Arc of Fire

Chapter 620: Chapter 63 If Life Has Deceived You

Ten hours before the assault began, at the Abawahan Front Army Headquarters.

Wang Zhong: “This time, the assault team hasn’t been given a specific target, you can sabotage anything you want. I personally recommend damaging the enemy’s telephone lines, telephone exchanges, radio centers, communications camps, and so on.”

Amelia simultaneously translated his words to Commando Captain Jonathan.

Jonathan adjusted his beret and summarized in Angsa Language, “Stir up the waters, that’s the ticket.”

Wang Zhong looked at Amelia.

Amelia: “They understand.”

Wang Zhong nodded and gestured to Pavlov.

Pavlov placed a stack of photos in front of the assault team members: “The guerrilla fighters who received you before have all sacrificed themselves. However, workers employed by the Prosens have taken the initiative to contact us. They’ve also met up with the surviving tank operators of Tank Corps 51 that previously made an assault behind enemy lines. If you need extra explosives, you can ask them for help.”

Jonathan picked up the photos, flipped through them, and said with a look of regret, “I quite liked a few of those lads who guided us last time.”

Wang Zhong: “Then kill a few more Prosens.”

"Will do,” replied Jonathan before Amelia had finished translating.

"Report!” someone shouted loudly from the direction of the door.

Wang Zhong turned his head and saw his old friends Kiriyenko and Kashuk standing side by side at the door, their deputies and staff officers behind them.

After locking eyes, Kiriyenko stood at attention and saluted, “Guard First Cavalry Army Group Commander Kiriyenko reporting to you, Front Army Commander Davarish.”

"Infantry Guard Third Army Group Commander Kashuk reporting to you, Front Army Commander Davarish,” Kashuk added.

Wang Zhong: “You two, speaking so formally, are you insinuating that I was promoted too fast?”

Kashuk laughed, “Of course not, we knew from the start that you would climb the ranks faster than us.”

Kiriyenko: “You were commanding us even when you were a Major General, Your Highness.”

"You’re also joking about this; at this rate, I’ll never clear my name,” said Wang Zhong as he walked forward, opened his arms, and embraced the two old friends one by one.

Kashuk: “We can’t wait to join the battle.”

Wang Zhong: “Don’t worry, tonight we need to test the condition of the Valdai Hills River ice first, and the artillery troops need to make their final preparations. Your Army Group has a hundred thousand men?”

Kashuk: “A hundred and ten thousand, not entirely organized like your First Strike Army Group because we couldn’t find that much equipment. So we have more infantry, seasoned warriors, with two out of three armies holding the title of Guards.”

Wang Zhong: “Good, you’ll follow behind the Guard Tank First Army Group.”

Kashuk: “Why not accompany them, instead of following behind?”

"Because it’s us accompanying the First Guards Tank,” Kiriyenko patted Kashuk’s shoulder, “With cavalry to accompany the charge, enemy infantry on the plains are not a concern.”

Pavlov immediately said, “According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, the enemy has barely had enough to eat these days, with many non-combat losses. We anticipate an exceedingly easy battle.”

Kashuk shook his head: “I don’t understand. The Prosen Air Force has flown over us multiple times for reconnaissance, they should see a large assembly of troops on the opposite bank, but they still haven’t retreated. Why?”

Wang Zhong: “Maybe it’s because I set up a fake tank formation in Yeisk that had them completely fooled; they swore they wouldn’t be fooled again.”

Kiriyenko: “I’ve heard about that, you instructed the tank units not to conceal their tanks but to arrange them openly on the ice, so that’s what it was.”

Wang Zhong laughed: “All warfare is based on deception; I learned this from a great ancient military work of Ceres, ‘The Art of War by Sun Tzu.’ You should take a look at this magnificent book when you have a chance.”

After he finished speaking, Pavlov approached the two with two envelopes: “These are your operational plans. There is a slight difference compared to the plans we issued before to prevent information leaks. Though I believe the Judges wouldn’t let such things happen, it’s always better to be extra cautious.”

Wang Zhong: “Open them now. If you have any questions, ask them directly.”

Both men immediately opened the envelopes and began to read the operational plans inside.

A few minutes later, the two raised their heads almost simultaneously.

"No problems here.”

"The plan is very clear; we guarantee to complete the mission.”

Wang Zhong: “Good, I wish you all the best.”

The two saluted Wang Zhong, but then they didn’t turn to leave.

Looking puzzled, Wang Zhong asked, “Why are you not leaving?”

Kashuk glanced at Kiriyenko, “Didn’t you say we could have a meal?”

Wang Zhong laughed heartily: “Signalman, tell the mess to light the fires, make something good to eat!”

Six hours before the attack began.

Nelly opened her eyes and saw Tatiana sitting outside the hideout, hugging her knees and sobbing quietly.

She threw off the blankets, casually tossed a piece of charcoal into the gasoline drum used for heating, then put on her coat and approached the girl.

"Cover yourself. If you catch a cold before the counterattack, that would be a real shame,” Nelly said softly. “So why are you crying?”

"It’s nothing… I just can’t help crying when I think it’s finally over… So many days, so many sacrifices, so much suffering… Finally, it’s over

"Yes, it’s finally over.”

Nelly leaned against the doorway of the hideout and looked up at the stars in the sky.

Tatiana: “I’ve been having nightmares recently, dreaming of him — I mean, my neighbor’s brother, Aleksei. He’s injured and looking at me. I ask him what happened, why he’s here, and he doesn’t speak, just looks at me and smiles. It’s terrifying, as if he’s coming to say goodbye

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