Red Moscow

"Comrade Stalin!" Poskrebyshev straightened his back and replied respectfully: "General Vatutin called from Kiev and said that he has something important to report to you. I want to ask, and I can answer the phone." Come in?"

"Did he say anything?"

"No." Boskrebyshev shook his head and said, "He only said it was a very important thing."

Stalin took down the pipe in his mouth, tapped it twice on the ashtray, and then said: "Put the phone in." Although Stalin was dissatisfied with Vatutin, who was ineffective in command, because of the Zhytomyr battle, Rokossovsky was even ordered to take over his command. But after such a long time, the anger in his heart has long been extinguished, otherwise Rokossovsky would not be allowed to return the command of the troops next week.

"Put in the phone." Stalin took out a cigarette from the cigarette case, crushed it with his fingers, and stuffed the shredded tobacco into the pipe. "I want to hear what important business he has."

Poskrebyshev, who was standing at the door, breathed a sigh of relief. He was still worried that Stalin would not agree to answer Vatutin's call, and he still didn't know how to explain it to the other party.

Soon, Vatutin communicated with Stalin: "Hello, Comrade Stalin, I am Vatutin. How are you recently?"

"I'm fine!" Stalin asked coldly, "Tell me, you are in such a hurry to find me, what is the important thing?"

"Comrade Stalin," Vatutin heard Stalin's indifferent tone, and wisely did not mention Sokov's matter immediately, but asked tentatively: "I heard a news that I will be able to recover by next Monday." Regarding the command of the First Ukrainian Front, I would like to ask, is this true?"

"This is an order I personally issued, and I should formally notify you tomorrow at the latest." Stalin said angrily, "Is it just because of this that you called me in the middle of the night?"

"That's just one of the things." Vatutin heard Stalin's signs of getting angry, and quickly said: "I also heard that when General Rokossovsky left, he planned to take Sokov to the Belarusian Front and appointed him commander of one of the armies."

Vatutin said full of grievances: "Comrade Stalin, you also know that Sukov was the commander of the 27th Army before he was injured. Even if he wants to return to the army, he must give priority to returning to the original army. How can he go to other places? What about the front army?"

"Misha is going to Rokossovsky's troops?" Stalin couldn't help being taken aback when he heard the news, and then asked, "Who did you hear about this?"

Vatutin became hesitant. If he told the truth, he would have betrayed the staff who had tipped him off. But since Stalin asked about this matter, it would be impossible not to talk about it.

Seeing that Vatutin did not speak for a long time, Stalin became a little impatient: "Vatutin, are you still there?"

"Yes, Comrade Stalin!"

"Then why didn't you speak?" Stalin asked emphatically, "Who told you that Rokossovsky was going to take Misha to the Belarusian Front?"

Vatutin glanced at the staff officer standing next to him, thinking that if he didn't tell the truth, Stalin would be furious, so he could only bite the bullet and say, "Comrade Stalin, although I have been temporarily relieved of my duties during this period, if I If there is anything, the staff of the staff department will still report to me specifically."

"Oh, so that's the case." After hearing Vatutin's explanation, Stalin was not angry. On the contrary, he felt that Vatutin was very popular. Tips off.

Vatutin heard that Stalin was not angry, and went on to say: "Comrade Stalin, I strongly recommend that General Sokov return to my 1st Ukrainian Front."

"Vatutin, you have to be mentally prepared. Even if Sokov doesn't go to the Belarusian Front, I'm afraid he won't return to your Ukrainian team to serve as the commander of the 27th Army."

Stalin's words made Vatutin confused, and he asked in puzzlement: "Comrade Stalin, why is this?"

"I received a call from Konev this afternoon." Stalin replied, "He said that Misha was in his unit before the battle from Kursk. If he recovers from his injuries, he should return to his unit as soon as possible and give Misha Shah arranged for a post of army commander."

Hearing that besides Rokossovsky, there were people competing with him for Sokov, Vatutin immediately became anxious: "Comrade Stalin, I think it is most appropriate for Sokov to come back to us, after all, he is injured." The 27th Group Army that I commanded before is now in our front army system."

"Do you think Misha can continue to serve as the commander of the 27th Army after returning to the army?" Stalin asked with a sneer, "Then how do you plan to install the current commander, General Trofimenko?"

Vatutin was questioned, although Trofimenko's command ability was far inferior to Sokov's. But in any case, he has commanded the 27th Army for more than two months. Is it a bit inappropriate to dismiss him hastily?

Seeing that Vatutin did not speak, Stalin went on to say: "It is impossible for Rokossovsky to take Misha to the Belarusian Front. Because Misha's injuries have not yet healed, he sits in a wheelchair every day." Take classes at the Frunze Military Academy. Think about it, how can he go to the front to command operations in his current state."

Vatutin really didn't know that Sokov's injury was not healed. Hearing the news, he couldn't help but be taken aback: "What, his injury hasn't healed yet?"

"Yes, I told Yakov yesterday that if it's convenient, let Misha come to see me in the Kremlin." Stalin said: "Who knows Yakov told me that Misha's injuries have not healed yet, so he will Even when I go to the Frunze Military Academy, I sit in a wheelchair."

Since Sukov's injury has not healed, it means that he will not be poached by other army chiefs in the near future, and the stone hanging in Vatutin's heart finally fell to the ground. He asked cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, I want to go back to Moscow tomorrow, is that okay?"

"Go back to Moscow tomorrow?" Stalin frowned and asked, "What are you doing back here?"

"I think it's necessary for me to visit Sokov." Vatutin didn't hide his true intentions in front of Stalin: "See if he can be persuaded to return to my army after he recovers from his injuries." .”

"You can try this." Taking into account the Zhytomyr War, Stalin had already seen that many senior commanders were too weak in command. If Sokov was to go to the Ukrainian First Front Army, it would be easier to find a suitable position. However, he did not explicitly support Vatutin, but said vaguely: "After you get to the hospital, you can tell Misha what you mean and see what he thinks."

After thanking Stalin a thousand thanks, Vatutin put down the phone in his hand, and then told his adjutant: "Adjutant, you should contact the airport immediately. I will take a plane back to Moscow tomorrow morning, and let them prepare for departure in advance." Prepare."

Early the next morning, Vatutin took his adjutant and flew to Moscow on a plane that had been prepared. Since the skies from Kiev to Moscow are now in the hands of the Soviet Air Force, he did not have fighter escorts.

When the plane took off, the adjutant asked Vatutin worriedly: "Comrade Commander, it takes about two hours to fly from Kiev to Moscow. Do you really need fighter escort?"

"No need." Vatutin said carelessly: "Comrade adjutant, don't you know that from the sky on the left bank of the Dnieper River, our army's fighter planes are in control of the air?"

Seeing that Vatutin was so confident, the adjutant didn't want to say anything, but kept his eyes fixed on the porthole, fearing that an enemy plane would emerge from somewhere. You know, there are no armed transport planes and no fighter escorts. If you encounter a German fighter jet, it will be a lamb to be slaughtered.

Fortunately, such a thing did not happen. When the plane came over Moscow, the adjutant finally felt a little relieved. Looking at the runway in the distance, the adjutant showed a relieved smile.

The plane landed on the runway, and just when it stabilized, two black cars drove over from the side of the runway, drove directly to the plane and stopped.

When Vatutin got off the plane, he saw several soldiers standing beside the black car. He was about to send an adjutant to ask the other party if he came here to pick him up.

Before the adjutant came forward to ask, a general walked over quickly. After raising his hand to salute Vatutin, he asked politely, "Comrade general, is your journey going well?"

Vatutin recognized the speaker as Lieutenant General Lunev, former military commissar of the 27th Army, and quickly reached out to shake hands with him, asking in surprise, "General Lunev, why are you here?"

Lunev replied with a smile: "I have received an order from my superiors to come here to pick you up."

"An order from the superior?" Vatutin asked tentatively, "Could it be an order from Beria himself?"

For Vatutin's question, Lunev did not answer, but smiled lightly, indicating that the other party had guessed right.

"General Lunev, where are you going to send us?"

"Comrade General." Lunev raised his eyebrows slightly, showing a look of astonishment: "Aren't you going to visit General Sokov in the hospital? I was ordered to send you there."

Vatutin was thinking about how to go to the hospital. After all, the place where Sokov was hospitalized was the most heavily guarded hospital. Even if he was the commander of the front army, it would be very difficult for him to enter the hospital without a certificate. things. Now the appearance of Lunev has solved a big problem for himself.

"Thank you very much." Vatutin said gratefully: "General Lunev, you have done me a great favor."

"It's nothing more than a little effort." Lunev said humbly, "I just happen to be visiting General Sokov in the hospital, and I just happened to take you there along the way."

On the way, Vatutin also specifically asked about Sokov's injuries: "General Lunev, I wonder how Sokov's injuries are? When will he recover and be discharged from the hospital?"

"It's hard to say." Lunev shook his head and said, "If he wants to recover, I think it may take two months at the earliest. And after he is discharged from the hospital, he will not go to the front line immediately. After all, he Training at the Frunze Military Academy is not over yet."

"It's good to study for a while longer." Vatutin was a little disappointed when he learned that Sokov would stay in the military academy for a long time. Now that he was fighting the German army, Sokov was such a shrewd and capable commander. Hot item. If he can study military theory systematically in the military academy, he will be able to entrust him with important tasks when he returns to the army in the future: "After all, it took him just over a year from a corporal to a general, and he lacks the ability to command a large army to fight. Experience and theory. Now in the military academy, I can use this time to fully enrich myself."

When the two cars stopped at the entrance of the hospital, Lunev saw the car he assigned to Sokov parked in a shed covered with a camouflage net, and he couldn't help being curious.

Lieutenant Koshkin, who was sitting in the car, saw Lunev coming in person, quickly got out of the car, trotted to Lunev, and raised his hand to salute him.

"What's going on?" Lunev looked at his watch, reproached Koshkin and said, "Lieutenant Koshkin, what's going on? It's half past ten, why don't you go to the military academy? You don't know, the academy starts classes at 8:30, and you're already two hours late."

"Comrade General, I really can't blame me for this incident." Koshkin explained aggrievedly: "I had set the car on fire at first, but before the car drove out, a sentry came to call me and said there was something wrong." My emergency number. I went to answer the phone, only to know that someone is visiting General Sokov today, so we don’t have to go to school.”

"So that's what happened." Lunev nodded, and then asked, "Is General Sokov in the ward now?"

"Yes, Comrade General," replied Koshkin respectfully. "He is in the ward, waiting for his visitor."

"Comrade General." After figuring out what was going on, Lunev returned to Vatutin and said to him with a smile: "General Sokov is in his ward, we can go in now."

The sentinel on duty at the gate saw clearly that the person who came was Lunev, and beside him was a general, and without even asking, he let Lunev, Vatutin and others in.

"Comrade Sokov," Vatutin greeted Sokov who was lying on the bed as soon as he entered the ward: "I am Vatutin, and I came here specially to visit you today. How are you? How is your physical condition?" ?”

"He's recovering pretty well." Sokov replied, "But I'm afraid it will take a long time to recover."

After a pause, Sokov asked back: "Comrade general, I heard that there is fierce fighting near Kiev, how can you have time to come to me?"

Hearing Sokov's question, Vatutin couldn't help but blush: "General Rokossovsky is commanding the troops for me now, and I have no official status. This time I went back to Moscow to report on my duties, thinking that you were hospitalized here. , I came here specially to visit you.”

Although Sokov knew Vatutin's intentions long ago, he deliberately made a surprised expression when he heard him say this: "Comrade general, thank you very much, you took the time to come here when you are so busy at work." It was so touching to visit me.”

Vatutin laughed twice, and then asked: "Comrade Sokov, I wonder how long you have to wait before you recover from your injury and leave the hospital?"

"It's hard to say." Sokov shook his head and said, "I obey the military doctor's arrangement. He rests when he tells me to rest, and takes a walk when he tells me to go out for a walk. In a word, follow what the military doctor orders. implement."