Red Moscow

When Sokov said this, he didn't notice that Konev winked at Zhukov, and when Zhukov saw the wink, a smile flashed in his eyes.

"Comrade Sokov," Konev asked with a stern face after waiting for Sokov to finish speaking: "Are you willing to vouch for General Pornegerin?"

"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov rushed to say without waiting for Konev to finish, "I am willing to vouch for General Pornedelin..."

"Comrade Sokov, don't promise so casually." Before Sokov finished speaking, Konev interrupted him: "If he really has a problem, then you will be implicated too. By then Let alone the post of the commander of the 27th Army, you cannot continue to hold the position, and I am afraid that you may be sent to a military court."

When Konev mentioned the court-martial, Sokov couldn't help but feel trembling for a while, but he thought about it again. Although Ponegerin was wrongly killed in real history, he was rehabilitated in 1955, which proves that He is innocent.

After thinking about this, Sokov replied resolutely: "Comrade Commander of the Front Army, I not only think that General Pornedelin is not a traitor, but also a hero of the motherland."

As soon as Sokov's words came out, everyone couldn't help but froze. Not only Zhukov and Konev were stunned, but even the person involved, Ponedelin, also stared wide-eyed, and asked in an unbelievable tone: "General Sokov, do you really believe that I am not a traitor, or...or...a hero of the motherland? ?” Perhaps because of lack of confidence, when he said the last sentence, his voice had become faint.

"Yes, Comrade General." Sokov raised his voice and said to Ponedelin: "If you don't have a firm belief, you always maintain a relationship with the motherland and the people..." When he said this, Sokov thought of his own Military Commissar Lunev, who is an important figure in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, may be reported to Beria and Stalin verbatim for what he said, so he deliberately emphasized: "And the loyalty to Comrade Stalin In the face of the temptation of money and status offered by the German army, you were unmoved. You endured two years of torment in the prisoner-of-war camp, but you never surrendered to the enemy, but have been fighting with them hard and excellent Fighting...you deserve the title of hero for what you've done."

After hearing Sokov's words, Ponegerin's eyes became moist, and he said emotionally: "General Sokov, you just said that we will not send our captured soldiers to the Siberia, my heart is still full of doubts. But after hearing your words, I realized that what you said is true."

"General Pornegerin, you have suffered." Sokov walked over to hold his hand, shaking it gently a few times: "I hope that one day you can take up arms again, with the blood of the Germans, to come Wash away the humiliation you have suffered for so many years."

Pornegerin was deeply moved by Sukov's words, he held Sukov's hand tightly, and was so excited that he couldn't say a word.

Zhukov and Konev, who were standing aside, looked at each other and smiled knowingly. But the smiles on the faces of the two of them didn't last long, and then disappeared without a trace. Even if there was a commander nearby who happened to see this, he would think that he was delusional.

"Okay, Comrade Sokov, stop talking." Konev interrupted Sokov again and said to him: "General Ponedelin, Lieutenant General Muzichenko and Major General Kirillov How to deal with it, what you say doesn’t count, what I say doesn’t matter, even Marshal Zhukov doesn’t count. We can only hand over the three of them to the Supreme Military Court in accordance with the regulations, and let professionals judge whether they are Innocent."

Sokov just spent so much talking and thinking that he had persuaded Zhukov and Konev, but what Konev said was like a bucket of ice water poured from the top of his head for three or nine days, and his whole body suddenly became cold. Thoroughly.

Soon, Muzichenko and Kirillov, also led by Samoilov, entered the headquarters. After the two of them saluted Zhukov, Konev and others, Konev called several soldiers, took the three generals to the next room to guard them, and took them away when they were about to leave.

After doing all this, Konev told Sokov again: "Comrade Sokov, since Muzichenko and Kirillov have arrived, the more than 2,000 rescued commanders and fighters who traveled with them must be Also outside. Now I order you to go and settle them."

"Yes, Comrade Commander of the Front Army." Sokov agreed, and walked outside dejectedly.

Sokov had just taken two steps when he heard Konev calling himself from behind: "Wait a minute!"

Hearing Konev calling himself, Sokov couldn't help feeling ecstatic, thinking to himself: Did General Konev change his mind and plan to deal with the three of them lightly? But what he heard next made him completely chilled: "So many commanders and fighters have to be placed, you may not be able to handle it alone. I think it is better to let Comrade Lunev, the military commissar, go with you. By the way, it is best The chief of staff, General Sameko, is also going."

In this way, the Big Three of the 27th Army were kicked out of the headquarters by Konev.

After Sokov and others left, Konev immediately sat beside Zhukov and said with a smile, "Comrade Marshal, my acting skills are not bad."

"Yes, very good." Zhukov nodded and said, "When the war is over, you can consider going to the film studio, maybe you will have a better development."

Konev laughed twice, and asked Zhukov tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, do you think that if these three generals are acquitted, will Sokov be able to restrain them?"

"I don't think there should be any problem." Zhukov said confidently: "I don't know much about the situation of Muzichenko and Kirillov; but from what Misha just said, General Ponedelin He must have been touched, even if he is assigned as Misha's deputy in the future, he won't complain."

"Comrade Marshal," Konev asked cautiously after hearing what Zhukov said, "do you think General Ponedelin is suitable to be Sukov's deputy?"

"It's definitely not possible to serve as Sokov's deputy directly." Zhukov looked at Konev and said, "You know, Ponegerin was captured by the German army shortly after the outbreak of the war. That is to say, what he mastered The tactics used by our army were proved to be inapplicable by our army’s painful lessons, if he is directly appointed as Misha’s deputy, I’m afraid it will drag Misha back.”

The expression on Konev's face became serious: "Comrade Marshal, what should we do?"

"I think, after the Supreme Military Court changes the verdict, let the three generals go to rest for a while." Zhukov replied: "When their bodies are almost recovered, they will be sent to Sokov's troops. After getting familiar with Sokov's new tactics, we will gradually promote them."

"If they can't even fulfill the duties of regimental commanders, how can they be placed?" Konev said cautiously: "After all, they have been out of the army for as long as two years."

"If after investigation, it is found that they are not even competent for the post of regimental commander, then their official career will come to an end." Zhukov paused at this point, thinking about how to arrange the three generals. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Comrade Konev, with our army's victories, I am afraid that more and more German prisoners will be captured in the future. At that time, we will build a lot of prisoner-of-war camps to hold these prisoners." Why don't we let the three of them take care of these prisoner-of-war camps."

Sokov, who was taking Lunev and Sameko to appease the rescued commanders and fighters, never dreamed that Konev contacted Zhukov through the radio before coming to his headquarters, and the two quickly reached a consensus , thinking that since Sokov desperately spoke good words for the three generals, apart from the fact that the three were innocent, he probably wanted to recruit them all into his command.

It was precisely because the two had discussed on the road that Zhukov remained silent when Konev just launched an attack. He wanted to see how Sokov responded to Konev. Judging from the current situation, Sokov's response is quite decent. At least after what he said, Ponegerin, who was worried, was already devoted to him. As long as Sokov said a word, Pornegerin would definitely respond. Saddle up and back.

And Sokov, who didn't know anything, was standing on a high platform at the moment, holding a loudspeaker and speaking to the commanders and fighters standing below: "Comrades, brothers! I'm sorry, we came to eat and caused you to suffer." So many years of suffering."

After finishing his opening remarks, Sokov's thinking became clearer, and his speech became more organized: "Although you have endured two years of torment in the German prisoner-of-war camps and suffered all kinds of inhumane torture, but no one succumbed to the enemy, yes, no one succumbed.

I think that you should be thinking about returning to your own troops all the time, picking up weapons and fighting the enemy tenaciously. Comrades, your chance for revenge has come. From now on, you will be incorporated into the 27th Army and take part in the battle to liberate the right bank of the Dnieper River. You can use the weapons in your hands to repay the blood debt from the enemy. Use their blood to come Wash away the humiliation you have endured over the past two years! "

After Sokov said these impassioned words, he was slightly moved. He originally thought that there would be cheers like a mountain roar and a tsunami, but the reality is that the soldiers standing below just stared at Sokov blankly, and no one said anything. It seemed that what Sokov just said, they It's like I didn't understand it at all.

Seeing the indifferent reactions of the soldiers, Sokov couldn't help feeling a little chilled. But Sukov can still understand the psychology of these newly rescued commanders and fighters. There is nothing more sad than heartbreak, they must have been heartbroken, they thought they would be free if they were rescued from the prisoner-of-war camp, but who knew they were escorted here, and they didn't know what their future would be.

After guessing the thoughts of these rescued officers and fighters, Sokov sighed softly, raised his voice and said: "Comrades, with your current physical condition, you may not be able to participate in new battles for the time being. But don't worry, we still There is enough time for you to take care of your body. The first thing to do now is: Let each soldier take a hot bath, have a haircut, and change into clean new military uniforms..."

Before Sokov finished speaking this time, earth-shattering cheers erupted unexpectedly from below: "Ula! Ula!! Ula!!" The commanders and fighters standing at the front started to cheer first, and then the commanders and fighters behind also cheered. Responding, he cheered along with them.

From the cheers of the commanders and fighters, Sokov understood a truth: empty slogans and so-called rhetoric are useless to these tired and hungry commanders and fighters. On the contrary, giving them some immediate benefits can make them feel grateful to themselves.

After trying to understand this truth, Sokov raised his hands and pressed down. After the commanders and fighters below regained their composure, he continued, "In addition, we will arrange a special military doctor to treat each commander and fighter present. Conduct medical examinations, and the wounded and sick will receive timely treatment. For those commanders and fighters who are seriously ill and need long-term treatment, we will send them to continue treatment after they are finished. Now, I will announce to you the rationing standard of three meals a day..."

As soon as he said this, Sokov suddenly realized that he knew nothing about this data, and quickly turned to Sameko and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, what is the ration standard for them?"

"According to the report from the logistics department," Sameko replied quietly. "They plan to provide each commander with 250 grams of bread, 50 grams of oatmeal, and a hot soup for each meal."

After figuring out the food standards of the soldiers, Sokov did not discuss with Sameko, but directly announced to the commanders and fighters: "According to the discussion of our army chiefs, the ration standard for you is: 500 grams of bread, 100 grams of oatmeal , in addition to the hot soup every day, I also give you 50 grams of sausage and the same amount of cheese..."

After the officers and soldiers cheered again, Sokov kindly reminded them: "Brothers, because you have not had enough food for a long time in the German prisoner-of-war camp, your stomach and intestines have become very weak. For the sake of your health, the first two days Don’t let you eat too much, so as not to put your life in danger. Therefore, for the first few meals after you arrive here, our supply will be temporarily halved. When your stomach and intestines are almost recovered, the standard of food will be raised to As I just said."

"Comrade Commander," Sameko waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and approached him and asked in a low voice, "What standard should be used to provide food for these rescued commanders and fighters?"

"Didn't you just say that?" Sokov smiled and said to Sameko: "We will provide these commanders with the necessary food and water according to the dietary standards you have established."

"Understood." Sameko agreed loudly, and said, "I'll arrange it right away."

After Sameko left, Sokov turned around and said to Lunev: "Comrade Military Commissar, you are doing political work, should you also say a few words to the commanders and fighters below?"

"Okay, then I will say a few words." Lunev said, took the trumpet in Sokov's hand, and said loudly to the commanders and fighters below: "Hello, comrades! I am the first Lieutenant General Lunev, the military commissar of the 27th Army, I would like to say a few words to you now..."