Red Moscow

"Xiao Lin," after hearing Mesat's quotation, Dayuan turned to ask Sokov: "What do you think of this price?"

“I think minus two zeros is about right.”

"Minus two zeros?" Dayuan asked in confusion, "I don't understand what you mean?"

"The reason is very simple. This medal is fake." Sokov thought that the other two Azerbaijani people could not understand Chinese, so he said carelessly: "The Lao Maozi medals all have matching certificates of medals, which are marked with the medal. The serial number, the name of the recipient, the reason for the medal, etc. They can’t even show this, which means the medal is most likely fake. Even $75 is probably too high.”

"But, they just said clearly that the certificates of honor have been lost because of the age." But Dayuan obviously did not listen to Sokov's advice, and still said stubbornly: "I think even if there is no certificate of honor, this The medal is real too.”

Sokov heard what he said and did not argue with him, "I have said everything that needs to be said. You can make your own decision whether to buy it or not. Anyway, let me tell you in advance that if you get an eyelash this time, you can't throw the blame away." onto me."

"Don't worry, don't worry, even if you get slapped, I won't blame you." After Dayuan finished speaking, he started bargaining with the two Azerbaijanis again.

Out of caution, Sokov took several photos in succession, and then sent them to Moments. He also specifically explained: "I accompanied my friend Dayuan to Mao Zi's house to buy medals. Unexpectedly, the two Red Flag Medals the other party took out were useless. Provide the matching certificate of honor, isn’t it fake?”

In just a few minutes, there were more than 20 likes. Old Dong, who likes military affairs, left a message: "Xiao Lin, please remind Dayuan that all kinds of medals on the market today are basically fake. Any medals that cannot be obtained The accompanying certificate of honor is definitely fake.”

Soon, someone else replied to Lao Dong’s message: “If I want to buy a medal, how can I buy a real one?”

"If you want to buy real medals, you can only go to those veterans. For example, every major holiday in Russia, you will see many medals decorated with medals in Victory Square, Red Square and Weedenham Square. Medal veterans, the medals they wear on their chests are real, but it is very difficult to buy these medals from them.”

While Sokov was still replying to some friends’ questions on WeChat, Dayuan had already finished bargaining with two Azerbaijanis. He said excitedly: "Xiao Lin, I have already negotiated a price with them. I will give them 2,500 US dollars for two medals."

"Oh, your bargaining skills are really good." Sokov said with a smile: "You just cut two-thirds of the price."

When Sokov said this, he was thinking, even if you cut off two-thirds, you will still lose money. The cost of this medal is no more than $20 each. In other words, you and these two Azerbaijanis bargained for half the sky-high price, but in the end, someone else made you more than two thousand dollars in tears.

When Sokov came out of the room with two boxes containing medals, he suddenly heard someone calling him. He turned around and saw that it was his former employee Dania. She had worked for him for half a year. Seriously ill, unable to continue working and left.

"Danya, I really didn't expect to meet you here." Sokov was very happy to see his old friend: "How have you been recently?"

"Not good." Dania shook her head and said: "Now I work in the Auchan shopping mall in Khimki Town. I have to work 12 hours a day and the income is much lower than what you gave me. Misha, what are you doing now? Do you still need someone? I can go over and continue working for you.”

"Dania, although I also want you to continue working for me, I now have three employees in the store, and it is now entering the off-season." Soko continued: "You also know that your income is the basic salary plus commission. "You can't sell much in the off-season, and besides the basic salary, you won't get much commission at all. You might as well continue working in Auchan."

Dania knew that Sokov was telling the truth. In the off-season for fur, selling one or two pieces of clothing a week was considered pretty good. Under such circumstances, it is obviously unrealistic to obtain better income. Dania sighed and said regretfully: "Misha, that's such a shame."

If it was the peak season, Sokov might have agreed to Dania working for him. After all, one of his employees had gone home to give birth to a child, and the two employees were a little too busy. But now he could only say sorry: "Yes. Ah, that’s a pity.”

"By the way, why are you here today?"

Sokov pointed to the door he just came out of and said to Dania: "I have a friend who likes medals from the Great Patriotic War. He came to this general's house to buy medals."

"General, what general?" Dania asked in surprise.

"Well, this is it." After hearing the conversation between Sokov and Dania, Dayuan also came over and said, "I just bought two Red Flag Medals from his house."

Dania obviously knew the owner of this family. Hearing what Dayuan said, he couldn't help but frowned: "The ancestors of this family did participate in the Great Patriotic War, but less than half a year after the war started, they retired due to serious injuries. A young sergeant who doesn’t even have a medal, where did the Red Flag Medal come from?”

"No?" After hearing what Dania said, Dayuan asked, "You're not mistaken, are you?"

"I met this old man when I was a kid. He has no skills and just likes to brag." Dania said: "He likes to promote himself to military ranks. He was originally just a sergeant, but he promoted himself to the first rank every week, from warrant officer to warrant officer. , second lieutenant, and lieutenant all the way to colonel. Later, a man visited his house. After seeing his photo, in order to please him, he directly said: "What kind of colonel is this? He is obviously a general, or an admiral." That's it. , the neighbors began to call him General to satisfy his vanity."

"Is this true?" When Dayuan asked this, his whole face turned livid.

"Of course it's true." Dania nodded vigorously and continued: "Didn't you see the photo hanging on the wall in the living room when you entered? Anyone with a little military knowledge can identify him. The rank he wears is not general, but sergeant.”

"Are the two people living here the descendants of that old man?"

"After his descendants rented out the house, they moved to other places and came here once a month to collect rent."

After Dania finished speaking, Dayuan turned to ask Sokov: "Xiaolin, did you see that photo when you entered?"

"I saw it."

"Since you saw it, why didn't you remind me?"

Seeing Dayuan start to blame, Sokov quickly reminded him: "I told you at that time that the medal was fake and asked you not to buy it, but you didn't listen at all."

"Of course," Sokov took out his mobile phone, opened the WeChat Moments he posted, and said to Dayuan: "After I reminded you, I also posted the WeChat Moments specifically to avoid unclear explanation."

Dayuan glanced at the WeChat account posted by Sokov and said reluctantly: "Then I will go to them to return the goods."

Sokov sneered and said, "Do you think they will refund your money?"

After hearing what Sokov said, Dayuan, who was about to knock on the door, paused, stopped and thought for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Forget it, I know the Azerbaijanis. If you want to take the money that goes into their pockets, It will be even harder to get them out again. Forget it, Xiaolin, let’s go.”

On the way to the market, Dayuan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, kept sighing, obviously feeling sorry for the more than two thousand US dollars he had been defrauded of. Sokov didn't say anything, just drove silently to avoid becoming Dayuan's target.

Back in his shop, Sokov asked Lena: "Has anyone come to see me?"

"No." Lena asked curiously: "Misha, how is Anna's injury?"

"I can walk, but I can't take the original route." Sokov thought that his plan to go to Sochi would need to be postponed because of Anna's injury, so he took the initiative to say to Lena: "Lena, Anna's current situation is obviously not suitable for long distances. Travel. So our plan to go to Sochi may need to be adjusted appropriately.”

"It's okay, it's okay." Lena said reasonably: "There's no rush to go to Sochi right now. It's not too late for us to go there after she's completely recovered."

Sokov had just made himself a cup of coffee when Lena asked about Khabarov again: "By the way, how is Khabarov? Have you found him?"

Sokov shook his head and said: "The rescuers said that when they rescued the nine trapped people, they found that the surrounding roads were blocked by collapsed construction debris and soil, so it was impossible to determine where Khabarov and the others had gone."

"Misha, if, I say if." Lena asked hesitantly: "If no one continues to search for Khabarov's whereabouts, will he die?"

"That's for sure." Sokov replied without hesitation: "Although Khabarov always likes to bring a certain amount of food and water with him when he explores, if he is trapped underground and cannot get out, he will have to wait for food and water. After it is exhausted, all that awaits him is death.”

"Then what should we do?" Although Lena is not very familiar with Khabarov, she is an acquaintance after all. When she learned that the other party was facing death, she could not help but worry about him: "Is it possible to just watch him die like this? Underground?"

Sokov was silent for a moment and said slowly: "I plan to go to Hoflin Hospital myself and go deep underground to find his whereabouts. If I am lucky, I should be able to find him."

"Are you alone?"

"I definitely can't do it alone," Sokov said, shaking his head: "If no one is accompanying me, I'm worried that in the end, Khabarov will not save me, but will get me in."

"Then who are you going to ask to go with you?" After Lina asked this, she volunteered: "How about I go with you."

"No, no." Sokov rejected Lena's proposal without hesitation: "You don't have much adventure experience. If you enter the underground environment with a complex environment, if you have any claustrophobia, I won't be able to take care of you by then. Where can I go?" Do you still have the energy to find the whereabouts of Khabarov and the others? "

After hearing what Sokov said, Lena stopped arguing. She didn't know whether she was claustrophobic, but she didn't dare to take risks easily. Don't be afraid of anything, just be afraid of the unexpected. If he really develops claustrophobia after entering the underground, Sokov will definitely have no time to take care of himself.

After understanding this, Lena stopped mentioning going with Sokov to find someone, but asked with concern: "Misha, who are you going to take with you?"

"Officer Victoria, do you remember?"

"Remember, of course I remember." Lena nodded and said, "She keeps coming to our store to sit around recently. How could I not recognize her? Do you plan to go to Hoflin Hospital with her?"

"Not just her." Sokov said, "She plans to bring two more trusted men with us. In this way, even if something happens after entering the underground, we can take care of each other."

"Misha, if you really want to explore underground, shouldn't you prepare some things in advance?" Lena waited for Sokov to finish speaking, and immediately reminded him, "Like flashlights, food and water? Otherwise, you can go shopping now."

"Food and water, there is no need to bring them." Sokov shook his head and said, "After all, we are just going down to take a look and will be out soon. As for the flashlight, I prepared it yesterday and can use it at any time. In addition, there is an engineer shovel in the store. I used it to dig stoves when I went out for a picnic with others before. I can also use it to dig soil when I take it underground."

"Misha, you are so thoughtful." Lena gave Sokov a thumbs up: "I believe you will find Khabarov."

While the two were talking, Victoria called.

As soon as the call was connected, Victoria asked directly: "Misha, do you have time now?"

"Yes, Vika, I have time." Sokov asked anxiously: "Shall we leave now?"

"Drive directly over, my people and I will wait for you at the police station."

"Okay, I'll go right over."

After Sokov hung up the phone, he said to Lena: "Lena, I'm leaving now. If anyone comes to see me, just say I'm not here and ask them to come back tomorrow."

"Yeah, I see. If someone comes to see you, I'll say you're not here and ask them to come back tomorrow."

Sokov drove to the police station as fast as he could.

There was a police car parked at the police station door. Victoria, wearing a police uniform, was standing next to the car, talking to two other burly uniformed police officers.

Sokov drove over quickly, parked next to the police car, rolled down the window and greeted Victoria: "Vika, I'm here!"

"Misha, you're here!" Victoria pointed to her two men and said, "This is Sasha, this is Yarosh, both of them are my most capable men. This is Misha I told you about, and he's also my neighbor."

The two uniformed police officers walked to Sokov's car one after another, shook hands with Sokov, and said a few polite words.

"It's getting late." Victoria said to the two uniformed police officers, "I'll take Misha's car, you drive behind me."

When driving to Khovlin Hospital, Sokov looked back through the rearview mirror and saw that the police car was following closely behind. He also asked specifically, "Vika, do you have weapons?"

"Have you seen any uniformed police officers in Moscow who don't carry guns?" Victoria said to Sokov, "Sasha and Yarosh not only carry their own guns, but also have an assault rifle each. Even if they encounter any accidents, they can handle them properly."