang finally nodded and said, "In that case, I agree with this battle plan. Let Comrade Wu Wanli go all out!"

"Good! Since Old Zhao has agreed, then there are no objections!"
I am now issuing the formal order!
Comrade Wu Wanli is hereby appointed as the front-line commander of the Jiangling Campaign, and is fully responsible for ground operations in the Jiangling direction!

Under unified command, the 7th Steel Brigade, replenished to full strength with troops drawn from the 12th and 27th Armies, and the 9th North Korea Army of the New 8th Army, will conduct combat operations!

The main forces of the 27th, 12th, 15th and 60th Armies shall immediately launch a strategic feint towards the two Jiaping directions!
All units must launch a fierce offensive within thirty-six hours, creating the impression that our main force is engaged in a decisive battle! The more intense the fighting, the better!

Keep the US military's attention firmly focused on Chuncheon!
Finally, the Telegraph Division requests that the Commander-in-Chief coordinate the troop movements of the Navy and Air Force!

Go and prepare immediately, don't waste any time!

Upon hearing this, Li Yunlong immediately made the decision and gave the order.

"Yes!!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the command post responded in unison.

(End of this chapter)