Rokossovsky and the three of them returned to the new command of the Front in Lublin, where Zhukov also happened. When he heard that Rokossovsky had gone to negotiate with representatives of the Krajov army, he inquired curiously about the details of the negotiations.

After listening to Behringer's story, he couldn't help but ask Rokossovsky with a frown: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I don't understand, where did you get the news that the Krajov army is preparing to launch an uprising in Warsaw?" ”

When Bellinger and Zavatsky heard Zhukov's question, they learned that even Zhukov, the representative of the base camp, did not know about it, so they both focused on Rokossovsky, wanting to hear him clarify the source of the news.

"Comrade Marshal." Hearing Zhukov's question, Rokossovsky realized that he had behaved a little too recklessly in negotiations with the representatives of the Krajov army, and actually told them all about their preparations for a secret uprising. Zhukov, as the representative of the base camp, did not know anything about such an important matter, so he desperately wanted to get a satisfactory answer from himself. Rokossovsky said carefully: "I analyzed this matter on the basis of the information we have. ”

Zhukov sat down opposite Rokossovsky and asked with interest: "Then, Comrade Rokossovsky, please tell us how you analyzed it." ”

"In today's negotiations," Rokossovsky's mind began to work at high speed, weaving an answer that would be acceptable to all: "When I heard them say: 'We will not take up arms against the Red Army, but we also do not want to have anything to do with you,' a suspicion arose in my heart that the Krajow army, which had been very low-key since our troops entered Poland, and now suddenly appeared near the Vistula with great fanfare, which proves that they may make a big move." At this point, Rokossovsky deliberately paused to observe everyone's reaction.

Zhukov saw that Rokossovsky was halfway through his words, and suddenly stopped saying it, and hurriedly urged him: "Go on." ”

"Everyone knows that the combat effectiveness of the Krajov army cannot be compared with the Lyudov Guards or the Lyudov army." When he said this, seeing the confident smiles on the faces of Bellinger and Zavatsky, he continued: "The fact that they are suddenly so high-profile and say such things to us proves that they are about to take a big military action. With their combat effectiveness, it is okay to fight a defensive war, but to attack the Germans is simply to hit a stone with an egg, so I venture to speculate that the only place where they will act is Warsaw, where the German army is becoming increasingly empty. ”

After hearing Rokossovsky's reasonable explanation, Zhukov nodded and said: "Comrade Rokossovsky, I agree with your analysis, and the facts have proved that your analysis is completely correct. ”

Seeing that Zhukov agreed with his statement, Rokossovsky hurriedly asked: "Comrade Marshal, then what should we do?" Immediately report this to the Supreme Commander himself? ”

"Yes, Comrade Rokossovsky." Zhukov immediately agreed with Rokossovsky's proposal: "This matter concerns our relations with Poland after the war and must be immediately reported to Comrade Stalin. ”

Zhukov quickly received a call from Stalin's office and reported to Stalin about Rokossovsky's meeting with the Polish army of Klajow today, as well as the preparations of the Klajow army to secretly hold an uprising in Warsaw without informing the Soviet Union. He finally replied: "Comrade Stalin, what are your instructions?" ”

"Comrade Zhukov," Stalin cautiously asked, digesting the information Zhukov had told him, "can you be sure that the Krajov army is really preparing to carry out an uprising in Warsaw behind our backs?" ”

"Absolutely right, Comrade Stalin." Zhukov glanced at Rokossovsky and continued into the microphone: "This is confirmed by Comrade Rokossovsky and Polish comrades, and I think it should be true. ”

After Stalin waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, he was silent for a long time and said: "Comrade Zhukov, you are going to meet with Komorovsky tomorrow, right?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Stalin." Although he knew that Stalin could not see it, Zhukov nodded vigorously and continued: "Rokossovsky and the commander of the 7th Division of the Krajov Army have agreed that they will meet with Komorovsky tomorrow. I'll be there when I get there. ”

"Comrade Zhukov, you are very thoughtful. This meeting will affect our relations in the future, so your presence is absolutely necessary. Stalin solemnly said: "I will immediately consult with Comrade Molotov and ask him to fly to you overnight, and this important meeting will also take place tomorrow." ”

"Okay, we'll wait for Comrade Molotov to arrive, and then we'll go and meet with the head of the Krajov army." Zhukov said very obediently about Stalin's arrangement: "We will report to you in time on the results of the talks." ”

After putting down the phone, Zhukov said to Rokossovsky with a serious expression: "Comrade Rokossovsky, in order to show our sincerity at tomorrow's meeting, in addition to the three of you continuing to attend, Molotov and I will also attend the meeting. ”

"It is right to do so, Comrade Marshal." Rokossovsky agreed: "At the very least, Komorovsky can see the sincerity we have unleashed, so that we can reach a consensus on the Warsaw uprising." ”

In the evening of the same day, People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs Molotov rushed to Lublin. However, instead of immediately rushing to the headquarters of the 1st Belorussian Front, he went to the premises of the new Polish government and had a long conversation with their heads. It wasn't until two o'clock in the morning that a tired Molotov appeared at Rokossovsky's headquarters.

Seeing Molotov's arrival, Rokossovsky hurriedly stepped forward to greet him and said warmly: "Welcome to Lublin, Comrade People's Commissar!" ”

"Hello, Marshal Rokossovsky!" Molotov shook Rokossovsky's hand and said with a smile: "You received the rank of marshal last week, and I haven't had time to congratulate you yet." Please accept my belated, sincere congratulations! ”

"Thank you, thank you, Comrade People's Commissar." After Rokossovsky let go of Molotov's hand, he made a gesture of invitation inside, and at the same time asked politely: "I don't know if you drink tea or coffee?" ”

"A cup of black tea," Molotov said to Rokossovsky as he stretched out his hand to shake hands with Zhukov, "just put a piece of sugar, the doctor said that my blood sugar is a little high and I can't eat too many sweets." ”

After the group sat down again, Molotov asked Rokossovsky in detail about the details of the meeting with the Klajov army, and finally said thoughtfully: "Comrade Rokossovsky, if I am not mistaken, the Klajov army is carrying out an uprising against our backs in Warsaw, just to bring back the government-in-exile that stayed in London after the capture of Warsaw?" ”

"That's right, Comrade People's Commissar," Rokossovsky nodded, affirmingly: "The officers of the Krajov army said in front of us that they obeyed only the government-in-exile in London, and the plenipotentiaries sent. The implication is that they do not recognize the new Polish government in Lublin at the moment, and the Polish First Army, which is fighting side by side with us. ”

"Comrade Rokossovsky, I understand the situation." Molotov nodded and said: "In the next meeting, on behalf of my government, I will try to reach a consensus with Komorovsky to complete the liberation of Warsaw." ”

Hearing Molotov say this, the corners of Rokossovsky's mouth couldn't help but show a sneer. Zhukov noticed this expression and asked: "Why, Comrade Rokossovsky, do you think that our negotiations with the Krajov army will not achieve any results?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Marshal, your analysis is absolutely correct." Rokossovsky said to Zhukov and Molotov: "I think that this uprising of Klajov's army must have been secretly supported by Britain and the United States, otherwise they would not have acted so anxiously and wanted to take control of the city before our army reached Warsaw." ”

Molotov expressed his doubts about Rokossovsky's statement: "Comrade Rokossovsky, the British and American armies are still far from here, how can they provide assistance to the Krajov army in Warsaw? ”

"It's simple, Comrade People's Commissar." Rokossovsky smiled and explained to Molotov: "Although the British and American troops cannot come and directly support the Krajov army, as long as the Krajov army occupies Warsaw, they can send their air force to airdrop the city of Warsaw." ”

"Airdrop on Warsaw?" When Zhukov heard this, he couldn't help but snort, and said coldly: "Britain and the United States think too simply about the Germans, on such a long flight path, won't their transport planes be intercepted by the Luftwaffe, or hit by the German ground anti-aircraft fire?" ”

"Comrade Marshal, I have a bold idea." Molotov tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and as soon as Zhukov finished speaking, he immediately continued: "Do you think that Britain and the United States will make a request to our army to lease the airport?" ”

When Rokossovsky heard Molotov say this, he couldn't help but be shocked, and said in his heart that this Molotov was really not simple, and he could actually guess that Britain and the United States would lease the airport to the Soviet Union?

Zhukov sneered and said in a disdainful tone: "Even if they make such a request, I will not hesitate to refuse." We are under no obligation to provide them with airports where transport aircraft can take off and land. ”

…………

After urgent consultations between the two sides, the meeting with the Krajow Army was finally held at the headquarters of the Polish First Army.

In the spacious conference room, Zhukov sat at one end of the long conference table, Molotov and Rokossovsky sat on his left hand side, and the two commanders of the Polish Army sat on his right hand. Not long after everyone was seated, a Polish officer walked in from outside and reported: "Comrade Marshal, the front commander of the Krajow Army, General Komorowski, and two of his subordinates have arrived. ”

Zhukov nodded at the officer, and then said with great majesty: "Let them in!" ”

After a while, the officer walked in with three other servicemen in old Polish military uniforms. Zhukov glanced at them, waved his hand at the vacant god opposite, and said with a cold expression: "It's General Komorovsky, please take a seat, we've been waiting for you for a long time." ”

Rokossovsky looked carefully at General Komorowsky, an officer in his forties, tall and a little thin. After he sat down at the other end of the conference table, he straightened his waist, looked at Zhukov and said: "Hello, Marshal Zhukov, it's a pleasure to meet you here. ”

On Komorowsky's right hand was the commander of the 7th Division of the Krajov Army, whom he had seen yesterday, and when he saw that Rokossovsky was looking at him, he hurriedly smiled flatteringly at the other side.

"General Komorowsky, I heard that you are going to hold an uprising in the city of Warsaw." Zhukov looked at the other party and asked lightly, "I don't know if there is such a thing?" ”

Zhukov sneered and said in a disdainful tone: "Even if they make such a request, I will not hesitate to refuse." We are under no obligation to provide them with airports where transport aircraft can take off and land. ”

…………

After urgent consultations between the two sides, the meeting with the Krajow Army was finally held at the headquarters of the Polish First Army.

In the spacious conference room, Zhukov sat at one end of the long conference table, Molotov and Rokossovsky sat on his left hand side, and the two commanders of the Polish Army sat on his right hand. Not long after everyone was seated, a Polish officer walked in from outside and reported: "Comrade Marshal, the front commander of the Krajow Army, General Komorowski, and two of his subordinates have arrived. ”

Zhukov nodded at the officer, and then said with great majesty: "Let them in!" ”

After a while, the officer walked in with three other servicemen in old Polish military uniforms. Zhukov glanced at them, waved his hand at the vacant god opposite, and said with a cold expression: "It's General Komorovsky, please take a seat, we've been waiting for you for a long time." ”

Rokossovsky looked carefully at General Komorowsky, an officer in his forties, tall and a little thin. After he sat down at the other end of the conference table, he straightened his waist, looked at Zhukov and said: "Hello, Marshal Zhukov, it's a pleasure to meet you here. ”

On Komorowsky's right hand was the commander of the 7th Division of the Krajov Army, whom he had seen yesterday, and when he saw that Rokossovsky was looking at him, he hurriedly smiled flatteringly at the other side.

"General Komorowsky, I heard that you are going to hold an uprising in the city of Warsaw." Zhukov looked at the other party and asked lightly, "I don't know if there is such a thing?" ”