Red Moscow

Chapter 2487

"Misha, I have one more thing to tell you." Yakov continued to add: "Yesterday, I accidentally heard Abakumov saying to my father: Marshal Zhukov is too arrogant and will lose all the achievements he made during the war. The decisive role in the victory of all major battles is attributed to him, and Marshal Zhukov's actions in the Battle of Stalingrad are also highlighted."

 As for Abakumov's snitching on Zhukov behind his back, Sokov has seen it in later movies and TV dramas. Although Stalin severely reprimanded him at the time, in the subsequent major counteroffensive in Stalingrad, Zhukov, who formulated the counteroffensive plan, was excluded and replaced by Don Rokossovsky, commander of the Don River Front, and Vasco, commander of the Southwestern Front. Tutin came to take command, while Zhukov was sent to the outside line, responsible for blocking the troops reinforcing Paulus.

By the time of the Fourth Battle of Kharkov, Zhukov was even more hidden. If Vatutin had not failed to live up to his expectations and the troops under his command had been unable to achieve the planned strategic goals, I am afraid that Stalin would not have appointed Zhukov as the representative of the base camp to go to the front line to command operations. Later, after Vatutin was injured in an ambush, Stalin even merged the 1st and 2nd Ukrainian Fronts and gave them to Konev's command.

Later, it was discovered that the merged Ukrainian First Front was too large and the command was not flexible enough, so it was re-split into two fronts, and Zhukov was officially appointed as the commander of the First Ukrainian Front.

 These are all manifestations of distrust in Zhukov.

As for the later transfer of Zhukov to take over Rokossovsky's position and serve as the commander of the First Belarusian Front, it was Stalin who considered that Rokossovsky was of Polish descent and was unwilling to transfer the troops who defeated Germany and occupied Berlin. The honor was given to a mulatto, so Zhukov came to mind.

Now that the war is over, Zhukov's role is not that important, so it is inevitable that he will be gradually reduced in power. The snitch made by Abakumov and others was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

Although Sokov knows these things very well in his heart, he must try his best to stay alone to avoid being unexpectedly involved. It was out of this consideration that he asked Yakov tentatively: "Yasha, you said some time ago that you would arrange work for us. I wonder where your father plans to place me?"

"This is the second thing I want to tell you." Yakov continued: "As far as I know, there were three original arrangements for you. The first is to respect your choice and send you to the Far East. area to manage the prisoners of war of the Kwantung Army; second, agree to Marshal Zhukov's request and send you to Berlin to manage and rebuild this ancient city; third, transfer you to the Design Bureau of the General Ordnance Department to serve as a certain position."

“I wonder what your father plans to do with me?” Sokov asked again.

“He talked to me yesterday and felt that none of these three options are suitable for you.”

Sokov couldn't help but trembled after hearing this, and then asked nervously: "Then how does he plan to settle down? You can't let me stay at home like this, doing nothing every day, right?"

Yakov smiled bitterly and then said: "My father said that you were injured many times during the war and your physical condition is not very good. You should be arranged to rest more and no specific work will be arranged for you for the time being. After your physical condition improves , it’s not too late to make arrangements.”

Sokov's heart froze. He said that he had been hidden. It might not be long before he would be demoted and then assigned to some unit to be a division commander or even a regiment commander. Moreover, it would be nothing. The kind with real power.

Seeing that Sokov was silent, Yakov guessed what he was thinking and quickly comforted him and said: "Misha, don't worry, it doesn't matter even if I don't arrange a job for you for the time being. Asya is not going to give birth in a few months." Well, since you don’t hold a specific position, you can just take care of your children at home. Also, in this way, you will have enough time to write at home."

"That's right." Sokov felt that not assigning him a specific position might be a blessing in disguise. At least he didn't have to get involved in any factional disputes. He could stay at home with peace of mind and write quietly: " Being able to stay at home and write a book is also a good choice.”

"By the way, Misha, if you don't write "The Siege", what book are you going to write?"

"I recently wrote a new book, and the title is "Ordinary Soldier."" Sokov walked to the table in the living room, picked up his manuscript, and handed it to Yakov: "You can take a look. The protagonist of this book is the famous battle hero Matlosov. With a minor character as the protagonist, there must be no restrictions on the publication of this book."

"This is definitely not the case." Yakov took the manuscript and did not read it immediately, but continued to ask: "Have you ever asked the publisher when "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" will be officially published. I'm waiting for it. Gotta be a little anxious.”

"I went to the publishing house to ask today," Sokov said. "The editor-in-chief Xie Keluo was not here, but an editor in charge of publishing received me. He told me for sure that the book "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", It will be officially sold in bookstores in the city three days later, that is, next Monday."

"Misha, please accept my congratulations." After learning the specific publication time, Yakov immediately reached out to Sokov and said in a sincere tone: "Congratulations on the sales of your new book. I believe it can definitely be Made it happen.”

After putting the lamb chops in the oven, Sokov invited Yakov to sit down in the living room, and then asked: "Yasha, what are your plans recently?"

"What other plans can I have?" Yakov said with a bitter look on his face: "In two days, I will go to Stalingrad. The filming work there has already begun. I estimate that I will not be able to come back in three or four months." Yes. Not only will I not be able to make it in time for the October Festival military parade, but I might not be able to make it back in time for the birth of your child."

"It's okay." Sokov waved his hands and said magnanimously: "As long as you can come back when my child turns one year old. Remember to bring him more gifts, otherwise I won't let you in."

Just as the two of them were laughing, Asiya opened the door and walked in from the outside. Seeing that Yakov was there, he couldn't help but be a little surprised: "Yasha, you're here!"

“Yes, yes, I heard Misha said they were cooking grilled lamb chops today, so I came here specially to eat.”

“When I was downstairs, I smelled the aroma of lamb chops, and I was wondering which restaurant was making the lamb chops. It turned out to be Misha.”

“Every household makes grilled lamb chops, but Misha’s grilled lamb chops are particularly delicious. Especially the potato chunks under the lamb chops, they taste so good.”

Sokov's method of grilling lamb chops was learned from several friends from the Northeast. He puts washed and cut potato pieces under the lamb chops to absorb the fat exuded from the lamb chops and make the potatoes taste more delicious. It's a practice they created. Unexpectedly, in this day and age, grilling lamb chops in this way has received unanimous praise. He laughed twice, and then said: "If you are tired of eating roasted lamb chops, I will buy two legs of lamb another day to make roasted lamb legs. Maybe you will think it tastes better."

Seeing that the time was almost up, Sokov walked into the kitchen, took out the tray from the oven, sprinkled cumin powder evenly on the lamb chops, and then pushed it back into the oven, ready to bake for another ten minutes before serving it. On the table. While Sokov was in the kitchen, Asiya quickly asked Yakov: "Yasha, didn't Misha give the first chapters of the new book to your father for review? I wonder if your father has any ideas after reading it? What's the argument?"

"I came here today just for this matter." Yakov said to Asiya: "My father has read Misha's book and thinks it's generally pretty good. But he doesn't recommend writing this book now. After all, this book Most of the people involved in the book are still alive. If they are not satisfied with their image in the book, they may cause unnecessary trouble to Misha. Therefore, the best option is to wait a few years before writing. , then you can avoid some trouble.”

Although Yakov did not say what the trouble was, Asya knew very well that if Sokov's "The Siege" was published, it would definitely cause a lot of unnecessary trouble, so she did not write it for the time being. , maybe it’s a good thing.

After a pause, Asiya asked again: "Yasha, Misha has been staying at home for a long time. I wonder what work your father plans to arrange for him?"

"My father said that Misha was injured many times during the war and his physical condition is not very good, so he will not be assigned any specific work for the time being." Yakov said with some embarrassment: "So his first priority right now is to recuperate. , and we will consider arranging work for him after his physical condition completely improves."

“Oh, that’s it.” Asiya hesitated for a moment and asked a key question: “What about his allowance?”

"Asia, don't worry about this." Yakov said: "Although Sokov will not be assigned specific work for the time being, his level will be there, and his allowance will still be paid on time every month. You You just need to pick it up when the time comes.”

"That's good, that's good." Hearing what Yakov said, Asiya immediately felt relieved: "I'm still worried that he won't have a job and his income will be interrupted. You also know that our child will be born in a few months. The baby is about to be born. If I rely solely on my income, it will be very difficult to support a family. Now that his allowance can be paid normally, I am relieved."

"Actually, even if Misha's allowance is suspended, your lives will not be greatly affected." Yakov reminded Asiya: "Don't forget, "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" written by Sokov It will be published soon. I heard that this book will not receive a one-time payment, but will be divided according to the royalties. With the level of this book, I believe there will be good sales, and you will definitely make a lot of money. , then maybe you won’t look down on Misha’s allowance.”

"I hope so." Asiya said helplessly: "It has been a long time since the manuscript was sent to the publishing house, but so far, I have not received any notification, and I don't know when it will be published."

“Didn’t Misha tell me that it will be officially sold in bookstores next Monday?” Yakov asked in surprise: “Don’t you know?”

"Ah, it will be officially sold next Monday?" Asiya's face was filled with joy after hearing this. She asked in the direction of the kitchen: "Misha, is what Yasha said true?"

Sokov, who was busy in the kitchen, didn't hear clearly what the two people were saying outside. At this moment, I heard Asiya asking herself, and she quickly stuck her head out and asked: "Asiya, what are you asking? Is what Yasha said true?"

Asiya quickly walked up to Sokov and said to him: "Yasha said, tell him that the book "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" will go on sale in bookstores next Monday. is that true?"

"Yes, it's true." After giving the other party a positive answer, Sokov took the initiative and said without waiting for her to speak again: "I went to the department store to buy stationery today and went to the publishing house specifically. The editor in charge of publishing personally told me that the book "The Dawns Here Are Quiet" will be officially sold in bookstores in three days, that is, next Monday."

"Great, this is great." Asiya hugged Sokov excitedly, kissed him on the face, and said with a smile: "When this book is published, Misha, you can I’m officially a writer.”

Sokov laughed dryly twice and said with some embarrassment: "What kind of writer am I? I'm just a transporter of words."

Hearing what Sokov said, both Asya, who was holding him, and Yakov, who was sitting in the living room, laughed out loud. They thought Sokov's statement was so humorous. But only Sokov knew in his heart that he was really not joking. Whether it was "The Dawns Here Are Quiet", "Ordinary Soldier", or "The Siege" which was forbidden to continue writing, they were all copied from other people's works in the dozen or twenty years. book published later.

When the fragrant grilled lamb chops were placed on the table, Asiya took out a bottle of champagne, opened it, filled the glasses in front of everyone, and then took the lead in raising the glasses: "For Misha's book to become a best-seller Cheers, books!”

 “Cheers!” The wine glasses in the hands of the three people clinked together.

After drinking all the champagne in the glass, Asiya wanted to pour champagne into everyone's glasses, but Sokov stopped him: "Asiya, you are pregnant now, drink less wine, it will be harmful to the fetus." not good."

"It's okay." Asiya said carelessly: "I am a doctor, and I know better than you in this regard. Moderate drinking will not affect the fetus. Besides, what we drink is champagne, which is not intoxicating at all." After that, he poured champagne into the three wine glasses one after another.

"Misha." Yakov looked at Sokov and said, "According to my estimation, you probably won't be assigned any specific work within one or two years, so you can feel free to write novels and teach children at home. Child. It’s really boring, you can take Asiya and the child on a trip.”

Hearing what Yakov said, Asia's eyes suddenly shone, and then she said to Sokov: "Misha, Yasha is right. It has been several years since we met, and we were at war before. , we can’t travel. Now that it’s peaceful, when the weather gets warmer, we can find a place to travel, what do you think?”

 “Is there anywhere you want to go?”

“How about Sochi?” Asya asked: “It’s a resort town. Even Comrade Stalin goes there for vacation every summer.”

"Okay, let's go to Sochi." Sokov has been to Sochi in later generations and left a good impression on it. Now that Asya mentioned it, he will naturally not object: "By mid-June, we will Just take the kids with you to Sochi.”

 (End of this chapter)