It turns out that a large part of this famous church has been converted into an "atheist museum". The furnishings and furnishings are crude, and they are completely incomparable to the sculptures and iconostases in churches under the influence of Guderian.

Only the annex to the right of the Orthodox chapel in Smolensk is still in its original appearance and was used for religious ceremonies.

Although the local government of the Soviet Union was prepared to bury the silver altar ornaments and candlesticks in the ground before the Germans arrived, Guderian's armored troops came too quickly, and the pit in the ground had just been dug and the things had not yet had time to be buried.

Looking at these silver altar ornaments and candlesticks, Guderian was not ready to take them for himself, after all, the German military discipline in this life was stricter, and it was strictly forbidden to loot the goods and property of the locals, and strive to buy the hearts and minds of the people.

As Reinhardt's confidant generals, Guderian and the others knew very well that Reinhardt's idea of not fighting these finances was precisely for the greater good. That is, to form a large number of PLA in the USSR, to liberate Moscow with the Allied forces, to fight to Stalin.

Thinking of this, Guderian suddenly discovered a fact.

These days, because of the continuous fierce battles, he was only concerned with military arrangements, and it was only now, when he entered this church and saw these silver objects and pits in the ground, that Guderian suddenly discovered that these properties, this church, everything here, already belonged to Germany!

Everywhere the Germans conquered, the people became German subjects. The property here is the property of the German state. The buildings here are also German buildings.

yes, why grab finances? Of course, the soldiers can't be connived at looting the locals!

They are all German people, how can they be robbed?

And this church, where the silver work, from the moment the Germans occupied Smolensk, was also the property of Germany. Not to mention that the Soviets were going to bury it, even if they didn't, it would be impossible for the Germans to take it away.

"Lieutenant Colonel Hans." Guderian ordered his advisers: "Go and inquire about the surrounding civilians, and try to find a religious local to keep these items." ”

"Yes, I'll take someone to find it now." Lieutenant Colonel Hans, who knew Russian, immediately stood up and saluted.

In a short time, Lieutenant Colonel Hans, who was extremely efficient, led an old priest with a white beard into the church.

Seeing this, Guderian stepped forward and said to the priest through Lieutenant Colonel Hans's translation: "Hello, Mr. Father. You see, we're all soldiers, and there's no way to manage here. I hope that all the belongings in this church will be handed over to you for safekeeping. Religious people can continue to celebrate Mass here. ”

After thinking about it, Guderian added: "No German soldier was allowed to take anything from the church, nor was the soldier allowed to live in the church. Also, if you see fit, I can leave two soldiers behind to assist you in defending your property and safety. ”

Then, in the presence of the old priest, Guderian asked the staff officer to draw up an order prohibiting Duan Wei from stealing church property, signed his name, and handed it to the old priest.

Finally, he looked at the old priest, who was a little surprised and a little excited, and said word by word: "God bless you, priest, no war will enter your church." ”

"Thank you......" After listening to the translation, the old priest looked gratefully at Guderian, a noble occupier with a general's epaulette and a big man at a glance, and said slowly: "I haven't heard for a long time that a big man like you still believes in God and respects our faith. ”

"Before you, the government officials either demanded that we rectify the situation, or they used the slogan of atheism to oppress our followers." It can be seen that the old priest is very excited, he has not met such an enlightened person for a long time: "Sometimes, I really envy you Westerners, you can choose your faith as much as you want, and all churches can be respected by the government. ”

"Then I can congratulate you, Father, that you are now one of us." Guderian smiled and said, "You, and the people here, can have your freedom just like us." ”

The priest was stunned, and for a moment did not react to the established fact that Smolensk was already part of German territory.

"Then, Mr. Priest, if you don't mind, later today I can arrange for someone to get your German citizenship card down." Standing aside, the SS party representative stood up at this time.

Compared with the Soviet army, Reinhardt creatively arranged a party representative for the German Wehrmacht at the battalion level and above, whose role was similar to that of the political commissar of the Soviet army, who was responsible for guiding the emotions of the soldiers, doing the ideological work of the troops, and conveying the will of the National Socialist Party.

At this time, in Guderian's headquarters, the party representatives assigned to Guderian, the armored army, stood up at the right time.

You know, the identity of this old priest is doomed, and the influence of his naturalization of German citizenship. The Orthodox Cathedral in Smolensk is already very famous, and the priest who runs the church has taken the lead in becoming a German citizen, which will influence the image of Germany by many believers, dilute hatred, and increase integration.

Wooing local squires and influential figures was a favorite method of the occupiers all over the world, and the party deputies of the virtuous country naturally liked this routine.

"Well, as long as we can protect this church and our congregation, it doesn't matter." The old priest didn't know if he saw the intention of the party representative, so he nodded lightly and expressed his agreement.

Perhaps, in the eyes of this old man, none of this is important. What really mattered to him was the promise that Guderian had just given him.

"Alright, let's all get out of here and stop disturbing this church." Guderian waved to the guards who had followed him into the church.

"It's time for me to go, too. Lieutenant Colonel Hans, you go back and put two people in charge of protecting this place, and you have to know Russian. Before leaving, Guderian did not forget to explain two sentences.

Walking out of the church gate, Guderian immediately opened his mouth and explained to the party representatives beside him: "Smolensk is still within the range of Soviet artillery fire, and if you want this famous city to be completely peaceful, you must completely clear the surrounding enemy troops." ”

"You're right, General Guderian. In military affairs, you are better than me, I have no opinion. The party representative nodded very kindly, agreeing with Guderian's words.

After all, they have long had a clear division of labor, Guderian is in charge of the military, and he is in charge of politics.

It's just that he can't figure out why Guderian wants to mention military arrangements to him at this time?