November 23, Military Orders Department.
“Major General Aleksei Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, with the order taking immediate effect upon its issuance,” General Tugenev put down the first order and picked up the second.
“Lieutenant General Aleksei Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is concurrently appointed as the Commander of the First Guard ‘Red Flag’ Mechanized Division.”
Standing in front of General Tugenev’s desk, Wang Zhong frowned slightly. Hadn’t they agreed to appoint me as head of the Suvorov Military Academy?
Did Olga change her mind?
General Tugenev put down the second order and said, “Don’t get distracted.”
“Yes, sir,” Wang Zhong straightened up.
Tugenev picked up the third order, “The First Guard ‘Red Flag’ Mechanized Infantry Division, distinguished in service, shall henceforth be stationed at the Kubinka training ground and simultaneously transferred to the Capital City Defense Command.”
Wang Zhong was itching to ask two things. First, what happened to my appointment as the head of the academy? Second, for a division with such a status and a Lieutenant General in charge, what kind of City Defense Commander would be formidable enough to command it?
But with Tugenev’s stern expression, Wang Zhong didn’t feel it was appropriate to ask questions. He could only watch as he put down the third order and picked up the fourth.
“Lieutenant General Aleksei Konstantinovich Rokossovsky is appointed as the Commander of the St. Ye Katerina Fortress City Defense Command.”
Wang Zhong’s eyebrows twitched. Well, my own troops in a key position next to the capital, appointed as the commander of city defense. This clearly was to prevent others from causing trouble.
Seizing the moment while Tugenev put down the orders, Wang Zhong asked, “Is this the will of Olga—His Majesty the Tsar?”
General Tugenev replied, “It was my suggestion. Do you understand what I mean?”
Wang Zhong said, “I understand.”
Tugenev picked up a new order, “Appoint Lieutenant General Rokossovsky as the head of the Suvorov Military Academy.”
Well, the second-to-last prediction became true: I really am the headmaster of the military academy. I wonder what expression the professors will have.
Tugenev put down that order, then picked up another one.
Wang Zhong couldn’t help but ask, “Is there more?”
General Tugenev glanced at Wang Zhong, “I am fulfilling your request. If you’re unwilling to accept, I can change the orders right now.”
Wang Zhong said, “Let’s hear it first.”
Only then did Tugenev look down at the order, “Appoint Lieutenant General Rokossovsky as the Chairman of the Special Committee for Military Equipment Review.”
Great, headmaster and chairman, and I will still micro-manage the troops. It looks like my head of hair is in jeopardy.
Wang Zhong looked at General Tugenev and asked, “Is there more?”
Tugenev stacked all the orders, straightened them out, then picked up a pen and asked, “Do you have any other appointments in mind that you’d like me to write?”
Although Wang Zhong didn’t have much social experience, he knew it was too much to ask for at this moment. Besides, he had no complaints. He could intervene in anything. With all these appointments, even if he wasn’t a prince, he was nearly the same.
At least in Ye Fort, that was the case.
General Tugenev took that stack of orders, came around from behind the desk, and handed them to Wang Zhong, “I was considering having you attend the future General Staff meetings, but Staff Chief Tukhachev looked very unhappy. It’s His Majesty’s intention to put him in charge of the counteroffensive.
She trusts your judgment completely and plans to use it as a reason to replace Tukhachev if there are any issues.”
Wang Zhong said, “It seems the new His Majesty the Tsar is not yet completely accepted by the military.”
“After all, she is a girl, and she is too close to the Church,” responded General Tugenev with a sigh, continuing, “The civil war was twenty years ago, after all. The Church has been expanding its power among the lower classes, while the nobility has been doing so within the army.
“Didn’t you say that many of our weapon designs are very poor? I’ve relayed your opinion to His Majesty. The fundamental reason they are so poor is because of the old nobility factionalism and self-serving actions. Not every noble has the same clarity of thought that your father has.”
Tugenev clearly had more to say, but the adjutant opened the door and announced, “Report! Emergency situation!”
General Tugenev frowned, “What’s going on? Has someone finally decided to oppose the new His Majesty the Tsar? The new City Defense Commander just happens to be here…”
“No, please allow me to turn on the radio,” said the adjutant, who proceeded to operate the radio.
Tugenev seemed to be quite easygoing. He didn’t mind his staff being a bit disorderly.
Once the radio was on, English—known in this world as Anglo-Saxon—came through.
Wang Zhong’s grasp of English was basically at the level of how to do you do, understanding only simple speech and stammering endlessly when speaking.
The adjutant translated, “Up next, the president of the Federation will deliver a speech at the congress, which we will broadcast in its entirety.”
Wang Zhong took a glance at the morning sun outside the window, estimating the current time in the Federation. Well, this is quite the time for a speech…
He then glanced at the calendar. It’s two weeks earlier than on Earth, but it’s still a Sunday surprise attack.
At this point, the speech began.
In fact, Wang Zhong had heard this speech many times in various contexts. For instance, mods in Hearts of Iron had incorporated the original speeches into the game, allowing players to listen to them once a resolution was clicked.
Of course, with Wang Zhong’s level of “good reading but poor speaking” English, he couldn’t understand every line, but he definitely wouldn’t mishear the last line, “God help us.”
The adjutant translated, “I believe I have expressed the will of the Congress and people of the Federation; I am convinced that we must not only fully defend our homeland but also ensure that the Federation is never again threatened by such treacherous acts.”
“The enemy is right in front of us, and our people, our land, and our interests are in great danger; we cannot ignore this fact. I have absolute confidence in the Federation military and the people of the Federation. Victory will surely be ours; God be with us.”
The staff officer’s translation lacked the original speaker’s fury.
In a calm voice, he concluded to General Tugenev and Wang Zhong, “The Federation and the Empire of Fusang, as well as their ally the Prosen Empire, are now in a state of war.”
At that moment, Wang Zhong suddenly understood what it meant to need a good sleep.
Especially since just yesterday he had heard that the Federation, incited by the Plorsen Lobby Group, had vetoed the lease-lend bill.
Well, now there was no need for a bill. I’m entering the fray myself.
M3 Lee tanks, M4 Sherman tanks, and even P39 Airacobra fighters were now up for grabs.
More importantly, the trucks—after the Federation’s production explosion, there were trucks to spare. With Federation trucks, logistics could be improved, divisions could have more support units assigned, and tank units could be provided with maintenance vehicles, tow trucks, and other things—
Wang Zhong’s mental list immediately spanned three pages and was still growing.
General Tugenev glanced at Wang Zhong, “How about some wine to celebrate?”
Wang Zhong: “Yes, that’s needed!”
Sensing the mood, the operations officer turned off the radio and quietly slipped away.
The general went over to his liquor cabinet, took out a bottle with intricate decorations, uncorked it, and poured two glasses.
Wang Zhong went over to grab a glass and raised it, “To celebrate the Federation joining the war!”
General Tugenev: “To the imminent aid!”
The two clinked glasses.
After drinking, General Tugenev said, “This afternoon, make an appearance at the Suvorov Military Academy. I’ve already notified the school that you will be going. Also, your safety in Ye Fort will be the responsibility of the Church’s Tribunal. You can also arrange some troops you trust.”
Wang Zhong: “I’ll make arrangements.”
General Tugenev continued, “As for the City Defense Command, you can go there tomorrow.”
Wang Zhong: “What about Ludmila’s appointment? Where has she been assigned?”
The general: “The Divine Hand and Divine Arrow Company were never really under our command.
“Besides, ever since you changed the use of Divine Arrows, the front lines have not been as desperate for Divine Hands, and the casualty rate among them has decreased.
“Now, most of the Divine Arrow Company are paired with anti-aircraft artillery, responsible for defending important locations. I suspect Belinsky won’t send your fiancée to the front lines alone, so you two can fully enjoy family life in Ye Fort.”
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Wang Zhong: “If only that were the case.”
General Tugenev: “Alright, get going. The imperial meeting is about to end, and it will be hard to leave once Her Majesty arrives.”
Yes, indeed. If His Majesty the Tsar said, “I want to understand the situation at the front,” there was indeed no escaping.
Wang Zhong nodded, packing a stack of documents into his briefcase.
General Tugenev: “Get an adjutant. It’s unseemly for a major general to carry a document bag himself.”
Wang Zhong didn’t like that comment; he came from China and didn’t like such pretensions.
General Tugenev: “I know you’re close with the Church and even deliberately want to shed your image of frivolity.”
So, the habits he brought from another world are seen like that here.
General Tugenev: “I don’t know what the Church plans to make of you, but I’m speaking from a functional standpoint; you have orderlies to handle mundane matters of daily life, and you should have an adjutant for official business, essentially a secretary.”
Wang Zhong: “Fine, if I find someone like Bernard or Humphrey for a secretary, I will make them my adjutant.”
General Tugenev: “Who are they? Rakes from Ye Fort? Choose wisely. Someone without sufficient capability cannot be your adjutant, I assure you.”
Wang Zhong: “I’ll keep that in mind.”
General Tugenev nodded, “Go on, the imperial meeting is almost over.”
Wang Zhong turned and left the room.
General Tugenev moved to the window, gazing out at the morning sun.
He stood there for a long time, maintaining the pose of someone enjoying the sunrise.
Then the door opened, and Her Majesty Olga I pushed through, “Alyosha! Eh? He’s gone? Why did he leave so quickly? I wanted to ask him about the situation at the front!”
General Tugenev turned, “Your Majesty, he’s just taken on so many appointments; he must be extremely busy. It’s best not to disturb him all the time.”
Her Majesty Olga I pouted like a young girl.
The general: “Your Majesty, even though the coronation hasn’t taken place, you are already the ruler.”
Her Majesty Olga I sighed, “I know. I know. I will take over from my brother and get everything in order!”