Red Moscow

After Sokov followed Sokolovsky to the airport, the convoy drove directly to a transport plane parked next to the runway.

After getting on the plane, Sokov tentatively asked Sokolovsky: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what is happening in the direction of Berlin that requires us to rush back overnight?"

Sokolovsky looked at Sokov and sighed, and said: "Misha, don't worry, you will know the answer in two hours at most."

Seeing that Sokolovsky was unwilling to say anything, Sokovsky naturally couldn't ask any more questions. He began to wonder in his mind, what happened in the direction of Berlin? Could it be that Zhukov was so eager to let Sokolovsky return? What happened?

This kind of speculation did not arise out of thin air. After all, the commander-in-chief of the cluster in Germany is Marshal Zhukov, and Sokolovsky is just his deputy. Even if the British, American and French troops want to attack the Soviet army, Zhukov can do it himself. After the decision was made, there was no need to recall Sokolovsky from Nuremberg. Unless the Supreme Command dismissed Zhukov from his post and Berlin was leaderless, Sokolovsky had to be recalled to Berlin urgently.

But then I thought about it, wasn't Zhukov relieved of his post as Commander-in-Chief of the Group in Germany in March 1946 and assigned to the Odessa Military District as the Commander of the Military District? Could it be that this time was advanced?

After an hour's flight, the plane landed at the Berlin military airport.

While the plane was still taxiing on the runway, a black car parked next to the runway caught up with it.

When the plane came to a stop, the car happened to be parked not far from the cabin door. Immediately, a major came out from the co-pilot's seat and looked up at the closed door.

The cabin door opened, and after the pilot put down the gangway, he got off the plane first and stood upright next to the gangway.

After Sokolovsky got off the plane, he nodded to the pilot and said politely: "Thank you, comrade pilot!"

The pilot replied quickly and loudly: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!"

When the major saw Sokolovsky get off the plane, he quickly came up to him and raised his hand in salute: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander, Marshal Zhukov ordered me to pick you up. Please get in the car."

Sokolovsky glanced at Sokov who was following him, and asked the major politely: "General Sokov is coming back to Berlin with me. Can he follow me to see Marshal Zhukov?"

"Of course, Comrade Deputy Commander." The major nodded and said in a positive tone: "Comrade Marshal also wants to meet General Sokov, so let's get in the car together."

Sokov said nothing and followed Sokolovsky into the car in an orderly manner. He remained silent the whole time to avoid accidentally saying the wrong thing.

After arriving at Zhukov's headquarters, Sokov saw the officers he met along the way with very serious expressions on their faces. It seemed that something big had happened, and he couldn't help but become more and more uneasy.

"Hello, Comrade Marshal of the Soviet Union." After entering Zhukov's office, Sokolovsky took the lead in raising his hand to salute Zhukov, and reported in accordance with the doctrine: "First Deputy Commander of the Group in Germany, General Sokolovsky, Come report to you!”

"Come on, there are no outsiders here, so there is no need to be so polite." Zhukov came over and shook hands with Sokolovsky: "You already know everything. Let's carry out the necessary handover work as soon as possible."

Sokov, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but be surprised when he heard what Zhukov said. Could his guess be correct? He looked at Zhukov carefully and found that he had not seen him for more than twenty days, and he seemed to be more than ten years older, and even his back was a little hunched.

"Comrade Marshal, what is going on?" Sokolovsky asked: "Why are you in a hurry to hand over the work?"

"Misha, you're back too." Zhukov did not answer Sokolovsky's question immediately, but called to Sokovsky who was standing next to him: "Stop standing and find a place to sit down."

After Sokolovsky and Sokov sat down, Zhukov picked up a newspaper, came to them, handed it to them and said, "Read this newspaper."

Sokolovsky took the newspaper and began to read it.

Sokov quickly leaned his head over and saw clearly that it was a copy of the Red Star newspaper. One of the reports was circled in red pen. Sokov guessed that Zhukov wanted them to read the circled part, so he Concentrate on browsing.

The report wrote: "After the German surrender, we could see Marshal Zhukov everywhere on the streets of Berlin. He inspected the ruins and looked at the exaggerated Prussian-style statues. When he saw those Germans who were fawning and obedient, , the marshal's eyes showed contempt... On this day, the marshal attended the funeral of the martyrs who died in the Battle of Berlin, and delivered an exciting speech in front of the tomb: 'The heroes who sacrificed for the motherland, freedom and independence will be immortal...' He grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it into the grave. Then he walked towards the flag, picked up the flag and kissed its corner."

After reading the report, Sokov couldn't help but frown, thinking to himself, wasn't this a report from shortly after the Battle of Berlin? What was Zhukov's purpose in letting him and the two read this report? His eyes moved to the masthead of the newspaper and found that the time was May 16, exactly one week after Germany signed the unconditional surrender.

"Comrade Marshal," Sokolovsky put the newspaper on his knees after reading the report and asked Zhukov with some confusion: "I read this report as early as May. Do you have any questions? ?”

Zhukov sneered and said, "Now some people are using this article to say that I took all the credit for defeating Germany, without mentioning the contribution made by the Supreme Commander himself..."

Zhukov stopped talking halfway. Although he didn't finish his words, Sokov and Sokolovsky understood what he meant. Now that the war is over, his role is not as big as before, and some people are ready to make a fuss about him.

"Comrade Marshal," Sokolovsky asked cautiously, "You are in a hurry to call me back and are ready to hand over the work to me. Did you hear any rumors?"

"I got a message from my own channel that the Supreme Command discussed the proposal to remove me from my position at a meeting this afternoon..."

"What was the result of the discussion?" Sokolovsky asked nervously.

"Most people at the meeting agreed to this proposal. I will be relieved of my duties and you will take over my job." Zhukov said, "Although the official documents have not yet been issued, I think it is necessary to call you back earlier and gradually transfer the work in hand to you."

"What do you plan to do after the handover?"

"Wait." Zhukov said in a heavy tone: "Wait for the order issued by the Supreme Command."

"How do you think the Supreme Command will place you after the official order to relieve you arrives?" Sokolovsky asked with a worried look on his face: "Will you stay in Berlin or return to Moscow?"

"I think the latter is more likely, so I am in a hurry to call you back and transfer the work to you. If I wait for the order to arrive before handing over the work, I am worried that I will not have enough time." Zhukov said to Sokolovsky. After saying this, he turned his eyes to Sokov and said apologetically: "Misha, I called you to Berlin specifically to arrange a suitable job for you, but the superiors arranged other candidates. If I go back to Moscow, will you go with me?"

Hearing Zhukov's question, Sokov stood up suddenly and answered loudly: "Comrade Marshal, wherever you go, I will go. If you want to go back to Moscow, I will definitely go with you."

"Very good." Zhukov was very satisfied with Sokov's answer. After asking him to sit down, he smiled and said: "I remember that Asia seems to be giving birth in March. You can just be with her and watch your child being born with your own eyes."

Next, Zhukov began to hand over the work to Sokolovsky. Sokov felt that he seemed a little redundant standing here, so he took the initiative to say goodbye and leave.

When he returned to the Adlon Hotel, the front desk staff of the hotel saw Sokov and showed a look of astonishment on her face. She looked behind Sokov and asked in surprise: "Comrade General, are you back alone?"

"Yes, something happened here, and I flew back overnight." Sokov nodded and said: "The rest of us returned by car. It may take some time on the road, but we will all be back later at the latest."

Sokov returned to his room and began to think about the current situation. Zhukov was dismissed from his post in March 1946 and sent to Odessa to serve as the commander of the military district. However, before that, he was also appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Army. The appointment of the Supreme Command was probably because it was worried that if Zhukov was demoted directly, it would cause a lot of dissatisfaction in the army, so it arranged a job transition for him. After a while, find a reason to send him to Odessa to serve as the commander of the military district, and no one will gossip.

The next morning, Sokov came to the school where the 3rd Guard Team was stationed to see how their training was going.

As soon as he entered the school gate, he met the quartermaster, Lieutenant Breliska, and hurriedly greeted him: "Comrade Lieutenant!"

When he heard Sokov calling him, Breliska, who was talking to someone else, immediately stopped the conversation, walked quickly towards Sokov, and saluted, saying a little excitedly: "Comrade General, you are back!"

"Yes, I am back." Sokov nodded and asked, "How is the training of the troops?"

"Not bad." Breliska said, "After all, they are all soldiers. After a week of training, they began to patrol the streets in batches."

"Where is Captain Hosenfeld?"

"He is not here, Comrade General."

"Where did he go?"

"I went home."

Sokof was stunned after hearing this, thinking that it was not allowed to leave the camp casually here? Why did Hosenfeld go home alone? He asked in confusion: "What is he doing at home?"

"Comrade General, you don't know yet." Hearing Sokov's question, Breliska seemed particularly excited: "His wife and children have been found. Officer Bayer found them in Bavaria and sent them back personally. Captain Hosenfel went home to reunite with his family. I don't know if he will come back today."

After hearing this, Sokov thought that taking the train is fast. If Vaserigov and his team set off after dawn, they are still bumping on the road now. If the speed is fast, they will arrive in Berlin tomorrow morning. He wanted to visit Hosenfel and his wife and children on Wilhelm Street, but considering that he did not understand Russian, he would not be able to communicate with them even if he went. After hesitating for a moment, he asked Breliska: "What about the liaison officer Ernst, where is he?"

"I'm sorry, Comrade General, he's not here." Breliska understood Sokov's meaning and quickly explained to him: "He led a patrol and won't be back until noon at the earliest. If you want to visit Wilhelm Street Captain Hosenfeld and his family, I’m afraid there’s no one to translate for you.”

When he learned that Ernst was not there either, Sokov immediately gave up the idea of ​​going to Wilhelmstrasse. After chatting with Bryliska for a few words, he turned around and left the school.

As soon as he returned to the Adlon Hotel, the female soldier on duty at the front desk greeted Sokov: "Comrade General, I have a message from you."

Sokov raised his eyebrows and asked, "Whose message is it?"

"It's a call from Marshal Zhukov's adjutant." The female soldier said: "After he asked you to come back, he immediately went to the headquarters. Comrade Marshal has something urgent to see you."

After Sokov thanked the female soldier, he turned and walked out of the hotel. Fortunately, the car Zhukov had prepared for him last night had not left yet. He opened the door and got in, and said to the driver: "Drive to the headquarters."

Ten minutes later, the car arrived at the headquarters. Sokov opened the car door, jumped out of the car, and walked quickly towards the building. He had an ominous premonition in his heart. The order to relieve Zhukov from his post had probably arrived. Zhukov called him to see him, which might be related to this matter.

Sure enough, when Sokov came to Zhukov's office, he found that there was no one in the crowded waiting room except Zhukov's adjutant. When the other party saw Sokov arriving, he immediately stood up to greet him: "General Sokov, you are here! Marshal Zhukov is waiting for you inside!"

Sokov walked into the office toward the other party and saw Zhukov sitting behind his desk, immersed in work. He quickly reported: "Comrade Marshal!..."

Before Sokov could finish his words, Zhukov raised his head, waved to him, and said, "Misha, come to me!"

Sokov quickly came to Zhukov's desk and looked at him intently, waiting for him to give him orders.

"Misha," Zhukov sighed softly and said, "I have just received a personnel order from the Supreme Command, asking me to return to Moscow immediately to take up a new position, and the work of the cluster in Germany will be temporarily handed over to Sokolov. Mr. Ski will be in charge.”

After hearing what Zhukov said, Sokov asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, doesn't the personnel order of the Supreme Command clearly state that you will be removed from your post?"

"No, I was just asked to go back and take up a new position." Zhukov replied: "And the work of the cluster in Germany is only temporarily in charge of Sokolovsky."

Seeing the relaxed expression on Zhukov's face, Sokov's mood became heavy. It seemed that the development of things was consistent with his memory. The Supreme Command asked Zhukov to return to Moscow and assume a new position, which was nothing more than making him deputy minister of defense and commander-in-chief of the army. Then after a period of time, they would find reasons to remove him from his position and send him to Odessa. The small military region serves as the commander of the military region.