A few minutes later, a second lieutenant brought the three of them to the dean's office, and said respectfully: "Comrade dean, we have already arrived."
"Thank you, Comrade Second Lieutenant." The dean said to the Second Lieutenant politely: "You have nothing to do here. You can go back to duty."
The second lieutenant agreed, raised his hand to salute the dean, turned and left the office.
"Hello, Verevkin!" As soon as the second lieutenant left, Ponedelin took a step forward and greeted the dean emotionally: "Do you still recognize me?"
"I recognize you, Ponyjelin." The dean took the initiative to extend his hand to the other party and said friendly: "You once gave lectures in my college. If I can't even recognize you, then this dean is too disrespectful.
You are qualified for your job."
Seeing that the other party had already extended his hand first, Ponejelin quickly extended his hand to shake hands with the other party. Unexpectedly, after the dean took hold of Ponejelin's hand, he suddenly pulled him towards him, and then shook hands with Ponejelin.
Lin came for a hug. He patted Ponjelin's back with his left hand and said with some excitement: "My old man, I really didn't expect that you are still alive. I thought I would never see you again in this life."
is you."
"Veryovkin," Ponedelin looked a little flustered in the face of the dean's enthusiastic performance: "Shortly after the war broke out, I was wounded and became a prisoner of the German army. I stayed in a German prisoner-of-war camp for two years.
, was rescued by General Sokov’s troops.”
The dean let go of Ponedelin, took a step back, punched the other person's shoulder, and asked in a reproachful tone: "Since you have returned to Moscow, why don't you come to see me?"
"Veryovkin, my status at that time was quite special." Ponedelin said with difficulty: "I'm worried that coming here will cause trouble to you."
"General Ponejelin!" Before the dean could speak, Sokov, who was sitting next to him, had already stood up, came to the two of them, and said to the dean: "Now that your problem has been clarified, you have nothing to do.
The thing is, you can go wherever you want and meet who you want."
"Misha, thank you." After hearing what Sokov said, Ponedelin whispered: "Thank you for everything you have done for us. We will always remember your kindness."
Sokov didn't want Ponedelin to always talk about being grateful, so he quickly changed the subject: "General Ponedelin, have you read all the information I sent you?"
Two days ago, Sokov saw that the graduation date was approaching, and he felt that Ponedelin and others should meet with the students he had selected, so he contacted Zhukov and asked him to arrange for Ponedelin and the others to return to Moscow.
At the same time, he also asked Zhukov to transfer the student information he obtained from Lunev to Ponedelin.
"I've seen it, Misha." Ponedelin nodded and said, "I have memorized all the fifteen pieces of information you gave me. But now I am still worried about one thing."
"What are you worried about?"
"According to the data, these trainees are all very good commanders. They can be reused when they return to their original units after training." Ponejelin said worriedly: "It would be very difficult to recruit them all.
big."
After hearing this, Sokov laughed and said: "General Ponedelin, you are worrying too much. When Comrade Dean announced my identity, not only were these fifteen students willing to join me unconditionally, but also
Fifteen new places have been added.”
"real?!"
"Of course it's true." Sokov nodded and said, "If you don't believe it, I will take you to see those students later. They are waiting for you and me in the classroom right now."
"Comrade General is right. In addition to the originally selected fifteen students, fifteen additional students have been added." The dean echoed from the side: "Ponejelin, you didn't see the situation at that time.
After the list of fifteen people in the first row was announced, the students who were not on the list became anxious and asked to join General Sokov's command. After some discussion, fifteen more places were temporarily added."
"That's great." When the news was confirmed, Ponejelin became excited: "With thirty regiment-level commanders, the framework of our new unit can be established. Even if the superiors give us
It is a reserve army, and I am sure that within three months, the army will form a strong combat effectiveness."
"Comrade General," Muzichenko and Kirillov standing at the door became transparent. Seeing that Sokov had successfully recruited thirty students who had graduated from the intermediate commander training class, Muzichenko
Feeling that he needed to say a few words, he stepped forward and said, "May I say a few words?"
Although Muzychenko's status in Sokov's mind cannot be compared with Ponedelin, in any case, others were already lieutenant generals before the war, and the necessary respect is still necessary: "Muzychenko
General Ke, please tell me."
"Now that enough students have been recruited, I think we should gather everyone together and form a temporary command." Muzichenko said: "If possible, this temporary command should be sent to the front line to learn through observation and practice.
, so that the command center can complete the running-in and training as soon as possible and become a real command system."
"Misha, I think Muzichenko is right." Perhaps he was worried that Sokov would not agree to this suggestion. As soon as Muzichenko finished speaking, Ponedelin said in support: "A mature command,
It is necessary to be on the battlefield in order to grow up quickly. Therefore, it is completely necessary to send this temporary headquarters to the front line."
Sokov felt that the two people's suggestions made sense. He nodded slightly, and then asked: "Then which front do you think this temporary command should be sent to?"
After Ponedelin and Muzichenko looked at each other, they looked at Sokov again: "Misha, I think it is best to be sent to the Belarusian Front of General Rokossovsky. He has always regarded you very highly.
, knowing that this headquarters is under your command, he will definitely be happy to receive you."
"That's no problem," Sokov replied readily: "I will contact General Rokossovsky shortly. I believe he will be very happy to receive our temporary command headquarters."
Seeing that Sokov readily agreed, Ponedelin showed a relaxed expression on his face, and he continued: "Misha, I will be responsible for the temporary command. If it turns out that I am not the material, you don't need to tell me.
I will take the initiative to leave. But I also have to say something ugly upfront. Since you have entrusted me with such an important responsibility, you have to give me enough trust. I believe you will have no problem in this regard.
Another point is that you have to delegate power to me as much as possible and not interfere too much with my work. You can just leave the work to me with confidence, but I have to bear the pressure from other aspects.
.”
Sokov knew very well that if he really put such an important institution in charge of a suspicious commander like Ponedelin, he would definitely face a lot of pressure, so he nodded and said: "No problem, I
You will be officially appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Provisional Command."
Ponejelin said: "Although I served as a group army commander in the early days of the war and have experience in commanding operations, no matter what, I have become a prisoner of the Germans. Others may look at me with colored glasses.
This will affect our next work. Let me give you a suggestion. Since you don’t know where the troops you command are yet, don’t give me a specific position yet. You can set up a special advisory group under my responsibility. Let me first
Let’s wait until the temporary command headquarters is operational.”
Sokov nodded and said: "I think so too, but considering that I don't give you a specific position, the next work will not be easy to carry out."
Ponyjelin smiled and said: "Misha, the positions are all empty. I am here to do things, not just to reinstate my position. If you arrange specific positions for me now, I don't know how many people will be there.
I'll stab you in the back. Take your time with everything. After you graduate from the military academy and get the unit assigned to you by your superiors, it won't be too late to arrange specific positions."
Sokov said cheerfully: "No problem, as long as you don't mind yourself. I'm worried that you feel aggrieved."
"How is this possible?" Ponejelin said: "If you hadn't helped us, the three of us would still be imprisoned in the cell of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at this moment. As long as you trust me and delegate power to me, that's it."
Ponijelin was convinced of Sokov's statement. After all, Sokov was his savior and would never cheat him on such a matter.
After Sokov asked the three of them to sit down, he continued to ask: "Are there any difficulties?"
"Comrade General." Kirillov, who had never spoken, said, "Although you have recruited thirty regiment-level commanders in the intermediate commander training class, if you command a group army-level unit in the future, these
I’m afraid there aren’t enough people.”
Sokov smiled at Kirillov, and then said: "General Kirillov, don't worry, I am looking for talents everywhere. As long as they are capable and have no problems with their political background, I will find a way to recruit them.
.I am confident that the troops I will command in the future will become elite troops with the highest combat effectiveness in our army!"
If someone else had said this, everyone present would have thought he was bragging, but when Sokov said it, it seemed so logical. Although Ponejelin and others were not rescued for a long time, they all
I have learned about all the battle cases commanded by Sokov, and I have come to the conclusion that the troops commanded by Sokov mean that the friendly forces feel at ease and the enemy is frightened.
On the way to the classroom with Ponejelin and others, Sokov was thinking about not rushing to appoint these trainees to their posts. After all, even if they returned to their original troops, it would be impossible for everyone to serve as regimental commander or deputy.
Many people who hold the position of regimental commander will definitely be transferred to staff officers. Let them go to the front line for training for a period of time, and you will be able to see how capable each person is.
However, Sokov also thought of another problem. Now he is recruiting regiment-level commanders, and there is a serious lack of division-level or even corps-level commanders. Even if Muzichenko and Kirillov serve as corps commanders and
For the position of division commander, there is still a huge talent gap in our own army.
In a few days, I will go to the senior commander training class. Then it is obviously unrealistic to think of poaching thirty commanders in one go like the intermediate training class. After the students of the senior commander training class graduate,
, they can also get important tasks when they return to their respective troops, but they may not be interested in their own troops.
Ponijelin, who was walking aside, saw Sokov looking worried, so he asked tentatively: "Misha, are you thinking about how to recruit division-level commanders?"
Seeing that Ponejelin guessed what he was thinking, Sokov did not hide it. He sighed and said: "Yes, the advanced class is not as good as the intermediate class. Even if I want to recruit people, I am afraid not many people will be willing."
"You can still give it a try." Ponejelin said: "You can usually have more contact with the students in the class and test their tone. If you think it is suitable, you can directly invite them."
"Is it possible?" Sokov said worriedly: "What if they want to reject me?"
"Misha, according to the prior agreement, you will participate in the senior commander training class as a lieutenant colonel this time." Ponedelin analyzed to Sokov: "I think the class will be full of lieutenant colonels and colonels.
, a young lieutenant colonel like you will definitely not attract everyone's attention. Even if you invite others, the chance of being rejected is very high."
"Yes, that's what I'm worried about." Sokov knew that Ponedelin would not bring up this matter for no reason, so he asked casually: "Do you have any good ideas?"
"There are ways." Ponejelin nodded and said, "But you must enter the senior commander training class with your true identity and appear in front of everyone wearing a brand new lieutenant general uniform."
"Participate in the senior commander training course with your real identity?" Sokov said with some concern: "Is this possible?"
"There is nothing wrong with it." Ponejelin said: "If the commanders in the advanced training class find out that you are the distinguished General Sokov, they will probably take the initiative to approach you, hoping to get in front of you.
They all look familiar. And you, just take advantage of this opportunity to recruit all those outstanding commanders with potential."
When the group returned to the classroom, the students who were chatting in different parts of the classroom returned to their respective positions, waiting for Sokov to explain to them what to do next.
Seeing Sokov walking up to the podium, Sukhalev quickly brought a chair forward and said to Sokov: "Misha, your leg injury hasn't healed yet, please sit down first."
After expressing his gratitude to Sukharev, Sokov sat on the chair. He looked at the scattered students and said with a smile: "Students, I have something important to announce to you next.
Please everyone sit in the front."
Hearing what Sokov said, the students who were originally scattered all stood up and walked towards the position near the podium.
After thirty students took their seats near the podium, Sokov said: "Students, I may stay among the students for half a year. In order to prevent you from doing nothing during this time, I plan to set up a temporary commander.
Department, of which you are all members, will be sent to the front line for training soon."
Having said this, he pointed at Ponejelin standing next to him: "Students, let me introduce to you, Major Ponejelin. He will be fully responsible for the newly formed temporary command post."
