Steel Soviet Union

Colonel Mueller, who was so frightened by Malashenko's dirty jokes that he broke into a cold sweat and felt that he was about to have a nervous breakdown just now, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Phew, I thought you Russians never joked. It's so unexpected."

Satisfied with Major Mueller's performance of almost peeing, and very satisfied with his sinister prank, Malashenko immediately reached out and patted the opponent's shoulder gently.

"There are many things that can surprise you, but it is still a wise decision for you to take the initiative to surrender. In this case, I admire your courage! You know? You have avoided many unnecessary casualties."

He did not expect that the Soviet commander who was his opponent would show any appreciation to him at this time. Major Muller, who had placed himself in a position after the defeat, seemed very surprised by this.

"Wouldn't complimenting a German get you into trouble? Won't your commissar send you to jail or prosecute you for it?"

After blurting out the very fast question, Malashenko, as the winner, felt a little speechless for a moment. After a moment of thinking, a smile appeared on his face, which represented the truest thought in Malashenko's heart at the moment.

"Do you really think that what Goebbels told you through the propaganda loudspeaker is true? Is the Soviet Union really as dark and terrifying as he described? If that's the case, don't you think Germany can't even destroy such a decadent country? Is it a little too abnormal?"

Malashenko's three consecutive rhetorical questions that followed made the already stunned Major Mueller speechless.

For a long time, Major Mueller's entire impression and understanding of the Soviet Union was just as Malashenko said, relying only on Nazi Germany's political propaganda machine to get a glimpse of it. Major Muller, who focused most of his energy on studying Soviet tactics and troop organization, knew very little about what communism and the Soviets were.

The black Soviet empire that existed in the propaganda machine of Nazi Germany became the existence that Major Muller firmly believed in. Major Muller, who had always felt that the Soviet political commissar was more of a scourge, finally set foot on the Soviet Union and saw those who were hostile to it. After the political commissar reported the Soviet soldiers who firmly followed him, Major Mueller became more convinced of his idea.

"The Soviet Union was an evil empire that was good at brainwashing people!"

But what really happened now and Malashenko's three consecutive questions left Major Mueller speechless on the spot. He wanted to speak out to refute Malashenko, but he couldn't find anything that could stand up. Based on this, Major Muller, who struggled for a long time and still found nothing, finally had to give up.

"Okay, I temporarily admit that your statement leaves me with no reason to refute it. Can you tell me your name? Mr. Soviet Commander, I think you are a person worthy of my memory and respect."

Malashenko, who had never considered concealing his name, immediately blurted out the question without any concealment about the somewhat abrupt question from Major Muller's mouth.

"Malashenko, Dimitri Drukovich Malashenko, should be much longer than your name. I hope you can remember it."

Although he was a little hesitant about Malashenko's friendly right hand, after reacting, he felt that there was nothing wrong with it but an opportunity. Major Mueller immediately extended his hand in response.

But when his right hand was about to hold Malashenko's, Major Mueller suddenly realized that it might be inappropriate to do so in his own capacity. He immediately took back his hand and took off the layer used to keep out the cold and fight. wearing a black leather glove, and then stretched out his hand again to hold it with Malashenko, who was the winner.

"Albert Müller, commander of the 3rd Combat Infantry Battalion of the Grossdeutschland Infantry Regiment of the Wehrmacht. It is an honor to meet you."

Malashenko held Major Mueller's hand in the cold wind with his ungloved right hand, and did not respond with any unnecessary words. He turned to the person in front of him with a relatively encouraging look.

"Years from now, you will be thankful that you made the right decision today. You saved the lives of many of your comrades, Mueller."

Watching Major Muller and his entourage drift away after being escorted away, Iushkin, who had witnessed all of Malashenko's words and deeds just now but was a little confused, immediately asked.

"Comrade Commander, I don't understand why you should give such respect to a German who is our enemy?"

He was not surprised by Iushkin next to him who was full of doubts. Malashenko, who had already thought about how to answer, blurted out with a hint of meaning.

"It is more effective to persuade a person than to destroy a person. Although the effect is not visible in the short term now, in the near future, you will see the day when the fruits planted now mature, believe me."

Already accustomed to listening to Malashenko's "profound words" that he had never heard and could not understand, Iushkin, who still could not completely resolve his doubts, could only hold on to his half-understanding and try to walk towards the tank. On the way, I will recall more things that are useful to me from Malashenko’s words.

Just when Malashenko had finished handling all the matters at hand, and was about to return to the car to check the remaining ammunition on board, the bearded commander Captain Maxim, who had finished the battle from the direction of the village, had already led his team in triumph. And return.

After parking his brand-new T3457 tank, he immediately jumped off the turret and walked quickly towards Malashenko. The bearded Captain Maxim, who is a bold and rough man himself, showed no courtesy to his boss Malashenko. .

Through this period of contact, I have become convinced that Malashenko is an informal person like himself. Captain Maxim, who was born in the infantry in his early years and did not have a high level of education, prefers to say hello to Malashenko in his own way. .

"Hahaha, comrade leader, you will definitely like the gift I brought you. We caught a German treasure this time!"

Malashenko, who usually doesn't like to put on official airs, hugged Maxim Bear directly in his habitual posture. After patting each other on the back to show friendship, Malashenko, who had returned to normal, then spoke with a smile. asked.

"A German treasure? Did you catch Hitler who was inspecting the front line?"

"Ha ha ha ha!"

The other Red Army tank soldiers who were watching around Malashenko immediately burst into laughter after hearing Malashenko's joke. Maxim, who was a little embarrassed by the scene, immediately laughed a little and started laughing again. Open your mouth.