Steel Soviet Union

With Zhukov's orders still ringing in his ears, Malashenko did not speak directly. After thinking for a moment, he blurted out only a rhetorical question. {What? You don’t know yet|Read COM, read the chapters without mistakes|Hurry up and Google them}

"Then have you thought about the victory flag? Comrade Marshal, now you want to cancel the honorary title of the leader of the army, what about the victory flag? Should the honorary title on the victory flag also be cancelled?"

The 8th Army of the 1st Belorussian Front and the 1st Red Banner Moscow-Berlin Tank Division of the Guards were awarded the title of "Stalin" leader.

This is the great honor engraved on the victory flag by the leading army, or the former leading division, and it is still imprinted on that bright red flag and has not faded.

Looking back on the past, Malashenko still remembers that it was Zhukov who originally awarded this flag to the leadership division, and it was Zhukov who gave the task of planting the flag in the Capitol to the leadership division.

In any case, the honor on that flag cannot and cannot be erased. It is not only the leadership division, but also the ultimate glory achieved by the entire Red Army after going through all the hardships of the Patriotic War and overcoming countless difficulties and obstacles. It has contributed to countless For the Red Army soldiers who experienced the Great Patriotic War, it was simply more important than life.

Even in the world where Malashenko lived in his previous life, the original victory flag still exists after experiencing countless catastrophes and turmoil.

The reason why Malashenko said this now was to tell Zhukov that things should not be done, and to tell Zhukov that there are always some things that can never and should not be forgotten even if they are artificially erased.

But Malashenko never expected that Zhukov's next answer would be like this.

"Why can't it be cancelled? Comrade Khrushchev has already made a report. Haven't you read it? All relevant traces must be erased."

""

Malashenko, who was stunned on the spot, was speechless for a moment, while Zhukov continued to speak without hesitation.

"Although I haven't had time to inform you of this decision, it has already been made."

"Modify the victory flag, cancel the title, and re-dye the parts that need to be modified. This will be completed under my personal supervision."

"By coincidence, isn't the Victory Flag sent to Berlin for a tour this month? Bring it back with the troops. I have already arranged the subsequent modification work. The modified Victory Flag will be inspected together with the troops. These preparations The work needs to be completed under your leadership.”

Seeing that the shock and surprise on Malashenko's expression was still continuing, Zhukov, who felt that the above was not enough, added something again.

"Don't tell me any more conditions and reasons, Malashenko. I don't want to hear any more "no", "rejection", and "can't do it" from you. I will transfer you back to the commander of the leading army. I don’t want you to travel across half of Europe and come back to Moscow to talk nonsense to me.”

"I will just pretend that I didn't hear any bad words, and nothing bad happened. My trust in you is still the same. I still need you to execute the order, and I believe you can do it."

"As for what happens next"

After thinking for a moment, Zhukov turned his eyes, moved his eyes to the military rank badge with the military service identification on Malashenko's shoulder, and quickly spoke again.

"The post of commander of the garrison in Berlin is only temporary, and I intend to transfer you to the position of commander of the cluster in East Germany. Comrade Vatutin has held this position for a long time and he recommended you to me as his successor It just so happens that I have the same intention.”

"At that time, there will be a new vacancy waiting for you in the rank of general. Now you are sufficient in terms of record, qualifications, and ability. I have also sought the opinions of Comrade Vatutin and Comrade Vasilevsky on this matter. , the three of us unanimously believe that you are suitable for promotion, and you deserve it.”

"So stop thinking about unnecessary things, raise your head, look forward, and forget about the past. This is my hope for you, and it is also a command."

Before he finished speaking, Zhukov looked at Malashenko who still had a "shocked" look on his face. He could hardly remember the last time he saw Malashenko's expression like this. Maybe it was one day many years ago. There may be a scene during the burial when it rains heavily.

Recalling all the things and scenes they had experienced together in the past, Zhukov, whose eyes looking at Malashenko gradually became calmer, sighed softly.

I did have the slightest idea of ​​walking up to Malashenko, but in the end I chose to go back to my desk, and the words I blurted out were almost at the same time as I sat down.

"You're tired. Go back and rest. Allow a day off. Come see me again at this time tomorrow and tell me what you plan to do. Remember to say hello to Comrade Natalia for me."

""

Knowing that there was no need for him to stay any longer and that there were many things to think about, Malashenko turned around after hearing this.

He straightened his chest, raised his head, stood at attention, saluted Zhukov in one breath, then turned around without saying a word, opened the door and left.

Until Malashenko's slightly heavy footsteps gradually faded away in the corridor outside the door.

He picked up the unfinished report in his hand and wanted to continue reading, but found that he could no longer read it, so Zhukov put down the things in his hands and spoke to himself in annoyance.

"Why you? Malashenko, why don't you stand with me at this time and want to be like those people!?"

"I gave you a chance, twice. Don't let me disappoint you again."

After walking out of the door, Malashenko looked back at the towering building behind him, almost feeling that he was looking at things like people.

An indescribable heaviness weighed heavily on Malashenko's heart, making him breathless and speechless.

"Comrade Commander, do we want to go home now?"

Hearing the call, Malashenko turned to look at the security guard waiting by the jeep. There was a hint of helplessness in his words, and Malashenko could only nod in response.

"Come on, take me home."

After a long and dusty journey back to Moscow, Zhukov hit a big snag as soon as he came back. Unexpected bad news came one after another from his mouth. He didn't listen to advice at all and almost got himself reprimanded.

It was impossible for Malashenko not to feel depressed. He didn’t want to bring his bad mood to his wife and children, so he leaned against the wall in the corridor in front of his home, squatted on the ground and smoked a cigarette alone. Cigarette butts were piled all over the floor.

If he hadn't worn this military uniform, no one would have felt so lonely. He would have turned out to be a well-known tank general in the Soviet Union.

It was just when Malashenko dropped the cigarette butt in his hand again and raised his foot to stamp it out that the door next to him suddenly opened slightly at this time, followed by a surprise call.

"Dear! You're back!"

"Nikle, Kirill, come to mom quickly! Dad is back!"