Arc of Fire

Wang Zhong had just entered the side hall of the banquet hall when he spotted the Commando officer who preferred using cold weapons, he seemed to recall the man’s name was Jonathan.

He tilted his view for a better look and, after confirming it was indeed Jonathan, he approached him and asked, "How did you get here? I thought you had returned to Bahara for a vacation?"

Amelia, standing nearby, immediately translated, and Jonathan responded enthusiastically.

Amelia translated, "We returned to Bahara, and our forces were regrouping. I was sent to the Federation to attend this gathering, and I heard that the Federation Navy has some tasks for us."

Wang Zhong suddenly remembered that Earth’s Commandos also attacked the Japanese fuel depot on the islands, which was used to refuel Japan’s seaplanes, and incidentally blew up the enemy’s disguised reconnaissance fleet.

This operation later inspired a level in the game "Allied Commando Suicide Squad."

Wang Zhong was fiercely envious, knowing the British Army might be ineffective, but their special forces were truly fierce.

By the end of the year, employing a Commando raid on critical enemy positions might significantly reduce casualties.

When the Russians in Steelgrad finally surrounded Paulus, there was a painful fight in the Sturmtiger fortified zone, which led to heavy casualties, so Wang Zhong greatly valued the ability to breach tenacious defenses.

If Commando strike teams could raid these fortified areas’ critical points, such as ammunition transport centers and food supply stations.

Thinking of this, Wang Zhong directly said, "We also have tasks we need to assign to Commandos, so could you please send a Commando squad to Ante?"

"You should speak to a diplomat about this matter; we can’t decide," Jonathan replied (after translation).

Wang Zhong wanted to say more, but Admiral Hawthorn appeared in the side hall.

All the Federation soldiers present promptly saluted, the United Kingdom’s soldiers a fraction slower, while all the Ante soldiers were looking at Wang Zhong.

Feeling that he had already arrived at the President’s residence, Wang Zhong thought it best to show respect, so he saluted Admiral Hawthorn.

The representatives from Ante, as if on cue, crisply saluted in unison.

Admiral Hawthorn returned the salute and then approached Wang Zhong, "Let me introduce you to some of the Federation’s combat heroes."

Wang Zhong nodded, "I’d like to meet the brave souls who valiantly fight against the evil Empire of Fusang."

"Hahaha, it’s a pleasure talking with you," Admiral Hawthorn responded and then led Wang Zhong to a group of Federation military personnel.

"This is Commander John Lynch of the Navy Air Force’s third carrier-based fighter squadron!"

The third carrier-based fighter squadron? VF3? The genius who invented the Thach Weave and who fought a 3 vs 15 air battle achieving 1-to-4 or 1-to-5 ratios?

Wang Zhong immediately saluted, "A salute to you, warrior!"

Admiral Hawthorn frowned, probably feeling slightly annoyed that Wang Zhong was so enthusiastic about a mere commander.

Regardless, Admiral Hawthorn continued performing his duties, "This is Commander Richard Bateman of the sixth carrier-based dive bomber squadron."

Wang Zhong’s salute grew even more enthusiastic, "Hello, hello, I’ve heard all the way in Ante about your three-plane raid that destroyed an Empire of Fusang aircraft carrier!"

After listening to the translation, Commander Bateman appeared flattered, "You know about that?"

Admiral Hawthorn remarked, "Clearly Admiral Rokossovsky did his homework before coming to see you!"

Wang Zhong thought to himself that no, he’d done his homework way before crossing over.

Admiral Hawthorn stepped aside and introduced another naval commander, "This is Commander Tom Hanks of the USS O’Bannon."

Wang Zhong frowned, as Tom Hanks was one of his favorite Hollywood actors from before his crossing, especially for his role in "Forrest Gump" which Wang Zhong found profoundly moving each time he watched it, especially when feeling directionless or discouraged.

He looked at the naval commander and indeed saw Tom Hanks’ signature double chin, though other aspects did not resemble him much.

Overall, this man seemed handsomer, with a fiercer look in his eyes, the kind that belonged to someone who had survived the battlefield and the brink of death.

The gaze of someone who had returned from Hell.

Wang Zhong: "O’Bannon, I remember it was a potato that sunk the Fusang Empire’s submarine?"

Tom: "No, it was a pumpkin."

A pumpkin?

Seeing Wang Zhong’s surprised expression, Tom elaborated, "We were delivering supplies to the Outer Islands, carrying quite a few fresh pumpkins. We hadn’t brought ammunition, hardly any combatants either, definitely not combat-ready, so in an urgent situation, we used the depth charge launchers to hurl pumpkins, sinking the Fusang Empire’s submarine.

"I don’t know if our pumpkins were too heavy, or if the Fusang Empire’s submarine was too crappy."

The submarine sunk by USS O’Bannon on Earth with a potato was a tiny submarine from the Japanese, just that size.

If it was the same in this world, then a pumpkin would indeed do it.

This throwing of pumpkins, why did it so resemble the famous World War II comedy "La Grande Vadrouille"?

It must be a coincidence, Wang Zhong thought; it couldn’t possibly be that he too had watched "La Grande Vadrouille" and thought to throw a pumpkin in a moment of inspiration. Experience tales at

Wang Zhong dismissed that thought and changed the subject, "You speak Antenese quite well."

"Because I originally served in the Atlantic Fleet, and at that time, according to our combat plans, there was a possibility of a joint strike with Ante against the United Kingdom, so I learned Antenese," said Major Tom. "Actually, from the end of last year to April this year, I mainly fought in the North Atlantic, escorting merchant fleets heading to Ante."

Admiral Hawthorn interjected, "During one of those escort missions, he commanded the USS O’Bannon and sank four Prosen submarines."

"Actually, it was five if you count the one we sank with Air Force fire support, General," said Major Tom.

Wang Zhong asked, "How many Prosen submarines have you sunk in total?"

"12," Tom said somewhat proudly. "There’s hardly any room left to paint on the O’Bannon’s funnel."

On destroyers, after sinking submarines, submarine silhouettes would be painted on the first funnel, just like the Army paints kill rings on tank guns and the Air Force paints enemy flags and stars outside the cockpits.

Boasting about military achievements like this was very common in the military and could boost morale tremendously with just a bit of paint.

Wang Zhong hadn’t painted kill rings on vehicle 422, firstly because there were too many to paint, and secondly, seeing the tactical number 422 and the Red Flag on the communications antenna was enough to fire up the troops without needing any kill rings.

Wang Zhong patted Tom on the shoulder, "Good job, good job! By the way, were you at Midway Island?"

"Of course," Tom’s expression suddenly darkened, "In the end, it was my ship that torpedoed the irreparable USS Yorktown... It was a brave and beautiful ship indeed."

Wang Zhong: "I’ve never seen an aircraft carrier, but I can imagine."

He patted Tom’s shoulder once more.

For some reason, he just wanted to talk more with him.

But Admiral Hawthorn was already furious, and to avoid an ugly scene, Wang Zhong had to turn to the next person.

Then Major Tom asked, "Can you stop Prosen and the Empire of Fusang from establishing connections? I’ve heard that Prosen is actively deploying various guided weapons, and I really don’t want Fusang to get them."

Wang Zhong gave a thumbs up, "Don’t worry, they’re going to have a tough time this winter! They’ll be defeated horribly and will spit out the vast land they occupied in the first half of the year. Just make sure you don’t get flattened by the Empire of Fusang and give them a chance to attack Ante from the east."

"Rest assured, a piece of cake," Major Tom gave Wang Zhong the classic victory gesture.

The two parted ways.

They would not meet again for many, many years.

Just before the banquet began, the President of the Federation, sitting in a wheelchair, was pushed by his wife into the side hall.

He spotted Wang Zhong immediately and whispered something to his wife, then the wheelchair headed straight toward him.

Upon arrival, the President spoke first, "Admiral, I’m unable to stand up due to my condition, please forgive me."

The President’s secretary, who was proficient in simultaneous translation, barely missed a beat.

Wang Zhong smiled, "Of course. I heard that you stood up while convincing Congress to declare war on the Empire of Fusang. Is that true?"

The President laughed heartily, "It is true, but there’s also the not-so-true part, as I couldn’t have stood up without assistance; my lower legs are severely atrophied. So both the podium and the wheelchair I used that day had special mechanisms built in."

The First Lady quickly chimed in, "Even with those devices, it was very difficult for him to stand. I was strongly opposed to the idea, but he insisted and actually did it."

Wang Zhong: "That was a great speech, a great stand."

"Your speech in Ante was also something I devotedly read," the President said with a sly smile, "My staff thinks it was ghostwritten, but I believe you wrote it yourself. Saint Andrew was also a great orator, and his successor surely must be as well."

Wang Zhong: "Oh no, I wouldn’t dare claim to be Saint Andrew’s successor."

"The Secular faction of the Eastern Holy Church within the Federation refers to you as such. Could you please make sure to give a few more speeches there, convincing them to buy more War Bonds? Our treasury needs to be full to support Ante and the followers of Saint Andrew."

Wang Zhong: "Certainly, certainly."

Finally unable to stand being sidelined, Admiral Hawthorn barged into the conversation, "Mr. President, the General also has an unusual request; he wishes to speak at Chinatown."

The President frowned slightly, "Why? Chinatown has always been very keen on purchasing War Bonds; I don’t think there’s a need for a speech there."

Wang Zhong: "A lot of my military wisdom comes from ’The Art of War by Sun Tzu’, I wish to experience the Seres culture."

The President considered for a moment, then nodded, "No problem, just arrange an additional speech venue, Admiral," he looked toward Hawthorn, "handle it, please."

Admiral Hawthorn nodded, "Alright, how about noon the day after tomorrow? If you can endure their peculiar eating habits, you might have a meal there."

Wang Zhong: "No, I’d like to go in the morning, I want to have morning tea."

"Uh…" Admiral Hawthorn looked at the President.

The President: "Whatever time you’d like is fine. Let’s go with that."

Wang Zhong swallowed hard, his mind already listing dishes: steamed lamb, steamed bear paw... no, wait, that’s wrong, it’s rice noodle rolls, shrimp dumplings, thousand-layer cake, boat congee...

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