Kashuk: “January 7th, if we start the offensive now, there’s less than two months left, and we’re about 70 kilometers from the center of Plowsonia, a third of which is highly urbanized areas.”

“These days, the staff at my headquarters had nothing to do, so I had the Chief of Staff organize them to conduct war simulations. The conclusion is that in this concrete jungle, we need to spend at least thirty days.”

Wang Zhong: “Your staff based their calculations on the resistance intensity we experienced in Abawahan.”

Kashuk: “From the enemy’s documents we seized, they’re prepared to resist at such intensity.”

Wang Zhong: “This requires extremely high morale, and our operation to undermine enemy morale begins today.”

Everyone looked at each other in surprise.

Marshal Gorky appeared most surprised: “There’s such a plan? I haven’t seen any plan documents?”

Wang Zhong: “Because we reported it under the name ‘Enemy Homeland Propaganda Plan’. It just looks like a regular propaganda plan.”

Marshal Gorky: “Oh… I remember that document. It’s aimed at the general Prosen population, exposing their atrocities in occupied countries like Ante, emphasizing that the Allied Forces are conducting a just war? Can this destroy the enemy’s will to resist?”

Wang Zhong: “Just saying so, of course, can’t, but adding some supernatural elements will do. Like each Ante soldier has their guardian angel in heaven watching over them.”

Marshal Gorky opened his mouth wide: “Does this work on the Prosens? Aren’t they atheists, valuing the light of technology over divine grace?”

“This is a concept that has been vigorously promoted over the past decade, mainly targeting young adult men in Prosen. This time, our target is Prosen children, the elderly, and women,” Wang Zhong said, “as well as veterans who have witnessed all kinds of supernatural events on the battlefield. We found that the enemy’s morale is propped up by veterans. Once these veterans collapse, they all will.”

Kiriyenko nodded: “Just like what happened during the great collapse of the Melania capital.”

This is the official name Ante gave to the major collapse of Plowsonia following Wang Zhong’s personal assault.

Marshal Gorky: “Will it really work?”

“I don’t know. But it’s worth a try. We’ll take a dual approach where the progress made by our infiltration tactics will complement the effects of the propaganda war.

“To further cooperate with the propaganda war, I request that when you launch local attacks, you wear medals, decorate your weapons, and units with hero titles to raise their flags high.”

Wang Zhong paused, walked to the chest of drawers beside the map, and took out some ornaments from the top drawer.

“These are epaulettes we rushed to make, which serve no purpose other than decoration–though they could be used for shoulder impacts in melee, we don’t encourage that.

“The angel wings on the epaulettes represent the protection you’ve received, and a rose seal on the epaulettes carries the holy words of Saint Andrew.

“Generally speaking, on the battlefield, we need to cover our tracks as much as possible, which is why our uniforms have always been khaki. The Prosens have also changed their gray uniforms to camouflage.

“But sometimes, not using camouflage has its value. That’s to intimidate the opposition! Especially to intimidate still young children and superstitious elders.

“And those veterans who are already scared witless.”

Kashuk looked at the epaulettes in Wang Zhong’s hand and commented: “It doesn’t look like something to equip formal field units with, but it fits a Christmas parade.”

Wang Zhong: “Exactly. We want to turn the offensive into a grand parade and scare the enemy away.”

Kiriyenko: “Even if we manage to eat away at the enemy’s terrain, defense requires manpower and resources.”

Wang Zhong: “No, given the enemy’s current condition, we think they can’t launch an attack to reclaim the land. Their main force now is the People’s Self-Defense Army, which is just a ragtag bunch incapable of organizing an attack.

“Their armored forces are mostly depleted. Half a year ago, our armored troops reported, the enemy’s quality has sharply declined.

“The positions we capture, they simply can’t win back, and we will prove that today.”

Marshal Gorky: “I didn’t know there was an attack planned for today?”

Wang Zhong: “It’s just a regiment-level infiltration operation. It doesn’t need to be reported to the High Command and the Military Order Department, but this operation will prove the enemy is now a lamb to the slaughter. We shall see.”

——–

Filippov looked at the lined-up subordinates: “Damn, it feels like we’re going to a victory parade.”

Vasily: “It’s pretty much like that. If I’m right, once the shelling starts, your troops will just swagger across the river.

“Our infiltration units have already dealt with the enemy’s indirect fire capability that could break the ice on the other side. To conserve ammunition, our shelling will only continue until your unit reaches the enemy’s position.

“The rocket artillery will open fire when you are two-thirds of the way there, providing maximum suppression to the enemy before you storm their position.”

Filippov: “Damn it, your plan is so far-fetched, I’m tempted to charge in with my warriors.”

Vasily: “No, you’re a regiment commander now. You and I will watch the plan unfold from here. Don’t worry, I feel confident this time.”

Filippov: “Are you okay staying here? Wasn’t there some other plan to be executed that you mentioned?”

“That? At this stage, it’s just distributing leaflets. The Air Force’s PE-8 bombers can handle that.”