Red Moscow

"Misha," Lukin came over and took a look at the roster in front of him, then asked in a tentative tone: "Could you have really seen it wrong?"

Sokov closed his eyes and began to think about this question. At that time, he just thought that the man's back looked like Seryosha. Now that he thought about it carefully, the more he looked at it, the more he looked like it. He should not have seen it wrong. As for not being able to find his name in the labor camp, there are two possibilities. One is that he is not a labor reformer, and the other is that he entered the labor camp but used someone else's identity.

"Lukin, this is what I think." Sokov decided to use the process of elimination to determine the reason why Seryosha could not be found: "Could he have been transferred here from other places?"

Sokov's hypothesis was denied by Lukin as soon as he came out: "This is impossible. Think about it, with your friendship, even if he couldn't contact you during the war, the war has been over for so long, wouldn't he take the initiative to contact you? So I think your guess is wrong."

Seeing that his hypothesis was denied, Sokov was not discouraged and immediately put forward a second hypothesis: "Could there be such a situation that he did enter the prisoner-of-war camp, but for various reasons, he did not use his own identity, but used someone else's identity?"

The reason why Sokov made such a hypothesis was because he thought of Guzidi in "Assembly". He wore the enemy's uniform and was captured by our soldiers. No matter how he defended himself, our personnel still called him by the name on his uniform. After Seryosha was captured and wounded, would he wear someone else's uniform because his uniform was too tattered? As a result, when he was later identified, others would determine his identity based on the information of the owner of the uniform?

Lukin did not immediately express his opinion after hearing this, but turned his head to ask the older data clerk: "Comrade Lieutenant, is there such a situation?"

Hearing Lukin's question, the data clerk pondered for a moment, then nodded slowly, and said in an affirmative tone: "Yes, Comrade General. And I can say responsibly that such situations are not uncommon."

"Why?" Vitali next to him heard his subordinates say this and immediately became interested: "Why do they borrow someone else's identity?"

"Comrade Lieutenant Colonel," seeing that it was his superior who was asking questions, the data clerk did not dare to neglect and quickly answered: "Among the captured officers and soldiers, not all of them were captured because of injuries. Some of them had to choose to surrender after the troops ran out of ammunition and food; there were also a few panicked elements who saw the huge enemy forces, They chose to surrender voluntarily. When our army liberated the prisoner-of-war camp, these people were worried that their identities would be exposed and they would receive due punishment, so they would impersonate other people's identities. Since these officers and soldiers whose identities were impersonated basically died in the German prisoner-of-war camp, it was not easy for these people to be exposed. "

After listening to his subordinates' explanation, Vitali turned to face Sokov and said, "Comrade General, the person you are looking for may also have taken the initiative to surrender to the enemy, and was worried about being liquidated by us, so after being rescued, he deliberately impersonated someone else's identity?"

"No, Seryosha will not take the initiative to surrender to the Germans under any circumstances." Sokov was worried that Vitali would not believe him, and deliberately raised his voice: "When I led the troops to hold on to Mamayev Kurgan, the situation was the most dangerous. At that time , he did not take the initiative to surrender to the enemy, how could he surrender to the enemy when our army had already turned to counterattack? Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, if you were in his position, would you surrender to the Germans? "

"I certainly wouldn't." Vitali said firmly: "Even if I was surrounded by the Germans, I would fight to the last bullet and would never surrender to the enemy."

"I believe that Seryosha is in the same situation." Sokov continued: "I guess the reason why he was captured was that he was seriously injured and lost consciousness before being captured by the Germans. Otherwise, the rumors I heard later would not say that he died heroically on the battlefield."

"Unless you can see the photo, you can't know whether he entered the labor camp under someone else's name." After saying this, Lukin turned and asked the document clerk: "Comrade Second Lieutenant , I wonder if you have detailed information on the prisoners here? "

"Comrade General, yes, there are, but there are too many." When the data clerk said this, he couldn't help turning his head to look at Vitali, and said hesitantly: "If we search one by one, I'm afraid it will take at least a day."

Sokov, who was eager to find Seryosha's whereabouts, heard the data clerk say: "Comrade Lieutenant, since you have detailed information here, can you please send it over? Even if it takes me two or three days, I have to find my good friend."

"General Sokov," Vitali heard that Sokov wanted to check all the information, and hurriedly said: "If you want to check the detailed archival information, you can only go to the archives room. You know, the archives of thousands of people occupy a large area, and it is unrealistic to ask them to move it here."

Hearing Vitali's words, Sokov immediately realized that he had thought the problem too simply, and hurriedly apologized: "I'm sorry, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, I didn't think it through. I will follow these two data clerks to the archives room now, and go there to find the person I want to find. ”

When Sokov stood up and prepared to leave, Lukin also stood up with difficulty and wanted to follow Sokov, but was stopped: "Your legs are not good, so you should stay here and chat with Lieutenant Colonel Vitali. Maybe I will be back soon."

Seeing that Sokov didn't want him to follow him, Lujin didn't force him. Even though he was wearing a prosthetic leg, the amputation area still hurt badly after walking or standing for too long: "Okay, I'll stay here. Wait for you."

Sokov and Vaserigov followed the two data clerks to the archives room not far away. After entering the room, Sokov was stunned by the files crammed full of files. With so many files, it would take him forever to finish reading them, right?

But even if you want to find someone to help you, you can't do it at this moment. Except for yourself, no one here has experienced Seryozha's true face in Lushan. If you ask them to help, they can only help more and more. There was no other way, so Sokov asked the document clerk to bring over a stack of files, open them one by one, and check the photos of the people inside to see if Seryosha was among them.

Unconsciously, Sokov checked seven to eight hundred documents, but still no photo of Seryosha was found among them. He raised his head and glanced at the mountains of files in the distance, feeling a little regretful. If he had known that he would have to look at so many files, he might not have come here. You know, Seryozha went to the labor camp here, which is just my guess. Maybe I spent a day looking through all the files and still couldn't find any record about Seryozha.

Although the two data clerks didn't say anything, Sokov could guess from the expressions on their faces that they were very impatient. If he hadn't seen that his military rank was too high, and even Lieutenant Colonel Vitali had to salute him with three points, I would have thought of a reason to dismiss him.

When Sokov read the thousandth piece of information, he couldn't help but retreat: Otherwise, if he still couldn't find Seryosha's photo after reading a hundred more, he would give up completely, so as not to cause trouble to the people here. .

Just like that, he picked up the pile of files that were newly brought to him and looked at them one by one. The first copy, no; the second copy, no; the third copy...the tenth copy...the thirtieth copy, none of the photos in it are of Seryozha.

When he saw the ninety-fifth copy, Sokov didn't even see the photo clearly and threw it aside. When he reached for the ninety-sixth copy, he suddenly felt something was wrong. He quickly picked up the file that was thrown aside, opened it and looked at the photos inside.

The next moment, an extremely familiar photo appeared in front of him. He also looked at the name specifically and saw that it was not "Seryozha" but "Bogdan". He slapped the file hard and said excitedly: "I found it, I found it, this is the file!"

The older document officer came over to look at the file and asked Sokov cautiously: "Comrade General, are you sure this is the person you are looking for?"

"That's right, Comrade Second Lieutenant." Sokov said in a positive tone: "He is not only my neighbor, but also one of my best friends. I will never admit his mistake." He glanced at the person below. Remarks, continued, "He was released last month. Do you know his current whereabouts?"

"Of course I know, Comrade General." The information officer replied: "Usually, only a few of the people who are released will choose to leave here and return to their hometowns. Most of them will stay and be arranged by us to work in tanneries or food factories. . For example, this Bogdan, no, he should be the Comrade Seryosha you are looking for. He is now working in a food factory. "

"Comrade Second Lieutenant, can you give me his address?" Sokov asked tentatively.

"Of course." The data clerk agreed readily. He found a register book, opened it, and found the place where Seryosha currently works. Then he copied the address and handed it to General Sokov: "Comrade General, this is his current address."

"Great, Comrade Second Lieutenant, this is really great." Sokov grabbed the document clerk's hand, shook it vigorously, and said in a grateful tone: "Thank you, on behalf of Seryozha, thank you, thank you for everything we do.”

Sokov happily returned to Vitali's office with the address in hand.

Seeing Sokov entering, Lukin immediately asked with concern: "Misha, have you found any clues?"

Sokov raised the small note in his hand and said proudly: "I found it. This is where Seryosha is now."

When Lukin took the note and looked at the address on it, Vitaly also came over. He only glanced at it and said in surprise: "What, he actually works in a food processing factory?"

"Yes." Sokov nodded and said: "Fortunately, you have arranged work for these released commanders and fighters, otherwise Seryosha and I would have missed it again. If we really missed it, would we have the opportunity to meet in this life? I can’t tell.”

After Sokov and Lukin came out, they immediately ordered the driver to drive to the address on the note.

After nearly an hour of bumpy driving, Sokov found the car parked not far from where he fell. He pointed ahead and said to Lukin: "Lukin, that's where I fell today."

But at this moment, Lu Jin's mind was focused on where Sokov saw Seryosha: "Misha, were you here when you saw Seryosha's back?"

"That's right." Sokov pointed forward again and continued: "He just turned into that alley, but when my men chased after him, they didn't see him."

"There is a food processing factory there." Lu Jin seemed to be very familiar with the terrain here. He said without thinking: "You also know that the weather here is too cold. After people enter the house, they will definitely close the door. And Wa When Major Serigov led his men to chase him, Seryosha must have just entered and closed the door, so they didn't see anyone in the alley. However, if we continue to have an accurate address, we will definitely find the person. "

This time the jeep stopped at the entrance of the alley. After Sokov got out of the car, he turned around and supported Lu Jin who had just got out of the car. He said, "Lu Jin, your legs and feet are not good. I think it is better to stay in the car." Wait for me here."

"Misha, you said that Seryosha is your best friend. It is completely necessary for me to accompany you to see him." Lu Jin said: "If I stay in the car, you will see Seryosha." After the wedding, I was worried that I would be too anxious to stay and talk about old times for a long time. In that case, I might as well go with you, so you can chat as long as you want."

Seeing that Lu Jin was so considerate, Sokov couldn't refuse, so he nodded and agreed: "Okay, let's go there together." In order to prevent Lu Jin from falling, he also stretched out his hands to support Lu Jin, carefully Walk towards the alley.

Entering the alley and arriving at the door of one of the houses, Lukin said to Sokov: "Misha, the food processing factory is here, let's go in."

When I opened the door, I saw a long corridor. Near the door, there was a duty room with a soldier holding a weapon sitting in it. He saw so many people suddenly pouring in outside, and he quickly stopped in front of them with a gun: "Stop, what do you do?"

"Comrade soldier," Lu Jin said to the soldier with a smile: "I am Lieutenant General Lu Jin, and this is General Sokov. We are here to find someone."

Hearing Lu Jin reveal his identity, although the soldier put down his gun, he still stood in front of everyone: "Looking for someone, who are you looking for?"

"Where is your person in charge here?" Sokov felt somewhat dissatisfied when he saw that the soldier was always blocking the way and not letting anyone in. "Tell him to come out and see me."

After hearing what Sokov said, the soldier did not dare to neglect, and quickly returned to the duty room, picked up the phone and reported to the person in charge inside.

A few minutes later, two people hurriedly walked out.

Walking in front was a lieutenant, who should be the person in charge of the food processing plant. Behind him was a middle-aged man in military casual clothes. The two of them were walking hurriedly towards the door.

After Sokov clearly saw the middle-aged man behind the lieutenant, a shocked expression appeared on his face. If before coming here, he was still a little uneasy, worried that he would not see Seryosha here. But at this moment, when he saw the familiar face, his heartbeat could not help but accelerate. He quickly took two steps forward and asked loudly to the person opposite: "Seryozha, is it you? Is it you or your ghost?"