Zhukov felt that this perceptive gaze was unbearable for a long time. However, his gaze did not avoid Stalin's eyes, and he did not show any remorse for his missteps. Later, he saw a smile flashing under Stalin's pale beard.

Zhukov did not understand the meaning of this laugh, and was a little flustered, and was ready to comment on Kulik's work. But no one asked him any more questions. It was as if he returned from the Kremlin to the "Moscow" hotel with a slight drunkenness. It was hard to believe that it was only now that he heard Stalin's not-so-loud voice and tried to confirm Stalin's military ideas and views with his own opinions. That unforgettable night, he couldn't sleep for a long time.

Yes, there is indeed a history with events as the content, and there is also a history with feelings as the content. But no matter what kind of history, there is neither a beginning nor an end. Because human memory is not enough to encompass the infinite past, no one can step into the threshold of the future and see so far......

When the news of the occupation of Smolensk by the Germans came, Stalin was furious, and he severely reprimanded Zhukov, who was the chief of the General Staff. As a result, in those days, some orders and instructions were given to the lower commands, which were also in this tone. These orders and instructions are harshly worded in their formulation of the task; The excessively restrained evaluation of the troops' achievements has undoubtedly aggravated the tense atmosphere in the headquarters of various armies and group armies, and thus cannot but have a certain impact on the work of the commanders. Zhukov was keenly aware of this during a recent phone call with Marshal Timoshenko.

At present, the whole war is shocking and unprecedented, and this is a great problem facing the peoples of Russia and the countries of the Soviet Union. Huge armies are relying on the power of fire and steel, relying on the spiritual strength of mankind, to fight to the death against the most vicious enemy in history. Zhukov knew that although Stalin had a deep consideration for the overall situation of the war, it was impossible for him not to understand that there could be nothing more terrible for the commanders and troops at all levels who were still fighting in difficult situations and continued to defend their homeland.

Zhukov had always wanted to find an opportunity to talk to him about this issue: it was necessary to try to ease the tension of the commands, so as not to affect the efficiency of their command of troops in combat. But he never saw such an opportunity, and now the appearance of the "521" car group, a small group of heroes, gave him hope to change Stalin.

Zhukov thought about it and called an officer and asked him to go find Sun Hui. In fact, Zhukov discovered from the beginning that in this strange combination of four women and one man, this quiet, cautious and serious young man is the leader.

Soon, accompanied by Captain Orlandov, Sun Hui came to Zhukov.

"Come, young man, please be seated, Alexander." Zhukov looked at Sun Hui, pointed to a chair in front of the map table, and motioned for him to sit down.

"Yes, Comrade General." Sun Hui sat on the chair, deliberately looking a little restrained and nervous.

"You haven't talked much today," Zhukov joked with Sun Hui, "I think you can't be like this when you're usually with the girls, right?" ”

"Pretty much the same." Sun Hui laughed, Zhukov was much funnier than he thought, which surprised him a little.

"That's not good, you've got to make one of them like you, right?" Zhukov laughed.

"I'll do my best, Comrade General." Sun Hui replied with a smile.

"Don't you have anything to say to me about this suggestion from your beautiful and lovely commander?" Zhukov's gaze fell on the map table, "I never thought that a girl could be so brave, like a lion. ”

"I fully agree with her advice, Comrade General." Sun Hui replied calmly, "Allowing foreign journalists to witness the bravery and good fighting of the Soviet soldiers is more effective than any propaganda, and it will boost the morale of our army even more." If you give us a 'KV-1' tank or a 'T-34' tank, we will destroy every enemy tank and every enemy that comes our way. ”

"Hehe, good boy, I forgot, you are the gunner of the crew, every enemy tank, you destroyed it with artillery, you are as brave as them." Zhukov nodded approvingly.

"You are not exact, Comrade General, in fact, there are some enemy light tanks and armored vehicles, as well as trucks, which were damaged by the driver, Comrade Maria, who drove the tank." "They don't allow me to waste shells on such a target. ”

"That's a good job!" Zhukov turned to Sun Hui, and his gaze became extremely sharp for a while, "In this way, your record of destroying more than 100 enemy tanks is completely true, but unfortunately, out of prudence, the command only determined 82 vehicles." ”

"You will see how we destroy the enemy, Comrade General." Sun Hui met Zhukov's gaze and said firmly, "As long as you give us a 'KV-1' tank or a 'T-34' tank." Sun Hui emphasized the model of the tank again.

"Why don't you try the KV-2?" Zhukov noticed this and immediately asked.

"The 'KV-2' is an out-and-out big fat man, due to the heavy body, the suspension is overwhelmed, the engine power is insufficient, the maximum road speed is only 26 kilometers per hour, and the maximum off-road speed is only 12 kilometers per hour, although it is not difficult for us to change gears, but its maneuverability is still too poor, and because the turret is too high, the power is insufficient, such a simple thing as turning the turret on a slope is an extremely difficult challenge for the 'KV-2', sometimes because of the rotation of the turret and leads to overturning." Sun Hui replied, "As a mobile fortress, it is very suitable, but as a mobile combat tank, its performance is too poor, so we don't want to use it." ”

Hearing Sun Hui's evaluation, Zhukov nodded, "Indeed, as you said, it's better to give you 'KV-1', these other troops you mentioned have also reflected, and many people are not even satisfied with the mobility of 'KV-1', maybe they can't change gears without a hammer like you." Zhukov smiled, "I heard that the Kirov plant has produced a lighter and more flexible 'KV-1', and if there are already two of them, it is better to give you one." ”

"Thank you, Comrade General." Sun Hui knew that Zhukov should be talking about the "KV-1S" tank, "We will never let you down." ”