Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 782: Chapter 33 Homeward Journey (6K)

Wang Zhong stayed in Upper Penie for another day, taking numerous photos and using up all the videotapes brought by Robert Capa.

When he returned to the Headquarters, both Pavlov and Popov were looking at him solemnly.

Wang Zhong, puzzled: “What’s wrong? Did the Prosens bring out secret weapons? Or did they use poison gas?”

In the early stages of the war, the Prosens had used poison gas on a large scale, which Wang Zhong had experienced.

Subsequently, both the United Kingdom and the Federation showcased their own reserves of poison gas, and the Prosens promised not to use poison gas anymore. At that time, the Federation had not yet entered the war, and everyone thought that the Prosens’ promise was to appease the Federation, to keep it in “glorious isolation.”

Then Fusang launched a surprise attack.

But indeed, since then, the Prosens had not used any highly lethal poison gas.

No one could guarantee that they wouldn’t use it again if they were desperate.

Pavlov: “That didn’t happen, but…see for yourself.”

The Chief of Staff handed the document to Wang Zhong.

Wang Zhong understood as soon as he saw the cover of the document; it was an investigation report about Yegorov’s family, perhaps also including Doctor Kaja’s family, so he didn’t open the file but instead looked up and asked, “Confirmed?”

“Confirmed, and a relic was also found.” Pavlov placed a ring in Wang Zhong’s palm. “We all agree that you should be the one to tell them both.”

Wang Zhong: “You guys… always getting me, the Front Army Commander, to do these tasks!”

Pavlov: “Yes, yes, I’ll arrange a car for you right now, go to Yegorov’s Headquarters; Doctor Kaja is also at their Army Group hospital.”

Wang Zhong didn’t immediately respond, instead, he lifted the ring towards the light of the Headquarters’ fluorescent lamp to examine it.

“There’s an abbreviation engraved on this ring,” he said.

Pavlov: “Yes, it’s the initials of Yegorov and his wife’s names, already confirmed. Yegorov has an identical ring; you can compare it when you go.”

Wang Zhong stared at the ring for a while longer; solemnly, he tucked it into his pocket and turned to Pavlov: “I’ll be back soon. When is the Headquarters planning to move?”

These days, the Front Army Headquarters had been moving forward every few days, reflecting how smoothly the Front Army was progressing.

Pavlov: “We’re not moving tomorrow; actually, our advance has slowed down now, all units are exhausted, and as we are getting closer to the Melania Border, the entire front is shortening, and the density of Prosen troops is greatly increasing.”

Wang Zhong looked at the big map in the Headquarters; the density of enemy troops was indeed significantly higher, clearly showing the situation on the battlefield.

“Judges have found that new unit numbers have appeared; these numbers, according to intelligence previously shared with us by the Allied Forces, belong to the Prosen Western Front Command,” Popov said, “It seems like the Plathen Emperor is continuing to send troops from the Western Front.”

Wang Zhong: “Got it. Can Ronied be recovered according to the plan?”

Pavlov: “Ronied is already an empty city now; the Prosens have withdrawn the troops previously stationed here, which means there are about two hundred thousand fresh troops ahead on their front lines.”

“These troops belong to what the Prosens call ‘Key Location Guard Units’, also known as Fortress Defense Infantry Divisions, characterized by having fewer motor vehicles than regular Prosen Infantry, almost no armored transport vehicles like half-tracks, and no field artillery.”

“But their infantry is well-trained, heavily equipped with submachine guns, which are suitable for close-quarters combat in narrow tunnels, and they have a high proportion of veterans.”

“Such divisions, placed in the enemy-built strongholds, will greatly increase the difficulty of our next phase of the offensive.”

Wang Zhong: “Let’s consider the next phase in the next phase. I’m leaving now.”

“Alright.”

“Bon voyage.”

After Wang Zhong left the Headquarters, Pavlov and Popov exchanged glances.

Popov: “Actually, why not call Yegorov to the Headquarters? It doesn’t seem right for the Front Army Commander, a Marshal no less, to deliver a ring.”

Pavlov: “The Marshal’s first instinct was to deliver the ring himself, which shows he is not aware of his own prestigious status. Isn’t he always like this? Previously, he even sat at the same table with guards in the cafeteria, cutting sausages for new recruits, which quite scared the recruits.”

Popov: “So that’s why there’s a new joke circulating in the guard camp, ‘I don’t know who that young man was, but he must be very distinguished because I saw Marshal Rocosov cutting sausage for him.'”

Pavlov laughed heartily.

————

Prosen Army, 200th Temporary Military Station.

Sergeant Andreas watched Sergeant Kosolek: “It’s just the two of us partnering again.”

Sergeant Kosolek took a sip of the hot soup from his mess tin, cursed: “This soup tastes like mud, terrible!”

“There are hot dishes, at least.” Sergeant Andreas took a sip of his soup, then surprisingly found it quite palatable.

At that moment, several trucks drove into the military station, with Prosen Soldiers on board looking rosy and chatting loudly.

Andreas and Kosolek watched them, expressions stern.

Kosolek: “Looking at the uniforms, they’re from the Key Location Guard Units, how come these guys have withdrawn from Ronied? They should have been left there to fight to the death against the Anteans! See if they can still laugh.”

Andreas: “Key Location Guard Units?”

“Yes, specially stationed at various fortifications, just like the Coastal Defense Divisions you encountered at the West Wall.”