Changjin Lake: From Xinxingli to Seoul

Chapter 83 Wu Wanli dares to attack Seoul!

Outside the water gate bridge, in the cave

"Company commander, Army Commander Kong Jie has agreed."

"The 20th Army was originally preparing to ambush the British Royal Marines in the south, which would have been a good opportunity to send people to pick up the wounded from the 7th and 9th Companies."

"The comrades in the Ninth Company who are able to fight normally will be incorporated into the combat formation of the Seventh Company and carry out missions together."

Mei Sheng handed a telegram to Wu Qianli and said.

"Great, once the wounded are transferred, we won't have so many worries."

"After the soldiers of the Ninth Company were incorporated into the Seventh Company, how many of us were there?"

Wu Qianli had just finished feeding a wounded man with a missing arm. He nodded and asked.

"According to the statistics we just compiled, the merged Seventh Company will have 150 soldiers."

Mei Sheng thought for a moment and then said.

"Good, comrade 150, that's enough for us to do something big."

Wu Wanli thought for a moment, then smiled slightly.

"event?"

"Wanli, what are your thoughts?"

At this moment, Tan Ziwei's complexion improved slightly, and he asked curiously.

"According to military intelligence, isn't the 20th Corps going to ambush the British Royal Marines?"

"Why don't we ask them to release some of them?"

Wu Wanli thought for a moment and then said.

"Putting it here, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

"We were already under a lot of pressure when we blew up the Shuimen Bridge."

"If we get an additional British force to reinforce the bridge, won't we have to fight the British and American forces together?"

Yu Congrong scratched his head, somewhat puzzled, and said.

"My instructor once taught me a saying: 'Military affairs are an extension of politics.'"

"The 20th Army's encirclement and annihilation of the main British Royal Marines will certainly cause great dissatisfaction in Britain, which is an ally of the United States. This is a major diplomatic issue."

"The US military can explain this by saying that our 20th Army is too powerful and difficult to rescue."

"But if a small group of British troops comes out and gets surrounded by a single company of the Steel Seventh Company, the American troops will be unable to remedy the situation and will instead watch as the British troops are annihilated as a whole."

"That has a different political significance."

Wu Wanli smiled and said.

"If I'm not mistaken, Wanli intends to besiege the stronghold and ambush reinforcements!"

"Company Commander, Wanli's analysis is correct, and there is another advantageous condition he didn't mention."

"We just destroyed the Watergate Bridge twice, so the US military must be worried and dare not send out a large number of troops."

"In this situation, the difficulty of our encirclement and suppression of reinforcements will be greatly reduced."

Upon hearing this, Mei Sheng's eyes lit up instantly, and he said.

"From a tactical point of view, Wanli's plan is sound."

"But from the strategic objective of destroying the Watergate Bridge, isn't this kind of attack a bit off-target?"

"After all, we're not here to kill the enemy, but to blow up the bridge."

Wu Qianli thought for a moment and then said.

"No waste."

"Brother, we keep bombing, and the US military keeps building the bridge. This is too risky."

"What if they repair the Watergate Bridge and we can't blow it up?"

"Why not weaken the defenses of the Water Gate Bridge first, and then launch a full-scale attack to take it down!"

"Then let's carefully plant all the explosives, including the shells, and when the 1st Marine Division is almost here, we'll blow it to smithereens, right?"

Wu Wanli said.

According to my memories from my previous life, even if the Watergate Bridge were bombed three times, the US military would airlift steel bridge components to repair it.

It would be better to control the Watergate Bridge and then blow it up when the time comes.

"What if the US military sends reinforcements to attack?"

Lei Gong took a puff of his pipe and asked.

"That's great, the 20th Army is ready."

"If they send reinforcements to attack the Water Gate Bridge again, that will be another case of occupying the bridge and intercepting reinforcements!"

"The more manpower we eliminate now, the easier the final battle will be!"

Wu Wanli looked sharply at the falling snow outside and said.

Upon hearing this, everyone present looked at Wu Wanli, their hearts trembling.

Little did they know that Wu Wanli possessed memories and understanding of the events of the future.

In their eyes, Wu Wanli was someone who, despite rushing between various major battles, was able to analyze the overall situation of the entire campaign with extremely limited information.

Furthermore, the strategies were interconnected, with even diplomatic factors taken into account.

This is simply phenomenal military talent!

"Company Commander, I finally understand why the Army Commander gave the Steel Seventh Company the greatest autonomy."

"Wanli is practically a reincarnation of a military general..."

Mei Sheng looked at Wu Wanli and sighed earnestly.

"If only Wanli had joined the army earlier, hahaha..."

Looking into Wu Wanli's eyes, Tan Ziwei also felt admiration and appreciation for his talent, and smiled.

"That's right!"

"I'll be a good boy..."

"We're all from the same family. Wanli is much smarter than the company commander."

Yu Congrong looked at Wu Wanli with surprise and blurted out.

"Hey hey!"

"Old Yu! What did you just say?!"

Wu Qianli laughed in anger and kicked Yu Congrong twice while cursing.

But deep down, she still glanced at Wu Wanli with a hint of happiness.

It's like praising your son or other close relatives can make you happier than praising you personally.

"Hey, hey, stop kicking! Stop kicking!"

"Wanli, look at your brother! He's such a cheapskate!"

Yu Congrong crouched down, scurried away, and didn't forget to make a sarcastic remark.

"Hahahahahaha..."

Upon seeing this, the members of the Seventh Steel Company burst into laughter.

"Meisheng, send a telegram to the military headquarters."

"We'll have to see what the army commander says about the plan, since it concerns the overall situation."

After Wu Qianli got tired of chasing, he stopped and gave the order.

"Yes!"

Mei Sheng responded.

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

Chinese People's Volunteer Army, 27th Army Command
"Commander, a call from the Seventh Steel Company!"

The chief of staff, holding a telegram, said...

"The Seventh Steel Company?"

Is there any new development at the Water Gate Bridge?

Kong Jie asked.

"No, they have a battle plan."

"I'm a little unsure, so I'm leaving the decision to you."

The chief of staff handed the telegram to Kong Jie and said.

"Oh?"

"Are there any operational plans that even our Chief of Staff isn't sure about?"

Kong Jie took the telegram with a smile and joked.

"Commander, the 7th Steel Company has ordered the 20th Army to deliberately let a small group of British troops pass through, and then the 7th Steel Company will surround the British troops to draw the American troops from the Watergate Bridge to come to their rescue..."

The chief of staff explained.

"Surround the site for reinforcements?"

"Indeed, it can easily weaken the fighting strength of the defenders at Shuimen Bridge."

"Wait, weakening the fighting strength of the defenders at Shuimen Bridge... what are they trying to do?"

Kong Jie suddenly realized something, paused slightly, and asked.

"Commander, you've spoiled them rotten."

"They don't want to launch a surprise attack to blow up the bridge anymore; they want to take the Watergate Bridge directly!"

"By the way, it's the plan of that general you admire, Comrade Wu Wanli."

Chief of Staff Li said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"This kid, he's just like Old Li, so incredibly audacious..."

Kong Jie was also shocked and sighed.

"Commander, based on my understanding from so many battles..."

"If he were given a division in the future, I reckon..."

"Wu Wanli dares to attack Seoul!"

"If you didn't know, you'd think they were soldiers trained by Commander Li Yunlong!"

said the chief of staff.

“I really wouldn’t dare to do that in any other company.” “But I think we can give the Steel Seventh Company a try.”

"Moreover, they were not recruited from the Ninth Company, so their combat effectiveness should have been restored to some extent."

Kong Jie stood with his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth a few times, before finally speaking up in support.

"Commander, I admit the plan was good."

"But if the Seventh Steel Company fails and suffers heavy losses, and the Watergate Bridge is repaired, the 1st Marine Division can escape."

The chief of staff paused for a few seconds before speaking.

Do you remember the Huaihai Campaign?

"Six hundred thousand versus eight hundred thousand, how did we manage to eat that half-cooked rice?"

"It was only by concentrating superior forces to divide and encircle the Nationalist army that we won."

"It would be better for the Seventh Steel Company to encircle and attack reinforcements, divide and weaken them, then attack, seize the bridge, and blow it up than to directly launch a strong attack and blow up the bridge."

"Isn't the 20th Army still engaged in layered blocking, and the main force's encirclement and annihilation hasn't even begun yet?"

"Telegram to the 20th Army: During the encirclement and annihilation operation, let a small group of British troops escape."

"Let the Seventh Steel Company do their thing; I believe they won't lose."

Kong Jie pondered for a moment and then said.

"Ok."

Seeing Kong Jie's trusting expression, the chief of staff had no choice but to agree.

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

1st Marine Division Command
"Sir, a call from the Royal Marines!"

The chief of staff, holding the telegram, spoke to Smith.

"British reinforcements..."

"Where are they now, and how much longer?"

"I asked Smith."

"Sir, they have encountered layers of resistance from the Chinese army, and their progress is very slow."

"The British commander was afraid of being ambushed by the Chinese army, so he sent a telegram requesting to withdraw to Guturi."

"What do you think?"

The chief of staff sighed and asked.

"Fuck you!"

"Retreat back to the ancient land? How could they even think of that!"

"America's young men have shed so much blood on the front lines, and now they're going to cower and retreat?"

Smith said with a hint of anger.

"Sir, although our military strength has been severely depleted, the one or two thousand British reinforcements do not seem to be that important."

"Besides, Britain is an important ally of ours, and we also need to consider the diplomatic implications, so perhaps..."

The chief of staff thought for a moment and then offered his advice.

"Do you know how elite our men are, to have managed to hold out with this casualty ratio?"

"But they are still human beings; they cannot remain isolated and helpless forever; they need hope!"

"The reinforcements are not only a fresh force, but also the key to boosting the morale of our troops..."

"Moreover, the defenses at the Watergate Bridge are still too weak. It is our retreat route and needs more protection."

Smith sighed and explained.

"Water Gate Bridge..."

"Sir, according to the latest telegram from Watergate Bridge."

"The Chinese army organized a second bombing of the bridge, destroying a large area of ​​the bridge surface."

The chief of staff took out a second battle report that he had prepared beforehand and said.

"what?!"

How long will it take to repair?

Upon hearing this, Major General Smith frowned and quickly asked.

"It will only take half a day."

"But the Chinese army will not give up easily; they will definitely blow up the bridge again."

The chief of staff guessed.

"Don't worry, the Chinese army would have already set up an ambush if they wanted to. Why would they alert the enemy? It must be because they don't have enough troops."

"Strictly order them to speed up their reinforcements, leave some troops behind to strengthen the defense of the Water Gate Bridge, and then join our main force!"

Smith assessed the situation and gave the order.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the chief of staff immediately agreed.

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

The next night, in the Fushengli Valley

Upon receiving the urgent order, the British troops sped up, eager to quickly cross the valley and support the American forces.

Valley

"Hahaha……"

"Oh my god, the Chinese are still as stupid as they were in the Qing Dynasty!"

Venus glanced at the hillsides on both sides and burst into laughter.
"Sir, what are you laughing about?"

A U.S. Army captain asked, puzzled.

"I laugh at the Chinese commander's stupidity!"

"If I were commanding the Chinese army, I would definitely ambush an army here. What would that mean?"

Venus asked with a smug look on her face.

"Drip drip drip drip drip drip—"

Just as Venus finished speaking, a bugle call for the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to charge sounded.

"What?"

Venus's eyes widened, and she hurriedly hid in a panic.

In an instant, countless mortar shells landed on the British troops' positions, exploding into clouds of fire.

Countless gunfire burst forth in a dazzling display, instantly enveloping the British troops in a massive barrage of fire.

Large numbers of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers, in a three-man formation, launched wave after wave of attacks, charging toward the British troops.

The British troops quickly took cover behind tanks and opened fire, attempting to put up a last-ditch resistance.

Soon, a suicide squad of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, carrying bazookas, began to destroy the tanks one by one.

Not long after, the British army suffered a major defeat.

Only two platoons of British infantry, led by Major Venus, broke out and fled toward the Watergate Bridge.

However, the Seventh Steel Company was already prepared on the hillsides on both sides of their inevitable route.

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

ambush position
"Company commander, they're here!"

Pinghe looked at the British troops entering from below the mountain and said.

"Wait a minute."

"Once the British troops have fully entered, the artillery platoons will immediately open fire, bombard them, and then fire again!"

Wu Qianli thought for a moment and then said.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the Seventh Steel Company quickly agreed.

At this point, the British troops had no time to spare and charged straight into the valley, hoping to reach a relatively safe place as soon as possible.

down the hillside

"Sir, once we cross this canyon, we'll reach the Watergate Bridge!"

A British captain breathed a sigh of relief and offered a reminder.

"Okay!"

"Hahaha……"

Venus nodded in agreement, then looked at the hillsides on both sides and burst into laughter.

"Sir, why are you laughing again?"

A U.S. Army captain asked, his voice trembling with emotion.

"I laugh at the Chinese commander; after all, he's not smart enough!"

"If another army were to ambush us on these two hillsides, our British army would suffer heavy casualties, even if we were not completely wiped out!"

Venus pointed to the hillsides on both sides and smiled smugly.

"call out--"

"call out--"

In an instant, a volley of mortar shells ripped through the sky, accompanied by a sharp, tearing sound as they hurtled towards the densely packed British troops.

"Sir, lie down!"

The British captain quickly tackled Major Venus to the ground.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Shells exploded in the British ranks, and orange flames burst forth in an instant, taking the lives of more than twenty British soldiers.

"Da da da da da da..."

Intense and rapid gunfire erupted, and countless bullets rained down, suppressing the British troops so much that they couldn't even raise their heads.

"Shit!"

"Radio, quick! Telegraph Smith, tell him to send the nearest American troops to support us!"

Upon seeing this, Venus immediately gave a loud command.

(End of this chapter)