Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 372 Wu Wanli: The problem is I prepared a meal, but two tables of guests arrived!
After Li Yunlong led fresh troops to support and launch a counterattack, the firepower density of the US forces increased significantly.

The deafening explosions created bursts of fire on the front lines of the West Gate position.

The gun barrels of the American tanks spewed out scorching flames as they slammed shells into the densely packed area of ​​the 60th Army of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.

In the air, Mustang fighter-bombers emitted a piercing shriek as they dove down.

Rockets trailing white smoke plowed across the land from under the wings, while napalm bombs were dropped, instantly creating a hellish wall of fire.

The volunteer soldiers of the 60th Army fought their way through this inferno of steel and flames.

Using the remaining ruins, shell craters, and the remains of their comrades, they frantically repelled the surging American infantry with their Mosin-Nagant rifles, PPSh submachine guns, rotary machine guns, and even cluster grenades.

People kept falling, their blood soaking the scorched earth, but more people roared and charged forward, using bayonets, rifle butts, and their teeth!

Because they saw that under the military flag, which was so stained by gunpowder that its color was almost unrecognizable, Li Yunlong, along with Kong Jie, Zhao Gang, and the last remaining staff officers, guards, communications soldiers, and even cooks who could be mobilized, rushed to the front line without hesitation!

"Damn it! We're here to defend our position! Give us a good beating!"

Li Yunlong's thunderous roar, through the deafening artillery fire, clearly reached the ears of every soldier in the 60th Army.

He fired his gun repeatedly, knocking down a newly emerged American officer.

"Fight! Avenge our fallen comrades!"

Kong Jie held a Browning light machine gun he had found, the muzzle spitting out deadly flames.

While firing his rifle accurately, Zhao Gang loudly encouraged his nearly exhausted soldiers: "Comrades, hold on! Reinforcements are on their way!"

This scene was like a stimulant injected into a body on the verge of collapse.

The 60 officers and soldiers, who had been suppressed by the fierce firepower of the US military and suffered heavy losses, suddenly burst out with a thunderous shout: "Kill! Drive those bastards back!"

The remaining mortars and heavy machine guns roared again, and bullets and grenades rained down on the charging American troops.

A Chinese volunteer soldier, clutching a smoking explosive charge, leaped out of the lateral trench and crashed headfirst into the tracks of the leading Pershing tank.

In the violent explosion, the steel behemoth suddenly tilted, becoming an obstacle to the subsequent charge.

The unstoppable charge of the US military was halted in this small, bloody battleground!
In the makeshift divisional headquarters bunker behind the lines, Major General Iverson, commander of the 1st Marine Division, saw through the artillery scope the incredible resistance he witnessed.

Through the binoculars, the fluttering military flag, the fearless figures, and especially the Chinese general who personally led the charge and stood at the forefront, sent a chill down his spine.

Time! Time is the most precious thing right now!
If this drags on, allowing the main Chinese forces in other directions to completely press towards the west gate, his troops will be completely trapped in the meat grinder that is Jiaping!

Division Commander Iverson slammed his fist on the bunker wall and yelled at the communications officer, "Fuck! We can't delay any longer!"

Order the tank battalion, self-propelled artillery battalion, and all heavy artillery!
Concentrate your firepower and bombard everything in your path! Fighter squadrons, maintain suppression!
All combat personnel of the entire division are to immediately break out to the west, with Qingping Canyon as their target!
Tell the lads, if we can't get through, we'll either end up in a Chinese prisoner-of-war camp or go to hell!

Charge through, and we'll be able to see our brothers from the 7th Marine Division alive!
at all costs!
Go! Go! Go!

"At all costs! Break through to the west! Target: Qingping Canyon!"

The order was instantly transmitted throughout the entire 1st New Marine Division via radio and shouts.

The US military's inherent survival instinct and firepower advantage were frantically squeezed out at this moment.

boom! boom! boom! boom!
The US heavy artillery groups, which had just been scattered to support various fronts, unleashed a devastating roar from dozens of 105mm and 155mm howitzers under unified command.

The shells, like dense hail, precisely covered the entire West Gate blocking position and its rear depth, especially the location of the military flag!

In the sky, more fighter jets swooped down, rockets and machine gun bullets tearing through the ground, weaving a low-altitude web of deadly fire.

Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles roared like beasts as they charged forward in an assault formation.

Tank tracks rolled over the land ravaged by artillery fire, turrets spun wildly and spewed flames, providing cover for the American infantry that surged forward like ants behind them, disregarding casualties and charging desperately forward!

Steel Storm!

A pure, unreserved storm of steel!

The advantage that the remaining soldiers of the 60th Army had just gained from the courage brought by Li Yunlong and the command post was instantly overwhelmed by the destructive firepower of this overwhelming advantage.

Every second, Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers were torn apart and blown away by the fierce artillery fire.

The tattered trenches were smoothed over in large sections. Flesh and blood were so fragile in the face of the steel torrent.

"careful!"

Duan Peng let out a heart-wrenching roar, and like a cheetah pouncing on its prey, he pounced on Li Yunlong and pinned him down.

Almost simultaneously, a 155mm high-explosive grenade exploded less than ten meters in front of them!

"boom--!!!"

A loud noise like the collapse of heaven and earth.

A massive shockwave ring, carrying dirt, gravel, scorching shrapnel, and the aura of death, slammed down in all directions like a tangible giant hammer.

Duan Peng felt as if he had been hit in the back by a train engine, and a sweet taste rose in his throat.

Li Yunlong, who was pinned down by him, suddenly felt everything go black, as if the whole world had lost its sound and color. The violent tremor destroyed all consciousness, and he was completely plunged into boundless darkness.

Kong Jie and Zhao Gang were a little far from the explosion point, but they were still violently knocked to the ground by the shockwave.

Kong Jie's forehead was cut open by a piece of gravel, and blood covered one eye.

Zhao Gang felt a sharp pain in his left arm, and his military uniform was instantly stained red with blood as a piece of hot shrapnel became embedded in it.

"Protect the commander! Retreat! Retreat now!"

Blood was flowing from Duan Peng's mouth and nose. He struggled to get up and hoarsely ordered the guards who could still move.

Braving a hail of bullets, several Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers desperately carried the unconscious Li Yunlong, and dragged the wounded Kong Jie and Zhao Gang, stumbling and retreating to a more distant bunker.

The last remaining defensive force of the 60th Army could no longer maintain an effective defensive line under the desperate, all-or-nothing attack of the US forces.

Tank tracks rolled over the scorched earth mixed with blood and flesh, and American infantrymen howled like beasts as they trampled over the corpses of their comrades and Chinese soldiers, breaking through the last thin gap in the defensive line.

In the end, the remaining 6,000 troops of the New Marine Division continued westward, surging towards Qingping Gorge!

…………

Meanwhile, at the eastern entrance of Qingping Canyon, on a high ground.

The temporary command post of the Seventh Steel Brigade was set up in a natural stone cave on a slope facing away from the enemy, with the entrance completely covered by camouflage netting and tree branches.

Inside the cave, a few kerosene lamps cast a dim yellow light, barely illuminating a large battle map spread out on an ammunition box and several unusually solemn faces covered in gunpowder and dust.

With his back to the cave entrance, Wu Wanli stood tall and straight like a gun, staring intently through a high-powered scope at the western entrance across the canyon where American troops might appear.

Liu Hanqing held the walkie-talkie on the table with one hand and the newly translated telegram in the other, his brows furrowed.

Quan Douguang stood ramrod straight, looking expectantly at Wu Wanli's figure.

Yu Congrong, Lei Gong, Pinghe, and Gao Daxing, whether standing or sitting, all focused their gazes on Wu Wanli and Liu Hanqing. The air was thick with the suffocating tension characteristic of the period before a major battle.

The silence was broken by hurried footsteps, and a sweat-drenched Volunteer Army scout rushed in, excitedly reporting, "Reporting to the Commander!"
Urgent telegram from Jiaping direction!

The U.S. 1st Marine Division concentrated all its firepower in a desperate breakout attempt!
Commander Li Yunlong was knocked unconscious by enemy heavy artillery while directing operations at the West Gate position!

Deputy Commander Kong and Political Commissar Zhao sustained minor injuries.
The Eastern Front Assault Group annihilated over 10,000 elite troops of the New Marine Corps 1st Division, while suffering approximately 30,000 casualties of its own!
Currently, the remaining 6,000 troops of the 1st Marine Division have broken through the West Gate defense line and are rushing towards Qingping Gorge at full speed!

The striker is expected to arrive within three hours at the earliest!

Upon hearing this, everyone inside the cave had a slight change in expression, but they were not too surprised.

Previously, during the siege of the 1st Marine Division at Chosin Reservoir, the entire 9th Army Corps was mobilized to fight several battles, including those at Sinhsin-ri and Hagaru-ri, before finally winning.

Li Yunlong's Eastern Front Assault Group was not as large as the Ninth Army Corps, so it was already quite good that they were able to achieve such a result in one battle.

Wu Wanli had anticipated this, which is why he set up an ambush here in advance.

Wu Wanli didn't turn around, but nodded: "Understood. Continue to keep a close watch!"

Liu Hanqing took a deep breath and handed another telegram to Wu Wanli: "Wanli, this is intelligence that was confirmed just three minutes ago."

The U.S. 7th Division command drew a highly mechanized reinforced vanguard regiment from its reserves and flank guard units!

It had about 3,000 men, equipped with 30 medium tanks, 15 M3 half-track armored vehicles, a self-propelled artillery battery, and even an air liaison unit!

They are driving at full speed along the highway towards Qingping Canyon!
Their purpose was clearly to come and support the newly formed 1st Marine Division as it broke through the encirclement!
At their speed... they'll reach the western entrance of the canyon ahead of the 1st New Marine Division in at most an hour!

Yu Congrong suddenly looked up, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "Three thousand elite American troops? And a tank formation?"

Captain, the meat is practically in your mouth!
let's hit!

Before they establish a firm foothold, let's tackle this tough nut first!

My fire support unit will lead the charge!

Gao Daxing wiped the oil and sweat from his face and slammed his fist on his knee: "Yeah! Beat the hell up!"
Laozi's assault team has been wanting to fight for a long time, just waiting for these iron turtles to crawl in!
"Smash their tanks, and the remaining American infantry will be easy prey!"

Liu Hanqing immediately shook his head, his tone filled with deep concern: "Fight?"

Old Yu, Old Gao, don't fight!

This is completely different from our original plan to ambush the retreating 1st Marine Division!
This US vanguard regiment is a fresh force, well-equipped, and extremely vigilant!
Once we engage them at the western entrance of the canyon, it will surely be a fierce and head-on battle!

Once the gunfire started, the entire Qingping Canyon was exposed!

What's the point of our carefully laid ambush?
Would the main force of the newly defeated 1st Marine Division, upon hearing the sounds of fierce fighting ahead, still foolishly rush into the trap?
They will either retreat immediately or fight us to the death at the mouth of the canyon!
At that time, we may very well face a pincer attack from both the front and rear by two elite US forces!

How can the task be completed?

How can the goal of annihilating an entire US division be achieved?!

Quan Douguang, a soldier from the New Eighth Army, straightened up, walked to the map, pointed to the western entrance of Qingping Gorge, and said decisively in somewhat broken Chinese, "Political Commissar Liu's words make sense on the battlefield."

But if we don't fight, the consequences will be even more serious!
This provisional vanguard regiment is the elite force of the US 7th Division!

Once they successfully reach Xikou, they will be able to join forces with the remnants of the New Marine Division.

At that time, the two enemies will unite as one, greatly increasing their troop strength and firepower!

If our Seventh Steel Brigade and the New Eighth Army were to try to take them down again, the price they would have to pay would be far greater than if they had wiped out this vanguard regiment first!
And it will take even longer!
We are now in a strategically advantageous position, and could be completely surrounded at any moment. We cannot afford to wait any longer!

Lei Gong tapped his pipe and said in a loud voice, "Chief Quan is right, but not entirely right either."

In my opinion, there's no problem letting it go!

What good will these three thousand men do once they enter the canyon? Our original intention in setting up the ambush was to attack the exhausted 1st Marine Division.

Although things have changed, our core strength remains intact.

Once the main force of the defeated 1st Marine Division arrives, we'll encircle and annihilate this vanguard regiment as well!

Although Commander Li Yunlong's Eastern Front Assault Group suffered heavy losses, its main force still survived and was chasing after the New Marine Division!

When the time comes, we will ambush them from all sides, and Commander Li Yunlong will launch a fierce attack from the rear. We will attack from both sides, and even if they join forces, we will still be able to smash them to pieces!

The key is to concentrate our forces and focus on the main target—the new 1st Marine Division!

Pinghe put down the walkie-talkie he had been holding to his ear and calmly added Lei Gong's opinion: "I agree with Lei Gong's view."

This vanguard regiment is more like a rapid response force drawn up in an emergency.

As long as we act quickly enough, we can end the battle before the main force of the US 7th Division can react.

Upon hearing this, Quan Douguang immediately shook his head and said, "The battlefield is ever-changing, and there is no guarantee that the battle will end soon!"
If we are engaged in fierce fighting inside the canyon and the main force of the US 7th Division pushes in from the outside, we will be trapped inside the canyon!

Don't forget, behind the canyon are Li Yunlong's troops, who are pursuing but are exhausted from the fierce fighting. They may not be as fast as the US mechanized troops!
We must carefully consider this risk!

Liu Hanqing nodded: "That's a very thoughtful consideration."

More importantly... the clear demands from the Soviet side conveyed by the headquarters.

We must annihilate another entire American division before those heavy industrial plants and technical assistance can arrive free of charge!
This is a death order concerning the very foundation of the nation's future development!

The unit we have the best chance of annihilating right now is the 1st New Marine Division!
If our efforts to defeat this vanguard regiment result in the escape of the 1st Marine Division, or in the loss of our ability to annihilate it as a unit, then this strategic objective will be completely lost!
We must accomplish this strategic goal and secure that substantial heavy industrial foundation for our motherland!

For a moment, the cave fell into a brief silence.

The flame of the lantern flickered uneasily in the heavy air, illuminating every face—whether resolute, anxious, or contemplative.

To fight or not to fight?
Which route should we attack first?
The Soviet Union's hard targets, the urgent orders from the headquarters, the rapidly changing battlefield situation, the enormous risks and the potential for huge victories...

All the contradictions were intertwined, weighing heavily on everyone's hearts, especially on the broad shoulders of the young captain.

All eyes eventually and silently converged on Wu Wanli's figure.

Time ticked by, each second like a hammer blow striking the nerves of everyone.

After a moment of thought, Wu Wanli solemnly turned around, looked at everyone, and asked, "The question?"
The problem is that I prepared one table of food, but two tables of guests came.

How are we supposed to eat this?
Force it?

With the blood and flesh of thousands of comrades who were forged in the fires of our Seventh Steel Brigade, plus the blood and flesh of more than 27,000 comrades of the New Eighth Army...

To confront the exhausted and cornered 1st Marine Division, coupled with the well-equipped and well-rested 3,000-strong elite vanguard regiment of the U.S. Army.
Even with the Eastern Front Assault Group led by Commander Li Yunlong, which is also suffering heavy casualties and is on its way, we will still win in the end!
But that was built with the lives of our most precious veterans, forged in the bloody battle of Jiangling!
It's like killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own!

Can we afford to pay this price?

Once we can afford it, how will we fulfill the headquarters' requirement to "disrupt the enemy's battle lines and gain the initiative on the battlefield"?

What will we have left to carry out the more difficult tasks that follow?

The Soviets achieved their goal of annihilating an entire enemy division, but what about us?

If they are crippled, what will happen to the eastern front assault group's breakout?
What about the overall situation of the fifth campaign?
What is our most precious possession?
It's time!
It's about the element of surprise and initiative in the battle!
We can't afford to delay!

As he spoke, Wu Wanli's voice suddenly rose, like the beating of war drums, carrying a resolute determination that severed all hesitation:

"So, my decision is—eat your food one bite at a time!"

Guests should be treated with a distinction between host and guest!
Let's eat at this table first, where there are fewer people but the food is pretty good – the three thousand elite soldiers of the US Vanguard Regiment!

After quickly wiping out this vanguard regiment, the 1st Marine Division will surely receive the news.

Having just been defeated and fled, they are unlikely to choose to charge back and fight again, especially since there are elite troops from the Eastern Front Assault Group pursuing them.

Even if we were willing to fight a Pyrrhic victory, the 1st Marine Division would not be willing to pay the price of total annihilation.

They will definitely choose to take a longer route, making it difficult for them to rendezvous with the US 7th Division in a short period of time.

Then we can just observe the reaction of the Seventh Master!

If the US 7th Division is also willing to take a detour to meet up with the new 1st Marine Division ahead of time, we will ignore them and join forces with the Eastern Front Assault Group, with our troops pointing straight at the undefended Seoul!
Even if the Eastern Front Assault Group loses more than 30,000 elite troops, our forces still number 100,000, which is enough to launch a fierce attack on Seoul and threaten the UN Command!

If the US 7th Division fails to defend the 1st New Marine Division and retreats directly to Seoul, we will go and wipe out the 1st New Marine Division!
Then change the strategic direction, march towards Chuncheon, and have the Volunteer Army Headquarters draw reinforcements from the western front to cooperate in the encirclement and annihilation.

At that point, the offensive on the western front will turn into a defensive posture, while on the eastern front, our forces will need to break out from behind enemy lines, and the 1st Cavalry Division of Chuncheon will be surrounded after penetrating deep into enemy territory.

In any case, we can maintain the strategic initiative!

Wu Wanli looked at the Tianyan map, clenched his fist, and said.

Wu Wanli's resolute voice echoed in the cave, like thunder splitting the heavy fog.

There was a moment of deathly silence in the cave, followed by a burst of gasps of cold air.

Liu Hanqing looked up abruptly, his previous worry replaced by immense shock.

Liu Hanqing slammed his hand on the ammunition box, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Wanli, your strategic vision has seen through the entire Eastern Front!"

I fully support this. I'll immediately readjust the political mobilization efforts to ensure the soldiers understand the significance of this risky move!

Quan Douguang's previously furrowed brows suddenly relaxed, his straight body leaned slightly forward, and his eyes were filled with unbelievable admiration as he looked at Wu Wanli.

He spoke in broken Chinese, his voice firm and resolute:
"Commander Wu, you're brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
By separating the new 1st Marine Division from the 7th Division and forcing them to make a choice, the initiative will be in our hands!
This distinction between 'primary' and 'secondary' is excellent!
The more than 20,000 soldiers of the New Eighth Army will definitely cooperate fully!

Yu Congrong slammed his thigh hard, his face full of wild joy and fighting spirit: "Hahaha! Captain! That's awesome!"

This is the fighting style of my Steel Seventh Company!

The vanguard regiment's tanks? Hand them over to my fire support unit! We'll smash them to scrap metal!

Gao Daxing was even more eager to fight, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "The entire assault team!"
The knife is sharpened; it awaits your command!
I personally led the elite platoon and was the first to stab those iron-willed bastards in the belly!

Lei Gong forgot to smoke his pipe and nodded vigorously: "Dividing meals among guests... Good! What a wonderful idea to divide meals among guests!"
Captain, your mind works way faster than ours, the old guys!

Letting them in to make dumplings together would be great, but our old bones can't take such a hard bite.

Do as you say, first take down those three thousand hard targets, and we'll slowly work out the rest of the easy targets!

I'll go check the artillery positions right now and make sure the first round of fire completely overwhelms his vanguard regiment!

Pinghe's tightly clenched lips finally relaxed, revealing a sharp smile: "Captain, your thinking is clear, I completely agree."

The reconnaissance detachment immediately advanced to the western pass, re-marked the ambush coordinates, and focused on monitoring the positions of the vanguard regiment's tanks and self-propelled artillery, ensuring real-time information transmission!

Wu Wanli nodded and finally ordered, "Go and prepare. The ambush is expected to begin soon. We must fight hard and finish this quickly!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone responded in unison.

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

Not long after, not far from Qingping Canyon
Colonel Harris, commander of the vanguard regiment of the 7th Infantry Division, leaned out of his jeep and squinted at the pass known as "Qingping Gorge".

The steep cliffs on both sides are like giant axe cuts, leaving a narrow passage in the middle. Morning mist permeates the valley floor, making it difficult for light to penetrate.

“Damn this place. Intelligence says the routs of the 1st Marine Division are heading this way. Brigadier General Iverson needs our support.”

The regimental chief of staff in the passenger seat muttered to himself, his fingertips tracing paths on the map.

Harris twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing an almost arrogant smile: "Iverson?"

His 1st Marine Division couldn't hold Jiaping and was instead decimated by Li Yunlong's lunatics. Now it's our 7th Division's turn to clean up their mess.

The troops were ordered to remain vigilant and proceed quickly through the canyon.

Let the armored units lead the way, followed by infantry convoys, with communications and logistics in the middle.

Tell the lads, once we break out of this canyon, we'll reach open ground. We'll pick up the remnants of the 1st Marine Division, and then we'll all head back to Seoul for hot coffee!

"Yes!"

The regimental chief of staff immediately agreed, and the order was quickly issued.

A dozen Pershing medium tanks and even more Sherman light tanks roared their engines and formed a tight assault formation, leading the way into the narrow entrance of Qingping Gorge.

The heavy steel body squeezed through the cracks in the rocks and crushed the scattered bushes on the ground.

Following closely behind was a long convoy of armed jeeps and Dodge trucks, fully loaded with infantrymen wearing helmets and gripping M1 Garand rifles.

The American soldiers, their faces showing the exhaustion of marching through the night, cast wary glances at the dark cliffs on either side.

But Colonel Harris’s confidence made them feel that this was just a quick trip.

The tracks of the first Pershing tank unexpectedly ran over the immense pressure fuse hidden beneath the gravel and loose soil.

A tremendous explosion erupted in an instant!
An orange-red fireball shot into the sky, carrying sharp steel fragments and sand, sweeping across like the scythe of death.

The steel behemoth, weighing over twenty tons, suddenly lurched upwards violently. Its chassis was torn apart, and its thick tracks lashed out like severed snakes, flying more than ten meters away. Thick smoke and flames instantly engulfed the vehicle.

The two Shermans following behind were unable to avoid the fire and crashed into the burning wreckage of the car in front, making a screeching metallic scraping sound, and were immediately paralyzed in the middle of the narrow passage.

"Landmines! Take cover!"

The screams were barely audible after the sudden explosion.

The US military convoy was thrown into chaos. Tires screeched as they braked suddenly, and vehicles behind crashed into those in front, sending parts flying.

The American infantrymen jumped off the trucks in a panic, instinctively seeking cover. The narrow valley floor became crowded, filled with curses and cries for help.

Colonel Harris's jeep was violently thrown off balance by the blast wave. He clung tightly to the door frame to steady himself, his face ashen.

"Woo——"

The piercing sound seemed to tear through the air, pressing down from above with a frequency that made the earth tremble!
"Bombard! Bombard! Take cover!"

Harris's roar was drowned out by the even louder sonic boom.

At the top of the towering cliffs on both sides, Lei Gong stood at a well-camouflaged forward observation post, one hand on his hip and the other holding a telescope steadily. His hoarse roar reached the artillery positions behind the lines via the field telephone: "Attention, all artillery positions!"

"Rapid fire, target unchanged, due west, three rapid-fire rounds—fire!"

Commands are like war drums.

In an instant, the captured American-made howitzer group roared like a landslide and a tsunami.

The scorching shells, accompanied by a deathly shriek, slammed into the narrow valley floor, covering the entire American advance force and the heart of the chaotic convoy.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Deafening explosions continued one after another, shaking the earth.

One after another, orange-red fireballs rose up, and scorching waves of heat rolled and spread, instantly turning the valley floor into a furnace.

Steel and flesh are extremely vulnerable in the face of terrifying shockwaves.

A Dodge truck full of infantry was hit directly, instantly disintegrating. Twisted steel plates and burning human remains were thrown high into the air before crashing down.

Another jeep was overturned by the explosion and rolled like a burning fireball as it crashed into the cliff face. The soldiers inside didn't even have time to scream.

American infantrymen fell in droves like felled wheat, their severed limbs and charred dirt flying everywhere.

The air was thick with the stench of gunpowder, blood, and burning flesh, making it suffocating.

"Oh, God!"

Colonel Harris was slammed to the ground by the blast wave, his ears ringing and his vision blurred.

He struggled to his feet and lunged behind the wreckage of the jeep, with gravel and hot shrapnel whizzing past his head.

Through the billowing smoke and flames, he saw that his proud armored vanguard force had been almost completely destroyed, and burning tank wreckage blocked the narrow intersection.

Even more terrifying, against this backdrop of raging flames, countless gun barrels spewed deadly flames from the steep cliffs on both sides!

"beat!"

Wu Wanli's cold, iron-like orders were transmitted via walkie-talkie to every firing point of the Seventh Steel Brigade.

He stood in a concealed command post with a wide view on the east side of the canyon, his sharp gaze scanning the hellish battlefield below through his binoculars.

The moment the order was given, the silent cliff came back to life!

The seven or eight thousand elite soldiers of the Seventh Steel Brigade, equipped with all-American weaponry, unleashed their full firepower at this moment.

The deep, deadly "thump-thump-thump" of M1919 heavy machine guns rang out first.

The dense belt of ammunition, like crimson whips of fire, swept down from above, slicing through any target that dared to move in the valley, sending dirt flying and sparks flying from the vehicles.

Following closely behind were the rapid, crisp bursts of fire from the carbine and the steady, powerful tap-fire from the M1 Garand rifle.

Countless tracer rounds emerged from every corner of the cliff, weaving a dense net of fire that mercilessly reaped the lives of American soldiers at the bottom of the valley.

The grenades rained down like hailstones, exploding near the hastily constructed bunkers of the US forces, with shrapnel and shockwaves sweeping everything away.

American soldiers became sitting ducks in the confined space.

In a panic, they blindly returned fire, relying on the twisted wreckage of vehicles or the cratered terrain, but most of the upward-firing bullets struck the hard rocks in vain, ricocheting weak sparks.

People were constantly being torn apart by machine gun ammunition belts, accurately blown to the head by rifle bullets, or blown to pieces by grenades falling from above.

The casualty figures climbed at an alarming rate amid explosions and cries of agony.

The ground at the bottom of the valley was quickly stained red and soaked with thick blood, forming nauseating pools of blood. Mutilated corpses were piled up layer upon layer, a truly gruesome sight.

The previously well-equipped and aggressive vanguard regiment suffered more than 30% losses in an instant under this sudden multi-pronged attack, teetering on the brink of collapse.

"Damn it! This is a damn trap!"

Quickly! Send a telegram to the division headquarters immediately!
Send it to Iverson too!

Tell them: My unit encountered a pre-arranged ambush by a powerful Chinese People's Volunteer Army at the eastern entrance of Qingping Gorge!
The firepower was exceptionally fierce, and the terrain was completely unfavorable!
Our armored forces were almost completely wiped out, and our infantry suffered heavy casualties!

Requesting emergency air support!
Requesting tactical guidance!

Repeat, requesting urgent air support and tactical guidance!

Damn it, we also need to order the troops to immediately blast open a path and attempt a breakout!

Colonel Harris, his hair soaked with sweat and looking disheveled, lay sprawled behind a makeshift shelter made of several corpses, roaring hoarsely at the communications officer.

The fingers of the U.S. Army communications soldier danced frantically on the telegraph key, and radio waves, carrying a desperate hiss, pierced through the smoke of battle.

However, Harris was met only with an even denser hail of bullets overhead and the agonizing screams of his dying men.

"Commander, the eastern exit is blocked!"
Their firepower was too intense; after several charges, all the brothers were down!

The reconnaissance platoon leader scrambled to his side and shouted loudly.

Harris's heart sank, and a chill ran from his feet to the top of his head.

He abruptly turned his gaze and looked westward through the smoke and dust.

From the direction of the western entrance of the canyon, intense gunfire could be heard. Dense bullet trails blocked the narrow passage entrance like a rainstorm, and figures could be vaguely seen moving about, along with makeshift sandbags and ammunition boxes.

"Damn it! The west side too..."

Harris instantly understood the Volunteer Army's intention: they wanted to pin him down in this desperate situation and devour him whole!
He screamed frantically into the walkie-talkie: "All units! Forget about the damn vehicles!"
Drop heavy equipment! Infantry! Concentrate towards the western entrance of the canyon!

Charge! Tear open a gap!
We have to get out! This is the only way to survive! Get out!

The desperate order was like a drop of water thrown into boiling oil. Driven by their survival instincts, the remaining American soldiers unleashed a final frenzy.

Driven by junior officers, they abandoned all their burdens, picked up their rifles, and launched a desperate charge in skirmish lines towards the wreckage of vehicles and the human wall that were blocking the western entrance.

In an instant, the American troops surged toward that narrow "bottleneck" formed by burning vehicles and Chinese People's Volunteer Army firing positions.

Just as they were about to approach the narrow area at the western entrance, which consisted of burning vehicles and rubble, an even more ferocious burst of fire suddenly erupted from the steep cliffs on both sides!

That was the newly formed Eighth Army, ready for battle!

They received Wu Wanli's absolute order: to stop the flow of money at all costs!

"Fire!"

Quan Douguang's hoarse yet authoritative voice boomed through the walkie-talkie.

At a command, the soldiers of the New Eighth Army relied on the pre-prepared strong fortifications and made the most of the various weapons at their disposal.

The Soviet-made rotary machine gun roared tirelessly, unleashing a wide and deadly fan-shaped barrage that swept down the charging American troops like mowing grass.

More Mosin-Nagant rifles and PPSh submachine guns exploded with a burst of fire, bullets swarming towards the valley floor like locusts.

Even more devastatingly, several Soviet-made 82mm mortars, which had been painstakingly transported to the position, also joined the chorus.

The shells landed precisely in the middle and rear of the American assault troops, exploding into clusters of deadly steel fragments, and the fierce blast waves sent people flying like leaves.

"Puff puff……"

The muffled thud of bullets piercing flesh, the roar of grenades exploding at close range, the dying screams of American soldiers, the desperate shouts of officers... all came together.

American soldiers fell in rows, their blood flowing and pooling freely on the cratered ground.

Each charge that crashed into the steel and fire net of the New Eighth Army was like a giant wave crashing against a reef, instantly shattering into pieces, leaving behind a mess of corpses and wounded soldiers struggling in agony.

The subsequent American troops were stunned by this horrific sight, and their momentum slowed abruptly as if they had hit an invisible wall.

The American soldiers frantically searched for any crater or pile of corpses where they could hide, and the chaos intensified.

Colonel Harris watched as his most elite soldiers were almost wiped out from a relatively sunken stone pit not far behind the western pass.

He snatched the walkie-talkie from the communications soldier again, his voice hoarse as a broken gong, and roared into the microphone:

"Air support! Where the hell is the air support?!"

We're nailed here!
Request an immediate, overwhelming bombardment of the mountains on both sides of the canyon!
If this drags on any longer, the entire vanguard regiment will be finished!
Repeat, the whole group is doomed!

After roaring, he slumped against the cold stone wall as if he had collapsed, his chest heaving violently, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins and the despair of impending death.

However, Wu Wanli would not give him a chance to catch his breath, much less wait for any possible air support.

He stood in his command post on the eastern high ground, his eyes scanning the chaotic battlefield.

Deep within our consciousness, that "sky eye map," beyond the comprehension of our time, is unfolding with unprecedented clarity.

Countless red dots representing U.S. soldiers wriggled and flickered desperately at the bottom of the canyon.

Amidst the chaotic cluster of red lights, one red light, clearly surrounded by several densely packed lights, located relatively far back and concealed by several large rocks, shone exceptionally brightly.

Wu Wanli's gaze instantly locked onto the coordinates, and he shouted into the walkie-talkie, "Lei Gong, coordinates XXX, focus fire, rapid fire."

"understand!"

On the other end of the phone, Lei Gong immediately agreed.

On the artillery position, the command was short and forceful: "Target corrected! Coordinates XXX, three rapid fire rounds! Load—fire!"

The American-made howitzer group, which had just been silent for a moment, roared in fury once again!

This time, the shells pierced through the smoke-filled air and slammed into the several boulder bunkers in the depression behind the western entrance of the canyon!
Colonel Harris anxiously awaited news of air support while attempting to reorganize some resistance.

Suddenly, a primal instinct for death, a trait ingrained in veterans of the battlefield, sent chills down his spine!

He suddenly looked up at the sky—it was too late!
The first shell, with a piercing whistle, crashed almost vertically onto a boulder less than five meters to the left of his temporary command post!

"boom!!!"

The boulder shattered instantly!

Countless sharp stones shot out in all directions like cannonball fragments!
Then came the second shot, the third shot, the fourth shot...

The shells seemed to have eyes, arriving one after another with astonishing accuracy, their impact points almost completely overlapping the narrow area around the boulder!
The violent explosions connected, causing the earth to shake violently!

One after another, the orange-red fireballs expanded and engulfed everything around them.

The shockwave, like an invisible giant hammer, slammed into Harris and his staff and guards.

Harris's body was violently lifted up by an irresistible force, and in mid-air he could even see the twisted fragments of his military uniform and the splattered blood.

Then came boundless darkness and deathly silence.

The explosion created a charred crater several meters in diameter, with debris mixed with soil and human tissue being thrown high into the air and then falling back down.

As the thick smoke dissipated, the boulder shelter completely vanished, leaving only a desolate wasteland and a few unrecognizable mangled limbs.

"Commander! Colonel Harris! My God..."

A U.S. lieutenant who was lucky enough to survive the bombing witnessed the whole thing and screamed in terror.

The scream spread like a plague among the remaining American soldiers.

The news that the supreme commander had been blown to pieces by a precise artillery shell became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

The morale of the American soldiers, who were already struggling to breathe due to the heavy casualties and desperate situation, collapsed completely in an instant!
The American soldiers, like ants whose nest had been disturbed, dropped their weapons and disregarded all directions and orders, running wildly in the narrow and bloody valley based solely on instinct.

Wu Wanli calmly captured the scene of the complete collapse of the US military through his binoculars. He put down the binoculars and said into the walkie-talkie: "Pass on my order, all men—fix bayonets!"

"Sound the charge! General offensive! Annihilate them all!"

……

"Beep beep-beep-beep-beep—!"

Soon, the stirring bugle call rang out, violently tearing apart the dull smoke and howls of battle above the canyon!
"kill--!"

A deafening roar erupted simultaneously from the cliffs on both sides of the canyon!
In an instant, countless soldiers, with their gleaming bayonets, charged down into the valley with overwhelming force towards the chaotic remnants of the American troops!

(End of this chapter)