A courtyard house; Li Yunlong, a subordinate of the deputy director of Harbin Military Engineering I

After seeing off the group of wounded soldiers being transferred back to China, he stood on the hillside watching the convoy disappear around the corner of the road, raising dust as it went, and remained silent for a long time.

Brigade Commander Chen walked over and stood next to him, but didn't rush to speak. The two of them stood side by side and looked at each other for a while.

After a moment, Brigade Commander Chen patted Zhang Renfeng on the shoulder, his tone more serious than usual:

"That's fine. 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand; generals are used to death.' What about you?"

Even now, you are still so sentimental. No wonder the young soldiers are proud to become you and follow in your footsteps, and are willing to die for you.

It's rare to find someone with such a bad temper who can still retain such warmth!

Zhang Renfeng waved his hand, rubbed his face, and composed himself, adopting a serious expression: "The war isn't over yet. Tell me, you came all this way in such a hurry, you can't just be a postman, can you? You delivered letters, calligraphy, and appointment letters—you've done it all, what am I supposed to give in return?"

Commander Chen dropped his joking demeanor, pulled out another document from his inner coat pocket, which bore the red seals of the Central Military Commission and the Volunteer Army Headquarters, and was sealed with wax.

"The Central Military Commission has decided that you will be in charge of the construction of the entire tunnel system to prepare for the breakdown of negotiations. Because you know what those people on the other side are like, Ridgway and Van Fleet, they're just a bunch of scoundrels who call for a halt when they can't win, and then start fighting again after they stop, it never ends."

If you build the tunnel system, we'll have the confidence to hold out against them until they can't hold on any longer.

He handed the document to Zhang Renfeng, "I came to North Korea this time with a mission. Your suggestion from a year ago received unanimous approval from the Military Commission. In particular, your father-in-law stole the show at the meeting, speaking eloquently, which shows he did a lot of research."

As the acting chief of staff, he really put in a lot of effort! Oh my, after the higher-ups agreed, his smile stretched to the heavens.

This time, you are the one everyone wants. Whether it's your mentor or your superior, everyone strongly advocates that you, the demolition master, should take the lead in this matter.

He paused, watching Zhang Renfeng unfold the document and his gaze fall on the words "Commander-in-Chief of the Engineering Corps of the Entire Army," then added,

"As for me, I am the deputy commander of the Volunteer Army Headquarters, and my time here probably won't be too long. Right now, you have the authority to command the 12th Army, the 15th Army, the 38th Army, the 42nd Army, the Independent Army, plus the Commander-in-Chief of the All-Army Engineer Corps. All of this together is close to 400,000 troops."

In ancient times, this would have been considered a million-strong army, right?

This is a heavy responsibility. I'm going to a meeting at the Volunteer Army Headquarters tomorrow; it's time to show off the best of our Zhang-Chen Corps' capabilities.

Zhang Renfeng put the documents away. "They suffered such a huge loss this time, and haven't made any big moves for months. All they've sent out are damn puppet troops."

We've made it clear internationally that the 3rd Army Corps that wiped out their 25th Infantry Division was on the central front, and it was under your command, Old Chen. Your arrival has simply confirmed the international rumors.

Upon hearing this, Commander Chen's smile returned, and he put his hand on his hip: "That's right! You have no idea, during my few months in Beiping, I received four or five groups of foreign guests. The Russians sent a marshal who spent an entire afternoon chatting with me, asking me how I achieved that effect with light rocket artillery."

I gave him a whole explanation, oh my god...

The old Russian nodded repeatedly, and before leaving, he shook my hand and said, "Comrade Chen is truly a renowned general of our time." I feigned modesty, but inside I was incredibly pleased. This time, I've really stolen the show! Work hard, and I'll find you a wife someday... Hahaha!!

"But then again,"

Seeing his smug expression, Zhang Renfeng couldn't help but tease him.

"Don't think the Engineer Command was set up for nothing. With Qin Jiwei's engineer division as its core, they're currently deployed in the northern mountains. They haven't been idle these past few months, collecting all the unexploded aerial bombs and landmines scattered around by the American forces."

Those high-explosive charges, once dismantled, are treasures. Everyone says Chiang Kai-shek is the transport captain, but I say, this Van Fleet is the real captain.

Sending bombs to the front lines, half of them failed to detonate, and many were timed. Is this all the mediocre skill they've got? Now look what's happened, they've all benefited us. Last month, Li Yunlong reported to me that they'd received over 500 aerial bombs weighing more than 500 kilograms each…

Upon hearing this, Brigade Commander Chen's eyes lit up, and he slapped Zhang Renfeng on the shoulder: "Not bad! You executed it very well indeed. You've already shown nine-tenths of my abilities!"

He smiled slightly, initially trying to maintain his composure, but he couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter:

"You have no idea! The corps commander and I have now become renowned generals at home and abroad, and our historical status has risen dramatically! Intelligence agencies all over the world are analyzing my tactical thinking and command style. West Point Military Academy even reportedly held a special seminar entitled 'A Study of Chen's Tactics'."

Damn it, my classmates from Whampoa Military Academy in the US and Hong Kong are really something else. They directly catered to the intelligence agencies and portrayed me as some kind of pervert.

What?! All four beauties of the Republic of China were my playthings! And they even said I had affairs with Song... said I used to ride wildly down the Huangpu River and make a fortune in the stock market... Tell me, these classmates are really despicable! They'll do anything for US dollars...

I got a real beating from Comrade Xiao Fu. My leg is a bit better, but my back is killing me. But all things considered, it felt so good! Hahaha..."

He laughed so hard he bent over, his cane thumping on the ground several times before he steadied himself by holding onto Zhang Renfeng's shoulder.

Zhang Renfeng shook his head helplessly at his pathetic state.

He knew in his heart that it was necessary to create a public image, and that when the situation was right in the future, he would announce that the actual commander was Deputy Commander Zhang Renfeng. That would be another huge reversal – this is the most understated awesomeness in Chinese civilization.

But he didn't expose it, only saying calmly, "Alright, alright, have you laughed enough? If you've laughed enough, go back to command post."

Brigade Commander Chen straightened up, wiping away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes: "Alright, alright, let's go. I have a meeting at the Volunteer Army Headquarters in the next few days, I'll go first. You need to go after you've settled things here. The Corps Commander specifically asked you to go and explain the technical points of tunnel operations to the deputy commanders..."

The two walked back side by side.

After taking a few steps, Brigade Commander Chen started rambling again, "Oh, right, I also brought a batch of engineering equipment with me this time, all of which Zhang Wanhe managed to get from China. Seamless steel pipes, waterproof tarpaulins, small air compressors, and a batch of captured American engineering tools. He said that if you need anything at the front, just send a telegram to the logistics department, and Zhang Wanhe will make sure to find it for you, his little brother, even if he has to turn the warehouse upside down."

"Well, that's really great! You're practically our little brother from the Taihang Mountains, a renowned young general. With a tough guy like you, we can stop using the old man-wearing tactic..."

He was only halfway through his sentence when a series of sporadic explosions came from afar, the sound not close, seemingly coming from a mountaintop several kilometers away...

Commander Chen listened for two seconds, then glanced back at Zhang Renfeng, who didn't stop walking: "Don't listen, it's the 38th Army conducting a tunnel excavation exercise, firing artillery at three o'clock every afternoon. You know Liang Daya, he makes a big fuss about everything he does, it's like celebrating the New Year."

He's very studious. I used directional blasting and underground tunneling; the speed was beyond your imagination. In the future, when we also have our own powerful national weapons, we can hide them in the mountains...

After listening, Brigade Commander Chen couldn't help but burst out laughing: "It has to be you! You can curse without using any swear words. Only someone like you, Zhang Baomo or Luo Baobing, can keep Liang Daya's temper in check."

Zhang Renfeng dusted off his hands. "Just dig the tunnel according to my standards. If he digs it crookedly, I won't give him waterproof tarpaulin; I'll make him squat in a water pit and direct the work."

Zhang Renfeng knew in his heart that if this tunnel system was completed, the defense line in the middle of the 38th parallel could be transformed into an underground Great Wall.

When the US military wants to advance even an inch further, they'll have to consider whether they can break through the steel and concrete structure inside the mountain.

Zhang Renfeng briefly explained his plan.

"My plan is to first dig three main tunnels in the 15th Army's defense zone, each about one kilometer long, and then extend branch tunnels to both sides to connect the various positions."

The engineering command has already conducted geological surveys. The mountain is made of granite, but that's not a problem. We can use directional blasting and point-to-point blasting to carry out the tunneling.

There are also the tunnels of the 12th Army and the Independent Army. My plan is to build them up step by step... then the 38th Army, the 42nd Army... While defending, we can also let the enemy in and divide them up. We'll lay large amounts of napalm in the basin... and set up fixed rocket launchers on the reverse slope... Extended-range missiles can hit targets 15 kilometers away. With the 107mm missiles placed inside the tunnels, even the air force won't be able to handle them...

According to the arrangements made by the Northeast Heavy Industry Bureau and my father-in-law, considering the production speed of the 107mm rockets and the deployment cycle of the Katyusha rockets, a massive strategic counterattack could be launched in the Wusheng Mountain area along the central front by early next year...

In other words, from now on, we need to start a protracted tug-of-war across the board, making them realize that this kind of prolonged attrition is unsustainable for our volunteer army. We need you, Lao Chen, to use intelligence to create momentum internationally and withstand the pressure for me for nearly a year.

Through a year of repeated back-and-forth fighting, each army unit was deployed to the front lines in shifts, at the company level, to adapt to tunnel life and combat, and to suppress the morale of the soldiers...

Then wait until the time is right!! Wait until Van Fleet feels we can't withstand the attrition and commits his elite troops to seize the position...

At that time, it will be a true underground Great Wall, where we will hide thousands of troops and horses. What can the American planes and cannons do to us?

Once the counterattack begins, 100,000 rocket launchers and hundreds of Katyusha rocket launchers will let them feel the fear of being under full firepower!

After the barrage ends, the soldiers of my Third Army Corps, hidden underground, will surge forth like a tidal wave to charge, divide and encircle the enemy. At that moment, the soldiers will surely transform into the strongest light infantry in the universe!

A single battle that truly decided the fate of the world!

Regarding the tunnels, the most important issues are ventilation and protection against toxic substances... but the most crucial is water retention... While waterproof tar paper has an odor, it shouldn't be a problem due to water supply issues...

Brigade Commander Chen was deeply moved upon hearing this. He then personally visited the 15th Army's defensive positions along the 38th parallel. After seeing them, he exclaimed, "Holy crap! With this scale, it's a good thing I'm not an attacking force. If only this could actually be achieved..."

On the way back, Old Chen began writing furiously again...

Today, Feng and I went to the rear to check on the wounded. Seeing the hardships the soldiers endured and Feng's benevolence, I am far inferior to him! When we talked about the upcoming battles, Feng always considered things in advance. This thoughtful and capable man makes me feel that the upcoming battles may create another miracle. The feeling of winning without lifting a finger is just too good.

Zhang Baobo and Van Fleet are locked in a fierce battle, it's truly something to look forward to! I'm in excellent form today, if only Comrade Xiao Fu were here, I'd definitely have to compete with her! If Xiao Fu were here, I think I, Chen, would be able to climb mountains as easily as walking on flat ground!!

(Thanks to users 5112021, Lu Rong Ye Xing He, Bi Yu Xi Qing Kong, etc. for their donations, an extra 10,000 words will be added. The Korean War is about to end, and the male protagonist will become the commander-in-chief of the National Day military parade next.....)