When the Allies sent troops to Tsaritsyn for reinforcements, Oleksei. Grand Duke Nikolai received Zhukov, who had fled from Sarova, at his headquarters in Moscow. The pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info this meeting is not a condolence reward, nor is it an embarrassment to hold accountable, but a Zhukov gave the latest order.

This is mainly because Grand Duke Nikolai admired Zhukov very much and considered him a rare capable general in the Russian army. Even if Zhukov suffered a big defeat in Sarova, Grand Duke Nikolai still thought that Zhukov could continue to take on important responsibilities.

"What? A full-scale counteroffensive? After listening to the words of Grand Duke Nikolai, Zhukov suddenly stood up from the soft sofa, looked at the Grand Duke with an expression of disbelief, and asked quickly in a somewhat eager voice, "Why should we counterattack in an all-out way?" Why a counteroffensive? ”

"This is the proposal of the allies, and His Majesty the Tsar has already agreed." Grand Duke Nikolai waved his hand and motioned to Zhukov to sit down first: "The main forces of the central army group of the Ming army are moving south from the central region to storm the areas along the Volga. Now the pressure on the troops in the south is very high. Moreover, the intelligence services reported that the strength of the Ming Army's Central Army Group, from which most of the troops had been withdrawn, had been greatly weakened, and it was very likely that we would achieve great results if we launched a large-scale counterattack here. ”

Grand Duke Nicholas's eyes flashed with a strange luster, "Even if you fail to annihilate the main force of the Ming army, you can still contain their power." Or even force those troops who went south to be redeployed back! ”

In the eyes of the senior Allied commanders, the Ming Army Group Center, which had lost nearly half of its strength, was no longer as strong as it had been. This is evident from the fact that their vanguard stopped not far from Ryazan. The Allied forces, who had been under tremendous pressure, were finally able to take a breather.

The Allies in the Moscow direction were somewhat relieved for the time being, but the Allies along the Volga were tragic. It took only a few days for the southward march of the Ming army to fight from Saratov to Kamisin. Along the way, it was like an autumn wind sweeping away leaves, defeating all the enemy troops that stood in front of him.

Judging by the speed of the Ming army's advance at the moment, it may only take them a week at most to reach the area near Tsaritsyn. At this time, the troops planned by the Allies to be used for the defense of Tsaritsyn had not even been fully assembled. The defenders' forces were not as fast as the attackers' marches, and this was a tangible manifestation of the difference in strength between the two sides.

While shocked by the strong combat effectiveness of the Ming army, the Allies began to look for a solution to this thorny problem. Later, the French proposed that the Allied forces assembled near Moscow could take advantage of the opportunity for the main force of the Ming army to move south, and in one fell swoop crush or encircle and annihilate the troops of the Ming Army's Central Army Group, which had already reached the vicinity of Ryazan and had been greatly weakened. If the combat operation is successful, the Ming army, which has been heavily damaged, will inevitably suspend the combat operation in the south and transfer troops back to the rescue. In this way, the strategic plan of the Ming army was greatly broken.

This proposal of the French was approved by many allies, and the Russian tsar was very interested in it. The staff officers of the various countries quickly drew up a battle plan, and the Allied forces near Ryazan took the initiative on a large scale to encircle and annihilate the heavy Ming army group near Sassovo. And Grand Duke Nikolai was ordered to command this large-scale counterattack. In the heart of Grand Duke Nikolai, Zhukov was the best commander at the front.

Having received orders from St. Petersburg, Grand Duke Nikolai, who had returned to Moscow, immediately summoned his most valued commander, Zhukov of the 1st Tank Army, to discuss the battle plan. It's just that Zhukov himself is not very interested in this battle plan.

"Your Excellency." Zhukov, who calmed down, looked at Grand Duke Nikolai with blazing eyes, and after considering the choice of words, he said in a deep voice: "I am against this battle plan. Although now a large number of Ming troops were transferred to the southern Volga battlefield. But the strength of the Ming army opposite us was not significantly weakened. Intelligence speculated that at the moment the Ming army opposite us still had at least two armored armies, as well as numerous infantry units and powerful artillery units. Such a powerful force is simply not something we can eat. ”

At this time, Zhukov's actual thought in his heart was that the strength of the Ming army was too strong, and it would be difficult for them to defend when they attacked, let alone that they had to defend now. The Russian army really had no strength that could be held except for its large numbers.

Zhukov's words made Grand Duke Nikolai blush. At this time, the Allied troops gathered near Moscow amounted to nearly two million, and there were countless kinds of equipment. Such a powerful force was already extremely powerful in the eyes of Grand Duke Nikolai, but he did not expect that his love would be so faceless.

But fortunately, Grand Duke Nicholas had been polishing on the battlefield for several years at this time, and he already had enough understanding of the balance of power between the two sides. It's no longer the royal family that didn't understand anything before. Although Zhukov's words embarrassed him, he did not show anything in his heart: "In addition to our existing troops, the tsar will also mobilize strategic reserves stationed in St. Petersburg." And the allies will also provide strong air support. The Ming army opposite us had been weakened for the most part, and they had suffered heavy losses in the previous battles. This is a great opportunity. ”

Zhukov scoffed at the words of Grand Duke Nikolai. The so-called Ming army's heavy losses in the previous battles were nothing more than words to comfort themselves. The Ming army's losses were nothing at all, and they might not be able to replenish the losses in less than a week. For the Russian army, whether it is the reinforcements mobilized from St. Petersburg or the air support promised by the allies, it actually does not mean much.

In Zhukov's heart, the only thing that could really restrain the Ming army was the high-load logistics system of the Ming army. The Ming army, which is almost a fully mechanized army, has a completely astronomical demand for logistics. At this time, what the Russian army should do is to keep blocking and retreating, and use space to lengthen the logistics supply line of the Ming army. At the same time, guerrillas and special operations units were sent to attack the long logistics line of the Ming army. Especially at this moment, when the Ming army divided its troops and launched two super-large-scale battles at the same time.

As long as the Russian army can hold out until winter, the Ming army, which lacks logistical supplies, will inevitably choose to retreat. If the Ming army does not retreat, then the cold weather in Russia will engulf all these Ming troops! Although he knew in his heart that his thoughts were correct, Zhukov was just an ordinary Russian officer after all. He hasn't been able to influence the strategic level yet.

After a moment of deep silence, Zhukov raised his head to look at Grand Duke Nikolai, and said in a deep voice, "Your Excellency, if you launch a counterattack, it is not impossible. However, our counterattack was not aimed at encircling or crushing the main force of the Ming Army's Central Army Group. Rather, it was to contain and deplete the Ming army, and at the same time restore part of the battle line and expand the outer defensive borders of Moscow. I suggest that a limited counterattack could be carried out, which would also be helpful for the situation in the south. ”

After all, the Ming army is now divided, and Zhukov also thinks in his heart that a slight counterattack will disrupt the deployment of the Ming army. It will not only provide more time for Moscow to garrison and fight, but also to mobilize troops and build fortifications. And it can also test the reality of the Ming army and delay time.

Unlike the vast majority of Allied commanders, Zhukov believed that the Ming army would never give up the attack on Moscow easily. The Ming army used millions of troops and astronomical supplies this time, and the forward troops were already on the verge of reaching the outskirts of Moscow. At this time, how could the Ming army choose to let go? And most importantly, it's only July. There are still many months to go until winter, and the million Ming troops who have already arrived near Ryazan will definitely not waste these months in vain, sitting there drinking tea and chatting!

When almost everyone thought that the main direction of the Ming army's attack had turned to the south, Zhukov clearly realized that the Ming army definitely had the strength to launch attacks in two strategic directions. This is where Daming's confidence lies in daring to challenge the world alone.

"Not a limited counterattack, but a comprehensive, decisive decisive battle!" Grand Duke Nikolai frowned and said in a deep voice: "We must defeat the Ming troops on the opposite side who have transferred most of their combat strength, either defeat them or annihilate them!" The goal of the campaign was to drag back the heavy army group of the Ming army that was heading south to the Volga and reduce the burden on the southern battlefield. If the Ming army does not retreat, then we will counterattack all the way to regain the territory. The ultimate goal is Kazan! This is an order from His Majesty the Tsar! ”

"......" Zhukov was silent, he knew that this matter was already powerless for him, "Okay, please give an order from His Excellency the Grand Duke." ”

"Hmm." Grand Duke Nikolai nodded with satisfaction: "You have a week to prepare." I will replenish the 1st Tank Army, and then you will take the 1st Tank Army and the 9th Tank Army, as well as the 3rd, 22nd, and 27th Infantry Armies, with the four independent armies. The tank brigade and the four infantry corps, plus the combined arms, directly attacked the center of the Ming army's battle line as a fist force. Denisov with troops on the left flank, Pavlyuchenko with troops on the right flank to cover your troops. The target of the first phase of the campaign was Sassovo. ”

Hearing the number of troops issued by Nikolai's Grand Kung Kung Communiqué, Zhukov's eyelids jumped. Most of the troops under his command are elite units in the Russian army, and those infantry armies are basically the best among the strategic reserve forces of the Russian army. Once something happens to this unit, it will be a devastating blow to the Russian army.

However, the end point of the battle given by Grand Duke Nikolai made Zhukov nod slightly, and Sasovo was also the end point of the battle in his heart. If you go further, let's not talk about whether the Russian army can fight it, an excessively long logistics supply line is simply a huge disaster for the Russian army with a poor logistics system.

"Obey Your Excellency's orders!" (To be continued.) )