"Hello, Comrade People's Commissar." Although Sokov was calling the other party an old man in his heart, in fact Ustinov was the youngest member of the Supreme Command. He said in his heart that he had not been with Ustinov recently.
Any intersection, what does it mean to call yourself? Could it be that something happened to Asiya again?
Thinking of this, he asked tremblingly: "Did something happen to Asiya again?"
Ustinov couldn't help but be stunned when he heard Sokov's question. He thought to himself: Who is Asya? What does it have to do with Sokov?
But he soon remembered that Asya was Sokov's wife and was now working as a military doctor in the Weapons and Equipment Department.
After thinking about this, he understood the purpose of Sokov's question, and said with a smile: "Comrade Sokov, don't worry, my call to you has nothing to do with Asya, but for
Another thing."
"Another thing?" Sokov asked in confusion: "Comrade People's Commissar, you don't know what it is?"
"If I'm not mistaken, Colonel Yakov is still there, right?"
"Yes, Comrade People's Commissar." Sokov replied truthfully: "Yasha is indeed here with me. Do you need me to ask him to answer the phone?"
"No, no, no." Ustinov rejected Sokov's proposal and continued: "I'm calling you because there is something important that I need to verify with you."
As soon as he heard that there was something important and he needed to verify it with himself, Sokov couldn't help but feel his heart skip a beat and secretly said: "What big thing has happened again? You actually have to call me specifically for verification."
But fortunately, Ustinov's words made the heart in his throat return to his stomach again: "Comrade Sokov, I'm calling you because I want to verify something related to Colonel Yakov.
matter."
Things related to Yasha? Sokov said with doubts in his heart: "Comrade People's Commissar, please tell me, I will try my best to cooperate with you."
"I heard that when you liberated Sokiriani, there was no fighting. It was Colonel Yakov who went to negotiate with the garrison commander and persuaded him to surrender to our army, right?"
It was clear that what Ustinov wanted to verify was actually the liberation of Sokilyani and whether it had something to do with Yakov. Regarding this, Sokov replied without hesitation: "Yes, People's Commissar
Comrade, Yasha was sent to Sokiriani for negotiation. Because he successfully persuaded Lieutenant Colonel Abulani, the commander of the city's garrison, our army liberated this place without a fight.
A city.”
"So, is this true?"
"Of course, Comrade People's Commissar, of course it's true." After answering the question in an affirmative tone, Sokov asked curiously: "Why do you ask about this?"
"Comrade Sokov, you and Colonel Yakov are good friends. You should know the achievements he has made in the weapons and equipment department in the past two or three years." Since Sokov is Yakov's childhood friend, Sikov
Mirnov felt that some things could be put on the table: "It has been a long time since he obtained the rank of colonel, but if he wants to obtain a higher rank, it will only rely on his achievements in the weapons and equipment department.
far from enough."
Sokov is so smart. As soon as he heard this, he knew that Smirnov planned to use the success of persuading the surrender of the Sokiriani garrison as an opportunity to create favorable conditions for Yakov to be promoted to general.
Thinking of this, he asked tentatively: "Comrade People's Commissar, so Yakov's success in persuading the surrender of the Sokiriani garrison can make him a general?"
"Comrade Sokov, I am not absolutely sure." Ustinov replied cautiously: "I can only tell you that the probability of such a thing is very high."
Although Ustinov did not give a definite answer, based on Sokov's experience, Yakov's promotion to general was already a certainty. He wanted to be the first person to congratulate Yakov, so he
He tentatively asked Ustinov: "Comrade People's Commissar, can I tell Yasha this good news?"
"Yes." Ustinov replied readily: "I think as his best friend, it is undoubtedly the most appropriate for you to be the first to tell him such good news."
After ending the call with Ustinov, Sokov called Koshkin and told him: "Comrade Lieutenant, please go and invite Colonel Yakov to come to me. Just tell me that I have something important.
Need to see him immediately."
While Koshkin was looking for Yakov, Samyko took the initiative and said: "Comrade Commander, such a good thing should be celebrated properly. Unfortunately, time is too short and many things cannot be prepared."
"Champagne," Trofimenko, who was standing not far away, interrupted: "I can't get anything else, but there is no problem in getting champagne." He also volunteered, "There is also a bottle of champagne in my room.
, I originally wanted to wait until the end of the Battle of Uman to celebrate and drink. Today’s event can be considered a happy event, so I will open the champagne in advance.”
When Yakov followed Koshkin back, he saw a bottle of champagne placed on the table. He couldn't help but curiously asked Sokov: "Misha, what's the happy event? There's even champagne on the table."
"Yasha!" Sokov stretched out his hand to Yakov and said in a friendly tone: "Please accept my congratulations on your official promotion to general in the near future."
"What?" Sokov's words made Yakov look confused: "Misha, are you kidding me? How do I qualify to be a general?"
"Yasha, I'm not kidding you." Sokov said sternly: "Just after you left, Comrade Ustinov called me and asked me whether the liberation of Sokyryani had anything to do with you.
.And said that after you have this merit, the chance of being promoted to general is very high."
Yakov was also a smart man. After hearing what Sokov said, he knew that it was just a matter of time before he would be promoted to general. He held Sokov's hand tightly and said gratefully: "Mi
Sha, thank you so much. If you hadn't given me this opportunity, I wouldn't have been able to achieve such great feats, let alone get the chance to be promoted."
"Colonel Yakov, although your promotion will take some time, allow us to congratulate you." After saying this, Trofimenko opened the cork of the champagne bottle and gave it to the person on the table.
Several teacups were filled with half a glass of champagne. After pouring the champagne, he handed the teacups to Sokov, Yakov, Samyko and others one by one.
After all this was done, Trofimenko raised the teacup in his hand and said loudly: "Let's raise a toast to Colonel Yakov's promotion to general!"
Everyone raised the tea cups filled with champagne: "Cheers!" "Cheers!!"
The bottle of champagne was indeed a little small. Seven or eight teacups were divided, and each person only got half a cup. After clinking the glasses, everyone basically drank the champagne in the cup in one gulp, and then dispersed and went about their own business.
went.
"Yasha, let me discuss something with you." Sokov put a hand on Yakov's shoulder and led him toward the corner of the headquarters. He didn't want the conversation between the two to be interrupted.
Three people heard it.
"Say it, Misha." Yakov said helplessly: "As long as I can do it, I will definitely help you with all my strength."
"Well, Yasha, since you said so, I won't be polite." Sokov said with a smile: "Look, can you repair all the hovercrafts you brought and continue to deliver supplies to us?
?”
Seeing that Yakov was about to open his mouth to speak, he quickly added: "Yasha, I know this matter is very difficult for you. After all, this is an order issued by your superiors. But after you return to the Weapons and Equipment Department, you can talk to the Uzbekistan
Let’s have a good talk with Comrade Stinov and explain to him clearly the huge role played by these hovercrafts on the front line.”
If it had been half an hour ago, even if Sokov had spoken out, Yakov would not have agreed to his request. But just now Sokov and his subordinates congratulated him on his upcoming promotion.
In response to their wishes, I had to find a way to help them.
After thinking about this, Yakov nodded slightly and said to Sokov: "Misha, when I return to the weapons and equipment department, I will go to see Comrade Ustinov in person and convey your wishes to him."
Hearing that Yakov was willing to help him lobby Ustinov, Sokov couldn't help feeling ecstatic. He asked tentatively: "Yasha, what do you think is the chance of success in lobbying Comrade Ustinov?"
?”
Yakov did not speak, but just stretched out a finger. After Sokov saw it, he asked cautiously: "Is the success rate 100%?"
"Misha, are you dreaming?" Yakov glared and said displeasedly, "Let me tell you the truth. Even if I tried to persuade him personally, the success rate would not exceed 10%."
Although he knew that there was little room for recovery, Sokov decided to try his best. After all, if successful, these hovercrafts could transport soldiers and various weapons and ammunition for his troops.
"Yasha, I think even if there is only a 1% chance, we can't give up trying." Sokov said solemnly: "You also know how much these hovercrafts will help us. If we really return to Moscow,
Seal all hovercrafts will seriously affect our department's supply situation."
The atmosphere had reached this point, and Yakov felt that it was really unjustifiable for him not to express his position, so he said to Sokov: "Misha, I promise you that when you return to Moscow, you will do your best to convince the People's Commissar.
But as for whether you can change his mind, I think it just depends on your luck."
"Yasha," Sokov stretched out his hand to hold Yakov's hand, shook it twice, and then said: "Whether this matter succeeds in the end or not, on behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the combat cluster, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you.
My sincerest thanks.”
"Misha, I am about to return to Moscow." Yakov said to Sokov with concern: "You are now a senior commander commanding hundreds of thousands of troops in combat. Don't always run to the front. That is too much."
It's dangerous. Last time you were attacked, you saved your life. It's hard to say whether you will be so lucky next time."
"Don't worry, Yasha." Sokov also understands his current status. It is obviously unrealistic to run to the front all day long. In the years to come, he may have to stay in the headquarters and rely on the intelligence and battle reports provided by his subordinates.
, to issue various combat orders. "When you go back, please tell Asiya that I will stay at the headquarters honestly and will never run around, so that she doesn't have to worry about me."
"I hope you can keep your word." Yakov was dubious about Sokov's statement. Based on his understanding of Sokov, if there was a war crisis, he might just go to the front line and personally
He went to command the troops. He stretched out his hand to Sokov again: "Then let's meet again. I hope the next meeting will not be too long."
After sending Yakov away, Samyko came over to ask for instructions from Sokov: "The forward troops called to ask what their next combat mission is?"
"Comrade Chief of Staff, please tell them." Sokov said with a serious expression: "Until we obtain sufficient ammunition and material supplies from our superiors, their task is to repair the fortifications, consolidate the defense line, and prevent possible German counterattacks."
"Comrade Commander, if you reply like this, I'm worried that individual commanders will be emotional."
"Comrade Chief of Staff, you need to explain this to them." Sokov said: "You can ask them, if you launch an attack on the enemy's defense line now, once the ammunition is exhausted, there will be no replenishment.
situation, what should they do?”
Without waiting for Sameko to respond, he continued: "Of course, if these commanders feel that the troops under his command can easily break through the German defense lines and liberate more cities by relying on bayonet tactics. Then, I
We will agree to their request for an attack and directly allow them to attack the heavily defended areas of the Germans."
"Comrade Commander, I understand." Sokov's words made Samyko realize that although the situation is now favorable to the Soviet army, if he does not wait for the supplies from his superiors to arrive, he will launch an attack on the enemy's position regardless of the situation.
, even if some progress can be made in the early stage, it will definitely end in a disastrous failure in the end: "I will convey your thoughts to them."
"By the way, Comrade Chief of Staff, there's something I've been wanting to ask you." Just when Samyko turned around and was about to make a phone call, he was stopped by Sokov.
Samyko turned to Sokov: "Comrade Commander, please ask."
"Where is Samoylov? And where is Seryosha?" Sokov asked towards Samyko: "Why have the two armies been merged for so long and I haven't seen either of them?
?”
Hearing Sokov ask about his most trusted guard company commander Samoilov, and his childhood friend Seryosha, Samyko couldn't help but lowered his head: "Comrade Commander, I'm really sorry, this news should
I told you earlier. Samoylov and Seryosha both unfortunately died in the battle to liberate Kirovgrad."
This bad news made Sokov's body shake. If he hadn't held on to the table in time, he might have fallen directly to the ground. Samyko was closest to Sokov, and seeing that he was in poor condition, he quickly reached out to support him.
, and asked with concern: "Comrade Commander, are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Sokov waved his hand to Samek, and then asked: "Where are they buried?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Commander," Sameko replied with a blushing face: "At that time, the German army carried out artillery bombardment on the location of our headquarters. The two subordinates you trusted most were unfortunately hit by the German heavy artillery while commanding the members of the headquarters to retreat.