Steel Soviet Union

Seeing that Malashenko already had a clear plan, Zhukov simply stopped asking further questions and, as he said, gave full power to appoint personnel to Malashenko.

But there was another thing that Zhukov had been thinking about and had not made up his mind on the way here. Only now did he finally make up his mind to ask Malashenko face to face.

"Comrade Petrov, how is his physical condition recently? Can he still hold on?"

As a unit that even Stalin often asked about, it was impossible for Zhukov not to understand some specific situations of the leading division. For example, it is necessary to remember who the senior leading cadres of the division headquarters are. This is the most direct communication channel for superiors to contact and understand a unit.

In addition to the already familiar division commander Malashenko, Zhukov of course also remembered the deputy division commander Lavrinenko and the division political commissar Petrov, but the chief of staff, who had a less strong sense of presence, did not remember very clearly.

But this is normal. From what Zhukov himself learned, Political Commissar Petrov is an extremely loyal and reliable old party member and a good comrade. He is also a complete workaholic who manages everything in detail. In addition to the political work he is responsible for, Malashenko also does many things on his behalf when the division commander is away from the division headquarters.

After all, in the leadership division, there are daily situations where the chief and deputy division commanders are not at the division headquarters. Don’t ask where they are, they are all leading the charge on the front line. Malashenko also euphemistically said, “A qualified division commander must be in a place where he can hear artillery fire.” Command the battle at the closest range." If you don't do this, it will be as if the teacher is unqualified.

Whenever this happens, there must be someone at the division headquarters who can control the overall situation. Since the chief and deputy division commanders are not at the division headquarters, only the deputy political commander, that is, our political commissar, is left to take charge of all matters under the overall command of the division headquarters. matters. Coincidentally, the political commissar is capable of both literary and military skills and does all this very well. He is very compatible with Malashenko, a division commander who takes an unconventional path.

Such a magical combination is rare within the Red Army, so if Zhukov can remember Malashenko, it is natural that he can remember Commissar Petrov. This is not surprising.

Because of this, Zhukov had long known about the news that Commissar Petrov was in poor health and was terminally ill and had been paying close attention to it.

What Zhukov did not tell Malashenko at this moment was that he had actually identified the candidate political commissar for the leadership division a long time ago. In the event of any unexpected incident, he could ensure that the position would not be vacant and be filled immediately.

As a model unit for the entire Red Army, the Leadership Division cannot be without the position of political commissar, just as the Leadership Division is also indispensable with the soul core of Malashenko on the battlefield. ơɱ

It was also after hearing Zhukov suddenly ask about this matter that Malashenko, whose expression suddenly became much calmer and appeared to be worried, thought in silence for a while before speaking to Zhukov again.

"Comrade Political Commissar's situation is indeed not very good recently, Comrade Marshal."

"During the time before I left, he was often in pain so much that he couldn't sleep at night. His and I set up camp beds at the division headquarters, and his bed was closer to his desk. He said this made it easier for him to get up at any time at night to work or do business. When you're done, you can take a rest at any time. My bed is set up opposite him."

"That night, I heard a strange crunching noise in the division headquarters. At first, I thought it was rats breaking in and gnawing on things. When I turned on the light, I discovered that it was Comrade Political Commissar, holding his stomach and tossing and turning on the cot. Even though he was sweating in pain, he still clenched his teeth and kept silent. He always said that he should not disturb the comrades to rest, especially me. I have to lead the troops to fight the next day. This is always the case. "

"I wanted to help him up to drink water, but he was so weak that he couldn't even sit up. I had no choice but to hold his back with my hands and help him up. I came to feed him water. I shouted Go and call Kalachev. He is the best military doctor in our division. Although he is an American, he has always been loyal to his original motherland and is an absolutely reliable and good comrade. "

"Karachev told me that Comrade Comrade Political Commissar's condition is very bad, and it is a miracle that he can still hold on now. If it were an ordinary person, Bao Qi would be lying in bed every day waiting to die, and only the last one would be left. tone."

"I asked Karachev whether Comrade Comrade Political Commissar could continue to stay on the front line. He pondered for a while and answered me, saying that this was beyond the scope of the cases he had known about. In his medical experience, he had never heard that pancreatic cancer could be treated. He is still standing at such a time. As for whether he can stay on the front line, he has no idea. Every step Comrade Political Commissar takes is a new understanding for him. "

Malashenko, who had spoken up to this point, was already completely immersed in that memory, and even the tone of his words was slightly trembling as something was wrong.

"I was extremely scared that night, Comrade Marshal. It is no exaggeration to say that I was really afraid that he would leave me, leave the comrades, and leave this collective that night. I didn't know what to do. I was at a loss. He was my There is no one more important person in life on the battlefield than on the front line. Without him, it would be like breaking me in half and losing one half.”

"But I didn't expect that he stood up well the next morning and could move around, eat, and drink medicine on his own without any problems. He could even continue to work with the same smile as usual. To the comrades, it was as if nothing happened last night, and Karachev was so shocked that he cried out to God."

"But actually the more this happens, the more worried I am about him. He has been holding on like this. It is his desire to witness the day of victory and his firm and loyal faith that are supporting his already overwhelmed body. I am worried about this. The support could collapse at any time, and what should I do if that happens? It’s the worst thing I can think of right now. It’s really bad.”

""

It should be said that Zhukov fell into a state of speechlessness for a while. When he saw Malashenko's state as if he had lost his soul, Zhukov stood for the first time in this perspective and realized that Petrov's political commissar Malashenko's special importance.

Some things can be persuaded and comforted with words, but some things cannot.

For Malashenko, who has made it this far, Zhukov understands that too many feeble words are unnecessary.

A major general and a two-time hero of the Soviet Union, Malashenko will know what he should do and what he should not do. Even if he falls into this state, it is only temporary. What should be faced must be faced. He will adjust his condition. Zhukov has this confidence in Malashenko.

All that is left to do is to pat Malashenko on the shoulder and give him some precious time to be alone. This is what Malashenko needs most at this moment.

"Take care of yourself, go home and see Natalia. I watched their performance the day before yesterday. She misses you very much."

"If you have any questions, please contact Malokov directly. While you are in Moscow, he will be fully responsible for handling matters and applications related to you. I look forward to you bringing news of another victory for the motherland."