Novel Full Chapter 109 Hooked
At 12:30 pm on the 27th, Yeisk, in front of the headquarters of Ante’s First Mobile Group Army.
Though it’s called a plaza, in reality, it is the yard of a warehouse.
Wang Zhong looked satisfied as he observed the newly formed suicide squad.
Popov explained, “They are all fully aware of the nature of the mission, and everyone is carrying a Grenade of Glory.”
Wang Zhong nodded his head; he could indeed see determination and fervor in the soldiers’ eyes.
But Wang Zhong felt that he still had to say something.
“Not caring about the number of casualties as long as we take the hill” is one thing, but making sure the troops are fed before they go is another.
Therefore, Wang Zhong said, “I’ll tell you the truth. We are currently trapped in a dilemma. On one hand, we must retreat; otherwise, we’ll be surrounded and even impede the brother troops assigned to delay the enemy.
“On the other hand, if we run, the Bolsk Front Army might suffer heavy losses. Of course, some of you may ask, why not defeat the enemy? Why not wipe them out entirely like we did with those few divisions?
“About these questions, I’ll speak frankly to all of you Davarish, I wish we could do it too, but we are outmatched. Our Army Group can indeed exchange blows with the Prussians, but other troops facing the Prussians are like butter against a red-hot iron rod.
“We’ve tried, and as soon as the 401st joined the battle, for a brief time, they turned the exchange rate between us and the enemy upside down, and we still haven’t made up for the losses.
“The 50th assigned to hold the line on our left flank didn’t last even a day before they crumbled to pieces.
“We have too many new recruits; they are indeed brave, but modern warfare is no longer like the era of the Conqueror; you can’t win wars on bravery alone.
“Troops need training and combat experience, and commanders are no different. I believe that this year—even the next, we probably won’t be able to achieve an equal exchange ratio against the Prussians.
“But I can predict for you—two years from now! Two years from now, our battle-hardened forces will flood over the enemy like a tidal wave!”
When Wang Zhong spoke these words, he was the picture of confidence! Knowing the course of history, his words carried weight!
Inspired by Wang Zhong, all the soldiers wore faces full of anticipation, already fantasizing about the day they would effortlessly annihilate the enemy.
Wang Zhong shifted his tone, “But for now, we are unable to defeat the enemy; this is the reality. A good commander needs to recognize the truth, admit when the enemy is stronger, and seek a breakthrough under such circumstances.
“My solution is you! I cannot disclose the specific details of the mission, but I can only say that for the mission to succeed, none of you can be captured by the enemy! If you can’t escape, I demand that you detonate the Grenade of Glory!”
Wang Zhong paused, and then he noticed that a soldier’s chest gear was not properly fastened. He reached out to adjust it for the soldier and patted him on the shoulder.
Wang Zhong said, “Normally, I would not make such a demand. If you have fought until your ammunition is spent, surrendering is understandable. Although I’m the one who composed that song, ‘I Still Have One Last Grenade.'”
The others began smiling, as the song was evidently well known among them.
Wang Zhong raised both hands, palms facing down, and gently pressed down, waiting for the laughter to subside before continuing, “That song is just my personal choice. When faced with such a situation, I would detonate the last grenade, taking the enemy with me.”
That was genuine; the current Wang Zhong was convinced he had the resolve and courage to do so.
As soon as his words fell, the soldiers began to shout, one after another, “I would do the same!”
“So would I!”
Once again Wang Zhong pushed his palms downward to silence the crowd before continuing, “However, I previously didn’t make this a requirement for everyone. This time it’s different. This time I want each of you, when you are about to be captured, to pull the pin of your grenade. Don’t let the enemy take any prisoners, don’t let the enemy interrogate you!
“I believe you could withstand the interrogation, I have faith in your willpower, but this mission is too critical to risk any slip-up.”
Everyone fell silent.
It was then that Popov spoke up, “They are all aware of this, and they volunteered knowing the stakes, and they have already taken care of their wills and handed over their personal belongings to the designated department.”
Wang Zhong nodded, just about to continue when someone shouted, “Look, it’s the general’s horse!”
Everyone turned their heads, including Wang Zhong, and indeed saw Bucephalus being led out, tethered together with the other horses participating in the mission.
The soldiers suddenly erupted into commotion, with someone’s booming voice echoing in the courtyard, “General, you can’t go!”
“Yeah, we’ll go do the dying!”
“If you fall, the troop’s morale will collapse!”
“Everyone’s saying it, you’re the one who will lead us into Plosenia!”
Wang Zhong originally planned to gesture again to silence the noise, but this time the trick didn’t work, as everyone kept shouting.
So he had to use his own loud voice, calling out, “Silence! Silence!”
But at that moment, the crowd was too impassioned, and most didn’t realize that it was Wang Zhong himself yelling for quiet.
Then those who noticed Wang Zhong trying to speak started shouting, “The general wants to talk, quiet down!”
After more than a minute of chaos, finally, the scene was under control again, and everyone shut their mouths and looked at Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong said, “This mission is too risky, so I will not be joining. A volunteer who resembles my build will play my part instead. However, for the sake of authenticity, my horse Bucephalus will join the mission. It will be with you. When things go south, remember to follow it; after all, it has escaped from so many crises before.”
“`
As his words ended, Bucephalus neighed.
Wang Zhong had a sudden inspiration, “Right, Bucephalus, what you said is right!”
Everyone laughed.
Once the laughter naturally subsided, Wang Zhong saluted everyone, “May the Ante mother be with you. If we survive, see you in Plowsonia!”
Being saluted by a general like Wang Zhong—Rocossov, all the dare-to-die team members proudly lifted their chins.
Ante People, like Earth’s Russians, liked to look skyward while saluting, as if they feared neither heaven nor Earth.
Now they returned Wang Zhong’s salute in the same manner.
Wang Zhong lowered his hand, “Move out!”
————
In the first defensive line of the Prosen 16th Armored Grenadier Division, Captain Hans took shelter from the sun beneath a tent made of tarpaulins.
He had smoked half a cigarette, and seven or eight butts lay on the ground in front of him.
Ever since the 16th Armored Grenadier Division had forcefully halted their advance and switched to defense, they engaged in minor skirmishes with Ante reconnaissance troops daily.
Every other day, the regiment also demanded patrol teams be organized to capture prisoners from the Ante side.
But despite all these captured prisoners, it seemed the higher-ups couldn’t figure out why the Antes weren’t attacking.
Word had it that on the right flank (the left flank for the Antes), the newly arrived Army Group had started to attack, tearing through the Ante positions with unstoppable might. Rocossov’s end was nigh.
As Captain Hans thought about this, he took another deep drag on his cigarette, reducing it to just a filter in one puff.
He tossed the butt and stood up, picking up his binoculars—as Captain Hans, he always had to be on guard for a potential Ante attack.
Suddenly, Captain Hans froze, as if struck by a spell of petrification.
He saw a red flag! A red flag!
Wasn’t this the red flag that Rocossov would be flying?
Putting down his binoculars, Captain Hans sprinted along the trenches, past the surprised soldiers, and raced to the artillery observation post.
He pushed aside the observer using the spotting scope, adjusted its direction and zoom, and seconds later, he located his target. He immediately adjusted the magnification and zoomed in again—
There was no mistaking it, that was definitely Rocossov, the man mounted on the tall white horse!
Captain Hans had heard rumors that Rocossov would personally scout the front lines, gathering intelligence for his own armored assault.
This meant Rocossov was indeed planning to attack, or why else would he be collecting intelligence in person?
Captain Hans was beside himself and handed back the spotting scope to the observer, rushing for the observation post’s phone, “Hello! Hello! Connect me to the division headquarters! What? Damn moles! Did the line checkers set out? Send another group! Or else I’ll bash your skull in with a Grenade of Glory.”
After cursing out the communications platoon leader, Captain Hans slammed the phone back onto the cradle.
He thought for a moment and felt he couldn’t pass up this opportunity, so he yelled, “Company commander! Quick! Gather thirty half-track vehicles, five motorcycles, ten Panzer II tanks! We’re going to blitz out there and take down Rocossov!
“Mortars and mountain guns, be ready. I’ll give the order to fire over the radio! Hurry up!”
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The entire Prosen defensive line sprang into action.
Captain Hans once again pushed the artillery observer aside and observed Rocossov and his guard unit through the spotting scope.
No tanks, just some armored cars and jeeps—yes, all targets that could be easily taken care of with the machine guns on the Panzer IIs.
He wondered what kind of medal capturing a famous general like Rocossov would merit.
Captain Hans felt his Iron Cross heating up, as if it was about to upgrade to a Diamond Oak Leaves Swords Iron Cross!
Just then, the company commander entered the artillery observation post, “Ready!”
Captain Hans said, “Good, you need to be quick. Rocossov is less than two kilometers in front of our position. Once the artillery opens fire, charge at full speed! Hit them hard! Better alive, but dead works too! Go! Today is the day you’ll make your mark!”
The company commander saluted and dashed off.
Captain Hans once again peered through the spotting scope at the ducks that were almost in his grasp—
The mortars and infantry guns began firing!
The armored vehicle column, led by Panzer IIs, charged out from cover, rushing toward a disordered enemy with murderous intent.
“Rocossov! I’m coming for you!” Captain Hans’s eyes were practically embedded in the spotting scope as he whispered, “Come on, Rocossov!”
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