I looked in the direction where the voice came from, and found that it was actually another person I knew, so I quickly let go of Crochkov's hand and took the initiative to meet the other party. And respectfully called him by his patronymic and his own name: "Hello, dear Alexander. Vasilyevich, it's a pleasure to see you here! ”

The visitor was dressed in a brand-new general's uniform, and the gold star on the epaulette stood out. Seeing that I greeted him, he smiled and stretched out his hand, shook my hand, and said complimentarily: "Comrade Oshanina, the last time we met was during the Battle of Moscow. I didn't expect that more than a year later, you are still so young and beautiful, not only received a promotion in military rank, but even won the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. ”

"Oshanina, you probably don't know yet. Comrade Aleksandrov was awarded the first prize of the Stalin Prize for the composition of the "Bolshevik Party Song" and a series of military songs. Not long ago, he was awarded the Order of Lenin and the rank of Major General for his 60th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his artistic activities. "Crochkov, who came to my side, also smiled and stretched out his hand to the other after telling me about Alexandrov's deeds.

After Aleksandrov and Crochkov shook hands, I said to him with a smile: "Comrade Aleksandrov, as soon as your Red Banner Song and Dance Troupe appears on the battlefield, it can greatly boost the morale of our commanders and fighters. Although there are only a dozen of you, you play no less role than two divisions. You and your song and dance troupe are the precious wealth of our Red Army. ”

The flattery for me made the head of the Red Flag Song and Dance Troupe, who had a pinch of mustache, smile from ear to ear. At this time, Crochkov lost no time in asking: "By the way, Comrade Aleksandrov, I heard that you have recently been working on a new anthem, I don't know how it is going?" ”

Aleksandrov, who was still happy, heard Krochkov's question. His expression immediately became serious, and he shook his head and replied, "We have had such a long history of using the Internationale as the national anthem, how easy it is to find a suitable song to replace it!" ”

As for Aleksandrov's answer, Krochkov seems to have known it for a long time. He nodded and said with emotion: "Yes, the notice of soliciting the new national anthem has been issued to all units since 1940, but so far, no suitable works have been found among the songs recommended by units at all levels. ”

Seeing the sad faces of the two of them, I suddenly remembered that the new national anthem of the USSR was composed on the basis of the "Anthem of the Bolshevik Party", and I couldn't help but say: "Comrade Aleksandrov. I have an idea, and I don't know whether to say it or not. ”

When Aleksandrov heard me say this, he asked with some surprise: "Comrade Oshanina, you also know how to compose?" ”

I shook my head and replied with a smile, "Although I don't know how to compose, I, as a layman, can tell you about my ideas." ”

As soon as I finished speaking, before Aleksandrov could react, Crochkov took over and said: "Comrade Alexandrov. I'm sure you'll be inspired by what Oshanina said. But. Should we sit down in our seats and talk slowly, so as not to block the path of other comrades? ”

At Crochkov's suggestion, the three of us found a suitable seat and sat down. As soon as he sat down, Aleksandrov couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade Oshanina, tell me what you think in your heart!" ”

I quickly organized the vocabulary in my head, and then said: "I think the new national anthem should be majestic, solemn, magnificent, and with a distinctive national style. "Speaking of which. I paused a bit to see how Aleksandrov reacted. Seeing that he nodded in the affirmative, he continued, "My idea for the national anthem is to combine a triumphant march, a delicate folk song and a broad Russian epic narrative tune. ”

As soon as I finished speaking, Aleksandrov slapped himself on the thigh. Exclaimed excitedly: "Fantastic, Comrade Oshanina, this idea of yours is wonderful!" Thank you, thank you! With that, he reached out and grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously.

Perhaps because he had just lost his temper so loudly, one of the generals sitting in the front row turned his head and glared at us fiercely with disgruntled eyes, as if he wanted to criticize us twice. When he saw Alexandrov's face clearly, the anger on his face immediately turned into a smile, he leaned sideways and stretched out a hand, and greeted the latter with a smile: "Hello, Comrade Alexandrov, I don't know when you will be able to bring the song and dance troupe to our reserve front to perform, the commanders and fighters have been looking forward to you." ”

Hearing the reserve front, and then looking at the three gold stars on the general's shoulder, I immediately guessed the identity of the other party, he was the commander of the reserve front, Leitel, so I quickly stood up, raised my hand to salute him, and said respectfully: "Hello, comrade commander. ”

Leitel sat down at the table and saluted back, and after glancing at my epaulettes, he said with a smile: "It turned out to be Comrade Oshanina, congratulations on receiving the Gold Star Medal and the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. ”

"Thank you, thank you, Comrade General." Since I hadn't officially reported to the Reserve Front, I didn't have any subordinate relationship with General Leitel, and after a few small talks, he turned around and continued to chat with the people next to him.

Only then did Crochkov find an opportunity to ask Aleksandrov: "Alexander. Vasilyevich, what do you think after listening to Oshanina's proposal? ”

Aleksandrov replied confidently: "I have already thought about processing and revising the tune of the "Bolshevik Party Song" and asked the famous poet Sergei . Vladimirovich. Mikhalkov, El. Lekisky refills the word. I think it won't be long before the new national anthem will be available. ”

When I heard Aleksandrov's words, I couldn't help but sigh secretly in my heart, it seems that the head of the Red Banner Song and Dance Troupe is really capable, and I just mentioned it casually, and he was able to have a comprehensive consideration in such a short period of time. It seems that the new national anthem of the Soviet Union will be released much earlier than the real time in history.

Seeing more and more people entering the hall, I couldn't help but raise my hand to look at my watch, and found that it would be nine o'clock in five minutes, but the three chairs left for the host behind the long table were still empty. I said to myself. Lao Maozi doesn't have any concept of time, this award ceremony won't be postponed, right?

While I was thinking about it, Alexandrov, who was sitting next to me, noticed my strangeness and asked me curiously: "Comrade Oshanina, I see that you seem to be very nervous, have you never experienced such a big scene?" ”

I listened to Alexandrov's question. Quickly shook his head and said: "No, Comrade Alexandrov, I think the time will come soon, but the leader who presided over the ceremony has not yet arrived, so I am a little worried about whether the award ceremony will be temporarily canceled." ”

Alexandria waited for me to finish, and after glancing at Crochkov, who was sitting on his right, he turned back to me and said with a smile: "You don't have to worry about this, Comrade Molotov has always been known for being punctual. You'll see later, as long as the hour hand points to nine o'clock, he'll be in front of everyone on time. ”

Although I heard Aleksandrov say this, I didn't see Molotov and them appear, and my heart was still unsteady, and while talking to Aleksandrov absentmindedly, I looked nervously at the entrance of the hall.

Just when I was feeling uneasy, three people appeared at the door of the hall. My eyes are sharp. At once he recognized that it was Molotov who walked in the front, and Marshal Voroshilov who followed him closely. And behind the marshal was an old man with a goatee and eyes.

With the appearance of the three of them, the entire hall suddenly fell silent, and even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly. Seeing the three of them come to the long table and take their seats in turn, my hanging heart relaxed, and my heart said that in this case. The award ceremony will certainly not be cancelled or postponed.

After the three of them talked in a low voice, Voroshilov got up from his seat, faced everyone, and said with emotion: "Comrades, sorry for keeping you waiting. But we're here so late. There is a reason why before coming here, the front line has just sent the latest battle report, and in order to inform you of the good news in a timely manner, we stayed in the telecommunications room for a while, and only came here after receiving all the battle reports. ”

When Voroshilov said this, he paused for a moment, and after scanning the whole field with his eyes, he said in a subdued voice: "Early this morning, our Southern Front and Southwestern Front met outside the city of Zaporosh, on the great bend of the Dnieper, and at present the main forces of our army are storming the city, and the enemy in the city has been crushed by us. And the commanders and fighters of the Voronezh Front also successfully repelled the enemy's counterattack on Kharkov, and the troops were making final preparations before the attack. The Germans on the right bank of the Dnieper were equally unpleased, and their attempt to capture Smilla and pounce on Kiev was crushed by the fighters of the 79th Guards Infantry Division under the command of General Vachuk. ……”

I quietly turned my attention to Floning, who was sitting on the other side, to see how he reacted, after all, he was the most familiar with this history of all those present. But when my attention was on him, I saw that his mouth was wide open and his face showed an expression of disbelief.

Seeing his expression, I couldn't help but chuckle in my heart, secretly screaming that it was not good, could it be that it was because of my appearance that the current situation of the enemy and the enemy and the real history have been deviated? I just don't know what kind of outcome will happen if the current trend continues.

Since my attention was so focused on Fronin's side that I didn't hear what Voroshilov was saying later, I knew that the marshal's speech was over, and I hurriedly followed the example of the others, and applauded as well.

As soon as Voroshilov sat down, Molotov stood up, put his hands on the edge of the table, looked ahead, and said with a smile: "Comrades, we have such a good result at the moment, thanks to one person. It was precisely because she led her troops to cross to the right bank of the Dnieper, pinned down a large number of German troops, and decisively captured Kiev that the situation on the battlefield changed gratifyingly. ……”

Molotov didn't say my name, but quite a few of the attendees turned their heads to look at where I was. When I found myself in the spotlight, I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.

Molotov glanced at me, picked up a piece of paper on the table, and read unhurriedly: "Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, to Lieutenant General Lida . Mushdakova. Oshanina awarded the Golden Star medal, as well as the title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'. In recognition of his bravery and fearlessness on the front lines of the Great Patriotic War, as well as for the great exploits of the liberation of the glorious city of Kiev. ”

Molotov paused at this point and turned his gaze to where I was. At this time, Aleksandrov, who was sitting on my right hand, gently pushed me and whispered: "Comrade Oshanina, it's your turn." Hurry up to Comrade Molotov and accept the honor you deserve. ”

I hurriedly stood up, straightened my appearance, walked forward quickly, straightened my back and stood in front of Molotov, waiting for his next order.

Molotov smiled and stretched out his hand to me and said in a friendly voice: "Comrade Oshanina, I congratulate you!" ”

I shook his hand and politely replied, "Thank you!" ”

Seeing that Molotov and I were shaking hands together, the hall burst into applause.

Amid loud applause, Molotov placed the Venus medal, which had just been taken out of the box, on my left chest, above several other medals. After putting on the medal, he turned around and took a certificate from Voroshilov's hand, held it in both hands and handed it to me.

Then Voroshilov and the old man with a goatee shook hands with me and congratulated me.

After a few more brief remarks, Molotov announced the official end of the ceremony. Everyone stood up and applauded Molotov and the three of them left, and then they also left their positions and walked out of the hall.

I was thinking about whether I should immediately go outside to find Bezkov, but he came first. He glanced behind me with a look of disgust on his face, and he asked me in a low voice, "Leda, shall we go back now?" ”

"Comrade Colonel," before I could speak, Crochkov's voice came from behind me: "Comrade Oshanina wants to go with me, so I won't go back with you for the time being." ”

"What?!" When Bezikov heard this, he immediately asked viciously: "Comrade Crochkov, who gave you the right to arbitrarily detain commanders who came back from the front?" As he spoke, he reached for the pistol at his waist.

Seeing that he had misunderstood, I hurriedly grabbed his hand so that he would not cause an accident on the spur of the moment, and at the same time explained to him: "Comrade Colonel, you have misunderstood. Comrade Krochkov took me not back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but to the hospital. ”

"Hospital? What to do in the hospital? "Bezikov listened to me, and although he remained hostile to Krochkov, his hand was removed from the holster.

Seeing that Bezikov was looking at me in confusion, I had no choice but to explain further to him: "There seems to be something wrong with my eyes, and Comrade Krochkov said that he knows an ophthalmologist and is going to take me to see it." ”

"I see, then I'll go with you." After saying this, Bezikov turned to Krochkov again and asked in a sarcastic tone: "You have no objection, do you?" (To be continued......)