Soon after the message was forwarded to the divisions, the shouting of "Ula" was heard outside the headquarters. Since someone started first, everyone else naturally followed suit, and then everyone shouted in unison. Although it was just a simple word, no one felt that there was anything wrong with using only this word to express their inner joy, but they shouted louder and louder.

Hearing the cheers coming from outside, Kirillov said with a smile on his face: "Lida, you may not know that when I saw this telegram from my superiors, all the anxiety and tiredness disappeared in an instant, and only the excitement and excitement in my heart remained. What could be more important than having the approval of the High Command? So I think it's understandable that the fighters will be partying all night. ”

"No problem, Comrade Military Commissar. Except for the divisions that leave the necessary troops on guard, the rest of the troops can revel as soon as possible, even if they drink a little, but only if it does not affect tomorrow's battle. When I had said this, I got up from my table and walked over to the next bedroom, saying, "I'll go sleep first, and then call me if there's anything." ”

The so-called bedroom was just a short trench, a large wooden plank resting on two mounds of earth, and two captured German coats were laid to make it a simple bed. When the curtain is lowered, it becomes a separate room.

Although the cheers of the warriors outside resounded in the sky, I was so tired lately that I lay down on the bed and fell asleep not long after.

I don't know how long I slept, but in a daze, I seemed to hear someone shouting my name loudly, so I casually agreed. Then the person who called me raised his voice: "Leda, are you awake?" ”

When I heard that the person calling me was Kirillov, I sat up with my eyes half-closed, and said weakly: "Comrade Military Commissar, I am up." What's the matter? ”

Kirillov lifted the curtain of the door, stood at the door and said to me: "Leda, you are coming out soon, something is wrong!" ”

His words made me suddenly sober up, and I hurriedly asked with wide eyes: "What's the matter, Comrade Military Commissar." Did something go wrong with the commanders and fighters last night? ”

"No," Kirillov said, shaking his head, "you'd better come out and see for yourself." ”

I put on my boots and ran out of the bedroom in impatience. In the dim light, I saw quite a few people in the house, Bezikov and Akhromeyev were there. I walked quickly in front of Bezikov and asked curiously: "Comrade Chief of Staff, you came quite early, what about the deputy commander, isn't he with you?" ”

Hear this question from me. Bezkov unexpectedly lowered his head. I was surprised by his reaction, and I asked again: "Comrade Chief of Staff, why do you have this expression, is there something wrong with it?" ”

"Commander, I'...... I ...... "Bezikov heard my question, opened his mouth, and after only two or three words were spitted out, he couldn't go any further because of his emotions.

"Major Akhromeyev." Probably seeing Bezikov's gaffe, Kirillov turned his gaze to Akhromeyev. Raise your voice and say to him, "Tell me, what's going on?" ”

Akhromeyev, who was named by Kirillov, hurriedly stepped forward, glanced sideways at Bezikov, then turned his head to me and said, "Report to Comrade Commander." General Danilov was on his way here when the jeep he was riding in was hit by a mine......"

"Danilov's car has hit a mine?!" Hearing Akhromeyev say this, it was like a thunderbolt exploding beside me on a sunny day, and I was so frightened that I didn't wait for him to finish. He grabbed his arm and asked excitedly, "Has Comrade Deputy Commander died?" ”

Akhromeyev first shook his head, and then said: "Comrade commander, the deputy commander did not die, but was seriously wounded. ”

I heard that Danilov was only wounded and did not die, and the stone hanging in my heart fell to the ground. I walked a few steps in the command headquarters with my hands behind my back, then stopped and asked him: "Where is Comrade Deputy Commander?" ”

Bezkov's mood at the moment returned to normal a little, and he hurriedly took Akhromeyev's words and said: "I see that Comrade Deputy Commander is seriously wounded, and I have ordered the health officer to transfer him directly to Kursk. ”

I nodded in agreement with Bezikov's approach. If he had made the decision to send Danilov directly here instead of sending him to the rear, I might have scolded him, after all, the medical conditions here are not comparable to those of the military hospitals in the city.

I saw that Lopukhov was also standing in the room, and hurriedly beckoned to him, and then asked: "Major, can the phone in the command headquarters be contacted directly with the front headquarters?" ”

"Yes, Comrade Commander." Lopukhov replied briefly.

I ordered him: "Give me the command of the front, and I will report this news to my superiors immediately." ”

While Lopukhov was calling, I turned around again and asked Bezikov: "Chief of Staff, tell me how Comrade Deputy Commander's car struck a mine, and I will report to Commander Vatutin later." ”

"Our headquarters began to move at two o'clock in the morning, but as soon as we reached the west of the city, the armored vehicle that was driving the road in front of it hit a mine and exploded, and five or six fighters on board died on the spot." Bezikov's mood had stabilized and he began to tell me about what had happened: "Because the road was narrow and the forests on both sides were full of swamps, we couldn't get around it, so we sent sappers to clear the mines. I don't know when the Germans laid the mines on the road, they were numerous and scattered, and our sappers spent more than two hours clearing a distance of only two or three kilometers. Comrade Deputy Commander felt that the speed of demining by the sappers was too slow, and he could not wait, so he hurried forward in a jeep. It turned out that before I could see how far it was, I ran over a mine that had been missed by the sappers. ”

After Bezkov's words, I understood that Danilov's accident this time was still related to his impatience. If only he had been more patient and waited for the sappers to clear all the mines before hitting the road, this might not have happened.

At this moment, Lopukhov, who was standing next to the telephone, respectfully reported to me: "Comrade commander, the telephone with the command of the Front Army has been connected. ”

I walked up to him, took the microphone, and when I heard that the person on the other side was answering the phone, it was Vatutin, so I greeted him politely: "Good morning." Comrade General. ”

"Comrade Oshanina," said Vatutin, who was very happy with yesterday's victory, asked in a relaxed tone, "You are calling at this time, do you have any good news to report to me?" ”

"I'm sorry, Comrade General." I replied confidently, "I brought it to you this time." It's unexpectedly bad news. ”

"Bad news?!" When Vatutin heard me say this, his whole body suddenly became nervous, he was silent for a moment, and then asked hesitantly: "Could it be that the Germans have rushed into Belgorod again?" ”

"What, the Germans stormed Belgorod again?!" Before I could speak, I heard Zhukov's unexpected voice coming from the headphones: "Ask Leda what happened." Seven or eight of our divisions were placed in the south direction of the city, how could the Germans rush into the city so easily! ”

"Comrade General, please tell the marshal. Everything was normal with our defensive line, and the Germans on the opposite side did not move at all, let alone launch a counterattack on Belgorod. "I heard that Zhukov and Vatu Kyoto had misunderstood the bad news I had said, and quickly explained to them: "I am talking about something else. ”

"Say, Comrade Oshanina." Vatutin's voice at the moment was filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Although I knew that I would be scolded for speaking out about Danilov's injury, I had to bite the bullet and report it. Because from what I know about Zhukov's character, if he finds out that someone has deceived him, he will punish them severely. I took a deep breath. Only with trepidation reported: "It was my deputy commander, General Danilov, on the way to the new command. His car accidentally hit a mine......"

"What, General Danilov hit a mine?" After Vatutin said this, there was a noticeable pause, presumably exchanging a surprised expression with Zhukov. He quickly went on to ask: "What is the situation with Danilov, how did he hit the mine?" ”

"The injuries are serious." Luckily, I had just asked Bezikov about the mine, otherwise Vatutin would have stopped me. After a brief account of what had happened to the mine, I added: "Colonel Bezikov has arranged for the deputy commander to be sent back to Kursk. ”

"Well, Colonel Bezikov did the right thing." Vatutin said approvingly: "The conditions of treatment in the Kursk military hospital are good, as long as General Danilov is sent back in time." I believe his life will not be in danger. ”

"Comrade General," I know that there are still many big battles to be fought in the future, and if there is no deputy commander, the normal work of the headquarters will be somewhat affected, so I politely proposed to him: "You see, my deputy commander is wounded, and he may not be able to return to work for a long time, I wonder if you can send me another deputy commander?" ”

"Do you have the right person?" Vatujing asked with some embarrassment: "You must know that the commanders who can hold the post of deputy commander now have important positions, and it is very difficult to send you a deputy commander over immediately." ”

"Comrade General, please, help." I begged him: "If there is no suitable candidate for your subordinates for the time being, you may wish to consult with Marshal Zhukov to see if he has any candidate in mind." ”

"Well, since you say so," Vatutin could only reluctantly say when he heard me say this, "then I will consult with Comrade Marshal later to see if there is a suitable candidate to take over the post of deputy commander." ”

"Thank you, thank you, Comrade General." After thanking him, I asked: "I wonder when the four divisions and two tank brigades in Tomarovka will be restored?" "Although I knew that there were several artillery regiments and Guards rocket artillery battalions in that place, I did not say it, lest Vatutin hear that there were too many troops and that the matter of returning the troops would be ruined.

Vatutin, waiting for me to finish, was silent for a moment, and then said: "Comrade Oshanina, at the moment the fighting continues in the Tomarovka region. Although it was only a matter of time before the besieged German troops were eliminated, if so many troops were to be withdrawn at once, the defensive zone of our army would become empty. What do you think of your troops staying in Tomarovka for another two days, and then returning to the army after August 9? ”

"All right, Comrade General." Since Vatutin had already said this, it was obvious that there was no room for any further turnaround, so I had no choice but to say, "I obey your arrangement." ”

As soon as I put down the phone, Bezikov couldn't wait to ask: "Comrade commander, how is the situation?" Did the commander of the front say who to send to the post of new deputy commander? ”

"No, Chief of Staff." I shook my head and replied: "Comrade General does not have a suitable candidate in his hands now, and he will have to consult with Marshal Zhukov before deciding who will take the post of deputy commander." ”

At this moment, Kirillov suddenly said: "Maybe this time with the new deputy commander, there will be a new member of the Military Council." ”

Kirillov's words surprised us all, and I asked in amazement: "Comrade Military Commissar, why do you say that?" ”

Kirillov smiled at me and explained: "Actually, with my qualifications and abilities, I simply cannot hold the post of military commissar of the Sixth Guards Army. The reason why my superiors sent me here is nothing more than because I have been partnering with you for a long time and have a tacit understanding with each other. ”

Although I knew in my heart that Kirillov was telling the truth, I retorted: "Comrade Military Commissar, if you were not capable, the cooperation between us would not be as tacit at all as it is now. Not to mention that the higher authorities will not send new military commissars, and even if they do, I will try my best to persuade them to change their minds. ”

"Leda, thank you for your kindness!" Kirillov got up from his seat, walked up to me, raised his hand and gently patted me on the shoulder twice, said with a smile on his face: "Based on what I have observed and learned about you, you will take on more important positions in the future." The superiors will definitely accompany you with the more capable military commissars when they arrive. As for me, I feel that I am just the material of a division political commissar, and at best I will reach the top as a military political commissar, where can I be qualified for the post of military commissar of the group army, or even a higher-level commander. ”

After Kirillov's words, there was a sudden silence in the room. After a while, Bezikov suddenly exclaimed: "Oh, Comrade Commander, I have been patronizing to report to you about the deputy commander, and I forgot that the commander of the 13th Guards Division, General Rodimtsev, is still waiting outside." ”

Bezkov's words succeeded in diverting everyone's attention, and I hurriedly ordered him: "Chief of Staff, what are you still doing here, why don't you hurry up and invite Comrade General in!" (To be continued.) )