Arc of Fire

Chapter 633: Chapter 75 Consolation Call

After a series of surrenders were finalized, on the evening of December 8, Wang Zhong finally returned to Headquarters.

Pavlov, who had arrived earlier, was standing at a desk piled with documents, seeming to stretch his limbs.

Wang Zhong asked, “What’s this? Why are there so many more documents than usual?”

"The battle is over, and we are identifying corpses, confirming the list of the deceased, but the city is in such a state now, I estimate quite a number will have to be listed as ‘missing’.”

Wang Zhong said, “You should hand these over to your sixth bureau clerks. We need to pursue the fleeing Prosen heavy troop cluster, apparently called the Sheeplin cluster? We aim to crush the enemy’s B Army Group with an overwhelming force, reclaim the land lost since June in recent years, and advance towards Shepetovka.

"This would further threaten the Prosens’ A Army Group, and if things go well, we might even be able to return to Kazarlia!”

Pavlov turned to look at the large battlefield map, his brow furrowing: “You’re not planning to encircle the enemy’s A Army Group, are you? Isn’t that a bit too ambitious? Last year, we were taught a lesson by the Prosen troops who had set up strong defensive lines ahead of time.”

The comprehensive war map of Europa, especially the middle section of the Eastern Front, was still essentially in the state it was after last year’s counterattack. General Gorky’s offensive had only made a local breakthrough and had not changed the frontline overall.

Wang Zhong said, “The Prosen military is still very strong overall, but I have reasons for my optimism. That is because nearly the entirety of the Nan’ant prairie is defenseless and the logistics support is extremely poor. We can use our artillery and advantage in troops to break the tired enemy.

"Of course, mentioning returning to Kazarlia was just a beautiful aspiration, and I don’t really consider it a goal.”

Pavlov said, “I have already completed the pursuit plan, it just needs slight adjustments based on the current situation.”

Wang Zhong waved his hand and said, “No, the retreating Prosen troops are already severely weakened from the breakout battles. Even though General Sheeplin had set up defensive lines in advance, how much supplies could he have left for his troops on those lines? At temperatures of minus forty degrees, if our Sixth Army Group cannot withstand it, do you think the rear guard troops can?

"No, Pavlov, forget your plan. Right now, all our troops must participate in the assault, and it must be swift.”

Pavlov replied, “Cavalry and infantry can surely do so, but not the mechanized infantry and Armored Troops. However, since you wish to set out quickly, I suggest this: separate the units with low logistical needs from those with high logistical requirements.

"Provide a series of forward supply stations for the units with low logistics needs so they can resupply as they advance. As for the Armored Troops and mechanized infantry, continue with a well-established supply plan and proceed as usual.

"You know our capability to support; we cannot advance day and night at full speed like the Prosens. If we do, about 60% of our tanks might break down mid-way, and we don’t have adequate forces to recover them.”

After thinking it over, Wang Zhong agreed with Pavlov’s suggestion: “You are more proficient in this area, proceed with your plan.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the phone rang. Since Wang Zhong was nearer, he picked up the receiver: “This is General Rocossov, who is this?”

Ludmila’s voice came from the other side: “Alyosha! Are… are the lines busy now?”

Wang Zhong looked around; every telephone at the headquarters was in use, but it was the staff actively calling various units to relay orders.

The red telephone near him and Pavlov seldom rang, as if the hustle and bustle of headquarters had nothing to do with it.

Wang Zhong lifted the phone and, pulling the cord, sat at the nearest empty desk: “It’s alright, there shouldn’t be any emergencies requiring this red phone. How are you?”

"I am fine, perfectly healthy, not injured. But Nelly… Nelly’s eyes are damaged, the removed eyeball has a large scratch, and the doctor says even without an infection, her vision can’t be preserved. Today, she boarded a train for evacuation, going to a rehabilitation center by the Inland Sea, the doctor says it will take at least four months for the wounds to fully heal.” ℟åＮꝋʙÈS̈

Wang Zhong sighed, “I knew Nelly was injured, but I thought it was just a minor injury whilst she remained at the frontline.”

Ludmila said, “Your orderly did everything possible to ensure the soldiers knew they weren’t abandoned. When she returns, you should really praise her.”

Wang Zhong affirmed, “Yes, I will, Xia, I will.”

"Also Ludmila’s voice suddenly lowered.

Wang Zhong asked, “What’s wrong?”

"Nothing, you need to continue the pursuit of the enemy, right?”

"Yes.”

Ludmila said, “Then I should free up the line. I’ve heard that even His Majesty the Tsar has been strictly forbidden to interfere with the Front Army Headquarters’ operations.”

Wang Zhong reassured, “Xia, you can talk a bit more, you’re my wife. The soldiers would understand.”

"No, don’t be stubborn; the opportunity in war is fleeting, but we will have plenty of time in the future.”

Wang Zhong laughed, “Yes, we do have plenty of time ahead.”

He felt as though he was raising a flag, but at that moment, Wang Zhong didn’t feel like he would lose Xia in the war, almost as if he had a divine revelation.

"Then, see you in Yeburg when the muddy season arrives.”

"Hmm, next year, see you in Yeburg. I’m hanging up now.” Even though Ludmila said that, she hesitated to hang up the phone.

Wang Zhong: “Hang up, dear.”

The girl reluctantly ended the call.

Pavlov: “You could have talked a bit more.”

Wang Zhong: “What about you? Don’t you want to talk with your wife? No, the Front Army Commander can’t play favorites.”

"Who just said ‘you can talk a bit longer, the warriors won’t mind’?” Pavlov teased rarely.

Wang Zhong just scratched his head.

Then the red phone rang again, and Wang Zhong picked it up again—it was actually to cover his embarrassment.

"Abawahan Front Army Headquarters looking for General Rocosov,” before Wang Zhong could speak, the instruction came from the other end.

Wang Zhong: “This is Rocosov, go ahead.”

"This is His Majesty the Tsar’s Court Chamberlain, General Rocosov, we have met before. His Majesty the Tsar wishes to speak with you.”

Then Olga’s voice eagerly broke in: “Big brother!”

Directly calling him big brother? Since Wang Zhong’s son was born, Olga seemed to have embraced the role of a little sister.

Olga: “Big brother, I am using the official and formal protocol to make this call. I want to extend my regards to all the officers and warriors of the victorious Front Army—what? Should I call them combatants? I want to express my appreciation to all the combatants of the victorious Front Army!”

Wang Zhong: “I will convey that to all combatants. Or do you want your call broadcasted?”

"No need, just convey it for me. Also, I will broadcast nationwide on the radio tomorrow evening to announce the victory, so I will need the most precise enemy casualty numbers, please have Chief of Staff Pavlov prepare them.”

Wang Zhong: “Detailed casualty numbers, correct? For tomorrow evening’s broadcast?”

Pavlov cursed: “This soon? Considering the time it takes to decode… there’s no way to make it!”

Wang Zhong: “Pavlov says it’s impossible, can we postpone it to the day after tomorrow?”

Olga: “That… Delaying the victory announcement by a day might arouse suspicion. Right now, everyone in Yeburg knows that you’ve achieved a great victory, having encircled and annihilated hundreds of thousands of enemies, just like last year when they encircled and annihilated our heavy Army Group!

"Such a significant victory must be announced to the people still fighting, and to those in the Occupied Area, as quickly as possible.”

Wang Zhong: “You have a point.”

Pavlov: “The main issue is the transmission. Such a telegram would be very long and would consume a lot of time for encoding and decoding. If it could be sent in clear text… maybe we could try the wired telegraph system used by the railway system.”

Wang Zhong suddenly slapped his thigh: “Use airplanes! Once the preliminary statistics are ready, we can have a staff member take the documents on a plane, and they will arrive in Yeburg in a few hours.”

Pavlov also slapped his thigh: “Right!”

Wang Zhong quickly said into the receiver: “We’ve found a way. Just go ahead with the regular broadcast tomorrow evening.”

Olga: “I heard that, I knew you’d have a way, big brother.”

For some reason, Olga’s tone always reminded Wang Zhong of a favorite anime, “Too Many Loser Female Leads,” and the protagonist’s sister.

Wang Zhong: “If that’s all for official matters? This line is very busy, if there’s nothing else I need to hang up.”

Pavlov and the other staff were frowning at Wang Zhong, their thoughts clearly written on their faces.

Olga: “Wait a moment! Congratulations on your victory, big brother! Are you coming back to Yeburg now? We are already preparing the award ceremony

Wang Zhong: “I will return to Yeburg during the muddy season next year. We are currently pursuing the enemy. We estimate there are about three hundred thousand enemies still escaping.”

At that moment, a staff officer came over with a large envelope, opened it, and spread out the photos on the table: “Report, aerial reconnaissance has spotted the enemy building defensive fortifications along the Suhayaweili River.”

Wang Zhong: “Alright, it seems the enemy plans to maintain the frontline at the position they occupied at the end of August this year.”

Pavlov picked up the photos and looked closely: “It appears they have heavy machinery, but… it’s winter now. Even if they use explosives to break the ice, it will freeze over again the next day. Forty degrees below zero.”

Due to the severe cold, the river, which was originally a natural barrier, also turned into a passageway.

Wang Zhong: “The defenders here are our old opponents from the Tenth Army Group. I wonder if its commander still likes the dummy tanks I left him.”

Pavlov: “This time you finally have a numerical advantage.”

Wang Zhong laughed.

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