Arc of Fire-Chapter 753: Balas’s Night

Chapter 753 -10 Balas’s Night

President Luo looked at Wang Zhong’s expression and asked, “Is there a problem?”

Wang Zhong glanced at the bishop accompanying the Tsar; Cardinal Ravkid had not come, but he had sent his capable aide—the one Wang Zhong was now watching.

The bishop adjusted his glasses.

Wang Zhong did not know what the bishop meant by that, but he saw that the bishop’s action was not for communication, but was deliberately performed for President Luo to see.

Following the plan, Wang Zhong said, “Your Excellency, haven’t you already begun testing self-guided torpedoes?”

A twitch crossed President Luo’s lips, but he quickly regained his composure and glanced at Ravkid’s confidant, “It seems that the Secular faction is developing very smoothly in our country.”

...

Ravkid’s confidant replied, “The Secular faction spreading within the Federation is an independent development from the Holy Church of South America, which has absorbed the theories of Saint Andrew. It has nothing to do with us.”

President Luo slightly smiled, looking at Wang Zhong, “Indeed, we are also testing self-guided weapons. After all, Prosen has already used self-guided weapons on the battlefield, and although these weapons have not performed well, we cannot be certain they won’t overcome the hurdles in the future.

"So, we must also study self-guided weapons, but currently all these self-guided weapons have poor operational effectiveness.”

Wang Zhong remembered that on Earth, America’s self-guided torpedoes had made considerable achievements. This was because after Sturmtiger submarines were discovered and forced to dive hurriedly by anti-submarine aircraft, to avoid successive depth charges, they would accelerate away from the dive spot.

As a result, the turbulence and noise created by the acceleration attracted the self-guided torpedoes.

But in other situations, self-guided anti-submarine torpedoes were actually prone to missing their targets, given the complex underwater environment and phenomena like thermal layers.

As for America’s radio-guided bombs, after extensive testing, the conclusion was that it made more sense to equip bombers with advanced targeting systems and increase the quantity of bombs dropped.

In fact, until 20 years after the end of World War II, the reliability of guided weapons was very poor. Initially, America’s F4 Phantom was influenced by missile victory theory to forgo machine guns, but after being outmaneuvered by MiG pilots in Vietnam, they had to retrofit cannon pods as an emergency measure.

As for self-guided torpedoes, during the Falklands War with England, despite having guided torpedoes, England’s nuclear submarines chose to fire traditional straight-running torpedoes and achieved success. However, the propaganda claimed the victories were due to wire-guided torpedoes.

President Luo saw Wang Zhong looking convinced, somewhat puzzled, “You actually believe it? It seems that members of our country’s Secular faction have given detailed test data to the Ante side.”

No, not really, Your Excellcy.

But Wang Zhong did not say this outright, instead sharing a meaningful smile with Ravkid’s confidant.

Just then, the secretary who had been pushing President Luo’s wheelchair spoke up, “In reality, the new Prosen weapons that attacked the Royal Navy had a very low hit rate. Moreover, reports from our destroyers in the formation indicated that many of those devices were shot down by five-inch (127mm) guns equipped with VT fuses.”

After the secretary finished, a vice admiral from President’s entourage spoke up, “We believe this is because the enemy’s new weapon emits strong electromagnetic radiation, which more easily triggers the VT fuses. We have captured some debris and found that their tail rudders can be easily damaged by shell fragments, causing them to miss targets once damaged.”

Wang Zhong, observing from an overhead viewpoint, saw that this navy officer was named Sperry and held the rank of commander of the 35th Special Mixed Fleet.

He remembered that in this timeline, the 35th Special Mixed Fleet was the one that had destroyed three Fusang aircraft carriers at Midway Island. It seemed that currently, either those carriers had been sunk or were in repair; and the new Essex-class were still in training and had not yet formed an effective fighting force.

General Sperry looked at a Royal Navy admiral, “Our destroyer captains can’t understand why to retreat.”

"It’s not the Federation’s heavy cruisers that were hit,” the Royal Navy admiral countered, “And although fleet command fell to General Cunningham of the Royal Navy, you could have disobeyed orders to stay and continue providing artillery support.”

"Alright,” Prime Minister Leonard spoke up, he had a background as Minister of the Navy, which gave him significant influence over the Royal Navy’s admirals, “Before the next landing, we will surely find a way to disrupt Prosen’s weapons, and then the Royal Navy will provide reliable and sustained fire support for the Army.” ʀ𝙖Νȯ𝐁ÈŜ

At that moment, a photographer came over, “How about a photo of the generals, it will likely be used in the second edition.”

General Margo sneered, “No wonder that guy who uses a corn cob pipe didn’t show up, he’s only good for the second edition.”

Admiral Ike chuckled, “Even if our group photo made the front page, he wouldn’t come because with Marshal Rocossov here, he can’t stand in the middle.”

Wang Zhong thought to laugh, great, one has managed to back the ‘famous critic’ into a corner; this is memorable.

After the photos, Wang Zhong and others were scheduled for a series of diplomatic activities.

Wang Zhong’s impression was one of countless diplomatic phrases, endless maneuvers, and delicious ice cream.

Indeed, no wonder the Federation’s president kept mentioning wanting to eat ice cream. This ice cream, made by chefs from Free Caroling, was exceptionally tasty, more appealing to Wang Zhong than all the bargaining.

And so, the intense activities stretched into the early hours of 2 AM the next day when Wang Zhong finally lay down in the Anatolia bathhouse attached to the Royal Palace, stretching out his limbs.

Since it was the Anatolia bathhouse, as a history and historical film enthusiast, Wang Zhong hummed “Mandarin Duck Tea,” the code used in “Escape from Tiger Mouth” by the pilot and the Resistance Organization members on the streets of the Anatolia bathhouse. As the movie was a hit everywhere, all the old Dengs knew the tune.

While humming, he suddenly heard sounds outside the bathhouse.

Wait a minute, could this be the legendary bonus chapter? Olga and Ludmila arranging a bath encounter, with Nelly included?

Wang Zhong was about to react when Vice Admiral Dulite, wrapped in a bath towel, entered, followed by Admiral Ike, Admiral Mage, and Vice Admiral Sperry.

Oh boy, exactly four of them, adding a “YMCA” would be just too scary.

"Oh, Marshal Rocossov! You really look young,” Vice Admiral Dulite spoke first.

Wang Zhong, “I look young when I’m dressed, too.”

The Vice Admiral laughed heartily and, without wiping himself down, went straight into the bath to sit opposite Wang Zhong, “I have to go to the United Kingdom for my appointment tomorrow morning.”

Wang Zhong, “Ah? Not participating in the military aid negotiations afterward?”

"No, I’m not. Actually, I was forcefully transferred here; after all, I’ve bombed the capital of the Empire of Fusang, a feat the Allied Forces can brag about, as it involves few army officers.”

The Land Air is also Army.

Dulite, “Originally, General Smith from the First Land Combat Division was supposed to come; his division had taken Gwadar, but he injured his leg and had to recuperate at home.”

As Vice Admiral Sperry showered nearby and heard the conversation, he turned and said, “So far, all the generals with military achievements in the Allied Forces are here, Ike and Mage were instrumental in driving the African Corps out of Mamluk, and I am

Ike, “I also have the Torch Operation. We, the military folks, just need to eliminate the Prosen and the people of Fusang; politicians have more to consider.”

Wang Zhong, “Tonight at the dinner, I heard my foster sister yelling for the first time.”

That evening, Prime Minister Leonard informally proposed that Ante deploy an Expeditionary Force to land in Sardin, which Olga loudly rejected.

Ike, “Personally, I do wish Ante could send some troops with experience fighting Prosen to help us.”

"Come on!” Mage spoke while scrubbing his back, “Aren’t our forces complex enough as is? The latest troops that arrived are from Brazil! Their insignia is a smoking cobra! A cobra! Even smoking a pipe!”

Wang Zhong, “Is it a corn cob pipe?”

The bathroom instantly went quiet.

Wang Zhong, “Brazil produces a lot of corn; it’s even the origin of corn, so is there a problem?”

The generals looked at each other, then burst into laughter together.

The air was filled with a joyful aura.

Some five-star reviewers are not here, but their presence is felt everywhere.

After the laughter, Wang Zhong summed up, “So, you were brought here just to balance out my military achievements?”

"That’s right. Now that the photos are taken, I should be heading to the Eighth Air Force,” Dulite said with a smile, “I hope the boys in the bomber squad like your suggestion.”

Wang Zhong, “How did it become my suggestion? I thought we were heroes who think alike.”

"Now it’s your suggestion. Don’t worry, I’ll also say it was your suggestion in my memoirs since without you, my suggestion wouldn’t have been approved,” Dulite commented.

Wang Zhong, “The bomber squad’s boys will understand; over time, as the average quality of Prosen pilots is diminished, the bomber crews’ casualties will greatly reduce.”

"Hope most of them live to see that day,” Dulite said, the earlier smile now gone.

When Wang Zhong returned from the bathroom, he saw Ludmila and Olga in pajamas, sitting on the bedroom terrace, looking at the moonlight in Balas.

"Your Majesty,” he immediately began, “You shouldn’t enter my bedroom at three in the morning.”

Olga: “Ludmila is here, what’s the harm? Oh, it’s just the first day, and I’m already a bit tired. Talking with these old men is exhausting; there are a million ulterior motives behind every sentence.”

Wang Zhong, “Keep up the good effort; you won’t lose to them. Even if you do, that’s okay, as we are the ones discussing the actual military aid agreement. Any oral commitment you may be coaxed into making doesn’t count until it’s put on paper and signed; it’s just hot air.”

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"Feeling a little better hearing you say that. But the energy spent isn’t coming back!” Olga opened her arms to Wang Zhong, “Brother, hug!”

Wang Zhong looked at Ludmila.

Ludmila: “I don’t mind if you hug your sister.”

Wang Zhong then embraced Olga, gently stroking her head. “Good girl, you did very well today; you worked very hard.”

Olga let out a “hee hee” of laughter, obviously very satisfied.