Red Moscow

"Is there anything else you can do, General Sokov?" Ponejielin's tone was full of disappointment.

"General Ponegerin," Sokov said with a smile, "our conversation has just begun, why are you leaving in such a hurry?"

Ponegerin was taken aback for a moment, thinking that what Sukov said just now was not driving him away in a disguised form? But since the other party asked me to stay, then don't leave for the time being, and listen to what he has to say.

"Please sit down, General Ponegerin." Seeing that Ponegerin was standing there in a daze, Sokov hurriedly beckoned him to sit down: "Sit down so we can talk."

After sitting down on the bed again, Ponegerin asked cautiously: "General Sokov, what are you going to say to me?"

Sokov saw that Ponegerin seemed to be resisting at the moment, and if he started talking directly, he might not be able to achieve the desired effect, so he slowed down and said: "General Ponegerin, we have not been dealing with each other for a day or two. You are friends, so why not adjust your address. You call my nickname Misha, and I call your nickname Ajik, okay?"

Regarding Sokov's proposal, the muscles on Pornegerin's face twitched violently a few times, then his eyes turned red, he nodded vigorously, and replied: "Okay, then I will start from now on, just like your other friends." Like a friend, I call you Misha."

The adjustment of the title, in a country like Russia, means that the relationship between the two has become closer. Seeing that Ponejielin agreed to his proposal, Sokov also showed a knowing smile on his face: "Ajik, I am unable to continue commanding the troops this time due to my injury, and General Trofimenko will take over from me. It is estimated that even if I recover from my injuries, I will not be able to return to the 27th Army."

Ponegerin felt that it was impossible for Sokov to say this for no reason, so he leaned forward slightly, trying to get closer to Sokov, and listen to what he would say later.

"You also know that the troops I have commanded in the past few years have achieved some results on the battlefield." Sukov said modestly: "Although these are insignificant achievements, they have been affirmed by the superiors. The commanders of the 21st and 27th armies are their recognition of me."

Hearing this, Ponegerin showed a dumbfounding expression on his face. He said in his heart that your achievements are insignificant, and the achievements of other friendly troops can only be regarded as failures. However, he did not interrupt Sukov, but listened quietly.

"...According to my guess, after I am discharged from the hospital, my superiors may send me back to the front line." Sokov said cautiously: "I heard that the army system has been restored in the various armies, and I have returned to the front line. After that, even if I can no longer serve as the commander of the group army, I think it is still possible to serve as an army commander."

Sokov stared at Ponejielin and said: "Even if the superior only appoints me as the army commander, some experienced commanders are needed to assist me. Ajik, I wonder if you are willing to help me?"

Perhaps because he was worried that Pornegerin still had concerns, he added: "Don't worry, even if you can't be appointed as the deputy army commander, there is still no problem as the chief of staff."

Sokov's words moved Ponejielin's heart, and he said hesitantly, "But, Misha, I'm just a major now. Whether it's deputy army commander or army chief of staff, maybe I'm not qualified enough?"

"This is not a problem." Sokov said carelessly: "As long as you are in my army, let alone you are now a major, even if you are only a second lieutenant, who would dare to have you as my chief of staff? Objections."

If someone else said this, Ponegerin might still be skeptical, but since Sokov made his statement, it proves that this matter is very likely to become a fact. Ponegerin nodded vigorously, and replied, "Don't worry, Misha, no matter what position you give me in the army, I will fully cooperate with you."

"But you alone are not enough." Sokov said while the iron was hot: "In order to open up the situation in the new army as soon as possible, I need more people to help you."

"If you don't mind, I can persuade Muzichenko and Kirillov to help you too." Ponedelin heard Sukov say that he hoped to get more help, so he said: "Anyway , One of them used to be the commander of the group army just like me, and the other was the commander of the army, both of them have rich command experience."

"This is really great." When Sokov sent the three of them away, he hoped that they would end the screening as soon as possible, and then return to the front line to help him. Now that Ponedelin offered to persuade Muzichenko and Kirillov to help him, he naturally wished for it: "At that time, I will definitely arrange suitable positions for you according to your abilities."

When Sokov said this, he was thinking in his heart that these promises he made could not be fulfilled without the help of big shots. Maybe I can find a way to contact Zhukov another day to see if he can help me.

While the two were talking, Asiya came in from outside with a teapot.

Seeing Ponejielin sitting beside Sokov's bed, she asked curiously, "Misha, is this your old friend?"

"Ajik, let me introduce you. This is my wife Asiya, a military doctor. When you were rescued, she had been transferred to the weaponry department, so you haven't seen her." Sokov followed the tradition , first introduced his wife to Ponegelin, who had a slightly higher status, and then introduced to Asia: "This is General Ponegelin."

As a military doctor, Assia naturally knows military ranks. When she saw that the other party was wearing the rank of major, but Sokov still called him a general, she knew that this person had a lot of background, so she hurriedly put down the teapot and stepped forward. Shake hands with Ponejerin. "Hello, Comrade General."

"Hello, Assia!" Ponegelin held Assia's hand and said with some embarrassment: "Don't call me a general, I have been demoted to a major now. You can call me a major, or Like Misha, call me by my nickname, Ajik."

"Ajik, please sit down." After Assia let go of her hand, she beckoned Bonejelin to sit down, "I'll pour you a cup of hot tea."

When the tea was handed to Bonejelin, Asiya asked curiously: "Ajik, when did you and Misha meet? How come I never heard him mention you before?"

Ponegerin turned his head and glanced at Sokov lying on the hospital bed, and replied with some embarrassment: "Assia, I am not afraid of your jokes. I used to be the commander of the 12th Army. He was captured by the German army in the Battle of Mann, and was kept in a prisoner-of-war camp. It was not until Misha's troops liberated Klemenchug that they rescued me and several other colleagues from the enemy's prisoner-of-war camp."

"Oh, so that's the case, no wonder I never heard Misha mention you."

After staying in the ward for an hour or so, Ponegerin got up and said goodbye to Sokov: "Misha, it's getting late, and I should go back too. You should rest well and come to see you another day."

"Ajik." Sokov benefited a lot from the conversation with Ponegerin. He even thought in his heart that even if his superiors let him be the commander of the army again, he would find a way to arrange for Ponegerin to be the commander. Army Chief of Staff post. But Ponedelin alone is not enough, he needs more people to help him, so he told Ponedelin: "When you come to visit me next time, can Muzichenko and Kid The two Lilov are also here, and I want to have a good talk with them."

"No problem." Through the conversation with Sokov today, Ponegerin completely let go of his worries. He nodded and said, "If the superior allows, I will definitely bring them to visit you."

After Ponegelin left, Assia asked with some concern: "Misha, this General Ponegeline was once captured by the German army. Is it appropriate for you to let him be your deputy?"

"There is nothing inappropriate." Sokov waved his hand and said, "Although he was captured at the beginning of the war, he is a commander with rich experience. Having him assist me can help me make up for many shortcomings in command. mistake."

Assia walked to the door, opened the door and looked outside for a while, then closed the door and came back and asked Sokov, "Aren't you afraid of being implicated? After all, he was once a prisoner. If someone settles accounts later, I'm afraid it will implicate you. "

"Don't worry, Assia." Sokov comforted the other party and said, "Don't look at him being demoted from major general to major now, but as long as he performs outstandingly in the next battle, I believe his rank will be restored soon. .”

Asiya questioned Sokov's statement: "Really?"

"Of course it's true." Anyway, there were only himself and Assia in the room, so Sokov didn't have to worry about the ears on the wall: "You should know Marshal Kulik, right? He was not good at commanding operations in the Kerch Peninsula, so all but Sebas Crimea outside Topol was lost, and the supreme commander himself was demoted from marshal to private. But it didn't take long before he was promoted to major general, and a month later to lieutenant general."

"But can this Ajik be compared with Marshal Kulik?" Assia pouted and said, "Maybe if you want him to be your deputy, your request to your superior will be rejected."

"Assia, since you have been here for a long time, you naturally understand that this hospital is not just for anyone who wants to come in." Seeing that Assia had been entangled in the matter of Ponegerin, Sokov reminded him Said: "Since he can come here to visit me today, he is naturally authorized. I think this is probably the way the superior hinted to me that he can accept this former army commander."

Assia thought about Sokov's words carefully, and felt that there was some truth in this. The hospital here is heavily guarded. If you want to enter, you must have a special pass. If Ponegelin is still guilty, he is not eligible to enter. . Since he came today, it proves that someone behind him hopes that Sokov can accept him and lead him to make contributions.

"When I went to fetch water just now, I heard that Marshal Zhukov returned to Moscow." Assia said to Sokov, "He sent you here at the beginning, and I don't know if he has time to see you."

Knowing that Zhukov was actually in Moscow, Sokov couldn't help feeling a little bit moved. He secretly guessed in his heart whether Bornejelin's appearance here today was inspired by Zhukov. If this is the case, it means that he already has a plan for his future.

"Assia, do you know where Marshal Zhukov lives now?"

"It's hard to say." Assia shook her head and said, "After returning to Moscow, it is unlikely that he will live at home. He should be in the General Staff or somewhere else."

Sokov felt that what Asya said was very reasonable. Zhukov had a special status. Even if he returned to Moscow, he probably would not have time to return to his home. If he really stayed in the General Staff or the Kremlin all day, he would not Ask Asiya to look for him, but I'm afraid she can't find him.

Although he knew that it was not easy to find Zhukov, he still said to Assia unwillingly: "Assia, if you are leaving the hospital recently, can you inquire for me to see where Marshal Zhukov lives?" where."

"Misha, do you want me to see Marshal Zhukov?"

"That's right, that's what I think." Sokov explained to Asiya: "After I am discharged from the hospital, it is still unknown how my superiors will arrange me. If Marshal Zhukov comes forward to help me say something good, I will definitely Can return to the front line and continue to serve as the commander of the group army."

Speaking of this, his expression darkened: "But I'm worried that Marshal Zhukov has been staying in the General Staff, and you can't get in there."

"Misha, you're overthinking." Just when Sokov was annoyed that he couldn't see Zhukov, Assia smiled and said, "As long as Marshal Zhukov is in Moscow, no matter where he stays, I can help you." see him."

"Oh, you have a way to meet Marshal Zhukov?"

"Have you forgotten Yakov?" Assia reminded Sokov: "I just ask him to come forward, then he must have a way to find Marshal Zhukov."

"That's right, Assia, if you don't mention Yakov, I almost forgot about this man with great powers." Sokov suddenly said with a smile: "I believe he will definitely help me with this. "

"Then I'll go to the dean's office later and call Yakov." Asya said to Sokov, "Let him help you contact Marshal Zhukov."

Sokov, who was originally overjoyed, became serious again when he heard what Assia said: "Assia, I think the phone calls in the hospital should be monitored, so you'd better go to the weapons and equipment department in person Find Yakov and tell him what I mean. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Assia nodded and said, "When Vera goes to work tomorrow, I'll go back to the weapons and equipment department to find Yakov."

Sokov hummed, and then told Asia: "It's best not to let anyone other than the three of us know about this, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble."

"Okay, Misha." Assia said in an affirmative tone, "When I leave the hospital tomorrow, I will tell the director that I have something urgent to go back to the weapons and equipment department, so that he won't have any doubts."

"When you see Yakov tomorrow, ask him if he has time." Sokov considered for a moment, and then continued: "I think there are some things that need to be said to him in person. If he can come in person, of course It could not be better."

"Don't worry, I will try my best to persuade him to come to the hospital to see you."