Although Katukov kept saying that his illness would not affect the rest of the exercises, Vashukin invariably took advantage of his power and called the director of the hospital in the city, asking him to send an ambulance to the headquarters, pick him up and take him to the inpatient department.

Tang Shaohua's understanding of Vashukin has always stayed on the character portrayed in the movie "The Battle of Moscow" that he had watched, and he felt that this military commissar of the military region was a very unreasonable person, who obviously knew nothing about military affairs, but he still had to command blindly. Today's two contacts at the military district meeting and in the evening deepened his disgust with Vashukin.

At this moment, Vashukin's concern for Katukov made Tang Shaohua's image of him change. He was even secretly defending the other party in his heart: a leader who knows how to care about his subordinates so well, believes that his character will not be bad. As for the miscalculation he made when he ordered his troops to launch a suicidal attack on the superior German army at all costs after the outbreak of war, in order to repel the invading German army as soon as possible.

Shortly after Katukov sent off, Fedyuninsky and the commander of the 19th Mechanized Corps came to the command together. Seeing that Vashukin was also here, the two hurriedly stepped forward to salute him and reported to him in accordance with the regulations.

Vashukin waved his hand and said disapprovingly: "Comrade two army commanders, I am only here to observe the exercise, and I will not interfere with your command, if you want to discuss how to cooperate in tomorrow's exercise, go talk to Rokossovsky." ”

That being said, Vashukin sat by and listened intently as Rokossovsky and the three of them studied what offensive line to use to attack the heavily defended Lyubom of the Blues after repelling the Blues' cavalry assault tomorrow. When it was discovered that the process of discussion between the three of them was exactly the same as the drill plan, a satisfied smile appeared on their faces.

When the discussion was over, Fedyuninsky pointed to the location of the church on the map and said to Tang Shaohua: "Comrade Rokossovsky, a regiment of my 45th Division has entered the city, and I will deploy two of its battalions near the headquarters to prevent a possible attack by the Blue cavalry. ”

Regarding Fedyuninsky's arrangement, Tang Shaohua nodded with a smile and said to him politely: "Thank you, Comrade Fedyuninsky, I believe that after you deploy your troops nearby, we will all be able to sleep soundly." ”

After hearing this, the commander of the 19th Mechanized Corps said disapprerovingly: "Comrade two commanders, I think you are too cautious, the vanguard of the Blue Army attacking the city from the western suburbs has been completely annihilated, and the positions outside the city are firmly controlled by us, how can the cavalry of the Blue Army rush to the vicinity of our headquarters?" ”

"You can't say that," Fedyuninsky retorted as soon as the other side finished speaking: "Although the defensive positions in the western suburbs are controlled by Rokossovsky's motorized infantry regiment, who can guarantee that the cavalry of the Blue Army will not rush into the city from other directions?" If our command is terminated, we will lose this exercise. ”

"That's right, General Fedyuninsky is right." Vashukin, who had been listening, said unexpectedly: "I think it is absolutely necessary to strengthen the defense of the command. Even if the Blues foul and their cavalry rushes into the city from other directions, our troops deployed here will be able to stop them. Seeing that the fat commander seemed to want to justify, he waved his hand and said decisively, "I have the final say in this matter, so it is decided, and the two battalions of General Fedyuninsky are deployed near the headquarters." ”

When Vashukin opened his mouth to speak, Tang Shaohua's heart was still like fifteen buckets of water, and he was deeply afraid that he would oppose the deployment of troops near the headquarters, but now listening to his opinion of Fedyuninsky, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief in his heart. In order to eliminate the estrangement between them, he smiled and asked in a friendly tone: "Comrade Military Commissar, do you think the Blue Army will deliberately foul the law?" You know, this is not allowed in the rules of the exercise. ”

Vashugin looked at Tang Shaohua suspiciously, and said strangely: "What's the matter, Comrade Rokossovsky, don't you know that every time the drill is held, the Blue Army will foul?" The 99th Infantry Division has always played the role of the Blue Army, and their division commander has complained to the leaders of the military region several times about this. But up to now, the role of the blue army is still played by their division, and it is inevitable that the division commander will be a little emotional, and if he commits a small foul, the superior leaders will also turn a blind eye, anyway, by doing so, it can also increase the intensity of confrontation in the exercise. ”

Seeing that it was not early, Maslov got up and called the guards over, and had them set up a few marching beds in a corner of the church hall. When the marching bed was set, he came again, leaned down and said to Vashukin: "Comrade Military Commissar, it's not early, you see, it's time to rest?" ”

Vashukin raised his hand and looked at his watch, then nodded and said, "It's not early, let's rest early, and tomorrow we will command the troops to continue the exercise." ”

Tang Shaohua was lying on the marching bed, and suddenly had a splitting headache, especially the green tendons in the temple area, which suddenly jumped, so that he couldn't help but hold his head and moan in a low voice. Several commanders who had just laid down gathered around, and Fedyuninsky squatted beside his bed and asked with concern: "Dear Konstantin Konstantinovich, what's wrong with you?" ”

"Headache!" Tang Shaohua gritted his back molars and spit out the word with difficulty.

"Doctor, where is the doctor?" Then Vashukin's voice sounded in the hall: "Who's going to bring the military doctor and ask him to check General Rokossovsky." ”

"No need, Comrade Military Commissar," Tang Shaohua faintly heard Maslov's voice again: "Comrade Army Commander fell when he went out in the morning, and his head was slightly injured, just take a few pieces of aspirin." ”

Soon, Tang Shaohua felt that he was helped up from the marching bed, two pills were stuffed into his mouth, and then he was poured a few mouthfuls of hot water. When I lay down again, the feeling of my head going to explode slowly disappeared. He let go of his hands covering his head and struggled to squeeze out a smile at the people around the bed: "Thank you, I'm fine." ”

After everyone dispersed, Tang Shaohua felt that his eyelids were as if they were filled with lead, getting heavier and heavier, and soon fell asleep unconsciously.

I don't know how long I slept, the sound of thunderous horses' hooves sounded outside, Tang Shaohua, who was suddenly awakened, jumped off the marching bed, pulled out the pistol from the holster on his waist casually, raised it above his head, and rushed to the figures walking back and forth in the command headquarters, and gave orders loudly: "Battle alarm, it's cavalry, there are about more than a thousand people, everyone immediately prepare for battle!" ”