Rokossovsky and the second lieutenant returned to the forward command in the same car, and on the way, he suddenly remembered that the soldiers of the song and dance troupe had only sung the song "Holy War" in the past few hours, so he asked curiously: "Comrade second lieutenant, do you have any other songs in your song and dance troupe besides this song "Holy War"? ”

The second lieutenant heard his question, nodded vigorously, and then replied: "Yes, Comrade General, we have several other songs besides this one. Then he named seven or eight songs.

Rokossovsky listened to these song titles, as if he had never heard any of them, and saw that these songs did not become popular during the Great Patriotic War. He struggled to recall the songs he knew, and then asked, "Is there a 'Little Road'?" ”

"The Path?" After repeating the title of the song he had said, the second lieutenant shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, Comrade General, we haven't heard of this song. ”

Hearing the second lieutenant say this, Rokossovsky suddenly understood that although this song was produced in 41 years in history, it may have to wait a while before it comes out, so it is not surprising that the second lieutenant did not know. Then he thought of the famous "Song of the Defenders of Moscow", which should not have appeared at this time, at least not until the beginning of the defense of Moscow, and the author of the song would not start writing it.

Rokossovsky thought about the Soviet songs he knew in his head one by one, either they were not suitable for this era, or they had not yet come out, did he really let the fighters of the song and dance troupe sing "Holy War" to the soldiers over and over again after they arrived in the army?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but be upset, and thought to himself: if he had known that he would have traveled to this special era, he would definitely have made some preparations in advance, at least to learn more about some important songs during the Great Patriotic War. As soon as he thought of crossing, his mind suddenly popped up with the scene of the honor guard of the three armed forces of China, neatly passing through Red Square with vigorous steps amid the sound of music.

Thinking of this, he slapped his thigh violently, then turned his head and asked the second lieutenant, who was startled by himself: "What about "Katyusha"? The soldiers of your song and dance troupe always sing "Katyusha", right? ”

The second lieutenant looked at Rokossovsky and said with some nervousness: "Comrade General, I heard you right, you are talking about "Katyusha", the song composed by the composer Matvey Blanchell based on a lyric poem by the poet Isakovsky? ”

Where did Rokossovsky know the origin of this song, but since the second lieutenant said so, there must be nothing wrong, he quickly nodded and said casually: "Yes, yes, Comrade Ensign, it's that song." Can the soldiers of your song and dance troupe sing? ”

The second lieutenant thought for a moment, and then replied: "Comrade General, with all due respect, although the soldiers of our song and dance troupe can sing this song, I think this song does not seem to be suitable for the battlefield, you must know that this is a lyrical song, and what we need is a military song that can boost morale." ”

"Comrade Ensign, I've heard this song before, it's a very good song." Rokossovsky heard the second lieutenant say that the soldiers of the song and dance troupe could sing this song, so he wanted to take the opportunity to promote it in the army, so he began to try to convince the second lieutenant: "Although this song has been unknown since it came out two years ago, it does not mean that it is not suitable for singing on the battlefield?" Perhaps you will sing it to the soldiers, and it will stand out and spread with the rumbling fire, so that the song will show its unusual value, and give it a new and even eternal life. ”

Rokossovsky's words made the second lieutenant fall into deep thought. Speaking from his heart, he was also moved by these words, but when he thought of the rules and regulations set by his superiors when he led the song and dance troupe to the front line to perform, he couldn't help but hesitate again.

Seeing the ensign's hesitation, Rokossovsky decided to strike while the iron was hot and add another fire, making sure that the song would become popular first in his own troops. Thinking of this, he cleared his throat, and then began to sing the song he was familiar with: "Just as the pear blossoms are blooming all over the world, the river floats with a soft veil; Katyusha stood on the handsome shore, singing like a bright spring light. …… The girl sang beautifully, and she sang the eagle of the steppe; She is singing about her beloved, and she still has her lover's letters,......"

After Rokossovsky finished singing, his eyes looked at Felip, who was sideways from the co-pilot's seat: "Comrade Captain, what do you think of this song?" ”

Although Rokossovsky's singing level was limited, and when he sang, he was out of tune in many places, but Felip was still fascinated by it. At this moment, when he heard the army commander ask his opinion, he hurriedly gave a thumbs up and said: "Comrade army commander, I have to say, this is also a good song, I think that if the comrades of the song and dance troupe sing it to the soldiers at the front, the soldiers will definitely like it." ”

"Comrade Commander," the driver in the car also quickly tilted his head and expressed his opinion: "Although you are a little inaccurate when you sing, it is still quite good. ”

Seeing that there were two of his subordinates to help, Rokossovsky continued to say to the second lieutenant: "Comrade second lieutenant, this song makes the beautiful music and the just war merge, this song links the girl's **** with the soldiers' heroic service to the country, this song is full of the girl's innocent song, so that the soldiers who are holding cold weapons and lying in the cold trenches, in the difficult smoke and loneliness, the hearts have been warmed and comforted by love and love. I believe that as long as the soldiers of your song and dance troupe sing this song, this love song will be proudly spread in the war! ”

When the second lieutenant heard that Rokossovsky had such a high opinion of "Katyusha", he couldn't help but ask in surprise: "Comrade General, if our soldiers sing this song, will it really be welcomed by the vast number of soldiers and let this song spread?" ”

"Of course, Comrade Ensign." When Rokossovsky said this, while the second lieutenant was not paying attention, he secretly pursed his mouth, and said in his heart that if you heard that the Germans were singing this song in the near future, you would probably hit the ground with your jaw. "As a general, how could I lie to you."

"All right, Comrade General." Under Rokossovsky's persuasion, the second lieutenant finally made up his mind: "When I arrive at the destination later, I will familiarize the soldiers with this song, and when I reach the trenches at the front, I will sing it to the soldiers." ”

After the car stopped at the gate of the headquarters, Rokossovsky entered the headquarters with the second lieutenant and introduced Maslov and Vnukov, who were staying inside: "Let me introduce to you, this second lieutenant came from Kyiv with a song and dance troupe, and their task is to go to the forward trenches and sing songs for the fighters in order to boost the morale of our army. ”

Hearing Rokossovsky say this, Maslov shook hands with the ensign with a smile, but his tone was still a little alienated. After shaking hands, he turned to Felip and said: "Comrade Captain, Deputy Political Commander Kamenev is in the defense area of the 131st Division, so you should bring the comrades of the song and dance troupe over and sing songs for the fighters, and cooperate with the political agitation work carried out by Comrade Kamenev." ”

When Rokossovsky heard Maslov say such cold words, he was afraid that the second lieutenant would be unhappy, but when he looked closely, he found that the second lieutenant's face was as usual, and it was estimated that he had already had many similar experiences, and he was already honored and dishonored.

After Felip left with the second lieutenant, Maslov complained to Rokossovsky and said: "I said Comrade Commander, now the troops on the position are getting smaller and smaller, and you don't want to get your superiors to give us some additional troops, but you brought back a song and dance troupe, isn't this putting the cart before the horse?" ”

Hearing Maslov say this, Rokossovsky replied with a smile: "Comrade Chief of Staff, I am not putting the cart before the horse. You must know that although they are only a small song and dance troupe of about 20 people, their role on the battlefield is no less than that of a motorized division. ”

"Pull it down, my comrade commander." Maslov was dismissive of what Rokossovsky said: "Even if they are equipped with weapons and sent to the battlefield, it is estimated that their combat effectiveness will not be comparable to even one of our squads." By the way, General Lukin called you over, is there anything important? ”

"That's right, Comrade Chief of Staff." Hearing Maslov's question, Rokossovsky couldn't help but have a headache: "General Lukin is leaving Shepetovka tonight, and I will be responsible for everything here." ”

"How many troops did he leave behind?" Maslov asked tentatively.

"He left us nothing but the 109th Infantry Division and the 116th Tank Regiment." After Rokossovsky said this, seeing the disappointed expression on Maslov's face, he hurriedly added: "He gave me a suggestion, if the troops guarding the warehouse can be taken over, at least 3,000 people can be replenished to our army." ”

"Three thousand?!" Hearing this figure, Maslov's eyes could not help but light up, and he said to Rokossovsky with some excitement: "Comrade army commander, many of the troops in charge of the warehouses are subordinate to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and if they can be incorporated into our army, then our combat effectiveness will be improved as a whole." ”

"Comrade Chief of Staff, I think so too." Rokossovsky frowned and said: "But we must first convince the heads of those warehouses to give us command of these troops." ”

"What, General Lukin still doesn't have command of these troops?" When Maslov heard this, he couldn't help but exclaim, "Since he can't handle this matter even as a commander of an army group, and your rank and rank are lower than him, how can you convince those stubborn warehouse leaders?" ”

"I'm just worried about this." Rokossovsky did not hide his true thoughts in front of his old friend: "If it really doesn't work, we can only take risks and forcibly detain the heads of these warehouses and take the military power from them." ”

"Comrade Commander, this idea of yours, although it is risky, is not without hope of success." Perhaps it was the experience of detaining Vashukin and Putukhin before the war, so as soon as Rokossovsky proposed his adventure plan, Maslov agreed without hesitation, and at the same time gave him advice: "See if we can gather the heads of these warehouses and say that we are going to hold a military conference to defend Shepetovka." When they come, we convince them at the meeting. If they can follow our advice and take the initiative to hand over their troops, then everything is easy to say; But if they don't comply, we can only forcibly detain them and send someone to take over their troops. ”

Rokossovsky nodded with satisfaction about this plan to risk his head, he originally wanted to do this, but he didn't expect Maslov to mention it first, so he agreed to it: "Okay, Comrade Chief of Staff, then we will cooperate overnight, and when it is dawn, we will notify the heads of those warehouses to come to the meeting." ”

While the two were discussing the details, there was a sudden burst of gunfire outside. Rokossovsky raised his head and asked Vnukov, who was standing at the lookout: "Comrade Deputy Commander, what happened outside?" ”

Vnukov put down his binoculars, turned to Rokossovsky and said: "Comrade Commander, the enemy's infantry, under the cover of eight tanks, launched an attack on the line of Colonel Kalinin. ”

"What, the enemy launched an attack on Colonel Kalinin's defense zone?" When Rokossovsky heard this, he couldn't help but be taken aback, because the song and dance troupe was sent there by Maslov, but he didn't expect that as soon as they went, the enemy attacked. He was worried that something was going on with the song and dance troupe, so he hurriedly dialed Colonel Kalinin's command.

The person who answered the phone was not Kalinin, but the political deputy commander Kamenev. As soon as he heard Rokossovsky's voice, he said excitedly: "Comrade commander, the song and dance troupe you sent is really wonderful. They only sang a few songs, and the emotions of the commanders and fighters were aroused, and even now I am so enthusiastic that I can't wait to take up arms and go to the trenches to fight side by side with the soldiers. ”

"Alright, Comrade Deputy Political Commander." Rokossovsky was taken aback by Kamenev's words, and hurriedly stopped him and said: "You are a corps commander, and your post is in the command headquarters, not in the trenches, understand?" ”

"I understand, Comrade Commander," Kamenev said with a smile, "that's what I said. By the way, you called, is there anything important? Colonel Kalinin personally went to the trenches and left to command the battle. ”

"I called Colonel Kalinin to tell him that the safety of the soldiers of the song and dance troupe must be resolutely guaranteed at all costs." (To be continued.) )