Red Moscow

"Don't worry, Misha, there will be a chance." Yakov comforted Sokov and said, "Even if the Viking division is severely damaged in this battle, as long as their flag is not captured by us, the Germans will soon Rebuild this force."

Hearing what Yakov said, Sokov immediately thought that he had severely damaged the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division many times, but because they failed to capture the flags of these two units in the battle, the Germans quickly mobilized troops to rebuild them. He also categorically denied that he was severely injured by his own troops.

"It's a pity." Sokov sighed and said, "If my troops had seized the flags of the Skeleton Division and the Imperial Division, then the two German troops would have had to revoke their designations. They wouldn't suffer as much as they do now. One blow after another, but they were all able to rebuild in a very short period of time."

"Misha, which unit do you think you might be sent to after graduation?"

Sokov replied without hesitation: "From the current situation, there is a high probability that he will be sent to General Rokossovsky's Belarusian First Front Army."

"First Belarusian Front Army?" Yakov repeated the designation, then asked with some confusion: "When did General Rokossovsky's troops change their designation? How come I don't know?"

After Yakov said this, Sokov immediately realized that he had slipped his mouth. The Belarusian Front Army was reorganized into the Belarusian First Front Army on February 17, and there is still half a month before now. He hurriedly said, "I heard news in the academy that General Rokossovsky's unit will change its designation in mid-February."

Yakov didn't know that Sokov was perfunctory. He really thought that the other party could know a lot of inside information that he didn't know at the Frunze Military Academy. He said casually, and then asked: "I think you have arrived in a new army. If you want to open up the situation as soon as possible, you must have your own team. Look, should you take the opportunity in front of you and contact your old subordinates? See if you can transfer them all to your new unit."

"Yasha, to tell you the truth, I have been forming my own new team." Sokov thought that he would have something to ask Yakov for help later, so he said truthfully: "Students in the same class, I've incorporated them all into my team."

"What, you put all the students in a class into your own team?" Yakov said in surprise, "Aren't you worried that the former superiors of these students will protest against you?"

"I was really worried, so I only recruited half of the students at first." Sokov said: "After receiving the instruction of Marshal Zhukov, he incorporated all the students into his team."

Knowing that Sokov had Zhukov's permission to organize all the students into his team, Yakov didn't say anything more, but asked another key question: "Misha, you just said that there are still half a year left. You can’t finish your studies. For such a long time, you can’t let these students stay in the academy with nothing to do, can you?”

"How is this possible?" Sokov said with a smile: "I formed a temporary command, and all the trainees were incorporated into it. This command was commanded by an advisory group headed by General Ponejielin. We will go to the front line to accumulate valuable command experience, and we have completed the running-in between the teams."

"Misha, I really didn't realize that you are so thoughtful." Yakov said in an admiring tone, "As long as the temporary headquarters stays on the front line for a few months, when you return to the army, you can quickly get back to work." put into operation."

"Yasha, now I don't know whether the group army that my superiors will hand over to me after I return to the front line is ready-made or a temporary reserve army." Sokov said, "So I want to talk to you, maybe when the time comes There are many places that need your help."

Although Yakov had already guessed what Sokov would say next, he still asked knowingly, "Misha, what can I do to help you?"

"It's needless to say." Sokov also saw through Yakov's careful thinking, but deliberately did not expose him: "Since you are in the Weapons and Equipment Department, I must ask you for help because I want weapons."

"It's not easy, Misha." Seeing that Sokov really asked himself for weapons, Yakov said with a look of embarrassment: "According to the order of the superior, before June 1944, at least four Assault rifles for ten Guards divisions are in the works."

"Assault rifles for 40 Guards divisions?" Sokov couldn't help being surprised when he heard the unexpected news, and then asked, "I wonder how many divisions you have completed? "

"So far, only four Guards divisions have completed the installation of assault rifles." Yakov continued with a sigh: "It is already late January, that is to say, we will be able to complete the deployment of assault rifles in the remaining four months." Within a certain period of time, an average of nine guard divisions have to complete the task of dressing up every month."

Sokov knew very well in his heart that the reason why the troops under his command were invincible on the battlefield was not only the proper use of tactics and the rich combat experience of the commanders and fighters, but weapons were also an important link. Since he can't get the strong support from the Weapons and Equipment Department, if he returns to the army by himself, even if he commands the most elite guard army, it may be difficult to create the previous record.

After thinking about this, he said to Yakov with a serious expression: "Yakov, you have been to my army before, so you should know that the reason why my army can win consecutive battles on the battlefield is due to the fact that the weapons and equipment department sent me The weapons and equipment we directly provide have a lot to do with it. If after I take over the new troops, I can’t get supplements of the old weapons and equipment, it may directly affect the combat effectiveness of the troops.”

Yakov was silent for a long time, and then said: "Misha, although I work in the weapons and equipment department, my ability is not as great as you think. Nowadays, Comrade Ustinov is responsible for the distribution of weapons. Responsible."

"Even if Comrade Ustinov is in charge, you can still give him advice." Sokov didn't want his troops to suffer unnecessary losses due to backward equipment, so he tried hard to persuade Yakov , hoping to make him change his mind and help him solve this problem: "I believe he will attach great importance to your suggestion."

"Okay, Misha." Yakov saw Sokov's insistence, and could only reply helplessly: "I will do my best, but if Comrade Ustinov disagrees, I have nothing to do. "

In order to ensure the supply of weapons and equipment for the troops, Sokov decided to adopt a two-pronged approach: one is to make suggestions to Ustinov through Yakov to provide convenience for himself; the other is to go to see Ustinov himself , and made his request to him in person.

"Yasha, you can try to persuade Comrade Ustinov to see if he can give priority to providing weapons and equipment for my troops." Sokov said: "If it is impossible for him to follow your advice, we will think of other ways .”

"Other ways?" Yakov asked curiously, "What way?"

"Then I will trouble you to arrange a time for me to meet Comrade Ustinov." Sokov said with a solemn expression, "I will try to convince him face to face."

"That's one way." Regarding Sokov's statement, Yakov felt that the chance of success was very high. He nodded and said, "I'm trying to persuade Comrade Ustinov now, if he really can't make him change It’s not too late for you to come forward.”

Sokov felt that as long as Yakov could arrange a meeting between himself and Ustinov, although he could not guarantee 100% persuasion, at least there was a high chance of success: "Then I will trouble you. Once the meeting is arranged Remember to notify me in time."

The two chatted for a while, and saw Asiya coming out of the kitchen with a plate. Sokov got up to help, but Yakov was already a step ahead, and said to Sokov: "Misha, your leg injury is still not healed, and it's not convenient for you to walk, let me help Asia. "

After the food was set, the three of them sat around the dining table and began to eat.

Asiya said apologetically to Yakov: "Yasha, I'm really sorry, Misha's injury has not healed, and I can't drink alcohol for the time being, please forgive me. If you really want to drink, I can accompany you for a few drinks." cup."

"It's all right." Yakov waved his hands and said, "It's not a big deal to miss a drink or two. I don't want Misha to be sent to the hospital again because of excessive drinking just after being discharged from the hospital."

Yakov's words caused the two to burst into laughter. Sokov picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of hot tea for the other party, and then said, "Yasha, since you can't drink alcohol, please drink some tea."

"Yasha," Asiya continued to ask, "Please help me find out when you go back. Now that Misha has been discharged from the hospital, when can I go back to the weapons and equipment department?"

Hearing what Asya said, Yakov remembered that after learning that Sokov had entered the hospital in Lubyanka, Ustinov specially arranged for her to be seconded to the military hospital to take care of Sokov's daily life. . Now that Sokov has been discharged from the hospital, it is obvious that Assia no longer needs to stay in the military hospital.

But how to arrange Asiya, Yakov does not have this authority, he can only say to Asiya: "When I go back and ask Comrade Ustinov to see what he means. Before that, you Just stay at home and take good care of Misha."

Yakov still had work in the afternoon, so he left in a hurry after dinner.

As soon as Yakov left, Asiya asked Sokov, "Misha, do you have any plans before the new training class starts?"

"I'm going to take a walk outside." Seeing Asiya's frown, Sokov quickly explained: "I've been in the hospital for a few months, and I'm really suffocated. I want to take a walk around, breathe Breathe fresh air, which is conducive to the recovery of the body." Maybe he was worried that Asiya would disagree, and he added deliberately, "This is not what I said, but what the hospital director said."

Assia couldn't help but smile: "Okay, okay, I'll go for a walk with you when the sun comes out."

"Why don't you go out for a walk now." Sokov looked at the sky through the glass, and saw that the sky was gray, and it didn't look like the sun was coming out at all, so he said to Assia: "Although it's not sunny today, But it’s best to go out for a walk. You know, in Moscow in winter, as soon as the sun comes out, there will be wind, causing the temperature to drop. When you are blown by the biting cold wind outside, you will feel like your blood will freeze.”

"Okay, okay, I can't say no to you, I will accompany you out after I finish packing."

Half an hour later, Sokov and Asiya, who put on casual clothes, left the yard where they lived and walked slowly along the snow-cleared streets.

"Misha!" Assia asked Sokov, "Where are you going?"

"I want to visit Red Square."

Assia said with some embarrassment: "The distance from here to the Red Square is not close. It takes at least an hour to walk."

"It doesn't matter." Sokov said confidently: "My leg injury is almost healed. Walking a little more can be regarded as exercise."

Assia originally wanted Sokov to take the subway, so that it would only take ten minutes at most to reach the Red Square. But seeing Sokov want to walk, he changed his mind. She felt that with Sokov's current situation, he would feel tired after walking a long distance, and then he could turn around and come back.

Since the city is no longer threatened by war, there are obviously more pedestrians on the street. Judging from their clothes, they are basically ordinary citizens. Although the patrol team can still be seen on the street, the barricades at the intersection and the roadblocks on the road have been cleaned up.

Seeing Sokov looking at the former barricades from time to time, Assia asked curiously, "Misha, do you think the Germans will attack Moscow?"

"It won't happen again, Assia." Hearing this question, Sokov confidently replied: "Neither now nor in the future, the Germans will never approach Moscow again. Of course, they will Many Germans will appear on the streets of Moscow as prisoners of war."

The two walked forward for about ten minutes, and Sukov suddenly realized that he had made a mistake. My leg hasn't healed yet, and it's not a big problem to walk around in the academy, but now I feel unbearable pain when I walk outside for a long time. I happened to see a bench not far away, so I said to Asiya, "Asiya, let's sit in front before we go."

From Sokov's tone of voice, Asiya immediately realized that he might have committed an offense on his leg again, and quickly said with concern: "Misha, why don't we go back first."

Sokov smiled bitterly and said, "Asiya, even if I want to go back, I have to wait until I have a rest. If I just walk back like this, I guess this leg will be useless."

Assia helped Sokov sit down on the bench, and said angrily, "I said I was walking around, but you insisted on going to the Red Square. Now it's all right, the leg injury started again!"

Sokov grinned and was about to say something, but an officer walking towards here in the distance caught Sokov's attention.

The officer wore a khaki short fur coat, a cotton cap, and the major's epaulets. Every time he took a dozen steps forward, he would unconsciously glance behind him, as if to see if anyone was following him.

Assia noticed that Sokov was staring at her back, so she couldn't help but glanced behind her, and found that an officer was walking towards her position, so she couldn't help asking: "Misha, what are you doing?" looking at what?"

Sokov grabbed Assia's hand and said to her in a low voice: "There is an officer walking towards us. I feel something is wrong with him." Seeing Assia was about to turn his head to look over, he quickly stopped him and said: " Don't look, keep your expression natural, as if you didn't see him appear."