Burning Moscow

Zhukov’s remarks puzzled me. I couldn’t help asking in my heart, ak47 was developed and produced by the Soviet Union itself, and it has nothing to do with the withdrawal of US aid. Why did it stop production due to insufficient raw materials? With this question in mind, I tentatively asked Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, I don't understand. What is the connection between our production of assault rifles and US aid supplies?"

Zhukov did not answer my question immediately, but reached out to me and said, "Give me your gun."

I don't know why he wanted to look at my assault rifle, but he handed it to him honestly. After he took the gun, he slapped the grip of the gun with his right hand and said: "Lida, look, the grip of the assault rifle is made of plastic. And our existing production capacity is not yet able to produce in large quantities. The plastic that matches this weapon, so I can only rely on aid from the United States." After that, he handed the gun back to me.

I took the gun and said confusedly: "Comrade Marshal, does the grip of this gun have to be made of plastic, can't it be made of wood?" When I said this, I pointed my finger to the boundless outside the car window. Forest, said with emotion: "Look at these forests, if they are used to make grips, they won't be used up for a hundred years."

"Use wood?!" Zhukov was taken aback when he heard my suggestion, and soon a approving smile appeared on his face, "Yes, why didn't I think that wood could be used instead of plastic. Later Back in Moscow, you will go to see Ustinov with me and tell him the matter.” After a pause, he praised me again, “It’s still your brain that makes so many military experts I felt a headache. I was able to solve it in a few words."

"Comrade Marshal," I felt a little embarrassed about Zhukov's praise, and said quickly: "I just said it casually. As for whether this suggestion can be adopted by the comrades of the People's Committee, it is still unknown."

Zhukov waved to me and said with no doubt: "I think your proposal is completely feasible, and Ustinov should have no doubts. Don't worry, once the Ministry of Arms and Equipment has adopted your opinion, a medal is to run. It's impossible."

Medal, Zhukov's words caught me stunned. Although I made a suggestion, I can still get a medal. I was afraid that Zhukov was wrong, so I asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, this suggestion I made does not seem to be up to the level of awarding medals, right?"

Zhukov grumbled at the medal hanging on my chest. Said: "It is certainly impossible to award you the red flag medal you wear, but another medal of honor, which was established in accordance with the order of the Soviet Central Executive Committee on November 25, 1935. It is specially awarded to create and produce high targets. Individuals or collectives who have made outstanding achievements in scientific research, cultural and sports activities, technological inventions and creations, and have made outstanding achievements in improving the combat effectiveness of the Soviet army and strengthening the Soviet Union’s national defense."

As soon as Zhukov finished speaking, I realized that I deserved such a medal and changed the grip of the assault rifle from plastic to wood. It may seem a trivial matter, but it can make the assault rifle mass production in a short period of time. After the troops acquire new weapons. The combat effectiveness will be greatly improved in a short period of time. If you can't get the medal in this way, it is indeed a bit unreasonable.

The driver heard our conversation. After entering Moscow, he did not drive to Zhukov's headquarters, but drove directly outside the office building of the Weapons and Equipment Department. The sentry at the door reached out and stopped our car. When he walked over and bent down to say something, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Zhukov who was sitting in the co-pilot position. He immediately stood at attention and saluted, and ran over to lift the railing that was blocking the door. The driver is also welcome. As soon as he stepped on the accelerator, he drove into the compound of the equipment department.

After we got off the car, Zhukov gave a few words to the captain of the guard who came from behind, and took me into the building of the equipment department. According to my intuition, Zhukov must have come here quite a few times. He took me up to the second floor in a familiar way and walked forward along the corridor. The staff who met us on the road stepped aside, clinging to the wall to let us pass first, and the people in military uniforms also raised their hands to salute us.

When we came to the two confined gates, the soldiers sitting at the table in the entrance quickly stood up, raised their hands to salute Zhukov, and respectfully said: "Comrade Marshal, the People's Committee is inside. Do you need me to report? ?"

"No." Zhukov said with a grin, and then quickly stepped forward, raised his hand and patted the door twice, before there was any movement inside, he opened the door and walked in first. I smiled at the soldier standing by the door and walked in quickly.

In the spacious room, there is a big desk in the middle, and two people sitting next to the desk are lowering their heads to discuss something. Hearing someone coming in, both of them looked up at us. I recognized Ustinov and Fronin at a glance.

Seeing Zhukov coming in, the two immediately stood up. Ustinov also walked around the table, greeted Zhukov and shook hands, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander, I don't know if you are here today, what are the important things?"

Zhukov did not immediately answer his question. After shaking hands with him, he turned sideways and pointed to me and said: "I am here today with General Oshanina. There are important things to discuss with you."

I hurriedly stepped forward and raised my hand to salute Ustinov. At the same time, I said, "Hello, Comrade People's Committee."

When Ustinov shook hands with me, he laughed and teased me and said: "Comrade Oshanina, did you come to me today, did you change your mind and plan to accept my appointment to serve as the head of the secret base? ?"

"Comrade People's Committee," I didn't expect Ustinov to say this suddenly, and I became a little flustered, and quickly explained: "No, I have other things to come here with Comrade Marshal."

"Excuse me, Comrade Ustinov." Zhukov said politely but firmly at the same time: "General Oshanina is more suitable to stay in the army and command troops. With her ability, there will be better development. "

"Well, okay, Comrade Deputy Commander!" Ustinov said with a smile: "As long as I mention that Comrade Oshanina will work in our weaponry department, you will be very upset."

"Okay. Comrade Ustinov, let's get down to business." Zhukov deliberately said to Ustinov in an official tone: "When do you plan to officially start the production of assault rifles?"

"Excuse me, Comrade Zhukov." It was Fronin who was still standing behind the table who said this. He said politely and politely: "From the current situation, we cannot start the production of new weapons before the end of May."

"Why is this?" Zhukov looked at Ustinov and asked, "What's wrong again?"

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander." Ustinov sighed and said helplessly: "I just received a report from the port an hour ago. It said that transportation was seriously affected because of the muddy roads. , The arrival of the latest U.S. aid supplies in Moscow may be delayed by about one month."

After Zhukov figured out what was going on, the expression on his face became more relaxed. He waved his hand, sat down on a back chair by the table, looked up at Ustinov and asked, "If I'm not mistaken, the reason why you have to postpone the production date is because of the batch used. The plastic used to make the grip of the assault rifle didn't arrive, right?"

Ustinov turned his head and glanced at Fronin. Seeing that the opponent nodded slightly at him, he affirmed: "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander. Without this batch of plastic, we would not be able to produce grips for assault rifles. ."

"Why do we have to use plastic to make the grip of the rifle?" Zhukov asked with a smile on his face, "Can't we use wood as a substitute?"

"Use wood for the grip?" Fronin repeated Zhukov's words next to him. Then he held his forehead with his right hand and said, "My God, why didn't I think of this method? The use of wood for the grip, the effect is the same." After saying this, he walked around the table. In front of Zhukov, he bowed slightly and stretched out his hands. Said: "Marshal Zhukov, you are really amazing. You can come up with such a good way."

Zhukov stretched out his hand and shook him lightly. He reached out his hand and pointed at me and said, "Comrade Engineer, you don't need to thank me. In fact, Oshanina came up with this method. If you really want to thank her, please thank her."

Fronin couldn’t help but shine upon hearing Zhukov’s words, then walked to me, held my hand, and said gratefully: “Lida, I didn’t expect you to solve our current urgent needs so easily. Thank you!"

I held the old engineer's hand, smiled and said modestly: "You are welcome, Comrade Engineer. I just came up with an idea on a whim, and I don't know if it will help you."

"It helps, of course it helps." This time I changed to Ustinov, holding my hand, and said emotionally: "Maybe this is a trivial idea for you, but it solves our current situation. The big problem we are facing.” Having said that, he turned his head and said to Zhukov: “Comrade Deputy Commander, with the idea of ​​Comrade Oshanina, in two days at most, our arsenal will be able to develop new rifles on a large scale. produce."

"Great, this is great." Hearing such good news, Zhukov couldn't sit still in his seat. He stood up and said, "This way, we can equip assault rifles in mid-April. After Rokosovsky’s troops are familiar with the new weapons, we can prepare to launch a new offensive campaign."

When Zhukov said this, I paid special attention to the expression on Fronin's face~www.NovelMTL.com~ I saw the corners of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to say something, but he swallowed the words again. At this time, I heard Ustinov saying to Zhukov: "Deputy Commander, since Comrade Oshanina’s suggestion has solved our problem, should we consider granting her a Medal of Honor to commend her for providing What outstanding contribution our army has made in terms of combat effectiveness?"

Hearing Ustinov’s suggestion, Zhukov showed a smile on his face. He said relaxedly: "Comrade Ustinov, it is within your authority to award the Medal of Honor. You don’t need to ask me for advice."

Ustinov didn't expect Zhukov to agree so readily. He was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled and said, "If this is the case, I will arrange the next thing."

Then he turned to me and said, "Comrade Oshanina, for your contribution to improving the combat effectiveness of our army and strengthening the national defense of the motherland, I have decided to award you the Medal of Honor. The award ceremony will be held two days later and we will receive the award together There is also an engineer from Fronin." When he said this, his eyes turned to Fronin, "According to his contribution, he will be awarded the Red Banner of Labor, the Medal of Sickle and Hammer, and the Medal of Honor."

After hearing these words, Fronin immediately took two steps forward, stood in front of Ustinov, straightened up and said loudly: "I am willing to serve the motherland of the Soviet Union!" (to be continued)