Chapter 115
Wang Zhong stood up after speaking and called for the guard: "Grigori!"
Lately, there had been sabotage attacks on mid- and high-ranking officers in the village, so even in his own estate, Wang Zhong needed to be accompanied by guards.
Grigori, fully armed, pushed the door open and saluted Wang Zhong: "General."
Just as Wang Zhong was about to leave, Pavlov said: "Since we've confirmed the defensive position is at Olachi, I'll begin drafting the marching plan."
"That fast? What if we don't get sent to Olachi*wouldn't it be better to wait for the order?" Wang Zhong asked.
Pavlov sighed: "At times like this, I really think you deserve to rank dead last. You're always swinging between a renowned general and a complete idiot."
Wang Zhong thought, You're flattering me too much. I've never systematically studied military theory, just picked up scraps here and there.
Without my cheat, I'd have been dead long ago.
As Wang Zhong was thinking this, Pavlov responsibly explained: "Before, we could move out immediately because the unit was simple, mostly infantry, with hardly any accompanying laborers.
"But now that we have so many people, just organizing the non-combatants will take a huge amount of effort. A detailed marching plan is essential.
"Otherwise, half of them will get lost on the road. Even with a thorough plan, we'll still suffer significant attrition along the way, and we'll need to reorganize the units upon arrival."
After Pavlov finished, Popov added, "Any unit that can fight immediately after a long march is truly elite."
I actually know of such an elite unit*but it doesn't exist in this world.
Wang Zhong: "Then it's all up to you! Good thing you've got a Grade Six clerk, so there's no problem!"
As he said this, a staff officer happened to be passing by from administration, and right as the door opened, a very loud triple sneeze came from that direction.
Pavlov: "See that? You praised that 65-year-old school director to death, and now he's sneezing."
Wang Zhong shrugged and slipped away from the map room.
****
On the square in front of the division office, a large group of rookies from the Fifth Beshensk Regiment were training*they were originally from the Protectorate Army's 105th Infantry Regiment.
The training subject was weapon disassembly and maintenance*the veterans insisted this was the most important skill. Otherwise, once the rookies jammed up on the battlefield and couldn't clear it, they'd be lambs to the slaughter.
Wang Zhong walked along the edge of the square toward the parking lot, watching the rookies struggle with their Mosin-Nagants.
Just then, a very skinny-looking Lieutenant Colonel came up to Wang Zhong and saluted with very poor form.
Wang Zhong returned the salute and asked: "You're Lieutenant Colonel Eugene of the Fifth Beshensk Regiment?"
"That's me." The Lieutenant Colonel sighed, "Just look at me and it's obvious, right? I'm not a soldier*I'm a factory director. When I agreed to the lateral transfer, I never imagined I'd become a Lieutenant Colonel!"
Wang Zhong: "How many people did you manage before?"
"Over a thousand, I guess. I was the mine director in eastern Kosalia. The mine had over a thousand workers year-round."
Wang Zhong: "Then it's a perfect fit. The Fifth Beshensk Regiment has about a regiment's strength now, around 2,500 men*pretty close to your old mine!"
"It's not the same!" Lieutenant Colonel Eugene began passionately listing the differences.
Wang Zhong's attitude was: I'm not listening, I'm not listening, blah blah blah.
But he couldn't say that out loud, so he patted Lieutenant Colonel Eugene on the shoulder: "Everyone has a first time, me included! Just take the first step!"
After saying that, Wang Zhong even admired himself*he could spout such empty platitudes so smoothly.
"But......"
Wang Zhong hardened his expression: "Don't say another word! This is the army. If you throw in the towel, I'll shoot you! So just do your best!"
Eugene hesitated, then finally sighed: "I just figured there might be a rationing system in the future and wanted to secure better treatment for my family, that's all!"
Wang Zhong suddenly felt a bit sorry for Lieutenant Colonel Eugene. But the good news was, the Ante Empire had plenty of food*even if Kosalia, the largest grain-producing region, was lost, the Empire could still get ample meat and grain from the fertile pastures of the eastern frontier.
At least the common people of the Ante Empire didn't have to worry much about going hungry.
After saying goodbye to the Lieutenant Colonel, Wang Zhong walked quickly to the jeep. Before Grigori could help open the door, he had already climbed in.
Grigori started the jeep and drove down the tree-lined road of the estate toward the main buildings.
As soon as they set off, Wang Zhong saw the gunner Alexander from Vehicle 422 on the roadside lawn, sharing his experience with the new tank crew: "Since we don't have a tank commander, once we're on the battlefield, our view is basically locked forward. So whether it's during an assault or a defensive shootout from a position, platoon leaders must ensure their tanks are watching different directions to cover each other's blind spots."
Wang Zhong furrowed his brow slightly. Alexander's explanation was good, but he'd overlooked something crucial: standard T34s had no radios. So even if they covered each other's views, there'd be no way for a regular T34 to get alerts from allies*without radios, how the hell would they warn each other? Play music on the machine guns?
After passing the armored battalion, they reached the artillery training field. The 155th Heavy Howitzer Regiment was practicing fast artillery loading with training rounds.
A bit further ahead was the anti-air battalion. Since Wang Zhong previously had no such unit under his command, no one could introduce them to field experience. The anti-air troops could only train according to the manual.
As they neared the main buildings, Wang Zhong saw the anti-tank gun battalion assigned to him. Dimitri was leading a group of experienced anti-tank gunners, explaining the weak points of Prossenian tanks using a detailed diagram.
Wang Zhong looked on with satisfaction at everyone performing their duties. Just then, the jeep came to a stop.
Grigori: "We've arrived, General."
"I know. This is my home!" Wang Zhong said.
****
Count Rokosov's study, July 22nd, 914 Jule Calendar, 1200 hours.
After listening to Wang Zhong's analysis, Count Rokosov nodded: "Your reasoning is solid. I'll find a way to get you a redeployment order so you can defend the Olachi region."
"But are you really certain that General Skorobo's counterattack will be completely ineffective?"
So Wang Zhong once again explained how the enemy would use tanks to lure attackers into an 88mm ambush zone.
Count Rokosov: "This 88mm anti-air gun*is it the one you reported that detonated the ammo when you used B4s to strike possible anti-tank positions?"
"Yes. Right now, it's the bane of all our tanks*even the KV series can be pierced from extreme ranges."
What Wang Zhong didn't say was that the gun wasn't just good at penetration*it was also insanely destructive. A single hit usually meant total annihilation, no survivors.
Count Rokosov: "Did you report this to the Army Group Headquarters?"
"I did." Wang Zhong would never conceal battle experience for personal gain*this was life-saving knowledge. Hiding it would be utterly irresponsible to the entire army.
Count Rokosov: "As expected, Skorobo is a stubborn man. I just hope that after throwing away three tank corps, he'll come to his senses and order a retreat."
Wang Zhong: "Regardless of whether he wakes up in time, we'll hold Olachi for at least four days. That gives the troops four days to break out of the encirclement."
Count Rokosov sighed: "I doubt he'll realize in time. I know him too well."
Wang Zhong scratched his head. He didn't want to keep talking about that infuriating general, so he changed the subject: "When are you planning to evacuate, General?"
"I'm not planning to evacuate," Count Rokosov said. "You have your old unit, and I have mine. I'll stay. In a crisis, I can lead them in a breakout. You should understand that by now, right?"
Wang Zhong nodded.
He understood, but his heart was still filled with mixed emotions.
He really didn't feel much for his "family" in this world*that's how it should've been.
But thinking that the old man might die in the siege made him feel awful.
So Wang Zhong tried to keep persuading him, but the old man countered: "Put yourself in my shoes. You're facing certain defeat, and you get an order from above to abandon your troops and run for your life alone*would you do it?"
Wang Zhong: "Of course not. I'd fight with my men to the very end. But......"
The old man: "You accept it rationally, but not emotionally, right?"
Wang Zhong hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
The old man burst out laughing and pressed the bell on the desk.
Ten seconds later, the old butler appeared: "Master!"
"Bring wine! My ungrateful bastard of a son is actually sad for me! Hurry, bring the wine!"
The old butler: "The doctor said... I'll fetch it right away."
After speaking, he bowed to Count Rokosov, then to Wang Zhong, and left.
The old man stood up, fished a few pieces of waffle from the tin on the coffee table, and tossed one to Wang Zhong: "Here, I tried baking these. I worked hard to recreate the flavor your nanny made when you were a kid. See if it tastes right!"
Wang Zhong took a bite and immediately frowned: "This is insanely sweet!"
"Oh? Really?" The old man took a bite himself and frowned too. "Oh, how did it get this sweet? It tasted normal when I sampled it!"
Wang Zhong: "How would I know?"
The old man thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh: "I get it*I added sugar and honey, and I sampled it after adding the sugar! I forgot honey is sweet too! What a waste."
He tossed the waffles back into the tin.
Just then, the old butler returned with the wine and glasses.
Count Rokosov: "Come, let's have a drink, father and son! May you triumph in battle!"
Wang Zhong: "And may you break out safely."
"Haha! If you can hold the line, I'll definitely break out. Don't worry about your old man*just take care of yourself!"
Saying that, Count Rokosov shoved a glass into Wang Zhong's hand, snatched the bottle from the butler, filled Wang Zhong's glass, then filled his own.
"To Mother Ante," he said, raising his glass.
Wang Zhong: "To Mother Ante."
(End of Chapter)