Red Moscow

Zakharov took Sokov to the office, and saw Konev on the phone when he entered the door. Susaikov, who was sitting at the conference table, saw Sokov coming, got up quickly and walked over, shook hands with him and said in a low voice: "Comrade Sokov, the commander is on the phone with the Supreme Commander himself, you first Sit down and talk to you after he finishes calling."

Sokov agreed, and found a chair by the conference table to sit down. Fearing that it would affect Konev's call, several people present all chose to remain silent, waiting patiently for the moment when the other party ended the call.

The room was very quiet, and the conversation between Konev and Stalin was not far away, so the conversation between the two clearly reached Sokov's ears.

Stalin said: "Comrade Konev, first of all I congratulate you on your great victory! Secondly, after the study of the Supreme Command, I am going to award you the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union. What do you think? If you have no objection, may I congratulate you ?”

Sokov had known for a long time that Konev would be promoted to marshal shortly after the Battle of Cherkasy, and the expression on his face did not change when he heard the news. When Zakharov and Susaikov heard the news, they couldn't help but looked at each other, and they both saw surprises in each other's eyes. They all focused their eyes on Konev, wanting to hear how he answered.

This question from Stalin made Konev look very embarrassed. In all fairness, becoming a Marshal was his dream, but when the Supreme Commander himself asked him if he would accept the rank of Marshal, he seemed a little hesitant.

After a while, Konev blushed and replied: "Comrade Stalin, I thank the Supreme Command for its trust in me, and I am willing to accept the rank of field marshal."

"Very good!" After listening to Konev's reply, Stalin continued: "We still have an idea to set up a new military rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces. What's your opinion on this?"

"I have no objection, Comrade Stalin." Konev thought for a moment, then replied: "Permission to confer on Comrade Pavel Alexievich Rotmistrov the new Marshal of Armored Forces." rank, because he and the troops he commanded were distinguished in this campaign."

"I agree." Stalin readily agreed to Konev's proposal, and continued: "And I think we will also award the rank of Comrade Fedorenko, Chief of Armored Forces."

Hearing this, Sokov murmured to himself: "It turns out that the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces was established for Fedorenko. Rotmistrov, the commander of the 5th Guards Tank Army, was just a It's just a ride."

Sokov vaguely remembered that Fedorenko's full name was Yakov Nikolaevich Fedorenko, and he was now serving as Deputy People's Commissar of Defense and Commander of Armored Tanks and Mechanized Corps. Although it is not clear what rank he is now, the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces is indeed well deserved.

Stalin also said: "Comrade Konev, in this battle, a large number of heroes and individuals emerged in the troops of the Ukrainian Second Front Army. If you think that the meritorious commander did not get the reward he deserved , you can tell me that we will consider giving him the honor he deserves."

"Comrade Stalin, I was just about to report this to you." Konev turned his head and glanced at Sokov who was sitting at the conference table, and continued: "Lieutenant General Sokov, commander of the 53rd Army, He has made great achievements in this campaign, but he only received verbal awards, which I think is far from enough."

Hearing that Konev asked for credit for himself, Sokov, who had a calm expression on his face, unexpectedly accelerated his heartbeat. He knew very well that Stalin would definitely not refuse Konev's request.

After listening to Konev's proposal, Stalin asked back: "Comrade Konev, what kind of award do you think should be given to him?"

"Although he has already obtained the rank of lieutenant general," Konev's eyes stayed on Sokov, and continued to talk about the topic: "But I think with his ability, he can obtain a higher rank."

Stalin on the other end of the phone laughed and said, "Comrade Konev, what rank do you think we should confer on him? General or Marshal? You must know that among the commanders of our army, those who can be in their twenties He became a general, so far he is the only one."

Stalin's statement was obviously expected by Sokov. After the other party finished speaking, he said plausibly: "Comrade Stalin, if Sokov hadn't taken over the post of commander of the 53rd Army and With the re-establishment of a solid defense, I am afraid that the German army has already occupied Height 239 and successfully highlighted the encirclement of our army. In that way, we will not be able to achieve a victory of this level.”

After speaking, Konev wanted to hear how Stalin responded, but the other party remained silent. He could only speak again: "Comrade Stalin, a few months ago, the troops commanded by Sokov occupied Kremenchug, took the lead in breaking through the German defense line on the Dnieper River, and tore a huge gap in the enemy's defense line." ..."

When Konev introduced the troops under Sokov's command and the series of victories achieved, Stalin remained silent and seemed to be in deep thought. After Konev finished speaking, Stalin said slowly: "He was just promoted to lieutenant general a few months ago, and now he is promoted to his rank. Is it too fast?"

"It's not fast at all." Konev heard from Stalin's tone of voice that he didn't seem to object to being promoted to Sokov's rank. Key was still a major general and was promoted to lieutenant general on October 28 of the same year; he was promoted to general on May 21, 1942; and he was promoted to general on January 18, 1943. Only 29 Today, he was officially promoted to the rank of field marshal on February 16, becoming the second wartime field marshal after Marshal Zhukov."

He might be worried that Stalin would reject his proposal, so he said cautiously: "Comrade Stalin, you may think that Comrade Sokov is too young, and his rash promotion will cause dissatisfaction among other generals."

After saying this, Konev paused again to observe Stalin's reaction. Seeing that the other party did not object, he guessed that he might have said what the other party was thinking. After taking a deep breath, he continued: "Actually, I think it is precisely because Comrade Sokov is young that his rapid promotion can become an example for everyone to follow."

"Comrade Konev," Stalin finally responded this time, "I think there is some truth in what you said. If Misha was not only in his twenties but in his forties, with his achievements, I am afraid that he would have died a long time ago. I was promoted to general. I will pass on your proposal to the Supreme Command, so that everyone can discuss whether Xiaoxiao should be promoted to the military rank."

When Konev put down the microphone, Zakharov and Susaikov immediately stood up, walked towards each other, and still followed a long way, stretched out their hands and said with a smile: "Comrade Marshal, please accept our heartfelt congratulations." .Congratulations on earning the rank of Field Marshal."

Konev smiled and said thank you while shaking hands with the two. But when Sokov also congratulated him, Konev smiled even wider: "Comrade Sokov, I also congratulate you. Congratulations on your upcoming higher military rank."

Sokov said with some embarrassment: "Comrade Marshal, the Supreme Commander himself just said that he would consider it. Whether he can get the consent of the Supreme Command is still unknown."

"Comrade Sokov, don't worry." Konev saw Sokov's uneasiness, and comforted him, "Since Comrade Stalin said to submit this matter to the Supreme Command, it means that your rank has been promoted. There is a problem. I just don’t know if I will be promoted to general or general in the end.”

"I don't think it's possible for the general." Zakharov glanced at Sokov, and then said to Konev: "You know, Sokov is only a commander of the group army now, unless he can serve as the head of the front army in the future, Otherwise, the rank of admiral is the ceiling of his position."

Regarding Zakharov's statement, Susaikov agreed: "That's right. As far as I know, the current commander at the army level has the highest rank is General Cuikov of the 8th Guards Army. You know , His qualifications are much older than Sokov, and the superior will definitely take this issue into consideration when discussing the promotion of Sokov's rank."

Sokov knew very well in his heart that if he could not serve as a higher-level commander, then the rank of general would not be for him. He quickly said: "I think your analysis is correct. With my current position, qualifications, and age, it is already the limit to be promoted to general, and it is simply impossible to get a higher rank. "

"Comrade Sokov," Konev said to Sokov, "don't go back tonight, we all want to have a good chat with you."

"But, Comrade Marshal." Although Konev has not officially received the rank of Marshal, Sokov's title has been changed accordingly. He said awkwardly: "But my chief of staff and military commissar are still in the theater at this moment." There's a parking lot waiting for me outside. If I won't go back, they won't leave."

"It's easy to handle. I'll just send someone to notify them." Zakharov finished speaking, picked up the phone on the table, dialed a number, and said into the microphone: "I'm Zakharov, China Comrade school, I will give you a task now. You immediately rush outside the small auditorium and inform the comrades of the 53rd Army, saying that their commander will stay at the headquarters tonight, and let them go back first."

"Zakharov," when Zakharov hung up the phone, Konev suddenly said to him, "I feel a little tired and want to lie down and rest. I will leave it to you to handle all matters in the front army." .”

"Okay, Comrade Commander." Zakharov nodded and said, "You can rest assured, I am here for everything."

Konev nodded, explained something to Susaikov and Sokov, then got up and left the office.

After Konev left, Susaikov explained to Sokov: "Comrade Sokov, during the Battle of Cherkasy, the commander only slept for three or four hours a day. He immediately got up to deal with the urgent military situation. He was so tired that he was going to rest after the meeting, but was delayed by answering the phone call from the Supreme Commander himself.”

As soon as Susaikov mentioned Stalin, Sokov immediately remembered an important matter, and quickly asked the two of them: "About General Rotmistrov's acquisition of the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces, should he be notified? ?”

"That's right, that's right, we should tell Rotmistrov the good news." Susaikov looked at Zakharov and asked, "Comrade Chief of Staff, are you calling this call, or am I calling?" ?”

"Comrade Military Commissioner, you should call." Zakharov said with a smile, "If he heard my call, he would have thought there was some combat mission."

The phone was connected quickly, and Rotmistrov, who had just returned to his headquarters, asked, "Hello, Comrade Military Commissar, what can I do?"

"I congratulate you, Comrade Rotmistrov," said Susaikov loudly. "Congratulations on your achievement of the rank of Marshal of the Armored Corps."

"Comrade Military Commissar, stop joking." Rotmistrov thought that Susaikov was joking with himself, and explained: "There is no marshal of armored troops in the rank of our army."

Seeing that Rotmistrov didn't believe himself, Susaikov said seriously: "Comrade Rotmistrov, how could I possibly joke with you about such an important matter? Although the rank of Marshal of the Armored Forces used to be , does not mean that there will be none in the future. To tell you the truth, this is the military rank that the Supreme Commander himself has just established, and besides you, Comrade Fedorenko will also receive this military rank.”

Since Susaikov mentioned Fedorenko, he obviously wouldn't be joking with himself, but he still asked cautiously: "Comrade Military Commissar, are you really not joking with me?"

"Of course not." Seeing that Rotmistrov was still dubious up to this moment, Susaikov said a little bit dumbfoundingly: "When the superior is officially promoted, you will know whether it is true or not."

Now that Susaikov has already said so much, it would be impolite to doubt it. Until now, Rotmistrov was sure that his becoming the Marshal of the Armored Forces was not a hallucination of his own, but real and reliable. He said emotionally into the microphone: "Comrade Military Commissar, thank you for telling me such good news. To celebrate, I plan to take out the port wine I have collected for many years and invite everyone to drink together."

"Comrade Rotmistrov, the commander is already lying down and resting. You should save your Portwin." Susaikov said with a smile: "When the day of the official promotion, It's not too late for you to celebrate with a Portwyn."

"Comrade Military Commissar," although Susaikov told the other party that Konev had already lay down to rest, but Rotmistrov could not hold his breath at the moment, and he said loudly: "I think I still Send the portwine, lest I drink it all out of joy before I get promoted."

Susaikov guessed Rotmistrov's careful thinking, and knew that the other party wanted to come to the headquarters to confirm in person, so he readily agreed: "Okay, Comrade Rotmistrov, I I'm waiting for you in the office with Zakharov, you just come to us directly. By the way, don't forget to bring your port wine."