Zhukov's words puzzled me, and I couldn't help but ask in my heart, AK47 was developed and produced by the Soviet Union itself, and it had nothing to do with the withdrawal of US aid, so why did it stop work because of the lack of raw materials? With this question in mind, I tentatively asked Zhukov: "Comrade Marshal, I don't understand, what is the connection between the production of our assault rifles and the supplies of US aid?" ”

Zhukov did not answer my question right away, but stretched out his hand to me and said: "Give me your gun." ”

I don't know why he looked at my assault rifle, but I honestly handed it to him. After he took the gun, he slapped the grip of the gun with his right hand and said, "Lida, you see, this grip of the assault rifle is made of plastic. And our current production capacity is not yet able to produce large quantities of plastic for this weapon, so we can only rely on aid from the United States. With that, he handed me back the gun.

I took the gun and said in confusion: "Comrade Marshal, can't the grip of this gun be made of plastic, not wood?" As I said this, I pointed to the boundless forest outside the car window and said with emotion: "Look at these forests, if you use them to make grips, they won't be used up in a hundred years." ”

"With wood?!" When Zhukov heard my proposal, he was stunned at first, and soon a smile of approval appeared on his face, "yes, I didn't think that wood could be used instead of plastic." When you return to Moscow, you will go with me to Ustinov and tell him about it. After a pause, he complimented me again, saying, "Your brain is still good." Something that gives so many military industry experts a headache. It was actually solved in a few words. ”

"Comrade Marshal." I felt a little embarrassed by Zhukov's compliment, and hurriedly said: "I just said it casually, and it is still unknown whether this proposal can be adopted by the comrades of the People's Commissar. ”

Zhukov waved his hand at me and said in no doubt: "I think your proposal is completely feasible, and Ustinov should have no doubts." Rest assured, once your opinion is taken up by the Ministry of Armament. A medal can't run. ”

Medal, Zhukov's words stunned me, although I made a suggestion, I can actually get a medal. I was afraid that Zhukov was wrong, and I asked tentatively: "Comrade Marshal, this proposal I made seems to be not up to the level of awarding medals, right?" ”

Zhukov pouted at the medal hanging from my chest and said: "It is certainly impossible to award you the Order of the Red Banner that you are wearing, but another kind of Medal of Honor, which was established by order of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR on November 25, 1935. Specially awarded to create production to achieve high indicators. He has made outstanding achievements in scientific research and cultural and sports activities, and has made inventions and creations in technology. As well as individuals or collectives who contributed to the improvement of the combat effectiveness of the Soviet Army and the strengthening of the defense of the USSR. ”

As soon as Zhukov finished speaking, I understood that I deserved such a medal, and changing the grip of the assault rifle from plastic to wood may seem like an inconspicuous triviality, but it can make the assault rifle mass-produced in a short period of time, and the combat effectiveness of the troops will be greatly improved in a short period of time after obtaining new weapons.

The driver heard our conversation and, after entering the city of Moscow, did not drive the car to Zhukov's headquarters, but drove directly outside the office building of the Department of Weapons and Equipment. The sentry at the door stretched out his hand to stop our car, and when he came over and bent down to say a few words, he suddenly caught a glimpse of Zhukov sitting in the passenger seat, and hurriedly stood up and saluted, and ran over to lift the railing that stopped at the door. The driver was not polite, and as soon as he stepped on the accelerator, he drove into the compound of the equipment department.

After we got out of the car, Zhukov, after explaining a few words to the captain of the guard who came from behind, led me into the building of the armament department. According to my intuition, Zhukov must have been here quite a few times, and he led me up to the second floor with ease, and walked along the corridor. The staff who met us on the way stepped aside and leaned against the wall to let us pass first, and the men in military uniforms raised their hands to salute us.

When we came to the two closed gates, the servicemen sitting at the table at the door hurriedly stood up, raised their hands to salute Zhukov, and said respectfully: "Comrade Marshal, the People's Commissar is inside, do you need me to report?" ”

"No, you don't." Zhukov said with a big grin, then walked forward quickly, raised his hand and tapped the door twice, and before there was any movement inside, he pushed open the door and walked in first. I smiled at the soldier standing by the door and walked in briskly.

In the spacious room, there was a large desk in the middle, and next to the table sat two people, looking down and discussing something. Hearing someone come in, both of us looked up at us. I recognized it at a glance as Ustinov and Floning.

Seeing that it was Zhukov who came in, the two immediately stood up. Ustinov also walked around the table, greeted Zhukov and shook hands, and said politely: "Hello, Comrade Deputy Commander-in-Chief, I don't know if you are here today, do you have anything important?" ”

Zhukov did not immediately answer his question, and, after shaking hands with him, turned sideways, pointed at me and said: "I am here today with General Oshanina because I have important matters to discuss with you. ”

I hurriedly stepped forward, raised my hand to Ustinov, and at the same time said: "Hello, Comrade People's Commissar. ”

When Ustinov shook hands with me, he smiled and teased me: "Comrade Oshanina, did you come to me today, did you change your mind and intend to accept my appointment to be the head of the secret base?" ”

"Comrade People's Commissar," I did not expect Ustinov to suddenly say this, and I could not help but become a little flustered, and hurriedly explained: "No, I came here with Comrade Marshal because of other things." ”

"I beg your pardon, Comrade Ustinov." Zhukov said politely, but at the same time firmly: "General Oshanina is more suitable to stay in the army and command the troops, with her ability, there will definitely be better development." ”

"Well, well, Comrade Deputy Commander-in-Chief!" Ustinov said with a smile: "As soon as I mention it, let Comrade Oshanina work in our weapons and equipment department." You're going to be upset. ”

"Alright. Comrade Ustinov. Let's get down to business. Zhukov deliberately said to Ustinov in an official tone: "When do you plan to officially start the production of assault rifles?" ”

"I beg your pardon, Comrade Zhukov." It was Floning, who was still standing behind the desk, who said politely and politely: "Judging by the current situation, we will not be able to start the production of new weapons before the end of May. ”

"Why is this happening?" Zhukov's eyes looked at Ustinov and asked: "Is something wrong again?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander-in-Chief." Ustinov sighed. "An hour ago, I just received a report from the port that because the roads are muddy and the transportation has been seriously affected, the arrival of the latest US aid materials in Moscow may be delayed by about a month," he said helplessly. ”

After Zhukov figured out what was going on, the expression on his face became relaxed, he waved his hand, sat down on a chair with a back by the table, looked up at Ustinov and asked: "If I am not mistaken." The reason why you are delaying the production date is because the plastic used to make the assault rifle grip has not arrived, right? ”

Ustinov turned his head and glanced at Floning. Seeing that the other party nodded slightly at him, he said with certainty: "Yes, Comrade Deputy Commander, without this batch of plastics, we would not be able to produce the grip of the assault rifle." ”

"Why do you have to use plastic to make the grip of a rifle?" With a smile on his face, Zhukov asked rhetorically: "Isn't it possible to use wood as a substitute?" ”

"Wooden grips?" Fronin repeated Zhukov's words beside him, then put his right hand on his forehead and said: "My God, how could I not think of this solution? Its practical wood is used as a grip, and the effect is the same. After saying this, he walked around the table to Zhukov, bowed slightly and stretched out his hands, and said: "Marshal Zhukov, you are really amazing, you can actually come up with such a good method." ”

Zhukov stretched out his hand and shook him gently, but after letting go, he did not take credit, stretched out his hand and pointed at me, and said: "Comrade engineer, you don't need to thank me, in fact, this method was thought up by Oshanina. If you really want to thank her, thank her. ”

Florin's eyes lit up when he heard Zhukov say this, and then he walked up to me, shook my hand, and said gratefully: "Lida, I didn't expect you to solve our current urgent needs so easily, thank you so much!" ”

I shook the old engineer's hand, smiled and said modestly: "You're welcome, comrade engineer. I just came up with an idea on a whim, and I don't know if it will help you. ”

"Helpful, certainly helpful." This time, Ustinov shook my hand and said emotionally: "Maybe it's an insignificant little idea for you, but it solves the big problem we are facing right now." Speaking of this, he turned to Zhukov and said: "Comrade Deputy Commander-in-Chief, with this idea of Comrade Oshanina, in two days at most, our arsenal will be able to carry out the production of new rifles on a large scale." ”

"Great, that's great." Hearing such good news, Zhukov could not sit still in his seat, he stood up and said: "In this way, we will be able to equip Rokossovsky's troops with assault rifles in mid-April, and when they are familiar with the new weapons, we can prepare for a new offensive campaign." ”

When Zhukov said this, I deliberately paid attention to the expression on Floning's face, and saw the corners of his mouth twitch, as if he wanted to say something, but swallowed the words back vividly. At this time, I heard Ustinov saying to Zhukov: "Deputy Commander-in-Chief, since Comrade Oshanina's proposal has solved our problem, should we consider awarding her a Medal of Honor for her outstanding contribution to providing the combat effectiveness of our army?" ”

Hearing Ustinov's suggestion, a smile appeared on Zhukov's face, and he said lightly: "Comrade Ustinov, awarding the Medal of Honor is within your purview, you don't need to ask me for instructions." ”

Ustinov didn't expect Zhukov to agree so quickly, he was stunned for a moment, and then said with a smile: "Since this is the case, then the next thing will be arranged by me." ”

Then he turned to me and said: "Comrade Oshanina, for your contribution to improving the combat effectiveness of our army and strengthening the defense of the Motherland, I have decided to award you the Medal of Honor. The ceremony will take place two days later, along with Engineer Floning. As he said this, his eyes turned to Florin, "for his contributions, he will be awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Medal of the Sickle and Hammer, and the Medal of Honor." ”

When Flonin heard this, he immediately took two steps forward, stood in front of Ustinov, straightened his waist and said loudly: "Willing to serve the Soviet Motherland!" (To be continued......)