Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 364 Stalin is shocked, Soviet aid to industry is increased!

Soviet Union, Kremlin, meeting room

Comrade Stalin stood with his back to the door, a pipe dangling from his lips, in front of the huge French window, gazing at the winter sky over Moscow outside.

At the long conference table, Defense Minister Buninganin, Foreign Minister Molotov, and Marshal Zhukov, who had just returned from an inspection of the military district, sat solemnly.

At this moment, Interior Minister Beria strode in, holding the battle report of the Battle of Jiangling, and said:
"Comrade Stalin, comrades!"
The highest priority battle report from the Korean front was a report on the results of a major battle in the Gangneung area.

Stalin slowly turned around, his sharp eyes, beneath his signature thick eyebrows, scrutinizing the documents in Beria's hands.

He didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly.

Bulganin sat up straight instinctively, and Zhukov's gaze also left the table and focused on him.

Molotov gently pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses focused and cautious.

Beria opened the scroll and began to read it aloud in a tone devoid of any emotion.

He omitted the complex frontline deployments and tactical simulations, going straight to the most shocking core:
"Based on comprehensive intelligence from multiple sources, it has been confirmed that the 7th Steel Corps of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, the New 8th Army, and the 9th Army of North Korea, under the direct command of their frontline commander Wu Wanli, achieved the following major victories in the Jiangling area:"
First, capture the core fortress of Gangneung Port's Fortress Hill and seize control of the large-caliber coastal defense artillery group.

Secondly, relying on the captured coastal artillery groups, and in conjunction with its main naval fleet and air force, it will launch a devastating attack on the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the waters and anchorages off Gangneung Port.

Confirmed results include sinking its flagship, the battleship USS Washington, the cruiser USS Montpellier, the destroyer USS Charles Osborne, the cruiser USS Santa Fe, and several other major warships.

Third, it forced the USS Intrepid, the flagship of the US Seventh Fleet, to raise a white flag and surrender to the Chinese Navy.

With this, the main force of the U.S. Seventh Fleet was effectively destroyed.

Beria paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Stalin's fingers seemed to tighten for a moment as he held the pipe, but his face remained expressionless.

Marshal Zhukov leaned forward slightly, his brows furrowed, as if rapidly sketching in his mind a world-shaking naval battle he had never witnessed.

Defense Minister Bulganin's breathing seemed to become slightly heavier.

Foreign Minister Molotov was quickly jotting something down in his notebook, the pen scratching softly across the paper.

Seeing this, Interior Minister Beria continued in a calm voice:

"Fourth, in the very short time after the end of the naval battle, the commander of this unit, Wu Wanli, took command of the elite of the Seventh Steel Corps, the New Eighth Army, and the Ninth Army of Korea."

It also mobilized naval guns, ground artillery, and air force to carry out multi-layered encirclement and high-intensity fire coverage against the main force of the US 2nd Infantry Division and the remnants of the South Korean 6th Division.

Confirmed results: The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division was completely annihilated at the foot of Paotai Mountain, its Major General Commander Kaiser was captured, and the main force of the ROK 6th Division was also wiped out.

As the last word fell, Beria closed the file.

The deliberately maintained, icy voice characteristic of the Ministry of Internal Affairs disappeared, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

Stalin stood motionless, his pipe slowly turning between his fingers, a wisp of smoke rising and blurring his sharply defined jawline.

His facial muscles were tense and expressionless, displaying only a calm that was forcibly controlled under immense shock, a silence that could cause the air pressure in the entire room to plummet.

"Bang!"

A sudden, loud bang shattered the silence.

Zhukov suddenly stood up from his seat, his movement so swift that it overturned the high-backed oak chair behind him.

The chair slammed heavily onto the scarlet carpet with a dull thud.

The Soviet marshal, who had emerged from a mountain of corpses and a sea of ​​blood, now had an undisguised look of astonishment on his face, and even a long-lost sense of horror from his battlefield instincts.

His broad shoulders tensed, his gaze pierced Belial like lightning, and his voice, slightly raised with excitement, became hoarse with disbelief:

"This is the U.S. Seventh Fleet, one-seventh of the active U.S. Navy!"
There is also a fully equipped and well-manned main force infantry division of the US Army!
Comrade Beria, are you sure?
In just a few short days, the young Chinese commander Wu Wanli led his troops to wipe them out?
This is simply a miracle!

No, this is devilish efficiency!

How did they do that?
Infiltration? Encirclement? Firepower density?

How does the chain of command remain unbroken?

Marshal Bulganin, who was sitting right next to Zhukov, was still in his original seat, but his upper body had completely left the back of the chair, and he was leaning forward quite a bit.

His usually calm and amiable round face was now slightly twitching, a result of excessive shock causing facial nerve twitching.

His lips moved silently a few times, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he only let out a muffled gasp from his throat.

As the nominal supreme commander of the Soviet armed forces, he understood better than anyone the terrifying power that a main US division and a carrier battle group represented.

This force was crushed on both land and sea, with an impact far exceeding that of an atomic bomb exploding in Red Square.

Foreign Minister Molotov's reaction was more restrained, but it was enough to show the turmoil in his heart.

His pen, which had just been writing, suddenly stopped next to the words "Kaiser captured".

A drop of thick black ink seeped from the tip of the pen, quickly spreading into a small, blurry stain on the smooth paper, like a tiny dark cloud.

Molotov slowly raised his head, and the look in his eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses was no longer the usual calm and calculating one, but rather a look of bewilderment and shock after his understanding of the world had been overturned.

His pupils behind the glasses dilated slightly, his gaze passing over the ink-stained document on the table and blankly landing on the burning fireplace.

It was as if in those leaping flames I could see the rising smoke of battle in the Far East and the heroic and fearless bloody battle scenes of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

Beria stood quietly, taking in the utter disarray of the crowd.

He was well aware that the value of this battle report was more than just a list of results.

More like an invisible giant hammer, it slammed into the heart of the Kremlin and into the very foundation of the myth of America's invincibility.

"Devil's efficiency?"

At that moment, Stalin's deep voice rang out.

He slowly removed the pipe from his lips, gently tapped the edge of the ashtray, his movements unhurried yet possessing a rhythmic sense of control.

Maybe.

But more importantly, was the fighting capability of Beria, this elite force of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, truly real?
How reliable are the intelligence sources? Are they genuine?

Stalin asked.

Interior Minister Beria bowed slightly and said with unusual certainty, "Comrade Stalin, the intelligence has been cross-verified by multiple sources, including the General Staff on the Eastern Front, our military advisory group stationed in China, air force reconnaissance and analysis, and intelligence personnel in Hong Kong."

The details are highly consistent.

News of the destruction of the US Seventh Fleet has caused signs of chaos in Washington.

The radio call sign of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division disappeared, and the identity of the captured Kaiser has been preliminarily confirmed by the confessions of his subordinate officers.

The results... are basically accurate.

The fighting spirit and tactical execution capabilities of the Chinese army far exceeded our pre-war assessments.

"Far beyond..."

Stalin repeated the two words in a low voice, as if chewing on a hard bone.

He walked to the head of the conference table, but did not sit down. He glanced at his three key advisors and said, "Then tell me, comrades."

What did you see in this "Great Victory of Jiangling"?
Especially you, Zhukov, you're a soldier, tell me about this Wu Wanli.”

Zhukov took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down from his initial shock, and his military professionalism quickly overwhelmed his emotions.

He bent down to pick up the overturned chair, sat down again, and his gaze became sharp and focused, as if he were examining an invisible battlefield.

"Comrade Stalin, on a purely tactical level, what Commander Wu Wanli has shown is chilling!"
Surrounded by the enemy's superior naval and air power, daring to target the heavily guarded coastal artillery positions at Paotaishan was a huge gamble in itself.

And he won his bet!
This requires nerves of steel that can ignore massive casualties and withstand immense psychological pressure.

His mastery of precise tactical coordination and timing is absolutely phenomenal!

The entire campaign was carried out in stages, with feint attacks used to mislead the US 2nd Division in Gangneung city.

They secretly infiltrated and broke through the southern defense line of Jiangling Port.

They stormed straight to the heart of the enemy and captured the Paotaishan coastal defense artillery group in Jiangling...

These battles were interconnected, and all resulted in resounding victories.

The key point is that he seized control of the coastal artillery almost at the same moment that the main forces of the navy and air force arrived on the battlefield!
This precise coordination of the army, navy, and air force at specific time points is simply an art!

The slightest mistake, any delay or advancement in any link could lead to total defeat, resulting in the fleet or assault force being defeated one by one.

The report mentioned that its assault force suffered "heavy casualties," with tanks being destroyed continuously, but the offensive did not stop.

As American warplanes frantically swarmed towards Fort Hill in an attempt to destroy it, he ordered ground troops to fire all their weapons at the air, holding out for five minutes.

This bought the Chinese Navy a crucial and irreversible window of opportunity to encircle the fleet.

This will to spare no effort and endure enormous losses for the sake of strategic goals is the core of victory.

His core blitzkrieg strategy is very clear!

Using land to control the sea, and using Fort Hill to break through the US Seventh Fleet's defenses!

Use speed, deception, and overwhelming firepower to break the central nervous system of the US military.

This kind of courage, this kind of control over the rhythm of the battlefield...

Comrade Stalin, if this man were in the Soviet army, I would personally nominate him for promotion to general and command an army group!

Marshal Zhukov stood up abruptly, his face full of admiration.

Defense Minister Bulganin also recovered from his initial lapse, but his voice still carried an undisguised tremor as he said:

"Zhukov's military assessment is very accurate, but I must add that it is by no means solely due to Wu Wanli's personal brilliance."

This campaign, especially the naval battle phase and the final encirclement and annihilation of the US 2nd Infantry Division, clearly demonstrated a new and unsettling capability of the Chinese military.

That is the deep-level coordination and cooperation capability among the army, navy and air force!
Please note the details: the coordinates of the Chinese Army's air-to-shore artillery bombardment fleet were provided by the Army's assault troops!
Chinese naval gunfire support for the Chinese army's siege of Paotaishan!
While Chinese Air Force fighter jets were engaged in dogfights with US carrier-based aircraft at sea, they also had to divert troops to support ground forces in their breakthroughs and strikes against retreating troops.

This kind of cross-service, cross-regional, and real-time firepower coordination, information sharing, and mission cooperation is far more complex than that of a typical campaign.

It requires a unified command, efficient communication support, and a deep understanding of each service branch's capabilities and limitations.

And most importantly, a spirit of sacrifice that disregards the gains or losses of one's own military branch and serves the overall operational objectives.

Their tacit understanding was not like that of a hastily assembled coalition, but rather like that of an organic whole that had been working together for many years.

This joint operational capability, Comrade Stalin, is the direction of modern warfare, and China is ahead of the curve.

At least in this one battle, we are far ahead of many other countries.

This is more alarming...or rather, more important than sinking a few warships or annihilating a division.

Foreign Minister Molotov had put his glasses back on, but the shock deep in his eyes had not completely faded. He continued:
"The military aspects analyzed by Comrades Zhukov and Bulganin are already thrilling enough."

But please allow me, from a diplomat's perspective, to talk about the international media coverage and the shocking tsunami that this war report brought to the world.

Comrades, think about it!
A force widely regarded by the Western world as a 'peasant army' decisively defeated one of the most powerful U.S. naval fleets, the Seventh Fleet, on the Korean Peninsula!

They annihilated an entire elite U.S. division!

They captured the enemy's lieutenant general fleet commander and major general division commander of the infantry division!

These three things are not separate; they are achieved simultaneously!
This is not as difficult as one plus one plus one equals three; it is hundreds of times more difficult than the single occurrence of this problem!
This is not just a victory in a battle, but a public demonstration of China's military power structure!

It declares that the myth of Western, especially American, military hegemony in East Asia has been completely shattered!

The aura of 'invincibility' was shattered by Wu Wanli's tanks and coastal artillery!

Tokyo, Manila, Seoul, Saigon...

All the regimes under Washington's protection are trembling at this moment; their spiritual pillars have collapsed.

This means that the assessment of China's military power must be completely rewritten!

This battle has forged a formidable weapon, especially showcasing its terrifying combined land, sea, and air strike capabilities…

Objective assessments show that China's current military strength, especially its most elite volunteer army, is capable of defeating any, or even multiple, Southeast Asian countries' combined military forces in the East Asian mainland and coastal areas!
This is not speculation, Comrade Stalin; it is a reality proven by the American ships that sank outside Gangneung Harbor and the remains of tens of thousands of officers and soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division.

After this war, regardless of the final outcome on the Korean Peninsula, an undeniable Eastern superpower has risen.

Thanks to its formidable military prowess and terrifying war potential demonstrated in this battle, China's international prestige has soared to unprecedented heights.

It can be asserted that after the Korean War, China will become a cornerstone for maintaining peace and stability in East Asia and even Southeast Asia.

"A pillar of peace and stability?"
Comrade Molotov's judgment is reasonable.

'The Pillar of Strength'?
This is good.

This needle is now stuck in East Asia, and in a sore spot for Americans.

Stalin lit his pipe, took a deep drag, let the thick smoke swirl in his mouth for a moment, and then slowly exhaled.

"Besides the United States, the Western camp also includes the old empires of France and Britain."

Their power remains deeply rooted in the Old World.

To break them and dismantle their alliance, sustained pressure needs to be applied from different directions.

Let them bleed, become exhausted, and be overwhelmed.

China is now showing the potential to become a very powerful foothold in the Far East.

They just smashed the American naval guns and cannons, shattering the dignity of the U.S. Army.

That's great! Excellent!
As for the threat?

China's foundation is too weak. It has almost no heavy industry base, and its modern technology is virtually non-existent. It doesn't even have a decent domestic automobile production line.

A glorious victory in a battle cannot change the fact that they were originally poor and destitute.

Can we build a military machine to challenge our Soviet Union by capturing a few American warships and light weapons?

It’s simply a fantasy.

Instead, let them stand at the forefront in the Far East, bearing the brunt of America's anger and resource depletion, continuously bleeding American imperialism dry...

Isn't this the situation that best serves the core strategic interests of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

A powerful China, capable of threatening U.S. interests in East Asia, yet fundamentally dependent on our industrial and military aid, would become our ideal strategic buffer and containment force in the East.

We need an ally like this, a Far Eastern stronghold that can firmly attract and tie down a significant amount of American military and economic resources.

Stalin thought for a moment and then calmly analyzed the situation.

His insightful analysis was like a ray of light illuminating the room, dispelling any lingering concerns that might have arisen from the sudden surge in China's military power.

"Comrade Stalin's strategic vision was exceptionally clear!"
Since China will become a powerful fulcrum for us to confront US imperialism in the Far East, it is crucial to strengthen the resilience and sharpness of this fulcrum.

The soul of an army often lies in its most outstanding commander.

Wu Wanli demonstrated far more than just courage and luck in the Battle of Jiangling.

His precise control over the pace of the campaign, his decisive targeting of core objectives, his masterful coordination of the army, navy, and air force, and his unwavering execution under extreme pressure... all these qualities shine with the brilliance of a top-tier military genius!
This capability can not only win a battle, but also shape an army's offensive spirit and tactical system.

Comrade Stalin, I suggest that after the Korean War, we formally invite Comrade Wu Wanli in the name of the Supreme Soviet and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the USSR.

We invited him to serve as a senior instructor at the Frunze Military Academy or the General Staff Military Academy in our Soviet Union.

The ideal timeframe is three to five years.

Let him teach there, teaching his campaign ideas, his coordinated tactics, and his art of command that finds and tears open gaps in desperate situations!
I believe this is not only the highest recognition of his achievements in Korea, but also a way to integrate this valuable, combat-tested 'Eastern experience' into the future military doctrine of our Soviet army.

This will be an extremely useful addition, especially for complex terrain and joint operations across services!

Our Soviet commanders needed to be exposed to different kinds of warfare wisdom.

Upon hearing this, Marshal Zhukov immediately offered his suggestion.

Stalin listened to Zhukov's advice and nodded slowly, the smoke from his pipe swirling around his face.

He has always had a pragmatic keenness when it comes to recruiting outstanding military ideas and talents.

"Comrade Zhukov's suggestion is very practical."

Frunze needs fresh blood and insights honed through real-world experience.

This Wu Wanli is qualified to be an instructor in the Soviet Army.

After the war, bring him here and grant him the honors and treatment he deserves.

Comrade Molotov, you and Comrade Zhukov should coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to make preparations in advance.

A formal invitation should be sent immediately after the war, and it should be of a high level.

Stalin gave the order.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin, I will make arrangements in advance immediately."

But speaking of the post-war period...

Comrade Stalin, the latest intelligence indicates that Washington is attempting to send a clear signal of peace talks to China through multiple channels in neutral countries.

Within the U.S. government, especially among Wall Street plutocrats, there is deep unease about the continued enormous drain on resources and the uncontrollable death toll in North Korea.

The disastrous defeat at Jiangling, the destruction of the Seventh Fleet, and the loss of the US Second Division were like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

They didn't want, or rather, dared not, to endure another 'Jiangling'.

Their most pressing demand now is to end the war with dignity, minimize losses, and stabilize domestic sentiment.

It seems the Americans have indeed been hurt and are seeking to cut their losses.

Foreign Minister Molotov said.

"Do Americans want to end this? Do they want to cut their losses?"
They dragged us into this quagmire of proxy war, wasting so much of the Soviet Union's resources and experts.

Now that their lackey Syngman Rhee can't hold on any longer and their military myth in the Far East has been shattered, they want to just pack up and leave gracefully?

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

No!

We must make the Americans shed more blood in North Korea!

It flows into their country, causing widespread lamentation; it flows into their finances, creating huge holes; it flows into the world, revealing the weak nature of this paper tiger!
This is the outcome that best serves the interests of the Soviet Union!

They informed the Chinese side that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics had witnessed the enormous sacrifices and brilliant victories achieved by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army on the Korean battlefield.

In order to support the fraternal Chinese and Korean people in completely defeating US imperialism and its allied forces.

In recognition of their great contribution to containing and depleting the main force of the United States in the Far East.

To help China build a solid force to defend peace more quickly...

The Soviet government decided to immediately launch a comprehensive and large-scale industrial and technical assistance program for China!
We will provide a large quantity of basic heavy industrial equipment!
This includes the complete set of equipment drawings and technology transfer for three modern open-hearth steelmaking plants with an annual production capacity of 50 tons.

The project will assist in the construction of five large machine tool factories, focusing on providing heavy-duty lathes, milling machines, and boring machines.

There are also two large diesel engine manufacturing plants for ships and locomotives.

A medium-sized tractor factory, providing core equipment and technology experts to lay the foundation for Chinese agriculture and future armored vehicles;
In addition, the Soviet Union would assist in the construction of three large thermal power plants, each with a capacity of 10 kilowatts, and the supporting power grid technology.

We provide modern fully mechanized mining equipment and technology for large-scale coal mining.

To assist in the exploration and initial development of the already explored Daqing Oilfield, providing geological data and early drilling and production equipment.

In addition, 3000 Chinese technicians and workers will be sent to relevant factories and design bureaus in the Soviet Union for on-site training for more than two years, with the costs borne by the Soviet side.

In addition, a long-term, low-interest industrial equipment loan of US$5 million will be provided to pay for the aforementioned equipment and technology import costs.

The repayment period can be extended to 15-20 years.

This list contains items that directly address the lifeline of China's industrialization, and each item represents core technological assets accumulated by the Soviet Union over decades at great cost, although they are somewhat behind the latest Soviet technologies.

For example, they didn't provide key nuclear technologies, the latest rockets, jet bombers, and so on.

But for China, which was almost completely impoverished, it was like a "treasure from heaven" that provided timely help.

Stalin paused for a moment, allowing the impact of this weighty list to settle in everyone's minds.

Then, his voice suddenly rose, filled with undeniable decisiveness and naked seduction:

"And all of this assistance—all the equipment, all the technical drawings, all the personnel training, all the $5 million in low-interest loans—will be provided on one condition by our Chinese comrades."

We cannot immediately engage in any substantive or compromising negotiations with the United States! The war must continue, at least until we have completely and thoroughly annihilated another major American division on the battlefield!

As long as this goal of total annihilation is achieved, as long as another fully-fledged American division is completely wiped out on the Korean Peninsula...

Therefore, all industrial aid projects on the above list shall take effect immediately!
All technical documents and core equipment, be shipped immediately!
All experts, dispatch them immediately!
That $5 million loan—the principal doesn't need to be repaid, and the interest is completely waived!

no strings attached!

There are no penalty clauses whatsoever!

The friendship and assistance of the Soviet Union will be given completely, thoroughly, and free of charge to the heroic Chinese people!
This is a 'purely profitable' agreement, Comrade Molotov!
What do you think of a plan that guarantees a leap forward in the nation's industrial base, at the cost of simply continuing to ruthlessly attack the United States when it's down...?

Will China refuse?

As Stalin spoke, a cold and confident smile curved his lips.

This is a well-intentioned strategy that perfectly combines geopolitical calculations, industrial technology leverage, and military objectives.

It keenly observed the new China's extreme desire for industrialization and accurately grasped the high morale of the Chinese army at that moment, stimulated by victory.

It promised a bright future, but at the cost of causing Americans to shed more blood in North Korea.

The more blood is shed, the greater the Soviet Union's advantage on the overall strategic chessboard, and the less pressure Western Europe will face.

Molotov's eyes behind his lenses suddenly lit up, as if a sophisticated calculator had instantly arrived at the optimal solution.

He immediately straightened his back, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and admiration, and said, "Comrade Stalin, this...this is simply a brilliant strategy!"
This was a proposal that China simply could not refuse, perfectly aligning with their fundamental national policy of establishing an industrial system.

What they are asked to do is simply to continue what they are already doing and doing very successfully—to strike hard against the Americans!
There are no worries about the future, only pure profit!

I dare say that China will only feel greatly encouraged and impressed by this proposal!

They will only work even harder to find and create the next 'Jiangling,' and to systematically annihilate the next American division!

"Then do it right away!"
We will immediately and clearly convey our 'aid plan' and 'additional conditions' to China through the most reliable channels.

We extend our warmest congratulations to our Chinese comrades on the victory at Jiangling and our firmest support for their continued fighting.

At the same time, we were ordered to provide our military advisory group at the front with all necessary intelligence and tactical advice to assist the Volunteer Army in... locking onto the next target!
Remember, the blood shed by Americans is far from enough!

Stalin turned his gaze eastward and resolutely said.

"Yes, Comrade Stalin!"

Molotov, Zhukov, Bulganin, and Beria responded solemnly almost simultaneously.

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

Meanwhile, in the dining room of the Shilin Official Residence on Taiwan Island...
The crystal chandelier cast an overly bright light, reflecting off the gleaming silverware and fine porcelain tableware from Jingdezhen.

Old Jiang sat at the head of the long table, slowly picking up a piece of Ningbo pickled mustard greens with yellow croaker with his chopsticks, as if he were chewing on some hard past.

He Yingqin, Chen Cheng, Gu Zhutong, and Liu Zhi sat on either side, their faces bearing carefully crafted respect, but deep in their eyes lurked a lingering sense of defeat.

This unexpected "family dinner" was filled with a deliberate atmosphere of nostalgia and attempts to win people over.

Jiang Qingguo sat silently to his father's right, his eyes calm.

Jiang Weiguo seemed somewhat absent-minded, his fingertips unconsciously drawing invisible lines on the tablecloth.

The conversation inevitably veered towards the grave that weighs heavily on everyone's hearts—the Xuzhou-Bengbu battlefield.

"I regret it so much..."

He Yingqin put down his spoon, his voice carrying just the right amount of sorrow.

"If Huang Wei's army had been more resolute, and if Qiu Qingquan and Sun Yuanliang had worked together with one heart, Nianzhuangwei wouldn't have ended up like this..."

He shook his head, implying that the deployment of troops was slow.

"Brother Jingzhi, you are mistaken..."

Chen Cheng immediately responded, his face as expressionless as a stone carving.

"The key issue is poor communication and a fragmented command structure, which means that by the time orders reach the corps, the opportunity for battle has already been lost."

Changing commanders mid-battle is a grave taboo.

He glanced meaningfully at Liu Zhi across from him.

Liu Zhi's slightly chubby face immediately turned red: "Brother Cixiu!"

The Xuzhou Suppression Headquarters had over 400,000 troops, with a battle line stretching for thousands of miles. Du Yuming faced a crisis... Hmph, he wasn't entirely without achievements!

If Chang and Jin had not fallen in succession, jeopardizing the entire situation…

He spoke faster, eager to clear his name of the "Pig General" stigma.

Gu Zhutong quickly smoothed things over, his voice low and gentle: "Guangting (Du Yuming's courtesy name) has indeed done his best, but unfortunately, the timing and circumstances were not in his favor."

Their earthwork and the urgent, challenging work were truly beyond expectations…

He tried to blame the defeat on the enemy's unusual tactics.

However, this cannot conceal the complete collapse of the National Revolutionary Army's strategic judgment, operational coordination, and on-the-spot decision-making in that unprecedented large-scale decisive battle.

Old Jiang tapped his chopsticks lightly on the edge of the plate, the crisp sound bringing all the arguments to an abrupt halt.

He remained expressionless, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally settling on the plate of yellow croaker in front of him, as if the ashes of 800,000 elite soldiers were solidified there.

There's no need to argue anymore.

The loss of Xuzhou and Bengbu was not the fault of one person, nor was it a loss of one place.

Ultimately, it all comes down to will to fight! It's about spirit!

The soldiers lack the will to die, and the commander lacks the determination to win; possessing American weaponry is nothing more than a waste of resources!

These words were like a cold whip lashing at everyone's face. He Yingqin and the others lowered their heads and nodded in agreement. Only the suppressed sounds of chewing and the soft clinking of cutlery filled the restaurant.

Just as the stagnant atmosphere was about to freeze, the restaurant's heavy oak door was suddenly pushed open.

The adjutant stepped aside nervously, and Jiang Dingwen rushed in, his steps hurried and even a little unsteady.

Fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and he clutched a thin telegram tightly in his hand as he reported loudly: "……………………"

...The U.S. Navy suffered a defeat in the battle, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet became a mere shell of its former self!

The main force of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Gangneung Port and the remnants of the ROK 6th Division, led by Major General Kaiser, launched a fierce counterattack on Paotaishan in an attempt to recapture the shore artillery.

As a result, the Seventh Steel Corps, commanded by Wu Wanli, along with the Ninth Army and the New Eighth Army, laid an ambush and annihilated the enemy with saturation bombardment from the sea and air, and coordinated infantry and tanks!
Battlefield telegrams reported that all senior officers of the US 2nd Infantry Division, from Commander Kaiser down, had been captured and the entire unit had been annihilated!

In an instant, each word exploded like a bomb in the deathly silent restaurant.

"Clang!"

The silver chopsticks slipped from Old Jiang's hand and fell onto the blue-and-white porcelain plate, making a jarring cracking sound.

The soup splattered on the front of his meticulously crafted light-colored long gown.

He was completely unaware; his face first showed astonishment, then turned deathly pale, and finally flushed with a terrifying redness.

He stood up abruptly, causing the heavy mahogany chair to scrape backward with a sharp, screeching sound.

"What?!

Read it again!
The Seventh Fleet... the US Second Infantry Division... all gone?

Captured? Sunk?!

His voice suddenly rose, sharp with disbelief, and his fingers trembled slightly as he pointed at the telegram in Jiang Dingwen's hand.

He Yingqin's mouth was open, his chin drooping loosely. He didn't even notice when the spoon fell into the soup bowl, and the soup splashed onto the front of his well-tailored suit.

Countless images flashed through his mind in an instant: the chaotic corps on the Huaihai Plain, divided and infiltrated by the Communist army, Du Yuming's desperate telegram...

A chill, a mixture of immense horror and absurdity, rose up his spine—the Americans, his strongest backer, had actually been annihilated and captured in Korea by entire divisions and fleets of the "local guerrillas" they looked down upon?!

Chen Cheng's usually serious and rigid face was now contorted with stiff muscles, his eyes wide open.

He stared intently at Jiang Dingwen, as if trying to extract some irrefutable information from him to refute this absurd news, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.

Coastal artillery? Joint sea-land operations?

Annihilate an entire US division? Capture an aircraft carrier?
These words, when put together, completely exceeded the limits of his understanding of warfare gained from a lifetime of military service!

How can this be? !
Gu Zhutong remained somewhat calm, but the tea in his teacup spilled out, wetting the tablecloth.

He made a strange "hoarse" sound in his throat, trying to say something, but only felt a bone-chilling cold spread from the soles of his feet to his whole body.

He thought back to those days in northern Jiangsu and southern Shandong, the enemy's infiltration, penetration, close-quarters combat, and night battles...

He thought he knew the ins and outs of that kind of tenacity and ruthlessness very well.

But in the battle of Jiangling, Wu Wanli demonstrated a higher-dimensional and more ruthless integration of power and tactical execution!

This was no longer the "local guerrillas" he knew.

Liu Zhi's reaction was the worst.

His obese body jolted violently, as if he had been electrocuted, and he sprang up from his chair, knocking over the soup bowl in front of him. The greasy soup spilled onto his beige trousers, leaving large stains.

His face instantly turned from red to green, then from green to gray, and large beads of sweat rolled down his temples. His lips trembled as he stammered, "The...the American division...was...completely wiped out?"
The major general was captured?

...Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
"Brother Ming, is it... is the intelligence wrong?!"

He almost screamed, his voice trembling with sobs and a hysterical outburst of a worldview utterly shattered.

The panic and disarray of his "Suppression Headquarters" in the face of the offensive on the Xuzhou-Bengbu battlefield, and the horrified chaos he felt upon hearing of the complete annihilation of the American division, strangely overlapped on his distorted face.

Jiang Qingguo abruptly closed his eyes, his chest churning with extremely complex and indescribable emotions. Shock was inevitable.

The Seventh Steel Brigade? Wu Wanli?

How could such a young commander lead a campaign that annihilated an entire American division and fleet?
This power is far beyond what the cave dwellings of Yan'an in the past could compare to.

Even deeper is a heavy feeling of suffocation.

He felt a chilling sense of impending doom, like a building about to collapse, and almost couldn't suppress the sob in his throat.

Jiang Weiguo's young and impetuous face froze in shock, then surged with an almost frenzied excitement and twisted jealousy, his eyes turning bloodshot.

Aircraft carriers! A complete annihilation of the US military!
Such achievements, such a battlefield!
He fantasized about commanding his armored army to break through the Yangtze River and sweep across the Central Plains.

But the reality is that he can only be trapped on this island, listening to others create the legends he dreams of but can never reach!

"It's true! Absolutely true!"

Jiang Dingwen's voice was hoarse, his fingers digging almost into the telegram paper as he met Old Jiang's piercing gaze and continued:
"The intelligence sources have been repeatedly cross-verified!"
The Associated Press and Reuters are already rushing to release breaking news!

The remaining ships of the Seventh Fleet are retreating south in a desperate manner!
Washington... is in an uproar!

Old Jiang swayed, then grabbed the edge of the table to steady himself.

His deep-set eyes initially churned with shock and bewilderment, but were quickly swallowed up by a bottomless, bone-deep despondency and desolation.

It was a agonizing pain, as if his entire value system and understanding of power, which he had painstakingly built and relied upon, had been instantly crushed.

The United States' gleaming, indestructible warships, its heavily armed and globally dominant Marine divisions...

Incredibly... in the freezing cold of North Korea, they were systematically annihilated and captured by a group of "country bumpkins" who were still burrowing through mountain gullies just a few years ago, like crushing bedbugs?!

Huang Baitao's final, desperate telegram at Nianzhuangwei on the Xuzhou-Bengbu battlefield; Huang Weishuang's wailing of "enemies on all sides" when surrounded at Duiji; Du Yuming's sigh before his demise in the snowstorm at Chenguanzhuang...

Those crushing defeats he attributed to bad luck and the incompetence of his subordinates...

At this moment, everything pales in comparison to the earth-shattering victory at Gangneung Port!
It turns out that it wasn't that his Nationalist army was incompetent, but rather... rather that the other side had undergone such a complete transformation in just a few short years?

This Wu Wanli... a name he had never taken seriously, was actually able to command a massive annihilation battle that none of his generals would dare to dream of!

“This Wu Wanli…this Wu Wanli…”

Old Jiang muttered to himself, his voice dry and hoarse, echoing in the deathly silent restaurant, carrying an almost dreamlike daze and a heart-wrenching remorse.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping blankly across the map of Taiwan, over He Yingqin and Chen Cheng, the "pillars" he had once placed high hopes on.

His gaze swept over veterans like Gu Zhutong and Liu Zhi, who had seen it all, and finally became extremely complicated.

"Back then... if such a person had commanded the troops back then..."

The War of Resistance against Japan...why did it have to last eight years?!

Chiang Kai-shek's words were like a boulder thrown into an already turbulent pond, instantly stirring up ripples in everyone's hearts.

"Chairman, you are wise to see the truth!"

He Yingqin was the first to react. He stood up abruptly, his face still showing shock, but he quickly put on a pained and grief-stricken expression.

He knew that he had to guide the chairman to transform this sense of frustration into a positive direction for action.

"This young man, Wu Wanli, is indeed a military genius, but he has already been used by the other side and has become a major threat to our party and country!"
Judging from the Battle of Jiangling, the combined strength of the CCP's land, sea, and air forces, its superior equipment, ferocious combat power, and unpredictable command are far beyond what was seen during the difficult times in Yan'an!
The capture of an aircraft carrier, in particular, was a revolutionary change!
This reveals that the Soviet Union and Russia must be providing full support behind the scenes, and that the Soviet Union and Russia have even made alarming progress in their own military industry!

This is no small matter; it is a catastrophe that could destroy the party and the country, and sever the foundation for our counterattack!

Chen Cheng stood up immediately after him. His face was still ashen, but He Yingqin had enlightened him, and he immediately grasped the key point and said, "Brother Jingzhi is absolutely right!"

The U.S. Seventh Fleet is a pillar of the Pacific, and the U.S. Second Division is an elite force.

The fact that such a large force was wiped out is as shocking as a major earthquake!

Truman will face unprecedented pressure and may be forced to readjust his Far East strategic focus, or even seek retaliation at any cost!

This is a golden opportunity for me to secure US aid, strengthen Taiwan's defenses, and garner international sympathy!
We must seize this window immediately and make the United States realize that their threat far exceeds our initial assessment!

Gu Zhutong also calmed down, and his thinking became more pragmatic as he said, "Chairman, Brother Jingguo."

The defeat at Gangneung will undoubtedly shake the US military on the eastern front in Korea, making it imperative for them to regroup.

Our military advisory group stationed in North Korea, especially General Chu Yunfei, is on the front lines and familiar with the battlefield. At a time when the US military needs to boost morale and adjust tactics, his advice will undoubtedly carry significant weight!

We should immediately send a telegram to General Chu, instructing him to seize this delicate opportunity and provide full assistance to the US military.

A detailed analysis of Wu Wanli's tactical characteristics in this battle and the true state of the CCP's combat capabilities helps the US military stabilize its position and even... find an opportunity to save face.

This is not only helping the US military, but also an excellent stage to showcase the values ​​of our Party and country to the US and garner follow-up support!

"Yep!"

Liu Zhi, no longer caring about the soup stains on his pants, eagerly echoed, as if he had finally found a chance to make up for his earlier lapse in composure.

"Chu Yunfei! This man is indeed capable. He fought hard battles in the Jin-Sui Army and the Fifth Army back then! He saw things clearly from the front lines!"
Let him give General MacArthur and General Ridgway some advice, and we can't let the CCP continue to be so arrogant!

If we continue to lose like this, our situation on the international stage will become even more difficult!

As he considered the possible chain reaction, his voice became tinged with fear.

Jiang Qingguo, who had been silent all along, raised his head at this moment.

The shock on his thin face had been replaced by a cold, realistic concern.

His father's words of remorse stung him even more.

He spoke slowly, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear: "Father, what the elders have said makes sense."

The situation is critical, and a multi-pronged approach is necessary.

First, diplomacy is of paramount importance.

Mother……"

His gaze shifted to Song Meilin, who sat beside Chiang Kai-shek, maintaining an astonishing silence and composure.

"My mother was a highly influential figure on Capitol Hill, and her knowledge of American politics and connections was unparalleled."

At a time when the Truman administration was in a state of turmoil and public opinion at home was boiling, only the mother could personally go to Washington to plead her case again.

The Battle of Jiangling serves as the most powerful warning, highlighting that, with the support of Soviet Russia, they have become the greatest threat to peace in East Asia and even the world!
There is a very high probability that China will push the US to abandon its so-called "hands-off policy," accelerate large-scale military and economic aid to China, and publicly reaffirm its commitment to defend China!
This is the only shortcut to breaking the current deadlock!

The moment Jiang Dingwen barged in, Song Meilin's dignified and elegant expression froze.

Hearing her son's suggestion, her long eyelashes trembled slightly. She picked up the crystal glass in front of her and took a sip of the already cooled water.

Beneath that elegant posture, a complex mix of weariness and helplessness flickered deep in her eyes.

She vividly remembers the glory of her speech on Capitol Hill back then.

I also remember the bitterness of repeatedly failing to achieve my goals.

"We must act! Pass on my orders!"

First, Meiling!
You immediately set about preparations, selecting the most capable assistants and compiling the most detailed information!

Especially the details of the Battle of Gangneung!
Fly to Washington as fast as possible!

I want to make President Truman and all the officials on Capitol Hill see this clearly!

Look closely, see who's standing behind them!
If you don't fully support us, see clearly which port will be the next captured aircraft carrier to dock in!
Tell them that protecting us is protecting the gateway to the free world here!

Song Meilin nodded, her face expressionless, and simply replied:
"Don't worry, darling, I understand the importance of this."

"Second, draft the telegram!"

To Chu Yunfei, Military Advisory Group!
The destruction of the Seventh Fleet and the annihilation of two US divisions shocked the world!
From this day forward, do your utmost to closely coordinate with the U.S. military command and thoroughly analyze the gains and losses of this battle, especially the tactical characteristics of the enemy commander, Wu Wanli!

We must provide practical and effective support to help them defend and counterattack, and we must never allow a similar crushing defeat to happen again!

We must understand that the outcome of every battle on the front lines is crucial to our continued standing within the free world camp!

The fate of US aid rests on this moment!
If there is any negligence, resulting in further heavy losses for the US military and jeopardizing our grand plan to secure US aid, military law will be merciless!

The confidential secretary took notes rapidly, the pen scratching rapidly across the paper.

This extremely strongly worded telegram will weigh heavily on the distant Korean front.

"third!"

Chiang Kai-shek's gaze swept sternly over He Yingqin, Chen Cheng, Gu Zhutong, and Liu Zhi one last time.
"You lot, immediately summon the relevant departments! Intelligence, staff, diplomacy!"
Give me a thorough and clear study of the Battle of Jiangling!

Not a single detail can be overlooked! How did Wu Wanli fight?

What weapon was used?
How is the collaboration achieved?
How much did the Soviet Union give?

How many can they possibly manufacture themselves?!

And that 'Steel Seventh Brigade'!
Check it for me!
Three days!

I want to see a very detailed report on my desk within three days!
We can no longer remain blind!

"Yes, Chairman!"

He Yingqin and the other three responded in unison, their voices filled with the tension of surviving a disaster and the sternness of not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Everyone left their seats, preparing to rush back to their respective offices that very night.

The restaurant emptied instantly, leaving only a mess of dishes and the lingering shock and solemnity in the air.

Jiang Dingwen carefully placed the copy of the telegram that triggered the tsunami on the smooth table in front of Chiang Kai-shek.

Old Jiang did not go to see it immediately. He slowly sat back in the main seat, his body sinking deeply into the large mahogany chair, as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant.

Outside the window, the night in Taipei was deep, and the lights of the Shilin Official Residence looked particularly lonely against the dark mountain shadows.

In the distance, from the direction of Keelung Port, a few muffled ship horns could be faintly heard, sounding particularly long and desolate in the silence.

He stretched out his withered hand, his fingertips trembling slightly, and finally picked up the thin, yet incredibly heavy, copy of the telegram.

His gaze lingered on the glaring words: "Steel Seventh Brigade," "Wu Wanli," "Paotaishan," "The Intrepid was captured," "The Washington sank," "The annihilation of the US Second Division," and "Kaiser was captured."

Every word was like a red-hot branding iron, fiercely searing his already battered yet still unwilling heart.

After a long while, a long and heavy sigh seemed to have exhausted the last bit of spirit of this old man who once commanded half the country.

"Counterattack...counterattack..."

Old Jiang repeated those two words in a low voice, hoarse, the words echoing softly in the spacious and luxurious restaurant.

(End of this chapter)