Red Moscow

Chapter 2482

"Comrade General, please forgive me, you are so imprudent." Chakovsky shook his head and said: "According to your idea, in addition to the Supreme Commander himself, there will be Zhdanov and Voldemort in the book. How you should describe important figures such as Roshilov and Zhukov is an issue that you must consider. If it is not handled properly, it may bring you unexpected trouble."

Chakovsky's words made Sokov break into a cold sweat. He only thought that the book "The Siege" was a masterpiece, but he forgot the year when the book was published. Stalin died of illness in 1953. This is everyone's Things everyone knows. Then Zhdanov died in 1948, Marshal Voroshilov lived until December 1969, and even Marshal Zhukov, who was highly praised in the book, died in 1974, a year before the book was published.

In other words, the main historical figures in the book are still alive at this moment, and if you want to publish this book, you must get their approval. If anyone is dissatisfied with his or her own image in the book, it may lead to some unexpected conflicts. Sokov began to regret secretly in his heart. He felt that writing "The Siege" at this time was like writing the novel "The Sword" in 1931. Although it is also a classic, the times are not right. The Anti-Japanese War has not yet fully broken out, and Principal Chiang's army is approaching. Carrying out the fourth encirclement and suppression campaign and asking the two hostile parties to put aside their old grudges and fight the Japanese together would be the most ridiculous thing in the world. No one would believe it.

“Comrade Chakovsky, do you have any good ideas?”

"Comrade General, I think you can write on a different subject." Chakovsky said sincerely: "For example, a book like "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" mainly focuses on the stories of small people in the war. You see how?"

Hearing what Chakovsky said, Sokov couldn't help but start to think about it. If he couldn't write the book "The Siege", what kind of book should he write again? So he began to think about books whose protagonists are minor characters. Although there are many such books, they have never been published in Chinese translation. I haven’t even read the book, so I can’t write a book just based on the title.

After thinking for a long time, Sokov never thought of a suitable book. He could only shake his head with a wry smile and said: "Chakovsky, my mind is very confused now. If I really can't write "The Siege", for a while I will still There’s really no other inspiration.”

"Don't worry, Comrade General." Seeing Sokov's helpless appearance, Chakovsky quickly comforted him and said, "You are a genius. I believe it won't be long before you will have new inspiration and write another book." A popular novel."

Hearing Chakovsky's praise for himself, Sokov could only laugh twice awkwardly: "Comrade Chakovsky, you are so flattering."

 “I’m not exaggerating at all, you really have such strength.”

Before reading "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", Chakovsky was skeptical about whether Sokov, a powerful general, could write a novel that people could read. After all, every line is like a mountain. , you may be a good commanding officer, but when it comes to literary creation, you are an out-and-out novice. But after watching "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", Chakovsky's views changed. He felt that some people are born writers and can reach their peak with the first work they create, and Soko in front of him General Husband happens to be this kind of person.

Sokov wanted to resolve the current embarrassment, so he changed the topic in time: "Comrade Chakovsky, I heard that you have been working as a war correspondent during the war."

"Yes, Comrade General, I have been working as a war reporter on the Leningrad Front. That is why the works I created are all based on the defense of Leningrad, because I know very well everything that happened in this city. ." Chakovsky said proudly: "It is precisely because I understand this city that I can write novels that readers will like."

“To write such a wonderful novel, you must have interviewed many commanders and combatants, right?” Sokov asked casually.

"Yes, I interviewed many commanders and combatants, including generals, school officers and lieutenants, and more ordinary soldiers." Chakovsky said: "I will record the stories told by each of them in a notebook. As material for my novels."

Chakovsky's words suddenly gave Sokov a flash of inspiration. He seemed to have thought of something, but he didn't understand it. He quickly raised his hand and interrupted Chakovsky's words: "Comrade Chakovsky, what did you just say?"

“I said that I recorded all the stories told by the commanders and combatants I interviewed and used them as material for my novels.”

"No, no, that's not what you said." Sokov shook his head desperately and said, "You seemed to be talking about the interviewee or something like that."

"Oh, I did. I interviewed generals, colonel officers, and lieutenants, and most of them were ordinary soldiers."

"Yes, it's him." When Sokov heard what Chakovsky said, he clapped his hands and said excitedly to Chakovsky: "Comrade Chakovsky, thank you, you Just provided me with a valuable inspiration.”

Chakovsky looked at Sokov in confusion, thinking to himself, what did I say? How could General Sokov be inspired? With this question in mind, he asked tentatively: "Comrade General, I wonder if you have any other inspirations?"

Chakovsky did not know that when he casually mentioned "Ordinary Soldier", Sokov was reminded of the novel of the same name that he happened to read, "Ordinary Soldier", which is a novel written by writer Zurba. The novel was first published in 1949. The famous translator Jin Ren translated it into Chinese and published it in China in 1951. The book describes many touching stories of Matlosov, a young Soviet soldier, who grew up to be a hero of the Soviet Union.

 You may not be familiar with Matlosov. He died blocking a German machine gun during the battle. When this book was released in China, it coincided with the vigorous movement to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea, and the heroic deeds of Matlosov-style hero Huang Jiguang were widely praised in the country.

"Chakovsky, you were right just now. The protagonists in my books should be mainly small people." Sokov said happily: "I just thought of a hero and plan to write a story based on his deeds. This book.”

“Comrade General, can you tell me who this hero is?”

"Matlosov!" Sokov was worried that Chakovsky didn't know who Matlosov was, so he went out of his way to educate him: "He is an ordinary soldier of the 2nd Battalion, 254th Regiment, 91st Guards Division. , February 23, 1943, during the battle for the village of Chernushka under the city of Veliky Luki in Pskov Region, Matlosov used his chest to block the machine gun holes of the enemy's bunker, causing the enemy's machine gun to The misfire allowed our army to successfully conquer the enemy's position and win the final victory. Matlosov, who died heroically, was posthumously recognized as a 'Hero of the Soviet Union' on June 19, 1943."

"Comrade General, I have heard his story before." Chakovsky nodded and said, "I was very moved when I heard it, but as a reporter and writer, I have never thought of writing his story into a novel. But you thought of it, which is really admirable to me.”

Sokov was thinking at this moment that the book "The Ordinary Soldier" was published in 1949. The author would have written it in 1947 or 1948. If he wrote it now, he would not have to worry about colliding with the original author. Therefore, I made a decisive decision to start writing this book after Chakovsky left.

"Comrade General," Chakovsky didn't know that Sokov was eager to leave as soon as possible. He also asked a question that he was interested in: "I wonder how many words you plan to write in this book?" Sokov recalled it. , when he was reading this book, he had paid attention to the publication information. The total number of words written in it was 330,000 words, and he solemnly replied: ""The Dawns Here Are Quiet" is 220,000 words. I plan to write this book Write more, I think 330,000 words is enough.”

"330,000 words?" Chakovsky repeated the number of words and said, "I estimate that it will take about half a year to finish writing such a novel. If you encounter any difficulties during the writing process, such as You can come to me when you want to look up information and so on." After saying that, he took out a small book, wrote down a number and handed it to Sokov, "This is the phone number of my work place. Except for weekends, you can call me at other times. Come here and you can basically find me.”

After Sokov put the note with the phone number on it into his coat pocket, he suddenly heard Chakovsky ask: "By the way, Comrade General, what department do you work in now? If you have the opportunity, I would like to visit you at your office.”

Hearing Chakovsky's question, Sokov once again showed an embarrassed expression on his face: "Comrade Chakovsky, after returning from the front line, my superiors have not arranged a job for me yet, otherwise how could I have done it?" So much time to write a novel.”

"What, you came back from the front, and there has been no job arrangement for you?" Chakovsky said in surprise: "The war ended in May, and it has been exactly five months now. In other words, these five months have been Here, you stay at home with nothing to do, so you have time to pick up a pen and write a novel?"

"Comrade Chakovsky, the war ended in August, not May." Sokov waited for Chakovsky to finish and immediately corrected him: "After the surrender of Mustache Germany, we mobilized hundreds of Ten thousand troops fought against the Japanese pirates in the Far East and won the final victory. The front line I am talking about is not Europe but the Far East."

 “Oh, that’s it, I made a mistake, please forgive me for being reckless.”

Chakovsky chatted for a few more words, stood up and said goodbye to Sokov: "Comrade General, I still have something to do, so I won't stay here any longer. We will keep in touch at any time. If you have anything to ask me for, you can call me to stay." Your phone number.”

After sending Chakovsky away, Sokov put aside the manuscript of "The Siege" when he returned home and began to write "The Ordinary Soldier". This kind of war theme with a small character as the protagonist basically does not involve any sensitive issues, so Sokov is very confident that it can be published in a very short time after writing it.

　　The time passed quickly when writing. When the door rang and Asiya walked in from the outside, Sokov had already finished writing four to five thousand words.

“Asiya, come back!” Sokov said with concern after helping Asiya sit down on the chair, “You must be tired, sit down for a while, and I’ll cook for you.”

"Misha, don't be in a hurry to cook." Asiya took Sokov's hand and asked, "I see you have written so many manuscripts again. Has there been any response from Yasha?"

"No." Sokov shook his head and said with a wry smile: "Yasha seems to have disappeared from the world. As of today, there is no news."

Hearing what Sokov said, Asiya couldn't help but worry: "Misha, if there has been no news from Yasha, does it mean that Comrade Stalin is not optimistic about the book you wrote, and naturally he does not intend to Let you write it down."

At this time, Sokov had already thought about it. Even if Stalin did not agree with him to continue writing the book "The Siege", it didn't matter. He could write "The Ordinary Soldier" first and other well-known and good novels. As for the book "The Siege", it would not be too late to wait until Stalin's death in 1953 to write it.

Thinking of this, he smiled and said to Asiya: "Asiya, don't write if you are not allowed to write. It's not like I can't find writing. Not to mention that I still have three movie scripts about snipers to write. Besides, I thought of a new subject today."

As he spoke, he picked up the manuscript on the table and handed it into Asiya's hand: "Look, this is another new book I wrote."

Asiya took the manuscript and read out the title on the first page: "An Ordinary Soldier!"

“Misha, is this the new book you want to write?”

"Yes, Asya, this is the new book I wrote." Sokov said proactively before Asya asked again: "The protagonist of the novel is Matlosov. You must have heard of his deeds. In order to open up a path for his comrades to charge, he used his chest to block the machine gun holes of the bunker. Unfortunately, he died heroically and was later posthumously awarded the honorary title of 'Hero of the Soviet Union'."

"Yes, I have heard of him." Asiya asked tentatively: "If your new book is based on him, will any readers like it after it is written?"

“There will definitely be readers who will like it.” Sokov was very confident about this. As far as he knew, after the book was published, it had been translated into many languages ​​and distributed in many countries. Not to mention, after being translated into Chinese, more than a dozen versions were published in China. This shows how successful this book is. So he said confidently: "Asiya, I can say this, maybe this book will not be as good as "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", but it will definitely be a good book. I have such confidence."

Seeing Sokov's confidence, Asiya smiled: "Misha, since you have such confidence, I am relieved. As for the novel called "Siege", it is naturally a good thing to be able to write it. Even if it cannot be It doesn't matter if you write, then you can write something else. I believe that with your talent, you can write more good books."

Faced with Asiya's praise, Sokov seemed very embarrassed, because after all, these books were not his original works, but plagiarized from some of the more famous books of later generations.

"By the way, Misha." Asiya suddenly remembered something and asked Sokov quickly: "Do you still have enough manuscript paper at home? If not, I will buy it for you when I get off work tomorrow."

"I plan to write 330,000 words for the new book." Sokov looked at the manuscript paper on the table, shook his head and said, "This amount of manuscript paper is definitely not enough. I will go out and buy some when I have time tomorrow."

“It’s cold outside, so don’t go out and get cold. You’d better buy it for you when I get off work tomorrow.”

 (End of this chapter)