Although Novikov did not express any opinion when Rokossovsky assigned the task, he was still quite unsure. Seeing that the vast area near the border was in full swing, the commander of the army should not only not reinforce the friendly forces in danger, but lead the main force to attack the enemy's rear, which is really risky.

I want to think about it, but the orders of the superiors still have to be carried out. He was about to convene the commanders above the battalion level for a pre-battle mobilization meeting, but he did not expect the guide appointed by the army commander Kochetov to come over. Novikov, who had never had a good impression of the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, naturally did not speak too politely to him, and he asked coldly: "Is there anything wrong, comrade soldier?" He deliberately bit the word "warrior" particularly clearly.

"Comrade General," Kochetov did not care about his attitude towards himself, but said respectfully: "I have an idea, I don't know if I can say it." ”

"Say!" Novikov did not have the slightest affection for him, so he was reluctant to say even two more words.

Kochetov did not immediately say what was in his heart, but first asked: "Comrade General, after dark, are we really going to swagger along the road towards Lublin?" ”

Hearing him ask this, Novikov became more and more impatient, and he said angrily: "You didn't hear the order that Comrade Commander just gave you, and besides, he asked you to be our guide." What the hell are you going to say, if there's nothing to do, you just go and rest, and I'm going to call a meeting of the commanders. ”

Seeing that Novikov had given him an order to expel the guests, Kochetov told him what he thought: "Comrade General, I think so, if we advance to Lublin with such a swagger, it is estimated that we will not be able to find the halfway way, and we will be discovered by the Germans, and then our sneak attack will turn into a strong attack." Do you think that our lone army, which is deep behind enemy lines, can withstand the attacks of the German army from all sides? ”

These words of Kochetov aroused Novikov's interest. In order to find out what good ideas the fighter of the Ministry of Internal Affairs had, he temporarily put aside his prejudices and modestly asked: "Comrade warrior, do you have any good suggestions?" ”

"Comrade General, if I'm not mistaken, there should be a motorized battalion in the tank division, right?" Kochetov asked briefly.

"That's right, there's a motorized infantry battalion." Although Novikov did not know why the other party asked about this, he answered truthfully. "Does that have anything to do with the suggestion you're going to make?"

"Yes, Comrade General, the stakes are great." Although Kochetov was an ordinary soldier, at this moment, like an experienced staff officer, began to advise Novikov: "In order to prevent the target from being exposed, we can have the motorized battalion disguised as Germans and open the road in front, while the tanks in the division follow behind and march towards Lublin." ”

After listening to Kochetov's advice, Novikov felt that it made sense. But after thinking about it for a while, he found that this plan was actually full of loopholes, so he raised his own question: "Comrade soldier, we are completely different from the German tanks in appearance, even if there is a motorized infantry battalion disguised as a German unit to open the way in front, isn't it also possible to be exposed?" ”

"Comrade General, you don't have to worry, even if the Germans discover our tank troops, you can let the soldiers disguised as German soldiers tell them that this is the Soviet tank we captured and will be sent to the rear command." In order to strengthen Novikov's confidence, Kochetov also deliberately emphasized: "As for the infantry, it can no longer advance on tanks, and the German army can do without this tradition." Didn't you capture a lot of German trucks in the battle that just ended? Although we can only carry a portion of the infantry, it doesn't matter, Kaim is also an important supply base, and I believe we can get a sufficient number of cars. Once they have a car, let them drive back to pick up the infantry on foot and go to Lublin together"

After listening to this, Novikov stared at Kochetov for a long time, and then asked: "Comrade warrior, what is your name?" ”

Kochetov hurriedly straightened up and reported: "Report to Comrade General, my name is Kochetov. ”

After hearing this, Novikov nodded and said to him with a smile: "Comrade Kochetov, if you don't object, I want to promote you to corporal, you have no opinion, right?" ”

Kochetov turned out to be just a soldier, and when he heard that he was going to be promoted to corporal, he was overjoyed. However, he quickly controlled his emotions, straightened up and said loudly: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

"Comrade Corporal, you will have many opportunities to serve in the future." After Novikov finished speaking, he grabbed his hand, pulled him and walked towards where Rokossovsky was, and at the same time said: "Now let's go to the commander first and tell him about your plan." ”

A few minutes later, Rokossovsky, who had listened to Novikov's report, glanced at the newly promoted Corporal Kochetov, and then turned to Novikov and asked: "Comrade division commander, what kind of reward did you give this soldier?" ”

"Report to Comrade Commander," Novikov did not understand the reason for Rokossovsky's question, so he replied with a little trepidation: "I have promoted him to the rank of corporal." ”

"Corporal rank." Rokossovsky sneered after hearing this, and then asked rhetorically: "Comrade division commander, for this matter, you gave him the rank of corporal?" ”

Novikov's heart trembled, and he said that the commander was angry? Glancing at Kochetov next to him out of the corner of his eye, seeing that he also had a cramped and uneasy expression, he quickly withdrew his gaze and looked at Rokossovsky again to listen to what he would say next.

Rokossovsky raised his hand, nodded at him, and said in a tone of hatred: "Novikov, what do you want me to say about you?" Did you know that the advice made by this fighter will not only greatly reduce our casualties, but also greatly increase the success rate of the operation? You actually gave him only a corporal rank, which me off. ”

Novikov heard clearly that what Rokossovsky was going to say was actually this, and he suddenly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and asked: "Comrade commander, then what rank do you say you should give him?" ”

Rokossovsky glanced at Kochetov, who was standing next to him, sweating profusely, and said solemnly: "Just give him the rank of second lieutenant, if he performs well in this operation, he will receive more honors." ”

Kochetov took a deep breath, waited for his mood to stabilize a little, stepped forward and said loudly according to the order: "Serve the Soviet Fatherland!" ”

Rokossovsky thought that now that he could disguise himself as a German, the time for the troops to move forward could be advanced, so he ordered Novikov: "Comrade division commander, you immediately go back to the unit to arrange the task, so that the motorized battalion will set off on time at eight o'clock after disguising the Germans in the city!" ”

"Comrade Army Commander," Novikov kindly reminded Rokossovsky: "You must know that it is dark at eleven o'clock, and it will be too early to leave at eight?" Advancing in depth to the enemy in broad daylight may still arouse the enemy's vigilance, even if our troops are camouflaged. ”

Hearing Novikov's concern, Rokossovsky couldn't help but sneer again, saying in his heart that since yesterday's terrible morning, which was darkened, burnt and burned in the early hours of yesterday, when the sky was darkened, burnt and burned, and the fire was raging, millions of troops commanded by thousands of officers and hundreds of generals rushed to the border areas of the Soviet Union, which had been bombed by shells and bombs in advance, and these originally heavily guarded places in Poland must have become empty long ago. Therefore, he comforted Novikov and said: "Don't worry, comrade division commander, I think that as long as you follow the plan of Second Lieutenant Kochetov, then you will definitely be able to reach the Lublin region smoothly." Hurry up and prepare, I'm still waiting for the good news of your success. ”

Looking at the backs of Novikov and Kochetov leaving, Rokossovsky couldn't help but say to himself: "Maybe I should let the troops of Schertyuk and Chernyaev also change into German uniforms." ”