Hearing Bezkov's report, Zhukov straightened up, looked me from head to toe, and said with a kind smile: "Lida, you are really not simple, in just one year, you have so many medals on your chest, and you have even received the Gold Star Medal that everyone dreams of. Yes, you're so good! ”

I was very happy with Zhukov's compliment, and I said that he had suddenly summoned me here, and that he was not planning to send me to the front again. So as soon as his words fell, he hurriedly said: "Comrade Marshal, even if you send me back to the front line immediately, I will try to live up to your trust in me. ”

"Back to the troops, now is not the time." Zhukov said vaguely.

When I heard Zhukov say this, I knew that I had little chance of returning to the army immediately, and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed in my heart.

Zhukov pulled out a chair, patted the back of the chair and said, "Lida, your eyes haven't healed yet, don't stand for too long, sit down first." ”

Seeing that I was obediently sitting down in the chair, Zhukov turned his head again and ordered Bezikov: "Colonel, go and get two bottles of the kind of drink that the American allies gave us......

"Coca-Cola!" Seeing that Zhukov couldn't remember the name of the drink for a long time, Bezikov hurriedly reminded him in a whisper.

Zhukov patted his forehead with his hand and said with a smile: "Yes, yes, yes, it's Coca-Cola, go get two bottles and come over to entertain Leda, so that she can also taste what the drinks of the American allies taste like." ”

Watching Bezikov leave the room, I quickly asked Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, how is the situation on the Kiev side?" ”

Zhukov pursed his lips and said with a serious expression: "Judging from the current situation, by tomorrow evening at the latest, the German army will be able to form an encirclement of our army in the Kiev area." ”

I judge by all signs. The base camp was unwilling to give up the recaptured Kyiv easily, and Zhukov could not give the order for Rybalko to retreat, so I asked euphemistically: "Comrade Marshal, should we do something to save them from their present predicament." ”

After listening to my words, Zhukov waved his hand and said: "At the moment Rybalko they must do whatever it takes. Resolutely hold Kyiv, our Air Force will provide them with the necessary air support. ”

Before he could finish his sentence, Bezzikov had already returned and walked in with two bottles of Coca-Cola in his hand. He came to us and asked Zhukov with a smile on his face: "Comrade Marshal, open?" ”

"Of course, it doesn't need to be said." Zhukov said: "Open both bottles." ”

Bezkov agreed, leaned the cap against the table, and slapped it hard. The lid flew out. After the cap was opened, he picked up an empty glass that had been placed next to him and poured half of the Coke into it.

I was about to reach for it, but what happened next left me dumbfounded.

I saw Bezikov pick up a water bottle next to him and pour water into the coke. When he saw that the water was full, he took the small dish with sugar cubes and asked me politely, "Lida, how many pieces of sugar do you want to put in?" ”

Seeing his violent approach. I couldn't help but gasp, and then asked carefully, "Comrade Colonel." Is this how you usually drink Coke? ”

Bezikov nodded and asked in surprise: "Yes, if you don't drink like this, how else can you drink?!" ”

"Not bad!" After Bezikov finished speaking, Zhukov also said: "To be honest, this kind of drink provided to us by our allies is really not delicious. If not for your taste of the odds. I'd have had them sent somewhere else. ”

When I found out that Zhukov didn't know how to drink Coca-Cola, I suddenly had a feeling of madness, I only heard that when Coke entered China, everyone didn't know how to drink it, and there was such a strange way to drink. I didn't expect that even a big man like Zhukov would make a similar mistake. I hurriedly coughed and asked weakly: "Comrade Marshal, don't you know how this Coca-Cola is drunk?" ”

Seeing that Zhukov shook his head, I hurriedly took another bottle of Coke from Bezikov's hand, poured half a cup directly into an empty cup, handed the cup to Zhukov, and said respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, you taste the taste and see if there is any difference between it and what you usually drink?" ”

"Is it just like that?" Zhukov asked with a blank expression.

"Yes, Comrade Marshal." I smiled and explained to him, "That's how this drink is drunk without water or sugar. ”

Zhukov took the drink from my hand and took a tentative sip with a frown. His brow furrowed as the drink lingered in his mouth for a moment and slid down his throat into his stomach. So, he decisively drank the remaining Coke from the cup. When he put down the cup, he smiled and said, "I really didn't expect this Coke to be drunk like this." When I see Comrade Stalin another day, I must tell him about this correct way of drinking. ”

Hearing Zhukov mention Stalin, I couldn't help but shudder, and said in my heart that fortunately today I was only correcting Zhukov's way of drinking, and if I faced the Supreme Commander himself, even if I saw him drink Coke in the wrong way, I would not dare to remind him casually, so I could only keep silent about my mistakes.

The matter of Coke is over, and then Zhukov explained to me the situation that Moscow is facing today. "According to the latest battle reports, the Germans have moved from Poltava and Krasnograd to the offensive, putting heavy pressure on the intersection of our Voronezh and South-Western Fronts," he said. ”

Seeing the rapidly deteriorating situation between the enemy and us, I waited for Zhukov to finish speaking, and without waiting for him to ask me a question, I could not wait to say: "Comrade Marshal, I think it is necessary to transfer troops as much as possible from the Supreme High Command and the troops of friendly neighbors to prevent the Germans from seizing Belgorod and launching a surprise attack in the direction of Kursk. ”

"Leda, your opinion coincides with mine." After complimenting me, Zhukov explained to me: "After reporting to the Supreme Commander himself, he has ordered the 1st, 21st and 64th Tank Armies to enter Belgorod and hold back the German units that are trying to continue their advance northward. What do you think we should do next? ”

Zhukov's question has a certain element of investigation, and it seems that he wants to understand my true strength through this question. With what I know about him, I can naturally say the answer that he is interested in. I stared at the pictures on the map representing both the enemy and the enemy and said: "Comrade Marshal. No matter how many troops we have amassed in this area, I would advise you not to turn to a counteroffensive just yet. We can exhaust the enemy in defensive positions, destroy their tanks, and then throw in new reserves, move to a general offensive, and finally reach the goal of annihilating the main German forces. ”

Listen to me mention the elimination of German tanks. Zhukov said thoughtfully: "Lida, I asked Comrade Ustinov to test the anti-tank trench you mentioned last time, and the results were very good, especially against the German armored assault corps. I have just given orders today to the Central Front, the Western Front, the Bryansk Front, and the Steppe Front to build fortifications in the existing areas, and in particular, to build the new type of anti-tank trenches that you have explored. ”

When I heard Zhukov say that he planned to carry out the "Golan trench" in all defensive areas, my heart suddenly became much more reassured. If his orders can be carried out to the letter by the commanders below. Then the German army will suffer even more painful losses than in history in the Battle of Kursk in the near future.

I was about to ask him again about the details of how he planned to support Kyiv, but I heard him say leisurely: "Lida, there is one more thing I think I need to tell you." The former commander of the Voronezh Front, General Golikov, was dismissed today and replaced by General Vatutin of the South-Western Front. ”

"Then who will take over the post of commander of the Southwestern Front?"

For my question. Zhukov replied very cheerfully: "The post left by General Vatutin, which is left by the deputy commander Rotion. Yakovlevich. Colonel-General Malinovsky took over. ”

"And what about General Golikov?" For this former old superior. I am still very concerned about what will happen to him after he is dismissed, and I am deeply afraid that he will be shot like General Pavlov, who lost his army and humiliated the country at the beginning of the war.

"He has now been recalled to Moscow by Comrade Stalin." Zhukov saw his concern and specifically explained Golikov's future whereabouts: "It is said that he intends to appoint him deputy People's Commissar of Defense in charge of cadre work. ”

When I heard that Golikov would not suffer the fate of being shot, and that he was lucky enough to take up a position similar to that of Deputy Minister of Defense, the boulder hanging in my heart fell to the ground.

Then. I also heard Zhukov say: "Immediately after taking office, General Vatutin, together with Comrade Khrushchev, the military commissar of the Front, informed Stalin of his proposal that forces should be concentrated on a preemptive assault on the German troops deployed in Belgorod-Kharkov. ”

I was taken aback by this unexpected news. You must know that the German army has just defeated the two major fronts of our army, and when the morale of the army is weakened, launching a new round of attack on the German army is tantamount to hitting a stone with an egg. Knowing that the final decision on such a matter was in Stalin's hands, I hurriedly asked Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, what is the opinion of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief himself?" ”

"He was also wavering and could not decide whether to deal with the enemy with a strong defense or launch a preemptive assault against the enemy's attack." Zhukov glanced at Bezkov, who was standing straight next to him, and said with some dissatisfaction: "Comrade Stalin said that our defense would not be able to withstand the German attack, as if our army was still the same as in 1941 or 1942. ”

Seeing Zhukov's helpless expression, I quickly stood up and said to him in a firm tone: "Comrade Marshal, I beg you to talk to the Supreme Commander himself again, so that he can dispel the idea of carrying out a counterattack at this stage. Because our troops have just lost the battle, not only is the structure of the troops no longer complete, but also the morale of the troops is weakened, and it is not at all suitable for another offensive operation without any hope. We should allow the Germans to be exhausted and exhausted in our deep echelon defense, and then we will strike the enemy with a powerful counterattack in the direction of Belgorod-Kharkov and Orel. ”

"Yes, Leda, you have a good idea." Zhukov waited for me to finish speaking, and immediately praised me loudly, adding: "I, Vasilevsky, Antonov and many members of the General Staff did not agree to carry out an offensive against the Germans at this stage without any hope of success. Although I reported everyone's opinions to Comrade Stalin, he was attracted by the kind of attractive results that Vatutin, as they spoke, and so he wavered and was unable to make a final decision. ”

"Can't Comrade Stalin be persuaded by you?" Hearing Zhukov say this, I couldn't help but ask nervously. Because I remember vividly that before the Battle of Kursk, the Soviet army had hardly any offensive action. If Stalin had really been moved by what Vatutin and Khrushchev had said and hastily ordered his troops to attack, he would have suffered a crushing defeat.

Zhukov shook his head slowly and said: "After listening to my report, he did not immediately express his position, but said that he would consider it and give me an answer. ”

Seeing the situation of the enemy and us on the map, a thought suddenly popped into my mind, so I said: "Comrade Marshal, I have an idea, and I don't know whether to say it or not. ”

"If you have any ideas, just say it." Zhukov said helplessly: "I asked Bezikov to call you here, just to hear your opinion and see if it can help me." ”

"I think we should support Kyiv first now and send the air force to drop supplies for them to make sure they have enough strength to hold on to Kyiv." I was deeply afraid that Zhukov would not agree with him, and specifically stated: "As long as they hold Kyiv, they can pin down a large number of enemies around them, so that the number of German troops deployed in the Kursk direction will be greatly reduced." ”

"Well, that's a good idea. I thought I could try it, and in a moment I would call the commander of the 1st Air Force and ask him to send transport planes to drop supplies, weapons and ammunition to the troops holding on to Kyiv. ”

Just when I was a little carried away, I heard Zhukov's next words: "Lida, after my careful consideration, I intend to arrange for you to meet with Comrade Stalin, and it should be more effective for you to explain to him the current situation on the battlefield than for us to say." ”

"What, let me persuade Stalin?" Hearing Zhukov say this, I was immediately so frightened that I sat down in my chair. After a long time, I asked Zhukov with trepidation: "Comrade Marshal, I don't know if you are wrong or I heard it wrong. Let me persuade the Supreme Commander himself, this is outrageous. ”

"That's right, Leda, you heard me right, I just intended for you to persuade Comrade Stalin." In order to dispel my doubts, Zhukov also deliberately said: "Actually, Comrade Stalin has been very worried about you for more than a year, otherwise Yushchenko's special guard company would not have been sent in the first place, but he would have protected your safety. I'll send you to see the Supreme Commander himself later, and you should think carefully about what to say after the meeting. (To be continued......)

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