Arc of Fire

“Without a doubt,” Wang Zhong paused, “Prosen is extremely powerful. To deny this fact would be to disrespect those comrades who have sacrificed themselves on the battlefield.”

Wang Zhong pointed at the map on the wall: “It’s precisely because they are strong that they now occupy all of Europa except for Ante. But…”

At this point, Wang Zhong suddenly felt thirsty and picked up a cup to drink some water, which caused someone below to protest: “Keep talking! You should be telling us about our advantages next, right? Let’s hear it!”

Wang Zhong: “Don’t rush. However, we have a huge difference from the other countries conquered by Prosen. Look at the map. Prosen has been advancing mightily for a month and a half, but they have actually only occupied a small part of our territory.

“Moreover, compared with other European countries, our infrastructure is worse; our roads barely have any asphalt, most of them are dirt roads, and our railway system not only has a much lower density of tracks than industrialized countries, but the supporting facilities like locomotive factories are also far less than other countries.

“This sounds like self-deprecation, but it’s actually the truth. After entering our country, Prosen’s army of millions must be facing a terrible supply situation. When I escaped from Ronied, I commanded troops to attack an enemy supply depot.

“There, we captured a large number of depot documents, which showed that Prosen’s logistical transport was severely congested.”

Wang Zhong’s words were partially true and partially false; indeed, the documents indicated congestion, but they could not prove that the problem was widespread.

However, as a transmigrator, he had information from another time and space.

The Earth’s Sturmtigers were initially hampered by the Soviet Union’s poor infrastructure at the beginning of Operation Barbarossa, and later, under the walls of Moscow, they were hampered again—of course, this was mainly due to General Mud and General Winter.

Wang Zhong took up a pointer and indicated on the map: “We have observed the enemy stopping twice for repairs, once two weeks into the attack, and the second time before the second armored group moved south. The second repair period lasted a week.

“As the enemy continues to penetrate deeper, their supply lines will become even more extended, and their consumption more difficult to replenish.

“And as we move into October, the entire Ante will enter the rasputitsa (muddy season). All the roads will be swallowed by mud, Prosen’s trucks will struggle to move, and all the supply burden will fall on the railways. However, as just mentioned, our railway network’s condition will ensure that the railways alone will definitely not suffice for the enemy.

“The enemy will be forced to crawl through the mud. At that time, all of their offensives will become extremely difficult.”

No sooner had Wang Zhong finished than a lieutenant general asked, “The rasputitsa lasts only a month; after that, the ground will freeze, becoming harder and more passable than it is now. What then?”

Wang Zhong smiled: “You are correct, Lieutenant General. However, I remind you, we haven’t seen any winter gear issued to Prosen’s troops on any front right now.

“Prosen has been conducting ‘lightning wars’ one after another, whether it was the Low Countries or the Carolingian regions, they surrendered quickly. They will form a path dependence, thinking that defeating us will take at most half a year.

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“They have not prepared winter gear.

“Of course, with Prosen’s powerful industrial capacity, preparing winter gear for millions of troops could be done quickly. But… winter gear, cold protection equipment, heating fuel, etc., will consume transport capacity on top of the troops’ regular supplies.”

Wang Zhong swept his gaze across the entire room.

“They won’t be able to bring it up in time; after all, before General Winter comes, General Mud runs rampant. The enemy logistics will be in a state of semi-paralysis. This will ensure that the majority of Prosen’s troops won’t receive winter gear and heating equipment, nor fuel.

“I boldly predict that this winter, we will launch a large-scale counteroffensive. No matter how much progress they make after September, we will restore the frontline to the state it was in before they started in September.”

Chief of General Staff Tukhachev frowned: “A counteroffensive that only restores the situation to pre-September status? What kind of counteroffensive is that?”

Wang Zhong: “Prosen is extremely powerful! To think of defeating it quickly is impossible; a quick victory is not advisable! We must be prepared for a long and arduous war of three to four years with them! Ṟ

“I must remind you, Chief of General Staff, as we advance, Prosen’s supply line will keep shortening, and their logistical situation will improve rapidly. Currently, we have no way to defeat a well-supplied Prosen army!”

Tukhachev angrily retorted: “You’re actually buoying the enemy’s morale and undermining our own prestige!”

Wang Zhong: “War is not a contest of spirit; war requires practical measures!”

Just then, Grand Patriarch Belinsky spoke up: “Major General Rocossovsky, so you think that the capital can be held?”

“Yes,” Wang Zhong stated firmly, “The enemy has turned south, and even though the situation for the Southwestern Front Army is very bad, they still have over six hundred thousand men, and the death of the Crown Prince has boosted their morale. I believe that if the enemy launches another attack on the capital, it will be around mid-September.

“The rasputitsa is coming, and as long as we hold them off for one to two weeks, the mud will force them to stop.”

Belinsky: “And then winter will come?”

“Right, the enemy will be at the end of their tether, and the time for counterattack will arrive. Before that, we should accumulate as much force as possible.”

Belinsky nodded repeatedly: “Good, this is good. This is the best news of today, General Rocossovsky. The best news!”

Wang Zhong: “That is my assessment of the war prospects. I have finished speaking.”

He stepped back and saluted everyone.

Thunderous applause erupted.

Many people stood up and applauded for Wang Zhong.

Clearly, the judgement Wang Zhong just made was supported by the capable young officers.

The Major General who had just asked what to do when “General Winter” made the roads passable was clapping especially hard, prompting Wang Zhong to give him several extra glances.

At this point, Belinsky returned to the stage, seemingly assuming the role of host: “Next up, let’s have Major General Kashuk share his thoughts!”

Then, the Major General who had posed the question waved his hand: “No, no, my experience is similar to that of General Rocossov. My suggestion is that General Rocossov could step back from the front line and compile these experiences into a pamphlet, which would be far more useful than his direct command of the troops.”

Wang Zhong thought to himself, no, my “cheat code” is awesome on the front line; compiling pamphlets can wait until “General Winter” has pushed the enemy back.

So, he answered, “The front line is under such strain right now that compiling pamphlets is something we can put off for later. If my prediction is correct, there will be a calm period beginning next February, lasting until the ground dries up again in June. By then, we’ll have plenty of time to produce all sorts of pamphlets and introduce the entire army to our experience.”

Someone among the senior officers muttered, “He really thinks he’s the modern-day Bonaparte.”

Wang Zhong frowned, and all the young officers turned to look in that direction.

At that moment, Wang Zhong noticed that General Tugenev, who shared a name with the literary master, shook his head with a look of frustration.

Sure enough, an acquaintance of my father’s, I should pay him a visit later.

Then Belinsky called on another young officer: “Andrei Pupel, you speak about the experience with anti-aircraft field defense. Teach everyone how to deal with Stukas—without the Divine Arrow. Thanks to Rocossov, everyone’s started using Divine Arrow to take out the enemy pilots.”

Andrei Pupel stood up: “Alright, I’ll talk!”

…

The conference continued until 0300 on August 11.

When it finally adjourned, Wang Zhong took the opportunity to catch up with General Tugenev: “General, hi. My maid mentioned you asked to prepare a room for me at the Summer Palace.”

Tugenev looked up at Wang Zhong, who was a head taller: “Hmm, up close you indeed look like a tough soldier. Connie will be pleased.”

Wang Zhong: “From the address, it seems you’re well acquainted with my father?”

“Of course,” General Tugenev laughed, “Your father and I had debated whether to get involved in the civil war. That was over a decade ago.”

Just then, Olga, disguised as a maid, appeared: “It was General Tugenev who suggested I go to the church to contact you through the choir. When you asked for Air Force support, I turned to the General for help, and he managed to get the Air Force to support you.

“Did those air forces come in handy?”

Wang Zhong: “They were a huge help, especially the MiG-3 Fighter Regiment you sent. If they hadn’t shot down the enemy’s Dornier 217 carrying remote-controlled bombs, we probably couldn’t have lasted until the night breakout.”

Olga smiled: “Glad to hear they were helpful; that’s great.”

At this moment, Wang Zhong suddenly picked up on a detail in Olga’s words and asked, “General, you can command the Air Force?”

General Tugenev: “No, I merely suggested possible targets for them to strike. What is it?”

Wang Zhong: “From a colonel escorting me, I learned that keeping Yak-1 planes, which excel in low-altitude dogfights with the enemy, in the capital is a waste.

“Because the enemy’s aircraft attacking the capital enter from high altitude.

“But if you deploy Yak-1s to the front line, once the enemy Stukas have dropped their bombs, they will be at low altitude, which is the perfect height for Yak-1s. The Yak-1s could shoot down all the Stukas, eliminating a significant threat.”

The General stroked his chin beard: “Your suggestion sounds good. But why are you so familiar with the Air Force situation?”

Because I’ve played War Thunder a lot!

But of course, he couldn’t say that, so Wang Zhong answered, “I learned it from chatting with the Air Force pilots.”

General Tugenev nodded: “Next time you talk to someone in the Air Force, tell them if they have complaints to go directly to their commander. Don’t beat around the bush.”

Good grief, Tugenev seemed to think Wang Zhong knew all this because the Air Force had deliberately leaked it.

However, since he had already brought it up, Wang Zhong still requested, “At least get a Yak-1 Regiment for Shostka, where I’m stationed. Those planes are of no use in the capital!”

Tugenev: “I’ll try. I’m a bit tired, so I’m going to rest. You should rest too. And Princess, now that you’re the Crown Princess, you can’t be wandering around in maid’s attire anymore.”

Olga clicked her tongue: “Oh.”