A dinner specially hosted for the commanders of the Eighth Route Army was held at the Fengtian Imperial Hotel.
In the hall, the bright crystal chandeliers reflect the golden decoration, creating a noble and elegant atmosphere. A variety of food and wine are placed on the long table, quietly waiting for the arrival of guests.
Sokov, who was waiting at the door to greet him, saw several jeeps parked on the roadside, and more than a dozen people got out of the car one after another. They were wearing gray Eighth Route Army caps and modified khaki Japanese military uniforms.
Military uniform. Captain Feng, who was wearing a Soviet uniform, stood out among this group of people. After getting out of the car, he walked to a jeep behind him and opened the rear door.
After the car door opened, an imposing commander got out first. Seeing everyone's attitude towards him, he guessed that this person should be Commander Zeng from the 16th Division. After getting out of the car, Commander Zeng did not immediately come over to talk to him.
Sokov said hello to others, but stood sideways by the car, waiting for his companions in the car to get off.
"Misha," Yakov asked Sokov in a low voice, "could the person in the car be the commander they said?"
"I don't think so." Sokov shook his head slightly and said in a low voice: "I think the guy who got off the bus first looked a bit like their commander."
As he was talking, the people in the car had already got out of the car. Looking at his polite appearance, Sokov said in a low voice: "Yasha, I think the commander who just got out of the car may be from this army."
political commissar.”
Captain Feng came to Sokov with the commander who looked like Commander Zeng and the political commissar, and said with a smile: "Comrade General, let me introduce you. This is Commander Zeng of the 16th Military Division.
This person next to me is the Tang political commissar."
"Hello!" Sokov smiled, shook hands with the two of them one by one, and introduced himself: "I am General Sokov, commander of the 53rd Army!"
After listening to Captain Feng's translation, Yakov asked curiously: "I wonder what you want weapons and uniforms for?"
The commanders of the Eighth Route Army were stunned when they saw the scars on Sokov's body.
After drinking the glass, he put down the glass and said to Sokov and others: "General Sokov, I have a request. I wonder if you can agree to it."
If it were other Soviet commanders, they would indeed not understand what Commander Zeng was saying, but he never dreamed that Sokov, who was walking in front of them, not only heard their conversation, but also understood the content of the conversation.
Regarding Commander Zeng's distrust, Sokov just smiled lightly, without showing the slightest dissatisfaction on his face.
Political Commissar Tang couldn't help being stunned after hearing this, and then asked: "Old Zeng, what's wrong? Do you see anything wrong?"
Commander Zeng, who originally couldn't see Sokov clearly, looked ashamed after hearing Yakov's words. He didn't expect that the pretty boy he looked down on would actually be such a great person. And Yakov
Ignoring his translation, he continued: "Look, all the bullet holes on his body are on the front, indicating that he was hit by bullets when he was face to face with the enemy. And the scars on his back are some
Shrapnel wounds…”
When both parties got acquainted and walked towards the banquet hall inside, Commander Zeng whispered to Political Commissar Tang: "Comrade Political Commissar, what is going on with the 53rd Group Army?"...
After learning the true situation of Lu Jin, Commander Zeng stood up, faced Lu Jin and said apologetically: "Comrade Deputy Commander, please forgive me for being rude to you just now." Then he winked at the subordinate next to him.
, after everyone stood up, he took the lead and raised his hands to salute: "Please accept our salute to you. This is the respect of soldiers for soldiers! Salute!"
"You have arranged new accommodation for us and provided us with enough food." Commander Zeng said, "But I wonder if you can provide us with weapons and uniforms?"
Now that the atmosphere had reached this point, Sokov told the people present what he had recorded about Lukin in his history books.
The Soviet troops were all singing "Katyusha", and the Eighth Route Army was not to be outdone. Although they did not speak Russian, they could sing the Chinese version of "Katyusha" and started singing along. For a while, the two
Two languages sang loudly to the same melody.
When Political Commissar Tang learned that the person in front of him was Lieutenant General Lu Jin, the deputy commander of the 53rd Group Army, he immediately stepped forward to shake hands with him and said warmly: "Hello, Comrade General, I can meet here the commander of the friendly forces who helped us defeat the Japs."
Member, I am also very happy."
"Old Tang," Commander Zeng did not buy his fault. Instead, he glared and said, "Don't you know how much I drink? What am I doing here? The little wine I just drank is not enough for me to rinse myself off."
It’s about the mouth.”
When Captain Feng introduced Sokov's identity to Commander Zeng and Political Commissar Tang, Political Commissar Tang always had a smile on his face, but Commander Zeng suppressed the smile on his face and even frowned slightly.
Everything was seen by Sokov.
After listening to Captain Feng's translation, Commander Zeng nodded vigorously. He also wanted to know how Lu Jin became disabled.
Commander Zeng took off his shirt, pointed at the scars on his body, and said to everyone: "Except for a few Sanba big covers, our troops are all old-fashioned Hanyang-made, sleeves, and even bird
Guns, even such backward weapons, are not available to every soldier. Therefore, on the battlefield, we can only use cold weapons such as broadswords and red tassel guns to fight the enemy. Look, these scars on my body are from the battlefield
It was left behind when Shang fought against the Japanese."
Commander Zeng showed his scars in public, which caught the Soviet side a little off guard. The garrison commander Major General Kolton, who had been sitting next to him and had never spoken, stood up and was about to say something when Sokov raised his hand to stop him.
Sokov looked at the scarred Commander Zeng and said, "Commander Zeng, I also have a few scars on my body. Why don't we two compete to see who has more scars?"
When Captain Feng introduced several other commanders who had followed Commander Zeng to the banquet to Sokov, Lu Jin extended his hand to them and said politely: "Hello, comrades from China! I am very happy to be here with you.
See you here!”
Sokov knew very well that in Commander Zeng's mind, he was just a pretty boy with a backing. He didn't know what relationship he relied on to take the position of commander of the 53rd Army. If he didn't scare the other party, he would still be there in the future.
He would look down on himself. It was out of this consideration that he declined the kindness of Political Commissar Tang and took off his military uniform, revealing the numerous scars on his upper body...
Soon, the familiar melody of "Katyusha" sounded in the banquet hall.
Although Sokov was eager to know the other party's request, he still waited patiently for Captain Feng to translate Commander Zeng's words before he slowly asked: "Commander Zeng, I don't know what request you have, please just say it.
."
Sokov was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice what Commander Zeng said. But when he suddenly saw the other party taking off his military uniform, he hurriedly concentrated on trying to figure out what happened.
After the female eighth officer finished speaking, everyone's eyes were focused on Sokov. After all, he was the person with the highest military rank and position here. Sokov nodded and said, "No problem, then" while getting dressed.
Just let the band play us a song."
The atmosphere in the banquet hall fell into embarrassment.
After receiving Sokov's consent, the female eighth member immediately turned to face the band and said in Russian: "Comrade General has agreed, then you will play the song that was agreed in advance."
Fortunately, this situation did not last long, as a female band member entered the banquet hall with a small band outside.
When Sokov heard this, he suddenly remembered that he had watched a movie about this commander Zeng in later generations. In the movie, he was bragging to the Soviet commander at a banquet just to obtain weapons and ammunition.
Beard stared at each other, and the two sides got into a quarrel. Fortunately, the female translator he brought was smarter. Seeing the stalemate between the two sides, he immediately called in the band playing outside and played a song "Katyusha" on the spot, thus resolving the dispute on the spot.
The hostility allowed both parties to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement in a calm state of mind.
After singing "Katyusha", the female Eighth Route Army did not immediately ask the band to leave the restaurant, but continued to play other music nearby.
"Old Zeng!" When Political Commissar Tang heard this, he quickly grabbed Commander Zeng's arm and said in a low voice and urgently: "Be careful, don't say these words that affect unity."
"What a bullshit agreement." Commander Zeng became anxious when he heard it: "Without military uniforms, our troops look in a mess. You know, I know they are new recruits; you don't know, you thought they were a group of bandits. Speaking of which
Weapons are even more important. If soldiers don’t have weapons in their hands, how can they fight the enemy on the battlefield? Should we let them use their fists and teeth to deal with the enemy?"
When Sokov saw this, he couldn't help but smile. He knew that the icebreaker was coming. This female Eighth Route Army should be the female translator in the movie. She resolved the embarrassment between the two parties by letting the band play "Katyusha".
"Their commander comrade is too young. He became a general at such a young age. I think there must be some background, right?" Commander Zeng said with disdain: "And this deputy commander is even more outrageous. He is actually a
A disabled person in a wheelchair. A group of troops commanded by the old, weak, sick and disabled, I don’t think they have any combat effectiveness.”
Commander Zeng, however, seemed very indifferent to Lu Jin. He just shook hands politely and did not speak.
"Comrades from friendly forces, let me introduce you." Yakov felt that he should come out and say a few words at this time: "The reason why Sokov became a general at such a young age was not because of connections, but because of
His illustrious military exploits. Every scar you see was left by the enemy on the battlefield.”…
"Don't worry." Commander Zeng said disapprovingly: "They don't understand what we are talking about."
After everyone was seated again, Sokov said bluntly to Commander Zeng: "Commander Zeng, I still stick to our original opinion. According to the agreement signed between our two countries, I cannot provide weapons and ammunition for your troops.
and military supplies such as military uniforms.”
After three rounds of food and five tastes of wine, Commander Zeng stood up with a wine glass and said to everyone: "First of all, I would like to thank the Soviet comrades for arranging a new residence for us. I would like to toast you a toast." He Sokov.
After the others clinked the glasses, he drank the wine in one gulp.
"Comrade Chief of Staff," Commander Zeng looked at Yakov and said, "We need to recruit new soldiers to expand our army. If we don't have weapons and uniforms, can we still call it an army?"
"I'm sorry, Comrade Zeng." After hearing this, Yakov said politely and distantly: "According to the agreement signed between our country and China, we cannot provide weapons and ammunition to your army. This is a violation of the agreement."
Yakov walked to Sokov, pointed to several bullet holes in his chest and abdomen, and continued: "These bullet holes were all left during the battle to defend Stalingrad. You may have doubts about Stalin.
I don’t know much about the Battle of Gullah. What I can tell you is that the brutality of this battle exceeds your imagination. A soldier’s survival time on the battlefield is no more than 24 hours; even an officer’s survival time is no more than 24 hours.
72 hours. The troops commanded by Sokov were like nails on Mamayev Hill. Facing the attack of tens of thousands of German troops, they never took a step back..."
Lukin, who was sitting next to Sokov, immediately took the lead in singing. Then, the other Soviet commanders also sang along with the melody.
Commander Zeng's smile froze on his face. He did not expect that after such a harmonious scene, it still could not change Sokov's mind. He wanted to have another attack, but was discovered by Political Commissar Tang next to him. Political Commissar Tang grabbed him
He shook his head slightly at him, telling him not to be impulsive and that everything should be considered in the long term.
Sure enough, the next moment I heard the female Eighth Route Army member speak fluent Russian in a clear voice: "Comrade commanders, it seems inappropriate to just drink and eat without any music. I wonder if you are willing to listen to the band.
Play a song?”
"Comrade General," seeing Sokov standing up to take off his military uniform, Political Commissar Tang quickly stopped him: "Old Zeng drank too much and is talking nonsense. Don't mind."
Seeing that Commander Zeng was also dressed, Sokov smiled and said to him: "Comrade Zeng, you may be wondering why my deputy commander is a disabled person?"
Following Commander Zeng's order, all the Eighth Route Army commanders and fighters in the banquet hall raised their hands and saluted Lu Jin with a solemn salute to show their respect for this hero on the Soviet-German battlefield. And Sitting in a wheelchair was Lu Jin.
Lu Jin also raised his hand to return the salute, and Sokov next to him could clearly see the tears shining in his eyes.
Just when Commander Zeng was discouraged, he heard Sokov continue: "Although our army will abide by the agreement between the two countries and will not provide weapons, ammunition and military supplies including military uniforms to the Eighth Route Army, the regulations are strict.
Yes, people are alive, and we may be able to work out a compromise to solve the current dilemma."
Commander Zeng's eyes suddenly lit up when he heard what Sokov said, and he asked with some urgency: "General Sokov, do you have any good ideas?"
Sokov first turned his head and glanced at Lujin and Yakov next to him, then turned his gaze to Commander Zeng, and said unhurriedly: "Let me tell you my thoughts first. If you don't object, we will