While Li Xiaofeng was actively planning for operations, Moscow finally received the news that Apanashchenko and Mekhlis had been shot for treason. Not surprisingly, the news made Stalin furious, and he almost slapped him in the face at an emergency meeting of the Politburo.

"It is simply unheard of, is there any more arrogant and undisciplined behavior than the hasty execution of the commander and political commissar of the front army without notifying the Military Commission, let alone the Politburo? This is absolutely intolerable! I strongly demand that this case be investigated strictly and that Andrei be immediately prosecuted. Petrovich control up! ”

Regarding Stalin's dissatisfaction, Sverdlov said very calmly: "What does the commissioner of the Military Commission do? It is used to supervise subordinate commanders, and if the commander is unable to perform his duties correctly, the commissioner certainly has the power to take drastic measures. According to Comrade Andrei's report, Apanashchenko and Mekhlis made contacts with the puppet state of Manchukuo and Japan behind the back of the Politburo and the Military Commission, in an attempt to seek personal gain by betraying state sovereignty. They have become spies and traitors, and even deliberately sent our Red Army soldiers to their deaths, and even tried to assassinate the deputy commander of the Front, Rychagov. Especially after being exposed by Comrade Andre in person, he also tried to use violence to murder Comrade Andrei and other insiders, all kinds of crimes are too numerous to mention, and not killing is not enough to stabilize the morale of the army, and it is not enough to be angry with the people! Well done! ”

Saying that, Sverdlov glanced at Stalin very defiantly and continued: "It seems to me that Comrade Andrei acted decisively and quickly, reducing the bad effects of the incident to a minimum. This should be highly commended! ”

Good fellow, Stalin was choked with anger. Choked on the cigarette in his lungs and coughed repeatedly. A face was even more red with anger.

"It's just Andrey. Petrovich's one-sided words! Ordzhonikidze emphasized.

Ruzutak sneered: "Comrade Andrei's report includes Comrade Popov and Comrade Rychagov, the two deputy commanders of the Far Eastern Red Banner Front. and the signature of the Chief of Staff of the Front, Šteln, who proved the credibility of Comrade Andrei's report in the form of written and oral reports, respectively. Could it be that these three comrades of the Red Banner Front in the Far East are lying? ”

"That could be their complicity!" Kalinin interjected coldly.

"Then the arrested secret investigative committee is also fake? And the staggering casualties on the battlefield are also nonsense? Apanashenko's refusal to reinforce Zhang Gufeng's defenders was also fabricated? Ruzutak sneered and asked rhetorically.

To be honest, these questions are really terrible. Needless to say, the secret investigation committee went without saying that this group of people actually conducted negotiations with the puppet Manchukuo on the border issue behind the back of the Military Commission and the Politburo at the behest of Apanashchenko, who gave Apanashchenko such powers?

Besides, the staggering casualties on the battlefield and the refusal of the order to reinforce Zhang Gufeng's defenders were deliberate, both of which were deliberate, combined with the previous secret investigation committee. It is easy to conclude that Apanashchenko is trying to play tricks.

At least Dzerzhinsky, who has always been impartial, put it this way: "If the secret investigative committee is true, then Apanashchenko's loyalty is very questionable." ”

"I'm against it!" Stalin couldn't help it, even Dzerzhinsky was biased towards someone, he didn't want to find a way, then Apanashchenko and Mekhlis really died in vain, "these so-called problems are just Andrei. Petrovich's one-sided statement, we should not be gullible about these uncensored messages, but on the facts, Andrei. Petrovich has seriously violated the law and should be immediately recalled to Moscow for interrogation! ”

Sverdlov sneered: "I have already emphasized it. Comrade Andrei is a special commissioner, and he has the right to take drastic measures at special moments. Now he's just doing his job. Is it right to watch spies and traitors send our Red Army to death at the guns of the enemy? ”

Ruzutak also said: "Comrade Andrei's actions are fully part of the fulfillment of his duty, which is beyond reproach!" ”

Now the situation is very interesting, Trotsky has not said anything on this question for the time being, Ulitsky and Frunze are also silent, and Dzerzhinsky is on the matter. Anyway, the attitude of these four people was inconsistent, and the decision was handed over to Stalin and Sverdlov, and it is known that Stalin and Sverdlov were tied 2-2. That is to say, there is a lot of arguing, and there is no conclusion to be reached.

Just when Sverdlov and Stalin were arguing, Trotsky finally interjected: "Well, how about first recalling Comrade Andrei and returning him to Moscow for investigation, and at the same time ordering a reliable comrade to be sent to the Red Banner Front in the Far East to preside over the overall situation?" ”

As soon as Stalin was about to agree, Ruzutak interjected: "Which comrade will be sent to the Red Front of the Far East to preside over the overall situation?" ”

I have to say that this sentence of Ruzutak at a critical moment is very important. Why? Because Trotsky's mention was very bad, it was obvious that Stalin would definitely agree to recall Li Xiaofeng for investigation, and even Dzerzhinsky would not object, so Li Xiaofeng would definitely be unlucky.

And Ruzutak's question was very important, and he immediately diverted his attention. Who to send to take over the Red Banner Front in the Far East? Naturally, Stalin wanted his own people to continue to take over, and the reason why Trotsky was mentioning yì was obviously to take advantage of the infighting between Stalin and Sverdlov to install his cronies. Ruzutak's single sentence put Stalin back against Trotsky was wonderful!

Stalin and Trotsky looked at each other, and they replied almost in unison:

"Temoshenge."

"Tukhachevsky."

Before the words fell, the two looked at each other again, and it was clear that both sides were not satisfied with the candidate proposed by the other party.

It was also at this time that Sverdlov spoke: "I think it would be a very bad thing to recall Comrade Andrei now, because because of the betrayal of Apanashchenko and Mekhlis, the Red Front of the Far East was already in turmoil. At this time, stability should be the first element. I have set up Comrade Andrei to temporarily preside over the work of the Far Eastern Red Banner Front. The Politburo can entrust Comrade Felix to investigate the case. So the two do not interfere. It's best for the big picture. After the battle is over, it is more appropriate for the Military Commission to study who to send to preside over the Far Eastern Red Banner Front! ”

In fact, neither Stalin nor Trotsky were satisfied with this plan, for both of them, the current moment was the best time to strike at Sverdlov's forces, and if Li Xiaofeng could be eliminated, then Sverdlov would be greatly discouraged. And now, let them accept Sverdlov's construction and not move Li Xiaofeng. To send Dzerzhinsky to investigate the truth is like trying to release someone.

Both Stalin and Trotsky thought about refusing, but they immediately realized that whoever wanted to swallow the Red Front in the Far East could not do without the support of Sverdlov, especially Stalin, who could not fight Trotsky with the strength of his faction alone, and if he was ruthless against Li Xiaofeng regardless of it, then Sverdlov would be pushed to the opposite side, and then he would inevitably lose control of the Red Front in the Far East.

"Just do it according to Comrade Yakov's opinion!" Stalin snorted angrily.

Obviously. This Stalin hated Sverdlov and Li Xiaofeng very much, because the Far Eastern Red Front was originally in his pocket. was first stirred up by Li Xiaofeng, and then threatened by Sverdlov. As a result, he lost people and had to break his teeth and swallow them in his stomach, you say Stalin could be happy?

But if you're not happy, you can't help it, who made the shape shì look like this? However, after the meeting was dismissed, Stalin deliberately walked up to Sverdlov and said viciously: "Comrade Yakov, you have beautiful hands!" But don't be too happy, Comrade Felix can't rub sand in his eyes, and it's impossible for some people to get by. Hmph, let's see! ”

Sverdlov didn't care too much, and for him, the hardest hurdle was over. Before, what he was most worried about was that Stalin and Trotsky were in collusion, and it would be difficult to take Li Xiaofeng without regard for it. And now, it's the best outcome!

Why? It's very simple, Li Xiaofeng is not worried about Dzerzhinsky to investigate at all, all kinds of hands and tails are done seamlessly, and all kinds of evidence are very sufficient, and he is not afraid of investigation. Especially not afraid of people like Dzerzhinsky, who are fair to the bone, to investigate.

I have to say that Li Xiaofeng has figured out the man in the iron mask, and Dzerzhinsky only verifies the evidence, even if he knows that there is a zài problem in it, but without the support of evidence, he will only accept the results arranged by Li Xiaofeng. It's not okay to be someone else, at least it's not so easy for Li Xiaofeng to get through.

After learning of the decision made by the Politburo, Li Xiaofeng also breathed a sigh of relief, and there was no suspense about the result for him. Now he can devote himself wholeheartedly to the battle to recapture Zhanggu Peak and Shacao Peak.

In the early morning of 13 July, in accordance with Li Xiaofeng's order, the Army Aviation Helicopter Regiment of the 1st GRU Special Operations Brigade transported a reinforced company of combat engineers to Zhanggufeng. The operation went very smoothly, and the devil was still intoxicated with the joy of the victory of the previous night attack, and he did not expect that the Russians would suddenly fall from the sky. By the time the devils reacted, the army aviation helicopter had already flown away, and even rewarded them with a large number of rockets when they left.

At the top of Zhanggu Peak, they had two and a half brigades (two and a half battalions) of troops, while the Soviet army on the opposite side only had two companies, and after fighting for days, these two companies also suffered large losses, even if the Russians replenished a company, it would not play a big role.

According to Nobuki Morimoto's view, the Soviet reinforcement of Zhang Gufeng shows that the Soviet army on the summit is about to be unable to hold on, and as long as the imperial army strengthens the battle, it will definitely be able to destroy the enemy.

So, are Nobuki Morimoto and Yukitoku Sato right? It should be said that this is a big mistake, because it was not the ordinary Red Army wing that reinforced Zhang Gufeng, but the combat engineers. What are combat sappers for? That's for storming! Moreover, this combat engineer has been specially strengthened and has an extremely strong ability to clean up fortifications.

Most of the soldiers of the company are equipped with body armor and assault rifles, and are also equipped with a large number of bazookas and flamethrowers, and all the fighters have received sufficient training in attacking fortifications.

According to Li Xiaofeng's plan, the main task of the company was to "squeeze," that is, to squeeze the Japanese troops down from Zhang Gufeng little by little. Of course. A combat engineer company alone is not enough. Li Xiaofeng means steady. For every part of the position captured, a part of the defenders was reinforced, and the Japanese army was ground to death by tapping kraft candy.

In the early morning of July 13, a new round of artillery bombardment by the Red Army fell on the top of Zhanggu Peak, but this time the shelling was very different from the previous one, in the words of the Japanese army: "The shelling of Lucia's ghost animal seems to be weak, which fully shows that Lucia's ghost animal is already the end of the crossbow!" ”

However, the devil really should keep an eye on it, the reason why the intensity of the Red Army's shelling has decreased a lot is not because the Red Army is demoralized. It's not that there is not enough ammunition, it's that it's not needed. Because this was only a suppressive artillery bombardment, in order to provide cover for the approaching operations of the combat engineers.

Soon, the combat sappers who used the cover of the artillery bombardment approached the Japanese position, and at this moment, the shelling suddenly stopped, and just when the devils poked their heads out and were about to fire, several fire dragons rushed in front of them to scare them stupidly.

The flamethrower flames ignited all the Japanese troops in the trenches who tried to resist, and the screams were repeated, but the combat sappers ignored the rolling and wailing devils. He was not even interested in recharging them with guns, and allowed them to be burned to charcoal.

A few minutes later. When the Devil's reinforcements arrived in a hurry, they were greeted by a rain of bullets, except for a few charred corpses, and just as the Devils were trying to retake their positions with the Banzai charge, the Red Army artillery opened fire again, easily suppressing their charge.

In just one morning, the Red Army regained three positions at the top of Zhanggu Peak, killing and wounding more than 50 devils, at a very small price.

The Red Army not only fought well on Zhanggu Peak, but also suppressed the enemy on Shacao Peak well, and under the cover of artillery and tanks, the Red Army occupied half of the positions on the heights of Montenegro and was clearing out the recalcitrant Japanese troops in the corner.

During this period, the main force of the Japanese army on Zhang Gufeng also tried to reinforce the Montenegrin Heights, but in the face of the tight fire blockade of the Red Army artillery and air force, the devil soldiers who jumped out of the trenches would be blown to pieces in minutes.

At this time, Nobuki Morimoto and Kotoku Sato also realized that something was wrong, and if the connection between their units was severed, then they would be broken in the face of the superior forces and firepower of the Red Army. At noon that day, after discussion, Nobuki Morimoto ordered the 74th Wing, which served as a reserve, to send a brigade across the Tumen River to reinforce the Montenegrin Heights.

The devil's idea is good, in the past few days, they have crossed the Tumen River more than once, whether it is to transport reinforcements, remove the wounded, or deliver supplies without too much trouble. But from July 13, such an operation is no longer possible. The Red Army Air Force had already dropped a large number of anti-infantry mines on the west bank of the Tumen River that morning, and the army aviation helicopters were closely monitoring the movements of the devils on the other side.

With shells constantly flying overhead, mines under their feet, and the devils timidly marching along the Tumen River, paying the price of blood for every step forward, especially when the fighters and attack planes that arrived after hearing the news began to dive and strafe, Nobuki Morimoto's reinforcement plan was completely bankrupt.

At the same time, the final battle in the Montenegrin Highlands was also fought. The 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 96th Infantry Division, under the cover of the 3rd Tank Battalion of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, steadily crushed the Japanese fortifications on the Montenegrin Heights step by step, and fought fiercely until 16 o'clock in the afternoon. That is, after a day of fierce fighting, the Red Army finally wedged a nail in the middle of the Japanese army.

"Let's attack Zhang Gufeng!" Popov couldn't help it.

Li Xiaofeng shook his head, Apanashchenko's lesson was placed in front of him, why did he return again and again in vain before? The reason is that the Red Army had just occupied the position, and Apanashchenko attacked Zhang Gufeng with a roar, but once the attack was unfavorable, the position was unstable in the face of the enemy's night attack, so he could only give up the results of the day.

"Order the 96th Infantry Regiment to strengthen its position on the spot, and do not attack rashly, except for tightly blocking the Tumen River and the connection between Zhanggu Peak and Shacao Peak! Be prepared for a night battle! ”

At the same time, Li Xiaofeng also ordered: "Let the artillery divert firepower, focus on striking at the counter-charge and reinforcements of the Japanese army, especially to suppress the enemy's Tumen River artillery position!" ”

The changes in the Soviet army caught the Japanese army a little off guard, and when they lost the dark heights, Nobuki Morimoto and Kotoku Sato were actually not in a hurry, they did not even order the troops to immediately attack and counterattack to regain their positions, but ordered the troops to strengthen the fortifications and prepare for the Soviet army's attack on Zhang Gufeng.

Who would have thought that the Soviet army had no intention of continuing the offensive at all, and now they were in a dilemma, and immediately counterattacked to recapture the Montenegrin Heights, then they had to face the Soviet army's tight artillery attack, and the previous several reinforcement operations have shown that under the blockade of the enemy's superior artillery fire, there is only a dead end in a hard rush.

After thinking about it for a while, Nobuki Morimoto and Yukitoku Sato decided to wait until it was dark to carry out another night attack, and the previous night attacks were very successful, which fully showed that the Soviet army was not strong in night warfare, and they thought that they could still defeat the Soviet army lightly if they tried again...... (To be continued......)

PS: Bow and thank you yyhu, fat fly, fly, a piece of snow 1, llkkjjllkkjj, hzwangdd, masked angel 555, agz00025 and comrade Juventus!