Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 384 Chiang Kai-shek, Chen Cheng, He Yingqin, Gu Zhutong, Sun Liren, and Hu Zongnan are shocked and frustrated! The United States' condemnation!

Inside the banquet hall of the Shilin Official Residence on Taiwan Island
The crystal chandelier cast a warm yellow glow, illuminating the delicate blue sky and white sun emblem on the fine porcelain tableware.

The air was filled with the mellow aroma of Shaoxing rice wine and the fresh scent of steamed carp in aged Shaoxing wine, mixed with a faint wisp of cigar smoke.

Old Jiang took a sip of wine, his voice filled with a touch of nostalgia: "Cixiu, you just mentioned the Third Battle of Changsha, the Furnace Strategy, which managed to burn back Anami Korechika's 100,000 fierce soldiers!"

Bo Ling, you were in charge of the Ninth War Zone at that time, and your command was decisive and your contributions to the Party and the country were immense!
That courage, that resilience—thinking about it today still stirs my blood!

Xue Yue bowed slightly, a hint of smugness flashing across his face, which was quickly replaced by a somber expression: "You flatter me, Chairman."

Only when soldiers are willing to fight and the people are willing to support them can this battle be won.

But now…

He didn't finish his sentence, but simply shook his head slightly.

He Yingqin nodded and continued, "Yes, it was incredibly difficult back then. Battles like Taierzhuang and Kunlun Pass were fought with mountains of corpses and seas of blood."
What does it rely on?
It's all thanks to this indomitable spirit!

Brother Jingzhi has demonstrated the might of our nation at Kunlun Pass!

He looked at where Du Yuming had been sitting, and realizing that Du was not there, he naturally turned to Sun Liren: "Fumin, your rescue of the British army in Ren'anqiang and your triumph in a foreign land is also a glory for our Whampoa!"

Sun Liren sat upright like a pine tree. Upon hearing this, he simply nodded slightly, his tone low but clear: "It's just a soldier's duty."

Equipment, training, and determination are all indispensable.

pity……"

He swallowed the rest of his sentence, his gaze sweeping over the exquisite tableware before him.

Chiang Kai-shek sensed this subtle atmosphere and immediately steered the conversation toward a more "glorious" past: "That's why I say, temporary hardship is nothing."

"Jingguo, when you were in southern Jiangxi, you implemented new policies and rectified officialdom, which laid the foundation for this word 'perseverance'."

Jiang Jingguo nodded respectfully: "Father's teachings are correct. The foundation lies in the people, and the strength lies in the people."

Song Meilin smiled at the opportune moment and interjected in fluent English, her voice clear and pleasant: "Darling is right."

The trials we have experienced in the past have precisely proven our vitality.

Today, Darling is working diligently and has the unwavering support of the United States, the leader of the free world.

Once things settle down in North Korea, I'll make a trip to Washington, D.C.

We must try to secure another decent amount of aid for ourselves from Senator Vandenberg and Mr. Dulles.

The funds recently allocated are not even enough to purchase urgently needed items…

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, carrying a perfectly measured hint of complaint.

The atmosphere at the table seemed to liven up a bit when the topic of the Korean War came up.

Hu Zongnan seemed to still carry the scent of the sea breeze he had brought from Dachen Island, and his voice boomed, “What you say is absolutely right, Madam!”

What is the strength of the United States?
A torrent of steel, planes blotting out the sky!

The dilapidated iron and steel on the other side, relying on sheer numbers and a little handout from the Soviet Union, managed to gain some advantage in North Korea, but that couldn't change the overall situation!

Those guys, Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli, dared to lead their troops towards Seoul?
Just by looking at the map, you can tell they've walked right into a trap!
If General Ridgway can hold them off in the strongholds around Seoul, and wait for the elite American troops on the western and eastern fronts to return and encircle them, it will be a second Inchon Landing!

Annihilation is a certainty!

As he spoke, he waved his hand, as if he could already see the scene of victory.

Gu Zhutong rarely showed a smile, and analyzed in the same way as Hu Zongnan: "Brother Qinzhai is so heroic!"

From a strategic perspective, this is indeed the case.

Their eastern assault group was too reckless, and their logistics line was bound to be extremely vulnerable.

The UN forces possess absolute air superiority and firepower. As long as Seoul is not lost, they can hold their ground, consolidate their defenses, and once reinforcements arrive, Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's troops will be trapped like turtles in a jar.

We've witnessed the resilience of General Ridgway's "magnetic tactics" before; these West Point graduates won't let them escape again.

Chen Cheng, who had been relatively silent, nodded slightly and cautiously added, "From a purely military perspective, risks do exist, but the UN forces still have considerable strength and room for maneuver."

The key lies in whether Seoul can be held and whether reinforcements can arrive in time to form an encirclement.

If these two conditions are met, they will pay a heavy price for this adventure.

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere became lively again.

Chiang Kai-shek's face also showed a genuine smile, a rare sight for him tonight, as if the "good news" from North Korea was in sight, and even his own predicament seemed to be showing a glimmer of hope.

He raised his glass: "Come, let's drink to the soldiers of the Free World Alliance who are fighting bloody battles on the front lines, to the upcoming victory, and to the unwavering loyalty of everyone here to the Party and the country!"

The crystal glasses clinked gently together, producing a pleasant, crisp sound.

He Yingqin smiled and agreed: "The Chairman is right. This toast is to wish General Ridgway a resounding victory and to annihilate those arrogant and ignorant CCP bandits at the gates of Seoul as soon as possible!"

Xue Yue also raised his glass: "Let them taste what it's like to be surrounded!"

Although Sun Liren raised his glass, a subtle, complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the topic returned to the past, to the clash of swords and the thunder of hooves.

Chiang Kai-shek was in high spirits and even recounted the thrilling scene of supervising the battle outside Nanchang during the Northern Expedition.

Song Meilin listened with a smile, secretly planning how to use North Korea's "victory" to secure a larger amount of aid from the US Congress.

Just as the atmosphere of reminiscing and drinking reached its peak, Wang Shihe, the chief attendant of the official residence, appeared at the entrance of the restaurant. His steps were much faster than usual, and his face looked unusually solemn under the lights.

Behind him followed a young Nationalist Army major staff officer, his uniform crisp and clean, but his forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and he was clutching a folder with a red stamp that read "Urgent & Top Secret" tightly in his hand.

The laughter and conversation in the room came to an abrupt halt.

All eyes were instantly fixed on the staff officer and the document in his hand that seemed to weigh a ton.

The light from the crystal chandelier suddenly seemed to become dazzling and cold.

The aroma of wine and delicacies that had just filled the air now carried a suffocating heaviness.

Even the wine glass that Jiang Jingguo had just filled for his father was suspended in mid-air, the amber liquid swaying slightly.

Wang Shihe walked quickly to Chiang Kai-shek's side, leaned down and whispered, his voice extremely low.

But the words "North Korea," "Eastern Front," and "mutation" still pierced everyone's ears like cold steel needles.

The smile on Chiang Kai-shek's face froze instantly, like a dried-up clay sculpture.

He put down his wine glass, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the buttons on his long robe. His eyes were sharp as knives, piercing directly at the staff officer, and his voice was terrifyingly low: "Speak!"

The major staff officer snapped to attention, the heels of his boots striking each other with a sharp, jarring sound that was particularly jarring in the deathly quiet dining hall.

He opened the folder, his Adam's apple bobbing as he tried to steady his voice, but the panic was still clearly conveyed through his words:
"Reporting to the Chairman! Reporting to the Madam! Reporting to all officers!"
The intercepted and deciphered top-level telegrams from Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul confirm: The situation on the eastern front has undergone a dramatic change!

In the Gaping direction, the main force of the newly formed US 1st Marine Division suffered heavy losses...more than 70% casualties...

The organization was almost completely destroyed... The remnants retreated towards Seoul...

The vanguard regiment of the U.S. 7th Infantry Division was ambushed and engaged in fierce fighting by the enemy's elite 7th Steel Brigade and North Korean troops in the Qingping Gorge, and almost all of its members were killed in action..."

"Enemy commander Li Yunlong and Steel Seventh Brigade Commander Wu Wanli, without any rest, have led their main force to capture the southeastern barrier of Seoul!"

The staff officer's voice grew faster and drier, each word like a heavy stone crashing into everyone's hearts.

"Brigadier General Aziz, commander of the Turkish brigade of the United Nations forces stationed in Guangzhou, was beheaded on the banks of the Baishui River by Wu Wanli, commander of the Seventh Steel Brigade!"
The brigade's flag has been captured, and its troops have been almost completely annihilated.

Intelligence indicates that Li Yunlong and Wu Wanli's main forces are advancing directly towards Seoul, disregarding casualties!

The vanguard of the enemy has been spotted in the vicinity of Guri, a key point on the outskirts of Seoul!

Dead!

Absolute silence!
Even the sound of breathing seemed to have disappeared.

Hu Zongnan's mouth was agape, his arm, which had been waving and talking about "annihilation," froze in mid-air, and the color drained from his face instantly.

The reminiscence and smugness on Xue Yue's face vanished, replaced by disbelief and astonishment. His fingers unconsciously tightened around the tablecloth.

Gu Zhutong frowned, his fingers rapidly tracing an invisible map on his knee, muttering, "Impossible...this is unreasonable..."

He Yingqin's hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, and a few drops of wine splashed onto the snow-white tablecloth, spreading a small patch of glaring red.

Chen Cheng's face was ashen, and his hands under the table were clenched into fists.

Sun Liren suddenly straightened his back, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light, staring intently at the staff officer as if trying to see through the papers to understand what was really happening on the Korean battlefield.

The elegant smile on Song Meilin's face froze completely, as if a crack had appeared in a delicate porcelain vase.

Her well-maintained hands gripped the napkin tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

The prospect of American aid that she cared about most seemed to suddenly become unattainable with the destruction of the Turkish Brigade and the crisis in Seoul.

"Clap!"

A crisp cracking sound broke the suffocating silence.

It was Jiang Weiguo. He accidentally dropped the silver fork in his hand onto the bone china plate in front of him, and it broke in two.

The sound wasn't loud, but it exploded in everyone's ears like a thunderclap.

Hu Zongnan rasped, "Array... Array Slash?"
All the Türkiye trips are gone?

How many days has it been?

Qingping Gorge... Jiaping... Guangzhou City..."

He seemed to be asking his advisors, or perhaps himself, or even questioning the entire world.

His mind raced across the map of North Korea. The area southeast of Seoul, which had been a solid defensive line for the UN forces just a few days ago, was now marked in red everywhere.

Xue Yue took a deep breath, his eyes wide open: "Qingping Canyon... an ambush?"
Wasn't the 7th Division supposed to be elite?
What terrain did they utilize? What was their firepower configuration?

How did that Wu Wanli manage to do that?

A barrage of military questions burst from his mouth, carrying the instinctive inquiry of a professional soldier facing an incredible battle case, and a hint of stinging resentment.

The staff officer swallowed hard, trying to recall the thrilling details in the telegram: "According to the surviving communications and aerial reconnaissance, the Seventh Steel Brigade and the North Korean army had preemptively occupied the absolute high ground on both sides of the canyon, forming a crossfire network of lethal fire..."

The commander of the US vanguard regiment was killed by accurate artillery fire as soon as the battle began, leaving the regiment leaderless.

Their troops used the terrain to divide and infiltrate, while the vanguard regiment of the US 7th Division fought desperately from its circular fortifications...

However, the enemy commander directed artillery to provide precise coverage, disrupting their defensive system, and then launched a general offensive.

In the final hand-to-hand combat, over three thousand elite American troops were completely annihilated…

"hiss……"

A collective gasp filled the room.

Precise artillery fire to decapitate, pre-planned ambush, splitting and infiltration, perfect infantry-artillery coordination, and finally ending with hand-to-hand combat, annihilating an entire regiment of well-equipped and well-trained American troops!
This requires an incredible level of battlefield insight, command and control, and troop execution!

Gu Zhutong slapped his thigh: "Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell... What a brilliant Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell!"
I understand! Chuncheon!
Wu Wanli's harassment around Chuncheon was a feint! It was a smokescreen!
The main force has bypassed it!

Set up an ambush in Qingping Gorge... then launch a lightning strike on Guangzhou!

Linked together!

"How dare you! Absolutely fucking audacious!"

As a strategic advisor, he instantly grasped the essence of Wu Wanli's tactics.

This unconventional and deceptive strategic maneuver sent a chill down his spine.

What kind of courage and control over the overall battlefield is required for this?

Sun Liren suddenly spoke, his eyes blazing as he looked at Chiang Kai-shek: "That's not all! Chairman, gentlemen!"
Taking Guangzhou is the key!

A journey through Türkiye, the Wolves of Anatolia!
Well-equipped and tenacious!
Hold the fortified city!

24 hours!
In less than 24 hours, the city's defenses collapsed, the brigade commander was beheaded, and the military flag was captured!

His tone was resolute, carrying the objective assessment of a professional soldier: "This is by no means something that can be accomplished by courage alone!"

The tactic of coordinated infantry, artillery, and tanks was extremely sophisticated!

I heard in the telegram that Wu Wanli could see the battlefield as if God were helping him.

Now it seems that this was no exaggeration!

This demonstrates an incredibly precise control over the battlefield space and rhythm!

Sun Liren's evaluation was as sharp as a hammer blow, striking a chord in everyone's hearts.

He himself was known for his strict military discipline and excellent tactics, and he knew how difficult it was to achieve such an overwhelming victory in a siege battle where the forces were evenly matched or even slightly at a disadvantage.

Xue Yue added, with a touch of complex emotion: "And his personal bravery!"

On the banks of the Baishui River, amidst thousands of troops, the enemy chieftain was slain and his flag was captured!
Even the legendary Guan Yu and Zhao Zilong of Changshan were no more than this!

This person's ability... is truly... truly..."

He couldn't find the right words to describe it for a moment—was it terrifying, respectable, or awe-inspiring?
For a moment, the expressions of the people at the table varied.

Shock, horror, confusion, resentment, and a hint of something indescribable... a complex mix of emotions flowed silently through me.

Once upon a time, they commanded thousands of troops and fought battles that terrified the enemy.

The Battle of Changsha, the Great Victory at Kunlun Pass, the relief of Ren'anqiang... these glorious names were once their medals of honor.

However, at this moment, they were deeply shocked by the achievements of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army on the Korean battlefield.

After all, the UN forces had far superior firepower compared to the Japanese forces...

He Yingqin broke the silence, attempting to explain the "abnormality" before him using past experience: "Cough..."

In fact, our Whampoa Military Academy is not without generals like Wu Wanli, who are skilled in battle and brave in the army!

Leaving aside those far away, which of you gentlemen here is not a veteran of countless battles and has made outstanding contributions?
Du Guangting's bloody battle at Kunlun Pass, Sun Fumin's triumphant expedition, Xue Boling's burning of the enemy at Changsha... all were outstanding figures of their time!
In terms of battlefield adaptability and fierce courage in overcoming fortified positions, he may not be inferior to Wu Wanli!

Chen Cheng immediately chimed in, "Brother Jingzhi is right!"
While military talent is certainly important, the greatest power of war lies in the people!

It depends on the organization!

It lies in... belief!

He paused, seemingly considering a more precise word: "Their tactics on the other side make the soldiers willing to die for them."

Look at their army... at a single command, they charge forward wave after wave, never retreating even in the face of death!
The absence of any calculated strategy to preserve strength, the lack of any cowardice in the face of battle… that is the most terrifying thing!

Chen Cheng's voice carried a deep sense of powerlessness and a chilling insight.

He thought of the opposing soldiers on the Xuzhou-Bengbu battlefield, who charged forward shouting slogans and braving artillery fire, and of the "troublemakers" who would rather starve than reveal the guerrillas' whereabouts.

This was his deepest fear—that his opponent possessed a cohesion and spirit of sacrifice that he could not comprehend.

Gu Zhutong sighed deeply, his voice filled with a world-weary and helpless expression: "Cixiu's words are truly insightful!"
An army without selfish motives... a united force, working together seamlessly, obeying orders without question... this is the prerequisite for Wu Wanli to unleash his full potential!

If it were replaced by…

He didn't finish his sentence, but the subtext was obvious.

If it were the Nationalist Army, even if there were ten brave generals like Wu Wanli, what could they do in the cesspool of factional infighting, preserving strength, and fearing the enemy like tigers?
Can they pull off a game-winning shot like the one in Qingping Canyon?

Could they conquer the heavily fortified city of Guangzhou in 24 hours? Could they kill the enemy chieftain as easily as taking candy from a baby?

It's likely that even in the very first step of mobilizing troops, there were already numerous obstacles and everyone had their own agenda.

He recalled the countless battles in which friendly forces stood by and did nothing to help, and the messy history of Nationalist generals hindering each other.

Hu Zongnan's face turned red. He had just returned from the front line on Dachen Island and knew the situation of his troops well. He couldn't help but mutter, "It's not just the generals!"

The quality of the soldiers also varies drastically!
Those peasants, when they fight, they're fearless; one of them can take on three of our strong soldiers!

The conscripts we captured all went weak in the knees the moment the gun went off..."

His words drew a cold glance from Sun Liren, whose troops were elite forces in Southeast Asia back then, armed and trained with American weapons.

Hu Zongnan realized he had spoken out of turn, and awkwardly shut his mouth, picking up his wine glass to cover his embarrassment.

Chiang Kai-shek remained silent, his face so dark it seemed to drip water.

He listened to his confidants' discussions: their amazement at Wu Wanli's talent, their fear of the opposing organization, their insinuations about the deep-seated problems within the Nationalist army... every word felt like a whip lashing his face.

How could he not understand?

But he knew even better that now was not the time to discuss these things!
What he needs is a realistic response!

It was American aid!
In this heavy atmosphere permeated with frustration, reflection, and resentment...

The major staff officer, who had been standing at attention with his hands at his sides, swallowed hard again, and his face showed an even more unpleasant and humiliating expression.

He took another small step forward, his voice hoarse, and said, "Chairman...Madam...Gentlemen...there...there is one more thing..."

Everyone looked at him, their hearts sinking, sensing that there was worse news to come.

The staff officer took a deep breath, almost straining to utter the incredibly embarrassing words: "Washington... President Truman was furious after receiving a detailed report on the situation on the Eastern Front, especially the Battle of Guangzhou..."

President Truman personally ordered Secretary of State Acheson to send an extremely strongly worded interrogation cable...

In the cable, President Truman questioned why, from the later stages of the War of Resistance against Japan to the suppression of the rebellion, the United States had provided the Nationalist government with unprecedented amounts of military and economic aid…

Airplanes, cannons, tanks, trucks, ammunition, clothing, food, gold, US dollars…

The staff officer repeated those scathing words almost word by word: "President Truman questioned why the National Revolutionary Army, which had such a large amount of American aid, could suffer such an unprecedented and humiliating hundred-day rout in the war against Japan, like the one in the Henan-Hunan-Guangxi campaign."

The Japanese army... advanced thousands of miles...

In his cable, President Truman bluntly stated that he and the Pentagon now had serious reason to suspect whether a large amount of valuable aid to China in the past had been systematically embezzled and misappropriated for other purposes...

They even bluntly questioned whether we were 'putting on a show' for the United States...

They deliberately exaggerated the difficulties in order to siphon off more supplies...

Therefore, President Truman has ordered a temporary freeze on the urgently needed special emergency aid loan that we applied for last month.

They demanded that we provide a convincing explanation and a thorough self-examination, in order to observe the consequences…

Dead!

The deathly silence was even deeper and more suffocating than when I heard the news of Guangzhou's fall and Aziz's execution!

If the previous battle reports were like heavy punches to everyone's chest...

Truman's blatant rebuke was like a red-hot iron, pressed directly onto the face of the entire "Party-State" leadership!

It pressed down on their remaining self-esteem!

"puff--!"

A muffled thud was mixed with the crisp sound of porcelain shattering.

It's Song Meilin.

Her well-maintained face, which always exuded elegance and composure, instantly lost all color and turned ashen white.

An unprecedented sense of humiliation made her body sway violently, and the delicate porcelain cup containing half a cup of coffee that she had been tightly holding slipped from her hand.

Brown liquid spilled onto the hem of her expensive cheongsam and the polished floor, scattering shards of porcelain everywhere.

She even forgot to wipe it, but just opened her beautiful eyes wide, filled with disbelief and deep pain.

She devoted herself to securing American aid, maneuvering among American political figures and portraying herself as a bridge of communication.

Now, this blatant condemnation of her and even the entire "Party-State" has extinguished all her diplomatic efforts and self-esteem like a bucket of ice water.

"A performance? Surrendering supplies?"

These words pierced her mind like poison needles.

"Outrageous! This is outrageous!!"

Hu Zongnan was the first to explode. He stood up abruptly, and because of the sudden movement, the chair behind him was knocked over with a loud bang.

His face turned from red to purple, and veins bulged on his forehead as he cursed, "This is outrageous! This is outrageous!"

Who does Truman think he is?
What good are those Americans anyway?

In the early stages of the Pacific War, who was beaten like a stray dog ​​by the Japanese in the Philippines?
MacArthur tucked his tail between his legs and fled in a torpedo boat!

Who was crying out for their parents after being bombed at Pearl Harbor?

Now you're criticizing us?

We were facing a million-strong Japanese army armed to the teeth on our own land!
What do they know? They know nothing!
Those Americans are accusing us of being powerful. Why don't they go and beat the other side?
How come they were beaten so badly they were routed?

Hu Zongnan's roar echoed in the restaurant, filled with the mania of having his wounds reopened.

"This is a blatant insult!"
This is an insult to the Party and the State! To the President! To the millions of Nationalist soldiers who sacrificed their lives!

Xue Yue was so angry that he trembled all over, his white beard shaking. He slammed his hand on the table, making the bowls and plates rattle.

As a renowned general in the War of Resistance against Japan, the Battle of Changsha was his life's glory, but now he is being so contemptuously questioned by the Americans, which is more painful than being slapped in the face.

Gu Zhutong's face was ashen, his lips pressed into a sharp line, and his fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly.

He wanted to refute, to list the sacrifices and contributions of the National Revolutionary Army in the War of Resistance against Japan, to denounce Stilwell's obstruction back then, and to explain the complexity of the civil war...

But the five words "defeat in Henan, Hunan and Guangxi" in Truman's telegram blocked all his defenses like an iceberg.

That is an undeniable fact, the most irrefutable proof of the military and political decay of the Nationalist government!
He Yingqin appeared extremely embarrassed; he didn't even dare to look Chiang Kai-shek in the eye.

As a former Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, he knew better than anyone the enormous losses and various unclear destinations of those American aid supplies during their circulation.

"Embezzlement," "misappropriation"... these words lashed at his heart like whips.

He could only take out his handkerchief and keep wiping the cold sweat that suddenly appeared on his forehead, as if trying to wipe away that invisible guilt.

Sun Liren sat upright, his jaw clenched, the lines of his lower jaw as taut as steel.

He felt an unprecedented and immense humiliation.

The glory of Yenangyaung and the training achievements of Ramgarh seem so insignificant and laughable under Truman's sweeping condemnation.

The words "systematic corruption" tarnished the honor he cherished most, like a stain.

His eyes burned with anger, but this anger was mixed with an inexplicable sense of frustration, which ultimately turned into a suppressed snort.

Chen Cheng's face turned from green to white.

Truman's words were tantamount to directly negating all his efforts in military preparation and preparation, casting them under the shadow of "corruption and incompetence."

He felt a chill rise up his spine.

Loans frozen!

Without dollars, everything will become much more difficult!
Young and hot-blooded, Jiang Weiguo was so angry that his face turned red, and he was about to swear, but Jiang Jingguo next to him grabbed his wrist.

Jiang Jingguo's hands were cold but strong. He shook his head slightly, signaling his younger brother to calm down, but his gaze was fixed solemnly on his father in the main seat.

The entire restaurant seemed to have been plunged into a vacuum, with only Hu Zongnan's heavy breathing and Xue Yue's rapid breathing due to anger remaining.

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, the embers of dignity burned after it had been trampled on.

The word "humiliation" was written all over everyone's face, and it burned with pain.

They were once renowned generals, but now, in the eyes of their former allies, they have become synonymous with greed and incompetence, and even their explanations seem pale and powerless.

"enough!"

Chiang Kai-shek's angry shout drowned out all the anger, humiliation, and gasps for breath.

He had been silent the whole time, his fingers tightly gripping the buttons on his long gown.

Truman's telegrams, every word seemed to be gnawing at his last shred of dignity.

The accusations of "acting" and "seizing supplies" further cemented his and the regime he represented's place on the pillar of shame.

Anger raged within him, threatening to consume his reason.

However, just as Hu Zongnan slammed his fist on the table and everyone's emotions were about to completely spiral out of control, something deeper and colder overwhelmed the raging fury.

That was the stark reality, the absolute weakness of a tiny country facing the behemoth that is the United States, and that huge amount of frozen dollar loans!

He slammed his hand on the table!
"Snapped!"

The sound wasn't deafening, but it was like a gavel, instantly shattering all the noise and out-of-control emotions in the restaurant.

Hu Zongnan's roar came to an abrupt halt, Xue Yue's indignant gasps were suppressed, and everyone seemed to be frozen in place.

Their eyes were all fixed on the figure in the main seat.

Chiang Kai-shek's voice wasn't loud, but it was unusually cold: "Damn it!"

What's all the noise about?
What are you scolding?
Criticizing Truman?

Insulting Americans?

If you win the argument and feel good about it, will the US dollar actually drift into the Taiwan Strait?
Can frozen loans be unfrozen?

A series of sharp questions lashed out like whips across everyone's faces.

He took a slow step, his gaze pressing heavily on everyone's hearts: "What is reality?"
The reality is that the Americans are holding us by the neck!
The reality is that the other side has shown its strength in North Korea, making the Americans think we are incompetent!
They feel that all the things we took in the past were a waste! It was a deception!

He ruthlessly tore open the bloody wound.

Old Jiang's voice suddenly rose, carrying an extremely suppressed hoarseness and a barely perceptible tremor: "Frustrated? Who isn't frustrated?"

I feel so frustrated!

How glorious we were during the Northern Expedition!
These days, you have to be subservient to a foreigner, or you'll be called a liar!

They are parasites that devour supplies!
But—circumstances are beyond our control!

If you're not as strong as others, you have to accept it!
Now is not the time to save face or act impulsively!
Now we need substance! We need to buy time!

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Song Meilin's pale face and then over Chen Cheng's grave eyes: "Meilin, you know the winds blowing on Capitol Hill."

"Cixiu, do you know how much inventory is left in Taiwan's warehouses?"

Finally, his gaze fell on He Yingqin and Gu Zhutong: "Jingzhi, Mo San."

Upon hearing this, He Yingqin and Gu Zhutong immediately straightened up: "Chairman!"

Chiang Kai-shek's voice returned to its usual cold, all-encompassing tone, devoid of any emotion: "Immediately, in the name of the Executive Yuan and the Ministry of National Defense, draft a detailed explanation."

Key points: First, it details the enormous sacrifices made by the National Revolutionary Army during the War of Resistance against Japan and its achievements in containing the main force of the Japanese army, emphasizing the indispensable role of US aid in supporting the protracted war.

Archives, data, and battle examples are all laid out!
Especially the tough battles we've fought in Changsha, Changde, western Hubei, and northern Myanmar!

We can't just mention Henan, Hunan, and Guangxi!
Second, let's analyze the complex reasons for our ultimate failure.

This implies that the problem was not a lack of skill, but rather bad luck and the presence of powerful enemies all around, which could not be compensated for by a simple difference in equipment.

Third, we will state the remarkable achievements and unwavering determination we have made in our efforts to improve our governance.

It emphasizes our value as a free world.

Fourth, he expressed 'deep understanding' of President Truman's concerns.

We express our regret regarding the potential inefficiency issues that may have occurred in the past flow of goods.

They pledged to "strictly rectify and strengthen oversight to ensure that every penny of US aid is used effectively."

Fifth, and most importantly.

Use humble language! Be sincere in your attitude!
The logic must be clear! The data must be detailed!
We must show Americans that we have learned our lesson and that we are truly valuable!
The core objective is singular: the explanation is false, the real goal is to unfreeze the loan as soon as possible!
Do you understand?!

"Yes, Chairman!"

He Yingqin and Gu Zhutong solemnly accepted the order, their voices hoarse.

They knew that this "explanation" was essentially a statement of defense and a plea for help written under immense humiliation.

Every word will leave a scar on dignity.

Chiang Kai-shek's gaze swept across the entire room one last time.

Hu Zongnan slumped back into his seat, head down, fists still clenched, but the furious anger had been replaced by a deeper sense of frustration.

Xue Yue closed his eyes, his chest heaving, and his white beard trembling slightly.

Sun Liren remained sitting upright, but his tightly pursed lips and icy gaze betrayed the turmoil within him.

Jiang Jingguo looked at his father with a solemn expression and a complicated look in his eyes.

Jiang Weiguo gritted his teeth, filled with resentment.

Chen Cheng nodded silently, his eyes filled with worry.

Song Meilin had been given a clean napkin by a servant. Her face was still pale, but her eyes had changed from initial shock and humiliation to deep worry and realistic consideration.

She nodded slightly, indicating that she understood that the most urgent task was to recover the loan.

"Did you hear everything clearly?"

Chiang Kai-shek's voice carried an undeniable air of authority.

"...Yes, Chairman!"

After a brief silence, a cacophony of heavy, disjointed replies echoed through the deathly quiet restaurant.

"Go away."

Chiang Kai-shek waved wearily, as if he had used up all his strength, and sat back down in the main seat.

His figure appeared unusually lonely and cold under the brilliant lights.

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, yet also as if they were burdened by invisible shackles, and they rose heavily from their seats.

No one spoke, and they avoided eye contact as much as possible.

The crystal chandelier was still bright, illuminating the almost untouched delicacies on the table and the brown coffee stains spilled on the carpet, a scene of utter chaos.

Just like their current state of mind and the future of that stormy, isolated island.

The humiliation from across the Pacific and the pressure from the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's triumphant advance in Korea weighed heavily on all the illusory comforts offered at the Shihlin Official Residence dinner.

(End of this chapter)