Red Moscow

"What, Northern Cluster?" Before Sokov could say anything, Yakov rushed to say: "That unit with its headquarters in Warsaw?"

"Yes, Yasha, your guess is correct." Rokossovsky said to Yakov: "According to the provisions of the Soviet-Polish Treaty of Friendship, Mutual Assistance and Post-War Cooperation signed in Moscow on April 21, 1945 , the Supreme High Command issued Order No. 11096, deciding to form the Northern Cluster on May 29, 1945, to manage and control the Soviet armed forces in Poland. The headquarters was located in Legnica, Poland, and was commanded by the Second Belorussian Front. Adapted from part.

According to your father's arrangements, I was supposed to go there to take office last July, but there were too many things going on here in Moscow, so I was delayed. After the conference held in the past few days is over, I will officially take office. Also, the headquarters was moved from Legnica to Warsaw. "

After Rokossovsky briefly introduced the situation, he looked at Sokov and asked: "Misha, what do you think?"

Sokov thought that he had rushed to Berlin under Zhukov's arrangement a few months ago. I originally thought I could serve as Malinin's deputy, but when I arrived, I discovered that the position promised by Zhukov had already been appointed by the Supreme Command, and Malinin was also transferred to Austria to take up a new position. Once bitten by a snake, I have been afraid of well ropes for ten years. Last time I rushed all the way to Berlin, I failed. If I follow Rokossovsky to Warsaw this time, who can guarantee that a similar situation will not happen again?

Sokov was silent for a few words, sighed softly, and said: "Comrade Marshal, thank you for your kindness. I want to stay in Moscow these two years and spend time with my wife. Since the accident at the beginning of the year, her mental state has deteriorated. It’s always been bad. If I’m not with her for a long time, I’m worried that something will happen to her.”

Rokossovsky was also present on the day Asya had a car accident. He naturally knew what happened. At this moment, when he heard that Sokov had brought Asya out as a shield, he could only sigh helplessly and said: "Okay, Misha, since you don't want to, then I won't force you. Just stay in Moscow and be good. I hope you can help me again someday."

"I'll do my best."

Sokov rejected Rokossovsky's invitation, which surprised Yakov. If Sokov had rejected Zhukov's invitation before, it would have made sense. After all, Zhukov was not Sokov's direct leader. The relationship between Sokov and Rokossovsky is much closer. According to Yakov’s imagination, if he were Sokov and heard Rokossovsky’s proposal, if he hesitated for a second , that is disrespectful to Rokossovsky.

But what is surprising is that Sokov actually rejected Rokossovsky’s invitation and chose to stay in Moscow. What was going on in his mind?

But in front of Rokossovsky, these words could not be asked.

After finally coming out of Rokossovsky's ward and returning to his car, Yakov asked: "Misha, I don't understand why you refused Marshal Rokossovsky's offer. What about the invitation? Actually, I think it’s not a bad thing for you to go to Warsaw, at least you can get out of the invisible whirlpool.”

"Asiya, I'm not at ease here."

"Pull him down, Asia is just an excuse for you." Unexpectedly, Yakov interrupted him: "I think you must have deeper considerations. There are only two of us here, if you have anything to say, just say it directly Say it.”

"Poland is too chaotic." Sokov sighed softly and said, "The last time I went to Berlin, when I passed through Poland, I was attacked by gangs. If the reinforcements hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid I would have told you where Karina’s father originally went to Berlin to take office, but unfortunately he died at the gunpoint of a gang.”

"Misha, you didn't listen to Comrade Marshal. The troops of the Northern Cluster were adapted from your original Belarusian Second Front. From the headquarters to the grassroots, you have countless familiar people. With their cooperation, it will be very important for you in the future. It is very beneficial to carry out the work." Yakov continued to persuade: "So I think you should think about it carefully and it is best to accept Marshal Rokossovsky's suggestion."

"Yasha, I just said that the situation in Poland is too chaotic." Sokov said seriously: "Our troops have to face not only the remaining armed forces that colluded with the Germans, but also those who are hostile to us. The Polish people. Although our propaganda slogans are all about friendly Polish people, there are still a lot of Poles who are against us. If I were to direct the battle, I would have no problem, because I know that the enemy is there. If I were asked to manage these places, I would be somewhat powerless because I would not be able to distinguish between my enemies and my friends. This is why I rejected Marshal Rokossovsky.”

Yakov fell silent after hearing this, and finally nodded slowly: "Misha, maybe you are right. Managing a place is definitely more difficult than occupying it."

On the way back to the British Embassy, ​​the car passed a theater. Yakov parked the car on the side of the road, pointed to the poster on the wall, and said to Sokov: "Misha, look, this theater is also performing a play. "The Dawns Here Are Quiet". To tell you the truth, I saw this play of yours in a theater a few days before we entered the military camp. Although I was one of the earliest readers, I didn't know how. , I still felt sad when I saw the five female soldiers dying one by one."

Sokov smiled slightly and then said: "Tragedy can leave a deeper impression on people."

Yakov pointed to the door and asked tentatively: "Misha, how about the two of us go in and watch a show?"

"Forget it," Sokov shook his head and said, "Firstly, time does not permit it, and secondly, I am worried that I will burst into tears when I see a touching place. Let's forget it."

When he said this, Sokov couldn't help but feel a thump in his heart. He remembered that he had promised Kopalova to accompany her to watch this play when he had time, but more than two months had passed and he had not fulfilled his promise. I don't know. Does Kopalova think of herself as a big liar?

Since Sokov didn't want to watch the drama, Yakov didn't force himself. He restarted the vehicle and headed towards the British Embassy. He asked casually: "Misha, do you think we are still in this damn embassy?" How long?”

"Yasha, if you want to know the specific answer, you can ask your father." Sokov said: "As long as he gives an order, we can withdraw from the embassy at any time."

"Hey, what a pity." Yakov sighed and said: "The elite troops we mobilized have been training for so long. They originally planned to perform well at the victory parade in London, but due to various reasons, they failed. The plan to go to England was cancelled, and the commanders and soldiers were a little depressed when they learned about it. "

"Let them go." Sokov said calmly: "Maybe someday British soldiers will try to rush out of the building and let our soldiers beat them up. The morale of the soldiers will become worse again. Lift your spirits high."

Back in the duty room of the embassy, ​​Asia came in and asked with concern: "Have you seen Marshal Rokossovsky?"

"Yes, we did," Sokov replied curtly.

"Asia, you don't know that the sentry on duty at the door did not allow anyone to go in to visit the marshal." Yakov said proudly: "Later, Yakov and I climbed through the window and entered the building, and then we successfully entered the building. Met Marshal Rokossovsky."

"How is the Marshal's health?"

"It was just a minor stroke. After rescue, he is fine and has no sequelae." Sokov said briefly: "Maybe he will be discharged from the hospital in two days."

"It's okay, it's okay." Asiya said to Sokov while feeling lucky: "Misha, there is one more thing I forgot to tell you. When you were still in Berlin, Rokoso Marshal Vski once called home and said that he hoped you could go to the Northern Cluster and serve as his deputy. Since you came back late from Berlin, I forgot to tell you about this. I hope you don't mind. "

"I don't mind, I don't mind." Sokov opened his arms and hugged Asiya: "I don't want to go anywhere, so I will stay at home with you. For me, there is no job that is more important to me than you. ”

"Misha, you are so kind!"

Yakov did not expect that he would be fed a handful of dog food. He quickly stood up and said, "I'm going out to smoke a cigarette. You continue." After that, he opened the door and walked out.

When he came to the yard, he found Bezikov and asked directly: "Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, did anything happen while we were away?"

Bezikov thought for a while and replied: "The staff of the procurement department in the embassy once wanted to leave, saying they wanted to buy ingredients for cooking, but I refused."

"Then what did he say?"

"He said that if we don't let him go out, he will ask us to buy ingredients for him." Bezikov took out a piece of paper from his pocket, which was filled with words: "This is the list he wants to buy. Let’s just buy the varieties and quantities listed above.”

"There's only a list, where's the money?" Seeing that Bezikov only took out the shopping list from the embassy's procurement department, but not the money, Yakov asked curiously: "Don't they ever use money to buy food? ?”

"How is that possible, Comrade General!" Bezikov replied: "I asked the staff of the purchasing department why they didn't give me money. He told me that they all buy vegetables at designated places. The settlement is done once a month. When we go to buy groceries, we just need to tell the other party that we are buying it for the embassy and give the list to the other party, and they will prepare all the ingredients needed by the embassy according to the list. "

"Did you send someone to buy ingredients?"

"Not yet, Comrade General." Bezikov said, "I will not send people to purchase ingredients before I get your instructions."

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, you did the right thing!" After Yakov praised Bezikov, he turned and walked back to the duty room. He said to Sokov, who was still chatting with me: "Misha, please pause for a moment. I have Things speak to you.”

"What happened?" After Sokov let go of Asiya, he stood up and came to Yakov and asked, "What happened?"

"Misha, while we were leaving, the procurement department staff of the embassy tried to go out for the purpose of purchasing ingredients, but they were stopped by our soldiers." Yakov handed the paper in his hand to Sokov : "This is the list Bezikov gave me."

Sokov took the piece of paper and frowned when he saw that it was all written in English: "Yasha, don't you think there's anything wrong with this piece of paper?"

Yakov asked tentatively: "You mean, there may be a special potion used on this piece of paper. What information is written on it?"

"This possibility cannot be ruled out." Sokov raised the piece of paper and illuminated it with a light. No abnormality was found. However, he did not take it lightly. Instead, he ordered Asiya: "Asiya, take your paper and pen." Give it to me."

Seeing Sokov taking the pen and paper from Asiya's hand, Yakov asked in surprise: "Misha, what are you going to do?"

Sokov pointed at the piece of paper and said: "With our current means, we cannot confirm whether there is a secret letter written by the embassy staff using secret writing potion on this shopping list. To be on the safe side, I plan to copy it again. One copy, so that their information cannot be passed on. After I finish copying it, you can send someone to send this list to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and let them check whether there is any hidden content on it. "

Yakov felt that what Sokov said was very reasonable. No matter what method the people in the embassy used to write information on this purchase list, as long as they changed a piece of paper, their information could not be transmitted.

He stood aside and watched for a while, and then discovered something was wrong: "Misha, the list is written in English, why did you change it all to Russian?"

Seeing Yakov's confusion, Sokov explained to him: "Yasha, maybe the British did not use secret writing potion to write on paper, but used other methods to transmit information. For example, each line By intercepting the first few letters of a certain word or words, I can form a detailed intelligence. As long as I change the original English to Russian, their routine will be useless. "

Sokov quickly finished copying the list. When he tore the copied paper out of the notebook, he said to Yakov: "Yasha, if you encounter a similar situation again in the future, you will use the same method to deal with it. So that their information cannot be passed on."

"Okay," Yakov nodded, "I will go find Lieutenant Colonel Bezikov and ask him to arrange manpower as soon as possible to help the embassy purchase ingredients."

After Yakov left, Asya, who had never spoken, said to Sokov: "Misha, I think one of the things is very strange. Have you noticed it?"

"What do you think is strange?"

"There should be many translators who understand Russian in the embassy, ​​right?" Asiya frowned and said, "But why do they prepare a list in English? Do the shops that sell ingredients to them know English?"

Asiya's words made Sokov raise his eyebrows. This seemed to be a problem, but he ignored it. You know, the number of local people who understand English can basically be ignored. If the procurement department of the embassy wants to purchase ingredients and encounters a clerk who does not understand English, wouldn't it be a mistake? In this case, there must be something wrong with the place where the embassy purchasing department purchases things.

"Asia, you are right." Sokov nodded and said, "There are not many people who understand English, but the embassy actually produced a purchase list in English, which shows that the stores that provide them with ingredients There is a problem."