Chapter 931: Chapter 36 On the East Bank of the Oder River

November 3rd, the agenda of the Thebes conference was completely concluded.

Wang Zhong planned to board the plane to return to Ante on the morning of November 4th.

That afternoon, during dinner, a stack of Federation newspapers was delivered.

The smile on Vasily’s face as he delivered the newspapers made Wang Zhong quite puzzled: “What’s so funny? Is there a joke on the front page?”

Vasily pulled out a newspaper and handed it to Wang Zhong: “See for yourself!”

Wang Zhong took it and burst into laughter as well.

The front page photo, captured by a reporter, featured Wang Zhong’s big slap. His palm turned into a blur in the picture, as Chang fell backward, his face turned towards the camera, and his cheeks still maintained the shape of withstanding a slap.

Wang Zhong wasn’t sure if photographic retouching technology existed in this era, but he always felt that the fist mark was photoshopped because it looked too cartoonish.

However, precisely because it was very cartoonish, the photo’s impact seemed to overflow from the paper.

Wang Zhong laughed for quite a while before remembering to look at the photographer’s name, only to find it wasn’t his old acquaintance, Robert Capa (Mike’s partner).

Thinking further, Mike and his partner were filming a documentary in the Melania liberated area, exposing the atrocities of the Prosens.

Wang Zhong: “This photo is well taken, let’s give the photojournalist a souvenir, I think a captured Iron Cross would be fitting.”

As per Wang Zhong’s instructions, Ante was currently collecting captured Iron Crosses, inscribing the date of capture and the warrior’s name on them, and then giving them as souvenirs to international friends and civilians who had made outstanding contributions but did not reach the standard for decoration.

Of course, these were the Knight level or above Iron Crosses, while those common First-class and Second Class Iron Crosses were sent to Ekaterinburg Fortress to pave the way for the future Victory Museum.

Vasily: “Okay, let’s send this journalist a captured Iron Cross. By the way, Marshal, I think if you want these Iron Crosses to be valuable, you can issue a certificate personally signed by you.”

Wang Zhong: “That’s a good idea, let’s do it.”

After speaking, Wang Zhong admired the photo again, muttering after a while: “Feels great, I should have punched a few more times.”

He handed the newspaper to Olga: “Look, do I look heroic in this punch?”

Olga: “That’s indeed quite heroic. But was this person really that detestable?”

Vasily: “He retreated 2400 kilometers!”

Wang Zhong: “It’s not just that!”

He then recounted the things Chang had done on Earth.

Olga exclaimed: “Well done! If you had told me earlier, I would have gone up and kicked him too.”

At this moment, the confidential secretary entered the room: “Report, urgent telegram from home.”

Wang Zhong frowned: “The last time I received an urgent telegram like this was when I was lecturing and raising War Bonds and aid back home in the Federation. That was during the Abawahan battle, where I lost my Deputy Officer.”

Vasily: “It’s unlikely, the Prosens can’t launch a decent attack now, and I am quite resilient, unlikely to die. Let me take a look first.”

He took the telegram, skimmed through it, and laughed: “Guess what the urgent telegram is about? Kashuk initially wanted to stealthily nibble away the enemy’s defense line, but ended up inexplicably occupying the core city of the enemy, Kershu.

“This is the most important city in southern Melania, the Rebel Army launched an uprising during our army’s infiltration, greeted our army upon occupying the city, now Kashuk is frantically requesting reinforcements, believing this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Wang Zhong: “Reinforce, send the units that have completed their basic officer replenishment to Kashuk, let them quickly swallow southern Melania.”

Vasily: “This puts us on the banks of the Oder River, if we can capture the central river bay of the Oder River and break through from the bay, it will be less than 60 kilometers to Plowsonia!”

After saying this, Vasily pulled out a map from his pocket: “Look! This is the latest map, along with photos from aerial reconnaissance.”

Wang Zhong: “Why do you carry these things with you?”

Vasily: “I figured they might come in handy someday, like when driving a Jeep behind a Rocossov I tank.”

Wang Zhong: “You guy… I promised Pavlov not to race tanks on the front line anymore.”

Vasily nodded: “I believe you, sir. But as a Deputy Officer, I must be prepared for anything.”

Right then, Olga interrupted their conversation: “So we fly tomorrow?”

“Today, it’s to deceive any possible Prosen spies.” Wang Zhong stood up, “Let’s take off right after we finish eating.”

At that moment, he heard a sound of something collapsing, followed by a loud noise from outside the window, and a cloud of sand blocked the entire window.

Vasily drew his pistol, ready to fire, shouting: “Guards!”

The guards quickly stormed into the room.

Meanwhile, a long whip whipped into the window, wrapped around the pedestal table with a vase, and soon a white man wearing a cowboy hat climbed in through the window.

Wang Zhong widened his eyes: “Indiana Dr. Jones? What are you doing?”

Dr. Jones: “The ancient tomb, sand was leaking from the ceiling, I escaped.”

Wang Zhong: “Oh, I didn’t know you were still conducting archaeological activities here.”

“Me? No, I was ordered to protect the conference’s safety, as the local Prosen intelligence organization might use an ancient ritual magic attack.”

Wang Zhong: “What about now?”

“The ritual failed, the Prosens are all dead, I escaped alive, but unfortunately the ruins were not preserved. I suggest you leave this place as soon as possible, because there’s no telling what unclean things might still be in the ruins.”