Arc of Fire

Wang Zhong stayed in Balas for a few more days, mainly to handle some diplomatic affairs that required his presence.

After all, the highest commander of the United Kingdom was Admiral Okinlek, so Ante had to send an admiral as well.

When all the red tape was over, Wang Zhong first flew back to the Saint Ekaterina Fortress.

As soon as he arrived at the main entrance of the Rokossovsky Estate, he heard a full-bodied wailing coming from the second floor.

In fact, Wang Zhong was annoyed by the crying of children. In middle school, his uncle had conned him, saying, "Come and look after your brother for the summer, and I’ll give you two thousand yuan."

So he went, and then he regretted it.

In the end, he earned the money, but it was taken away by his family before it warmed in his hands, with the reason given as "We’ll keep it for you until college."

Thus, Wang Zhong only remembered the endless crying and the fickle nature of the child that summer.

Now, hearing his own son’s wails, his brow furrowed, and unpleasant memories were stirred up again.

Wang Zhong then handed his military cap and coat to the butler and tiptoed up the stairs.

He saw the baby sleeping soundly in Ludmila’s arms.

Ludmila heard the footsteps and turned to look at the door, smiling immediately, "You’re back earlier than the time you notified."

Wang Zhong: "I was eager to return."

Ludmila: "I thought you would go to the High Command first to understand the current situation on the battlefield, especially since it looks quite grim, with some unsettling rumors coming from Yeburg."

Wang Zhong: "I have fought in Yeisk, I know the situation in Nan’ant. The large areas occupied by the Prosens are wastelands without any value. Yet they still have to station their troops across this vast wasteland for vigilance and mobile operations.

"We can concentrate our forces along the Valdai Hills River, utilizing the developed shipping system to maintain logistics. Although we seem to be at a disadvantage, we actually now have the upper hand, and soon the Prosen offensive will be halted—probably at some city along the Valdai Hills River. I guess the highest probability is here... Where’s my map?"

Wang Zhong was speaking enthusiastically when he realized there were no maps in the nursery.

Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire

Ludmila: "If you’re so eager for your son to receive a military education, I can have the maids hang up military maps and update them daily according to the war reports."

Wang Zhong raised his eyebrows slightly: "No, there’s no need to be so extreme. Let him grow up more freely; after all, by the time he has memories, the war will have ended."

Then the Iron Curtain would fall, and the Cold War would begin. No, there was no need to worry about that now.

Wang Zhong sat down by the bed and gently poked the baby’s chubby cheeks: "You’re so adorably pink."

Ludmila yawned: "He’s not so adorable when he cries at night. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time."

Wang Zhong: "You could hand him over to a wet nurse..."

"No," Ludmila shook her head, "The wet nurse will have plenty of opportunities to take care of him when I’m well-rested and join you back at the front line. For now, I should do it."

Wang Zhong: "Wait, you want to go back to the front line?"

"Of course, now there are fewer Prayer Hands who can guide the Divine Arrow, so I must return to the front. It’s my responsibility." Ludmila looked at Wang Zhong seriously, "Your Front Army Headquarters will need Divine Arrow for air defense; I’ll take care of it, while other Prayer Hands can go to other places to protect more critical targets."

Wang Zhong: "The Prosen Air Force has already lost much of its air superiority, and once the Allied Forces begin strategic bombing—which actually has already started, but mainly by the Royal Air Force—once the Federation Air Force joins in large-scale strategic bombings, the Prosen Air Force’s sorties on the Eastern Front will significantly decrease."

Because a considerable number of fighter squadrons would be redeployed back to their homeland for air defense. The survival rate of the unescorted Stukas would drop sharply.

Once the survival rate decreased, the intensity of air raids would naturally diminish over time.

Ludmila looked at Wang Zhong: "You know everything, even the future."

Her expression showed pride.

She lowered her head and whispered to the sleeping child: "Look, your dad is so formidable, he has to worry about the whole Ante."

Wang Zhong: "Can a baby understand these things?"

"You can stay out of childcare." Ludmila changed the subject: "So, are you not leaving this time, or does the Valdai Hills River direction need you to go there now?"

Wang Zhong: "I’m going on a trip to the Federation. His Highness Belinsky personally indicated that he hopes I can secure more assistance."

"I see." Ludmila thought for a moment and said, "I did hear from the ladies who came to chat with me that General Tugenev has gathered a large group of war heroes with distinguished service, saying they are going to the Federation to sell some bonds!"

Wang Zhong: "War Bonds. The Federation wants to use this method to raise war funds, and then they’ll be able to fight. I’m supposed to lead these people; once in the Federation, it will be endless speeches to rally support. If possible, I really wouldn’t want to go; I’d prefer to face off against the Prosens on the battlefield."

"Liars," Ludmila said softly, "you know the importance of this more than anyone."

Wang Zhong laughed and raised his hand to gently stroke Ludmila’s cheek: "My wife understands me best. Yes, I must go. During my time in Balas, I deeply understood that we need more assistance, we need Federation trucks, we need Greyhound armored cars, we need Kettle self-propelled mortars.

"The United Kingdom’s Bren gun carriers are also very good, as well as the Daimler armored cars. Of course, also the Sherman Tanks; the Melania Forces have high praise for the Sherman Tanks.

"And high-performance lathes, so we can produce even better tanks to counter the new cutting-edge Prosen tanks that will soon appear on the battlefield. Our Whirlwind won by taking unconventional approaches, but this will inevitably force the Prosens to develop even better-performing tanks and armored vehicles.

"Liu Xia, my dear, I must go to the Federation."

Liu Xia laughed even more: "I just said you were going. I understand you. So, do what you have to do, go save the world."

Wang Zhong stared at Liu Xia for a few seconds and said, "Can you not rush me? There’s still time to sleep at home for one night."

Liu Xia laughed again.

At that time, the old maid busying herself nearby said, "In the little time since the Master has returned, the Mistress has smiled more than in the previous month. If only you could stay at home longer, Master."

Wang Zhong: "Master?"

"Yes, this estate now belongs to Duke Charon. Your brother has transferred the ownership of the estate to you."

Wang Zhong: "And him?"

During his time in Balas, Wang Zhong had been concerned with the domestic battlefront changes every day but had not paid attention to his brother’s personal movements.

Mainly because he couldn’t think of where that plump brother of his could go.

Liu Xia answered for the maid: "Your brother requested a transfer to the Saint Andrew Regional Army. It seems he said he wanted to play a more significant role."

Wang Zhong: "Is he also managing logistics in the Regional Army?"

"Yes," Liu Xia nodded, "he was awarded a medal for his outstanding performance in logistics coordination, personally presented by General Tugenev."

Wang Zhong: "I see, that’s great."

As soon as his words fell, the baby somehow woke up and immediately began to cry out.

Wang Zhong immediately stood there like he was under a Bewitchment spell, at a loss.

He wanted to pick up his son but didn’t know how to start, so he kept wiping his hands on his military uniform.

Liu Xia picked up the son and then handed him to Wang Zhong, showing him how to hold the baby with her hands and simultaneously reprimanded, "I taught you how to hold your son before you left. How could you forget now?"

Wang Zhong: "Because... you don’t know, I was almost beaten to death by Balas’s Falconer. It must be because of that I forgot how to hold my son."

"Near-death experiences have such aftermaths?" Liu Xia teased, "That’s really odd. Does everyone who has a narrow escape from death not good at taking care of children?"

That could be possible. Look at Trump; he doesn’t seem like he would be good at taking care of kids.

In any case, Wang Zhong’s rare day off was spent with his wife and son.

Olga, surprisingly, did not come over to disturb the couple.

On September 15, Wang Zhong stood in front of the C47 transport plane.

He looked back at Amelia, who was climbing into the Spitfire’s clipped-wing cockpit. This flight would be fully escorted by the Royal Air Force squadron led by Amelia.

Wang Zhong withdrew his gaze and turned to Liu Xia: "Well, I’m off."

Liu Xia stepped forward to straighten his uniform and rank insignia, then patted his arm: "Good! Bring back the aid! A lot of it!"

Wang Zhong: "I have it all figured out. Wait and see!"

Liu Xia: "Mhm, goodbye."

"Goodbye." Having said this, Wang Zhong turned and walked towards the boarding ladder.

Suddenly, he heard his son’s howling cry.

He stopped in his tracks and looked back, finding the little guy stretching out his hands in his direction, crying loudly.

Wang Zhong smiled and turned to stride up the plane.

Inside the cabin, Yakov was flipping through a dictionary.

Wang Zhong: "What are you doing?"

"I learned the United Kingdom’s pronunciation; now I’m getting used to the Federation’s pronunciation," Yakov shook his head, "I hope these few dozen hours on the plane will be enough."

Wang Zhong: "Actually, they would understand you if you speak with the United Kingdom’s pronunciation."

"No, I think since I’m a translator, I should do my best. If the other side disapproves of my accent and doesn’t give aid, then I have made a mistake." Yakov looked up, his gaze earnest, "There will be many of our soldiers who could die because of my error."

Although Wang Zhong didn’t think the Federation would refuse aid over a translator’s accent, he had no reason to dampen Yakov’s enthusiasm and encouraged: "Good, you’re doing the right thing. Keep at it."

After speaking, Wang Zhong turned his head to look at the others on the plane.

Just like Liu Xia said the day before, the plane was full of young faces adorned with medals, the most elite delegates Ante could offer.

Everyone’s expression was extremely serious, as if they were about to go into battle.

The flight attendant closed the cabin door, and the plane began to taxi slowly.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!