The German attack on the defense zone of the Kalinin division, which was repulsed by the fighters in less than half an hour. In addition to the loss of four tanks, at least half of the Germans lay in front of the position.

The scenes of the battle between the commanders and fighters of the 131st Division and the enemy were clearly seen by Maslov through the telescope. Seeing that the enemy was repulsed, he asked Rokossovsky with some surprise: "Comrade commander, we are not mistaken, right?" Our warriors, all of them, were so easily repulsed by the enemy. Especially those soldiers who go out to blow up tanks, even if they are hit by enemy bullets, as long as there is still a breath left, even if they climb, they will climb under the tank, and they will die with the enemy's tank. Is this really our troops, and why does it seem so strange to me? ”

After waiting for Maslov to finish a series of words, Rokossovsky smiled slightly and said to him: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you should believe that the song and dance troupe performing at the forefront can also play a role in boosting morale, right?" ”

"That's right, it seems that you are right," Maslov said with a desperate nod: "Although there are only about two dozen of them, they have played a role that is even more than a regiment. ”

While the two were talking, Kamenev walked in from outside. As soon as he saw Rokossovsky, he said excitedly: "Comrade Army Commander, your decision to send a song and dance troupe to the front to perform for the fighters is really wise. You don't see that the soldiers are exhausted after a long battle, and although we have been doing political agitation to them all day long, it has had little effect. But the comrades of the song and dance troupe sang only one song, and the fighters became energetic. When the enemy attacked, the fighters used the fastest speed in their lives to constantly pull the bolt of their guns and pull the trigger, knocking down the enemy who rushed to our positions one after another. When they saw the enemy rushing into the trenches, the soldiers who had run out of bullets did not have time to change their magazines, so they rushed forward with their bright bayonets and engaged the enemy in a white-knuckle battle. When the enemy tanks rushed towards us, many soldiers grabbed the flasks that had been placed in the trenches, turned them out of the trenches, and ran towards the enemy tanks......"

After waiting for Kamenev's tirade, Rokossovsky smiled and said to him: "Comrade Political Deputy Commander, please sit down first, I have important matters to discuss with you with the Chief of Staff." ”

After Kamenev sat down, Rokossovsky prepared a plan to seize the military power of those warehouse managers, explained to him in detail, and then asked with some apprehension: "I don't know what you think?" ”

Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Kamenev's smile froze on his face, and he frowned and looked at Maslov, and then at Rokossovsky. After repeated ideological struggles, his brows relaxed again, he looked at Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade commander, no matter what decision you make, I, as your deputy, will resolutely stand by your side. ”

Kamenev's answer surprised Rokossovsky. Before he said this plan, he was still worried that Kamenev's strong opposition would be earlier, after all, this political deputy army commander had always been at odds with him. But I didn't expect that after I told the whole plan, he didn't oppose it, but supported himself unconditionally, which is really strange.

Kamenev looked at the uncertain expression on Rokossovsky's face, smiled slightly, and then said: "Comrade commander, I know what you are worried about. We've had a lot of arguments before, but that's just a matter of work. From before the outbreak of war, you are prepared for a rainy day; From leading troops on long journeys to capture the German army's logistical supply bases, you have demonstrated your amazing military talent. I am here today to assure you that no matter what decision you make in the future, I will support you unconditionally. ”

Rokossovsky stepped forward and took Kamenev's hand, shook it vigorously, and kept saying thank you. I thought that since Kamenev could support him unconditionally, he would be able to decisively take over the military power from those warehouse managers tomorrow.

The next day, Rokossovsky sent someone to inform the warehouse managers to go to the station where Lukin's headquarters was located for a meeting. Many of the managers who received the notice were reluctant to go. But I heard the fighters sent by Rokossovsky say that if anyone did not go, they would bear the consequences, so they had to obediently follow the fighters to the place of the meeting.

The venue was set up in the waiting hall of the station, and Maslov transferred a company of guards to serve as guards. At the same time, in order to prevent air attacks by German aircraft during the meeting, an anti-aircraft machine gun company was also placed on the platform, and nine quadruple anti-aircraft machine guns erected behind the sandbag fortifications were pointed straight into the sky.

Rokossovsky was joined by Kamenev. Originally, Rokossovsky did not call him, but he said that he was afraid that these warehouse managers at that time would rely on their status as political workers and disobey orders, and he could intervene to mediate between them.

The meeting was attended by 25 warehouse managers, who were responsible for the management of two or three hundred warehouses in Shepetovka, and the number of internal guards under their direct command was as high as 3,000 people. Seeing Rokossovsky and Kamenev walking into the house, many people ignored him at all and continued to talk to themselves.

Seeing this, Rokossovsky did not get angry, but quietly watched the performance of these people. He knew in his heart that they didn't even give face to Lukin, the commander of the lieutenant general, let alone the major general of his own rank, which was much lower.

Seeing the warehouse manager sitting below chatting as if no one was there, Kamenev couldn't help but be angry, he grabbed a teacup on the table and slammed it on the ground. The teacup fell to the ground and was instantly shattered, and the splashed tea splashed on the faces of the two warehouse managers in front.

The entire waiting hall fell silent because of the broken cup. At this moment, there was a rush of footsteps from the side, and the soldiers of the guard company, who were responsible for the security of the venue, rushed over with their weapons and pointed their guns at those who had come to the meeting.

Seeing this, Rokossovsky couldn't help but smile bitterly. Originally, he was talking to the commander of the guard company, Fripp, and it was better to throw the glass, and then Ferip rushed up with the soldiers and arrested all the people who were in the meeting. Unexpectedly, Kamenev rushed to drop the cup in anger because he saw the reaction of these people.

Thinking that it was not the final showdown with these men, Rokossovsky waved at Felip and motioned for him to go down with the warriors first.

After seeing the fighters leaving, a warehouse manager sitting in the front row stood up and asked Rokossovsky with trepidation: "Comrade General, I wonder what you called us to a meeting today, for something?" ”

"Comrade battalion commissar," Rokossovsky glanced at the rank on his collar badge, and then said politely: "I have summoned everyone here for a meeting today because it will not be long before Shepetovka will be occupied by the Germans, so we have to discuss countermeasures in advance." ”

"How is this possible, Comrade General." The battalion-level commissar asked incomprehensibly: "To the west of Shepetovka, aren't there the 109th Division and the 116th Tank Regiment for defense?" And recently joined by your 131st Infantry Division. Could it be that with so many troops, we can't stop the Germans? ”

As soon as his words fell, there was a chorus of resonance: "That's right, that's right, two infantry divisions plus a tank regiment, can't they stop the enemy?" ”

"Couldn't our valiant troops stop the fascist bandits? It's a shame. ”

……

Hearing the hurtful words below, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be furious, his hand unconsciously rested on the holster on his waist, and he wanted to immediately pull out the gun and shoot twice at these political workers.

But fortunately, his reason suppressed the impulse, and when the men had calmed down again, he said loudly: "Since the loss of Shepetovka is inevitable, we must now make the necessary preparations." For example......

Before Rokossovsky's words were finished, a manager with the rank of first-class instructor stood up and said disdainfully: "Comrade General, we are under the jurisdiction of the National Defense Committee, not to mention that you are a major general, even if you are a general, if you want to manage us, you must first obtain the permission of the National Defense Committee." I'm sorry, but I feel like I'm wasting my time to come to this conference today. I still have something to do, so I'll go first. With that, he walked down the aisle, turned around and prepared to walk outside.

"Stop," Rokossovsky yelled at his back, "I am now the acting commander of the garrison in Shepetovka, and I have the right to command all the troops in this area. If you don't obey my orders and leave without permission, I will do it to your court-martial. ”

The first-class instructor glanced back at Rokossovsky and said contemptuously: "I forgive you for not having the guts." With that, he strode along the aisle with his hands behind his back.

As the arrogant first-level instructor walked out, the sitting warehouse managers also got up one after another, ready to follow out. Seeing this, Rokossovsky knew that if he did not take some firm words, the situation would completely get out of control.

"Smack!" After a crisp gunshot, the first-level instructor who took the lead in walking outside fell to the ground. Everyone looked back in surprise and saw a faint wisp of green smoke coming from the muzzle of the pistol Rokossovsky was holding.

Seeing this, Rokossovsky couldn't help but smile bitterly. Originally, he was talking to the commander of the guard company, Fripp, and it was better to throw the glass, and then Ferip rushed up with the soldiers and arrested all the people who were in the meeting. Unexpectedly, Kamenev rushed to drop the cup in anger because he saw the reaction of these people.

Thinking that it was not the final showdown with these men, Rokossovsky waved at Felip and motioned for him to go down with the warriors first.

After seeing the fighters leaving, a warehouse manager sitting in the front row stood up and asked Rokossovsky with trepidation: "Comrade General, I wonder what you called us to a meeting today, for something?" ”

"Comrade battalion commissar," Rokossovsky glanced at the rank on his collar badge, and then said politely: "I have summoned everyone here for a meeting today because it will not be long before Shepetovka will be occupied by the Germans, so we have to discuss countermeasures in advance." ”

"How is this possible, Comrade General." The battalion-level commissar asked incomprehensibly: "To the west of Shepetovka, aren't there the 109th Division and the 116th Tank Regiment for defense?" And recently joined by your 131st Infantry Division. Could it be that with so many troops, we can't stop the Germans? ”

As soon as his words fell, there was a chorus of resonance: "That's right, that's right, two infantry divisions plus a tank regiment, can't they stop the enemy?" ”

"Couldn't our valiant troops stop the fascist bandits? It's a shame. ”

……

Hearing the hurtful words below, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be furious, his hand unconsciously rested on the holster on his waist, and he wanted to immediately pull out the gun and shoot twice at these political workers.

But fortunately, his reason suppressed the impulse, and when the men had calmed down again, he said loudly: "Since the loss of Shepetovka is inevitable, we must now make the necessary preparations." For example......

Before Rokossovsky's words were finished, a manager with the rank of first-class instructor stood up and said disdainfully: "Comrade General, we are under the jurisdiction of the National Defense Committee, not to mention that you are a major general, even if you are a general, if you want to manage us, you must first obtain the permission of the National Defense Committee." I'm sorry, but I feel like I'm wasting my time to come to this conference today. I still have something to do, so I'll go first. With that, he walked down the aisle, turned around and prepared to walk outside.

"Stop," Rokossovsky yelled at his back, "I am now the acting commander of the garrison in Shepetovka, and I have the right to command all the troops in this area. If you don't obey my orders and leave without permission, I will do it to your court-martial. ”

The first-class instructor glanced back at Rokossovsky and said contemptuously: "I forgive you for not having the guts." With that, he strode along the aisle with his hands behind his back.

As the arrogant first-level instructor walked out, the sitting warehouse managers also got up one after another, ready to follow out. Seeing this, Rokossovsky knew that if he did not take some firm words, the situation would completely get out of control.

"Smack!" After a crisp gunshot, the first-level instructor who took the lead in walking outside fell to the ground. Everyone looked back in surprise and saw a faint wisp of green smoke coming from the muzzle of the pistol Rokossovsky was holding. (To be continued.) )