Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 369 Successfully Fighting to the Death for Wu Wanli! To repay your kindness on the Golden Terrace, I will wield the Jade Dragon and die for you!
Chuncheon Castle is currently engulfed in the roar of cannons!

Lin Zhengshun put down his binoculars and looked at Chuncheon in the distance, his eyes sharp.

The 30,000 soldiers of the Chao Army, like a raging torrent, unleashed themselves behind the undulating hills below the city.

He took a deep breath of the cold, gunpowder-scented air and, addressing the signalman beside him, said in a resolute voice: "Send the order! All-out attack!"

Tell the comrades, we can't let Wu Kaka down!

"Yes!"

A North Korean messenger immediately agreed and ran off to deliver the order.

……

Shortly afterward, three scarlet signal flares pierced the sky, and the sharp sound of bugles tore through the silence.

In an instant, the dormant army surged forth like a raging torrent!

Three assault arrows, accompanied by deafening shouts, swept towards the walls of Chuncheon.

The three routes are: a feint attack on the left to distract the enemy, a direct assault on the south gate from the center, and a flanking maneuver on the weak point of the west gate from the right, all combined for a single attack!
The brown-yellow charge of the 9th Army surged across the shattered earth, the captured American-made M1 Garand rifles and Type 38 rifles clanging as they ran.

However, the 9th Army of the Republic of Korea was not like Wu Wanli's 7th Steel Brigade. Its heavy firepower battalion only had a dozen or so old Japanese mountain guns and a few Maxim heavy machine guns, which were providing a meager amount of cover fire from the rear.

The enormous gap was already determined the moment the charge began.

On the walls of Chuncheon, the defenses of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division resembled a steel behemoth awakening.

"Fire!"

As the calm instructions from the forward observation post were transmitted to the rear via the field telephone line, a deafening roar suddenly erupted!
The M2A1 105mm howitzer group, deployed on the reverse slope behind the city, began their death saga with a precise creeping barrage.

Dark red flames flashed in rows ahead of the charging tide of Chaojiu soldiers, and scorching steel fragments and shockwaves wove together a massive web of death, mercilessly plundering the earth.

The charging column collapsed and shattered in droves, as if crashing against an invisible dam.

"Hold your ground! Spread out! Charge!"

Commanders at all levels of the Korean People's Army shouted themselves hoarse as they tried to maintain the ever-torn front.

Some brave soldiers broke through the artillery barrage and approached the barbed wire and minefield surrounding the city walls.

Braving a hail of machine gun fire from the city walls, they tried to open a passage using demolition charges and rudimentary iron tongs.

On the city wall, soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division, relying on sandbag-enhanced fortifications, looked down from a high vantage point.

Crossfire from Browning M1919 medium machine guns and M1917 heavy machine guns licked every inch of land beneath the city walls, with spent shell casings cascading down the base of the walls like a waterfall.

The crisp, dense bursts of fire from the M1 semi-automatic rifle precisely picked off those figures who paused briefly in front of minefields and obstacles.

Even more ruthless snipers, using Springfield rifles equipped with scopes, calmly searched for North Korean officers waving pistols or binoculars amidst the commotion.

Every gunshot is often accompanied by the silence of a command node.

The coordinated infantry and artillery work of the US military acted like a precise clock, slowing down the advance of the 9th Army in North Korea.

At the same time, the buzzing sound of engines could be heard in the air.

Several F4U Corsair fighter jets swooped down, their wings trailing white smoke as rockets slammed into the area where North Korean troops were trying to assemble, sending up towering plumes of smoke.

One of the American pilots' reports was clearly transmitted to the division headquarters in the city via radio:
"General, we have confirmed a large number of infantry groups in the target area. The bombing has been very effective."

The battle continued until noon, when the sunlight dispelled the thin mist and illuminated the hellish scene beneath Chuncheon Castle.

The bodies were piled up in layers, and broken guns and equipment were scattered everywhere.

Lin Zhengshun was in a temporary shelter at the rear, and the view through his binoculars was shrouded in a layer of blood.

He witnessed his bravest assault battalion commander being engulfed by flames spewing from a bunker on the flank as he was about to reach the American position at the west gate. He was reduced to a twisted, burning fireball and fell to the ground.

"Commander! The central regiment has suffered more than half its losses! The regimental commander has been killed!"

The voice of the communications officer of the North Korean Army was choked with sobs.

"Commander, report from the right flank: the two companies that advanced towards the west gate... have been blocked at the breach by American armored vehicles and flamethrower troops! They're all wiped out!"

Another communications staff officer from the 9th Army rushed in, his face covered in soot and blood.

That was the suicide squad that Lin Zhengshun had placed high hopes on. They paid a heavy price, using explosives to blast open a small section of the city wall, but were ruthlessly crushed by the US military's tight, layered defenses and rapid response capabilities.

Lin Zhengshun's face was ashen, and he slammed his fist on the wooden post of the bunker, saying, "Order the reserve team to move in!"
Press it all down!
Tell the artillery battalion to use up all their shells! Bomb that section of the city wall flat!

Wu Kaka said that we should launch a full-scale offensive.

The fiercer we fight here, the less the US military will understand Wu Kaka's intentions, allowing him and his forces to better deceive everyone and carry out their plans covertly!

"Yes!"

A communications staff officer from the 9th Army of North Korea wiped away his tears, immediately agreed, and ran off to continue relaying the order.

……

At this time, sporadic artillery fire from the North Korean army landed on the city walls, raising some dust, but causing little damage to the American troops' strong fortifications and ingenious reverse slope fortifications.

Such artillery fire quickly attracted even fiercer counter-battery fire from the US military, and several precious mountain guns instantly fell silent.

Meanwhile, on the south gate tower of Chuncheon, several tall figures appeared behind the sandbag fortifications, the leader of whom was Major General Freeman, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army.

Following the course of history, he would later become the Commander-in-Chief of the NATO Army.

He picked up a high-powered military telescope, his gaze behind the lens sharp and cold, carefully scanning the noisy and chaotic battlefield outside the city.

"General, they are still using human wave tactics to attack."

The firepower composition was typical, with the main force being old Japanese equipment, mixed with some captured light weapons.

Although equipped with some M1 rifles, the squad's fire coordination was poor and its tactical movements were stiff.

Typical of the North Korean People's Army, lacking a true heavy weaponry core.

The chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division said with a hint of barely perceptible contempt.

What is the casualty ratio?

Freeman asked in a calm, unwavering voice.

“The disparity is enormous, General.”

Preliminary estimates indicate that the enemy has suffered over 3,000 casualties, while our losses are negligible, amounting to only a few hundred, mainly due to ammunition depletion.

As you can see, their offensive formation is chaotic and lacks effective suppressive fire support.

The soldier's courage was commendable, but that was all he had left.

A U.S. military operations staff officer immediately chimed in, speaking with a relaxed expression.

"General, now is the perfect time to strike!"
The enemy suffered heavy casualties, their morale was low, and their formation was in disarray!

I suggest that an armored assault group be organized immediately, with M26 Pershing tanks and M24 Chaffee light tanks as the core, and under the cover of fighter-bombers and divisional artillery, to launch a simultaneous attack from the south and west gates to encircle the enemy from both flanks.

We have an absolute advantage in armor, firepower, and personnel; we can completely crush this North Korean army outside the city!

A young and ambitious deputy chief of staff pointed to the open area in front of the South Gate, which was piled with the corpses of North Korean soldiers, and said with eagerness to make a name for himself.

"That's right, General!"

The city still has the main force of the 5th, 7th and 8th Cavalry Regiments, as well as the division's tank battalion as reserves, making it a well-equipped force.

A successful attack would not only severely damage the enemy in front of us, but also greatly boost our morale and deter enemy forces from other directions!

Upon hearing this, a U.S. military intelligence officer immediately echoed the sentiment.

Several U.S. military staff officers had a burning desire to fight, as if victory was within their grasp.

Freeman did not respond immediately, but silently raised his binoculars again.

His gaze passed over the bloody battlefield, landing on the distant rolling hills and silent forests.

The spring sunshine was a bit too bright, and the shadows seemed to lurk with predatory beasts.

The report of the Seventh Fleet being annihilated by the young commander named Wu Wanli in Gangneung Harbor with astonishing tactics flashed through his mind.

There are also examples of tactics that the cunning opponent excelled at, such as besieging a point to ambush reinforcements and luring the enemy deep into his territory.

"Annihilate them?"
Doesn't this look like a piece of fat meat deliberately thrown in front of us?

Would Wu Wanli really launch a full-scale attack on Chuncheon, which is heavily defended by our troops, with only 30,000 poorly equipped and limited North Korean soldiers?
This is so unlike his usual style.

It was more like a giant lure, designed to lure us away from the fortified city walls and expose us to the open wilderness...

Then, his elite main force—the Chinese troops that defeated the Seventh Fleet at Gangneung—is likely waiting to deliver a fatal blow to us.

Freeman finally spoke, his voice low and deep.

The city wall fell silent instantly, with only the sounds of gunfire and the cries of the wounded drifting on the wind from the distant battlefield.

The excitement and confidence on the faces of the US military staff froze. Freeman's calm and skeptical analysis was like a bucket of cold water poured over them, instantly cooling their feverish minds.

Luring the enemy deep into our territory and then encircling and annihilating them—this was indeed a common tactic employed by that formidable adversary.

Just as the suffocating silence and unease were spreading, a series of hurried and frantic footsteps broke the deadlock.

A U.S. Army communications officer practically tumbled up the city wall, his face ashen, his cap askew, clutching a newly translated telegram, and hoarsely said:
"General! Byakuya! Byakuya's urgent telegram!"

Half an hour ago, the town of Shirogane was suddenly attacked by elite enemy troops! The offensive was extremely fierce!
The outer perimeter defenses are about to fall!

The enemy's firepower is extremely fierce, and they are engaged in a fierce battle with the defending troops!
The defending troops report that the enemy is wearing uniforms identified as those of elite Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers!

"what?!"

Chief of Staff Williams of the 1st Cavalry Division gasped in shock, snatched the telegram, his fingers trembling.

The surrounding staff officers instantly erupted in chaos, their faces drained of color, and shock and panic spread like wildfire:

"Hakugakure?!"

"That's our lifeline!"

"Escape route! Supplies! They're all there!"

"The main force of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army? How could they be in our rear?!"

"Could it be...could it be that Wu Wanli led the Chinese Steel Seventh Brigade in a blitzkrieg?"

"Is their goal to break through Shirogane-ri and cut off our retreat, and then annihilate us completely, instead of covering the breakout of the Chinese army's eastern assault group?"

"Aren't we here precisely to starve out the Chinese Eastern Front Assault Group?"

Now it seems we're the ones in danger of being eaten first?

As Freeman listened to these words, his heart felt as if it had been squeezed tightly, and his pupils suddenly contracted.

Baiyinli, a crucial hub located southwest of Chuncheon, guarding several important supply roads and a simple railway, and storing a large amount of combat supplies for the entire division, was attacked at this critical moment!

Moreover, it was an elite unit of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and there's a chance it was the Seventh Steel Corps of China!

This goes far beyond his earlier concerns about "luring the enemy," pointing to a more direct and deadly threat—his escape route is about to be cut off!

Once Hakuinri falls, Chuncheon will become an isolated island, and it will only be a matter of time before it is surrounded!

What is the current strength of the garrison in Hakugakure?

Freeman forced himself to remain as calm as possible when he asked, but his voice carried a barely perceptible tension.

"The defending force consisted of a provisional regiment of about 1600 South Korean soldiers and an infantry battalion of about 900 men from our division responsible for logistics, plus some engineers and support personnel, for a total strength of nearly 3000 men."

General, this is too dangerous!

Since the enemy dared to launch a direct surprise attack on Hakuin Village, their forces must be quite strong!
Our small garrison was simply no match for the fierce attack of the main force of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army for long!
Hakuin-ri must never be lost!
Otherwise, we'll be completely trapped here!

The chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division had beads of cold sweat on his forehead and his throat was dry.

Freeman's sharp gaze swept across the map, then suddenly fell upon the North Korean army's positions outside the city, which were still bustling but showing signs of fatigue.

The urgent situation in Hakuinri and the seemingly decoy yet real threat posed by the Korean army outside the city collided fiercely in his mind.

Wu Wanli's shadow flickered before his eyes, appearing real when it was illusory, and illusory when it was real.

But the threat from Hakuinri is real and imminent!

That was by no means a bait; it was the sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of the 1st Cavalry Division!
In a flash, Freeman slammed his hand on the crenellations of the city wall and declared decisively:
"Give me the order!
The entire division! Immediately enter Level 1 combat readiness!
The 5th, 7th, and 8th Cavalry Regiments, the division's tank battalion, the main artillery force, and all other mobile forces were ordered to abandon their secondary forward positions and immediately assemble in the south of the city!
Allocate all Pershing tanks, target—the main position of the North Korean Army outside the city!
Crush them completely! Destroy them!

"But General! What about Chuncheon?"
"We've sent out all our forces, leaving Chuncheon empty!"

Upon hearing this, a U.S. military staff officer asked in a low voice.

"Defeat the North Koreans outside and drive them away!"

Then, Lieutenant Colonel Holmes of the 8th Cavalry Regiment immediately led his main force of the 8th Regiment, along with a tank company and an engineer company, to leave the battlefield as quickly as possible and rush to the aid of Shirogane-ri!
After the other main forces have defeated the Chaojiu Army, they are not allowed to pursue them. Instead, they should return to the city and continue to defend the core fortifications and artillery positions to prevent the enemy from taking advantage of the situation to launch a surprise attack!
Act quickly!

"We must defeat the Korean forces on the front lines and provide timely support before Hakuinri falls completely. Execute immediately!"

Freeman interrupted him sharply, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Yes, Sir!"

The U.S. military staff responded in unison, without a single question.

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

Soon after, the south and west gates of Chuncheon Castle burst open with a creaking sound from the winches!

Before the dust had settled, the earth began to tremble violently!
One after another, Pershing tanks roared out of the city gates, their massive bodies aimed ahead, their heavy tracks crushing the corpses scattered on the ground.

Following closely behind were the relatively light and agile M24 Chaffee light tank, and the M3 half-track armored personnel carrier carrying infantry and with machine guns mounted on its roof.

These American armored vehicles poured out of the city gates like a cold, steel torrent.

In the sky, US air support appeared in dense formation once again, like vultures smelling blood.

A large number of American fighter-bombers roared and swooped down to drop heavy bombs and napalm, creating terrifying infernos behind the positions of the 9th Army in an attempt to cut off their reinforcements and retreat.

One after another, U.S. Mustang fighter jets flew low overhead, wildly strafing the exposed fortifications and personnel on the front line with rockets under their wings and machine guns in their noses.

The US artillery demonstrated its overwhelming firepower advantage.

The 105mm and 155mm howitzer groups, whose firing parameters had already been set, began a devastating barrage with a rate of fire and power several times greater than that of the artillery of the North Korean army!

The dense barrage of shells, trailing deadly flames and whistling menacingly, slammed into the front lines of the newly organized North Korean army, which was attempting to resist the American armored assault.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom—!
Soil, rubble, broken limbs, and weapon debris were thrown into the air.

The rudimentary earthen bunkers were torn apart and collapsed like paper under the direct hits of heavy artillery.

The machine gun emplacement that had just been raised was instantly engulfed by artillery fire, turning into a burning ruin.

Thick gunpowder smoke and the pungent smell of sulfur enveloped the entire front line, and a suffocating feeling gripped the throats of every North Korean soldier.

"Tanks! American tanks are coming!"

"The artillery fire is too intense! I can't open my eyes!"

"Where are our cannons?! Counterattack! Counterattack now!"

The desperate cries sounded so faint amidst the deafening explosions.

The North Korean army was not without heavy weapons, but in terms of quantity, caliber, and rate of fire, it was several orders of magnitude inferior to the US military.

A few surviving Japanese 75mm mountain guns fired sporadically in return, their shells landing a few dozen meters in front of the American armored formation, kicking up a few insignificant plumes of dust.

However, such artillery fire could not stop the advance of the steel torrent. Instead, it immediately attracted more accurate and fierce counter-fire and air strikes from the US artillery.

"Rush!!"

Some brave North Korean People's Army soldiers, carrying explosive packs or cluster grenades, leaped out of the trenches that had been almost leveled and launched a desperate counterattack against the rolling steel monster.

Using shell craters and corpses as cover, they staggered and shouted as they charged forward.

However, faced with the overwhelming firepower and tight infantry-tank coordination of the US military, this heroic charge was like a moth drawn to a flame.

Behind the front lines of the US armored assault group, large numbers of infantry, under the cover of tanks and armored vehicles, used their M1 Garand rifles and M3 submachine guns to provide precise burst fire and suppression while on the move.

Furthermore, accompanying 60mm and 81mm mortar teams provide close-range fire support at any time.

North Korean soldiers who tried to get close to the tanks were often killed by crossfire from machine guns and infantry from tens or even hundreds of meters away.

Occasionally, when soldiers of the 9th Army rushed close to the tanks, they would be quickly eliminated by the infantry fighting alongside the tanks, or mowed down by the tanks' coaxial and bow machine guns.

A U.S. Pershing tank even brutally ran over a North Korean soldier who was lying on the ground trying to detonate a bomb.

"Hold on! Don't retreat!"

Lin Zhengshun, from a relatively high observation point at the rear, shouted hoarsely into the phone.

Through his binoculars, he witnessed firsthand how an anti-tank squadron he had placed high hopes on was spotted by a low-flying P-51 Mustang fighter jet while attempting to relocate.

Then a burst of 12.7mm armor-piercing incendiary rounds swept across like fire whips, instantly turning the entire squad into a bloody mess, with rocket launcher parts scattered all over the ground.

However, no matter how many reserves Lin Zhengshun ordered to be dispatched, the steel torrent of the US 1st Cavalry Division remained unstoppable.

After all, the US military has never been weak; it's just that Wu Wanli and the Seventh Steel Brigade are too strong.

Even the formidable Seventh Steel Brigade was built by assembling the most elite soldiers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army and providing them with the best and most advanced weapons and ammunition.

At this moment, the first and second lines of defense hastily dug by the North Korean army were completely torn apart and penetrated in just over half an hour!
American tank tracks rolled over trenches, and machine guns indiscriminately swept through the retreating soldiers.

The organized North Korean army was scattered, divided, and surrounded.

"Commander! The left flank regiment has been completely wiped out!"

"Commander! The central command post is under artillery fire! Deputy Division Commander Park... has been killed!"

"The Americans have broken through the junction between us and the Third Division! The right wing is about to collapse!"

In an instant, bad news came flying in like snowflakes.

As Lin Zhengshun watched his troops crumble like an avalanche, and saw the soldiers who had sacrificed themselves in vain under overwhelming firepower, a tremendous wave of grief and despair washed over him like an icy tide.

He abruptly drew his pistol from his waist, his bloodshot eyes fixed on an M24 tank not far away that was firing its machine gun at fleeing soldiers. His voice was hoarse as he said:

"Guards! Follow me!"

Seal that gap!

Even if we die, we will die on the battlefield!

After being beaten like this, I, Lin Zhengshun, have no face to go back and see Wu Kaka!

I'm too ashamed to face my potential future brother-in-law..."

At that moment, he thought of the young commander who had created a miracle in Jiangling and was praised throughout the country, who might become his brother-in-law in the future.

With the Ninth Army in such a state, how can he face Wu Wanli? How can he face Lin Yoona?

Only by dying in battle can we wash away this shame!

"Commander! You can't go!"
Commander! As long as the green hills remain, there's hope!

The troops need your command! Fighting them head-on is suicide! Retreat now!

The guard battalion commander's face changed drastically. In his desperation, he disregarded hierarchy and lunged forward, grabbing Lin Zhengshun's waist tightly and shouting, "Let go of me!"

Lin Zhengshun roared and struggled, almost shaking off the guard battalion commander.

"Quickly! Protect the commander and evacuate!"

The battalion commander of the guards roared at the several burly guards around him.

Several guards reacted and rushed forward, hurriedly lifting the grief-stricken and struggling Lin Zhengshun and stuffing him into the command jeep parked behind.

"Let's go! Let's go!"

The battalion commander yelled at the driver, then jumped into the truck bed, grabbing his submachine gun to provide cover.

The jeep suddenly sped off, bouncing and jumping on the road littered with bullet holes and corpses, racing away from Chuncheon.

Without unified command, the remnants of the Chaogu Army completely collapsed.

The surviving soldiers of the North Korean army scattered like a receding tide towards the mountains under the pursuit and strafing of American tanks and infantry.

Flags, weapons, and backpacks were scattered all over the ground.

The US armored forces pursued for several kilometers, inflicting heavy casualties with machine guns and artillery fire.

The pursuit was halted only after the commander confirmed that the fleeing troops ahead posed no further threat and that the terrain was becoming unfavorable for armored forces to deploy. This was done on Freeman's orders.

On the edge of the smoke-filled battlefield, Freeman stood beside an M26 tank that had just stopped, coldly watching the retreating North Korean soldiers disappear into the mountains like a receding tide.

His face showed no joy at annihilating the enemy, only a sense of relief and weariness, and lingering doubt.

"General, the pursuing troops have stopped advancing."

It has been confirmed that the main force of the enemy has been defeated and shows no signs of regrouping.

The chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division reported.

"Send Colonel Holmes to take the 8th Cavalry Regiment and rush to the aid of Shiroganeri at full speed!"

Tell him to open up the highway connecting to Hakugakure at all costs!
Make sure our lifeline is open!
At the same time, he ordered the garrison in Hakuinri to hold out to the death!
Reinforcements are on their way!

Whoever loses the position will be court-martialed!

Freeman nodded, his gaze turning solemnly in the direction of Shirogane.

"Yes, General!"

A U.S. Army communications officer immediately ran to relay the order.

"Order the main forces of the 5th and 7th Cavalry Regiments, the tank battalion, and the artillery units to immediately abandon the cleanup of the battlefield, take turns providing cover, and withdraw back to Chuncheon City!"
Strengthen the core positions!

Order the remaining troops to be on high alert!
No one may relax until safety is fully confirmed!

Freeman thought for a moment, then continued to give the order.

The chief of staff of the 1st Cavalry Division understood Freeman's intention.

Although the Chao Jiu Army was defeated, Wu Wanli was still nowhere to be found.

Defeating the Koreans was only the first step in removing the immediate constraint; supporting Hakuinri to secure their retreat was the second step.

The third step is to immediately retreat into the sturdy tortoise shell to prevent the cunning opponent from taking advantage of the situation, or to treat the current defeat as part of luring the enemy deeper into the trap.

The alarm in Hakuinri sent them out of the city, but Chuncheon Castle itself must not be lost!
"Never underestimate Wu Wanli, a man who can devour the Seventh Fleet..."

This crushing defeat for the North Koreans may just be a pawn in their grand scheme.

Order the troops to return to the city immediately! Increase vigilance!

At the same time, I need the latest battle reports from the Hakugakure area every hour!

Freeman took a deep breath and added.

"Yes, sir!!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately agreed.

Soon, the sounds of armored tracks and engines roaring from the main force of the US military resounded again.

The massive US attack force retreated back behind Chuncheon's seemingly impregnable walls, like a receding tide.

Meanwhile, in the far southwest, the sounds of gunfire in Hakuinri were tearing apart the silence of dusk with increasing intensity.

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

Meanwhile, Hakuinari
Successfully raised his chin slightly, his eyes, hidden in the shadow of his helmet, fixed intently on the South Korean military outpost 300 meters ahead.

"Target: the outer ring of bunkers. A thousand elite soldiers from the Seventh Steel Brigade will breach the left flank."

The 3,000 elite troops of the New Eighth Army launched a surprise attack from the right flank.

The mortars are sparing no bullets; plow this place three times over!

Infantry charge following the artillery shells' impact points, attacking and retreating quickly, stopping once the outer perimeter is captured!
beat!!!"

He successfully picked up the walkie-talkie and shouted menacingly.

"Yes!"

Soon, a response came from the other end of the walkie-talkie.

……

"Tum! Tum! Tum!"

Half a minute later, the muffled firing sound of a 60mm mortar carried by a platoon of soldiers broke the silence.

The first volley of shells whistled as they slammed into the outpost, the orange fireballs instantly engulfing the dim yellow light, sending splinters of wood, frozen earth, and severed limbs flying into the air.

Almost instantly, before the sound of the explosion had even fully dissipated, Cheng Gong leaped up like a cheetah: "Comrades, charge with me!"

In an instant, over a thousand elite soldiers from the 7th Steel Brigade on the left flank charged out.

Beneath their uniform American M1 steel helmets, their faces were blackened by gunpowder smoke, and the bayonets of their Garand rifles gleamed coldly in the dim light.

They didn't pursue precise aiming at all; they simply charged forward while unleashing a barrage of semi-automatic fire.

The few South Korean soldiers who had just peeked out from behind the sentry post were shot back down by the clattering rifle bullets before they could even pull their rifle bolts back into place.

The sound of Thompson submachine guns firing "rat-a-tat-tat" followed closely behind, and the barrage of bullets suppressed any figure trying to raise their head from behind the sandbags.

The Browning M1919 heavy machine gun roared continuously from the high vantage point on the flank, its fire whipping fiercely against the area near the bunker's firing port, sending up bursts of sparks and gravel dust.

Although the New Eighth Army soldiers on the right wing were newly organized, they were equally well-equipped.

The attached mortar teams fired with great accuracy and force, targeting the trenches between bunkers and the sandbag bunkers that the South Korean army had hastily built.

"boom!"

A mortar shell struck a small squad that had just organized a resistance, instantly knocking men and their weapons off their feet.

The soldiers of the New Eighth Army charged forward amidst the aftershocks of the explosion, bayonets clashing.

A South Korean machine gun emplacement was spitting fire wildly, suppressing the advance.

Two soldiers from the New Eighth Army suddenly rolled out of a shell crater on the flank. One threw out an American-made Mk2 grenade, while the other, taking advantage of the still-smoke from the explosion, fired a few bursts with his Garand machine gun, which immediately fell silent.

The battle was as swift as boiling water splashing on snow.

The defending US and South Korean forces had no idea that such a fiercely armed and ruthless force would suddenly emerge from Baiyinli, far from the main attack direction.

The hastily constructed fortifications were as flimsy as paper in the face of dense mortar shells and American automatic firepower.

In less than twenty minutes, the seven or eight bunker groups, more than a dozen foxholes and barbed wire obstacles on the outer perimeter of the town’s east, south and north sides had all changed hands.

The bodies of American and South Korean soldiers lay scattered in the collapsed bunkers, while the rest scrambled and crawled towards the town's core area in a rout, leaving behind abandoned rifles, helmets, and ammunition boxes strewn across the ground.

Successfully stepping through the scalding hot shell casings and still-warm blood, they reached the outermost trench, the air thick with the pungent smell of gunpowder and blood.

He raised his hand to wipe the mud splattered on his face, coldly surveying the open area leading into the town and the enemy's main position, nestled among the buildings in the distance.

"Halt! Take casualties, consolidate the position! Set up heavy machine guns! Artillery crews, move forward!"

Success was achieved through a series of swift and decisive commands.

Time is the most critical factor right now.

He needed to mislead the enemy, making the remaining US and South Korean troops in the town believe that this was a sure-fire attack.

Gunfire suddenly thinned out, leaving only sporadic follow-up shots and the groans of the wounded.

The soldiers, panting heavily, quickly reinforced their defenses and set up firing positions using the South Korean fortifications they had just captured.

In the heart of the town, in a command post built from several sturdy stone houses, U.S. Army Major Connally was yelling into the phone: "...Damn it!"
Their firepower is overwhelming! They're all automatic weapons!
The mortars are raining down! My outer positions are all lost!

I need reinforcements! Immediately!

Shortly after, Colonel Holmes, commander of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, delivered a chilling voice through the microphone: "Hold the line! Reinforcements are on their way! Hold on!"

Outside the town, the commander successfully directed the troops to launch two more offensives against the town's central area.

The offensive remained fierce, with mortar shells whistling as they slammed into the suspected targets, and light and heavy machine guns relentlessly suppressing and strafing the houses filled with doors and windows, sending bricks and stones flying everywhere.

Under the cover of fire, the infantry advanced in alternating leaps, stopping resolutely in front of the ruins of houses on the edge of the town, building fortifications on the spot, and not engaging in deep street fighting.

This is a bluffing attack, impressive in appearance but like a fist hitting a thick quilt, failing to draw out the enemy's true core strength.

The US and South Korean troops inside the town were pinned down in their fortifications by fierce firepower, and could only passively retaliate, daring not to launch a rash counterattack.

"Damn it, they're not taking the bait."

Successfully crouched behind a low wall, chewing on a piece of dry, hard fried noodles, his eyes never leaving the direction of the town.

He needed this place to become a magnet, firmly attracting the enemy's attention and creating an opportunity for Commander-in-Chief Wu Wanli to land on the coast closest to Jiaping.

Time passed by, each second weighing heavily on my heart.

Not long after, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind.

A volunteer army communications soldier, covered in soot, scrambled to Chenggong's side, his lips cracked, and said:

"Urgent telegram from Captain Wu... Captain Wu!"

As he spoke, the messenger handed over a small, folded telegram.

He grabbed it in one swift motion, sweeping it across the dim light of dawn.

The telegram contained only a few words, yet each one carried immense weight:
"According to reliable intelligence and aerial reconnaissance, a part of the main force of the 1st Cavalry Division has been dispatched from Chuncheon, and it is estimated that several thousand elite US regimental-level troops are rushing to the aid of Baekgwiri."

Your mission remains unchanged: do everything in your power to contain the enemy and buy time for Operation Gaping.

Wu Wanli.

After successfully reading it, the knuckles of my fingers, which were gripping the telegram, turned white instantly.

A reinforced regiment of US cavalry against a detachment of troops mostly composed of North Korean soldiers would be no match for them in a direct confrontation.

Fortunately, his real goal was to contain the enemy, not to fight a desperate defensive battle!

"We can't fight to the death!"

Chenggong suddenly stood up, crumpling the telegram into a ball.

If we continue to hold our ground and launch feigned attacks, once the enemy's elite reinforcements arrive, we will be able to crush this small force in no time by attacking from both inside and outside!
The attempt to contain them will fail immediately!
We must take action and stir things up!
A bold, almost insane idea instantly took shape in his mind.

He turned around abruptly, facing Xu Mumu, who had been following him, and several battalion and company officers from the New Eighth Army.

"Xu Mumu!"

The voice of success was resolute and decisive.

"To!"

Xu Mumu stood up straight with a start, her young face still bearing the marks of battle and a trace of lingering bewilderment and tension.

"You stay here with the remaining main force of the New Eighth Army and a few dozen comrades from the Steel Seventh Brigade, and continue to launch a fierce attack on Baiyinli!"
The bigger the commotion, the better!

Smash the mortars hard!
Don't be stingy with machine gun bullets!

Blow the bugle call a few more times!
Make it look like you won't stop until you've taken Hakugakure! Understand?

Xu Mumu's face flushed red, her lips trembled, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead: "Brother Cheng... I don't know how!"
All I do is follow orders and charge forward. I can be a squad leader and lead a few people, but at most I can lead dozens or hundreds.

"These...two thousand men, plus artillery, how am I supposed to command this!"

"Won't?
If you don't know how, then learn it now!
exercise!

You don't need to play any tricks or use any sophisticated schemes!
I'll teach you eight words: 'Build strongholds and fight a protracted war!'
Listen up! Hold your ground using the positions you have!

Get the heavy machine gun set up in the toughest fortifications!
The mortar positions are to be dispersed and concealed, and follow the orders of the observation posts. They are to target any enemy that shows up or any assembly points!

Infantry should hold the existing front line; if the enemy dares to show their faces, they should be severely punished!

We don't ask you to break through, we just ask you to stay here and hold on tight, so that the people in the town think we are still fighting to the death, and the reconnaissance planes in the sky think we are still launching a fierce attack!
It's okay to play clumsy or slow, as long as you're tough, ruthless, and persistent!

As he spoke, Cheng Gong suddenly pointed to the side of a dark mountain range in the southwest: "See that forest over there?"

I personally led the veterans of the 800th Steel Seventh Brigade to that place!

They ambushed the US reinforcements on the flank of the only route they could take to reach Hakuin-ri!
It's less than five miles from here!

Keep attacking from here and draw the enemy's attention!
As soon as you hear the gunfire from my ambush, especially when you see the red signal flare I fire go into the air, forget everything else, gather all the soldiers you can move, and push toward the place with the loudest gunfire!
"Go all out and help me beat those sons of bitches of reinforcements!"

A battalion commander from the New Eighth Army standing nearby nearly popped his eyes out and exclaimed, "What?!"

We...we are a flanking force!

The mission is to distract and confuse!

Captain Wu's telegram also instructed us to "do everything in our power to contain them"!
If you leave, what if Xu Mumu can't hold out and the truth comes out?

What if the ambush goes wrong and they get caught in a counterattack by those thousands of American-equipped elite troops...?

We'd all be dead here! That was incredibly close! It was a gamble with our lives!

The successful gaze was like a red-hot branding iron, branding the battalion commander's face and sweeping over the astonished faces of everyone around him.

The battalion commander was right; according to common sense, this was practically suicide.

"Gambling with your life?"

The sound of success suddenly rose, carrying an almost roaring determination, echoing across the smoke-filled battlefield.

"I was lucky to be alive, to have the chance to stand here today and command you to fight the foreign devils!"

He took a deep breath and said with emotion, "If it weren't for Commander Wu and Political Commissar Liu, I would still be leading the Fifth Logistics Regiment, hauling grain and ammunition with trucks!"

It was the brigade commander who gave me a second chance, and gave me the face to pick up a gun and fight the enemy again!

There's nothing wrong with the 5th Logistics Regiment, but the frontline troops will definitely offer me a much wider scope for action!
After all, our frontline soldiers carry the burden of the front line, of bayonets drawn!

This land was won by Commander Wan Li and Army Commander Li Yunlong!
Report your favor on the golden stage, support the Jade Dragon and die for you! "

At this point, Chenggong almost roared out the poem through gritted teeth, his bloodshot eyes burning with an almost fanatical loyalty and determination.
What is '君' (jun)?
It was Captain Wu who pulled me out, and it was Political Commissar Liu who patted me on the shoulder and said, "Do a good job!"
It is the flag of the Seventh Steel Brigade, stained with the blood of our brothers!

Freeman isn't stupid. If we play it safe and launch a feint attack here, we won't be able to hold him off for long!

He'll quickly realize something's wrong! Why?
Because what we lack is not manpower, nor American equipment!
It's that energy!

It's the fearless, daring spirit of the Seventh Steel Brigade when they were fighting!
It was the ruthless mind of Captain Wu, who dared to dance on the edge of a knife when he was in command!
What's hardest to imitate is this spirit!

Now, I'm going to show Freeman through my actions that I am a soldier of the Seventh Steel Brigade!

This is the way I fight!

Either don't fight at all, or if you do fight, stab him in the heart!

Stir the water up completely!

Let's drag him to his death in this White Hidden Realm!
And rest assured, I will not be so presumptuous as to attempt to utterly defeat the entire US support force.

"Take advantage of the darkness to win a battle, grab a piece of meat, and leave, leaving the American army confused and causing strategic miscalculations..."

When the words of success were uttered, the entire front line fell into a deathly silence.

The wind, carrying the smell of gunpowder and blood, swept across young faces covered in dust, sweat, and blood.

The battalion commander of the New Eighth Army stared with his mouth agape at the flame in Chenggong's eyes that seemed to burn through everything, his throat felt blocked, and he couldn't utter a single word.

The soldiers around them, whether they were veterans of the Seventh Steel Brigade or soldiers of the New Eighth Army, began to breathe heavily, and a mixture of shock, excitement, and even tragedy spread silently.

The timidity and confusion on Xu Mumu's face disappeared, replaced by a solemnity that had been ignited.

He took a deep breath of the deathly air, then looked at Xu Mumu with a resolute voice:
"Fool! Remember my words!"
Fortify your strongholds! Fight a protracted war!
Hold the existing positions to the death!

Hit hard! Hit fiercely!
Send it to the enemy! Once you see the red signal flare, advance immediately!

Don't overthink it! Even if the sky falls, I'll be there to hold it up!

"Yes!"

Xu Mumu straightened her back, her voice louder and more resolute than ever before.

Success landed a heavy pat on Xu Mumu's shoulder, so forcefully that the young man swayed.

He said no more, his gaze sweeping across the battalion and company commanders of the Seventh Steel Brigade around him like lightning: "The Seventh Steel Brigade!"
Leave a few dozen men behind; those who can still move, come with me!
Pick the toughest veterans! Bring plenty of bullets and grenades!
"Disassemble the mortars and carry two lighter ones! Quickly!"

The command was like boiling oil being poured into cold water.

The veterans of the Seventh Steel Corps, who were just immersed in the shock, instantly came to life.

There was no noise, only steely action.

The experienced veterans quickly began selecting personnel and organizing equipment.

The heavy Browning M1919 machine gun was quickly disassembled, and the gun barrel and tripod were carried by several strong soldiers.

The ammunition handler hung a long ammunition belt around his neck; the magazines of the Garand rifles were full, and the eight-round clips were crisply pressed into the magazine.

The drum magazines and cartridges for the Thompson submachine guns were quickly distributed.

The backpack was streamlined to the extreme, containing only ammunition, grenades, and a small amount of fried noodles.

In less than ten minutes, the elite of the Seventh Steel Brigade had assembled.

Most of them were silent, with sharp eyes, but their backs were ramrod straight, like javelins about to be fired.

The American weapons in his hands, the mottled military uniform and tattered cotton-padded coat on his body formed a peculiar mix, yet it exuded a fierce aura of someone who had survived countless battles.

"Set off!!!"

With a low growl, Chenggong turned and strode into the still-lingering morning mist.

Upon hearing this, the eight hundred elite warriors immediately obeyed orders and followed closely behind.

The heavy footsteps pounded on the scorched frozen earth, raising wisps of dust before quickly disappearing behind the mountain ridge leading southwest.

(End of this chapter)