Burning Moscow

After the meeting, the commanders of the various fronts got up and walked outside.

When Rokosovsky came to me, he stopped to greet me and said, "Lida, I'm sorry, I should have stayed at the headquarters and waited for you. But," he shrugged. , With an apology on his face, "There is an order for me and the military commissioner to rush to Moscow to attend an important military meeting immediately, so I can only ask the Chief of Staff Malinin to receive you instead of us."

"Comrade Commander, you don't have to be embarrassed." I said politely to Rokosovsky: "When I heard the Chief of Staff Malinin mentioned this, I guessed that you have more important things."

We just said a few words, Vatutin and Khrushchev also came over to say hello to me. Khrushchev shook hands with me and smiled and said: "Lida, you came to our defense zone this time to inspect work. Except for meeting us on the first day, you spent the rest of your time on the front line. When there is a chance in the future, the commander and I must treat you well."

Vatutin waited for Khrushchev to finish, and echoed: "Yes, Comrade Oshanina, next time you come to our defense zone, we will treat you to an authentic Russian meal."

Rokosovsky stood beside him with a smile on his face. After Vatutin finished speaking, he smiled and asked me: "Lida, will you come with me to the station of the receiving troops of the Central Front Army?"

Regarding Rokosovsky’s invitation, I shook my head with a smile, and politely refused to say: "I'm sorry, Comrade Commander. Although I would like to visit the troops under review with you, it is a pity that I still have important things. I have to report the matter to Comrade Marshal, I may not be able to go with you."

Listening to me, Rokosovsky looked at Zhukov's position. Turned his head and said regretfully, "If this is the case, then I will leave first. See you at the Red Square parade tomorrow." After speaking, he stretched out his hand and shook my hand. Then turned and left.

After Vatutin and Khrushchev also left, I saw Zhukov sitting opposite. Talking with Vasilievsky and Sokolovsky in a low voice. I walked them slowly and stopped two or three steps away. I straightened my body with my hands close to the seams of my trousers. I looked at Zhukov and waited for him to give the next order.

"General Oshanina, why didn't you leave?" Sokolovsky, who was sitting on Zhukov's left hand, saw me and asked curiously: "Is there something going on? I want to report to the marshal?"

Sokolovsky’s words actually made me choppy for a while, making me wonder how to answer. Although he called me on Zhukov’s order and urged me back to Moscow, he did not say that Zhukov would meet with me alone. I stayed without receiving any new orders from them. It was indeed a bit irregular.

Just as I was embarrassed, Zhukov raised his head and glanced at me. Reached out and pointed at the chair next to Vasilevsky, said, "Lida, don't be embarrassed. Sit down!"

After I sat down, I heard Zhukov say: "Lida, you came late, and may not have heard the first half of the meeting. The purpose of this military parade is to boost morale and strengthen the nation’s belief in victory over the fascist invaders. We are discussing now, who is the most appropriate commander of the military parade?"

"Is there no suitable candidate yet?" Zhukov's words surprised me. You must know that from the tank column on Gorky Street, you can tell that the scale of this military parade is not small. At this moment, the military parade begins. It was less than twenty hours, but they hadn't even decided on the commander of the military parade. It's incredible.

"There are a few candidates, but in the end they weren't finalized." Zhukov said slowly. Rhetorically asked: "Lida, do you have a suitable candidate?"

As soon as Zhukov's words fell, I instinctively replied: "Except for Comrade Stalin, I don't think there is anyone who is more suitable to serve as the commander-in-chief of this military parade."

As soon as I uttered the words, I realized that I was wrong. According to past practice, Stalin always stood on the viewing platform of Lenin's tomb during the military parade on Red Square and made an important speech. Then he stood on the viewing platform and reviewed the troops that passed through Lenin's tomb in groups. I heard the proposal to let Stalin personally be the commander-in-chief of the military parade, but it was just whimsical.

After a moment of silence, Vasilievsky, who was sitting next to me, spoke. He asked me like an old friend chattering: "Comrade Oshanina, do you know the important military parade on November 7, 1941?"

As a participant in the Red Square military parade on the Revolution Day in October 1941, I have a deep memory of that significant military parade. Hearing Vasilevsky's question, I nodded quickly, indicating that I remembered it, and added: "Comrade Chief of the General Staff, I took a mixed battalion and participated in this military parade."

"Yes, since you are a witness of the military parade, then some things are easy to make clear." Vasilievsky looked at me with approval, smiled and said: "Do you remember who the commander-in-chief of the military parade was at that time? "

"Who else?!" As soon as I heard Vasilievsky’s question, my mind came up with the scene of Marshal Budjoni with a two-handed beard, riding a war horse in Red Square to review the troops, so He said casually: "Of course it is Marshal Budjoni, he is also riding a tall military horse."

"Yes, when he reviewed the troops, he did ride a tall horse." Vasilevsky agreed with me. He went on to say: "At first, Comrade Stalin also wanted to be the commander-in-chief of the military parade himself, so he also specialized Take time to learn how to ride a horse, and plan to ride it to inspect the troops."

When I heard this, an unknown thought suddenly appeared in my heart, asking if something happened to Stalin when he was riding a horse? When I just wanted to ask, Vasilevsky had already given the answer to the question I was thinking: "Unfortunately, in the process of riding a horse, the steed that Comrade Stalin was riding was frightened, and he was lifted from the back of the horse. Come down."

"Ah, Comrade Stalin was injured?" The news really shocked me. I exclaimed, and involuntarily asked what I was thinking: "Is the injury serious?"

"It's not too serious." Vasilevsky replied a little hesitantly: "He just suffered a slight injury to his left hand. After the doctor's treatment, there is no major problem."

Although Vasilevsky said so, I don't think Stalin's situation is too optimistic, otherwise he would not let Zhukov and the others discuss who will be the commander of the military parade.

Taking a look at the three people sitting in front of me, my mind was spinning quickly. It is most appropriate to think hard about who will be the commander-in-chief of this military parade. Don't mention that Molotov is now in the United States, even in the country, it is estimated that this is obviously an errand for military personnel. Surely it won't fall on his head. Beria belongs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His rank is also incompetent for the post of commander-in-chief of the military parade. The greatest possibility is that the candidate will be selected from Zhukov, Vasilievsky, and Sokolovsky.

When Vasilevsky asked me again: "General Oshanina, who do you think is appropriate for this position?"

Before answering the question, my gaze swept across the three of them in turn, while considering the right candidate. Sokolovsky is undoubtedly the lowest of the three in terms of level and qualifications, and he will assume this position. It is estimated that neither of the other two would agree. Among the remaining Zhukov and Vasilievsky, Sui said that Zhukov had overtaken Vasilievsky in all aspects, but from the point of view that Stalin did not clearly indicate a replacement candidate, he estimated that he would not want Zhukov to serve as a parade. Commander in chief. After thinking about it, I feel that Vasilevsky is the most suitable position.

"Lida, what are you thinking about for so long?" Zhukov's slightly dissatisfied voice sounded in my ears: "Do you have a suitable candidate?"

I quickly got up from my seat, with a bit of humility, and said carefully: "Comrade Marshal, I still think that you will be the commander-in-chief of this military parade. It is the most appropriate." The reason why I didn't mention Vasilievs directly Ji, but Tizhukov, is because I know his character very well. If I mentioned Vasilevsky directly. It is estimated that he will do his best to oppose it; and when I put him as the best candidate, he might resign for the sake of face, and proposed that Vasilevsky should take up this position.

The development of the incident was as I expected. Although Zhukov had a happy expression on his face after hearing what I said, he still said in an official tone: "Tomorrow I will accompany Stalin to review the troops at the observatory on Lenin's tomb. I think that the position of commander-in-chief of the military parade should be taken by Comrade Vasilevsky. After all, he is the chief of staff of our Red Army. It is up to him to review the troops and no one will raise objections."

After listening to Vasilevsky. Humbly said: "Comrade Zhukov, how can this be done. You must know that in terms of job qualifications and age, I am not as good as you. I think you are the best commander of the military parade."

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." Sokolovsky who was opposite me also said, "I also think no one is more suitable for this job except you. Besides, you used to be a cavalry, riding a war horse to review the troops. It couldn’t be more convenient. You might as well consider Comrade Vasilevsky’s suggestion."

Although Vasilevsky and Sokolovsky and I both asked Zhukov to be the commander-in-chief of the military parade, he waved his hand and resolutely refused: "No, no. I cannot be the commander-in-chief of the military parade, I I think that Comrade Vasilevsky will take up this position. Do you have any objections?"

"No objection." Hearing Zhukov's very readily suggestion that Vasilevsky should be the commander-in-chief of the military parade, the stone in my heart fell to the ground, and I quickly continued: "Comrade Marshal, I think Vasilev should be The suitable candidate, General Ski, is reported to the base camp, and Comrade Stalin will decide who will be the commander-in-chief of the military parade."

"Yes," Vasilievsky was not interested in the official hat that fell on his head for some reason, and was still trying his best to refuse.

"I think the proposal that Vasilievsky act as the commander-in-chief of the military parade is very appropriate." Regarding Vasilievsky's high morale, Zhukov didn't take it in his heart at all, but said straightforwardly: "I'll stay. Soon, the decision of Vasilievsky as the commander-in-chief of the military parade will be reported to Comrade Stalin."

"But Comrade Marshal," Vasilevsky said when he saw the position of commander-in-chief of the military parade, and finally fell to his own head, he said a little emotionally: "Whether it is military age, seniority or outstanding military exploits, I Can’t be compared with you. As far as I know, the commanders and fighters are discussing in private that wherever Zhukov appears, it means that a counterattack is about to be launched. For the majority of commanders and fighters, you are their guiding light, and they hope to be there for you. To achieve great victories one after another..."

I never thought that a person in a high position like Vasilevsky would be so flattering, and I couldn't help being stunned. Long after he finished speaking, I still haven't awakened from the shock.

Seeing that opinions could not be unified, Zhukov leaned back, leaned on the back of his chair, looked at the two of them, and said in a firm tone: "Comrade Vasilevsky, since I, as your superior, I have set a general plan. Commander. So whether you are willing or unwilling, Hei Si must honestly go to me as the commander-in-chief of the military parade tomorrow." He was afraid that Vasilevsky would regret it, and specifically emphasized, "You are in the army. I have been here for more than ten or twenty years. At the same time, as a senior general, you should know the orders of your superiors. Whether you agree or disagree, you must execute them unconditionally. Do you understand? ?"

"Understood." I saw that Vasilevsky didn't want to take up this command position at all, so as long as there was a glimmer of hope, he was trying to shirk: "Comrade Marshal, I want to participate in the review of the troops, and I want to see. Zhukov, not me, Vasilievsky."

"During the military parade, I was standing on the observatory on Lenin's tomb, and the officers and soldiers who had read can also see me." Zhukov saw Vasilevsky's tricks at a glance, and he did not hesitate to expose him:" So you don’t want to use these reasons to make me change my mind."

Zhukov's stubbornness and persistence made Vasilievsky hesitate. From the pained expression on his face, I know that he is not hypocritical, but really does not want to be the commander of this military parade. I secretly said that he is in the blessing and not knowing the blessings. If my qualifications are not too shallow, even I would like to apply to be the commander of this military parade.

Seeing that Vasilievsky hadn’t expressed his position for a long time, Zhukov stood up and walked to his side, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him: "Comrade Vasilievsky, don’t forget, you are the chief of staff of the Red Army. , The troops you refer to see that you are the commander-in-chief of the military parade, which can also boost morale. Okay, let’s stop struggling with this issue. It’s just that.” (To be continued.)