Red Moscow

"Hello, Comrade Sokov! I'm Ustinov."

"Hello, Comrade People's Commissar." Although Sokov called him an old man in his heart, Ustinov was actually the youngest member of the Supreme Command. He said in his heart that he hadn't had any contact with Ustinov recently, so what was the meaning of calling himself? Could it be that something happened to Assia?

Thinking of this, he asked tremblingly, "Did something happen to Asiya again?"

When Ustinov heard Sokov's question, he couldn't help being taken aback, thinking to himself: Who is Asya? What's the deal with Sokov?

But he quickly remembered that Asiya was Sokov's wife, and she was currently working as a military doctor in the Weapons and Equipment Department.

After thinking about this point, he understood the purpose of Sokov's question, and said with a smile: "Comrade Sokov, don't worry, I'm calling you, it has nothing to do with Asiya, but to Another thing."

"Another matter?" Sokov asked puzzledly: "Comrade People's Commissar, do you know what it is?"

"If I'm not mistaken, is Colonel Yakov still with you?"

"Yes, Comrade People's Commissar." Sokov replied truthfully: "Yasha is indeed with me. Do you need me to ask him to answer the phone?"

"No, no, no." Ustinov rejected Sokov's proposal, and continued: "I called you because there is something important that needs to be verified with you."

As soon as he heard that there was something important and he needed to verify it with himself, Sokov couldn't help but thumped in his heart, and secretly said, "What's the matter again, you actually want to call me specifically for verification."

But fortunately, Ustinov's words made his heart hang in his throat and returned to his stomach: "Comrade Sokov, I called you to verify something related to Colonel Yakov. matter."

Something about Yasha? With doubts in his heart, Sokov said cautiously: "Comrade People's Commissar, please tell me, I will try my best to cooperate with you."

"I heard that when you liberated Sokiriani, there was no battle. It was Colonel Yakov who negotiated with the commander of the defenders and persuaded him to surrender to our army, right?"

Find out what Ustinov wants to verify is actually Sokiriani's liberation, and whether it has anything to do with Yakov. To this, Sokov replied without hesitation: "Yes, Comrade People's Commissar, I sent Yasha to Sokiriani for negotiations. Since he succeeded in convincing the commander of the city's garrison, Abu Lieutenant Colonel Lani, our army liberated the city without a fight."

"So it's true?"

"Of course, Comrade People's Commissar, of course it's true." After answering the question in an affirmative tone, Sokov asked curiously, "Why do you ask this?"

"Comrade Sokov, you and Colonel Yakov are good friends. You should know the achievements he has made in the weapons and equipment department in the past two or three years." Since Sokov is Yakov's childhood friend, Sikov Mirnov felt that some things could be put on the table and said: "He has been a colonel for a long time, but if he wants to get a higher rank, it depends on his achievements in the weapons and equipment department. far from enough."

Sokov is so smart. As soon as he heard this, he knew that Smirnov planned to use the successful persuasion of Sokiriani's defenders as an opportunity to create favorable conditions for Yakov's promotion to general.

Thinking of this, he tentatively asked: "Comrade People's Commissar, so Yakov's success in persuading Sokiryani's defenders to surrender can make him a general?"

"Comrade Sokov, I'm not absolutely sure." Ustinov replied cautiously, "I can only tell you that the chances of such a thing are very high."

Although Ustinov did not give an affirmative answer, according to Sokov's experience, Yakov's promotion to general is already a certainty. He wanted to be the first to congratulate Yakov, so he tentatively asked Ustinov: "Comrade Commissar, can I tell Yasha the good news?"

"Yes." Ustinov replied readily, "I think it's most appropriate for you, as his best friend, to be the first to tell him such good news."

After finishing the call with Ustinov, Sokov called Koshkin and told him: "Comrade Lieutenant, you go and invite Colonel Yakov to me. Just say I have something important, Need to see him immediately."

While Koshkin was looking for Yakov, Sameko offered to propose: "Comrade Commander, such a good event should be celebrated. It's a pity that the time is too short and many things cannot be prepared."

"Champagne," interrupted Trofimenko, who was standing not far away, "you can't get anything else, but there is no problem getting champagne." He offered, "I have a bottle of champagne in my room." , I wanted to wait until the end of the battle of Uman to celebrate and drink. Today’s incident is also considered a happy event, so I will open champagne in advance.”

When Yakov came back with Koshkin, he saw a bottle of champagne on the table. He couldn't help asking Sokov curiously, "Misha, what's the happy event? Even champagne is on the table."

"Yasha!" Sokov held out his hand to Yakov and said in a friendly tone: "Please accept my congratulations. Congratulations, you will be officially promoted to general in the near future."

"What?" Sokov's words made Yakov look dazed: "Misha, what are you kidding me, what qualifications do I have to be a general?"

"Yasha, I'm not kidding you." Sokov said seriously: "Just after you left, Comrade Ustinov called and asked me about the liberation of Sokiriani, whether it has anything to do with you And said that after you have made this contribution, the chances of being promoted to general are very high."

Yakov is also a smart person. Hearing what Sokov said, he knew that it was only a matter of time before he was promoted to general. He held Sukov's hand tightly, and said gratefully: "Misha, thank you very much. If you hadn't given me this opportunity, I would not have been able to make such great achievements, let alone be promoted. Opportunity."

"Colonel Yakov, although your promotion will take some time, allow us to congratulate you." Trofimenko opened the bottle of champagne after he finished speaking, and gave the champagne bottle Several teacups were filled with half a glass of champagne. After pouring the champagne, he handed the teacups to Sokov, Yakov, Sameko and others one by one.

After finishing all this, Trofimenko raised the teacup in his hand and said loudly: "Let us raise our glasses to Colonel Yakov's promotion to general!"

Everyone raised the teacups filled with champagne: "Cheers!" "Cheers!!"

The portion of a bottle of champagne is indeed a bit small, seven or eight teacups are one share, and each person only gets half a cup. After clinking glasses, everyone basically drank the champagne in the glasses in one gulp, and then dispersed to go about their own affairs.

"Yasha, let me discuss something with you." Sokov put a hand on Yakov's shoulder, and walked towards the corner of the headquarters. He didn't want the conversation between the two to be the first Three people heard.

"Speak, Misha." Yakov said helplessly, "As long as I can do it, I will definitely help with all my strength."

"Well, Yasha, since you said that, then I'm not being polite." Sokov said with a smile: "Look, can you repair all these hovercraft you brought and continue to deliver supplies for us? ?”

Seeing that Yakov was about to open his mouth to speak, he quickly added: "Yasha, I know this is a difficult situation for you. After all, this is an order from the superior. But after you return to the weapons and equipment department, you can talk to Wu Talk to Comrade Stinov and explain to him the great role these hovercraft are playing at the front."

If it was half an hour ago, even if Sokov had worn out his lips, Yakov would not have agreed to his request. But just now Sokov and his subordinates expressed congratulations on their upcoming promotion, and just because of their intentions, he had to find a way to help them.

After thinking about this, Yakov nodded slightly, and said to Sokov: "Misha, when I return to the Armament Department, I will go to see Comrade Ustinov in person and convey your thoughts to him."

Hearing that Yakov was willing to help him lobby Ustinov, Sokov couldn't help feeling ecstatic, and he tentatively asked: "Yasha, what do you think is the chance of success in lobbying Comrade Ustinov?" ?”

Yakov didn't speak, but just stretched out a finger. After seeing it, Sokov asked cautiously: "Is the success rate 100%?"

"Misha, you are dreaming." Yakov rolled his eyes and said displeasedly, "Let me tell you the truth. Even if I go out to persuade you personally, the success rate will not exceed 10%."

Although he knew that there was little room for recovery, Sokov still decided to try his best. After all, if it succeeds, these hovercraft can transport soldiers and various weapons and ammunition for their own troops.

"Yasha, I think even if there is only a 1% chance, we can't give up trying." Sokov said solemnly: "You also know how much these hovercraft have helped us. If we really return to Moscow, Just sealing up all the hovercraft will seriously affect the supply situation of our department."

The atmosphere had already been heightened to this point, and Yakov felt that it was a bit unreasonable for him not to make a statement, so he said to Sokov: "Misha, I promise you, after returning to Moscow, I will try my best to convince the people's commissar. But as for whether he can change his mind, I think it depends on your luck."

"Yasha," Sokov reached out to hold Yakov's hand, shook it vigorously twice, and then said: "Regardless of whether this matter will be successful or not in the end, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the combat group, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you. Sincere thanks."

"Misha, I'm about to leave for Moscow." Yakov said to Sokov with concern: "You are now a senior commander commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, don't always run to the front, that's too much It's dangerous. Last time you were attacked, you saved your life, so it's hard to say whether you will be so lucky next time."

"Don't worry, Yasha." Sokov also understands his current identity, and it is obviously unrealistic to run to the front all day long. Maybe he can only stay in the headquarters in the future, according to the information and battle reports provided by his subordinates. , to issue various combat orders. "When you go back, please tell Assia that I will stay in the headquarters obediently and never run around. Let her not worry about me."

"I hope you can do what you say." Yakov was dubious about Sokov's statement. Based on his understanding of Sokov, if he encountered a war crisis, he might go to the front and personally The command troops went. He stretched out his hand to Sokov again: "Then let's meet again, and hope that the next time we meet will not be too long."

After sending Yakov away, Sameko came over to ask Sokov for instructions: "The frontline troops called to ask, what is their next combat mission?"

"Comrade Chief of Staff, please tell them." Sokov said with a serious expression: "Before we get enough ammunition and supplies from our superiors, their task is to rush to repair the fortifications, strengthen the defense line, and prevent possible German counterattacks."

"Comrade Commander, if you reply like this, I am worried that individual commanders will be emotional."

"Comrade Chief of Staff, this requires you to explain to them." Sokov said: "You can ask them, if you launch an attack on the enemy's defense line now, once you run out of ammunition, you won't be able to replenish it." situation, what should they do?"

Without waiting for Sameko to respond, he continued: "Of course, if these commanders feel that the troops under his command can easily break through the German defense line and liberate more cities by relying on bayonet tactics. Then, I They will agree to their attack request and let them directly attack the heavily defended German area."

"Comrade Commander, I understand." Sokov's words made Sameko realize that the situation is now favorable to the Soviet army. But if you don’t wait for the supplies from the superiors to arrive, you will attack the enemy’s position without hesitation. Even if you can make some progress in the early stage, you will definitely end in a disastrous defeat in the end: “I will convey your meaning to them.”

"By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff, I have something I've always wanted to ask you." Just as Sameko turned to make a call, Sokov stopped him.

Sameko turned to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, please ask."

"Where is Samoilov? Also, where is Seryosha?" Sokov asked Sameko, "Why have the two armies merged for so long, and I haven't seen either of them?" ?”

Hearing Sokov ask Samoilov, the commander of his most trusted guard company, and his friend Seryozha, Sameko couldn't help lowering his head: "Comrade Commander, I'm really sorry, this news should be I told you earlier. Both Samoilov and Seryosha died during the liberation of Kirovgrad."

This bad news caused Sokov's body to shake. If he hadn't supported the table in time, he might have fallen directly to the ground. Sameko was the closest to Sokov. Seeing that he was in poor condition, he quickly reached out to support him and asked with concern, "Comrade Commander, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Sokov waved his hand at Sameko, and then asked, "Where are they buried?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander," Sameko replied with a blushing face, "At that time, the German army was shelling the location of our headquarters. The two most trusted subordinates of yours were unfortunately shot by the German army's heavy artillery when they were commanding the retreat of the members of the headquarters. Hit, not even a corpse was found."