Arc of Fire

After the embrace, Wang Zhong said, “When we parted last time, saying ‘see you in Plowsonia,’ I thought it wouldn’t come true.”

“How could it not!” laughed Major General Kiriyenko, “Firstly, I was not surrounded, and secondly, I’m a cavalryman! If I were determined to leave my troops behind, I could break out even if the enemy laid a trap in heaven and earth.”

Wang Zhong, hearing him mention his own troops, asked, “What about the Seventh Cavalry Army?”

It was Kiriyenko’s Seventh Cavalry Army that, when Wang Zhong had lost much of Loktov, had engulfed the enemy, now at the end of their rope, like a tide, and rescued the beleaguered fight group of Rocossov.

This unit was the savior of Wang Zhong’s life.

Kiriyenko sighed, “The losses were heavy; they all retreated to the east side of St. Ye Katerina Fortress for reorganization. My boys are all cavalrymen; they are really not suited to meat grinding with Prussians within the city.”

Wang Zhong: “That’s too bad.”

“Don’t worry too much. I missed the sharing session yesterday, but last night I was drinking in the corridor and bumped into Major General Kashuk, who lives across from me. We talked about your method, using the mud and winter to drag down the enemy—it’s a good idea. However, some people also said that your real intention is to level St. Ye Katerina Fortress.”

Wang Zhong couldn’t help but smile wryly: “Who said that? How could that be? Look around at the reinforced concrete structures; look at the factory buildings in the distant industrial area—how much explosive would it take to level that? No, no, we won’t leave St. Ye Katerina Fortress.”

“The enemy won’t be able to take it either. If the enemy enters the city, then we rely on the city’s reinforced concrete buildings to grind with them—it’s not a small town like Loktov. It’s going to cost the Prussians their lives!”

At that moment, a group of officers gathered around, not coming close, just listening from a distance as if waiting for a commuter bus.

Then, Major General Kashuk, whom Wang Zhong had met the night before, came over eating a pastry: “Major General Rocossov, I heard that you’ll be assigned under my command.”

Wang Zhong was very pleased to hear this: “Isn’t that a good thing? You spoke very well yesterday, much better than being commanded by that fool—that traitor—Skorobo.”

General Skorobo had already been labeled a traitor. It was said that his wife was found to have a quarter Prussian bloodline; her grandmother was a noble from Bavaria and had correspondence with the family.

One could only say that the Tribunal was swift.

Kashuk frowned: “Aren’t you angry? I was originally a peasant.”

Wang Zhong: “What’s wrong with that? The wheat we eat is planted by peasants; the beef we eat is raised by peasants. If you hate peasants, then don’t eat!”

Kashuk looked at Wang Zhong as if seeing him for the first time, sizing him up carefully: “You… you’re not like the rumors say. They say you’re a libertine and a womanizer.”

When it comes down to being a womanizer, who do I know in the city?

Just then, Kiriyenko said, “I guess High Command is trying to create conflict between you two.”

“Most of them are nobles from the old army who picked the right side. Their personal grievances matter more to them than winning battles.”

“If you were to be surrounded, letting the old officers lead troops to rescue you—given their current hatred for you—the rescue troops might only advance one kilometer a day.”

Wang Zhong cursed, “How can we win battles with these vermin!”

The surrounding officers didn’t express agreement explicitly, but from their expressions, it was clear they shared Wang Zhong’s sentiment.

Kashuk: “It would be good if Gorky Konstantinovich could come back. His father was a cobbler; he wouldn’t see eye to eye with those noble lords. It’s a pity he’s been exiled.”

Wang Zhong had long wanted to say that Chekhov, Tugenev, Gorky—good heavens, the whole Russian literary scene had time-traveled! But then Wang Zhong thought it over and felt that so many familiar names weren’t that strange after all, seeing as the Ante People named themselves after a list; if your name was on it, how could you tell someone else not to use it?

Kiriyenko said, “I think we should band together, make it so those foolish old masters’ orders can’t be carried out, and we make adjustments on our own. Look, the three of us, two major generals, can both command an army group, and although you’re a brigadier general, with so many military achievements, becoming a major general is just a matter of time.

“All three of us together, that’s three army groups. If all were stationed in one place, we could coordinate.”

Wang Zhong: “Isn’t your Seventh Army in tatters?”

“Yes, that’s why it was handed over to my deputy—he’s been promoted to lead the army. Now that I’m back, I might take over an army group, and Kashuk probably will as well.”

Kashuk finished the pastry and took out a rolled cigarette: “Damn, they won’t let my staff move with me. I don’t know what kind of chief of staff they’ll assign me—if it’s an old noble, that’ll be disgusting.”

Wang Zhong: “As long as the staff can organize the troops well, their impact isn’t all that big. If they can’t organize well, then change them. And among the old nobility, there are also decent ones; my chief of staff is an old noble, and aside from being somewhat perfectionist, everything else is fine.”

Both men laughed as they looked at Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong: “What’s so funny?”

Kashuk: “You’re also an old noble, brigadier general. There are competent people among the old nobility; you can’t lump them all together.”

Just then, someone rode up on a horse, leading two more horses.

Kiriyenko: “Well, my mount is here; time to get things done.”

Wang Zhong: “Getting things done?”

“My wife and kids are coming by train today, so I’m going to the station to wait,” said Kiriyenko as he mounted his horse and waved to Wang Zhong, “See you in Plowsonia!”

Wang Zhong laughed and shouted back, “See you in Plowsonia!”

As Kiriyenko disappeared into the distance, Kashuk asked, “Isn’t it a bit early to talk about Plowsonia?”

Wang Zhong: “No, it’s not early. It’ll come true one day.”

“I have no doubt about that.” Just then another jeep drove up and Kashuk flicked his cigarette to the ground and crushed it, “Here’s my ride.”

He paused, then extended his hand and said, “Ploseniya greetings!”

“Ploseniya greetings,” Wang Zhong firmly grasped his hand.

After the handshake, Major General Kashuk jumped into the jeep and drove east along the main street.

Wang Zhong got into the car that had been waiting for a long time for Grigori, and headed straight for the Ordnance Department.

After their departure, the gathered officers also said their goodbyes.

“Ploseniya greetings!”

“You too, Ploseniya greetings!”

A tradition that had persisted throughout the entire war quietly began.

————

The Ordnance Department building looked blockish, and out of place compared to the other buildings in the capital brimming with classical charm.

No sooner had Wang Zhong gotten out of the car than he heard several engineers emerging from inside, engaged in a heated discussion: “Now, they’re moving the factories eastward, while demanding that we maintain production, utterly preposterous!”

“Exactly, exactly, the factories in Kazarlia have all moved out, some have just relocated, and some are still searching for sites, how are we supposed to produce anything. Thankfully, the factories along the Valdai Hills River are still operational, otherwise, I really don’t know where we’d conjure up so many T34s…”

Wang Zhong became energized upon hearing T34, and immediately stopped the group: “Hello gentlemen, may I ask who you are?”

“We’re from the Land Equipment Production Management Committee, do you need something, General?” asked the engineer who had just exclaimed “utterly preposterous.”

Wang Zhong: “I’m interested in knowing where I might go if I wish to acquire a T34 tank with an observation tower.”

The engineers looked at each other, then the ‘utterly preposterous’ one replied, “That would be a special model, you could possibly find one at some of the clubs in the capital. I mean those posh guys’ card-playing clubs, not the professional technical clubs run by churches.”

Wang Zhong: “Ok, then where should I go if I want a regular T34 and a regular KV1?”

The engineers all pointed to the Ordnance Department building behind them.

Wang Zhong: “The Ordnance Department handles that?”

“Of course, they manage the distribution of all equipment. Additionally, the logistics and supply headquarters of the Reserve Army are located here as well. If you’re a general from the Reserve Army, it would be completely proper to inquire here, although you may need to fill out forms and get stamps first.”

Wang Zhong laughed; he had indeed come to the right place!

And he even knew where to find a T34 with an observation tower!

He waved goodbye to the engineers: “Farewell, Ploseniya greetings!”

“Goodbye. Ploseniya… huh?” The engineers were taken aback.

Wang Zhong, along with Grigori, was already heading towards the entrance of the Ordnance Department.

Upon entering the hall, Wang Zhong immediately saw the sign for the Reserve Army’s logistics headquarters.

So, he strode confidently inside.

The logistics headquarters of the Front Army were vast, filled with the sound of stamps being pressed, and someone shouted into the phone, “What did you say? Canned cucumbers? What’s the problem with canned cucumbers? You wanted shells?”

Wang Zhong frowned, What the hell, that dialogue sounded way too familiar.

Just then, he heard another civilian officer shouting, “Your form says sausages! What do you mean sausages are just a codename? Customary practice? Ah? I don’t care, if the form says sausages, I’ll deliver sausages. Next time, make sure to write the real name of the item!”

Wang Zhong’s face fell, What kind of battlefield item is customarily codenamed ‘sausage’?

How come I’ve never heard of this before?

He made his way through the headquarters offices and barged straight into the logistics commander’s office without knocking.

And then he realized the guy on the phone looked somewhat familiar.

“General Chekhov?”

The general looked up, taken aback by Wang Zhong’s appearance, then said into the phone, “I have a real situation here! Yes, a real situation, I’m not using that as an excuse, General. So goodbye.”

After hanging up the phone, the general swore at the phone, “Suka!”

Wang Zhong: “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing much, someone wanted to use trucks to evacuate their estate. If you ask me, estates that aren’t along the railway lines shouldn’t be evacuated.”

Wang Zhong: “My estate didn’t take up much of the railway capacity, it was mainly for moving people to the rear.”

General Chekhov shrugged his shoulders, then extended his hand to Wang Zhong, “Long time no see, Rocossov… Your Grace.”

Wang Zhong: “Still Count, the investiture of Duke Charon hasn’t been issued yet.”

Chekhov nodded, “Are you here to see your brother? Ah, I knew that couldn’t be it. So, what do you want?”

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