Jeff Shaara - The Frozen Hours

Peng seemed weary, blinked several times, reached for a cup of tea. He seemed to move slowly on purpose, precise motions, keeping them all still, quiet. The silence was broken by a sudden rap on the door behind Sung, startling him. Peng kept his gaze on the tea, said in a soft voice, “Allow them to enter.” The man entered quickly, the door closing behind him, and Peng said, “General Deng, welcome. I have been waiting for your report.”

Sung realized now that Peng had been delaying, keeping them waiting for Deng’s arrival. He knew that Deng had been sent off on a discreet mission, but had asked no questions, even though Deng Hua was a subordinate to Sung, one of his corps commanders.

Deng moved up in front of the room, faced them, acknowledged Sung now, a short, crisp nod. “Thank you, General Peng. If you will allow me to present my report.”

Peng sat back in the chair, the cup in his hand, seemed to know what the young general was going to say.

“Go ahead.”

Deng took a deep breath, his hands clamped behind him. “Gentlemen, I have just returned from a journey into Korea. My assignment was to monitor progress of the People’s Army there, to observe their…situation. As you know, we have received reports that there have been reversals, that Kim Il-sung’s forces have given away their advantages. We believe that few if any of Kim’s troops remain south of the Thirty-eighth parallel. These reports were most distressing, as you know. My orders were to determine just how dangerous those reverses have become.” He turned, looked at Peng now, another nod from the older man. Deng faced them again. “I regret to report that my hosts, the senior command of the North Korean People’s Army, had been instructed not to allow me to fulfill my mission. I was not allowed access to any field units and was not allowed to travel any farther south than Pyongyang. It was made very plain to me that my presence there was an unwelcome intrusion.” He turned again to Peng. “General, I regret I did not complete my mission with any success. It is very clear that the North Korean People’s Army is suffering a profound setback at the hands of the United Nations troops. The government of the People’s Republic does not wish to reveal just how serious those reversals have become. Any further conclusion would be merely a guess on my part. I deeply regret my failure.”

Sung saw anger in the young man’s eyes, thought, Yes, he is not a man who enjoys wasting his time.

Peng said, “General, you are excused. Do not embrace your mission as one of failure. Your report is most illuminating. It only confirms what Chairman Mao has anticipated from the start.”

The guard pulled the door open, Deng marching out with crisp steps. Peng kept his eyes on his cup of tea, said, “Chairman Mao has been most frustrated by Kim Il-sung. Our intelligence predicted that the United Nations troops would invade at the port of Inchon. We informed the North Koreans of that expectation and strongly advised them to make ready to resist such a move. They ignored our recommendations. We know the results. Chairman Mao has no intentions of repeating such a mistake. The North Koreans have chosen to fight their war on their own terms, terms that do not concern us. Until now, the North Koreans have been wholly dependent on the Soviets for arms and supplies. But the Soviets have recognized their mistake as well, and from what we can determine, have withdrawn much of that support.” Peng paused, sipped at the tea, looked out at them, scanning the room. Sung waited for more, could see a frown on Peng’s face. “You have already been ordered to position your troops along our border. At first, this was to be a defensive posture, so as to prevent the United Nations troops, particularly the Americans, from pursuing an aggressive course that would threaten Chinese sovereignty. We have repeatedly expressed our deepest concerns that should United Nations troops cross over the Thirty-eighth parallel, invading the territory of North Korea, the Chinese people would interpret that as a direct threat to our own interests. As you know, the American puppets who call themselves the army of the Republic of Korea have already crossed the border and are taking advantage of the disgraceful retreat by the North. Despite the unwillingness of Kim Il-sung to provide information as to his own failures, our own intelligence indicates that the Americans have followed in their wake. These reports have confirmed that units of the American First Cavalry of General Walker’s Eighth Army have violated North Korean territory. We are certain that this is only the beginning. Chairman Mao continues to be most adamant that such a violation is a direct threat to the sovereignty of our own border and shall be dealt with in absolute terms. We do not fear the puppet army of South Korea, nor do we fear the possible loss of Pyongyang. The greater danger is that those who pull the strings are using this conflict in Korea as a pretense for a far more insidious plan. General MacArthur, who commands the puppet forces of the United Nations, has been indiscreet in his belligerence to Chinese sovereignty. Chairman Mao is convinced that General MacArthur and those who support him from above wish to engage the Chinese people in a war.”

Sung absorbed what Peng was saying, the others seemingly surprised. To one side, another of the young corps commanders spoke up.

“General, what actions are we to take regarding the crisis that has directly befallen North Korea? Are they not our allies?”

Sung winced at the question, saw a glimmer of disgust on Peng’s face.

“There shall be no actions taken with regard to the government of the People’s Republic of Korea.”

The man stood now, said, “But are we not committed to assisting Kim Il-sung in the event of such a tragedy? I had thought—”

Peng pointed a bony finger at the man. “You do not think, General. Chairman Mao has communicated to the People’s Republic that if they wish to be rescued, they can beseech their comrades in Moscow. Chairman Mao has no great regard for Kim Il-sung, and neither do I. The issue is not merely Korea. It is the threat to our border. Is that not apparent to all of you?”

There were nods, the young man beside Sung seated again. Sung glanced at him, saw embarrassment, thought, That was not a good idea. You just revealed that you perhaps have some personal interest in what happens in Korea. I wonder what kind of interest? Someone else shall no doubt ask that same question.

To Sung’s other side, Li stood, stiff-backed, said, “General Peng, is it possible, in Chairman Mao’s estimation, that the Korean People’s Army can continue their struggle by means of guerrilla tactics? Perhaps the army of the North might still be capable of eliminating the Americans’ threat to our border by a vigorous defense of their own country.”

Peng shook his head. “Chairman Mao does not believe the leadership of the North Korean People’s Republic is capable of inspiring their people to such a goal. There is only one issue now. You will receive final orders shortly that will instruct you on exactly when your troops are to advance across the Yalu River and make preparations for the destruction of any forces threatening our borders. It is wholly to our advantage to strike at those troops before they can strike at us. Chairman Mao has told me to expect the final order to be issued at any time. It is therefore essential that you put your troops on alert, prepared to move quickly.”

Li seemed surprised, leaned forward. “We’re crossing the border? We are to directly engage the United Nations forces? Will the Soviets honor their pledge to assist us with heavy artillery and airpower? Without their assistance, we are at some disadvantage in weaponry. Engaging the Americans—”