On October 1, 1939, a Lisunov Li-2 airliner landed at Novosibirsk Aircraft Factory No. 153. www.biquge.info It was the only place in Novosibirsk where planes could take off and land, and the Il-2 fighter jets used in the Battle of Normenkhamp were produced there.

The airliner landed on the only runway and taxied into the airport's largest tarmac. Next to the tarmac, the crowd of people who greeted Manturov was already standing. Among them were secretaries of several district party committees of the city of Novosibirsk, as well as state officials such as the second secretary of the regional party committee, Chernenko, the chairman of the regional executive committee, and the chairman of the regional soviet.

Of course, standing in the cadre pile was Manturov's secretary Anna, and his good friend Yakov was also on the tarmac, waiting for Manturov's return.

When the cabin door was opened, the audience remembered a round of applause that was both neat and warm. In addition to the cadres who greeted them, there were also the workers and engineers of the entire 153 factory, and of course, the Soviet troops stationed in the factory.

Manturov had almost never heard such a round of applause. The last time Kaganovich got off the plane here, the applause was not so enthusiastic, because the factory workers and the Air Force did not clap their hands or anything, and they were all busy with their work.

But this time, as soon as they knew that the plane was carrying Manturov, the first secretary of their state party committee, the anti-Japanese hero, and the former political commissar of the First Army, they all put down their work and came out to greet the big hero in their minds.

Those applause, unlike Kaganovich's visit, were not formal, but a kind of respect from the heart.

Manturov was dressed in a set of military uniforms of the commissar of the 2nd Army, and in the afterglow of the setting sun, his body appeared to be golden, and the Soviet emblem on his hat reflected a dazzling, golden light!

"Comrade First Secretary, welcome back to Novosibirsk." When Manturov stepped off the plane, the second secretary of the state party committee, Chernenko, shook hands with him and expressed the most cordial greetings in a simple sentence.

"It's been a long time since anyone called me that. Thank you, Comrade Chernenko, have you encountered any difficulties in your work in the past few months? ”

"Comrade Manturov, in the past few months, our regional party committee and the regional government have completed a series of work in accordance with your plan, and there is no difficulty in this regard. It's just that when we talk about things that aren't planned, we have a bit of a hard time. ”

Speaking of which, Manturov had probably already guessed what Chernenko was referring to, but nevertheless asked: "What difficulty?" Can I fix it? ”

"It's just that in your absence, we lack a good leader who can bring together everyone's opinions and come up with unique perspectives. So, when we have a meeting to discuss, there are always some disagreements, and these disagreements, in your absence, are difficult to resolve in a short period of time. ”

"Really? Looks like I'm going to take over the mess. You've been working hard for months, so why don't you take a few days off and I'll take over all the work. Manturov said.

"It's not hard, it's my greatest pleasure to serve the Soviet government."

Manturov also knew that Chernenko had not been as easy as the other party said in the past few months, so he decided to give him a few days off, otherwise how could he go carelessly? "That's good, Comrade Chernenko, I hope you can maintain this enthusiasm when you come back from vacation."

Chernenko saw that Manturov did not change his mind to let himself take a vacation, so he had to accept the other party's kindness. "Thank you, Vladimir Fedorovich, and I will keep this enthusiasm alive."

"Okay, that's it." Manturov moved up to his secretary Anna and said, "Anna, where is the Katyusha?" Why didn't you come? ”

Anna looked at Manturov, who was dressed in military uniform, and said: "Comrade Military Commissar, Madame, I will cook for you at home." ”

"Anna, please, please don't call me that. The First Army no longer exists, and I am no longer a military commissar. Besides, we are all acquaintances, so don't be so angry. ”

"Okay, Comrade Secretary, let's get in the car."

In Manturov's impression, Katia was a woman who couldn't cook and never cooked a meal for anyone, either before or after the crossing. "By the way, Anna, when did Katyusha learn to cook?"

"Vorodya, don't you know? Katyusha had been cooking for a long time, and she was still good at cooking, having learned from his mother. Anna replied.

"No wonder, last time I went to her house for dinner, I also tried my mother-in-law's cooking, and it was really good. No wonder the first marshal has always loved that aunt with an average appearance, tasteless clothes, and no temperament. ”

Anna suddenly frowned and said, "She is your mother-in-law, and she is still the wife of the First Marshal, and I advise you not to say that about her." ”

"Well, I'm just kidding. Mother-in-law, she is really a very virtuous wife, and her daughter is not only virtuous, but also very outstanding in appearance. "By this time, Manturov still hadn't forgotten how good Katia was.

Manturov took Anna and shook hands with the cadres who greeted him as he walked. It wasn't until he walked away with Yakov that he stopped. "Yasha, why didn't you stand with Anna? Did you break up? ”

Yakov glanced at Anna, and then said to Manturov: "Yes, after a deep understanding, I found out that we are not suitable for being together, so ......"

Anna nodded and said, "Yes, Comrade Director is right, we are really not suitable for being together, so ......"

Manturov did not feel the pain in Anna's heart, he shook hands with Yakov, looked at the collar badge on his internal guard uniform, and said: "I didn't expect you kid to rise so quickly, and now you are a colonel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the head of the Novosibirsk City Bureau." ”

Yakov also looked at Manturov's collar badge and said: "Volodya, don't forget, your kid is younger than me, and now you are the first secretary of the state party committee at that time, and you also have the rank of political commissar (general) of the second-class army." You are much higher than me in terms of position and rank, and you are younger than me, so you have risen faster. ”

"Alright, it's not early, let's go back and rest. I wish you to meet a good woman who suits you soon. Manturov didn't realize that what he said was a stab in Anna's heart.

Manturov walked up to a silver Gars-M1 and said to Anna, who was following behind him: "Anna, you drove this?" ”

Anna handed the key to her boss and said hesitantly, "I drove it, if it's okay, then I'll go, I wish you a happy marriage!" ”

Manturov saw something wrong with Anna's expression. "Anna, come to my house and sit down, and see if Katyusha and I can help you."

"Thank you for your concern, it's my own business, and I'll be fine in a few days."

"By the way, the traffic here is very inconvenient, why don't I take you back, anyway."

"Alright then, let's get out of here, I don't want to see anyone."

Manturov had probably guessed who that person was, it must have been Yakov. Something unpleasant must have happened between them to break up. Judging from Anna's expression, all this was not caused by her, but by Yakov.

As for the reason, although Manturov wanted to know, he did not dare to ask, if he asked again, I am afraid that Anna would have to leave the Soviet Union and go to France to find her mother.