Two political workers, who were heavily armed and carrying submachine guns, stepped forward together to salute Chuikov and report their identities when they heard Colonel Vosley Boynikov introduce them to Chuikov.

The medium-sized mustachioed man on the left spoke first: "Hello, Comrade General, Battalion Commissar Kravchuk reports to you and is waiting for your instructions. ”

When he finished speaking, the tall and thin man on the right continued: "Hello, Comrade General, Deputy Battalion Political Commissar Shushkovich reports to you and awaits your orders. ”

After shaking hands with the two of them one by one, Chuikov asked with concern: "You guys have been going smoothly this way, and you haven't encountered enemy air raids, right?" ”

Kravchuk clasped Chuikov's hand with both hands and replied: "Comrade Xie Lu Xie is concerned, because we are all resting during the day and marching at night, so there are almost no losses in personnel. ”

"Where are the troops?"

"Report to Comrade General, it's about fifteen kilometers from here. At the current marching speed, it should be possible to reach the specified position at dawn. ”

Chuikov let go of his hand, walked over to the table and sat down, and asked, "How many people are in this unit with how many weapons?" ”

Kravchuk turned his head to look at Shushkovich beside him, and when he saw that he nodded affirmatively, he replied: "Except for the troops of the two battalions escorting them, who are armed, the rest of them are not armed. ”

Hearing him say this, Chuikov jumped straight from his seat in fright, and he asked in surprise: "20,000 people are unarmed, what if you encounter the Germans on the road?" Do you think that our bare-handed warriors can defeat an enemy armed to the teeth? ”

"Comrade General," Shushkovich, who had not spoken, took over. Said indifferently: "When we set off. There are orders from above. In the event of a situation like the one you mentioned, our escorted fighters have the right to shoot and dispose of all these people, lest they be captured by the Germans or surrendered to the enemy. ”

Shushkovich's words made me break out in a cold sweat, 20,000 people, saying that they would all be killed mercilessly, it was really too hasty. That's when I figured it out. Why did we arrive just now, the division commander, Colonel Vosley Boynikov, brought people out to meet us, but these dozen or so people stayed in the headquarters and did not come out. At first, I thought they were not giving Chuikov face, but now I realized that it was clearly the two battalion-level political commissars, who were worried that the other ten soldiers from the correctional camp or the Gulag concentration camp would take advantage of the opportunity to escape, so they deliberately stayed behind to watch over them.

With a straight face, Chuikov looked at the kind of commander standing by the wall in a new military uniform, and asked Kravchuk: "Comrade battalion commissar, who are they?" ”

Kravchuk glanced back. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, "Who else could it be." Comrade General. These people were all drawn from the correctional camp, and since they had served as junior commanders in the army, they were temporarily given military ranks to command this prisoner unit. The prisoners were divided into two hundred teams of one hundred each, and ten of them were each in charge of twenty teams of prisoners. ”

"What about the more than 200 people in the north of the village?" Hearing that these people were all officers from the punishment battalion couldn't help but arouse my interest in the two hundred people in the north of the village, so without waiting for Chuikov to speak, I hurriedly asked, "Are they also soldiers from the punishment battalion and all have combat experience?" ”

Kravchuk didn't answer my question, just kept looking me up and down, opened his mouth, and swallowed back what he wanted to say. He probably wanted to ask me what my identity was, but seeing that Chuikov didn't blame me for speaking first, he became hesitant......

Just when he was in a dilemma, Chuikov spoke beside him: "Comrade battalion-level political commissar, this is Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina, chief of staff of my group army, who is currently acting as chief of staff, and these matters are under her jurisdiction, so you can report to her." ”

With Chuikov's help, Kravchuk did not dare to disobey the order, so he had to reluctantly say: "Yes, Comrade Lieutenant Colonel, those two hundred people are all soldiers from various punishment battalions, because they have all participated in battles and have some combat experience, so the superiors let them take the position of captain to manage those prisoners who have never experienced military training. ”

I have neither a good nor a bad feeling for the ten servicemen from the correctional camp who are standing against the wall. I tilted my chin at the men and ordered Kravchuk: "Comrade battalion commissar, let them come and report to the commander!" ”

Kravchuk agreed, turned around and waved at those people, and said with a bad attitude: "Hey, what about you, come over quickly and report to Comrade General." ”

Ten commanders took two steps forward, came to Chuikov, raised their hands and saluted, and then stood straight and still.

With his hands behind his back, Chuikov walked from the right side of the queue to the left, and then from the left back to the right, looked at them and asked with interest: "Comrade commanders, why don't you speak?" Whoever takes the initiative will report your lives, military ranks, and the reasons for being imprisoned in the punishment camp first. ”

Hearing Chuikov's words, the ten commanders still stood motionless like ten wooden stakes. Seeing that no one was talking, Chuikov pointed to the captain on the far right with his hand and said, "Comrade Captain, let's start with you to introduce yourself." ”

The tall and thin captain stepped forward and said loudly: "Captain Sedelikov, Russian. The former battalion commander of the 34th Motorized Rifle Brigade, captured in the Battle of Kharkov in May. In June, I and a few soldiers escaped from enemy custody. However, when I returned to the unit to report again, I was arrested as a deserter and sent to the 149th Special Brigade Correctional Battalion. "Hearing the captain say that I was sent to the punishment camp because I had been captured, my heart involuntarily beat faster, if the capture of my Liuban was known to the people of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, then what fate would await me, whether I would be sent to the punishment camp or be executed on the spot. Thinking about it like this, I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

Next came the yellow-haired captain next to the lieutenant reported: "Captain Oleg, a Belarusian, a company commander of the former 51st Army. Because after the troops were routed at the Don, several soldiers in the company surrendered to the Germans because of this. I was arrested by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. and was sent to a correctional camp. ”

Chuikov listened. Without expressing any opinion, he said to the other black-haired captain next to the captain: "It's your turn, Comrade Captain, what did you send to the punishment camp because of something?" ”

After the black-haired captain glanced at Kravchuk and Shushkovich vigilantly, he also stepped forward and said cautiously: "Captain Kosga, Ukrainian, the former battalion commander of the 79th Infantry Division. In July. Because three fighters of the 178th Reserve Infantry Regiment deserted, the Ministry of Internal Affairs ordered that the three men must be captured and shot. As a result, the lieutenant, who carried out the order, went to a nearby residential area and arrested three civilians to make up the numbers, and I found out and stopped them. Later, the Ministry of Internal Affairs called me a dangerous warm-hearted manner, so they arrested me and sent me to a correctional camp. ”

Standing in front of the fourth, who looked apparently Central Asian, Chuikov asked: "And what about you, Comrade Captain, for what reason were you arrested?" ”

The captain also stepped forward and reported: "Comrade General, Captain Gaidar reports to you. I am a Kazakh, and it turned out to be the battalion commander of the 51st Infantry Division of the 302nd Army. Because there was a recruit in the battalion who was reported by his colleagues. He said that he once said, 'If I go to the front, I will be the first to surrender to the Germans'. During his interrogation by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he confessed to five accomplices and named them. At this, the captain paused, shrugged his shoulders and continued, "I was one of them, so the others were executed, and I was sent to the punishment camp. ”

I couldn't help but be furious when I heard what happened to the four commanders, all of whom were imprisoned in the punishment camp for some trumped-up charges, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs was destroying the Great Wall by doing so. Because I was angry, I didn't hear the self-introductions of the next few commanders clearly.

After the ten commanders had finished introducing themselves, Chuikov returned to the table and sat down and said to the two political workers standing next to him: "Comrade Kravchuk, Comrade Shushkovich. ”

The two hurriedly came to Chuikov, straightened up, and asked respectfully: "Comrade Deputy Commander, do you have any instructions?" ”

Chuikov waved at them and said, "Since you have sent several of the main commanders here, then your mission is complete, and now you can go back to Stalingrad to resume your life." ”

Hearing Chuikov say this, the two political workers immediately panicked, and Kravchuk said with a tough attitude: "Comrade Deputy Commander, our task is to take care of them so as not to ......"

"Lest what?" Chuikov was so angry that he slapped the table and stood up, and said angrily to the two of them, "Didn't you hear what they said just now? With such a good commander, you still doubt that they will surrender to the enemy? ”

Kravchuk reluctantly said: "Comrade General, you may have a point, but we have an order to supervise these officers from the correctional camp and the prisoners of the Gulag concentration camp. We will not leave until their flesh is completely destroyed. ”

Chuikov snorted heavily and sat back down, staring at the two angry political workers in front of him without saying a word.

A common technique used by leaders to their subordinates is silence, using silence to show authority, and silence to exert pressure, because as a subordinate, in the face of a superior who can decide his own destiny and future, it is inevitable that there will be speculation and apprehension. Although the two political workers began to maintain a calm posture, they continued to take a humble posture and patiently waited for Chuikov's change of the order just now.

But as time went by, Chuikov remained silent, and the two of them were obviously a little unbearable, sweat broke out on their foreheads, and after glancing at each other, Kravchuk stepped forward to bow his head to Chuikov and admit his mistake, and he said in a low voice: "Since Comrade Deputy Commander has given an order, we will definitely carry it out as subordinates." But there is no basis for words, you see if you give us a written order, and we can go back. ”

Chuikov nodded, asked Colonel Vosley Boynikov for pen and paper, wrote down the order for Kravchuk and Shushkovich to return to Stalingrad and finally signed his name. When he handed over the order to Kravchuk, he specially instructed him: "Comrade Kravchuk, when you leave later, take those commanders in the warehouse north of the village with you." ”

"Huh?!" When Kravchuk heard this order, he feasted and asked in bewilderment: "Comrade Deputy Commander, why do you want to take them away?" "It's not just Kravchuk who is confused. I'm also puzzled. You must know that there are hundreds of experienced commanders in the road. We'll save a lot of effort when we command this 20,000-strong army of prisoners in the future.

Chuikov chuckled, his expression was calm, and his eyes looked at him firmly: "Comrade battalion-level political commissar, how can I ask you to bring these precious commanders back?" I'm going to let you take them over the incoming prisoners. Remember, when these commanders received the troops, they had them take them all to the forest east of the village and hide them. ”

After the two political workers left dejectedly, Chuikov said to the ten commanders: "Comrade commanders. From now on, you are part of the 64th Army. As for the number," said this, Chuikov frowned and thought for a moment, and then said decisively, "Now the organization will start from right to left, and it will be organized into the new 1st Regiment to the 10th New Regiment, and Captain Sederikov will be the commander of the 1st New Regiment; Captain Oleg was the commander of the new 2nd Regiment; Captain Kosgaard is the commander of the new 3rd Regiment; Captain Gaidar is the commander of the newly formed 4th Regiment......"

When Chuikov finished announcing the numbers of the units and the names of the regimental commanders, Captain Sederikov asked with a wry smile: "Comrade General, we will be used as cannon fodder. Died in vain in battle? ”

Hearing his sudden question, Chuikov couldn't help but hesitate. In a hurry, I didn't know how to answer this question. Seeing the desperate expression on the captain's face, I hurriedly stood up and played a round: "Comrade Captain, you are thinking too much, you are also a member of our 64th Group Army, we will definitely not sacrifice you as cannon fodder in vain." However, you also know that your status is quite special, so according to the orders of your superiors, you will be organized into an independent force, and the principles of using you are: move in the most dangerous direction; Only talk about the results of the battle, not afraid of sacrifice. I hope you all remember that you are not only fighting for your homeland, but also for your freedom, your honor! At this point, I paused deliberately, swept my gaze over their faces, and then raised my voice and asked, "Do you understand?" ”

"Got it!" Ten people replied in unison.

Chuikov walked up to me, patted me on the shoulder, and said approvingly: "Oshanina, I am very relieved of your command ability. Now you pick a few of these ten commanders, put them under your command, form an independent division, and you will be the division commander, and you will take office now. Don't worry, I'll equip you with enough weapons and ammunition to train them well, and maybe they'll be of great use in future battles. ”

I felt Chuikov's concern and ardent hope for me, and I also knew that Chuikov had placed high hopes on me after his earnest words, hoping that I would quickly grow into an excellent commander in this campaign. He asked me to serve as the commander of the newly formed independent division because since I fought from Leningrad to Stalingrad, I almost belonged to the role of playing soy sauce, although I had been in the headquarters of both army groups and held the post of regiment commander, but unfortunately I had no real power, and I was constrained and constrained everywhere, and I could not show my military talent. Now that I am the commander of an independent division and have become a real leader, I have the space to show my strengths.

I looked at the ten commanders in front of me again, pointed with my hands at Captain Sederikov, Captain Oleg, Captain Koska, and Captain Gaidar, and said to Chuikov: "Comrade commander, hand over the four of them to me." With the strength of four regiments, I can give them the power of four divisions. ”

Listening to my words, a smile of relief appeared on Chuikov's face. And when I inadvertently looked at my four new subordinates, I looked at their faces with disdainful expressions. I smiled slightly, I didn't bother with them, anyway, the future is long, and when there are a few battles, as long as they can still live, they will recognize my command ability.

When I was secretly complacent, I suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked: "Comrade commander, if I come to serve as the commander of an independent division, then who will serve as the chief of staff of the group army?" Colonel Dowraskin is still out gathering the scattered troops. ”

Chuikov waved his hand and comforted me: "You don't have to worry about this, today Commander Shumilov and Colonel Raskin are on the phone, and he will be able to rush back to the headquarters by noon tomorrow at the latest, and then we will have another chief of staff." After saying this, he said with some regret: "Originally, I wanted you to pick more troops just now, but I didn't expect you to choose four regiments, so I will take the remaining six regiments." ”

"Comrade Commander, how are you going to use these six regiments?" Although I have never met these fighters from the Gulag concentration camp, I am also worried about their unknown fate.

"When the transport regiment is used," Chuikov whispered to me, "Colonel Kolobtin's tunnel, instead of a large amount of material hoarding, I will let the soldiers of these six regiments all go to transport supplies. ”

After Chuikov finished speaking, he saw that the ten commanders were still standing upright and unmoving, so he ordered them: "Okay, comrades commanders, don't stand there stupidly, find a place to sit down and rest." When the morning dawns, we will go to the forest to receive the troops who have come from afar. (To be continued......)