After 40 minutes, Zhukov came out of the room and proposed his countermeasures to Stalin: "We have to use the 13th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd armies and immediately defend on the front line of the West Dvina - Polotsk - Vitebsk Orsha - Mogilev Mozyr."

This was the only way Zhukov could think of it.

"In addition, we should use the 24th and 28th armies of the high command reserve to immediately move around the rear area and build a second defensive line along the line of Selzharovo-Smolensk-Roslavl-Gomel."

Zhukov is indeed a well-deserved military god of the Soviet Union, and as soon as he returned, he pointed out the direction of the next efforts for the Soviet high command: "Also, I propose to immediately form 2-3 more army groups from the Moscow militia division. As a supplement to the reserves of the Command that were transferred. ”

To put it bluntly, all of his proposals were based on a general goal, that is, to establish a deep echelon defense on the road to Moscow in order to exhaust the German army, stop it in a certain defensive area, and then concentrate forces to organize a counteroffensive.

But where to stop the enemy? Where is a suitable starting point for a counteroffensive? How many troops are to be used for a counteroffensive? This is not something that Zhukov can figure out in 40 minutes.

However, after listening to Zhukov's series of countermeasures, Stalin did not forget to ask the remaining question about Pavlov: "What about the encircled armies of the Western Front?"

In this regard, Zhukov could only shake his head and say: "Since you have completely lost contact." It is up to them to hopefully they still have the strength to organize a stubborn assault to get out of the danger zone. ”

"Okay......" Stalin nodded, waving his hand for them to leave.

On the same day, the German Field Marshal Bock's iron pincer offensive had reached Minsk, and the Soviet garrison abandoned the city without any suspense after fierce resistance. The capital of Belarus was captured by enemy troops, the first major city lost by the Soviet Union since the beginning of the war, and it was also of great significance.

A day later, Pavlov, who had lost the most responsible person for the Belarusian capital, returned to Moscow by plane and reported directly to the People's Commissariat of Defense to Marshal Timoshenko.

When Timoshenko and Zhukov, who had arrived in advance, saw the defeated general, it took them a great deal of trouble to recognize the old acquaintance.

The eight-day war completely changed the appearance of this mediocre general, he was noticeably thinner, his two bloodshot eyes were desperately protruding outward, there was a lot of gray hair on his head, and he had no energy at all when he walked.

Pavlov saw the eyes of Zhukov and Timoshenko looking at him, as if he had guessed something, and there was a look of horror in his eyes. He sat in a chair and was facing Marshal Timoshenko, who had been appointed by Stalin to take command of the Western Front.

After waiting for a long time, Zhukov and Timoshenko did not speak.

Because he had framed Zhukov, Pavlov did not have the courage to look into Zhukov's eyes. He just glanced at Timoshenko and smiled reluctantly: "I heard that you have been appointed commander of the front army. Maybe I need to report back to you a little more....."

Timoshenko sighed and said coldly: "No need, everything that is most unbelievable has happened."

Pavlov put away the only smile he had, lowered his eyelids, and asked tentatively: "The commander scolded me!"

Timoshenko's heart tightened, he knew that Stalin's punishment of Pavlov would not be as simple as scolding, and he could already vaguely guess what the fate of the disgraced general awaited him would be.

Temoshenko forced a smile and said, "It's not just you, we are all scolded. Scolding is nothing, and if you can recover everything you have lost, it's nothing. ”

"Comrade Marshal, I think, in my position, even if anyone comes, it will not help." When Pavlov heard Timoshenko's comfort, he seemed to be a little more relaxed.

"I understand that our personnel are poorly trained, poorly equipped, poorly fortified, and waiting for their lives. But the front army has lost the vast majority of its troops and aircraft, and has lost so much territory, do you feel that as the commander of the Western Front, you have no responsibility at all?" Temoshengo smiled bitterly.

Recalling that when Pavlov slandered Zhukov, it was a loud shout, and the reason why Zhukov retreated was irresponsible, treason, and must be severely punished.

Now that it's his turn, he's starting to feel irresponsible.

Contradictory? It's ridiculous!

In the face of Timoshenko's rhetorical question, Bashilov shirked a little unbearably and said: "But do you know that only in the Brest direction, we have only 7 divisions, and how many Germans are there?" A full 15 divisions! There are also 5 armored divisions among them! How can I hold it?! ”

"You'd better save your arithmetic problems for later!" Timoshenko said with great disdain: "This is a schoolboy's homework, and you as a commander to calculate these things for me, don't you feel a little ashamed?"

Timoshenko couldn't figure it out, he was also a Soviet armored soldier who was promoted together. Why is there such a big direct difference between Pavlov and Zhukov?!

Compared with Zhukov's actions, Timoshenko couldn't help but spit on Pavlov.

Pavlov had been so frightened by Timoshenko's momentum that he lowered his head, and he no longer had the majesty of his past.

And when Timoshenko thought of what the defeated general would have to face immediately, he felt that it was a little inappropriate for him to be angry like this, so he didn't say anything more.

At the same time, Zhukov, who had not spoken, looked at this old colleague and was also full of emotion.

He understands Pavlov, and in Zhukov's current heart, he not only does not hold a grudge against Pavlov, but even feels pity for him!

In Zhukov's view, Pavlov made only one mistake that he should not have made - his only mistake was to sit in a position where he was not at all.

And his series of reactions after that are the legitimate confusion of a weak-willed man who has been crushed by great pressure.

As for the fact that a man of Pavlov's level can sit in the position of commander of the military district, this mistake does not seem to be his own problem.

"Dmitry. Grigolievich, now that you have retired, don't think about those tactical issues anymore. You might as well take a few days to rest. ”

Zhukov calmly comforted Pavlov a few words, as if he had no idea what Pavlov had done to him behind his back.

Zhukov did not fall into the trap as he did at the beginning, which is something that people like Pavlov could not have imagined.

Pavlov was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhukov gratefully.

But before he could thank Zhukov for his generosity, he heard Zhukov tell him word by word: "However, before resting, you must also go to meet someone......"