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

A few days later, at the headquarters of the Volunteer Army, the legion commander, after reading the previous international public opinion about him with a hearty laugh, slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

"Okay, let me tell you, during the Third Army Corps period, this Zhang Baozao... So, his fundamentals, tactics, and strategies were all taught to him by me personally. What does it have to do with Lao Liu and Xiao Chen? They're all shameless, really."

"Last time I heard Director Zhong from Jinling Military Academy say that his Dean Liu was bragging a lot at the academy, saying that Zhang Baozhan was his most outstanding and beloved disciple."

"And that Xiao Chen, damn it, he's so shameless, trying to make himself look good. He carries around a tape recorder and brags to everyone he meets. Do you think that's acceptable? Huh? I don't think it's acceptable at all!!!"

"When we talk about things, we should base our words on the facts. Why exaggerate? That's not right. Let me tell you, although Zhang Baopo didn't attend a top military academy, look at his tactics. They incorporate elements from Baoding University, Hunan Military Academy, Whampoa Military Academy, and the Soviet-style Frunze Military Academy. But to be honest, those aren't important. What's important is that he fully integrated my methods..."

Deputy Commander Hong sat in the corner, listening to the corps commander's long speech, feeling both amused and exasperated.

He rubbed his temples, secretly complaining that these three old leaders were all adept at embellishing their own reputations.

Looking back at the war history, it might be a laughing stock: there are three versions of the origin of Zhang's explosive tactics, each with its own logic.

For those who study war history in the future, verifying this passage alone would be enough to write a doctoral dissertation.

To put it bluntly, when the time comes, their graves will be the most crowded at Babaoshan Cemetery. There's a good chance someone will actually blow up Old Chen's grave.

Because he was frail and sickly, he was probably going to be the first to pass away...

Hong, the big guy, was lost in thought when he caught a glimpse of Deputy Commander Han's worried expression out of the corner of his eye.

At this moment, Lao Han was quite unhappy. Wasn't this legion commander going a bit too far?

Ever since that rumor came out, "I have a Blast, why would I need Han Xuanfeng?", I've always felt that the Legion Commander doesn't like me. Do you think it's easy for me?

I run to the front lines every day, exposed to the wind and sun. It's tough, but at least I'm in a better mood. Now that I'm back, I have to listen to you brag. It's not easy for me!

In recent months, Chief of Staff Xie and Deputy Commander Deng went to Kaesong for negotiations.

At the front lines, they're digging tunnels again. The more the corps commander loved me before, the more he loves Zhang the Demolitionist now.

I feel terrible! I feel so terrible!

In recent months, Chief of Staff Xie and Deputy Commander Deng have been negotiating in Kaesong and carrying out tunnel excavation at the front. The corps commander's mind is entirely on the construction site. He runs to the Third Army Corps every few days and exaggerates how the explosions are going on when he comes back.

Before the two valiant generals of the Fourth Field Army could finish their internal monologue, Director Du of the Political Department hurriedly walked in, a smile on his face:

"Commander, good news! Commander Chen has entered Korea and is currently conducting research at the 19th Army Corps on the western front. He will arrive at the headquarters in a few days."

Old Du and Brigade Commander Chen have a long-standing friendship. They once stayed in an air-raid shelter together in the Taihang Mountains and drank corn liquor together. Although Old Du was often tricked by Brigade Commander Chen, their camaraderie was genuine.

Hearing that his old comrade-in-arms had arrived, he walked with a brisk pace.

Upon hearing Brigade Commander Chen's name, the corps commander's expression changed slightly, and his earlier boastful attitude of "I taught Zhang the Explosives" immediately subsided.

He knew perfectly well that Xiao Chen was even more eloquent than him. If they were to argue about Zhang Baopo's lineage face-to-face, he might just get the blame turned on him.

He cleared his throat and changed the subject: "Well, it's good that you're here. His legs aren't very strong, so let him rest at the 19th Army Corps for a couple of days before coming over, so he doesn't get too shaken up."

Before he could finish speaking, a combat staff officer from the Volunteer Army Headquarters rushed in, clutching an urgent telegram. His face was ashen, and he even forgot to salute.

"Commander! Emergency! The US military has betrayed its promises and brazenly launched an airstrike on our negotiating representatives' residence!"

The moment these words were spoken, the air in the entire command center froze.

The corps commander's smile vanished completely. He grabbed the telegram, glanced at it, and slammed it on the table, causing half a cup of water to spill from his teacup.

He turned around and sternly addressed his confidential secretary, "Secretary Yang!"

"Here!" Secretary Yang stood at attention, his back ramrod straight.

"Generate electricity domestically and request instructions on the next steps."

Back home, upon receiving the telegram, the superior slammed his fist on the table; the sound seemed to travel across the telegraph line to the front lines.

"This is intolerable! They've brazenly bombed our negotiating team's residence. They'll definitely deny it again, but their credibility will be ruined in the eyes of the world. I think they've completely given up on negotiating. Wiping out one division a few months ago wasn't enough, fine, then let's wipe out another one!"

At this point, he looked at Nie Can opposite him and said, "Nie, send a message to the front lines: temporarily suspend negotiations and begin military operations!!"

After receiving the telegram, the corps commander sneered, folded the telegram, and slammed it on the table.

"I used to respect Ridgway as a formidable opponent, but I never expected him to do something so unscrupulous, Secretary Yang..."

The corps commander's confidential secretary stood at attention. "Present!"

The legion commander handed over the drafted telegram, saying, "Transmit it exactly as it is, without changing a single word."

As the supreme commander and corps commander, his reaction was more direct and fiery. He only respected opponents who could be fought fairly on the battlefield, but he despised such underhanded tactics. His statement was not just a declaration, but a battle cry.

It was a direct challenge to the commander of the opposing coalition forces.

The telegram was so strongly worded and so direct that, after being translated into English and sent, Ridgway was reportedly so angry that he smashed his coffee cup on the ground.

The legion commander didn't care about any of that. He turned around, and the staff officers standing in the trench waved to him.

"Summon Deputy Commander Chen to a meeting at the headquarters!!"