If I’m promoted to general by skipping several ranks right now, I’m afraid I’ll be roasted on the fire.
Wang Zhong thought again about the things he had considered before launching the attack.
Looking at the past six months—these five months of battle, it’s clear that Ante has significant problems, from troop organization to tactical operations, then to military thinking, and finally equipment, all are problematic.
If we don’t properly resolve these issues, by next year when the Tiger tanks roll onto the battlefield, I estimate the situation will become even worse.
Wang Zhong always saw himself as a war general, but now it seems he’ll also have to do the work of a paperhanger.
The opponent is Jude, with the Fritz X that was battle-hardened in the first year of Operation Barbarossa—who knows what kind of monsters and demons will appear later.
On Earth, the Tiger tanks’ feats of arms were frightening enough, easily knocking out several Soviet tank brigades with just one company of Tigers.
If Jude comes up with something like an E50, E75, or even the fictional E79 tanks from the games… that would be a real headache.
Thinking of this, Wang Zhong stood up and said, “Please allow me to refuse this appointment. First, being promoted directly from a rear admiral to a general does not comply with the rules. I’ve already been promoted from colonel to brigadier general, another promotion like this is not appropriate.
“Secondly, I don’t believe this offensive can end the war. I think we should cautiously reclaim the lost territory and not underestimate the enemy.
“Furthermore, during battle, I discovered that our current military organization, tactical thinking, operations, and equipment design are all unsuitable for the realities of the present war.
“In the future, I hope to spend about half a year correcting these errors as much as possible.”
Tukhachev’s expression was stern, likely because he was one of the contributors to the erroneous tactical thinking, operations, and equipment designs.
At this moment, Marshal Boris stood up to mediate: “Then can the general take up a post at the Military Command? Your brother has demonstrated remarkable work capacity in the Logistics Command. I think…”
At this point, Wang Zhong noticed that Belinsky nodded slightly to Olga.
Then Olga stood up with a resolve as if it took great determination, and said, “Gentlemen!”
Her voice was clear and authoritative, the voice of the Tsar.
Olga: “I’ve decided to promote Rocossov to lieutenant general and appoint General Rokossovsky as the dean of the Suvorov Military Academy. I believe that there he can fully address the errors he just mentioned.”
Wang Zhong was stunned: “Olga—Your Majesty, I graduated last in my class from there.”
Olga smiled slightly: “Look at your military achievements, my dear general. Isn’t the fact that you were only the last proof that there are problems with our military education? Where are all your peers who did well in their exams?”
Tukhachev interjected: “They were all killed in action, isn’t that obvious?”
Olga remained unmoved: “The dean of the Suvorov Military Academy is traditionally appointed by me. I’ve made my decision and will not change it.”
Wang Zhong thought about it and agreed that it was a good idea; at least errors in military doctrine, strategic thoughts, and even tactical operations could be rectified.
So he stood tall, and said to Olga: “As you command, I will not disappoint Your Majesty.”
“I know you won’t.” Olga revealed a smile that others might have missed, but Wang Zhong saw it clearly.
————
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Blue Star.
Near the sea around Wahumana, the last state to join the Federation in the Federation.
Wahumana is an archipelagic state, where all the locals make their living from the sea, until a few decades ago when the Federation built a large military base here.
Ever since, locals found an additional means of earnings: making money from soldier’s pockets.
Still, many people prefer to go out to sea to fish.
That day, the old fisherman Santiago and his son set out to sea in their boat in pursuit of a school of fish.
Just then, from the radio filled with static noise, a strange voice suddenly transmitted, saying: “Dora dora dora la.”
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Santiago frowned and tapped the radio, but no similar voice came out again.
The old man shook his head, focusing on steering.
Yet, his son suddenly stood up at the bow, staring blankly in the direction of the naval base.
Santiago turned around and saw, bewildered, a plume of thick smoke rising from the direction of the naval base.
A new page in the course of history was turning.