Malinin waited for Rokossovsky to finish complaining before he spoke: "Comrade commander, you have done everything you can. As for whether Vatutin's troops can take Voronezh City, it doesn't matter much to us.www.biquge.info ”

Although Rokossovsky knew that Malinin was well-intentioned when he said this, he still shook his head and said with a bitter face: "From the current situation analysis, there will be a huge battle between us and the Germans in the Stalingrad area. If we had exhausted our living forces now, we would have been able to watch Stalingrad in danger and not be able to do anything for them. ”

"Comrade Commander, the situation will not be as serious as you say." Hearing that Rokossovsky was worried about the situation in the Stalingrad direction, Malinin said with some disapproval: "The defenders of Stalingrad have several army groups. Coupled with the three armies under the command of General Zhukov, there should be no problem in crushing the attack of the German Paulus's 6th Army on the city. ”

Although Rokossovsky clearly remembers the brutality of the Battle of Stalingrad, in the current situation, even if he tells what is about to happen, no one will believe it, and there may be people who suspect that his nerves are abnormal. Therefore, after thinking for a moment, he instructed Malinin: "Call General Pukhov of the 13th Army and ask his troops to immediately enter the first level of combat readiness and be ready for battle at any time." ”

Malinin had just gone to make a phone call, and when he assigned a task to Pukhov, the high-frequency phone on the table rang. Rokossovsky stared at the phone that was constantly ringing in front of him, and his mind began to beat a drum to guess who would make the important call.

After making the call, Malinin saw Rokossovsky sitting at the table, staring at the high-frequency phone in a daze, and hurriedly walked over to answer the phone, but Rokossovsky picked up the microphone first.

"I'm Rokossovsky, where are you?"

"Hello, Konstantin Konstantinovich! I am Stalin. Stalin's familiar voice came from the earpiece, and he asked in a kind tone: "How is it, has the condolence group reached you?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Stalin," Rokossovsky hurriedly replied, "the condolence group arrived at dawn, and Comrade Shabarin, the military commissar of the Front, has already taken them to the defense area of the 3rd Army to offer condolences. By the way, General Katukov's tank corps, which had also set off early this morning, was moving day and night to the banks of the Volga. ”

"Katukov's troops have already set off ?! It's great. Stalin said on the phone: "But I don't think one tank army is enough, if only one more could be added." ”

Hearing Stalin say this, Rokossovsky's heart was about to scold his mother, and he said in his heart that I have two tank armies in my hands that can withstand a war, and one has been transferred this morning, and you don't want to let go of the remaining one.

However, he could only slander himself in his heart, and on the surface he still maintained basic politeness: "Yes, Comrade Stalin, you are quite right, in terms of the current situation in Stalingrad, it is not enough to send a tank army over. However, I only have one tank corps left in my hand, and I am also responsible for the defensive and operational use of the entire front......"

Before Rokossovsky could finish speaking, Stalin suddenly said: "By the way, I almost forgot to ask you, did you see Borisova?" ”

Hearing Stalin mention Borisova, Rokossovsky's face turned red, and he suddenly remembered that Borisova had told him that she could become the head of the condolence group and that she had brought the group here to offer condolences was specially assigned by her superiors. Hearing Stalin say this at this moment, Rokossovsky's heart suddenly ordered that the reason why Borisova appeared in his command was completely arranged by Stalin.

He hurriedly replied: "Yes, Comrade Stalin, I have already met with her. She is now working with the members of the condolence group at General Korzun's 3rd Army. ”

"Mm-hmm, that's good." Stalin put his pipe in his mouth and said a little indistinctly: "This time it is Borisova, then next time I will arrange a condolence group from the literary and artistic circles to go to you, and let Comrade Serova also participate." ”

When Rokossovsky heard Stalin say this, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, he didn't expect that the relationship between himself and Borisova and Serova was so clear that Stalin actually knew it so clearly. The reason why Stalin did not dispose of himself may have taken a fancy to his command ability, and now if he goes against Stalin's wishes, it is estimated that he will be punished next.

Thinking of this, he hurriedly said: "I understand, Comrade Stalin. General Rotmistrov's tank corps, which was not weak in combat, could have sent them to support the Volga and support friendly forces fighting the Germans there. ”

When Stalin saw that his little trick had achieved his goal, he deliberately ridiculed: "Why, Comrade Rokossovsky, aren't you worried that after General Rotmistrov's tank corps is transferred, there will be no tank units in your defense zone that can be used?" ”

In this case, Rokossovsky could only bite the bullet and answer: "Don't worry, Comrade Stalin, we can completely overcome these minor problems." In order to strengthen the defense of the region, the Front Command some time ago considered the formation of a new tank corps -- the 16th Tank Army. After the transfer of Rotmistrov's tank corps, we can just put this on the agenda. ”

"Well, since you already have a plan, do what you say. Early tomorrow morning, let Rotmistrov's tank corps drive to the banks of the Volga! Good luck! After Stalin said this, he hung up the phone without giving Rokossovsky a chance to speak again.

Malinin vaguely heard the conversation between Rokossovsky and Stalin, and he nervously asked: "Comrade commander, if Rotmistrov's tank corps is transferred again, then there will be no more tank units in the establishment of our front army, so what should we do?" ”

"What else can I do?" Rokossovsky said somewhat helplessly: "The formation of the 16th Tank Army will be in full swing from tomorrow. ”

Malinin vaguely heard the conversation between Rokossovsky and Stalin, and he nervously asked: "Comrade commander, if Rotmistrov's tank corps is transferred again, then there will be no more tank units in the establishment of our front army, so what should we do?" ”

"What else can I do?" Rokossovsky said somewhat helplessly: "The formation of the 16th Tank Army will be in full swing from tomorrow. ”