Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 563 Entering the Court (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"Old Chen, orders from above: my unit must immediately relocate to Shenyang."

Chen Chengxing glanced at the order: "It seems the situation in North Korea is not optimistic."

"How did you figure that out? The latest newspapers say the Northern Army is making gradual advances in Busan, aren't they?"

Chen Chengxing shook his head: "It's not that simple. The Northern Army's advance is slowing down."

"In other words, the US military has begun to gradually adapt to the pace, and the Union army has lost the opportunity to drive the Allied forces into the sea."

"Once the US military is free to launch a amphibious landing operation, the Union army will inevitably collapse."

Despite the initial disastrous performance of the United States, for a massive industrial nation, it was merely a stumble, causing minimal damage.

Looking back, the United States could have overwhelmed the Union army with sheer numbers of artillery shells.

"Amphibious landing operation? Where?"

“The most likely location is Incheon,” Chen Chengxing said, pointing to a simple map of North Korea on the table.

"If the U.S. military lands here, the Union army will be effectively cut off from its retreat."

"Even if the landing fails, I estimate that the United States will still deploy airborne troops."

"The Americans have lost face so badly this time, they won't rest until they get their revenge."

"Hiss. If their retreat is cut off, these 100,000 troops will probably be wiped out." Luo Ping gasped.

"Should we report this immediately?"

"I can see it, but the General Staff can't?" Chen Chengxing shook his head: "I just don't know if the Northern Court will accept the suggestion."

However, historically speaking, they probably did not accept it.

"Let's take care of ourselves first," Chen Chengxing said, standing up.

"Where are you going?" Luo Ping asked, puzzled by Chen Chengxing's actions.

"I'm going to get some supplies," Chen Chengxing said.

"If we were to go to Korea to fight, we would definitely not have air superiority, and since it would be fighting abroad, resupply would be a major problem."

Speaking of supplies, Chen Chengxing suddenly remembered: "Oh right, I met with Lao Kong a while ago, and we talked about how the Northeast Field Army captured hundreds of thousands of cotton-padded coats in the Beijing-Tianjin area."

"This is very important. Like the Northeast, North Korea has very cold winters, so we must ensure that we keep warm."

"Old Luo, immediately send a telegram to the higher-ups in the name of the headquarters. We'll stop in the Pingjin area for a bit, collect our cotton-padded coats, and then head to Shenyang."

“We can get it when we get to Shenyang, there’s no need to rush,” Luo Ping said, somewhat puzzled.

Once you arrive in Northeast China, if the weather is cold, your superiors will definitely issue cotton-padded clothes, which will only take a day or two.

"What if we need to rush to the capital? It's better to do things in advance than to be caught off guard," Chen Chengxing affirmed.

The military's logistics are not a big problem right now, but that's within the country. If we go abroad, everything will be different.

Once they reach North Korea, the supply lines will be severely affected by the US Air Force's attacks, and even if supplies are available, they may not be able to get through.

Moreover, at that time, ammunition and food will definitely be the most important items to be transported, and cotton clothing will be almost the least important item.

"In addition, we should suggest to our superiors that all the cotton-padded clothes be transferred to a warehouse near the train station," Chen Chengxing added.

"In this way, if any other troops need to enter North Korea urgently, they can stop briefly and then directly pick up a batch for their own use."

Luo Ping nodded: "Okay, I will report your suggestion as well."

For the next two days, Chen Chengxing worked almost non-stop, either at one factory requesting supplies or on his way to another.

In the evening, Chen Chengxing returned home looking somewhat tired.

"I think you're just bored." Looking at the travel-worn Chen Chengxing, Wen Ying was speechless: "Even if we really go to war, won't the logistics support be provided for you?"

"It's always good to be more prepared." Chen Chengxing washed his face.

"The soldiers' good days are just around the corner, and it would be good to bring back even one more."

"Do you still want the equipment from your arsenal?" Wen Ying asked. "There's still a batch that hasn't been shipped out yet. If you want it, hurry up and submit a report."

"You don't need to tell me that. I've already submitted the report, and it should be approved tomorrow."

"But you should still be careful at the factory, since it's not convenient to have your belly."

"With Chunhua helping me, you can rest assured."

"Hmm." Chen Chengxing nodded without saying anything more.

The next day, Chen Chengxing returned to the military camp early in the morning; today was the day the troops were to depart.

"Commander-in-Chief, Political Commissar, the soldiers are already boarding the vehicles as planned," Xu Wu reported as he ran over.

Xu Wu has been officially promoted to Chief of the Second General Staff, and Li Chishui is now acting as the commander of the 21st Detachment.

"Hurry up." Chen Chengxing nodded: "The comrades from the arsenal will send over a batch of weapons and ammunition in a little while. Load them onto the trucks first, and then distribute them when we get to Shenyang."

With so many people and equipment, it's impossible to transport them all at once. According to the initial plan, the transportation will be carried out in three to four waves.

"yes!".
Now that they were in China and there was no danger, Chen Chengxing naturally became a hands-off manager, leaving all the miscellaneous tasks to Xu Wu.

Around noon, after completing all the preparations, the first wave of troops set off with a clatter.

On August 27th, the soldiers who were still en route were furious when they read the newspaper.

Inside the command vehicle, everyone was filled with righteous indignation.

"These damn bastards are actually bombing civilians!"

"Damn Americans, just you wait! Once we get into North Korea, we'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

"Alright, stop shouting!" Chen Chengxing slammed his hand on the table. "Can you kill the American devils by cursing them?"

"Once we get to North Korea, we'll slaughter them!"

"Don't worry, Commander! The soldiers are probably itching to get back to work. They'll teach those Americans a lesson when we get to Korea!"

During a break, the soldiers crowded around to ask if the news in the newspaper was true.

After receiving an affirmative answer, everyone's eyes turned red with anger.

The People's Republic of China has been established for almost a year, and the people have finally started to enjoy a better life. What do you Americans mean by coming to bomb us at this time?!

The soldiers, burning with pent-up anger, didn't rest. As soon as the train was refueled with coal and water, they boarded immediately and demanded to depart.

On September 15, the US military suddenly landed at Incheon.

Just as Chen Chengxing had predicted, the unprepared Northern Army collapsed instantly.

After being suppressed for three months, the Allied forces began to use their speed advantage to pursue and kill the Northern army.

As the coalition forces moved further north, China issued several warnings to the US military in late September and early October, strictly prohibiting them from crossing the 38th parallel.

However, the Allied forces, who were being beaten down in Busan just a month ago, have now miraculously regained their confidence.

After the Inchon landing, General MacArthur, the commander of the Allied forces, became arrogant and believed that China had missed the best opportunity to send troops and was now just talking big.

On October 7, the U.S. military brazenly crossed the 10th parallel and began its advance into northern Korea.

After officially crossing the 38th parallel, a huge temptation suddenly appeared before the Allied forces.

Who will be the first to capture Pyongyang?
This can be considered the greatest contribution of the entire war.

The first unit to enter Pyongyang will definitely be written into history.

Faced with such a huge temptation, and with the Northern army already powerless to resist, fighting immediately ceased to be the focus of everyone's attention.

At this moment, everyone is busy with one thing: vying for credit.

The 1st Division of the South was the fastest among them.

The South 1st Division, which was marching at full speed, actually caught up with the American troops who had set off earlier and were marching by motor at the Taedong River east of Pyongyang.

Then, taking advantage of the opportunity when the US military built a pontoon bridge, the South 1st Division directly waded across the river and became the first to enter Pyongyang.

This extraordinary speed left the US military commanders dumbfounded. Meanwhile, MacArthur was busy showing off his maneuvers.

Various airborne and amphibious operations were launched in turn.

No one knows the outcome, but the newspaper only had one big word: 'Win'.

Second General Headquarters.

All the commanders at all levels of the Second General Headquarters are here.

"Comrades, the commander has made the decision: to send troops to Korea!"

A Soviet air division had already entered the northeastern region in August, but Stalin insisted that the Soviet air force was not ready and would not participate in the war for at least two months.

Even though the Soviet air force was unable to deploy, the commanders still decided that the Chinese People's Volunteer Army would enter Korea to participate in the war.

"I know that some people don't understand and want to close the door and live their own little lives."

"But I want to tell you that sending troops to aid Korea is absolutely necessary!"

"Otherwise, if the United States occupies the whole of Korea, we will not be able to live a good life!"

"What if the Americans stationed their troops on the banks of the Yalu River, right on our doorstep?"

“If we ignore the North Korean issue, the US will inevitably take advantage of us.”

"The next step is to follow the old path of the Japanese invasion, and even be more aggressive than the Japanese!"

"If you ask me, it's better to fight sooner rather than later."

"Even if we destroy it, it's just like the War of Liberation was won a few years later."

"China has plenty of mountains; we can go up the mountains and fight again!"

"As for the atomic bomb that the Americans are talking about, I don't think it's anything special."

"He has his atomic bomb, we have our hand grenades; he uses atomic bombs, we use hand grenades."

"You think you can subdue China with just one atomic bomb? Do you agree?"

"You're just dreaming!"

"wishful thinking!"

"We absolutely disagree!"
Everyone at the meeting shouted at the top of their lungs.

From the War of Resistance Against Japan to the War of Liberation, no matter how difficult the times were, everyone tried every possible means, but never thought of surrendering.

"That's right! Don't even think about it!" Chen Chengxing waved his arms forcefully.

"Our deployment of troops to Korea is to prevent the Americans from making their wishful thinking."

"As the commander once said: 'A single punch can prevent a hundred more!'"

"Resisting America and aiding Korea is to protect our homeland!"

After some mobilization, the morale of the Second General Manager has been fully mobilized.

The main force began its final preparations.

After the meeting, Chen Chengxing asked, "Xu Wu, is the engineering regiment ready?"

"We are ready and can set up the pontoon bridge at any time."

“Very good!” Chen Chengxing nodded: “The map of North Korea must be confirmed, and it would be best to walk around there in person.”

"The special forces team has been reconnaissance along the established route. The map does indeed have many errors, and the specific route has been modified."

The map of Korea in the hands of the Second General Staff was obtained by the Fourth Field Army from the Japanese. Over the past few years, the details of the map have changed.

Therefore, the special operations team scouted the enemy's situation while reporting the real-time situation.

"Security measures must be in place, especially by the logistics department."

"Our current air defense capabilities consist only of 12.7mm heavy machine guns, which are insufficient to threaten high-altitude targets. If the US military bombs us, we will have virtually no chance to retaliate."

The Chinese People's Volunteer Army mobilized some anti-aircraft guns to form an air defense regiment, but this was directly under the command of the Volunteer Army Headquarters and was mainly used to protect key positions and for logistical transportation.

These frontline troops, who are constantly moving around, have to find their own solutions.

“Keeping it a secret is easy,” Xu Wu scratched his head. “But the logistics troops have a lot of supplies, and with the current transport capacity, it’s not easy for them to transport them.”

All of North Korea's roads were within the bombing range of the US Air Force, and the Second General Staff's trucks were insufficient, making it difficult to transport all the supplies that Chen Chengxing had procured from various places.

"An extra portion of compressed rations and ammunition was distributed to each company for soldiers to carry on their backs, and all the trucks from the armored battalion were reassigned to the logistics department to transport supplies."

Xu Wu immediately said, "Then the armored battalion doesn't have many vehicles left."

"Do you know what level of equipment the United States has?" Chen Chengxing asked.

“Our armored battalion can fight against the Kuomintang army, but against the firepower of the US military, they are sitting ducks.”

"It can't be that bad, can it?" Xu Wu was a little skeptical: "We've fought against the elite Nationalist troops equipped entirely with American weapons before, and they were just so-so."

"The fully equipped troops and the U.S. military are two different species," Chen Chengxing said.

"The equipment that the Kuomintang army has is basically outdated by the US military, and it is not even in the same league as the current equipment of the US military."

"Besides, the Americans are rolling in money. When we get to North Korea, shouldn't we try to get some good stuff from them?"

“Alright.” Xu Wu nodded: “However, the weight allocated to each soldier might reach 35 to 40 kilograms, far exceeding the normal 20 kilograms.”

"I believe the soldiers can do it," Chen Chengxing said with certainty.

North Korea is mountainous, so its unique terrain allows it to be used to its fullest potential. Carrying a little extra weight won't necessarily slow down the march.

Moreover, Chen Chengxing was well aware of the difficulties in logistics and transportation in the early stages, and these overweight materials would probably be used up in no time.

The Second General Staff will still face a shortage of supplies at that time.

"Yes!"

While MacArthur was busy showing off his skills, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army secretly entered Korea.

Once the order to enter North Korea was issued, the Second General Engineering Corps immediately used the pre-prepared components to build four pontoon bridges.

The Second General entered North Korea under cover of night at top speed.

After entering North Korea, as he went deeper into the country, Chen Chengxing discovered that the situation was not quite what he had expected.

During this period, the coalition forces have become increasingly unrestrained, with all troops advancing recklessly.

Along the way, the Northern Army that Erzong encountered were all in a sorry state, and there were hardly any uninjured soldiers.

"Xu Wu, send a telegram to Wei Dayong, tell him to capture a few prisoners and find out where the enemy is now."

"Yes!"

To increase speed, Chen Chengxing led the headquarters and the 21st Detachment to the front of the formation, advancing in a triangle with the 22nd and 23rd Detachments.

As for the 24th Detachment, it served as a reserve force, covering the logistics and artillery support teams as they followed at the rear.

Soon, the special forces team sent back intelligence.

"According to intelligence, the three South Army divisions are currently leading the way, followed by one US Army division and another South Army division."

Looking at the markings on the map, Luo Ping stroked his chin: "Tsk, why do I think they look a bit like the Japanese and their puppet troops? The Japanese always send their puppet troops ahead to scout the way."

“If we only consider their nature, the Southern Army can also be considered a puppet army,” Chen Chengxing said. “However, this time they ran in the lead, I guess they wanted to steal the credit.”

"Xu Wu, send a telegram to the boss and request instructions."

"This is a great opportunity to annihilate the enemy in a mobile manner."

"Yes!"

The general manager, who had just set up the radio, was waiting for Chen Chengxing. After receiving the telegram from the second general manager, he quickly sent out the order.

(End of this chapter)