Cannon Fire Arc

Although Mayer's attitude had changed, he still didn't take Wang Zhong's hand.

So Wang Zhong raised his outstretched hand slightly, "Won't you shake hands? For the sake of new friendship."

Mayer was startled, then somewhat embarrassed, he took Wang Zhong's hand and with a look of apology, he said, "I've made you wait for so long."

"It's no problem," Wang Zhong laughed. "My troops must hold here until the follow-up forces arrive; I'll give you a motorcycle. Go and pursue those fleeing Balas soldiers and persuade them to fight for the future of Balas."

Wang Zhong said this because he could see that the mark above Mayer's head had already changed to that of an ally, so he could confidently send Mayer out to reorganize the troops.

If Mayer's prestige was enough to attract a large number of Balasians, then the subsequent advance on the Balas capital would go very smoothly.

First, he could persuade the defending troops to defect and disarm, and second, he could win over the fervent welcome of the civilians. All in all, it was a sweet deal for Wang Zhong.

If Mayer's reputation wasn't that significant, and he got eliminated as an insurgent, Wang Zhong wouldn't have lost anything.

Amelia protested loudly, "How can you trust him like this? He is a prestigious enemy general; letting him go back will undoubtedly cause massive casualties to our forces! Even the Commando was nearly defeated by them!"

The two Commando members heard this remark. The muscular archer frowned, and the scholar-like figure spoke in heavily accented Antenese, "We were not defeated; there's still a long way to go from defeat. The Balasians lack sufficient tactical training and only know how to charge across the bridge, posing no threat at all. We were just running out of ammunition."

Amelia turned to the Commando, "Being defeated means being defeated. If the bridge is lost, you fall. No, General Rocossov, I oppose letting such a dangerous Balasian go back!"

Wang Zhong, "Miss Amelia, have you ever heard of a parable from Ceres, where an ancient great chancellor captured the most respected tribal leaders from the southern frontiers again and again and then let them go. He did this to win their loyalty."

Amelia frowned, "Is there such a story?"

"There is, and that story is full of Ceres wisdom, something that the relatively young United Kingdom could learn from." Wang Zhong turned to Mayer Abdullah, "What I want to say to you is the same as that chancellor. Mayer Abdullah, are you convinced? If not, you can use your influence to organize the Balasians to resist, and I will capture you again and ask you the same question."

Mayer Abdullah frowned, "This... I have only one question. If I rebel again, won't it just add to the casualties of your troops?"

Wang Zhong laughed heartily, "Look at how many casualties the Commando have suffered?"

The talkative scholarly Commando said, "Six dead, five wounded."

Wang Zhong pointed at him with his thumb and said to Mayer, "Did you hear that? And how many casualties did your soldiers suffer? You were facing…"

Scholar, "Mainly the casualties were caused by mortars."

"Oh well, mainly caused by mortars, you were facing essentially Light Infantry, just more elite Light Infantry with no heavy weapons. And you sent in a whole division, only to cause this number of casualties.

Wang Zhong paused, then, staring at Mayer, said, "My troops are Armored Troops; how many casualties do you think you could inflict? Maybe after all that resistance, you'll end up causing us less harm than the vodka casualties we've had along the way."

The major leading the Naval Infantry protested, "We wouldn't drink ourselves to death that much! Even if we wanted to drink, there isn't that much vodka in our supplies!"

Wang Zhong, "Thank you for the clarification, Major."

"You're welcome."

The Naval Infantry indeed had a fierce reputation; a major interrupting an admiral's speech, although it could also be because these people all knew Wang Zhong had no pretenses.

Mayer's face showed a convinced expression, "Though as a Balasian, I am not happy with your assessment of our combat effectiveness, I have to admit it's true. Especially when I learned that the United Kingdom's forces suffered only ten casualties…"

"Eleven people," the scholarly Commando corrected.

Mayer, "Eleven people. We made so many sacrifices, only to inflict such small losses, and that's because the other side was out of ammunition. No, I cannot let this situation continue. I assure you, any troops I can persuade, I will definitely bring them over."

Wang Zhong, "I believe you. Go ahead. Just be careful not to lose your life."

After speaking, Wang Zhong saluted Mayer.

Mayer was even more moved and bowed deeply to Wang Zhong with great solemnity.

Wang Zhong didn't understand what he was doing; he could only guess it was a grand gesture.

At this time, Sergeant Grigori came up to Mayer, "Right this way, please. I have prepared the motorcycle for you. Can you ride?"

"Of course," Mayer nodded.

Then Sergeant Grigori handed him a Sten Submachine Gun and four magazines, "Take care of yourself."

With tears of gratitude, Mayer took them, strapped them on, saluted Sergeant Grigori, and turned to leave.

"Hey," Grigori called out to him, "I don't trust you as much as the general does, so the magazines are loaded with blanks. Switch them out."

Mayer was taken aback, then burst out laughing, "That's better! That's much better! With a guardian like you, the general's safety should be secure."

Saying that, he didn't exchange the magazines but went straight to the motorcycle, hopped on, and sped off.

Wang Zhong was very satisfied, feeling like he had gained one more valiant soldier—well, valiant or not, at least they would fight many fewer battles.

Then, he heard someone jump down from a tank behind him, puffing angrily as they approached.

Turning around, he saw Amelia swaying in her armor, coming towards him, "As an officer of the Allied Forces in this joint operation, I have to question your decision! It's completely unreasonable!"

Wang Zhong: "Let's see if that's reasonable. I think by tomorrow night at the latest, he will come over with a large number of Balas troops to surrender."

Amelia looked at Wang Zhong skeptically, "Are you willing to bet?"

"What's the wager?"

Amelia thought for a moment, "Ten pounds, then."

Wang Zhong: "Deal."

August 31st, 11:30 AM, headquarters of the original Prosen defense force on the third floor of the battalion office.

When the knock came, Wang Zhong called out loudly, "Come in!"

Amelia, who had been looking out the window at the continuous stream of troops crossing the bridge, also turned her head back.

A communications soldier entered and saluted Wang Zhong, "Reporting to the General, the advance troops have encountered Balas troops wishing to surrender, led by the very Mayer Abdullah you mentioned."
Enjoy new chapters from empire

Wang Zhong snapped his fingers and said to Amelia, "Ten pounds!"

Amelia's eyes widened as she looked at the communications soldier, "Really? You're not a stooge arranged by your Admiral, are you?"

The communications soldier looked disdainfully, "Our General needs a stooge? The advance troops reported that the Balas troops are moving along the right side of the road and will soon be at the bridge, asking us to take them in. That Mayer Abdullah has gone to persuade other units to surrender."

Wang Zhong smiled proudly, "How about that? If you don't want to give it now, it's not too late to wait until the Balas troops reach the bridge. We'll set up a reorganization base right here, and when Chief of Staff Pavlov arrives with the Headquarters, we'll reorganize on spot."

I wonder if Pavlov sneezed.

Amelia: "Are you really planning to use Balas soldiers?"

Wang Zhong stood up, went to Amelia's side, and looked out the window, "Look at all these bodies. They charged into overwhelming firepower without flinching. They don't lack courage, Amelia. Don't underestimate them.

"As a soldier from a country invaded by Prosen, I admire their courage. Last year I saw my soldiers, countless ordinary Antenese civilians, charging into the enemy's fire just like this, ready to meet death."

Amelia: "I understand what you're saying, but can you not talk like that in my ear?"

"What, should whispering sweet nothings be reserved for the ear?"

Wang Zhong was prepared to show off his ability with romantic words, but thinking about it, all his lines seemed too cheesy, so he gave up.

At that moment, a jeep pulled up downstairs at the battalion office. Pavlov's shiny bald head reflected the sunlight and nearly blinded Wang Zhong.

He moved away from the window, sat down behind his desk, and then realized that the communications soldier who had reported earlier was still there.

Wang Zhong: "Anything else?"

The communications soldier glanced at Amelia, his face screaming "I'm just here for the gossip."

Wang Zhong: "If there's nothing else, get going, and tell Chief of Staff Pavlov I'm waiting for him on the third floor."

"Yes."

The communications soldier left as though making his escape.

Immediately after, Pavlov's heavy footsteps could be heard outside—the bear of a man made Wang Zhong feel like the floor was shaking.

A few seconds later, Pavlov opened the door and looked back and forth between Amelia and Wang Zhong, "Is it my imagination, or does it seem like you two just separated?"

Wang Zhong: "It's your imagination."

Pavlov shrugged, "Actually, you don't have to care about it. In a place like the battlefield, desires can be stirred up. My advice is not to hold back at such times."

Wang Zhong: "You're overthinking things, and there's nothing going on. Only a beast can't control himself; I am a civilized man."

Pavlov nodded and changed the subject, "On the way up, I heard about it. You recruited a Balas Davarish?"

Wang Zhong: "That's right."

"Good heavens, Popov will again lament that you've stolen his job."

"Wait until Popov arrives; he'll have his hands full then. A battalion of Balasians is en route here to surrender. I hope Popov can turn them into loyal troops."

Pavlov: "Do we really need Popov? Why can't you just do it?"

"I still have military matters to worry about. Besides, Popov has nothing to do all day; we need to find something to keep him busy."

Wang Zhong said decisively.

Amelia: "Why do I feel like you're the least busy person in the entire Headquarters?"

"That's your imagination."