Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

With the US 3rd Division's voluntary withdrawal, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's counterattack officially ended.

The American troops, having been dealt a heavy blow, suddenly came to their senses and became more understanding.

In order to expedite the negotiations, the US negotiating team even proactively approached the Chinese and North Korean representatives, warmly expressing their willingness to make some concessions in accordance with the demands of China and North Korea.

Seeing the smiles on the faces of the US military representatives, the Chinese and North Korean representatives found it somewhat amusing.

Just two weeks ago, the US military was extremely tough, stating that if they wanted a ceasefire, they would have to comply with all of its conditions.

After being beaten up for half a month, their attitude changed 180 degrees, and now they are willing to negotiate anything.

The US military knew very well what the Chinese People's Volunteer Army's offensive over the past two weeks was for.

I am also well aware of the consequences if I continue to be stubborn.

With the US military taking the initiative to back down, the situation for peace talks can be described as very favorable.

Both sides have reached an agreement on almost all the terms, and the signing is imminent.

However, before Clark could even catch his breath, Li Chenglong stormed into the UN command headquarters with a furious expression.

Upon meeting, Li Chenglong stated bluntly, "I do not agree to sign the ceasefire agreement!"

Clark was stunned: "What? What did you say?"

Clark would rather doubt his ears than believe that Li Chenglong would say such a thing.

Li Chenglong said firmly, word by word: "I said, I do not agree to this peace talk!"

Seeing Clark's sudden change in expression, Li Chenglong continued, "I have already ordered the Southern Dynasty group members to formally withdraw from the ceasefire negotiations."

"How you negotiate with China and North Korea is none of my business. We will decide our own destiny!"

"I'm telling you, I'm going to fight my way to the Yalu River!"

"I want to unify Korea!"

"The Southern Dynasty army will absolutely not cease fighting until unification is achieved!"

Clark looked at Li Chenglong as if he were an idiot, wanting to crack open Li Chenglong's skull to see if it contained a brain or excrement.

Don't you know what kind of lousy Southern Army you are?
"Are you crazy?!"

"Do you know that in May, the Chinese army launched a series of battles ranging from company to regiment and even division level? There were 18 of these battles that involved attacks at the battalion level or above."

"Their objective is to concentrate their efforts on capturing the high ground along the front lines in order to change their tactics!"

"Next, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army will likely launch another large-scale offensive."

“I know.” Li Chenglong nodded with a relaxed expression.

"But the UN forces held them off, didn't they? For a full two weeks, the Chinese army only captured a few small positions."

Clark nearly coughed up a mouthful of blood.

You absolutely don't look at the casualty figures.

Clark no longer wanted to talk to Li Chenglong; he was a complete amateur who only knew about territory.

“Say what you will,” Clark shook his head and said, “This agreement is about to be reached, and it is not subject to anyone’s will.”

"You'll regret this!" Li Chenglong said, then turned and left without looking back.

Watching Li Chenglong's retreating figure, Clark shook his head helplessly.

Clark said he didn't care about the South Korean withdrawal from the negotiations.

He randomly selected a Thai general to replace the Southern Dynasty.

China and North Korea said they didn't care about this. Although the battle was nominally a battle between the North and South, in reality they could only sit on small stools next to the table and listen.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, and that both sides were beginning to measure the existing lines, and that a wonderful peace was about to arrive, Li Chenglong couldn't hold back any longer.

……

In mid-June, nearly 6 Union prisoners of war in the POW camp looked at the scene before them in disbelief.

The heavily guarded prisoner-of-war camp gates suddenly opened.

Not only was the door opened, but the guard who opened it also made a 'please' gesture before leaving.

Looking at the entrance, which had no guards, no dogs, and no machine guns, the nearby Union prisoners all looked at each other in bewilderment.

They couldn't understand what was going on.
If it's a ceasefire, then they should be sent back; if it's to be cleared out, then they should be machine-gunned down the walls.

However, no matter what the circumstances, this should not happen.

"What are the Southern Army up to? Are they trying to lure us out, then claim we're escaping so they can kill us on purpose?"

"Impossible! If these bastards wanted to kill us, they wouldn't make up any excuses."

"When they wanted to kill someone before, they just made up a lame excuse and did it."

"What's the reason for that?"

"I don't understand at all. Has anyone tried it?"

The Northern prisoners of war were abuzz with discussion as they looked at the wide-open gate.

After an unknown amount of time, a few Northern Army prisoners finally mustered up their courage and went out.

Watching the group easily cross the heavily guarded perimeter and quickly disappear from their sight, the Northern prisoners realized that the situation before them did not seem to be a trap after all.

The rest of the prisoners of war began to follow.

They walked faster and faster, and finally they all rushed out at once.

Nearly 30,000 Northern Army prisoners simply vanished in the Southern Dynasty.

Some of them were taken away by the waiting Southern Army and forcibly incorporated into the Southern Army forces, while others infiltrated the cities and villages of the Southern Dynasty. However, not many of them actually returned to the North.

They could easily leave the Southern Dynasty prisoner-of-war camp, but they couldn't possibly cross the heavily guarded battlefield where both sides were locked in a standoff.

The Confederate army's unauthorized handling of prisoners shocked the world.

No one could have imagined that someone would dare to openly cause trouble when the three major powers—China, the US, and the Soviet Union—had reached an agreement.

When Eisenhower learned of this, he was completely stunned.

He was very puzzled and confused.

The Korean War was on the verge of ending in peace, a peace that the whole world hoped for. What was Ri Seung-ryong up to?
Eisenhower's advisors spent an afternoon meeting to discuss his doubts, but they couldn't come to any conclusions.

The only thing they came to agree on was that Syngman Rhee's move would definitely have a significant impact on the armistice agreement.

World leaders have launched a barrage of criticism.

The British Prime Minister called Eisenhower directly and started by swearing.

"Is Li Chenglong mentally ill? Does he realize how dangerous his actions are?!" "I also think he's mentally unstable," Eisenhower said helplessly. "I just hope he doesn't anger China, otherwise, things might not end well."

The British Prime Minister angrily declared, "I don't care if this angers the Chinese army, this Li Chenglong must get out of the Southern Dynasty government!"

"I will think about it."

Eisenhower chuckled and offered some reassurance to Britain.

Li Chenglong was still very useful to the United States. Although Eisenhower wanted to kill him, he still had to keep him if possible.

However, Eisenhower was also afraid that Li Chenglong would cause him some trouble again, so he sent Li Chenglong a formal telegram.

Eisenhower stated that if Ri Seung-ryong continues to disobey the rules, the United States will have to find a new proxy in North Korea.

Just as Eisenhower was worried that Ri Seung-ryong's actions might affect China's attitude, the central government had already decided to postpone the signing and teach South Korea a lesson.

Since some people are still living in a dream, let's wake them up.

Upon receiving the order from his superiors, Chen Chengxing immediately convened a combat meeting.

"I thought we were about to sign, but then another guy popped up looking for trouble."

"Orders from above: another punitive operation will be launched, this time targeting the Southern Army."

"The location has been chosen to be Yincheng."

Yincheng is located east of Wufangling, extending from Tiehua in the west to the North Han River in the east.

Yinchengbei was a position held by the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, while Chengnan was a position held by the United Nations forces.

The garrison in this area was entirely composed of Southern troops, which perfectly aligned with the mission's objective.

If Powufangling was a prominent bulge on the Volunteer Army's defense line, then the southern mountainous area of ​​Yincheng was a prominent bulge on the UN forces' positions.

Compared to other directions, this is clearly where the greatest results can be achieved.

Ding Wei was overjoyed to hear that the 4th Army Corps was going to focus its main attack on Yincheng.

In the previous phase of the offensive, although the main focus of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army was on the American forces, Ding Wei also achieved considerable success in this area, capturing several important positions and opening up breakthroughs.

Moreover, judging from the troop deployment of the Fourth Army Corps, the Second Army Corps is currently confronting the US forces in the Pingkang Plain area, while the remaining three armies are in the middle position.

The best approach to dealing with the Southern army's salient is to advance from both sides and break through in the middle.

Sure enough, Chen Chengxing then introduced the battle plan.

"Based on factors such as terrain and troop strength, the operational plan for this offensive is 'frontal attack, flanking maneuver, and multi-pronged breakthrough'."

"The ultimate goal is to recapture all positions south of Yincheng and level the front line east of Wufangling."

Once the Yincheng front advances to the same level as Wufangling, the Wufangling protrusion will be gone, and the enemy will no longer have the opportunity to launch an attack on Wufangling.

Looking at the offensive map, Li Yunlong couldn't sit still any longer: "Old Chen, we understand the plan now. How many troops does the higher-ups intend to deploy this time? What is Army C's mission?"

"Look at you, always in such a hurry." Ding Wei, now completely composed, said, "When will you ever be able to calm down a bit?"

Li Yunlong was so angry he almost lost his nose.

"Of course you're not in a hurry! Looking at the map, Lao Kong and I are just helping you out, so why are you in such a rush?"

Chen Chengxing waved his hand: "Stop talking nonsense. The order from the headquarters is to give the Southern Army a lesson they will never forget, so you all have a chance this time."

"In this battle, the 21st and 22nd Detachments of the Second General Corps continued to defend Xiyue Ridge and Xima Mountain."

"Old Li, don't move the 9th Division in Wufangling. You are responsible for clearing out the enemy in Wufangling. I'm reinforcing you with the 23rd Detachment to form the Western Group, which will be responsible for attacking eastward."

"Old Ding, I'm reinforcing you with the 24th Detachment. You'll be in the central group, responsible for the frontal attack; Old Kong, you'll be in the eastern group, responsible for the westward attack."

"In addition, the headquarters also transferred three divisions, plus 10 artillery regiments, 28 artillery battalions, and one tank regiment from the general reserve to reinforce the Yincheng direction, but they will not be back for a few days."

"At that time, each of your three groups will be given a reserve division, and artillery and tanks will be allocated according to the actual situation."

Ignoring the smiling group, Chen Chengxing continued, "However, we have one more thing to do before they arrive."

Chen Chengxing pointed to several places on the map in turn.

"These key positions within the enemy's first defensive zone—Hill 883, Hill 949, Zuozidong South Mountain, and Yanshan—must be captured in advance."

Seeing Chen Chengxing point out two commanding heights on the east and west sides of the North Han River, Ding Wei and Kong Jie immediately understood.

In the vicinity of Yincheng, the Southern Army was mainly defended by the Southern Capital Division, the Southern 3rd Division, the Southern 5th Division, the Southern 6th Division, and the Southern 8th Division.

The Confederate army constructed tunnel fortifications and numerous exposed and concealed firing positions on the front lines, and connected all the bunker groups together with trenches, forming a ring-shaped defensive system.

The positions that Chen Chengxing pointed out together formed a horizontal defensive line running east to west.

This time they had so many cannons, and the reverse slope of the horizontal mountain ridge was the most difficult place to conquer.

They weren't worried at all about whether they could wipe out the enemy's several divisions in one fell swoop; their only concern was whether the enemy would escape before they could be encircled.

Therefore, securing advantageous terrain before launching a formal attack is essential to creating conditions for the next encirclement.

Before that, the purpose of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army must not be exposed.

In other words, Li Yunlong could only sit there and watch in the early stages.

This really upset Li Yunlong.

But that's how it is; no matter how uncomfortable he is, there's nothing he can do. He can only wait until Ding Wei and Kong Jie are ready before it's his turn.

Ding Wei nodded and said, "I will attack the south mountain of Zuozidong and Yanshan west of the North Han River, and Lao Kong will attack the 883 and 949 hills east of the North Han River. There will definitely be no problem."

"We must not only fight, but also defend, and we cannot expose all our forces," Chen Chengxing instructed.

"Don't worry about that," Kong Jie said.

"After the first phase of the counterattack, the military quality of our soldiers has been significantly improved, their morale is higher, they have gained experience in attacking battalion and regimental positions, and they have also conducted reconnaissance on the depth of the South Army's defenses."

"Taking and holding the position is definitely not a problem."

Chen Chengxing nodded: "I'm confident about that."

"When the decisive battle comes, the East and West groups will break through fiercely, and the enemy will have nowhere to escape!"

In the Battle of Yincheng, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army not only had more than twice the number of troops as the South Korean army, but also twice the firepower.

Chen Chengxing had 999 cannons of 75mm or larger in his possession. If the battalion and company cannons of each unit were included, the total number of cannons exceeded 1500.

For this battle, the Shiji alone stockpiled more than 50 artillery shells.

In order to transport artillery, shells and combat supplies to the front line, Chen Chengxing mobilized 8 infantry battalions and 11 infantry regiments to repair roads and bridges, and also mobilized more than 3,000 trucks to transport supplies day and night.

With such troop strength and firepower, Chen Chengxing said without exaggeration that the outcome was already predetermined before the battle even began.

The only question now is how much flesh can be cut off from the 9 Southern troops in the Yincheng area.

(End of this chapter)