Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 383 The White House is shocked! The Chinese military is weak when it's an ally, but so strong when it attacks me? Is Chiang Kai-shek playing me?
United States, White House

The heavy oak door of the Oval Office was pushed open abruptly, slamming against the wall with a dull thud.

"Mr. President! Mr. Secretary of State! A crushing defeat in the Far East!"

U.S. Defense Secretary James shouted in a hoarse voice.

Inside the office, President Truman, Secretary of State Acheson, and several key advisors, who were discussing European affairs in hushed tones, all looked up at the same time.

Truman's voice was deep and authoritative. He put his glasses back on, his sharp gaze piercing through the lenses: "Calm down, James."

Explain clearly: where did it break down, and to what extent?

James took a deep breath, unfolded the telegram, and read it aloud in a dry voice: "...Gaping City has completely fallen."

The newly formed 1st Marine Division suffered a devastating blow, with casualties exceeding 70 percent and its organization broken up.

The remaining troops, led by Brigadier General Iverson, abandoned their positions and hastily broke through the encirclement…

The force attacking them was the Chinese Eastern Front Assault Group, commanded by Li Yunlong.

They employed unprecedented infantry-artillery coordination and tunnel blasting tactics, simultaneously breaching the city walls of Jiaping's south and west gates, and the troops surged in like a tidal wave...

The urban warfare was extremely fierce; the tanks and heavy firepower of the 1st Marine Division could not withstand their human wave charges and close-quarters combat.

At that moment, a collective gasp and incredulous whispers filled the office.

James didn't pause: "At the same time that Gaping fell, Colonel Harris's vanguard regiment, which our 7th Infantry Division sent to Qingping Canyon to pick up the remnants of the 1st Marine Division, encountered a devastating ambush set up by the Chinese army in the canyon."

Colonel Harris himself was killed in the shelling, and all three thousand of his elite troops were confirmed dead.

The ambush was carried out by the Seventh Steel Detachment of China.

"It's the Seventh Steel Brigade again!"

Army Chief of Staff General Collins, his face ashen, shouted.

This name is like a curse, constantly appearing in the worst battle reports.

James licked his chapped lips, his voice growing heavier: "This isn't over yet, gentlemen."

We lost Gaping and the Harris Regiment, but the Chinese army did not stop to rest and reorganize.

Li Yunlong's main force, along with the Steel Seventh Brigade that had just finished an ambush, did not withdraw. Instead, they marched straight towards Seoul at a speed we could not comprehend!
The last vital gateway southeast of Seoul, Guangzhou, which guarded a crucial transportation hub, fell in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Acheson jumped to his feet, cigar ash falling onto the carpet: "The Turkish tour?"
A whole trip!

Guangzhou City has strong city defenses!
"It's only been a few days?!"

James stared at the timestamp on the telegram, as if it were a bleeding wound: "The exact time was around 5 a.m. yesterday."

The defending commander, Brigadier General Aziz of the Turkish Brigade, led his troops in a breakout to the north after the city fell, but was overtaken by Chinese troops near the Baishui River ferry crossing north of the city.

Brigadier General Aziz was killed in close combat by a Chinese officer named…

"Wu Wanli!"

A cold, suppressed voice suddenly broke the silence of the Defense Minister.

All eyes immediately focused on the source of the sound—President Truman.

Truman had already stood up from his signature high-backed office chair, his hands on the desk, leaning slightly forward.

His eyes held not only shock, but also anger and a sense of familiarity as old wounds were touched.

Truman frowned and said, “Tell me, James, is it Wu Wanli, the one who crippled our 2nd Division and even captured Major General Kaiser?”

Is it that arrogant Wu Wanli, the one who couldn't even be persuaded to surrender by a South Korean army group commander?!

Dead silence.

Absolute silence enveloped the Oval Office, with only the occasional crackling of burning wood in the fireplace, which sounded like a death knell at that moment.

James Forrestal felt his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He hadn't expected the president to have such a deep and unforgettable impression of the name.

He nodded with difficulty: "Yes, Mr. President."

Based on the intelligence we have and the scattered information transmitted back from the Battle of Guangzhou... it is indeed this person.

He is the captain of the Seventh Steel Corps of China.

He was the one who annihilated Harris's vanguard regiment, he was the one who commanded the capture of Guangzhou, and he was also the one who killed Brigadier General Aziz.

"boom!"

Truman slammed his clenched fist down on the heavy oak table with a loud thud, making even the ink bottle and documents on the table jump.

Truman nearly roared, his voice echoing in the spacious office, making everyone's eardrums ache: "It's him again! That son of a bitch, Wu Wanli!"

How many of our elite troops in North Korea does he want to destroy?
The southeast gate of Seoul was smashed open just like that?!

He turned sharply to Secretary of State Acheson, pointing eastward, towards the distant Far East: "Acheson, did you hear that?"
When China was our ally, we sent hundreds of millions of US dollars to Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist army every year, like water flowing through the river!

Airplanes! Cannons! Tanks!

It has never stopped since the start of the War of Resistance against Japan!
With so much money and weaponry, what did we get in return?!

Henan, Hunan, and Guangxi! An unprecedented and devastating defeat!
The Japanese drove his hundreds of thousands of troops from Henan all the way to Guizhou, like herding sheep!
It has humiliated America's allies and made the world a laughingstock!
But now?

Look at North Korea!

Look at these Chinese peasant soldiers wearing tattered cotton-padded coats, eating fried noodles and snowballs, and carrying weapons that we discarded during World War II!
How did they fight?

They decimated our 1st Marine Division!

They smashed open the gates of Seoul!
They dared to take on Guangzhou, which was heavily guarded by our troops, with just the strength of the 7th Steel Brigade, and even killed the brigade commander!
What the hell is going on?!
Why is the Chinese military so weak when it's our ally, but so strong when it turns around and attacks us?
Could it be that Chiang Kai-shek, that bastard, was putting on an act the whole time, pretending to be a friend of America?
He took our money to support his parasitic army, deliberately collapsing at the first sign of trouble with the Japanese.
Today, his old adversary, using the weapons we provided, has turned around and given America a sound slap in the face?!

Isn't this a complete betrayal and conspiracy against the United States?!

The president's rage swept through the room like a sudden storm.

The staff were terrified and even their breathing was extremely cautious.

Acheson's face turned pale. He knew that the president's anger stemmed not only from the battlefield defeat, but also from a deeper sense of frustration at the overturned plans, the loss of huge investments, and the repeated trampling of the nation's dignity.

This emotion, triggered by a series of devastating news, finally erupted.

Defense Secretary James looked at the furious president and felt a tightness in his throat.

As a soldier, he had to clarify a crucial fact, even if it might add fuel to the fire.

He steeled himself, his voice carrying a hint of caution: "Mr. President... please forgive my bluntness."

The army that fought against us in Korea, and the Nationalist army commanded by Chiang Kai-shek... strictly speaking, were no longer the same army.

Their commanders, soldier composition, fighting spirit, and tactical thinking are worlds apart.

Chiang Kai-shek's defeat... was probably more a result of his own shortcomings.

Truman slammed his fist on the table: "A world of difference?"
Then I'd like to ask, why is it that Chiang Kai-shek, this piece of trash who crawled out of the mud, with our best equipment, couldn't even beat those short Japanese?
And these "clouds" on the other side, using dilapidated equipment, were able to force our 1st Marine Division to abandon its armor and weapons.
Doesn't this further prove his incompetence?!

He stopped looking at James, abruptly waved his hand, and decisively ordered Secretary of State Acheson: "Draft a telegram to Taipei immediately!"
Let me ask the esteemed President Jiang in the strongest terms.

Is this the kind of army he built with the hard-earned money of American taxpayers, an army that even the Japanese couldn't stop and that only serves to highlight the strength of his opponents?

He could have had countless reasons before, but now the Chinese army on the other side has shown that none of those reasons hold water!

The Chinese are capable of building a powerful army!
Let him reflect on his actions!

What exactly is the reason?
Is the problem with his loyalty to his allies, or are his generals simply devoid of any backbone?!
Tell him that, given the 'glorious' history of him and his army, I need to reassess the effectiveness of the aid!
The second tranche of $30 million in loans, originally scheduled for disbursement next month, has been suspended for one month!

"Make him give us a decent explanation!"

"Yes, Mr. President."

Acheson immediately agreed, knowing full well that any attempt to defend Chiang Kai-shek at this moment would be futile and might even backfire.

The president needed a scapegoat, and Chiang Kai-shek, far away in Taipei, was undoubtedly the most suitable target.

The blocking of this loan was undoubtedly a blow and a humiliation to Jiang, who was already in dire straits.

After venting his anger at Chiang Kai-shek, Truman seemed to calm down a little, but his face was still terribly gloomy.

He sat back in his chair, his voice returning to its cold, authoritative tone: "Alright, that's the end of the punishment for that good-for-nothing."

Now, let's get back to our real damn trouble.

James, you just mentioned Guangzhou?

The last line of defense for Seoul?
Didn't Ridgway say in his report that there was no problem on the Eastern Front?
Is it true that Li Yunlong is in dire straits?

How could Guangzhou have been lost in the blink of an eye?
And it was taken down by a guy named Wu Wanli who led some kind of 'brigade'?
Explain yourself!
How did Wu Wanli manage to do that?
"Can't our Türkiye trip even last a day?"

James knew the most crucial and embarrassing part was coming.

He straightened his back, trying to make his report appear professional and calm, even though the content itself was absurd enough to make any military expert think it was ridiculous.

James looked at the telegram again. The brief description of the Battle of Guangzhou was shocking: "Mr. President, gentlemen..."

Based on reports from the routed soldiers, information from aerial reconnaissance, and our analysis of the past combat patterns of the Seventh Steel Brigade, the Battle of Guangzhou unfolded as follows.

He walked to the huge map of the Korean Peninsula on the wall and pointed to the location of Gwangju City in the southeast corner of Seoul: "Gwangju City is extremely important, guarding the main highways and railways leading to the core area of ​​Seoul."

Turkish Brigadier General Aziz had been operating here for a long time, constructing a defensive system that included outer high ground, outer city barricades, and core inner city fortifications.

The force numbered several thousand, equipped with tanks, heavy artillery, and a large number of automatic weapons, theoretically sufficient to withstand a prolonged attack by forces several times larger.

However, under the command of Wu Wanli, the Seventh Steel Corps of China suddenly appeared outside Guangzhou late the night before last.

Based on pre-war intelligence and our post-war assessment, the strength of this force was roughly equal to that of the defending forces.

They did not conduct a prolonged siege or prepare firepower; instead, they launched a general offensive in the early morning, very shortly after their arrival.

James paused, as if organizing his thoughts to describe the incredible scene: "As soon as the battle began, the Chinese army displayed breathtaking precision and ferocious firepower."

Chinese artillery units conducted exceptionally precise bombardment of several key locations within the city.

The first salvo completely destroyed the Turkish brigade's hidden core heavy artillery group inside its bunker, depriving it of its most important long-range support firepower in the early stages of the battle.

Immediately afterwards, a second round of artillery fire covered the area inside the south gate tower.

Subsequent analysis suggests that Wu Wanli or his intelligence personnel accurately knew that several permanent machine gun emplacements and anti-tank gun positions were deployed there.

The intense artillery bombardment instantly wiped out these fortified positions along with the soldiers inside, clearing the biggest obstacle for the subsequent infantry assault.

While suppressing the artillery fire, Wu Wanli divided his infantry into three main attack directions. The speed and decisiveness of the action left the defenders with no time to mobilize their reserves.

Under artillery cover, the elite Chinese troops attacking the western part of the city quickly broke through the breach and penetrated deep into the city, cutting off the Turkish brigade's defenses.

The purpose of the Chinese elite troops attacking the eastern part of the city was to attract and contain the attention and firepower of the eastern garrison, preventing them from supporting other directions.

Meanwhile, Wu Wanli personally oversaw the southern front of the city, the area that had just been ravaged by artillery fire!

He concentrated his most elite forces and charged straight into the south gate defense line, which had just been ravaged by artillery fire!
Meanwhile, an armored detachment was also deployed to this main attack direction, acting as the sledgehammer to pave the way!

The office was completely silent, except for the sound of James speaking rapidly.

Everyone, including Truman, held their breath.

Even a novice can sense the ruthlessness and efficiency behind this tactic of simultaneous multi-pronged advances and seamless integration of precision firepower and infantry assault.

"Just as the defenders at the south gate were stunned by the sudden and precise artillery fire and had not yet crawled out of the ruins, the Chinese tank group began its charge."

Turkish soldiers displayed courage by retaliating with rocket launchers from the city walls.

However, according to eyewitnesses, the Chinese army was able to predict or locate the rocket launcher's launch location with extremely high accuracy and immediately call in artillery fire or command tank main guns to counterattack via radio.

Often, just as Turkish soldiers hoisted their rocket launchers, Chinese artillery shells or machine gun bullets would arrive!
This terrifying battlefield control almost shattered the defenders' will to resist by relying on the city walls.

Just as the tanks were charging to draw fire and clear out the remaining resistance points, the Chinese army's artillery fire shifted for the third time!
This time it was a five-round rapid-fire attack, aimed directly at the southern city wall itself!

The intense artillery fire instantly blasted dozens of meters of the already crumbling south city wall, tearing open a huge, irreparable, and fatal gap!

At this moment, the breakthrough was found!
The Chinese army poured into Guangzhou like a flood bursting its banks!
Almost simultaneously, reports of the city falling were also received from the east and west sides!
In a very short time, all three sharp knives of the Seventh Steel Brigade pierced the heart of Guangzhou!

The fighting then entered its most brutal phase: urban warfare. The Turkish brigade soldiers fought tenaciously, relying on the complex street and building defenses to put up a fierce resistance.

But Wu Wanli's troops displayed even more formidable urban warfare skills and fighting spirit.

They used grenades, submachine guns, bayonets, and even entrenching tools to clear out the inhabitants house by house and street by street.

According to survivors, the Chinese commander in charge, suspected to be Wu Wanli, used his remarkable personal bravery to kill three Turkish battalion and company-level officers who were trying to organize a counterattack with his bayonet during the encounter at the crossroads, greatly demoralizing the defending troops.

The battle lasted for nearly two hours.

The Turkish army's defensive line was continuously compressed, eventually being forced to the core defensive perimeter of the central square.

Seeing the heavy casualties and the inevitable defeat, Brigade Commander Aziz had no choice but to order a breakout.

As he spoke, James pointed to the direction of Baishui River in the north of Guangzhou on the map: "He called for the largest possible close air support, requesting that American planes bomb the central square and the surrounding streets where Chinese troops were concentrated."

On one hand, he ordered the remaining troops to destroy heavy equipment, to take care of the seriously wounded, and to concentrate all forces to retreat and retreat towards the Baishui River in the north of the city.

Our American warplanes did indeed carry out bombing raids, causing further casualties to the pursuing Chinese troops.

However, the enemy commander reacted very quickly, seemingly having anticipated that Aziz would break out to the north.

He ordered another Chinese army unit, known as the 'Independent Guerrilla Division,' to build a defensive line on the north bank of the Baishui River.

Although the defensive line, composed of a mixed Chinese and North Korean force, was breached twice by the remnants of Aziz's troops, it successfully bought them time.

Finally, Wu Wanli personally led the main force of the Seventh Steel Brigade to the Baishui River ferry, where, amidst the chaos…

James paused, his voice strained: "...encountering Brigadier General Aziz."

In close-quarters hand-to-hand combat, Wu Wanli personally ended Brigadier General Aziz's life and captured the Turkish brigade's flag.

The remaining thousand or so Turkish soldiers, after witnessing the death of their brigade commander and the capture of their regimental flag by a U.S. battalion that was there to provide support, completely collapsed, and most of them were captured or annihilated.

The well-equipped Turkish brigade... as a whole, no longer exists.

Guangzhou, the last bastion southeast of Seoul, fell completely in less than twenty-four hours after being attacked.

The report is over. A deathly silence fell over the Oval Office; you could hear a pin drop.

Secretary of State Acheson was deathly pale, oblivious to the fact that his cigar had long since gone out.

Several civilian staff members stared blankly, mouths agape, as if listening to a fantastical tale.

Even General Collins, the Army Chief of Staff who had experienced the horrors of World War II, frowned, his eyes filled with confusion and a hint of unspeakable fear.

An economic advisor muttered to himself, his voice hollow: "They took down a heavily fortified city defended by an entire brigade in 24 hours and even killed the brigade commander."

This...how is this possible?

Are all Chinese people superhuman?

Or has our intelligence agency made a catastrophic error in assessing the strength of both sides?

As he spoke, he looked at a CIA representative, whose face was ashen and who avoided his gaze.

A senior military advisor who had studied all recent reports from the Eastern Front finally spoke up: "This is not a matter of troop strength, sir."

It was the Chinese commander, Wu Wanli, who, with every battlefield choice, precisely struck at the enemy's most vulnerable nerve points.

He walked to the map, tapped rapidly with his finger, and spoke quickly: "Take a look at his recent trajectory."

At the crucial moment of the general offensive in Jiaping, he was not on the main battlefield, but secretly led his Steel Seventh Brigade to Qingping Canyon to set up an ambush.

The timing was perfect; they swallowed up the Harris Vanguard Regiment, which was too eager to support friendly forces and had neglected reconnaissance!

The secrecy of the operation and the cunning timing were simply perfect!

Immediately afterward, when the main force of the US 7th Division was mobilized and the remnants of the New Marine 1st Division were led in the wrong direction, he did not hesitate or rest at all. Using the captured transport ships, he suddenly appeared at the gates of Guangzhou with a speed of maneuverability that we cannot imagine!

The determination and speed of this strategic shift completely exceed conventional military logic!

He's like the most shrewd gambler, always betting his chips in the unexpected places his opponents wouldn't expect, and he always wins!
Looking at the siege of Guangzhou itself, it involved coordinated infantry, artillery, and tanks.

The three-pronged attack was well-organized and clearly prioritized.

The use of artillery fire was even more unparalleled!

First, take out the enemy's core artillery, then eliminate the strong firing points at the intended breakthrough point, and finally precisely blow up the city wall to create a breakthrough!

The entire process was smooth and fluid, with almost no redundant movements.

This mastery of firepower rhythm and timing of attacks, as well as the ability to divide and utilize battlefield space, is absolutely at a master level!

Even more terrifying is that, in such a complex and chaotic urban battle, he was able to pinpoint the location of the enemy's highest commander and launch a fatal decapitation strike..."

The military advisor took a deep breath, looked around at everyone, and finally fixed his gaze on Truman, whose face was ashen: "Mr. President, gentlemen, this is not luck."

This reflects an extremely keen battlefield sense, exceptional on-the-spot decision-making ability, and unparalleled control over subordinate troops, as well as...

A near-instinctive, ruthless obsession with victory and personal bravery.

Wu Wanli, and the resilience of the army he served, have made him an enemy commander we must reassess.

The professional analysis was like a bucket of ice water poured over everyone's heads, which were burning with shock and anger.

It turns out that behind this seemingly impossible victory lies such a precise and ruthless tactical logic.

Truman fell silent, took off his glasses again, and rubbed his temples vigorously.

James's detailed account of the Battle of Guangzhou, combined with the analysis of his military advisors, overshadowed his anger with a deeper chill and solemnity.

While Chiang Kai-shek's incompetence was certainly hateful, the real threat lay with Wu Wanli and his associates, who had emerged from the icy wilderness of Korea, and the power of China.

The only sounds in the office were heavy breathing and the crackling of burning wood in the fireplace.

After what felt like an eternity, Truman put his glasses back on, his eyes regaining the composure befitting a commander: So…

"Is Ridgway's command post in Seoul now directly exposed to the advance of Li Yunlong's troops?"

James immediately replied, "Yes, Mr. President."

With the fall of Guangzhou, the roads leading to the core area of ​​Seoul have been opened.

After capturing Guangzhou, Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's troops barely stopped, and their main force was rapidly advancing towards Seoul along the transportation lines.

General Ridgway's headquarters faced an unprecedented direct threat.

Meanwhile, according to the latest aerial reconnaissance and deciphered sporadic messages, the headquarters of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army seems to be adjusting its deployment on the western front, showing signs of coordinating with operations on the eastern front.

A major battle is highly likely to break out in the Seoul area.

Truman leaned back in his chair, his gaze sweeping over every face in the office with a deep intensity.

Hawkish generals like James and Collins wore expressions of resentment and a do-or-die determination.

Doves like Acheson and several civilian advisors could not hide their worry, concerned about the enormous risks of taking a desperate gamble under the walls of Seoul.

Truman slowly broke the silence: "Gentlemen, the situation is very clear."

We suffered a major setback on the eastern front in Korea, and Seoul was in imminent danger.

Now is not the time to assign blame—whether it's Ridgway's previous misjudgment or Chiang Kai-shek's historical 'achievements'!
Now, we only have two paths.

The first option, James, immediately issued the clearest instructions to Ridgway in the name of the Pentagon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff: assemble all available troops in and around Seoul!
Utilize the fortified fortifications already established in and around Seoul!
Do everything in my power to hold off Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's attack!

At the same time, Van Fleet was ordered to hold the Western Front!

Provided that the main defense line is not breached, immediately mobilize all available mobile forces to reinforce Seoul as quickly as possible!

Tell Ridgway that I want him to use our inside lines of operations, firepower, and air superiority to launch a decisive battle against Seoul!

Crush Li Yunlong's troops and Wu Wanli's Seventh Steel Brigade under the walls of Seoul and completely turn the tide of the war on the eastern front!

If his mobile units can't even break through a tired, logistically cut-off enemy force, he doesn't deserve to be in that position!

U.S. Defense Secretary James snapped to attention, his eyes rekindling with the fighting spirit of a soldier: "Yes, Mr. President! I'll get right on it!"

The elite forces of the 3rd Division and the 1st Cavalry Division will spare no effort to rush to the aid of Seoul!
General Ridgway also had a strong reserve force and Seoul's formidable defenses.

With proper command and full firepower, there is a real chance of severely damaging or even annihilating the main force of the Chinese Eastern Front army on the outskirts of Seoul!

Truman nodded, then turned his gaze to Secretary of State Acheson: "The second option, you take charge."

Immediately initiate secret diplomatic channels to send informal, probing signals to China: the United States does not want the war on the Korean Peninsula to spread and escalate indefinitely, causing a greater humanitarian disaster.

We are willing to consider returning to the negotiating table to discuss the possibility of ending this conflict at the 'appropriate time' and under 'decent conditions'.

"By the way, arrange an informal meeting, a brief chat with the Chinese, which could also serve as a deterrent."

Acheson immediately understood the president's intention: this was preparing a backup plan while also exerting invisible pressure. He nodded calmly, "Understood, Mr. President."

I will immediately make arrangements through the most reliable secret channels to ensure that the information is delivered, but without leaving any official evidence.

At the same time, an informal meeting with China will be organized.

The wording may be vague, and there will be deterrence, but the core message will be clearly conveyed—war is not the only option.

Truman leaned forward slightly, placed his hands on the table, scanned the room, and made his final decision: "We must take both paths simultaneously!"

James, you're in charge of military affairs. I want Ridgway to give full play to his abilities and win a brilliant battle at Seoul!

Show the might of America!

Smash the arrogance of the Chinese!

Acheson, you're in charge of diplomacy. Be prepared for anything...

I mean, in case we fail to achieve a decisive military victory, or are prepared for costs exceeding expectations, we should leave the door open to a political solution.

At the same time, in my name, I sent an encrypted memo to the Strategic Air Command:

The relevant bomber units stationed in Guam and Okinawa, including the B-29 fleet carrying payloads, were ordered to raise their alert level to the highest level.

Make all necessary preparations to deliver supplies to targets in the Far East in extreme circumstances.

This memorandum is to be known only to the Commander and is classified as top secret.

Top Secret!

These words struck the hearts of everyone present like an invisible hammer.

The temperature inside the office seemed to drop to freezing point instantly.

Everyone understood what this meant, and although no one said it aloud, a terrifying shadow had silently descended upon the Oval Office in the dead of night.

Truman's final words carried a weary yet undeniable authority: "Gentlemen of America, let us all take action."

The honor of America and our strategic interests in the Far East are tied to this battle.

Let's take a good look and see if Ridgway's 'strangulation campaign' can strangle Li Yunlong, this 'dragon'.

It's still that Wu Wanli; he really can create a 'miracle' of capturing Seoul and threatening the heart of the UN forces!

"Yes, Mr. President!"

James, Acheson, and all the staff and advisors responded in unison.

The sound echoed in the spacious and luxurious office, carrying a solemn weight of responsibility.

Everyone quickly got up and left, and the heavy oak door opened and closed again, leaving Truman alone.

He slowly stood up and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, Washington, D.C., slept in the deep darkness of the night.

In the distance, the outline of the Washington Monument was faintly visible under the sparse lights.

In the distant East, dawn is breaking.

The prelude to the Battle of Seoul was slowly unfolding in the biting cold wind, accompanied by the approaching footsteps of Wu Wanli and Li Yunlong's troops.

(End of this chapter)