Zhukov, who was still happy with the results of the automatic sled company, was as if he had met a creditor who was collecting debts from him, and he immediately fell silent. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 Seeing that Zhukov was so unresponsive, Rokossovsky wishfully thought that he was calculating how many automatic sleds he could provide himself.

After a long while, Zhukov spoke: "I'm sorry, Comrade Rokossovsky, I can't provide you with an automatic sled. ”

"What, can't you give us automatic sleds anymore?" When Rokossovsky heard Zhukov's answer, he was taken aback and asked puzzled: "Comrade General, why is this?" You must know that in the present situation, if our army can be equipped with such weapons in large quantities, then we can use the form of small detachments to move deep into the enemy's depths, cut off the enemy's fragile supply lines, and force the enemy to be forced to abandon some of the occupied strongholds when the supply is cut off. ”

"Comrade Rokossovsky, it's not that I'm not willing to provide you with automatic sleds, but because the factories for the production of such products have already moved from Moscow." Zhukov said in a serious tone: "Even if they want to resume production, at least after June, even if they give you a few hundred vehicles, what else can you use?" ”

Although he heard Zhukov say this, Rokossovsky still asked unwillingly: "Comrade General, even if the factory is out of production, there is always some stock in the warehouse, right?" I don't ask for much, just give me a hundred. ”

"Don't say a hundred, even if there are ten." After Zhukov snorted heavily, he said angrily: "Because this product can only carry two people, after the launch of the finished product, it has been unpopular in the equipment department, so the production is very low." Those dozen or so of yours were still what I accidentally saw when I went to the equipment department a few days ago. ”

After Rokossovsky finished the call, he sat down at the table and thought about how to use the automatic sled company in his hand to pose the greatest threat to the German army. At this moment, Lobachev, who had just left, walked in through the door, and with him came a middle-aged man in a black tweed coat and a polite hat.

Lobachev smiled and said to Rokossovsky: "Comrade commander, let me introduce you, this Comrade Ilya Ehrenburg, who came to our army group for an interview. ”

Ilya Ehrenburg, Rokossovsky couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this name, he didn't expect that this person who looked so ordinary-looking was actually the famous journalist and writer Ehrenburg. Hurriedly stood up, stretched out his hand to the other party, and said excitedly: "Hello, Comrade Ehrenburg! On behalf of all the commanders and fighters of the 16th Army, I would like to welcome you! As far as I know, Pravda, Izvestia, Red Star, and other well-known newspapers and radio stations publish and broadcast your anti-fascist articles or newsletter features almost every day. ”

Ehrenburg grabbed the brim of his hat with his right hand, raised the top hat on his head, saluted Rokossovsky, then shook the other party's hand, and said emotionally: "Comrade General, I have admired you for a long time, and today I finally saw you in person." ”

"I'm just an ordinary commander, nothing remarkable." Rokossovsky first said modestly, and then flattered Ehrenburg by saying: "You are not only a good writer, but also an uncrowned king." ”

"Where, where!" Ehrenburg shook Rokossovsky's hand and said with a smile on his face: "As far as I know, you are a general with great achievements. Nowadays there is a saying circulating in Moscow: when the situation on the battlefield is critical, Comrade Stalin first thinks of Zhukov; And the first person who thought of Comrade Zhukov who could solve these problems was you. ”

Although he knew that Ehrenburg's words were praising himself, Rokossovsky did not dare to take this stubble, for fear that this half-truth joke would cause unnecessary trouble for himself. He hurriedly pointed to the empty seat at the table and said enthusiastically: "Comrade Ehrenburg, please sit down quickly, you must be quite tired after such a long journey." Chief of Staff," he commanded, after calling Malinin, "bring Comrade Ehrenburg a cup of hot tea, and remember to add honey and sugar cubes." ”

After Ehrenburg sat down, Rokossovsky politely asked: "Comrade Ehrenburg, you came to the army for an interview, don't you know if we have anything to help you?" ”

Hearing Rokossovsky's question, Ehrenburg nodded and said: "Yes, Comrade General, I have one thing that I need your support for. ”

"Please say," said Rokossovsky, who had enough respect for the famous journalist and writer, although he had met Ehrenburg for the first time, "and we will unconditionally fulfill your request, not only for people but also for technical equipment." ”

"It's not that complicated." Ehrenburg waved his hand and continued: "I just want you to send someone to hand me the seized letters and documents, from which I intend to select the materials I need to write an article. ”

"Seized letters and documents?" When Rokossovsky heard Ehrenburg say this, an embarrassed expression suddenly appeared on his face: "Comrade Ehrenburg, there are some captured documents that you do not have permission to read. I'm sorry, but I can't help you with that. ”

"You are mistaken, Comrade General. I'm to blame for this, I didn't make it clear. Seeing that Rokossovsky had rejected his request, Ehrenburg was not discouraged, but continued: "I intend to collect the letters and documents of the German skiers who were killed by you not long ago. ”

Hearing that Ehrenburg wanted letters and documents from the Germans who had been killed at the transit point, the expression on Rokossovsky's face immediately became relaxed, and he said with relief: "Comrade Ehrenburg, it turns out that you want these things. Don't worry, I'll get it into your hands as soon as possible. ”

After speaking, he shouted to Maksimenko, who was busy not far away: "Comrade Colonel, please come here." ”

Maksimenko did not know what Rokossovsky was shouting about himself, so he hurriedly trotted over and asked curiously: "Comrade commander, what instructions do you have?" ”

"Comrade Colonel," Rokossovsky said, gesturing to Ehrenburg, who was sitting at the table, "this is Comrade Ehrenburg, a journalist and writer from Moscow, who wants to collect letters and documents from the German skiers who were killed at the transit station, and you can collect these things as soon as possible and give them to Comrade Ehrenburg." Do you understand? ”

"Understood, Comrade Commander." Maksimenko nodded and said: "I will immediately arrange for people to bring those things over to Comrade Ehrenburg." ”

"Thank you, Comrade Colonel." Ehrenburg stood up, stretched out his hand to the colonel in front of him, who was about his own age, and said gratefully: "I would be grateful if these letters and documents could be delivered to me as soon as possible." ”

Malinin, who was standing on the side, couldn't help but ask curiously: "Comrade Ehrenburg, I want to know, what is the use of you collecting these things?" ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff," said Ehrenburg, although he had not been in the command for a long time, but he had already figured out the names and positions of several important commanders in the headquarters, which may be related to his long-term career as a journalist, his keen observation and strong memory. "I intend to write a long reportage about the heroic deeds of our commanders and fighters who, under the leadership and call of the Party, bravely defended the Soviet Motherland and the fighting spirit that shook the world, and eulogized their noble communist moral character and iron will."

Hearing what Ehrenburg said, not to mention Malinin, even Rokossovsky was a little out of breath, and he hurriedly asked Maksimenko: "Comrade Colonel, I don't know where those seized items are?" Transit station or here at the headquarters? ”

"At the transit station, of course." Maksimenko straightened his back and replied: "I will immediately call the logistics commander there and ask him to immediately send someone to deliver everything that Comrade Ehrenburg needs by automatic sled." ”

After this was confirmed, Rokossovsky asked Lobachev to arrange a suitable accommodation for Ehrenburg in the city. Before Ehrenburg left, he smiled and said: "Comrade Ehrenburg, you are in good luck. Sushinich was still under enemy shelling from time to time until yesterday. But now that the artillery positions of the Germans in the village of Popkovo have been served by us, you can sleep soundly in your accommodation. ”