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

In early April, the Third Army Corps Headquarters crossed the Yalu River with the 15th Army and arrived at the first temporary transit point for crossing the river.

Due to the 24-hour air raids by the US military, Sinuiju was not suitable for stationing troops. The headquarters of the corps was located in the mountain tunnel complex in Songtingting Village, north of Sinuiju City. It was situated in the mountains three kilometers north of Sinuiju Railway Station, with dense trees and solid mountains. It was a converted air-raid shelter left by the Japanese army before the war, and had a strong concealment.

It is equipped with communication tunnels, combat command tunnels, and logistics supply tunnels. The perimeter is guarded by a corps guard battalion. All intersections are camouflaged, lit at night, and silent during the day.

Li Yunlong's troops were stationed in the ruins of Yongsan Cave on the west side of Sinuiju, the 12th Army was in the valley on the east side of Songjeong-ri as the unit closest to the headquarters, and the 15th Army was in the air-raid shelter trenches along the South Suburb Railway.

The purpose of staying here overnight was to destroy domestic documents, change into the standard armbands of the Korean People's Army, adjust the uniforms, and replenish supplies. The military rations mainly consisted of fried noodles.

That evening, after a brief conversation with Political Department Director Zhao Gang, Chief of Staff, and the Corps' directly subordinate organs to distribute tasks, Zhang Renfeng asked Zhao Gang to accompany him for a walk in the air-raid shelter.

"Gangzi, there's something I'm still a little worried about," Zhang Renfeng said casually as he walked ahead.

Zhao Gang is now full of energy and spirit. As the director of the political department, his tasks are by no means light. He asked:

"Commander, please speak freely. Old Zhao will tell you everything he knows!"

Zhang Renfeng said, "Next, we will be the main force of the fifth campaign. Li Yunlong, that guy, is always distracted after he goes to the battlefield and likes to come up with some new tricks."

This is a large-scale military operation! This beast hasn't commanded an army since he was wounded, he's bound to become arrogant!

According to my strategy, as long as he executes it, he can achieve results. The problem is that this guy has too many ideas. So…”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang replied without hesitation, "Commander, I understand! I'll go down and supervise personally."

Zhang Renfeng smiled and said, "I don't mean for you to restrict him, just make sure he doesn't make any big mistakes. But the corps commander said that discipline must be strict during major battles, but outside of major battles, special forces can operate everywhere, that's fine. Go ahead, they're in the ruins of Yongsan Cave on the west side of Sinuiju."

"yes!"

No sooner had Zhao Gang left than a tall figure approached from afar, then greeted him with a hearty laugh:

"Zhang the Demolition Expert! Captain Zhang! Oh dear, I asked around the military station before I found out you were here."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhang Renfeng was somewhat surprised: "Big Hong, no, I should say Commander Hong."

The two tall men, both over 1.8 meters tall, were hugging each other, but they were still three centimeters shorter than Zhang Renfeng, who was also a big man.

"Hey, what commander or not, aren't you a commander too?" Big Hong said with a smile, then looked Zhang Renfeng up and down, the smile on his lips never fading.

Hong Da Ge Zi was from the Fourth Front Army. In 1936, he served as the director of the Political Department of the Fourth Red Army. He did not participate in the Western Expedition and stayed in Hedong to work.

Zhang Renfeng got to know him back when they were at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University. They were students in the third class of the university, and were required to systematically study military and political theories.

Brigade Commander Chen was the captain of the first team of the first battalion in the first phase, while Zhang Renfeng was the captain of the first team of the second battalion in the third phase. Back then, they had the advantage of being first to arrive. After all, in 37, Hong Da Gezi was at the level of director of the army political department, while Zhang Renfeng was a deputy division commander.

So, this guy calls Zhang Renfeng "Captain" as soon as he sees him, which shows he's a very sentimental person.

Later, this guy stayed at the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University to teach, and only later did he go to the base area to lead troops.

Old Hong was a rather honest and kind man. He took two steps back and sized him up: "When we graduated, you were only eighteen, right? Now you're here with me!"

He gestured with his chin, "So you grew a little taller afterward? Wow, eating with Chen is pretty good."

Zhang Renfeng smiled slyly: "Old Hong, everyone says you're taller than Luo Changzi, so let's compare and see who's taller."

Old Hong was clearly thinking that Zhang Renfeng, whom he hadn't seen for many years, was still as despicable as ever. He paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Isn't that a bit childish?"

Zhang Renfeng stepped forward, smiling, and said, "If you're shorter than me, make me a little more fried noodles..."

Old Hong was speechless: "We can only supply food for seven days now. And when I came north from the headquarters to Xinyizhou, I saw your Third Army Corps was strong and well-equipped. I was puzzled. I saw many soldiers carrying a shell, all acting mysteriously. I didn't take it, just touched it, and I got scolded by your Commander Li Yunlong!"

Zhang Renfeng ignored him. The ground wasn't very flat to begin with, and since he was standing on higher ground, plus on tiptoe, he slashed with his hand:

"Damn, looks like I'm the tallest guy in the whole army."

He said that, but he was actually overjoyed inside.

Hong Da Ge Zi was an honest man. Back in the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University, Brigade Commander Chen always found ways to freeload his meals. Eventually, Hong Da Ge Zi would avoid Chen whenever he saw him.

Today, I'm merely following in Old Chen's glorious tradition, making only slight modifications.

"Alright, you logistics commander, allocate me an extra three days' worth of rations for one battalion."

There's no other way; supplies must be available before troops can move.

The rations for this regiment are actually the same as those for special forces. They work hard and deserve more supplies.

Old Hong was speechless. Back in the headquarters, he had heard the corps commander, who had just returned, exaggerate how capable he was at demolition and how shameless Commander Chen was. He even said that the deputy commander was shameless. What kind of monsters and demons were in the Chen-Zhang Corps?

But then he remembered the legion commander had privately instructed him to give Zhang Xiaogui a little push. A full-strength battalion only has 500 men at most, and he figured, logistics guys always have to play the game. 500 men isn't a lot, and Zhang Renfeng has powerful connections...

Zhang Renfeng exclaimed happily, "Old Dong!"

Old Dong was the Minister of Logistics of the Third Army Corps. When Old Dong came over, Zhang Renfeng asked him to hand over the list of Li Yunlong's army and the Liangshan Special Forces to Old Hong for signature.

Old Hong was dumbfounded: "You... damn it... isn't it a battalion? Where did this battalion come from? 2300 people? This is a whole regiment! Holy crap..."

"Hey, no backing out!" Zhang Renfeng waved his hand, looking smug.

"I said a battalion, no problem there. This is a specially reinforced battalion, special forces plus dedicated logistics personnel, 2300 is an understatement."

Seeing the distressed look on Lao Hong's face, Zhang Renfeng knew in his heart that his move was indeed a bit underhanded.

But there's no other way. The troops need to survive and fight tough battles. Without logistical support, they're useless.

Ridgway at the front was employing magnetic tactics, which would cause the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to run out of food for seven days. The UN forces at the front were almost without any supplies. If they didn't rely on logistics, what could they rely on?

Both were at the deputy corps level. Lao Hong was from the 15th Corps, but Zhang Renfeng was also a deputy political commissar of the corps, plus he had an old man named Lao Chen who was frail and sickly.

Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Lao Hong had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Fine, fine, I can't outsmart you. You really are a cunning little devil, Zhang Xiaogui!!"

Old Hong walked with his arm around Zhang Renfeng for a while, then teased him mysteriously,

"How did you manage to bewitch the corps commander? When he gets back, one out of every ten things he'll say will be, 'Hey, with Zhang the Demolitionist from the Third Army Corps in Korea, I'm not so afraid of Van Fleet anymore. Ridgway has Van, I have Zhang! Let Zhang the Demolitionist go head-to-head with Van Fleet...'"

Zhang Renfeng nearly lost his composure upon hearing this: "Did the legion commander really say that?"

Why would I lie to you?

Old Hong shook his head, his tone tinged with envy. "You wouldn't believe it, after the corps commander returned from Xingtai, he praised your 3rd Army Corps' 107mm rocket launcher to everyone he met. Several deputy commanders from the Volunteer Army Headquarters came to inquire when it would be issued to each army corps. The corps commander only said one thing—'Wait until the 3rd Army Corps finishes the Fifth Campaign!'"

Zhang Renfeng was secretly thrilled, but he had to keep a straight face.

"That's the legion commander flattering me. Seriously, big guy Hong, have you seen any movements of the Allied forces on your way here?"

Old Hong's smile faded, and he said seriously, "When I came here, I took the western front. The US 1st Corps' reconnaissance units have advanced to south of the Chongchon River, and the density of aerial reconnaissance has doubled compared to last month. The upcoming battles are bound to be tough. Your 3rd and 19th Corps are newly deployed to Korea; perhaps you can achieve new heights in combat!"

"The most critical thing is that they plan to advance northwards head-on on one hand, and prepare for an amphibious landing on the other, repeating the Inchon Landing, in an attempt to completely cut off our logistical supplies!!"

Zhang Renfeng nodded, pondering Ridgway's magnetic tactics.

This guy is definitely not the same type of player as MacArthur. MacArthur played like a gambler, while Ridgway played like a chess player, taking things one step at a time and playing it safe.

Your Volunteer Army excels at infiltration and flanking maneuvers, so they retreat to lure the enemy, waiting for your battle lines to be stretched and your supply lines to be cut off before launching a counterattack.

And most importantly, if their amphibious landing ships replicated the Inchon landing, the Chinese People's Volunteer Army could be completely annihilated.

The consequences would be unimaginable!!

"Alright, that's enough chatting. I need to go and take inventory of the supplies later."

Old Hong patted Zhang Renfeng on the shoulder, "If you need anything, just send a telegram to me. The corps commander said that matters concerning the Third Army Corps are to be handled first."

But after taking only a few steps, he turned back, glanced around, and, finding no one nearby, raised an eyebrow with a knowing look.

"Explosion... I heard Old Chen hasn't been feeling well lately..."