Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 375 A resounding victory in the frontal breakout! The headquarters is shocked! The western front is being redeployed to support the main battle!

Command Center

Chief of Staff Xie held a command baton and pointed it at the western position on the sand table. His voice was steady but solemn: "Chief Commander, Chief Chen, the situation on the western front is deadlocked."

The three main forces of the 19th Army Corps, namely the 63rd, 64th and 65th Armies, with a total of 100,000 troops, have been launching a fierce attack on Gaoyang for more than three days.

The U.S. 24th Division, relying on reinforced concrete fortifications, formed a ring defense with the British 27th Brigade and the Korean 1st Division, with extremely tight fire support.

Although our army managed to break through several gaps, each attempt was thwarted by the enemy's armored reserves and air fire counterattacks, resulting in significant casualties.

The 80,000 soldiers of the 20th and 26th Armies of the Ninth Army Corps, together with the First and Third Corps of the Korean People's Army, besieged Uijeongbu.

Facing them was the main force of the US 25th Division, supplemented by part of the US 3rd Division and the Korean 4th Division, whose defenses were equally stubborn.

As the artillery fire prepared to blast them, one layer of the fortification collapsed, and they retreated a few steps. Soon after, new firing positions emerged from the wreckage.

Our army launched repeated attacks, but lacked the necessary weapons to achieve a decisive breakthrough.

The 39th and 40th Armies, serving as the general reserve, remained inactive.

Chief Chen nodded and said, "Gaoyang! Uijeongbu!"
"If these two checkpoints can't be breached, my hundreds of thousands of troops on the western front will be stuck north of the Han River!"

Upon hearing this, the chief frowned and said, "They charged so fiercely before, why can't they break through now?"

Tell me, where is the problem?

Out of ammunition? Morale has plummeted?
Or was there a problem with the command?

The oppressive atmosphere was suddenly ignited by anger.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li stepped forward: "Commander, the attacking troops are indeed showing signs of fatigue, and the continuous strong attacks have taken a huge toll."

I suggest suspending the large-scale assault, allowing all armies to rest and regroup, while simultaneously intensifying nighttime infiltration and harassment by small detachments to exhaust the enemy forces and prepare for another attack.

A middle-aged staff officer wearing glasses interjected: "Insufficient firepower for attacking key targets is a fatal flaw."

Could we consider moving some of the reserve artillery forward, concentrating the artillery groups, and using a creeping barrage to cover the infantry's assault on a single point?
The terrain north of Gaoyang City is relatively gentle, which might serve as a breakthrough point.

Another young operations staff officer suggested: "Or use the air force bomber group to concentrate bombing on its core strongpoints and troop deployment areas?"
Even if it comes at a certain price...

Jie Fang shook his head and interrupted: "Our air force is limited, and the UN forces control the main air superiority. Our bomber groups are limited in their ability to penetrate defenses and survive, so the outcome is unpredictable."

Chief Chen, what are your thoughts?

Commander Chen had been staring at the eastern front area marked with "Chuncheon" and "Gapyeong" on the sand table. Only then did he slowly raise his head and say, "The comrades have basically mentioned the tactical methods that can be thought of."

It's nothing more than adding fuel, rotating shifts, concentrating firepower, and finding weaknesses...

But the US and South Korean military leaders aren't stupid.

Their defense system has been in place for many days, and they have an equipment advantage. If we try to take them down using conventional means in the short term, the cost will be enormous.

It's a pity that Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli on the east side... were originally a good dagger to break the deadlock.

With the energy those two lads have, they might be able to break through on the western front.

But they went too deep, and the risks were too great, so they were ordered to retreat…

The implication was clear to everyone.

The Eastern Front Assault Group was heavily surrounded behind enemy lines and could hardly protect itself. The headquarters had previously given them a strict order to break out and retreat as soon as possible, and this "sharp knife" had been withdrawn.

The commander's gaze involuntarily drifted to the area on the eastern front covered by small red and blue flags representing the intertwined positions of the enemy and his own forces, and a thought struck him.

Li Yunlong was incredibly audacious, and Wu Wanli was full of clever schemes; both were capable of stirring up storms.

Assigning Wu Wanli to Li Yunlong for behind-enemy-lines raids was a risky move, and a game-changer.

Now that this move is about to turn into a retreat, his mind is in turmoil.

After all, the danger is too great!
Allowing them to force a breakout and retreat was a choice made after careful consideration by the Generalissimo.

It would be too risky to let them fight to the death!

The chief's Adam's apple bobbed as he forcibly suppressed the complex emotions swirling within him—a mixture of intense desire for victory and deep concern for his beloved general's safety.

However, just as the discussion in the command center regarding tactical adjustments on the western front was gradually becoming dull—

"Report--!!!"

A sharp roar slammed open the heavy wooden door, drowning out all the phone calls and conversations.

A volunteer army communications soldier, his cotton-padded military cap askew, practically tumbled and crawled in.

His chest heaved violently, one hand on his knee, the other holding a muddy telegram high above his head, as he shouted hoarsely, "Urgent telegram!"

Eastern Front... Urgent telegram from Kaping!

Commander Li Yunlong...they did not retreat!

"what?!"

The chief, Chief Chen, Chief of Staff Xie, Deputy Chief of Staff Li, and all the staff in the hall instantly turned their gazes like sharp blades towards the young communications officer.

The air seemed to freeze; you could hear a pin drop.

The communications officer took a deep breath, his voice filled with a resolute and fearless intensity: "Commander Li Yunlong, leading the main force of the Eastern Front Assault Group, not only did not retreat, but concentrated all his forces to launch a full-scale attack on Jiaping!!"

The chief frowned, slightly annoyed, and said, "Say it again?!"
What order did the General Headquarters issue?!

They must break through with all their might! Break through!!

The communications officer was intimidated by his imposing manner and flinched, but still stubbornly continued shouting, "There's more!"
Wu's brigade left the main force of the 9th Army in the Chuncheon direction to continue to stubbornly resist and contain the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States!
He himself led the main force of the 7th Steel Brigade and the New 8th Army, and with the aid of Chinese naval vessels and captured American transport ships, bypassed the Chuncheon American defense line and landed on the east coast by sea!

As he spoke, he pulled out another telegram from his pocket: "Latest supplementary battle report!"
The New Eighth Army and the Steel Seventh Detachment, commanded by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wu, have successfully landed and ambushed the more than 3,000-strong vanguard regiment of the U.S. Seventh Division that came to support the U.S. First Marine Division!

Meanwhile, under the command of Commander Li Yunlong, the Eastern Front Assault Group, after fierce street fighting, had completely captured Jiaping City two hours earlier!

The main force of the US 1st Marine Division was largely annihilated, with only a few thousand survivors managing to escape in defeat!

After a brief silence, the command center erupted in chaos!

"Landing? By sea?!"
How to get past Chuncheon's nose?

Heavenly soldiers and generals!

An elderly staff officer with white hair adjusted his glasses in disbelief.

"To annihilate the vanguard regiment of the US 7th Division?"
Have they captured Gapin?
"Did they defeat the 1st New Marine Division?"

Deputy Chief of Staff Li stared wide-eyed, his initial shock quickly replaced by immense disbelief and subsequent ecstasy.

"Goodness..."

Li Yunlong's courage was given to him by the Heavenly King himself; it was Wu Wanli's idea...

They're practically using the enemy's face as a springboard!

One of the most forthright staff officers couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and exclaim in surprise.

"This...this is going to cause a huge upheaval!"

The perilous situation on the eastern front... they actually turned it into a resounding victory?!

Chief of Staff Xie's eyes lit up with an astonishing light as he quickly looked at the sand table, his finger excitedly pointing to the red area on the eastern front that was originally surrounded by blue.

The top leader's reaction was completely different!
"Li Yunlong!!!"

Damn it! I ordered a breakout! And he launched a full-scale attack?!
Who gave him the guts?!

The chief's face turned ashen, and he abruptly turned around and said.

Although he admired Li Yunlong's achievements, he couldn't tolerate his habit of disobeying orders!

His gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing Chief of Staff Xie: "Is there a problem with the transmission of the order?!"

Jie Fang immediately responded seriously: "Sir, there is absolutely no problem!"
Three urgent telegrams were sent, all with extremely harsh wording, with the order being: "At all costs, we must break through and retreat with all our might!"
The communication link is confirmed to be working smoothly, and the received receipts are clear and accurate!

Li Yunlong, Wu Wanli, and all commanding officers have signed to confirm receipt!

Deputy Chief of Staff Li immediately added, "All orders from the headquarters are archived and verifiable; they are absolutely clear and accurate!"

"That's blatant disobedience! Arrogance! Lack of organization and discipline!"

Disobeying orders on the battlefield is tantamount to treason!

According to military law, he should be executed!
Li Yunlong is the main person responsible; he should be executed!

Wu Wanli's act of disobeying orders and carrying out a highly risky landing operation is equally egregious and cannot be treated lightly!

An advisor who had previously expressed reservations about Li Yunlong's unorthodox methods immediately seized the opportunity to shout.

Several other staff officers who shared the same view echoed him, their voices vehement: "That's right! Commander! This precedent must not be set! Otherwise, everyone will follow suit, and military orders will become child's play!"

"Military law is as firm as a mountain! This must be severely punished! An example to deter others!"

The commander-in-chief, still furious, swept his gaze over the group of staff officers shouting for battle, finally fixing it on the face of the messenger: "I'll ask you again, how did they 'understand' the order to 'break out'?"

The communications officer turned pale with shock at the commander's thunderous rage and the staff's scathing remarks, but remembering the heroic spirit of the commanders at the front, he mustered his courage and said:
"Reporting to the High Commander!"

After receiving the order from the headquarters, Commander Li Yunlong was extremely grateful for the care shown by the headquarters leaders!

But he specifically emphasized: the top leader's order was to "break through with all our might!"
The order clearly stated that they were to break out, but it didn't specify which direction they had to break out in!

Commander Li Yunlong said: "Which way we break out doesn't matter?!"

I'm determined to break through Jiaping head-on!

I'm going to crush these UN forces, take Gapyeong, launch a blitzkrieg on Seoul, and join up with the western front!
This is also a breakthrough; I didn't run in the wrong direction!

Team Leader Wu had a similar idea; any coordinated breakout was still a form of coordination.

"I've cooperated with Commander Li Yunlong in breaking through the UN forces' encirclement from the front; I've obeyed orders."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into an eerie silence once again, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and even breathing could be clearly distinguished.

Everyone was stunned by this unreasonable and domineering yet seemingly... somewhat twisted logic.

The air seemed to freeze.

"boom!"

The commander slammed his fist on the edge of the sand table again, but this time he wasn't furious as before. Instead, he was amused and laughed, his chest heaving: "Good! Good for you, Li Yunlong!"
You bastard Wu Wanli!

They've spouted a whole bunch of fallacies!

Lao Tzu has emphasized countless times that in large-scale military operations, orders must be strictly followed!

Military discipline must be strictly enforced!
Look at these two lovable clowns!

One team launched a frontal "breakout" to attack Jiaping, while the other used captured ships to conduct a coordinated landing operation!
"When they get back here, I'm going to personally kill those two hotheads!"

The word "execute" was spoken with a resounding force, carrying a menacing tone, clearly indicating genuine anger.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li immediately stood up and echoed, "The commander is right. Military discipline must be strict. We cannot allow Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli to develop a habit of disobeying orders!"

Soon, several other volunteer army staff officers echoed this sentiment, all emphasizing the importance of military discipline.

However, at this moment, Chief Chen immediately stepped forward, with a perfectly timed pleading smile on his face: "Chief, please calm down!"
My lord, when we're angry, we inevitably say a few harsh words.

However, upon closer examination and analysis of the order itself, Li Yunlong's words... while seemingly a sophistry, were not entirely without merit.

The core of the command from the headquarters was 'breakout,' emphasizing the preservation of troop strength and the contraction of the battle lines.

So, whether he breaks through the enemy's lines to the rear, to the flanks, or even forward, he can do so.

As long as the ultimate goal is to break free from the enemy's encirclement and preserve manpower, the strategic objective of "breaking out" can be considered accomplished.

However... choosing Jiaping, a heavily fortified front, as the 'breakthrough point' undoubtedly increases the risk exponentially!
But high risk also comes with high reward!

The volunteer army communications officer said at just the right moment, "Commander Chen is right!"
They succeeded!
And it was an extremely brilliant success!

Commander Li Yunlong removed the tough nut to crack in Jiaping and crushed the main force of the US New Marine Division 1.

Commander Wu led his troops in an ambush at Qingping Gorge, annihilating the vanguard regiment of the US 7th Division!

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled, and a hint of excitement flashed in their eyes.

However, in front of the top leader, no one dared to be the first to praise him, except for Chief Chen.

Chief Chen nodded and said, "Chief, this is equivalent to smashing open a huge hole in the enemy's carefully constructed iron wall of blockade on the eastern front!"

Its strategic significance far exceeds a simple successful breakout!

Chief of Staff Xie's expression softened at this moment, and he immediately replied, "What Chief Chen said is absolutely right!"

From a results-oriented perspective, this was a bold and imaginative action!

This fully demonstrates Comrade Li Yunlong's decisiveness and Comrade Wu Wanli's almost superhuman tactical creativity!

Wouldn't it chill the hearts of the soldiers if a general who turned defeat into victory and reversed the tide of battle were executed due to procedural disputes?

Minister Hong of the Logistics Department also stepped forward. This veteran Red Army soldier, who had been racking his brains for supplies to the front lines, added in a loud voice: "Commander, let's not even talk about Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli 'exploiting loopholes in the orders,' but how much supplies did they capture?"

The U.S. military's warehouse in Gapin, the ships and equipment they seized in the harbor, especially heavy weapons!

Aren't these the most urgently needed weapons for our western front?

This is a timely help for our western front army!
The merits and demerits cancel each other out, but the merits definitely outweigh the demerits! Please reconsider, Your Excellency!

Deputy Chief of Staff Li and the staff officers who had just been so insistent on "enforcing military law" now felt their faces burning with embarrassment.

The victory was like the most powerful slap in the face, leaving them utterly ashamed.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li, his face flushed, stepped forward and admitted his mistake to the Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff Chen in a dry voice: "Chief of Staff, Chief of Staff Chen, it was my short-sightedness and rigid thinking that led me to this."

We did not fully anticipate the command skills of Comrade Li Yunlong and Comrade Wu Wanli, who broke through conventional thinking and turned the impossible into the possible...

Even more unexpectedly... the results were so brilliant!

My previous rash statement requesting punishment for frontline heroes was truly... a dereliction of duty.

Please criticize and discipline me!

The other staff officers also lowered their heads, their voices barely audible: "We...we were wrong too. We shouldn't have focused solely on discipline and ignored the ever-changing realities of the battlefield and the commander's on-the-spot decisions..."

"Please, Chief, take appropriate action..."

The chief looked at them, his anger largely gone, replaced by a complex emotion.

There was helplessness, pride, and above all, a deep sense of emotion at the victory achieved by the soldiers fighting bloody battles on the front lines.

He waved his hand, his tone low but no longer angry: "Alright! This isn't any of your fault."

Even if it were me, I would never have imagined that those two kids would gamble their lives like that, and they even won!

Li Yunlong, that bastard, isn't very capable, but he's incredibly bold and has a tough life!
Bringing along this crazy little guy, Wu Wanli, is a perfect match! After taking down Jia Ping, the 1st Marine Division was wiped out, and the vanguard regiment of the US 7th Division was also destroyed... Finally, they managed to break a big hole in the impenetrable Eastern Front!

Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli really made me proud in that battle!

As he spoke, a relieved and approving smile finally appeared on the chief's face. He turned to the communications officer and asked, "Now that we've won Jiaping, we've secured a great victory."

Shouldn't that bastard Li Yunlong and that kid Wu Wanli hurry up and follow orders to break through to the north without stopping?

Although the command did not specify a direction, after attacking Jiaping, it's time to retreat immediately!
Speed ​​is of the essence in war. While the enemy is stunned by the heavy blow, we should quickly withdraw and rest with the spoils and prisoners!
"I'm also preparing reserves for them on the western front."

The atmosphere in the command center noticeably relaxed as the chief's attitude softened.

Everyone thought that this thrilling interdiction operation on the eastern front would end in a glorious conclusion with the capture of Jiaping, the heavy losses inflicted on the enemy's main force, and the successful northward withdrawal and reorganization of the troops.

However, the volunteer army communications officer swallowed hard and said in a dry voice, "The main force of Commanders Li and Wu did not retreat while the US 7th Division and the remnants of the decimated 1st Marine Division were detouring to meet up in the distance!"

They ordered the entire army to turn around and march at full speed straight towards Seoul!

The vanguard is now less than 60 li (approximately 30 kilometers) from the outskirts of Seoul!

They said that the radio stations had been kept silent to maintain secrecy during the operation, and now they're reporting everything all at once..."

"what?!"

Deputy Chief of Staff Li cried out in alarm, and the pencil in his hand snapped in two with a "crack".

The command center was like a bomb had been dropped on it, instantly causing chaos.

"Attack on Seoul?! That's the heart of the UN forces! Li Yunlong has gone mad!"

A young staff officer turned pale.

"Absolutely audacious! Absolutely audacious!"

"You just finished chewing that tough nut, Kahei, and you're not even out of breath?"

Another volunteer army staff officer's voice trembled with excitement.

"Wu Wanli went crazy with him too!"

Having just finished a fierce battle, they rushed to attack the enemy's heavily guarded stronghold.

Isn't this like throwing an egg against a rock?

The operations chief of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army suddenly stood up and pointed to the huge blue dot representing Seoul on the sand table, shouting.

"That's right! Although the enemy's main force on the eastern front has been damaged, its strength is far from exhausted, while the enemy's main force on the western front still exists."

Li and Wu, driven by their courage and bravado, led two exhausted soldiers deep into the lion's den.

Once the offensive is thwarted, the enemy's superior forces will launch a central attack and encircle the perimeter, at which point there will be no hope of recovery!
The most urgent task is to immediately issue the clearest order from the headquarters, commanding them to halt their advance and turn to the safe areas to the north or east to break through.

Then regroup your troops and preserve your strength!

Deputy Chief of Staff Li stepped forward, his tone anxious: "Chief, I completely agree with Chief of Staff Xie! We can't let them take any more risks!"

It's not too late to evacuate now!

Every soldier is a key member of the team. Please issue the order immediately to change direction!

It's too late, I'm afraid we'll repeat the same mistakes..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

Several volunteer army staff officers immediately echoed, "Yes! Commander, order a retreat!"

"Too risky!"

"We must withdraw!"

The air in the command center suddenly froze, and questioning gazes were fixed on the red arrow on the sand table pointing straight at Seoul.

The chief's thick, dark eyebrows furrowed into a knot, and his sharp gaze swept across the entire room.

While the crowd clamored, he maintained a suffocating silence until Jie Fang and Deputy Chief of Staff Li requested permission, at which point he slowly spoke: "Nonsense? Risky..."

I think they're determined to take this 'fooling around' to the extreme!

Deputy Chief of Staff Li couldn't help but speak up again: "Sir, we can't gamble with 100,000 troops..."

Chief Chen, ever protective of his own, stood up and walked slowly to the center of the sand table. He pointed precisely at the location of Seoul with his finger and then suddenly drew a large circle: "You only think it's a bet?"

Seoul is indeed as solid as an iron tortoise shell!

But have you ever wondered why Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli risked their lives to crack this hardest walnut?

They are not brutes!

This is to fight for a way out of the 'dead end' of the Fifth Campaign!
Is the western front too difficult to penetrate?
Frozen?
it is good!
This sharp dagger on the eastern front pierced straight into the enemy's heart!
Mobilize the enemy across the entire battlefield!

Let's turn this upside down!
Ridgway wanted to trap us on the Eastern Front, didn't he?
Now let's set the fire right up to the entrance of his command post!

Once Seoul is captured, even if it only forms a substantial encirclement and poses a significant threat, the entire command hub of the UN forces will be paralyzed!

All its troops on the eastern and western fronts will inevitably return to reinforce, and do so hastily!

Their impregnable western defenses are bound to be thrown into complete chaos!
Our army's encirclement on the western front collapsed without a fight!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime strategic opportunity!

Fighting doesn't necessarily mean death!

If we don't fight, the entire Fifth Campaign will just be a waste of resources!

The western front continues to be cut down like a dull knife; how long will this drag on?!
Can our logistics match those of the UN forces?

The command center fell into a deathly silence upon hearing this.

The previously vehement opposition was rendered speechless by this unprecedented global perspective. Even Chief of Staff Xie Fang fell into deep thought.

Just then, another operations staff officer practically burst through the heavy wooden door of the command post: "Report—!"
Western Front... Urgent report from the Western Front!

UN forces in the Seoul area have just made an emergency mobilization!
The main armored vehicle group, main artillery force, and main infantry regiment of the US 3rd Infantry Division on the western front have urgently broken away from their original defensive lines and are being transferred eastward at full speed in combat columns!
Destination—Seoul!
Meanwhile, the remaining troops of the US 7th Division on the eastern front abandoned their original rendezvous point and retreated rapidly towards Seoul.

The remnants of the 1st Marine Division, which had just broken off contact with us, also turned back west!
The main force of the 1st American Cavalry Division also broke away from the Chuncheon direction and set its sights on Seoul!
The enemy... almost all of the enemy's mobile forces that they can mobilize are heading back to Seoul to reinforce it!

Widespread chaos and defensive gaps have appeared in the area where the eastern and western fronts meet!

"boom!"

The last two sentences were like igniting a powder keg.

Those staff officers who had initially thought Vice President Chen's idea was too audacious instantly lost all color in their faces.

The intelligence gathered provided clear evidence to support the groundbreaking analysis I had just made!

"Really... it all moved?"

Chief of Staff Xie muttered to himself as he rushed to the enemy situation map board, looking at the densely packed blue arrows that were newly drawn on it, all pointing towards Seoul.

"It's all in chaos... The entire deployment rhythm of the UN forces has been completely thrown into disarray..."

His voice carried a belated sense of awe.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li also gasped, gripping the corner of the table: "With the US 3rd Division withdrawn from the western front, the enemies facing Goyang and Uijeongbu... well..."

The atmosphere in the entire command center underwent a complete reversal.

The previous strong opposition was crushed by the immense impact of the intelligence gathering.

Now, immense temptation and deadly danger are intertwined into an all-encompassing web.

Chief of Staff Xie was the first to react, his expression extremely complicated as he said, “Commander, even if the enemy is in disarray, Seoul is still an impregnable fortress!”
Our main force on the western front is still stuck in place and unable to provide direct support to Li and Wu!

With only their few exhausted troops, the chances of successfully capturing Seoul are extremely slim!

I still maintain that they should be strictly ordered to turn around and break through to preserve their strength!
Betting on Seoul is too risky!

His stance did not waver completely due to the change in the enemy situation, and he looked at the chief commander with great concern.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li, on the other hand, seemed much more hesitant.

He glanced at the increasingly sharp red arrow pointing towards Seoul on the sand table, then at the flank vacuum exposed by the withdrawal of the US 3rd Division on the western front, and frowned, saying:
"Commander Chen is right, saying that the enemy's chaos presents us with a good opportunity."

If Lee and Wu can breach even a small gap in Seoul before reinforcements arrive, the pressure on our forces on the western front will be greatly reduced.

However, the attack and logistics of the troops on the eastern front are inescapable problems!
Chief, should we let them grit their teeth and retreat from the jaws of death, or should we give it our all in the chaos?
It's hanging in the balance at both ends!

The operations director added urgently, "It's more than just uncertain."
Food! Ammunition! Manpower!

This is the guillotine hanging over their heads!

The supplies that Li Yunlong captured in Jiaping were almost gone after the battle in Qingping Canyon!
Wu Wanli's troops launched a naval raid and fought a fierce battle in the canyon; their supplies are probably even worse than Li's troops!
The outer perimeter of Seoul is heavily fortified with intense firepower. Are we supposed to send them, hungry and with only a few bullets in their pockets, to crash into the UN forces' lines?

Without staying power, it's all just empty talk!

"No food and no bullets, even a god couldn't solve this."

"That's right! If the most critical logistical issues can't be resolved, even the most brilliant strategy is just empty talk!"

"Attack on Seoul is suicide, but it's unacceptable to miss an opportunity on the western front..."

The staff officers of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army became enthusiastic again, but the focus of their debate had shifted completely from strategic direction to the unavoidable logistical reality.

Just then, the chief commander, who had been staring intently at the sand table in silence, suddenly looked up at Chief Chen and slowly said, "Old Chen, you can start the conversation."

You're the one who ruined the situation.

The grain and ammunition reserves of Li and Wu are laid out here.

The troops on the western front were also bogged down in the quagmire and could not continue fighting indefinitely.

If the fighting progresses to the later stages and the army runs out of food and ammunition, how can they continue fighting?
In this desperate game, where is the way out?

The moment the chief uttered those words, all the noisy discussions froze.

The command center was eerily quiet; it felt as if half the air had been sucked out, and everyone felt a heavy weight in their chests.

Chief of Staff Xie, Deputy Chief of Staff Li, and a group of staff officers all turned their gazes from surprise and doubt to wavering, until finally they all focused on Deputy General Chen.

Yes, no matter how good the strategy is, or how chaotic the enemy's formation is, without food to fill their stomachs and bullets to load, all the blueprints are nothing but a mirage!

Commander Chen stretched out his finger and slowly traced the symbols representing the People's Army: "The way out? It's right here!"

The chief's concerns hit the nail on the head; the key issues are manpower, food, and ammunition!

Why did our main force make slow progress on the western front? Besides the enemy's strong fortifications, the key reason was the bloated number of troops on the front lines!
The offensive front is too wide, which severely dilutes the power!
Among them, some brother units of the Korean People's Army, objectively speaking, have poor equipment, insufficient experience in coordination, and weak attack capabilities.

In this current stalemate and attritional war phase, their large-scale deployment on the front lines has ironically occupied valuable assault channels and logistical resources!
Our frontline troops were packed with people, but we couldn't break through. Precious ammunition was being thrown out like sand, but it didn't bring any crucial progress!
The logistics line was riddled with holes, and how much of the supplies that were transported actually reached the hands of the sharpshooters who were fighting with bayonets?

Is that right?!

Several staff officers responsible for frontline coordination and logistical statistics nodded subconsciously, their faces showing a bitter expression of deep empathy.

A crowded and inefficient front line, coupled with inadequate logistics, has always been a persistent nightmare for the Western Front.

Vice President Chen's voice suddenly rose, filled with a do-or-die determination: "In that case, the most urgent task is to strike at the root of the problem and forge a steel blade that can truly pierce through the enemy's lines!"

Immediately and orderly withdraw at least two-thirds of the main force divisions of the Korean People's Army that are participating in the offensive operations of Goyang and Uijeongbu on the western front!
The withdrawal of these troops frees up valuable attack routes and greatly reduces the logistical burden on the front lines!

The saved rations and ammunition quotas were immediately allocated and transferred to Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's troops on the eastern front, especially to them!
The fire in Seoul won't burn brightly without fuel!

At the same time, we must concentrate our strongest forces!

Send the 39th and 40th Armies, which we've been holding as the general reserve, all to the western front!
The US 3rd Division has been transferred to Seoul, which will inevitably weaken the enemy's defenses and expose gaps!
The 39th and 40th Armies, these two battle-hardened sharp blades, if not now, when?!
Using them as the spearhead, equipped with concentrated firepower more than doubled, at this crucial juncture where the enemy's deployment has been disrupted, concentrate your firepower and smash open a bloody path!
Tear apart its tiered defense system! Once you do, the stalemate on the entire western front will surely be broken!

Chief!
The redundant troops on the western front were streamlined and the North Korean army was withdrawn, and food and ammunition were immediately saved and concentrated.

Using the 39th and 40th Armies as heavy hammers, we struck at the enemy's weakest point, aiming to break the stalemate on the western front and create a huge local victory.

Secondly, the massive logistical resources saved, combined with the reserve heavy firepower, can support Li and Wu in taking a high-stakes gamble on the eastern front!

At this moment, only the heavy breathing could be heard throughout the command center.

Commander Chen's series of strategies was tantamount to a massive surgical operation, removing inefficient parts from the already burdened western front and concentrating all its essence and energy into two key fists:

One punch strikes the vulnerable western front exposed by the enemy's redeployment, while the other punch supports the life-or-death strategic gamble on the eastern front at any cost!

Chief of Staff Xie Fang's eyes gradually shifted from disbelief to sudden realization and a sense of enlightenment.

Deputy Chief of Staff Li instinctively gripped the edge of the sand table, his knuckles turning white.

Even the few staff officers who had held strong reservations had a fierce internal struggle in their eyes.

Clearly, they were also deeply impressed by this extremely bold yet logically rigorous and interconnected plan.

Streamline the western front—relieve logistical pressure—concentrate forces to launch a strong attack on the weak points of the western front—while simultaneously providing full support for the surprise attack on the eastern front!
Every step was fraught with danger, yet every step was also aimed at the crucial moment!
This is a ruthless move that treats the entire battlefield as a game of chess, and is willing to make tough decisions to save the overall situation!
The chief's face, which had been as taut as iron, finally showed a change.

Within seconds of Vice President Chen finishing speaking, the tense atmosphere that had almost frozen the air vanished.

The leader's tightly furrowed brows seemed to be gently melted away by an invisible warm current, creating a crack.

His gaze passed over the dense array of enemy and friendly positions markings on the sand table, as if piercing through the back of the map and seeing the war-torn front lines of Seoul.

"Chief!"

Chief of Staff Xie Fang's voice carried a hint of hesitation, as if he wanted to say something more.

"All right!"

The chief suddenly raised his hand, the gesture carrying an undeniable authority that instantly silenced any possible dissent.

His gaze swept across the room like lightning as he said, "That's how it's going to be!"
I've given my full approval to Lao Chen's suggestion!

Relay my orders!

First, notify the North Korean troops on the northern section of the western front immediately, according to plan.

Except for necessary guard and logistical support units, all front-line main force units at the regimental level and above must withdraw from the front-line attack sequence of the Goyang and Uijeongbu battlefields within twelve hours!
Regroup and rest at the pre-designated second assembly point in the rear! Its attack route will be handed over to our volunteer army troops for defense.

Second, our general reserve forces on the western front—the entire 39th and 40th Armies—must immediately enter the highest level of combat readiness!
The General Headquarters readjusted the artillery deployment: all artillery groups withdrawn from the frontal airspace of Korea, the reserve artillery battalions of each army and division, and the main force of the original reserve artillery groups on the western front were all moved to the area where the enemy was located between the three north of Goyang and the two south of Uijeongbu!

A general heavy artillery group for the western front campaign was established, with Chief of Staff Xie in charge of firepower coordination!

Concentrate ammunition and supply it without limits!

What I want is to smash open a hole that can penetrate deep into the enemy's heart!
In short, commit all combat forces and logistical supplies to fully cooperate with Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's eastern front assault group!

"Yes!"

The people in the command post quickly responded.

(End of this chapter)