Arc of Gunfire

On November 25, Wang Zhong woke up to see heavy snow outside.

The windows of the room were already covered with ice, and he could feel the cold even if he got close to the windows.

"Pavlov called just now." Lyudmila said, "It's okay if you don't go to the headquarters today. There's nothing important so far, and it's snowing all over the front line now."

Wang Zhong: "He called me from the headquarters and told me not to go to the headquarters?"

"Yes, since the chief of staff is at the headquarters, how about you take a vacation?" Lyudmila smiled, "It's just right that I don't have to squat in the air defense position."

Lyudmila brought hot coffee, pickles and sour cream to the small table in front of Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong thought for a while and asked, "Is the air defense mission heavy recently?"

"It's okay, the rocket attacks of the Prosen people are not frequent." Lyudmila also picked up the coffee cup herself.

Wang Zhong: "Your latest mission is to intercept the enemy's rockets?"

"Yes, that thing can't be caught up by planes, and can't be shot down by anti-aircraft guns, so it can only be detonated in advance with magic arrows."

"Is that so... How efficient is the pre-detonation?"

"Didn't you notice that the enemy's rocket attacks these days have only caused a small number of casualties and fires, and no buildings have been destroyed? The rocket fragments detonated by us will still fall into the city, injuring some passers-by and setting some buildings on fire, but the lethality to intact buildings is greatly reduced."

Lyudmila paused for a few seconds and shook her head: "To be honest, I'm not sure if our interception has reduced casualties. The intercepted rocket seems to have become a large shotgun, hitting the city."

Wang Zhong: "The key to interception is to let the people know that we are intercepting."

Just like the meaning of national defense is to make people think they are protected-this is a famous stalk handed down from the British TV series "Yes, Prime Minister".

Lyudmila: "Recently, the technical department is researching a new warhead, which seems to be able to push the enemy's rocket to the side instead of detonating it."

Wang Zhong: "Is the interception altitude high enough?"

If the interception is at high altitude, as long as the missile's trajectory deviates by a small angle, the final landing point will be very different.

But the interception altitude of the magic arrow does not count.

Lyudmila: "I don't know, but I have to try it anyway. By the way, I saw in the newspaper that Proson also used this kind of rocket to attack the United Kingdom."

"Yes, it is probably to intimidate Britain and make them surrender. Unfortunately, it will not work, and it will just waste their rocket production in vain."

V1 and V2 rockets are very strange. Calculated by production hours, these two are not cheap weapons. After all, "rocket" has not been cheap until the era when Wang Zhong traveled through.

When Wang Zhong traveled through time, the old Ma in the United States has been trying to reduce the cost of rockets, but he did not succeed until the end.

The San Dezi of the Earth fought a lot of V1 and V2, but did not achieve any results, but seriously hindered their military production.

Later, the German fans among the military kept talking about how many more tanks and cannons San Dezi could have made if they had not fought so many V1 and V2, and then they would not have lost.

But now, Wang Zhong has a little understanding. Even if Proson used the production capacity of these weapons to make ordinary weapons, it can only delay his failure. It is better to make new weapons and take a gamble.

"Dear?" Lyudmila interrupted Wang Zhong's thoughts.

Wang Zhong: "I was wondering if the Proson Empire is desperate to try any possible means?"

Lyudmila stared at Wang Zhong's face seriously: "I heard that in the north, their new heavy tanks have achieved very good results, and they are facing our new tanks."

Wang Zhong: "Yes, their new heavy tanks are finally on the same starting line as our Rokossov I and T54. But we have obtained new engines, and stronger models have been tested in the rear. We will fully upgrade the existing armored forces in the summer offensive next year."

Next year, in addition to the improved versions of the T54 and Rokossov I, the T34W of ordinary troops will also be upgraded and replaced with 85mm anti-aircraft guns, so that ordinary armored troops will not be beaten so badly when facing the No. 4 H or even No. 4 G tanks.

When facing the No. 3 assault gun G of the Proson infantry unit, it can also penetrate the opponent's frontal armor at a long distance.

In addition, the self-propelled artillery units will be equipped with a large number of SU152s next year. These equipment are usually used as self-propelled artillery for indirect fire, but when encountering siege warfare or when the troops need emergency anti-tank firepower, they can also lay down the cannon to participate in the armor-piercing confrontation.

Finally, there are the wire-controlled rockets of Kitov and Grishkov. Wang Zhong is not worried that the two geniuses can't handle the rockets. What he is worried about is that there are not enough people to operate the rockets.

Before Wang Zhong crossed over, he operated the first-generation wire-controlled missiles in various simulation games. It takes some skills to hit the target with that thing.

The second-generation wire-controlled missiles simplified the operation and reduced the difficulty of use. Later, the missile guide only needed to aim the aiming laser beam at the target, which was further fool-proof.

But now what Kitov and Grishkov have made is definitely the first generation.

Wang Zhong drank hot coffee and ate pickles with sour cream, imagining the attack next summer.

Lyudmila: "By the way, Dr. Katya came to see me."

Wang Zhong: "What's wrong?"

"She seems to be planning to marry Yegorov when the Winter Campaign is almost over. But she is worried that Yegorov will not agree, so she wants you to do Yegorov's work."

Wang Zhong: "Oh? She also wants to get married? Popov and I plan to wait until the battle is over to do their work."

Lyudmila: "You really think so too. By the way, I heard some rumors that General Andrei of the St. Andrew's Front may have to be sent to the Far East to serve as the commander of the Far East Front because of his poor performance this time. , many people believe that Yegorov will become the new front commander."

Wang Zhong: "Then let him lead the entire front army to charge hard and kill the enemy's tank ace? No, no, we have discussed it and will recommend Kashuch and Kirinenko to the headquarters. Who will be the commander-in-chief? Ministry decision.”

At this time the phone in the room rang.

Wang Zhong looked at Lyudmila: "Didn't you already make an agreement with Pavlov?"

Lyudmila shrugged: "There may be an emergency. Okay, just wake up. You can answer this time!"

Wang Zhong put the coffee cup into Lyudmila's hand, ran to the phone and picked up the receiver: "I'm Rokosov, please speak!"

"Brother!" Olga's voice came, "I saw the two candidates you recommended! I decided to arrange for one to be assigned to the Western Front and the other to be assigned to the St. Andrew's Front!"

Wang Zhong: "Ah? I asked you to choose one of the two to be sent to the St. Andrew's Front! And what happened to the Western Front? Where is Marshal Gorky?"

"He himself told me that as the Minister of Military Order is busy with his affairs, it is not appropriate to continue to serve as the Commander of the Western Front concurrently."

In other words, I recommended two people, but as a result, Marshal Gorky, the new military commander, made a favor and assigned the two key front commanders to the two people he recommended.

After understanding the whole situation, Wang Zhong said: "Kilinenko was born in the cavalry and is good at commanding battles in relatively open areas. He should be the commander of the Western Front. In fact, his most suitable one is the Khazalia Front, but I am currently I have no plans to step down yet.

"Kashuch is good at using infantry to fight bad battles. Let him go to the St. Andrew's Front. The terrain there is more complicated."

"Okay!" Olga readily agreed, "By the way, when will you come back and be my chief of general staff?"

Wang Zhong: "Wait until next year to drink on the Baltic Sea."

"It's agreed!" Olga's voice sounded like a little girl who was about to extend her right little finger and shout "Let's pull the hook" at the next moment.

Wang Zhong: "It's agreed, my good sister."

To be honest, after he became the chief of general staff, Wang Zhong has not yet carefully considered who can command the Salia Front.

He has always regarded the front army as his direct descendant, and has never thought about letting others take command.

With this opportunity, he seriously thought about this matter.

At this time Olga said again: "Will you return to Yebao at Christmas? Now many people in Yebao are saying that you want a son. The war will end before Christmas. Cardinal Rafkid of the church has been arresting people everywhere. He said so, but the more he arrested the nobles, the more he spread the rumor, saying that Marshal Rokosov was at odds with the church. "

Wang Zhong: "Olga, let me give you a suggestion. Anyone who says this should be arrested and shot. He is either stupid or has an ulterior motive. Either one deserves to die."

"Okay!" Olga agreed without thinking, "Will you be back for Christmas?"

"Go back, after holding the wedding ceremony for my most trusted general, I will go back to Ye Castle to rest for a while and check out the development progress of new equipment. The Prossens have caught up with us in terms of armor and bomb resistance. It’s time to urge the scientific researchers at the rear.”

"Okay, then I'll wait for you. Bye~" Olga hung up the phone.

————

On December 10, the heavy snow that had been falling for many days finally stopped.

When Wang Zhong's car drove through the streets of Ronezh, he saw a large group of women clearing the snow on the road with shovels and hoes.

"Tsk, I didn't see a single man in the team." Wang Zhong sighed.

Vasily: "Either they were all killed by the Prosens, or they joined the army. People in the newly liberated areas are very enthusiastic about joining the army. Many local men who were originally guerrillas had the opportunity to find our logistics right after liberation. Officers, request their recruitment."

At this time, the new driver said: "Our village is almost the same. The only men are young boys and old men whose hair has not yet fully grown. Oh, yes, there are a few who have returned recently with missing arms and legs."

Wang Zhong frowned. Because of the shortage of human resources, disabled soldiers also had a lot of work to do, such as instructors for rear recruit training.

Only those severely disabled soldiers will return home.

Wang Zhong: "Are all villages in the rear like this?"

"Yes, but don't blame yourself in a hurry. Not all men have joined the army. Some of them have gone to work in factories in the city to build aircraft and cannons for the front line."

The driver actually comforted Marshal Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong: “When I heard about the situation on the home front, I couldn’t wait for the war to end by Christmas.”

"But now the campaign against arrogance and quick victory theory is almost over." Vasily said worriedly, "Wouldn't it be better for you to bring this up again now?"

"I'm just joking. Of course I know I have to eat the food one bite at a time."

As they were talking, the car drove into the headquarters. Wang Zhong saw Yegorov going up the stairs and shouted, "Yegorov, stop!"

Yegorov turned around and saw Wang Zhong, and immediately lowered his head to tidy up his clothes. After he was dressed, he stood at attention and saluted beside the pillar in front of the headquarters gate, like an ancient Roman legion soldier guarding the building.

Wang Zhong casually saluted and said, "Have you met Dr. Katya?"

"Yesterday, I rushed back overnight after reading the battle report of the day. Except for the nap I took in the car, I haven't slept well for 36 hours, so I plan to catch up on my sleep before seeing her, so that the effect of my love talk will be better."

Wang Zhong: "It doesn't matter, Yegorov."

He got out of the car that had not yet stopped, walked up the steps to Yegorov, and patted his shoulder with his hand.

"Doctor Katya will be happy the moment she sees you, so go see her, now, right away."

Yegorov pointed to the headquarters gate: "But I'm just about to report the situation. Aren't the commanders of the various army groups meeting to summarize the situation today?"

Wang Zhong: "No, we called you back from the front line specifically."

Yegorov said seriously: "Is it because my advancement speed is the worst in the entire front? Even the troops of Lieutenant General Eugene next door are embedded in the enemy's defense line for nearly 20 kilometers!"

Wang Zhong: "No, it's not because of this. In fact, we are going to hold a wedding for you while the war is not so urgent now."

Yegorov was stunned: "Me and Katya? No, no, no, forget it, you can't force a girl to accept it. Ah, even if you are the commander of the front, the star of victory, you shouldn't be like this!"

Wang Zhong: "It was Katya who came to Liu Xia and asked me to convince you to marry her, don't wait until the war is over."

Yegorov paced on the spot: "Katya wants to marry me? Katya wants-"

Wang Zhong: "Don't doubt it, Katya wants to marry you, I suggest you respond to her."

Yegorov stopped and looked at Wang Zhong: "Since the division commander said so, I will go to Katya after the report and set the wedding date."

Wang Zhong: "I think today is a good day. Find the local church to report the situation, and you should be able to get a house for marriage soon. I will ask Seris chef to prepare a sumptuous meal.

"What instrument can you play, Vasily?"

Vasily: "I should be able to play the bayan (Russian accordion)."

Wang Zhong: "Then Vasily will be responsible for the music, and I will find a few soldiers who are good at Cossack war dances to dance and cheer at the venue, and it's done!"

Yegorov: "So anxious? ”

Wang Zhong: “Don’t let the good life slip away, old friend.”

“But the war is not over yet!”

Wang Zhong looked at Yegorov: “I know.”

Yegorov sighed: “Okay, but I have to report my work first. I will never give in on this one! .”

————

December 12, Roniezh City.

Wang Zhong looked at the senior officers of the First Front of Khazaria who were all present, and raised the glass in his hand: “Everyone! I am the happiest today! For victory!”

All the generals raised their glasses together: “For victory! ”

After drinking it all, Wang Zhong looked at Kashukh and Kirinenko. The two had already put on new shoulder straps and were about to take up their posts at the St. Andrew Front and the Western Front.

Their staff would stay to help the new commander quickly grasp the situation.

Wang Zhong: "Two old friends are leaving us to take up posts far away. Kirinenko's cavalry army once saved me from danger in Loktov, and Kashukh's infantry army guarded my flank in Shostka. You are all trustworthy partners!"

Kirinenko: "I thought I would fight under you until I broke through Proshenya. This transfer order caught me off guard. Thinking about it carefully, the winter offensive made me realize that the space for cavalry to play has become smaller. I thought I could still gallop on Melania's field for a while."

Wang Zhong: "It's not your fault. If we go further west, the terrain is not suitable for cavalry to play. Melania's cavalry also suffered a great loss when the Prosens attacked Melania, and became a propaganda material for the Prosens.

"The Prosens said that they used sabers to cut tanks to highlight their incompetence."

Kirienko: "It reminds me of before the war. At that time, a large number of cavalry troops were converted into tank troops. At that time, many people said that this was because the leaders had read the Prosens' propaganda."

In the first two months of the war, all the cavalry troops that Kirinenko said were converted into tank troops were lost.

Wang Zhong: "In short, Kirinenko, you should go to the Western Front and play your best. There is still a lot of room for cavalry operations on the front of the Western Front.

"And Kashuh, your top priority is to do what General Andrei did not do, and completely eliminate the threat of the Prosens to Fort St. Andrew."

Kashuh: "I will, and try to complete it before the summer offensive next year. "

Wang Zhong thought to himself, that's not what I meant. I want you to push forward during the summer offensive next year and do your best to achieve this!

Pavlov: "This winter is colder than last year. It's not easy to launch an offensive in such severe cold."

Kashukh: "I plan to take action when the snow starts to melt next spring. Everyone thinks it's difficult to attack during the muddy period, but I'm going to do the opposite!"

Wang Zhong: "You can try it, but don't let it affect the summer offensive next year."

"Don't worry." Kashuhe said confidently.

After saying this, Wang Zhong turned to Yegorov and Dr. Katya: "I'm sorry for neglecting our newcomer."

Dr. Katya: "No, I am very satisfied to have so many generals at our wedding."

Vasily smiled and said: "That's right. Now that the Prossens are launching a rocket here, the war might be extended by three years."

The whole room fell silent, and everyone looked at Vasily.

Lyudmila opened her mouth to smooth things over: "No, Vasily, we are all dead, Marshal Rokossov will survive and lead Ant to victory. After all, he is the only man who survived a direct hit from a 381mm heavy artillery. "

Everyone laughed and the atmosphere became relaxed again.

Popov came to Vasily and lowered his voice and said, "You, don't think that I won't punish you for picking shit since you are a lieutenant colonel!"

Vasily: "I just want to be humorous! Do you understand humor?"

Popov: "Go and have fun with the stones in the pit!"

At this time, Wang Zhong continued to say to Yegorov and Katya: "You two, I know that the war has brought you pain that will never be forgotten. I don't think you can get rid of the pain now that you are married.

“The war also brought me sadness that will never go away. Even if Lyudmila and I were married, even if we had children, this sadness would not go away.

"I really let it go when I recaptured Agsukov. I returned to the place where my father and close friends died in battle, and placed a beautiful bouquet of flowers in front of their graves.

"Have I really let it go completely? I don't know, probably not. Whenever it is quiet at night, I will think of the voice and smile of my best friend, and the tea made by my father.

“I feel that this sadness will not completely disappear when we break through Prosonia and bring the culprits, the war criminals who started the war, and those behind all this to justice.

"No, those who leave will never come back. Everything that is lost is lost forever. Whenever we think about this, we will definitely feel sad. This is the most fucked up part!

"This is why Prosin must perish and justice must be served!"

After Wang Zhong finished speaking, all the officers present had solemn expressions.

But he changed the subject: "But do we have to shed tears forever? I don't think so. In fact, I feel that the sadness is fading away. Sometimes I even smile when I recall my old friends.

"Am I heartless? I deny this!

"It's just that time is the only antidote. Without the earth, the sun will still go around..."

Wang Zhong couldn't help but frown. He didn't know why he suddenly started talking about Jay Chou.

"So, I think you two, although you were hurt much more deeply in the war than I was, one day, under the influence of the antidote of time, you will gradually let go and embrace a new life.

"Until that day comes, you can support each other and make life easier."

Yegorov: "Thank you, Comrade Marshal."

Dr. Katya also raised his glass: "Thank you, Comrade Marshal."

Wang Zhong: “I think besides defeating the Proscenians on the battlefield, there is another way for us to win, and that is to tell the Prossens that even though they have brought so much suffering to us, we have still not been defeated!

"Be happy, you two!"

The others raised their glasses together: "Be happy!"

Yegorov clearly had a rough face, but at this time he showed an expression like that of a literary young man. He also raised his glass high: "I, Yegorov, will never lose on this front! I won't Overwhelmed by the sorrow brought by the Prossen!"

Wang Zhong: "Yes, that's the energy, Yegorov! Vasily, music!"

Vasily put down his wine glass, picked up Bayan, and played cheerful tunes.

Twenty dancers carefully selected by Wang Zhong rushed into the venue and danced the traditional dance of Khazalia.

Yegorov yelled: "Get out of the way! You guys are not dancing energetically, let me show you a demonstration!"

After saying that, he drank the wine in the wine glass in one gulp, put the wine glass into Dr. Katja's hand, and then spun it like a top, turning to the center of the field.

Vasily moved his hands very fast, so that Bayan's melody could keep up with Yegorov's rotation.

Doctor Katya shouted: "Egorov! Didn't you eat? You are turning so slowly!"

Yegorov seemed to have been whipped, spinning even more crazily.

Vasily: "Stop going faster! I'm going to tear Bayan to pieces! Stop going faster!"