Since my back was to the door, I couldn't see anyone in the first place. I was about to turn my head to see who was coming, but Bilyukov, who was sitting across from me, had already stood up, raised his hand and saluted, and said respectfully: "Hello, Comrade Commander. How could you come to my division at such a late hour? ”

Oh my God, it was actually Chuikov who came, I didn't dare to slack off and quickly stood up, turned around and saluted him, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Commander, welcome to the 678th Infantry Regiment to inspect the work. ”

Chuikov smiled at me and nodded, then walked to Byyukov's side, stretched out his hand to shake him, and asked with concern: "Comrade General, I know that you came to the forward command post because you were not worried about your son's comfort, right?" ”

Biryukov smiled a little embarrassedly and said: "Comrade commander, you also know that my other two sons died in the defense of Smolensk. ”

Chuikov gently patted him on the shoulder with his empty left hand and said with deep feeling: "Yes, Comrade Biryukov, after the outbreak of war, millions of commanders and fighters sacrificed their precious lives to defend our motherland. Speaking of this, he lowered his voice and said, "When Slavin comes back this time, I would like to ask you to think carefully about whether you should transfer him to the military establishment in the rear to work, after all, you only have such a son left." ”

Chuikov's proposal may have been well thought out, but when Bilyukov heard it, he shook his head and said: "Thank you, Comrade Commander, for your kindness, since Slavin is a soldier, then his place should be on the battlefield." Even if it is sacrificed, it is glorious. I can't because he's my son. So they moved him to a safe place to work. This is very unfair to other ordinary fighters. ”

Seeing that Bilyukov's attitude was so resolute, Chuikov could only say: "Well, since you have already thought about it, I will no longer persuade you, and I will do what you think." But since I'm here today, I'll be here with you for your son's triumphant return. ”

Bilyukov hurriedly shook his head and said: "No need, Comrade Commander. There really isn't any. You have more important things to do, so you don't have to stay here with me. ”

Chuikov smiled: "Yes, Comrade General, I must stay." Seeing that it's early in the morning, I guess it won't be long before they all return, and you know, I'm not just waiting for your son, but also for the commanders and fighters who have destroyed the enemy and are about to triumph. ”

After Chuikov and Biryukov sat down one after the other, Chuikov raised his right hand and gestured to me. Motioned for me to sit down. When he saw me and sat down, he then greeted Lukin, who was standing next to him: "This is Captain Lukin." Since they are all acquaintances, you don't have to be so restrained, you can also sit down. ”

Lukin couldn't help but smile when he heard Chuikov call his name accurately, and quickly agreed, and sat down next to me.

After everyone was done, Chuikov looked at Lukin and said: "Comrade Captain, I have heard your regiment commander mention you before, saying that you are very brave in battle and have a very high command level. At that time, I still expressed doubts about your ability, after all, you were only one of the many battalion-level commanders of the 678th Regiment, and if you were suddenly promoted to the position of regiment commander, I am afraid that many people will not be convinced, so I have not given him a definite answer for a long time. ”

When Chuikov said this, Lukin, who was confused, looked at me blankly, as if he wanted to ask me when I was going to speak to the commander. And I was also confused, to be honest, before I came to this regiment, I didn't know that Lukin was here as the deputy battalion commander, how could I recommend it to Chuikov?

Chuikov may have seen the confusion of the two of us, and hurriedly explained: "Captain Lukin, it is not Lieutenant Colonel Oshanina who has been promoted to regiment commander, but the old regiment commander who died in the air raid. ”

Listening to his explanation, Lukin and I suddenly realized. Chuikov continued: "Captain Lukin, I have received a report that this operation was actually planned by you, and even sent reconnaissance personnel as early as daylight to conduct a detailed reconnaissance of the enemy's baggage camp, just to prepare for the destruction of the enemy's camp when it was dark. To tell you the truth, I was against this plan, it was too risky, and it was almost like sending you to death to attack a baggage camp guarded by an enemy armed to the teeth with a band of poorly trained, inexperienced and poorly equipped fighters. Speaking of this, he paused for a moment, and a smile appeared on his face, "But at this moment, what I want to say is: Comrade Captain, you are good!" ”

For Chuikov's praise, the expression on Lukin's face was very flat, and he did not show the slightest element of complacency, still staring at Chuikov intently, listening carefully to his instructions. At the end, Chuikov glanced at me and said, "Captain Lukin, in the next battle, if you can achieve good results, I will directly promote you to the commander of the 678th Regiment." ”

I heard that Chuikov wants Lukin to be the head of the regiment, so how can I be embarrassed as the acting head of the regiment? So I half-jokingly said: "Comrade commander, isn't it authentic for you to do this, now I am still the acting commander of the 678th regiment, and you can't wait to make Captain Lukin the commander, if he becomes the commander, then where should I go?" ”

Chuikov and Bilyukov looked at each other, then laughed in unison. After laughing for a while, Chuikov looked at Bilyukov and said: "Comrade General, it turns out that our heroine is in a hurry. Then he said to me in a serious manner: "Comrade Oshanina, after all, you have been seconded from the 62nd Army, and when the fighting of the past few days is over, you will have to go back to the headquarters of General Korpakchi. ”

As he was talking, the telephone on the table rang again, and Lukin grabbed the phone, listened to it for a moment, and suddenly became so excited that he didn't even have time to put down the microphone, and he excitedly reported to us: "Report to the commander, division commander, regimental commander, according to the report of the forward observation post, they observed a convoy approaching the position of our army. Since the company in charge of the reception did not raise the battle alarm, they had reason to believe that it was Captain Slavin who had returned. ”

Hearing that his son had returned with the team, General Biliukov could no longer sit still, he stood up suddenly, unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, and he said loudly: "What are you doing here, let's go!" Let's go to meet the triumphant commanders and fighters. (To be continued......)