Burning Moscow

Zhukov smiled and said: "Lida, I just called Felste, the commander of the garrison in Sezran, and he told me that you and your husband Oshanin are currently together. How about, I didn’t bother you. You guys?" His next sentence was obviously ridiculous.

I smiled bitterly and replied, "Comrade Marshal, how could it be. We are just reminiscing some of the previous experiences."

"Why? Are you staying alone just to remember things in the past?" Zhukov asked in a puzzled manner when he heard me say this.

"That's it, Comrade Marshal." I didn't want to be entangled in this matter, so I explained the actual situation directly to Zhukov: "Oxianin suffered from amnesia because of a previous head injury, so I can't remember me at all. I recalled with him. In the past, I just wanted to try to restore his memory."

"What, amnesia?" Zhukov didn't expect that my reunion with Oshanin would be like this. He couldn't help but asked in surprise: "Then what are you going to do, do you need me to arrange for him to come back to Moscow for treatment?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Comrade Marshal, I don't need it for the time being." After I politely rejected Zhukov's kindness, I thought that he, who is so versatile, could not call and chat with me in the middle of the night. There must be something important, so I asked straightaway : "Do you have any instructions?"

Hearing my question, Zhukov immediately chuckled: "Lida, you are really not easy, I haven't spoken here, you guessed that I have something to look for you."

From my conversation, Oshanin knew who was calling. He quickly got up from the table, pointed outside the door with his finger, and said a few words silently. I guessed from his lip punishment, he was asking me: do I need to go out and report. Because he was not qualified to listen to the conversation between me and the Soviet marshal. I waved at him and signaled that he didn't have to go out, just stay here.

"When can you return to Moscow?" Zhukov asked suddenly and thoughtlessly.

"What, back to Moscow?" I didn't react for a while, and said ignorantly: "Comrade Stalin gave me a half-month holiday. Why should I stay in Kuibyshev Oblast for ten days."

I only heard Zhukov’s voice from the headphones: "We rebuilt the Sixth Army. Lieutenant General Kistyakov was originally appointed as the commander. However, he had a car accident this afternoon and the situation is still very serious. It is estimated that it will take a long time. Unable to perform the duties of commander of the group army...."

When I heard this, I couldn't help but shook my whole body, and my heartbeat accelerated unobediently. I wondered if Zhukov called me in the middle of the night because he planned to let me be the commander of the Sixth Army? In that way, I will have the opportunity to participate in the Battle of Kursk, which started in early July, and build even greater merits.

Soon I heard what I wanted to hear from the headset: "...After discussing with Vasilevsky, and reporting to the Supreme Commander for his consent, I decided to change you as the commander of the Sixth Army, which is a member of the Army. To Vatutin’s Voronezh Front. Do you have any questions?"

"No, there is no problem, Comrade Marshal." As soon as Zhukov asked, I immediately replied, "I resolutely obey your arrangements." After I said this, I paused for a moment, and then asked again. . "I don't know what troops are in the newly formed Sixth Army?"

Zhukov has questions about me. He replied very readily: "Lida, I knew you would ask this question, so I prepared it in advance. Listen, the Sixth Army was adapted from the 21st Army, with the 51st Guards Infantry. , 52nd, 67th and 71st Divisions, and Infantry 325th and 375th Divisions. There are also two tank brigades. And three artillery regiments, and there is also the most powerful Guard Rocket Battalion. How about. , Are you satisfied with your troops?"

Before Zhukov's words were over, I hurriedly replied, "Satisfied, satisfied. It is simply too satisfying." I calculated to myself, although there were only six infantry divisions, two tank brigades, three artillery regiments, and one rocket launcher. Battalion, but there are at least 60,000 to 70,000 people in total, which is a lot of troops. Besides, for me who have never commanded so many troops before, what else can I be insatisfied about?

Zhukov told me briefly: "Since you have no objection, then come back as soon as possible and take office."

Although Zhukov said it lightly, I dared not take it lightly. If I returned to Moscow as soon as possible, it would mean that I had ended my vacation voluntarily, and I did not know that it would not cause much trouble. So I asked cautiously: "But, Comrade Marshal, when Comrade Stalin gave me half a month of vacation, I only stayed outside for a few days, so I have to go back to cancel the vacation. Wouldn't it make the Supreme Commander angry? ?"

"No, Lida." Zhukov said to me confidently: "I have reported this to Comrade Stalin. Even if you come back immediately to cancel your leave, there will be no problem."

"Okay, I will rush back as soon as possible." When I said this, I was still thinking about it, and I would take the evening train back to Moscow after I met Alik in Tolyatti tomorrow.

Who knew I was thinking this way, Zhukov added: "May 5th is Marx's birthday. We will hold a small commemorative ceremony in Marx Square in the afternoon. I hope you will be there on time."

I raised my hand and looked at my watch. It was early in the morning on May 4th, which means I had to take the morning bus to catch up with the celebration ceremony in Moscow. But since Zhukov's words have been spoken, it is unrealistic to ask him to take it back, so I can only dispel the idea of ​​Togliatti.

I put down the phone and thought about it, then picked up the receiver again, and dialed the call on duty. After ringing twice, someone on the other side immediately picked up the phone, and then a lazy voice came from the headset: "Hey, where are you?"

I heard the voice of the director of the guest house, and quickly said: "Comrade director, I am Oshanina."

Hearing my self-report, the other party's voice suddenly became energetic: "It turned out to be Comrade General. You haven't rested so late. Do you have any instructions?"

"Comrade Director, I'll get rid of two things from you." Now that time is pressing, I don't go in circles with the other party, but say straightforwardly: "First, I want to get back to Moscow as soon as possible. So please help me to book the earliest one. A train back to Moscow; two, you call two of my subordinates and ask them to rush to my room to report."

"Comrade General, you haven't been here for a long time, why are you in a hurry to leave?" The director is a verbose person. He did not simply accept my order like an ordinary soldier, but talked rantingly. Said nothing. He may have heard my side without a voice, realized his gaffe, and quickly changed his tone and said: "Comrade General, please rest assured, I will execute your order immediately."

Putting down the phone again, I walked back to the table and said apologetically to Oshanin: "I'm sorry, my dear, it seems that our old age is about to be rescheduled. I just received an order from my superior. Let me rush back to Moscow as soon as possible. Accept new tasks."

Oshanin nodded like garlic, and said repeatedly: "I know, I know, I heard almost all of the conversation between you and the marshal just now." Then, he stood up and reached out to me with a sincere face. Said with a smile, "Lida. Congratulations on your more important appointment."

I shook hands with him and took it back. Turning off the subject and saying, "By the way, my dear, our child is now in the children's home in Togliatti. Take the time to visit him." When Oshanin nodded in agreement, I suddenly remembered that he had lost his memory. Now, even I can't remember who it is. Not to mention the child who hasn't seen each other for such a long time, and quickly added, "The child is called Alik, don't forget it."

"Don't worry, I already remember it in my heart. I won't forget..." Before he finished speaking, there was a quick knock on the door, and Yushchenko's anxious voice came from outside: "Comrade General , Please open the door, please open the door."

I walked to the door in three and two steps and opened the door. As soon as the door opened, and with the help of the light from the door, I saw that besides Yushchenko and Dolnikov standing outside, he quickly turned his body to one side and waved his hands inside and said, "You two came very quickly. Ah, stop standing outside, just come in."

After the two entered the door, they stood in front of me and straightened their backs. Yushchenko asked: "Comrade General, I don't know if you are looking for us so late. Is there anything important?"

Before I could speak, Oxianing came over and said to me politely: "Lida, you have important things to do. It is not suitable for me to stay here, then I will go back first."

"Okay, well, you go back first." I didn't care about what he said. I just said casually: "It's getting late, you remember to rest early."

After watching Oshanin disappear from the door, Yushchenko asked me strangely: "Comrade General, why did you let your husband leave?"

What Yushchenko said made me realize that it is really unnecessary to let Oshanin leave. When I talked with Zhukov just now, he did not evade him. At this moment, when I deployed to my subordinates to return to Moscow, it was even more important. There is no need to evade him, but since he has left, it is impossible for me to chase him back. I can only make mistakes.

I did not answer Yushchenko’s words, but directly announced to the two of them: "I just received a call from Marshal Zhukov and he ordered me to return to Moscow as soon as possible. Therefore, our original plan to go to Tolyatti during the day was cancelled. , You immediately go back and call up all the soldiers. We will get to the railway station as soon as possible and take the earliest train back to Moscow."

"Comrade General," asked Dolnikov, who hadn't spoken since entering the door, somewhat puzzled: "I don't know what's urgent. You can't wait to visit your son, so you can't wait to return to Moscow. Can you tell me why? ?"

If Dolnikov were my old subordinate, I would definitely sullen my face and say in an official tone: "Don't you know that the superior's order is not allowed to be discussed and can only be carried out?" But he is only the superior. The person who arranged to protect my safety, so I could only explain to him patiently: "Comrade Marshal said on the phone that I have been appointed as the commander of the Reconstructed Sixth Army and must rush back to Moscow to take office. And more importantly. It was the afternoon of the 5th. At Marx Square, there was an important celebration event that I must attend."

As soon as I finished speaking, Dolnikov realized the seriousness of the matter, and he volunteered to say: "Then I will call up all the soldiers and prepare them for departure."

I know that these two dozen of us don’t mean that we can leave. We must have some preparations. So after hearing what he said, we nodded and said with a smile: "Go, Comrade Captain, call everyone up." , Let them prepare for departure. After the director of the guest house buys us the return ticket, we will set off immediately."

Soon after Dolnikov hurriedly left, the phone in the room rang. I picked it up and heard that it was the director. He heard my voice and immediately reported to me: "Comrade General, there is a train to Moscow at 3:30 in the morning. I have already bought the ticket. I will send it to you now. Do you think it is appropriate?"

"No need, Comrade Director." I raised my hand and looked at my watch. It was almost two o'clock. With such a verbose personality, I didn't know how much time would be lost in my room, so I ordered him: "You are waiting for us in the lobby, and I will pick up the tickets when I go down later."

Five minutes later, all of us gathered in the hall. Although there were about twenty people, no one spoke. The hall still seemed very quiet and did not disturb other guests. The director walked up to me, raised a handful of tickets in his hand, and said kindly: "Comrade General, the tickets are here, please keep them."

I took the ticket, handed it to Yushchenko next to me, and asked the director with a smile: "Comrade director, how much is the total of so many tickets, so I can give it to you."

As soon as I said my words, not only the director was stunned, but even Dolnikov beside him gave a strange "Huh". Seeing their reaction, I was a little confused by the second monk, but Yushchenko reminded me in a low voice: "Comrade General, it is during the war. We don't need money to buy tickets."

Hearing Yushchenko’s words, the director echoed: “Yes, yes, soldiers don’t need money to buy tickets. You only need to provide the number of your unit and your name, rank, and position when you buy the ticket. ."

When leaving the guest house and heading for the station, I considered that the night was martial law, and we did not have a pass. If we allowed the patrol to keep checking, we might miss the bus. So I called Dolnikov in front of me and said: "Captain, take your subordinates to open the way. Once you encounter the patrol that is being checked, send them away in the name of your Ministry of Internal Affairs, so as not to delay us. Time, understand?"

Dolnikov was on a business trip with me. He has not been able to act on the basis of his identity as the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He is probably very aggrieved. Hearing my order at this moment, he immediately agreed with excitement and took three of his men along. At the forefront of the entire team.

Yushchenko, who was walking by my side, looked at the four people in front of them, and whispered to me a little unhappy: "Comrade General, how can you let them go like this? You know that the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs are looking for them even if they are unreasonable. Other people’s troubles, and now that you have given them such rights, it’s strange that they don’t cause trouble."

I understood Yushchenko’s psychology very well, so I explained to him in a low voice: "Captain Yushchenko, our time is limited. If the patrol on the street is allowed to check repeatedly, the car will be missed. In extraordinary times, we need to use it. Very means."

What happened next ~www.NovelMTL.com~ proved that my arrangement was very suitable. There were at least five patrols, and as soon as they came over to stop us for interrogation, they were sent away by Dolnikov using the identity of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. What was even more unexpected was that after entering the train station, Dolnikov found a military representative from the station and forced a sleeping car to be booked so that all of us could stay together instead of having to look like it. At that time, we and the soldiers of the guard squad were scattered in different carriages.

When the train started, Yushchenko, who was sitting in my box, said emotionally: "Comrade General, in another thirty hours, we will be able to reach Moscow, and then you will be the official commander of the group army. Then, I can call you by the title of commander as before." (To be continued.)

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