Chapter 97
Knowing that reinforcements had arrived, Wang Zhong hurriedly directed the tank to go greet them, but just as it started up, the engine suddenly made a series of noises like a stomachache, then stalled completely.
Driver Belyakov climbed out of the hatch while grumbling, "Finally crapped out, I knew it was gonna crap out."
Wang Zhong looked speechless: "Does this engine break down often?"
Belyakov replied, "Just minor issues, easy to fix. Sometimes you just give it a good kick and it works."
As he spoke, Belyakov opened the maintenance hatch, raised the iron hammer in his hand, and struck the engine. However, this time the "Mao-style repair" didn't work.
Belyakov shook his head: "Looks like this time it really will take a while. General, maybe you should ride a horse over. You're supposed to meet with the commanders of the 63rd Army Group, aren't you?"
Wang Zhong: "Where am I supposed to find a horse right now? It's not like I can just whistle and one shows up."
As he spoke, he whistled once.
From a distance came the neighing of a horse.
Wang Zhong jumped in surprise and looked around, only to see Bucephalus turning out from a corner, happily galloping toward him.
Huh?
Could it be that the setting in the game where a horse comes running at a whistle is based on reality?
Then Wang Zhong noticed that Bucephalus had no tack on*no bridle, nothing*and was completely unridable.
This guy probably had its stable bombarded by enemy artillery again, came out unscathed, and ran over after hearing the whistle.
The white horse stopped in front of the tank, glanced at the painted white horse on the tank's tactical number, neighed once, snorted while shaking its head, and kept pawing the ground with its front hooves.
What, are you jealous of the painted horse or something?
Wang Zhong propped open both sides of the turret hatch, climbed out of the turret, and jumped to the ground: "You guys fix the tank*once it's done, return to the brigade base and regroup with the other tanks. I'll go meet with the commanders of the 63rd Army Group."
Gunner Alexander turned to the loader and said, "You follow the General and play the role of bodyguard for now."
The loader nodded and took a submachine gun from the tank, slinging it over his shoulder.
Alexander then said to Wang Zhong, "General, please be careful. There might still be Prossenian soldiers in the city who got separated from the main force."
Wang Zhong waved his hand and started walking toward the train station, with Bucephalus tagging along closely behind, constantly trying to nibble at his hair.
****
By the time Wang Zhong was near the train station square, his hands were already full of eggs and pickled cucumbers gifted by the locals.
Do Roskies really like cucumbers this much?
Entering the square, he saw a large number of trucks parked in front of the train station. Stretcher teams were carrying wounded soldiers from the trucks into the station.
With sharp eyes, Wang Zhong spotted the director of the field hospital, Losonov, and called out loudly, "Doctor, what's going on here?"
The doctor looked up at Wang Zhong and said, "General, sir, the supply depot headquarters is organizing the hospital's evacuation. Empty boxcars will be arriving at the station soon."
Wang Zhong: "After you evacuate, what about the wounded from future battles?"
Losonov looked up at the sky: "This city will soon be reduced to rubble. The hospital is filled with patients saved using up precious medicines and supplies*we can't let them die here. Once they recover, they'll become key combatants in our army."
That was indeed a fact.
Losonov: "As for the wounded from future battles, the 63rd Army Group's medical station will provide basic treatment, then wait for the train to transport them. In this situation, there's no better solution. I'll personally stay behind to help the Army Group's medical station treat the wounded. That's all I can do."
Wang Zhong: "You're staying behind?"
"Yes." Director of the field hospital Losonov smiled slightly, "I'll hold my post."
Wang Zhong nodded, unable to say a word.
At that moment, a young man on a chestnut horse, wearing the standard cap of a messenger, stopped beside Wang Zhong and saluted, asking, "Are you Brigadier General Rokosov?"
"That's me."
"Our corps commander is looking for you."
"Lead the way!"
The messenger glanced doubtfully at Bucephalus, who had no tack at all, seemingly wondering how one could ride such a horse.
Wang Zhong: "I'll walk. Is it far?"
"No, just at the nearby supply depot headquarters. Our corps commander has temporarily taken over the map room."
Wang Zhong nodded and handed the eggs and pickled cucumbers to the director: "These are for the wounded. I'm heading off."
Can't exactly show up to meet the cavalry corps commander hauling eggs and pickled cucumbers, right?
Seeing this, the messenger also dismounted and led his horse on foot while guiding Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong smiled and said, "I've been to the supply depot headquarters many times. I can go by myself. You can head back and report in."
The messenger nodded, mounted the horse, and galloped away.
****
The map room at the supply depot headquarters looked several times more crowded than before.
As soon as Wang Zhong entered, everyone turned to look at him.
Lieutenant General Kiriyenko of the 7th Cavalry stepped forward two steps, took off his cavalry gloves, and saluted Wang Zhong: "Brigadier General, your troops fought brilliantly. We've already confirmed numerous enemy corpses and destroyed tanks and armored vehicles in the city."
A Lieutenant General saluting a Brigadier General first*this was a great sign of respect.
Wang Zhong returned the salute: "It wasn't my achievement. It was the soldiers of our army and the Protectorate Army who won this with their lives and blood."
"You're very humble," Kiriyenko praised.
Wang Zhong thought to himself, I'm not being humble*the true victors were the people of this city, who defended it themselves.
But he didn't say it out loud.
Kiriyenko continued, "The 63rd Army Group's headquarters is still en route. Currently, I'm in command of the troops that have entered the city. We're in the process of handing over defense zones, and tonight, the rest of your troops can return to base and get some sleep."
"I've also asked the supply depot commander to prepare rations for you all*tonight you'll get to eat potato beef stew."
Upon hearing what they'd be eating tonight, Wang Zhong's spirit lifted.
Having crossed into this world for over ten days, he still hadn't gotten used to the food here. After eating far too many sour pickles, as a Chinese man, he'd shockingly lost his appetite and viewed eating merely as a necessity to survive.
But he did like potato beef stew.
Usually, if there are potatoes and beef, the taste can't be too bad*or at least that's what Wang Zhong subjectively believed.
However, his interest in food only lasted a few seconds before he asked, "If we can get potato beef stew, can we also get anti-tank guns?"
Lieutenant General Kiriyenko and the supply depot commander (also a brigadier general) exchanged a glance and then both laughed.
Wang Zhong: "What's so funny?"
Kiriyenko: "The supply depot commander says you're an outstanding officer solely focused on winning battles. I'm starting to see it now. All those rumors about you must've been wrong!"
No, those rumors were true*it's just that the "me" has changed.
Wang Zhong: "That's not important. I want anti-tank guns..."
"Your battle is over. Once the hospital finishes its evacuation tonight, your soldiers can board the train and withdraw."
Wang Zhong was stunned for a moment, then immediately asked, "What about my equipment? My 203mm artillery, and the T34!"
Kiriyenko: "Theoretically, we need all technical weapons that can help us hold this city. But most of your technical equipment was assigned to your unit by the Crown Prince. So these will be withdrawn along with your battle group."
"As for the Divine Arrow company*we have a well-equipped one on our end. Adding one more Prayer Hand only slightly boosts combat power, so they'll remain in your unit."
Wang Zhong: "Oh, that's good..."
Suddenly, he hesitated. These technical weapons would clearly improve the 63rd Army Group's defensive capabilities. Should they really be taken away?
I fight to protect my country, not run my own private army...
At this moment, Lieutenant General Kiriyenko said, "You truly are a noble man. I know what you're thinking, but I sincerely ask you to take these units with you."
Wang Zhong: "What do you mean?"
Kiriyenko smiled: "I'm a career soldier too, and I've always been on the front line. The fools up top are deceived*I'm not. I know we're now in a phase of strategic defense, even strategic retreat. Precious technical weapons should be pulled back. We, the 'gray beasts', should be the ones left behind to cover the retreat."
Wang Zhong wanted to speak but held back. He suddenly felt that words were too feeble*it was better to express his feelings through action.
So he stepped forward, grabbed the Lieutenant General's shoulders, and gave him a warm hug: "I'm sorry, comrade."
"No need to be sorry. I don't plan to die here. Once we finish our defensive mission, we'll break out. See you in Prossenia!"
Prossenia*the capital of the Prossen Empire.
Wang Zhong patted the Lieutenant General's shoulder: "See you in Prossenia!"
After speaking, he let go, stepped back, heels clicking together, and saluted the Lieutenant General: "Farewell!"
"Farewell!"
Wang Zhong turned around and walked away without looking back.
Watching his departing figure, Kiriyenko suddenly said to the supply depot commander, "This is a spoiled brat? The difference from the rumors is too great*he's clearly a model soldier!"
Supply depot commander: "You didn't know? The soldiers call him: Star of Victory. They say it comes from a song he hums, 'The star of victory will shine upon us'."
****
When Wang Zhong led Bucephalus back to base, he found that Vehicle 422 had already arrived*clearly, Belyakov had quickly fixed the issue.
Now the driver and gunner were by the tank, loading shells into the cabin, while the mechanic was continually fishing out shell and bullet casings and placing them into a big wooden crate.
Clearly, this crew still intended to keep fighting.
Wang Zhong: "We're withdrawing."
Alexander: "Huh? But we can still fight."
The surrounding crews, who were resupplying and maintaining their tanks, all stopped and stared at Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong: "There'll be plenty more chances to strike the Prossenians hard in the future. But today, we're withdrawing. Not just us*the 203 Heavy Artillery Regiment too. Tonight's train, we retreat under cover of darkness."
Everyone looked at each other in astonishment.
Just then, singing came from outside the base.
The 31st Guards Infantry Regiment, having completed the rotation, marched into the base in neat formation, singing loudly.
The young men all looked miserable, but their expressions were filled with fighting spirit. Their marching steps were firm and orderly, and the bayonets on their rifles swayed like wind through a cypress forest.
They sang loudly: "Tania, Tanyusha, my Tatyana, do you still remember that blazing summer? I can't forget that time, that time of love!"
That time we gave our hearts to love!
(End of Chapter)