Red Moscow

After Sokov got off the car, the driver standing not far away quickly came over, opened the door and got in. But Yakov did not get in the car, and still stood there without moving.

Seeing this, Sokov asked Yakov with some surprise: "Yasha, why don't you get in the car?"

Yakov shook his head and said: "This is Comrade People's Comrade's special car, and I am not qualified to ride on it."

As he spoke, the black car started and drove straight away from the parking spot. Of course, it was not just this car that left. Two cars immediately followed it. The people in the car should be the security personnel responsible for Ustinov's safety.

"Yasha," Sokov saw that Ustinov had left, but Yakov still had no intention of leaving, so he asked curiously: "Why don't you leave with Comrade Ustinov?"

"He is leaving at this time to go to the Kremlin for a meeting." Yakov said: "What should I follow him to do?"

Sokov glanced at Gavrilov standing next to him, and began to wonder whether he needed to report his matter to Stalin so that he could get the honor that belonged to him as soon as possible. Thinking of this, he cautiously asked Yakov: "Yasha, if I want to see your father, can you help me arrange it?"

"You want to see my father?" Yakov heard what Sokov said and instinctively asked: "Is there anything important?"

"I just want to talk to him about something..."

Before Sokov could finish speaking, Yakov interrupted him and said, "Misha, if you don't have anything particularly important, don't disturb my father. You know, he has been very busy at work recently. Even if I, as a son, want to see him, it is very difficult."

Now that Yakov has spoken to this extent, Sokov obviously can no longer mention the matter of meeting Stalin. He can only change the topic and ask: "Yasha, why did you appear with Comrade Ustinov today?" What about here?"

"Originally, I was supposed to go to Stalingrad these days to participate in the filming of the movie." Yakov explained to Sokov: "Unexpectedly, I received a call from Comrade Ustinov last night, asking me to Accompany him to the show at Weedenham Park. And just like that, here I am."

Sokov nodded and was thinking about how he should report Gavrilov's situation to his superiors when he suddenly heard Yakov ask himself: "Will you be at home tomorrow?"

"Of course, I am at home all day now." Sokov replied: "As you know, my superiors have not assigned me a job yet. If I don't stay at home, where else can I go."

"Okay, I'll find you tomorrow afternoon."

"Well, I'll wait for you at home."

As soon as Sokov and Asiya returned home, Asiya asked with some urgency: "Misha, I wonder what Comrade People's Commissar talked about when he called you in the car?"

If someone else asked him this, Sokov would definitely say rudely: "Haven't you learned the confidentiality regulations and know what to ask and what not to ask?" But the person asking the question now is Asiya. , he would answer in another way: "Asiya, Comrade People's Commissar intends to let me participate in a research and development work, but I have rejected him."

"Ah?!" Asiya was extremely surprised after hearing this: "Misha, why is this? Why do you refuse the invitation of Comrade People's Comrade? You know, there is news of large-scale disarmament everywhere recently. If a large number of officers retire, If you work locally, your superiors will probably not be able to assign you a job. Do you really plan to write novels for the rest of your life?"

"It's not bad to really write a novel for a lifetime." Sokov said with a smile: "After spending so many years on the front line, if I were asked to work somewhere, I would not be qualified for the job assigned to me by my superiors."

Hearing what Sokov said, Asia showed an unhappy expression on her face: "What kind of job did Comrade People's Commissar arrange for you, and why did you refuse?"

"Asiya, let's put it this way." Sokov saw Asiya's unhappiness and knew very well that if he didn't explain it clearly to her, it would leave a thorn in her heart, so he said tactfully: "I can't tell you the specific R\u0026D project. The only thing I can tell you is that once I join this R\u0026D team, I will have to live in isolation and anonymity for a long time in the future. Maybe we The two of them didn't even have a chance to meet. Do you want to live like this?"

Asiya raised her eyebrows, and then asked in an uncertain tone: "Misha, I want to ask, how long is the very long time you mentioned? One year or two years?"

Sokov smiled bitterly, and then replied: "Asia, what you said is really conservative. If I really participate in that R\u0026D team, then the time I can't see you may be ten or twenty years." Year, can you endure such a life?"

At first Asiya thought that even if she was separated from Sokov, it would only last a year or two at most, and she could get through it as long as she gritted her teeth. But now she heard that if she joined the R\u0026D team, she would not be able to see him for more than ten or twenty years. She immediately changed her mind. She could not tolerate Sokov not being with her for such a long time. "Ah, does it take so long? Then if you really don't want to, forget it, I won't force you."

Sokov held Asiya in his arms, patted her back gently, and said softly: "Asiya, I have promised you that when the child is born, I will stay by your side. I I have already thought about it, even if my superiors want to arrange any work for me, I will wait until you give birth to the child."

…

The next afternoon, while Sokov was immersed in writing in the living room, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. He remembered that Yakov had told himself last night that he would be a guest at home this afternoon, and he must be here now.

Sokov stood up and opened the door. Sure enough, he saw Yakov standing outside the door. He quickly greeted him: "Yasha, you are here. Come in quickly."

But Yakov did not enter the room immediately. Instead, he turned to one side and said to the side: "Bring the things in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sokov saw four soldiers carrying wooden boxes walking up the stairs and going straight to his door.

Seeing the soldiers trying to carry the wooden box into the door, Sokov couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Yasha, what is in this wooden box?"

Yakov did not answer Sokov's question, but smiled and said to him: "Misha, be patient, you will know the answer soon."

After the soldiers came in carrying the wooden box, they placed it in the middle of the living room and glanced at Yakov, as if asking him for instructions on what to do next.

"Open the wooden box!" Yakov ordered briefly.

After hearing Yakov's order, the soldiers did not hesitate and immediately began to take action. One of the soldiers pulled a crowbar from the belt around his waist and began to pry the wooden box.

Sokov asked Yakov again: "Yasha, what are you doing, what is in this box?"

But Yakov still did not answer Sokov's question, but smiled faintly and said: "Misha, be patient, you will soon know what is in the wooden box."

Soon, the wooden box was pried open, and the contents inside revealed its true appearance in Lushan.

After Sokov clearly saw what was in front of him, his eyes almost fell to the ground. He turned to look at Yakov and said, "Yasha, you actually gave me a refrigerator."

Yakov's smile froze on his face, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face: "Misha, you actually know this thing?"

Sokov remembers that the world's first refrigerator was invented in 1923. It was a refrigerator that used an electric motor and a compressor to work together. The developer was a Swedish engineer. In 1925, the refrigerator patent was purchased by an American company and the first batch of household refrigerators were developed. At this time, refrigerators began to enter people's lives.

After so many years in this era, this was the first time Sokov saw a refrigerator. He never dreamed that the refrigerator he owned in this era was actually given to him by Yakov. He nodded and answered Yakov's question: "I once saw this thing in a German family, so I know its name."

Sokov was not lying on this point. He did see a refrigerator when he was in Germany. However, the Soviet commanders and fighters did not like this kind of trophy. First, it was too bulky and inconvenient to carry. Second, many commanders and fighters did not have overnight food at home. What was the use of taking this thing back? Could it be used as a wardrobe? Therefore, there are usually two ways to deal with refrigerators. One is to smash it directly. You can’t use it yourself and definitely can’t leave it to the Germans. The second is to don’t use it at all.

According to Sokov's understanding of Lao Maozi, they are interested in gold and silver jewelry, securities, light electronic products and valuable clothing, while other bulky things are either ignored or smashed directly. They said they went to other people's homes to steal the washing machine. It was someone with ulterior motives who was setting the pace. The opening picture was all made up.

"Oh, so you've seen it before." Yakov said, "But this refrigerator is produced by our country." After saying that, he asked the soldiers to carry the refrigerator into the kitchen.

After sending away the soldiers, Yakov began to introduce the latest refrigerator to Sokov. He first moved the handwheel on the refrigerator door, then opened the door, pointed inside and said to Sokov: "Misha, the refrigerator is divided into upper and lower layers. The upper part is the freezer, where you will buy mutton and other things. , if you are not in a hurry to cook, you can freeze it in the upper freezer first, and then take it out to defrost when you want to eat it. Below is the refrigerator compartment, where you can put leftover food, which can extend the storage time, even if the weather gets hotter. It’s not easy to break either.”

After waiting for Yakov to close the refrigerator, Sokov said with a smile: "Yasha, this refrigerator door is equipped with a handwheel, which makes me feel like opening the door on a submarine when I open the refrigerator door."

Yakov chuckled twice and explained: "Turn the handwheel a few times clockwise to lock the refrigerator door. If you want to open it, just turn it counterclockwise." Then he shrugged. , said rather helplessly, "I also find it inconvenient to have a hand wheel on the refrigerator door. It is not suitable, otherwise the refrigerator door will not close, which will affect the cooling effect of the refrigerator."

Although this kind of refrigerator may look like dirt in the eyes of later generations, in this era, it is the most advanced electrical appliance. No matter how rich you are, there is nowhere to buy it. Sokov asked tentatively with this question: "Yasha, I wonder where you got this refrigerator?"

"It's a gift from Comrade People's Comrade." Yakov said unexpectedly: "He said that you have made great contributions to our country's weapons manufacturing, and this is your reward. In addition to this refrigerator, There’s also a surprise.”

"There are still surprises?!" Sokov heard that Yakov was fired and this refrigerator was awarded to him by Ustinov. He suddenly felt that it was logical. After all, the weapons and equipment he developed during the war were very important to the war. The process has still played a certain role in promoting the process, and I can feel at ease with such a prize. But when he heard that there were other surprises, Sokov couldn't help but curiously asked: "Yasha, what is it?"

"That thing is downstairs. I want you to follow me down and take a look."

When Sokov heard what Yakov said, he suddenly became curious and thought: "What else did Ustinov give him, and he actually has to go downstairs to see it?" He quickly put on his coat, changed his boots, and followed Yakov went downstairs.

When he walked out of the unit, Sokov saw a Type 82 bucket truck produced by Porsche parked on the side of the road. Judging from the appearance, it was obviously a new car. It was estimated that after coming off the production line, it had not even left the factory. The army captured it.

However, Sokov's eyes only stayed on the barrel truck for a moment, and then moved in other directions. He wanted to find out where the other surprise Yakov mentioned was. But after looking around, Sokov didn't see anything except a truck with a tarpaulin and a few soldiers standing beside the truck chatting.

Just when he thought that what Yakov was talking about might still be in the truck, he heard Yakov say: "Misha, do you want this surprise?"

"Surprise, what surprise?" Sokov turned to look at Yakov and asked in confusion: "Where is the surprise you mentioned?"

"Here, here!" Unexpectedly, Yakov nuzzled at the barrel truck not far away and said, "This is a surprise for you!"

"What, is this a surprise for me?" Sokov walked quickly to the barrel truck, patted the truck body twice with his hand, and asked, "Is it for me?"

"Yes, this is Comrade Ustinov's surprise for you."

If Ustinov only gave him a refrigerator, Sokov could accept it calmly, but now he gave him a brand-new barrel truck, which made Sokov panic. As the saying goes: "When you treat others with courtesy, you must ask for something." For Ustinov to give him such a heavy gift, he must have something important to ask for.

Before Sokov could ask, Yakov said first: "Misha, Comrade Ustinov said that you were not given a car, which made it inconvenient for you to travel. So we specially found a newly manufactured barrel truck. , will be given to you for transportation. If you can’t drive, we can arrange a driver for you.”

"No, no, no." Sokov waved his hand: "I can drive, so you don't need to arrange a driver for me."

"Do you like this car?" Yakov continued: "If you don't like it, I can give you a domestic car or a US-aided Jeep."

"I think the bucket truck is very good." Sokov quickly stopped Yakov from continuing: "On the battlefield, I basically ride in this kind of truck. If I switch to another truck, maybe I won't get used to it. Just keep this car.”