Arc of Fire

Olga suddenly pushed Wang Zhong away, not knowing how much time had passed.

“Sorry, I lost control of myself a bit,” she said, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, shouting as she did, “Natasha!”

Upon hearing this name, Wang Zhong subconsciously thought he would see a hero unit with an AK and a red beret, but instead, an old maid entered.

“Your Highness,” the maid curtsied to Olga.

Olga: “I need to wash my face, and bring General Rokossovsky a new military jacket. Please wash this one clean.”

The maid curtsied again, “This way, Your Highness. The jacket will be brought immediately.”

Although there were still tear stains on her face, Olga managed to squeeze out a smile for Wang Zhong, “Thank you… Oh, and bring some food, the general is hungry.”

After saying this, Olga smiled at Wang Zhong again before picking up her skirt and turning to leave.

The old maid backed out and closed the door.

Then the maid carrying the new uniform came in.

As for why the Tsar’s bedroom was always stocked with a major’s uniform, he decided not to ask.

After changing into a brand-new general’s uniform, Wang Zhong was led back to the original meeting location by the maid.

Grand Patriarch Belinsky and a few guards stood at the door, as if waiting for him.

“You’ve returned sooner than expected,” the Grand Patriarch stepped forward and looked at Wang Zhong’s new uniform, “How’s Her Highness Nikolyevna?”

“She vented a bit, now she’s emotionally stable,” Wang Zhong replied.

Belinsky: “Honestly, the death of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was unexpected for us. After all, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was more self-aware. It’s unclear for the Grand Duchess.”

Wang Zhong: “She will have it.”

“That’s good,” Belinsky patted Wang Zhong on the shoulder, “Right now, it seems that His Majesty the Tsar is too shocked to attend to matters, and the command authority has been given to the High Command. Although what you say will probably fall on deaf ears there, you must still speak.”

Wang Zhong: “What should I talk about?”

“Experience sharing meeting. Just talk about your experience and give your assessment of the future situation at the end. After all, you accurately predicted the enemy’s second armored group moving southward.”

Wang Zhong was about to reply when Ludmila and Nelly came running out.

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“Alyosha!” Ludmila called out loudly, but then she saw the Grand Patriarch and quickly braked, coming to a stop in front of him, and bowed in a church manner, “Your Reverence!”

Belinsky: “I won’t disturb you. I’ll go in and give an opening remark to buy you some time.”

After that, Belinsky walked into the room with the guards.

Wang Zhong looked toward Ludmila, starting to ponder how to explain that he had just been hugging his friend’s sister.

Ludmila grabbed Wang Zhong: “Did you fire a gun in the palace?”

…Huh?

Wang Zhong: “Oh, that. Yes, I did. I killed a traitor.”

Ludmila: “They are saying you shot General Skorobo dead! Was the general a traitor?”

“Yes,” Wang Zhong pointed to the door of the meeting room, “It was decided by His Reverence Belinsky, and the Tribunal has started arresting General Skorobo’s family as well, because according to the Tsar’s orders, all traitors’ families are complicit.”

Ludmila stared at Wang Zhong for a few seconds, “Really? You’re all right? You won’t face a military tribunal?”

“No, no. Just might not be able to carry a gun in the Summer Palace anymore.”

Honestly, Wang Zhong had previously thought that after his glorious achievements elevated him to a marshal, he would earn the right to enter the palace armed.

When that time came, he definitely wanted to ride Bucephalus right into the palace.

Later, he would also commission someone to write a song called “Skorobo’s Rainy Season.”

Now, it seemed, such developments would not be forthcoming.

Ludmila looked puzzled at Wang Zhong, “Why do you look so regretful? Just because you can’t carry a gun into the palace? Today you don’t even need to see His Majesty, and normally you can’t carry a gun when you do.”

Wang Zhong: “Is that so. Anyway, it’s fine, don’t worry.”

Ludmila nodded, “That’s good. So, how is Olga?”

Here it comes!

Wang Zhong: “I consoled her and let her cry it out, and then she felt much better. She was suppressing herself too much.”

“That’s good then,” Ludmila seemed completely relieved.

Wang Zhong couldn’t help asking, “You… aren’t jealous?”

“Huh? Why should I be? That’s Olga, you’d only hit a wall with her,” Ludmila spread her hands, “Or are you saying, you succeeded this time?”

I succeeded—although he wanted to say that, Wang Zhong did not want to complicate matters and told the truth, “No, after she finished crying, she pushed me away and called in a maid to change my uniform. She said she was going to wash her face.”

Ludmila: “I just knew it. To her, you’re like a big brother.”

Wang Zhong: “I don’t know who used to say I was like a little brother, who was it again? I can’t seem to recall.”

The girl gave him a punch, and then pushed him toward the door, “Go to your meeting, I’ll be waiting for you in the room assigned to us.”

Wang Zhong: “A room assigned to us? I have a room in the palace?”

Nelly answered in place of Ludmila: “Because the Rokossovsky family’s house in the capital wasn’t ready, the butler Mikhail only arrived yesterday. Knowing this, General Tugenev asked the palace’s protocol office to make arrangements.”

General Tugenev—according to Nelly’s explanation, seemed to be an ally of the Rokossovsky family?

I’ll pay a visit later.

Wang Zhong pushed the door open.

The Grand Patriarch’s voice rang out, “The situation at the front is extremely grim, our soldiers have been massively annihilated, the Prosen art of war is not to be underestimated. But all of you have survived! Some have even achieved incredible military feats! Such as General Kashuk!”

Seeing Wang Zhong, Belinsky smoothly shifted the topic onto him, “And such as Major General Aleksei Konstantinovich Rokossovsky! The purpose of our meeting today is twofold: to share experiences and to let everyone know that the Prussians can be annihilated! And in large numbers, too!”

Wang Zhong entered the room directly and saluted everyone.

The door closed behind him.

Belinsky yielded the floor, “Come up here, General Rokossovsky. Share with everyone your experience in defensive operations.”

Wang Zhong nodded, strode confidently to the podium, and saluted once again.

At that moment, he noticed Olga, dressed as a maid, sneaking in among those who were preparing the meal.

No, what on earth is the princess doing?

Did I hit a wall after all?

Forget it, deciding to pretend he hadn’t noticed Princess Olga, Wang Zhong began: “The enemy is indeed formidable, but we also have advantages. First is our tanks, which currently seem to have superior performance in some aspects compared to the enemy’s.

“As long as we master the methods of warfare, we can annihilate the enemy in great numbers.”

Wang Zhong then detailed the methods for constructing tank shelters and allocating fire zones to “blind” tanks.

“Through such methods, we can greatly mitigate the drawbacks of not having independent tank commanders and radios.”

Just then, Chief of General Staff Tukhachev spoke up, “Do you realize that eliminating one crew member allows us to have more tanks driven by the same number of tank operators?”

Wang Zhong: “Even if we double the number of tanks, it does not offset the disadvantage brought about by the lack of battlefield situational awareness. The additional tanks would only become trophies for the enemy’s ace tank operators!”

Tukhachev turned to the tank operators and shouted, “Can you tolerate such words?”

Tank operators of all ranks coolly stared at the Chief of General Staff.

If you’ve been on the battlefield, you know how idiotic it is to have the gunner also perform the tank commander’s duties.

Tukhachev, stared down by these battle-hardened tank operators with murderous intent in their eyes, obviously faltered: “This… it wasn’t me who wanted to eliminate the tank commander position. Go talk to the Armored Troops headquarters, or General Skorobo the defector, who also supports eliminating the tank commander!”

Wow, already labeled a defector? That was a fast turnaround, Your Excellency the Chief of General Staff.

Deciding to ignore this, Wang Zhong continued: “Furthermore, in defensive operations, I have two main pieces of experience.

“First, one must thoroughly understand the terrain of the defense area, not just the terrain where the defensive positions are located, but also the terrain of the surrounding area for about 20 kilometers in front of the defense zone. One should think from the enemy’s perspective where they would place their supply center, where they would sleep at night.

“This way we could shell those locations, inflicting considerable casualties on the enemy, making their lives hell!

“Second, one must cultivate a good relationship with the local church. The labor camps mobilized by the church can greatly accelerate our fortification speed, the Guardian Army can fill the defensive gaps, and block unimportant directions to prevent the enemy from slipping through.

“Additionally, the meat, eggs, and milk the church can provide, will significantly enhance our military’s combat capabilities.

“Lastly, the masses can serve as our eyes, bringing us intelligence about the enemy.”

As Wang Zhong spoke about the second point, the Grand Patriarch looked extremely pleased.

Meanwhile, the high-ranking officers of noble birth were exchanging glances.

However, the lower and middle-ranking officers with military achievements all showed approving expressions, seeming to fully agree with Wang Zhong’s words.

Next, Wang Zhong elaborately introduced how to conduct staggered defense, how to preset ambush positions to surprise the enemy, and how to protect one’s own artillery positions by neutralizing enemy reconnaissance aircraft, among other experiences.

When he finished, Belinsky spoke up, “It sounds like, in addition to prayer warriors and Hymn Monks, our Sound Array Masters are also very important.”

Wang Zhong: “Yes. The Prussians use radar, and since we don’t have radar, we can use Sound Array Masters as a temporary substitute.”

“Very good, very good. Previously we only used them for anti-aircraft early warning; we underestimated them,” said Belinsky.

Wang Zhong thought a moment and realized that he had shared about all he could. Checking the time, he saw he had been speaking for nearly two hours, so he decided to yield the floor to others and listen to their experiences as well.

“That’s about all for my sharing. Next…”

Just then, Belinsky asked, “How do you assess the future situation? Especially… given the rather mediocre performance of our High Command.

All the senior officers of the High Command had darkened faces.

Wang Zhong looked at them and then at Princess Olga who was hiding among the maids. He said, “I believe that no matter how the High Command performs, ultimate victory will surely be ours.”