When he walked up the steps under the instruction of the guard's flashlight, Major Gavrilov said: "Be careful what you say when you see Comrade Zhukov!"
"Yes, Comrade Major!" Shulka responded, then froze on the spot.
"What? What did you say, Comrade Major?" Shulka said: "Are we meeting Zhukov?"
"Is there any problem?" Major Gavrilov turned around and asked with some doubts.
"Oh, no, there's no problem!" Shulka hurriedly followed.
Shulka soon realized... To modern people, Zhukov was a famous general and a fire-fighting hero. However, at this time, Zhukov had not yet completed the victory in the defense of Moscow, so he had not yet become so famous.
However, Shulka still felt a heat in his head. He was about to meet Zhukov. The "breakout hero" met the "fire-fighting hero". Shulka felt nervous for no reason.
The corridor was dark, and every window was covered with a thick layer of black cloth. If it weren't for the flashlight in the guard's hand, which was also covered with black cloth, shining a little light, Shulka wouldn't have known where to go.
.
Then the guard opened a door, motioned the two of them to go in, carefully closed the door, covered it with a black cloth and checked it again before opening the door to another room... The light soon came through that door, a bit like
Heaven's door opens in darkness.
Shulka knew why the guards were so careful: if any light shone through, the building might become a target for enemy bombing, and that was no joke.
Walking into the lighted door, Shulka suddenly felt a sense of relief that he had regained the light. Not long ago, the nervousness he felt due to seeing Zhukov disappeared unconsciously.
This is a headquarters, I think it should be the headquarters of the Western Front. There is a lot of noise on the phone and radio next to it. Staff officers are running back and forth with telegram documents. Zhukov and several staff officers are discussing something in front of the map. After the guard came forward to report, he confessed
He shouted to the staff officer and then turned around and walked towards the waiting Major Gavrilov and Shulka.
"Major, Second Lieutenant!" Zhukov took the initiative to shake hands with the two of them, and then said "Oh": "You are still wet!"
"Sorry, comrade general!" Major Gavrilov said: "We just came off the battlefield and came here after hearing the order!"
"No, it doesn't matter, Comrade Major!" Zhukov said: "This is the smell of war. I like the smell of war. It contains blood, smoke and courage!"
As he spoke, Zhukov hugged the two of them warmly, then spread his hands to show the mud that had just been stained on his body, and said: "Look, I also smell like war!"
Major Gavrilov and Shulka couldn't help laughing.
The rare thing about Zhukov is that he is not only good at fighting but also good at socializing, and the same is true for soldiers.
For example, this moment just now was so real and natural that it immediately shortened the distance between the two of them.
Zhukov invited the two of them to sit down on the armchair next to him, and then said: "Heroes, you fought so well in the battle of Tula! Thank you for your contribution to the motherland and the army! It is unimaginable that we would have fought without you.
What will happen if the Germans retreat? We have at least hundreds of thousands of troops surrounded by the enemy... As you know, we are extremely short of manpower. If such losses occur again at this time, the consequences will be disastrous! It can be said that your victory has greatly improved the troops.
Moscow even escaped a catastrophe!"
"This is what we should do, Comrade General!"
"I'm honored, Comrade General!"
"I know you, Second Lieutenant!" Zhukov said to Shulka: "I read about you in the newspaper. They called you the 'Breakout Hero', right?"
"Yes, Comrade General!" Shulka stood up and replied, but was quickly stopped by Zhukov.
"Be casual, Second Lieutenant!" Zhukov said with a smile: "You'd better forget our military ranks, or... just treat them as a title!"
"Yes, Comrade General!"
"Are you all from Brest?" Zhukov asked.
"Yes!" Major Gavrilov replied: "Brest Fortress on the Bug River!"
"In other words, you have been at war from the moment the war broke out! Until now?"
"Yes!"
"This must be a very interesting experience!" Zhukov said: "If you have time, I would like to hear you tell the whole story!"
"Of course, Comrade General!"
"But now..." Zhukov said with regret: "I can only make the story short. I heard that the 9th Mechanized Army installed telephones on tanks so that they can communicate with each other in the absence of radio equipment. Is this true?
"
"Yes, Comrade General!" Major Gavrilov said: "This was Comrade Shulka's idea!"
"Oh?" Zhukov raised his eyebrows and asked Shulka: "Is that so?"
"Yes, Comrade General!" Shulka replied: "I just hope... they can work together to better utilize the role of tanks!"
"This is a good idea!" Zhukov nodded heavily: "Do you mind if I use this method on other tanks? I mean copy your idea!"
"Of course I don't mind, Comrade General!" Shulka replied.
As he said this, several people started laughing.
In fact, judging from Zhukov's expression, Shulka believed that Zhukov had known about this for a long time and had even used it.
The reason why I say this now is just a few polite words.
"I heard that you made many suggestions, Comrade Shulka!"
At this time, the guard brought vodka and water glasses. Zhukov took the wine from the guard and poured it for Shulka and Major Gavlov while continuing: "And these suggestions have been proven to be effective!"
"I'm not sure, Comrade General!" Shulka said: "I don't know if they are really effective, because the battle is not over yet!"
"Well said!" Zhukov raised his glass and said, "Then, let's end this battle and drive the invaders out of our land!"
As he spoke, he raised his head and took a few sips.
"Well, Comrade Shulka!" Zhukov said, "Do you have any suggestions for Moscow?"
"Suggestion? Sorry, Comrade General!" Shulka replied: "I shouldn't say this..."
"Why?" Zhukov interrupted Shulka.
"because……"
"Because I'm a general? I'm Zhukov?" Zhukov laughed: "What's the difference? This is war, Comrade Shulka, this shitty war doesn't matter whether I am Zhukov or not, it will still make me
Feeling dizzy!"
That's how the Soviets are, they start using foul language after a few sips of wine.
"Talk about it!" Zhukov picked up the wine glass again and said in a half-joking, half-commanding tone: "Just like you used to give advice to other people, or say something casually, make a few complaints... I'm listening!