Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 365 People's Daily Front Page! Gongdelin Clinic Shocked! Nationwide Excitement! Family Trees Opened Separately!

Inside the editorial office of the People's Daily in Beijing.
No one in the room was sleepy at all.

Director Liu of the editorial department read it over and over again, probably a hundred times:
"After a bloody battle, the main force of the Seventh Fleet was completely annihilated."

The main force of the US 2nd Division and the puppet ROK 6th Division were annihilated, and the US division commander Kaiser was captured...

Zhang Degui, the director of the typesetting workshop, is a sturdy middle-aged man rubbing his large hands, which are covered in black ink.

He finally couldn't help but yell at Director Liu, "Old Liu! Front page! Which headline should we choose for the front page?"
The machine is ready to be turned on!
If we don't print it soon, today's extra edition won't make it to the rest of the country by train!

Director Liu slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, causing the half-full cup of cold tea in the enamel mug on the table to shake violently: "It's settled!"

He grabbed the densely scribbled manuscript paper from the table, his voice trembling slightly but unusually loud: "Front page!"

'Great victory in the Gangneung sea area!'
The elite troops of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army annihilated the US Seventh Fleet, captured the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, and also annihilated the US 2nd Division and captured its commander, Rear Admiral Kaiser!

He took a breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room—all with bloodshot eyes and excited faces—and continued, “The following is a subtitle—”

Young commander Wu Wanli performed extraordinary feats, creating a miracle in the history of warfare through coordinated land, sea, and air operations!

The layout, the photos... let's use the standard photo of Wu Wanli when he was awarded his medal, which was just sent over by the Central Military Commission via an urgent line!
I want the biggest one!

The remaining space is dedicated to the great achievements of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea on other fronts!
We must let the people of the whole country know that this victory was won by our entire army and our entire nation!

"Got it!"

Zhang Degui let out an excited roar, turned around and rushed out, his heavy footsteps thumping in the corridor, accompanied by his hoarse shouts:

"Typesetting room! Front page layout in progress!"
'The Great Victory at Jiangling! The Seventh Fleet was completely annihilated! An aircraft carrier was captured! The Second American Division was destroyed! The enemy commander was captured! Young commander Wu Wanli achieved extraordinary feats!'

Font size is flush left!

Quick! Quick! Warm up the machine!

The entire People's Daily printing plant instantly erupted in excitement.

The massive rotary printing press emitted a deep roar, like a sleeping beast being awakened.

The brand-new newsprint rolled over the ink rollers like a snowstorm, and the strong smell of ink instantly filled the air, penetrating everyone's nostrils.

Newspapers, still scalding hot with ink, flew out of the machine like snowflakes and were quickly stacked and bundled by the workers.

Outside the gate, dozens of postal service "green Jiefang" trucks, their engines roaring and cargo beds open, were already waiting.

Bundles of newspapers, exuding the fresh scent of ink and proclaiming earth-shattering good news, were being loaded onto trucks by workers chanting slogans.

"Quickly! Get off at the station!"

"Quickly! Send it to the dock!"

"Quick! Get to the airport!"

The traffic flowed like a surging artery, pumping the news of victory to every corner of China...

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

Not long after, inside the Merit Forest

The old clock had just struck twelve, and its dull echo still lingered among the mottled whitewashed walls of the canteen.

Du Yuming, Wang Yaowu, Huang Wei, Yang Botao, Liao Yaoxiang, Li Xianzhou, Fan Hanjie, Song Xilian.

These eight men, who once stirred up storms on the battlefield, were sitting around two old wooden tables put together, silently eating their bland lunch.

The only sounds in the air were the occasional clinking of bowls and chopsticks and the suppressed chewing sounds. A heavy, gloomy atmosphere weighed heavily on everyone's shoulders, freezing time in place.

Outside the window was the desolate courtyard of BJ in early winter, with bare branches reaching towards the leaden sky, mirroring their current state of mind.

The sound of the administrator, Old Zhang, approaching broke the deathly silence.

He held a stack of brand-new newspapers in his hand, the strong smell of ink wafting into the cafeteria before anyone else.

Old Zhang's face wore a rare expression, a mixture of excitement and emotion, and his voice was a few decibels louder than usual:
Come, come, everyone! Take a look!
What a resounding victory!

"A great victory?"

Wang Yaowu raised his head, a barely perceptible glimmer of light flashing in his dim eyes, which was then covered by his habitual caution.

"It can't be explained in a few words, you'll see for yourselves!"

Without saying a word, Old Zhang stuffed newspapers into their hands one by one.

The huge, eye-catching banner headline exploded like thunder in a stagnant pool:

In the waters off Gangneung and the Paotai Mountain area, our army fought a bloody battle and annihilated the main force of the US Navy's Seventh Fleet, capturing the flagship aircraft carrier "Intrepid"!
The main force of the US 2nd Infantry Division and the remnants of the ROK 6th Division were completely annihilated, and Major General Kaiser, the commander of the US 2nd Infantry Division, was captured alive! Young commander Wu Wanli made a remarkable contribution!

"boom!"

The stagnant air in the cafeteria was instantly shattered.

Eight weathered faces underwent a dramatic transformation simultaneously: astonishment, disbelief, shock, ecstasy, bitterness...

A torrent of complex and intense emotions, like a burst dam, shattered the calm masks they had cultivated over the years.

"Oh my God!"

Li Xianzhou gasped in surprise, his chopsticks clattering onto the table, oblivious to the soup splashing onto his clothes.

He stared at the newspaper, his lips trembling, repeating those words over and over:

Sink the battleship USS Washington? Capture the aircraft carrier USS Dreadnought?
Annihilation of the US 2nd Division?!

This this……"

"Wu Wanli? It's Wu Wanli again!"

Is he Sun Tzu reincarnated or Wei Qing and Huo Qubing reborn? How could that be!

With inferior forces, launch a blitzkrieg against the important town of Jiangling, seize Paotaishan, and turn the cannons around to bombard the Seventh Fleet.

Do we need to coordinate air and sea operations to trap and defeat them?

What incredible audacity!
What a meticulously calculated scheme!

Liao Yaoxiang suddenly stood up, the chair legs scraping against the cement floor with a screeching sound.

"A blitzkrieg against Jiangling?"
With the western front proving unsuccessful and news of victory arriving from the eastern front, he was able to immediately seize the opportunity and launch a surprise attack on Jiangling Port, the enemy's most unexpected and crucial stronghold!
This keen insight into the overall situation and the decisiveness to take big risks on the strategic scales...

If the Kuomintang had had such a valiant general back then, how could things have come to this…

Du Yuming's voice was deep and solemn. His sharp eyes swept over every word on the newspaper, as if trying to see through the pages to understand the full picture of that thrilling battle before he spoke.

Song Xilian picked up the conversation, his tone filled with deep emotion and a hint of barely perceptible envy:

"Look at this battle plan!"
The New Eighth Army and the North Korean Ninth Army launched feigned attacks from four directions in Gangneung city, creating the illusion of a main offensive, and tightly pinning down the main force of the US Second Division in the city, preventing it from moving.

This 'deception' was executed with unparalleled skill!
The main force, the Seventh Steel Brigade, was like a poisoned dagger, silently tearing open the weak point of the South Korean army's defense line in the southern part of the port area and heading straight for the Paotaishan Fortress!
By using feints and deceptions, the superiorly equipped US military was rendered deaf and blind, firmly pinned to its predetermined position!
The sophistication and execution of this tactical deception are simply textbook-level!

"That's not all!"

Wang Yaowu pointed to another section, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement, but his voice remained exceptionally clear.
"Look at the details of this assault on Fort Hill! The remnants of the US 2nd Division, numbering eight thousand, relied on the formidable terrain and strong fortifications of Fort Hill, and were also surrounded by large-caliber coastal defense artillery!

Wu Wanli actually dared to order the artillery to conduct a 50-meter creeping barrage!

The armored guard battalion and tank group charged at full speed despite the extended artillery fire from their own side!
He said it so casually: "Give it a shot!"
This is risking one's life, using human lives and steel to smash open the door to victory!

Even the slightest deviation in artillery fire, or a complete breakdown in infantry-tank coordination, could lead to the annihilation of an entire battalion or company!

This is not just courage, but an almost ruthless trust in the combat capabilities of one's own troops!
They risked everything to buy the navy fleet a window of opportunity for that fatal blow!
Otherwise, how could he have personally led his guard battalion to break into the core control room through the cliff gaps at the last moment when the US military was trying to destroy the coastal defense artillery?

A slight error can lead to total defeat!

Fan Hanjie listened intently, unconsciously rubbing his fingers together as if he were working out a sand table exercise: "Sea and air coordination! That's the most incredible part!"

Air force fighter jets engaged in aerial dogfights to provide cover, while the naval fleet coordinated an attack to blockade the port.

Once the coastal defense artillery group changes hands, it will immediately turn to lock onto US warships at anchor!

The attack waves, spanning land, sea, and air, were seamlessly coordinated!
Without timely support from shore artillery, even if the navy wins a Pyrrhic victory, it will suffer heavy losses!

This Wu Wanli actually managed to unite the three armies into a single, tightly clenched fist, unleashing such a stunning combination of attacks!

The atmosphere in the canteen was completely ignited. The former defeated generals forgot their identities and circumstances, and were completely immersed in the amazement and analysis of this glorious battle.

Only Huang Wei's face grew increasingly gloomy.

He held his rice bowl, his brows furrowed, but his eyes kept glancing at the words on the newspaper. He let out a barely audible snort: "Hmph!"

The casualties were so huge, and the situation was extremely dangerous; it was truly a stroke of luck!

In the end, wars depend on strength and the strength of the troops!
Such risky actions, if not handled carefully, could lead to utter ruin! I think…”

"What are you looking at? What are you looking at!"

Yang Botao's pent-up anger, like a gasoline barrel that had been ignited, suddenly erupted.

He slammed the newspaper down on the table in front of Huang Wei, making the dishes rattle and splash soup all over Huang Wei.

Caught off guard, Huang Wei looked up in shock and anger.

"Huang Wei! My Commander Huang!"
You dare call yourself a 'regular soldier'?! You dare talk about 'strength'?!

Yang Botao's voice was like a quenched knife, piercing the air sharply. His eyes were bloodshot with anger as he stared intently at Huang Wei's astonished face and cursed.

"Yang Botao! You've gone mad!"

Huang Wei suddenly stood up, his face ashen.

"Am I crazy? You've driven me crazy!"

Yang Botao didn't back down at all, his finger almost poking Huang Wei's nose, spittle flying everywhere.
"Over the years at Gongdelin, I thought I could swallow that blood!"
You can see 50,000 miles! You can see how they fight!

My anger is just rising uncontrollably!

He suddenly waved his hand, as if to cleave through the thick fog of Shuangduiji back then: "Back in Shuangduiji, our 18th Army was the elite of the National Revolutionary Army! We were well-equipped and our officers and soldiers were brave enough to fight!"
You, Huang Wei, are the commander of the corps! You keep talking about "holding firm and waiting for reinforcements" and "building strongholds to fight a protracted war"!
The results of it? !

Do you understand what flexibility in defense means?

Do you even know what the key points of a counterattack are?!
You ordered the 10th Army's Qin Daoshan to defend Dawangzhuang, knowing full well that their troop strength and firepower were stretched thin, yet they stubbornly clung to your rigid dogma of 'circular defense, layer upon layer of resistance'!

I, Yang Botao, am at Jiangudui. I suggest you contract the salient, concentrate artillery fire, and reserve reserves in key areas for counterattacks. Do you listen?
All you do is draw that damn circle on the map! Drawing circles is utterly useless!

Yang Botao's voice was hoarse and trembling with extreme anger, and his eyes burned with deep pain and resentment: "Look at how Su was beaten."

They used small units to launch feints and distract us from multiple points, while their main force, like a scalpel, precisely severed the connections between us!

First, they wiped out part of the 10th Army, and then concentrated their overwhelming forces and firepower to launch a fierce attack on the core positions of our 18th Army!

They infiltrated! They penetrated! They tore our defense system to shreds!

And what about our artillery? It's been scattered and deployed by you, each fighting its own battle! And what about our reserves?
You scattered it out like bits of oil, sending it into the meat grinder across the street!

He pointed to the section in the newspaper about Wu Wanli commanding a coordinated sea, land, and air operation, and his voice suddenly rose: "Look at him! Look at this Wu Wanli!"

Both were in dire straits, both facing powerful enemies! How did they use their troops?
Feigned attack to confuse the enemy, infiltration and surprise attack, infantry, tanks and artillery coordinated to charge under their own artillery fire!

The army, navy, and air force work as one, clenching their fist and smashing down!

We have the courage and the flexibility! Opportunities are fleeting; seizing them means total victory!
And you, Commander Huang?

All you did in Shuangduiji was hold your outdated manual and mutter to yourself, and have us hold onto those isolated and surrounded "hard fortresses".

Besides wasting the last bit of manpower on pointless piecemeal tactics, what else did you do?!

As Yang Botao spoke, he became increasingly agitated. Years of pent-up resentment, grief over the wrongful deaths of his subordinates, and humiliation from defeat and capture all surged forth at this moment, fueled by the awe he felt over Wu Wanli's military achievements:

"How many fine sons of my 18th Army!"
So many brothers who have followed me, Yang Botao, through thick and thin!
They did not die on the battlefield of the War of Resistance against Japan, nor did they fall on the front lines of the fight against the Japanese invaders!

But because of your incompetence and your empty talk, you were trapped and died in the icy and snowy encirclement of Shuangduiji!

They starved to death! Frozen to death! Blown to pieces by artillery shells!
Huang Wei! I will never forget this blood debt in my life!

I'll never forget it, even in my coffin!
Even if I die right now!
I'll never forget how you, an amateur, dragged our entire army into hell!
You destroyed my 18th Army! You destroyed the 12th Army Corps! You are a sinner!

"Yang Botao! You're spouting nonsense!"

Huang Wei trembled all over from the barrage of insults, his face turning pale and then flushed a deep purplish-red.

Yang Botao's words were like a red-hot branding iron, searing the scars he least wanted to touch.

The shame and indignation of having his last fig leaf stripped away in public completely overwhelmed his reason.

"The defeat at Shuangduiji was the will of Heaven!"
The other side is too cunning! The Ministry of National Defense made a mistake in command! Liu Zhi is incompetent!
You...you dare to be so disrespectful and slander your superior!
"You dare to be so insolent even after entering Gongdelin! I'll kill you!"

He roared and lunged forward.

All notions of civility, refinement, and the rules of Gongdelin were completely thrown to the winds at this moment.

Years of pent-up resentment and furious anger at having his sore spot touched drove him to charge at Yang Botao like a wounded beast.

"Come on! I've been putting up with you for ages!"

Yang Botao's blood boiled, and his pent-up anger ignited instantly. He met the attack head-on without showing any weakness.

The two elderly men, whose combined age was over one hundred, wrestled together like bulls.

The table was smashed open with a bang, bowls and plates shattered all over the floor, and rice and soup splashed everywhere.

Huang Wei gripped Yang Botao's collar tightly, while Yang Botao grabbed Huang Wei's arm and tore at it with all his might. Both of them used all their strength, uttering angry curses and panting.

"Let go! Huang Wei! Let go!"

"Yang Botao! You traitor! I'll beat you to death!"

"You amateur! You idiot! Give me back the lives of my brothers from the 18th Army!"

"Slander! I'm going to report you! Report you!"

The sudden violence stunned everyone else.

"Stop it! Stop it!"

Du Yuming was the first to react, shouting sharply and stepping forward to block the two of them with his body.

Wang Yaowu and Fan Hanjie also rushed over quickly, one grabbing Huang Wei and the other pulling Yang Botao, and they struggled to separate them.

Liao Yaoxiang and Li Xianzhou hurriedly cleaned up the broken porcelain shards on the ground to prevent anyone from stepping on them and getting injured in the chaos.

"How dignified! How dignified!"

Song Xilian was so angry that his beard trembled. He pointed at the two people who had been pulled apart, and said with great distress.

Look at you! Look at the state you've become!
Where is even a trace of military decorum?
This is Gongdelin, not the battlefield of yesteryear!

The cafeteria was a complete mess.

Food and broken porcelain shards were spilled all over the floor, the table was tilted, and the chairs were overturned.

Huang Wei and Yang Botao were held firmly by the crowd, both panting heavily and with their hair disheveled.

Their clothes were torn, their faces were scratched, and they glared at each other with resentment, their chests heaving violently.

Looking at the chaotic scene before him, Liao Yaoxiang glanced down at the striking victory headline on the newspaper, its corner soaked with soup, and sighed:
"Sigh... Gentlemen, look at Wu Wanli... and then look at us..."

Now I completely understand...

Even if the Party and the State did have a Wu Wanli, he would be surrounded by 'friendly forces' who would hinder him, unable to work together, but instead obstructing each other and even stabbing each other in the back...

In the end, let alone a counterattack, they might not even be able to roll back smoothly using a 'three-dimensional rolling retreat', and will ultimately suffer total annihilation!

The word 'unity'... Ah, that's the real killer!

"Three-dimensional roller-style retreat?"

Yang Botao was held down tightly. Upon hearing this, he suddenly looked up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Liao Yaoxiang, his voice hoarse yet sharp.
"Commander Liao! You dare mention that?"
On the Liaoxi battlefield, you have American-equipped elite troops like the New First Army and the New Sixth Army at your command!
And the result? Did your 'roller' start spinning?

They were still divided, interwoven, and crushed to pieces by Lin Laohu!
Whom do you blame? Wei Lihuang? The old man's micro-management?
I think the one who should be blamed the most is you, Liao Yaoxiang!
Do you have the courage of Wu Wanli to lead from the front, infiltrate and divide enemy lines, and seize every opportunity to fight to the death?
Do you have his ability to combine land, sea, and air into one fist?
If you had it, why would you have been surrounded and killed in the Liaoxi Corridor?

"Rolling up! I think it should be 'get out'!"

These words were like a poisoned dagger, piercing Liao Yaoxiang's heart.

His face turned from pale to ashen instantly, and his hand holding the newspaper trembled violently.

The defeat in Liaoxi, with hundreds of thousands of troops wiped out, was the greatest scar and shame of his life.

Yang Botao's words shattered the self-deception deep within him that he felt he had "50,000 miles to travel," leaving only the bloody reality of failure and an inescapable responsibility.

His lips trembled as he tried to argue, but he couldn't utter a single word. It was as if all his strength had been drained away in an instant, and he slumped against the cold wall in despair.

"That's enough! Stop talking!"

Du Yuming gave a sharp shout, his voice carrying an undeniable authority. His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept over Yang Botao and the silent Liao Yaoxiang, finally settling on the nearly exhausted Huang Wei.

"Arguing! Fighting! Bringing up old grievances! What's the use? Can you turn back time?"

Can it bring the brothers of Shuangduiji back to life? Can it reverse the tide of defeat in western Liaoning?

He bent down, ignoring the oil stains and mess on the ground, and struggled to right the overturned table. Then he bent down to pick up the scattered, stained pieces of bowls and chopsticks.

The movement was heavy and slow, carrying the sorrow of a hero in his twilight years.

Without a word, he gently placed the fragments on the table, his gaze finally settling on the newspaper, which was stained with soup but still bore the earth-shattering battle report and the name "Wu Wanli".

"Wu Wanli... Jiangling..."

Du Yuming's voice was hoarse and deep, each word seemingly weighing a ton, striking the hearts of everyone present.

"They are risking their lives, fighting with their brains, and writing a history of a new country and a new army that we once dreamed of seeing with our blood!"
But what about us?

Are we... left only here, surviving on scraps, tearing open our wounds for a past that has long been settled?

Dead silence.

A suffocating silence enveloped the entire cafeteria.

Outside the window, the north wind howled past the bare branches, emitting a mournful wail.

Even in the dim light, the ink on the newspaper was still glaring: "Total Annihilation," "Captured," "Captured Alive," "Young Commander Wu Wanli Makes Extraordinary Achievements"...

These passionate words stand in stark contrast to the cold, chaotic atmosphere of the Gongdelin canteen, creating a shocking, almost heavenly, scene.

Du Yuming's words were like a cold scalpel, dissecting the cruel truth.

Even if there really was a Wu Wanli in the Nationalist army, he would never have been able to display such earth-shattering talent as in the Battle of Jiangling amidst factional infighting, distrust between superiors and subordinates, and a chaotic command system.

Huang Wei's stubborn dogmatism, Yang Botao's straightforwardness and irritability, Liao Yaoxiang's shrewdness and limitations, and even the countless "Ridgway"-like cold calculations and abandonments at higher levels...

These were the deep-seated, incurable diseases within the very body of that once massive army.

The true strength of an army never lies in the flash of brilliance of a genius general, but rather in the strength of its structure, the smoothness of its blood flow, and the unity of its will.

Wang Yaowu silently pulled over a relatively intact chair and helped Liao Yaoxiang, who was shaken and swaying from the scolding, to sit down.

Fan Hanjie found a broom and dustpan and silently began to clean up the mess on the ground.

Song Xilian and Li Xianzhou exchanged a glance, both seeing deep weariness and a kind of almost desperate clarity in each other's eyes.

They stared at the greasy newspaper as if they were looking at a new world that was completely cut off from them, yet they could not avoid it.

With Wang Yaowu pressing down on his shoulders, Yang Botao leaned against the wall, feeling utterly exhausted. His rapid breathing gradually subsided, but the fire in his eyes did not die out.

But in those flames, besides anger, there was also a chilling sorrow, struck by Du Yuming's words.

He stared at the ceiling, as if through the layer of gray limestone he could see the figures that had fallen forever in the icy snow of Shuangduiji.

Huang Weize slumped into the chair that Du Yuming had just helped him up, his face ashen, his eyes staring blankly at the spilled soup stain on the floor.

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

In Beijing, near Qianmen Gate, there is the "Sihaiju" teahouse.

At this time of day, most tea drinkers would still be sleepy, relying on strong tea to wake themselves up.

But today, "Sihaiju" is like a firecracker that has been lit, bustling with noise and the heat rising straight to the roof.

The waiter weaved through the crowded tables, his hands trembling as he held the teapot, but his face was flushed with an unprecedented excitement.

"Breaking News! Just arrived People's Daily!"

Extra! Has anyone not seen this yet?
Here it is!

The shopkeeper himself carried a thick stack of newspapers, standing on a stool behind the counter, his face beaming with pride. The newspapers were immediately snatched up.

Only the hurried turning of pages and heavy breathing remained in the teahouse.

Suddenly, a tall, thin man in the corner, wearing thick glasses and a worn-out long gown, stood up abruptly. The newspaper in his hand trembled loudly, and his voice became distorted with excitement:
"Sea, land, and air! Sea, land, and air coordination!"

Gentlemen! Look at how this is written!

Our own planes were locked in a fierce battle with the American devils' sabers in the sky!

Naval vessels blockaded the port!
The army's heroes braved a hail of bullets and managed to capture the artillery position on the hillside by the river!
Turn that cannon around! Boom! Boom! Boom!

USS Washington!

What a huge iron turtle!
They sank it to the bottom of the sea and fed the fish!
Flagship 'Dauntless'!
There's no escape, we have no choice but to raise the white flag and surrender!

And that U.S. 2nd Division, commanded by Major General Kaiser!

They still made dumplings for our General Wu Wanli and captured him alive!
That felt great! That was fucking awesome!

"it is good--!"

The entire teahouse erupted in chaos, with deafening cheers and table-pounding that nearly lifted the roof off.

The teacup lid bounced on the table.

"Mr. Zhang! Mr. Zhang!"

Please explain in detail!
How did General Wu Wanli command the troops?

someone shouted.

Zhang Tiezui had been itching to speak for a long time.

He wasn't wearing his traditional storytelling gown today, but rather a casual short jacket. He grabbed the newspaper from a tea drinker next to him and darted up to the small storytelling stage in the center of the teahouse.

He slammed the newspaper down next to the gavel, his thin face flushed with excitement, and his usually melodious voice now carried a heartfelt hoarseness and power.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Quiet! Quiet!"
Listen to my iron tongue, today I will not recount the old stories of the previous dynasty, nor will I tell any unofficial histories or legends!

Let's talk about what's right now, about our new China's war god, a living legend—Wu Wanli!

Meanwhile, on the eastern front of North Korea, outside Gangneung Port, the waves were surging and the air was thick with murderous intent!
The U.S. Seventh Fleet, with hundreds of ships of all sizes, steel behemoths lay across the sea, and planes swarmed like locusts, darkening the sun!
Furthermore, the fortified hills on the shore are heavily fortified with heavy artillery and are guarded by the elite troops of the U.S. Army's 2nd Division. It is truly a dragon's den and a tiger's lair, from which there is no escape!

In this desperate situation, a young soldier of our Volunteer Army was given a critical mission!

Who?
That was Wu Wanli, barely twenty years old, yet already commanding thousands of troops, a man of immense power and influence!

Zhang Tiezui was completely absorbed in the story, needing no reading of the newspaper. The thrilling plot seemed etched into his mind, pouring out through his highly persuasive mouth:

"General Wu is a master strategist, full of brilliant ideas!"
He ordered his Korean allies to launch a feigned attack at the four gates of Gangneung Castle, with war drums beating so loudly that the earth trembled and battle cries shaking the ground!
The American devils were dumbfounded, thinking that the main force of our army was all inside the city!

Little did they know, this was a ruse to deceive everyone!

General Wu personally led the elite of the Steel Seventh Brigade, the iron-blooded men of China, like divine soldiers descending from the heavens!

Under the cover of darkness and smoke, they charged straight towards the southern port area like tigers descending the mountain!

How could Han Liu's ragtag army withstand such a thunderous attack?
The defensive line crumbled instantly!

He slammed the gavel down with a loud "crack!" that shook the entire hall.
"With the breakthrough achieved, General Wu took the lead, rifle in hand, and shouted: 'Follow me! Target—Paotai Mountain!'"

In an instant, tanks roared and soldiers roared, like an unstoppable iron torrent, piercing straight into the heart of the enemy's heartland!
On Fort Hill, the Americans, relying on their heavy artillery, put up a stubborn resistance!
Bullets rained down, and artillery shells whistled through the air! Our brave soldiers charged forward one after another, their blood staining their uniforms, their corpses filling the trenches!

They used their own flesh and blood to gnaw away at this tough bone inch by inch!

When the battle flag, a symbol of victory and stained with blood, was planted on the main peak of Paotai Mountain, our valiant naval fleet had already sealed off any escape routes on the sea.

In the air, my warplanes are engaged in a fierce battle with the enemy!

General Wu stood atop the mountain, overlooking the enemy ships trapped in the harbor, and with a wave of his hand, shouted, "Fire!"

Zhang Tiezui imitated the booming sound of ten thousand cannons firing simultaneously: "Boom! Boom!"
Just this one saturation bombardment!
The USS Washington, a capital battleship, had its keel broken in an instant and sank into the abyss!
The flagship, the Dauntless, was terrified. The captain was ashen-faced. What else could they do but raise the pale white surrender flag?
A great victory in the naval battle!

The U.S. Seventh Fleet was annihilated!

He paused briefly, and the teahouse was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; everyone held their breath.

Tears welled in Zhang Tiezui's eyes, and his voice became even more impassioned:
"On land! The Second Division Commander Kaiser, like a cornered beast, led his remaining troops in a counterattack on Paotaishan, attempting a last-ditch effort!"
General Wu sneered: "Perfect timing! Let's trap them and beat them!"

………………

In the end, this battle resulted in the complete annihilation of the US Seventh Fleet and an entire US division!

We have demonstrated our national power! We have demonstrated the spirit of our army!
Wu Wanli is truly the backbone of our nation and the soul of our people! How magnificent! How exhilarating!

"good--!!!"

The "Sihaiju" restaurant is buzzing with excitement!

Applause, stomping, cheers, and table-pounding sounds mingled together.

The tea drinkers were all blushing, and many had tears in their eyes.

Many people readily took out their money:
"Mr. Zhang! Well said! A reward is due!"

"Hey buddy! Bring Mr. Zhang the best Longjing tea! It's on me!"

"Boss! I'm covering everyone's tea bill today! Let's celebrate! We absolutely have to celebrate!"

The teahouse owner, his face flushed with excitement, raised a jug of wine high: "Fellow gentlemen! Not just tea! Today it's on me!"
A pot of Erguotou for every table! Just for General Wu!

To our Chinese People's Volunteer Army! Let's drink to our victory!

"Dry!"

"Dry--!"

The rich and mellow aroma of the liquor instantly overwhelmed the fragrance of the tea, permeating every corner filled with barely suppressed excitement.

The atmosphere of celebration and pride was so strong it was almost palpable.

………………

Liulinzhuang, North China Plain.

As soon as the literacy class ended, the crumpled, mud-covered extra edition of the People's Daily in the female teacher's hand became the focus of the entire village.

Several young women and wives, disregarding their composure, crowded together, heads huddled, vying to see the dashing photo on the front page.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the old locust tree's branches, dancing on the newspapers and their young faces.

"Heavens!"
Is this General Wu Wanli?

So...so young?
And so...handsome?

Xiuying, the daughter of Old Zhao from the east end of the village, pointed at the photo, her voice soft, but her face quietly blushed.

The deep, sharp eyes in the photo seemed to pierce through the paper, making her heart pound.

"Absolutely!"
The newspaper said it was only about twenty!

She's a year younger than my son, Shuanzhu!

The quick-witted Li family daughter-in-law chimed in, her tone filled with amazement and unspoken envy.

"Look at him, he became a high-ranking official at the age of twenty, commanding thousands of troops and even capturing the American devils' aircraft carrier!"
My husband, at twenty-two, is still working hard in the fields, battling like an old ox!

Her words drew good-natured laughter from several older women nearby:
"You little brat, if Shuanzhu hears this, he'll beat you up!"

"Hit me?"
"Hmph, he has even one ten-thousandth of General Wu's skill. I'd be happy to serve him foot bath water every day!"

Li's daughter-in-law pursed her lips, but her eyes remained fixed on the photo in the newspaper, her fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the newspaper.

Xiuying didn't say anything more, but just silently looked at the young and determined face in the photo.

At twenty, he commanded thousands of troops, sank a large warship, and captured an American general alive...

These words swirled in her mind, combining to form an incredibly tall and glittering image.

An unprecedented emotion, a mixture of adoration, shyness, and distant longing, quietly entwined around the girl's heart like vines.

She could even imagine what that photo would look like if it were pasted on the wall above her own kang (heated brick bed)...

This thought made her face turn even redder, like a ripe apple.

She quickly lowered her head and pretended to straighten her clothes.

But the images in the newspaper were deeply etched into the hearts of millions of her.

…………

A lane entrance paved with bluestone slabs in Shunde, Guangdong.

A group of teenagers, covered in mud, had just finished rolling iron hoops, each of them drenched in sweat.

At the alley entrance, Mr. Wang, who wrote letters for others, was wearing reading glasses and engrossed in reading a newspaper, muttering to himself and occasionally slapping his thigh: "Good! Well done! General Wu is valiant!"

Several heads were also peeking around him.

The kid king Tie Dan had sharp eyes and spotted the big photo on the front page of the newspaper at a glance.

He wiped the sweat from his face, leaned closer, pointed at the photo, and asked, "Grandpa! Who is this person? He looks so imposing!"

Mr. Wang raised his head, pushed up his reading glasses that had slipped down to the bridge of his nose, and every wrinkle on his face smoothed out:
"Who? This is Wu Wanli, our country's great hero! He's not much older than you!"

The old man's voice suddenly rose, filled with pride.

"This young man is commanding thousands of troops on the far-off Korean front."

They blasted the American devils' iron-hulled warships to a crisp and sank them to the bottom of the sea!
They even captured their commander alive!

Look at this photo! How spirited and imposing he looks!

Tie Dan and the children immediately leaned forward again, almost touching the newspaper.

In the photo, Wu Wanli is wearing a crisp military uniform, with sharp eyes and an imposing air.

The children stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with shock and admiration.

"He sank a large warship? How big must his cannons be?"

A little boy with a runny nose asked in a muffled voice.

"Nonsense! General Wu definitely has the most powerful cannons!"
"Cannons taller than... taller than city walls!"

Tie Dan eagerly answered, puffing out his little chest as if the most powerful cannon belonged to him.

"You captured an American general? What does an American general look like? Is he a blue-faced, fanged monster?"

Another child asked curiously.

"They must have been terrified! General Wu had a gun pointed at them, saying, 'Don't move!' Haha!"

Tie Dan imitated this, striking a pose as if aiming a gun.

Looking at the group of excited children, Mr. Wang stroked his beard and smiled, "You all, now you should learn to read well, study hard, listen to your teacher, and get your bodies in great shape!"
When I grow up, I want to be like General Wu and become a hero of our country! To protect our good life!

"Yes! I want to join the army! I want to fire the biggest cannon! Just like General Wu!"

Tie Dan was the first to jump up and shout, his dirty little face full of seriousness.

"Me too! I want to fly a plane! To fight those American devils from the sky!"

"I want to be a general! To command lots and lots of people!"

……

A young yet powerful voice echoed through the cobblestone alley.

For the first time, a towering hero's image stood so clearly in the hearts of these rural children.

Wu Wanli, this name and that heroic photograph, became their most concrete and desired goal for the future.

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

A fishing village in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province.

The news, like a magpie with wings, flew over the canals and mulberry-dike-fishponds, landing steadily on the Wu family's somewhat dilapidated but clean awning boat.

The golden rays of the setting sun spilled onto the shimmering water and also tinged the crowds gathered on the shore with red.

The town mayor, Zhou Weimin, the propaganda minister from the county, the director of the women's federation, and the militia captain all came.

There was also a group of Yangko dancers beating drums and holding up banners with red paper that read, "Warmly celebrate the great victory at Jiangling! Learn from the hero Comrade Wu Wanli!"

Not only that, but neighbors and even villagers from all around rushed to the scene, crowding the small dock to the point of being impassable.

The air was filled with the sounds of gongs and drums, the crackling of firecrackers, the smell of gunpowder, and an irrepressible sense of joy.

Wu Shili and his wife, two old fishermen who had spent their lives battling the wind and waves, were helped off their boat by a crowd.

The elderly couple, dressed in coarse cloth clothes that had been starched until they were faded, and with mud still clinging to their feet, appeared particularly reserved.

They had never seen anything like this in their lives.
Especially Wu Shili, whose dark, rough face was deeply wrinkled, but at this moment it was filled with fear and helplessness.

Zhou Weimin gripped Wu Shili's calloused and cracked hand tightly, his voice booming louder than the gongs and drums:

"Brother Wu! This is wonderful news! It's an incredibly joyous occasion!"
Your family's Wanli has performed an extraordinary feat!
He's a huge contributor!

In that instant, every word seemed to strike Wu Shili's heart.

The words in those newspapers were too far removed from his life as a fisherman.

His mind was in a jumble, but he grasped only one core idea:
His son, Wanli, seems to have done something extraordinary!
"Wanli...Wanli isn't injured, is he?"

After a long pause, Wu Shili finally managed to squeeze out a sentence from his dry throat, his voice trembling noticeably.

His wife, standing beside him, had tears of worry in her eyes and was tightly gripping his arm.

"It's fine! It's fine!"

Minister Zhou waved his hand repeatedly, quickly took a specially brought extra edition of the People's Daily from his secretary, and pointed to the photo of Wu Wanli on the front page.

"Please look, elders! This is Comrade Wanli!"

Very energetic!

Commanding with composure and commanding presence!
He is a national hero, and you two are like the parents of a hero!

The surrounding villagers immediately burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers:
"Uncle Shili! What a blessing!"

"Wanli has made something of himself! He's brought honor to our Linghu Town!"

"The parents of a hero! How glorious!"

Wu Shili looked at the newspaper photo of his son, dressed in a smart military uniform, looking dashing and spirited.

Although he is not quite the same person he was when he left home a few years ago, he is more mature and stronger, but the familiar stubbornness and sharpness between his brows are still there.

The old fisherman's cloudy eyes instantly welled up with tears. He used his rough fingers to carefully stroke his son's face on the newspaper, over and over again.

His lips trembled, and in the end, it only turned into a long sigh with a heavy water town accent: "This kid...this kid...he's made something of himself..."

The old man beside her was already sobbing uncontrollably, wiping away the tears that rolled down his face with the corner of his clothes.

Seeing the elderly couple's simple, almost wooden reactions, Minister Zhou was filled with emotion.

He cleared his throat, his voice even more earnest: "Brother Wu, Sister-in-law!"
Comrade Wanli has made such an unparalleled contribution, bringing glory to his ancestors!
This is the greatest glory for your Wu family!
The county and town authorities have discussed and decided to select an auspicious location in our town to build a "Wu Family Ancestral Hall"!
May this glory be passed down for generations to come!

Ancestral hall?

Wu Shili suddenly raised his head, his face full of panic, waving his hands repeatedly and shaking his head like a rattle drum.
"Absolutely not! Absolutely not, Minister!"

War...we fought for many years, and the country was in chaos.

The people of the clan have long since... long since scattered, and there are hardly any left to be found!
For fishermen on the river, home is wherever their boat goes, so they don't really distinguish between ancestral halls or genealogies!

"The foundation is gone..."

Zhou Weimin stepped forward, placing his hands heavily on Wu Shili's slightly trembling shoulders. His gaze was intense, his tone resolute, and filled with undeniable power:

"Brother Wu! You're mistaken!"

What does it mean to have no foundation?
You and your sister-in-law, along with Comrades Wu Qianli and Wu Wanli, your family is the greatest foundation! The greatest source!

At worst, we'll start writing about this ancestral hall from your page!

Oh no! Let Comrade Wu Wanli write on a separate page!
Let's start by writing the eight characters "Serve the country with utmost loyalty and bring glory to the family" from Comrade Wan Li's words!

With you all here, and with Comrade Wanli as our pillar of strength, the Wu family is the first-class family of loyal martyrs in Huzhou!

From now on, this incense will only grow stronger!

You are the ancestors who established the ancestral hall and continued the family genealogy!
This ancestral hall is not only for the Wu family, but also for our Huzhou and for our new China, erecting a heroic monument!

May generations of descendants remember Wu Wanli's illustrious achievements!

These words were powerful and resounding, leaving the elderly couple speechless for a long time.

The surrounding villagers were even more excited, and they shouted:
"Minister Zhou is right!"

"Brother Wu, just agree! This is an honor for Linghu!"

"That's right! Wanli is a hero of the country, and a hero of all of us!"

We should all do our part to help with this ancestral hall!

Zhou Weimin seized the opportunity and waved his hand behind him. Immediately, a group of town cadres and activists rushed forward, carrying, shouldering, and lifting various items:

The brand-new, thick cotton quilts were folded neatly; the enamel basins, teacups, and thermos flasks printed with the Double Happiness symbol gleamed in the setting sun.

Two heavy bags of rice, each grain plump and full.

Several kilograms of high-quality pork belly; several large jars of oily rapeseed oil.

There were also boxes of pastries and candies printed with the words "Expressing condolences to the most beloved families of the deceased"...

One by one, the items were moved onto the Wu family's small awning boat without any explanation, quickly filling the narrow cabin to the brim.

"This...this is too much...it can't be...it's too much..."

Wu Shili and his wife watched helplessly, wanting to stop them, but they couldn't stop the enthusiastic crowd at all.

Neighbors who knew each other well also crowded forward, stuffing the boat with their own precious things that they were reluctant to eat or use:
"Brother Shili! Here! These are homemade salted fish! Take them to your nephew Wanli!"

"Sister-in-law! These are freshly laid eggs! They're good for your health!"

"Uncle Wu! Freshly made glutinous rice cakes! They're sweet!"

"Take it, take it! Let's share in General Wanli's good fortune!"

The items were piled up like small mountains at the bow and in the cabin, so heavy that the waterline of the awning boat sank a bit.

As if afraid the elderly couple would refuse, everyone would drop the gifts, say "For our heroic parents!" and immediately turn and run away, their faces beaming with pride and joy.

The bustling crowds gradually dispersed, and the sound of gongs and drums ceased.

The last rays of the setting sun gently enveloped the calm waters of Linghu Town, and also gilded the awning boat, laden with glory and care, with a warm golden edge.

Wu Shili and his wife stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the gradually quieting riverbank, and then looking down at the mountain of gifts in the cabin, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.

The old woman stroked the brand-new cotton quilt; the fabric was thick and soft, something she had never used in her entire life.

She looked up at the old man, tears silently streaming down her face again, but a smile played on her lips.
“His father… these things… he never even dreamed of…”

Wu Shili didn't speak. He hunched over and slowly walked to the stern of the boat, where his fishing net, which he had used for half his life, was placed.

The internet cable still carries the scent of aquatic plants left from fishing in the early morning.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head and looked north, towards the distant, war-torn North Korea.

"I don't need so much material possessions or glory; I just want to return safely from thousands of miles away..."

Wu Shili sighed, tears welling in his eyes.

"Yes, yes, honey, you're not in good health, don't think about it anymore..."

Wu's mother patted Wu Shili's body gently.

(End of this chapter)