At 9 a.m. on 5 July, Stalin received the news that Shacaofeng and Zhang Gufeng had been attacked by the Japanese army, and at about 10 a.m., Li Xiaofeng's latest situation reported to the Central Military Commission made him furious.

"Andrey. What the hell are Petrovich and Apanashchenko doing, the central authorities have repeatedly stressed the need to strengthen vigilance, how can the Japanese army succeed in a sneak attack, this is a serious mistake, and they must be held responsible! ”

Stalin was indeed annoyed, although the Politburo and the Military Commission had not made up their minds to fight the devils before, but the subtext was still very clear, that is, to be ready for battle, and to be able to react immediately if the situation changed. And now, Li Xiaofeng and Apanashchenko's cousins are not like that at all, which makes the devil take a big advantage!

"Immediately send them a telegram in the name of the Military Commissar and severely reprimand them!" Stalin roared angrily.

However, his voice did not fall here, and a new telegram was placed in front of the Central Military Commission, still Li Xiaofeng's telegram: "In view of the extreme urgency of the situation and the strict inaction of the Far Eastern Red Banner Front, especially Comrade Apanashchenko, I request the authorization of the Military Commission to give me full command of the military forces in the Far East. ”

This telegram annoyed and baffled Stalin, who was annoyed that someone was still "fighting in the nest" and that the demand to take over military command at this time seemed to Stalin like a struggle for power.

Anyway, Stalin did not believe that Apanashchenko would make such a mistake, let alone that this loyal subordinate who had always dared to fight would drop the chain. No matter how you look at it, it looks like someone is framing and shirking responsibility!

However, Stalin could not be completely sure that this was Li Xiaofeng's trick, because this kind of telegram to the Military Commission was to be kept on file for investigation. Once things are debunked. Then someone has made the mistake of being strict with the government. Peeling off a layer of skin is light.

So Stalin kept an eye on it, and instead of blindly accusing Li Xiaofeng, he hurriedly asked Voroshilov to find out what was going on with the Red Front in the Far East. As for whether or not to give Li Xiaofeng military command, wait a little longer.

Another hour passed, and when Voroshilov hurried back to Stalin's office to report to him what he had learned, Stalin's face turned green.

"Idiot! Idiot! ”

Stalin slapped the table hard, because Voroshilov sued him. Apanashchenko went to inspect the localities again, and the Red Banner Front in the Far East basically did not make any military deployments. Not only that, but more importantly, Apanashchenko also denied Li Xiaofeng's proposal to increase troops in the direction of Zhang Gufeng several times in a row. Even more frustrating for Stalin was that even the marines and GRU special operations units rushed to the front of the Far Eastern Red Banner Front and arrived at Zhang Gufeng.

"Go and sue that fool at once, mobilize the troops at once, this afternoon, no! In two hours, I'm going to see his troops rush to Zhanggufeng! ”

Why did Stalin give such a harsh order? The reason is very simple, after the news of Zhang Gufeng reached the Military Commission in the morning. The Central Military Commission immediately made the decision to convene a plenary meeting of the Central Military Commission at 1 p.m. to discuss the issue of Zhang Gufeng and the war against Japan. If before the meeting, Apanashchenko's troops had not yet arrived at Zhanggufeng. The consequences are extremely strict, and to put it bluntly, once Zhang Gufeng is lost, all the responsibility will be borne by Apanashchenko alone!

At that time, Apanashchenko was thankful that he was able to save a small life, anyway, the post of commander of the Red Front Army in the Far East would definitely not be guaranteed, and even with it would affect Stalin's authority in the Military Commission.

The two flowers bloom and each has a branch, Voroshilov did not contact Apanashchenko directly before, because this "big man" kept an eye on it, Stalin was very angry, and the situation was very strict, if he went directly to ask Apanashchenko, he might have to shirk responsibility, maybe he would have to fool him with lies.

For the sake of prudence, the object of Voroshilov's contact was Popov, and after figuring out the truth of the matter, he gasped and subconsciously knew that something was wrong. With a lot of eyes, he immediately realized that Apanashchenko was probably very dangerous, and he had to draw a line with that product immediately.

So he didn't say anything, and after hanging up the phone, he went directly to Stalin to report back. And over there Popov also sensed that something was wrong, it seems that Stalin's side understood Apanashchenko wrongly? Not daring to be careless, he immediately contacted Apanashchenko to ask what was going on?

Apanashchenko didn't know what was going on, but Voroshilov did not contact him directly, but the people below him, an action that was unusual in itself. And when he immediately dialed the Moscow line and was about to ask Voroshilov for clarification, he was told that Voroshilov had gone to report to Comrade Stalin.

At that time, Apanashchenko's heart jumped, although he did not know what was going on, he knew that he had to return to the headquarters at this time. So, he hurried back to Vladivostok to hold a military conference.

And just when he was upset, Voroshilov's phone rang to him: "Comrade Apanashchenko, what exactly are you doing?" The Military Commission has repeatedly ordered you to strengthen your vigilance, why did you let the Japanese army succeed in a sneak attack? Do you take the instructions of the military commission as the wind in your ears? I don't want to listen to your explanations, and I don't want to listen to your nonsense, but please say as bluntly as a Communist Party member, and if you have plans to fight, then prepare for battle immediately! Two hours later, the Military Commission must see your troops arrive at Zhang Gufeng! ”

Voroshilov's phone call confused Apanashchenko, especially the last order, which literally forced him to jump off the building. How can two hours be? His nearest unit was nearly twenty kilometers away from Zhang Gufeng, and it was just an infantry company, what was it enough for?

But Apanashchenko understands one thing, never go against his superiors, since Voroshilov gave such an order, then it can only be executed, and it must be doubled!

So the high-ranking officers of the Red Banner Front in the Far East immediately found out. A moment ago, the commander comrade who had bitterly criticized the Air Force for not obeying orders and acting indiscriminately changed his face when he put down the earpiece. With the Chief of Staff of the Red Banner Front of the Far East, Georgi. The words of Lieutenant General Shiteln said: "Comrade Apanashchenko has forgotten what he said before. As soon as he turned his face, he ordered the whole army to be mobilized, and also ordered the air force to intensify the air attack on the enemy forces in Zhanggufeng, and it was best to immediately use transport planes to airdrop paratroopers to Zhanggufeng to participate in the battle...... It's ridiculous, but we can't laugh out loud, because we all know Apanashchenko's temper, and if he is not happy, he will not let us be happy, even if he goes to hell. It will also make us cushion our backs together. In order to avoid going to hell, we nervously got to work, taking a few hours to finish a job that would have taken two or three days to complete. ”

The efficiency of the Red Front Army in the Far East was indeed very high, and Chief of Staff Steln came up with a general battle plan before the meeting was over, and the 40th Infantry Division, which was closest to Zhang Gufeng, was immediately deployed, and the vanguard troops must arrive at the battlefield before 1 p.m., and the follow-up troops must arrive at the battlefield no later than 12 p.m. In addition, the 32nd Infantry Division and the 2nd Mechanized Brigade were reinforced. At the same time, the Pacific Fleet was asked to help transport army forces and supplies to the Bay of Poshet and blockade the mouth of the Tumen River.

At the time of Apanashchenko's intense troop movements, the commander did not know. His position was already in jeopardy because of Li Xiaofeng's report. At an emergency meeting of the Military Commission, a large number of bigwigs, including Sverdlov, Frunze, and Trotsky, strongly questioned Apanashchenko's ability, and doubted whether the self-righteous general would be able to keep Zhang Gufeng and recapture Shacao Peak.

At this time, even if he was angry with Apanashchenko, Stalin could only save this fool first: "Comrade Andrei's report is too extreme, Comrade Apanashchenko is a qualified commander." In the past, whether it was in the domestic revolutionary war or in the suppression of bandits in Chechnya, he had already proven his ability. And he has also done a good job in the Far East for the past two years, and I think Comrade Andrei's report is to look at people with colored glasses......"

Before Stalin could finish speaking, Sverdlov interrupted him: "You mean that Comrade Andrei's report is fake?" The Zhanggufeng area is still calm, isn't it? ”

Stalin replied with a bitter face: "I don't mean that, I think the report about the inaction of the Red Front in the Far East is debatable, I do not agree with the lack of reaction from Comrade Apanashchenko, as I understand that at the time of the conflict, Comrade Apanashchenko was already actively deploying troops......"

Sverdlov snorted. Asked loudly: "Then why when the conflict broke out, there were only border guards in the Zhanggufeng area?" And these border guards still carried out their operations on the orders of Comrade Andrei? According to what I know, during this period, Comrade Apanashchenko was not at his command at all and even refused to participate in the military conference convened by Comrade Andrei on the conflict with Zhang Gufeng. Is this called positive action? ”

Stalin hated Ah in his heart, to be honest, he had the heart to shoot Apanashchenko, what kind of pig brain could do such a stupid thing. But who made this stupid pig his man?

Therefore, Stalin could only help to wash the floor: "Comrade Apanashchenko was so busy inspecting the combat preparations of the front-line troops that he really did not have time to attend the military conference, and he also appointed the deputy commander Comrade Popov to attend the meeting......"

The more Stalin talked about it, the more he felt that he was lacking in confidence, and everyone here was a human spirit, so how could he not see that he was. Frunze unceremoniously interrupted his defense: "Playing the piano indiscriminately, in such a tense situation, to inspect the front line?" Isn't this nonsense? Does Apanashchenko, as the commander of the Front, still have the most basic military knowledge, if not, let him go to the military academy early for re-education, how can a high-ranking commander make such a low-level mistake? ”

Stalin was speechless, because even Frunze had this attitude, and it was useless for him to wash the floor, and after a pause, he could only emphasize: "Apanashchenko has actively and quickly organized troops to rush to the Zhanggufeng area to participate in the battle......"

Before he could finish speaking, Trotsky interjected: "How positive? Comrade Stalin, can you tell me what troops Apanashchenko has sent to Zhanggufeng to fight at 8 o'clock this morning? How many arrived on the battlefield? ”

Stalin replied stubbornly: "There are already quite a few, the 40th Infantry Division has arrived on the battlefield." ”

Trotsky sneered and mocked: "The 40th Infantry Division has indeed arrived. Half an hour ago. About a company of troops arrived at the battlefield after a rapid march. Gee. Comrade Apanashchenko's reaction was really swift, the battle broke out at 0:00 last night, and it took 13 hours before he sent an infantry company to the front, which is really commendable! ”

Stalin's face was as ugly as a pig's liver, and he muttered: "This speed is not slow......"

"Not slow?" Trotsky said sarcastically, "It depends on who you compare with, as the 1st GRU Brigade in Khabarovsk has passed through a rapid march." The pioneer battalion had already rushed to the battlefield at 8 a.m., and the 1st Battalion of the 31st Marine Regiment of the Pacific Fleet had rushed to the battlefield at 9 a.m. after emergency mobilization last night. How could the 40th Infantry Division of the Red Banner Front in the Far East, which was the closest to it, arrive only one company, and it came so 'early'? This speaks volumes about Apanashchenko's work attitude! He simply took the repeated admonitions of the Politburo, the Military Commission, and Comrade Andrei as the wind in his ears! ”

According to Trotsky, it was necessary to take Apanashchenko on the spot, and it was necessary to change the command of the battle. Not only to take Apanashchenko, but also to send him to a military court for accountability, anyway, to put Apanashchenko to death!

Naturally, Stalin did not agree: "It is taboo to change generals on the spot, and I believe that Comrade Apanashchenko's military qualities are absolutely fine." ”

Trotsky was about to retort, but Frunze spoke first: "It is indeed inappropriate to remove the commander now. I built yì to continue to let Comrade Apanashchenko command the battle. ”

Stalin was relieved when he heard this, and Trotsky knew that even Frunze had this attitude. It was useless for him to fight, but he also emphasized one point: "It's okay to continue to trust Apanashchenko, but you have to let a more reliable comrade supervise him, and you can't let him continue to do bad things!" ”

Listening to Trotsky's tone, it is clear that he still did not trust Apanashchenko, but he accepted his proposal to build a military commissariat, and even Stalin was afraid that Apanashchenko would die again.

"Then appoint Comrade Andrei as a special commissioner of the Military Commission, and he will supervise the work of Comrade Apanashchenko."

This seems to be very reasonable, but Li Xiaofeng was very unhappy, and after learning of the appointment of the Military Commission, he immediately replied with a telegram: "What are the duties of the commissioner of the Military Commission? If I disagree with Comrade Apanashchenko, who do I listen to? ”

This is indeed a problem, the commissioner of the Central Military Commission is the supervising army, but does this supervising military have the right to enforce the law? If not, then supervise a hair?

Anyway, in Li Xiaofeng's opinion, Apanashchenko is definitely not the kind of person who is good at supervising, this product has been very stiff with him before, and it also shows that he has a tendency to not bird him, and then that goods continue to do this, what can he, a special commissioner of the Military Commission, do?

Even Li Xiaofeng directly proposed to the Military Commission: "With the existing border defense troops, GRU special combat units, and the 31st Marine Corps Regiment, as long as the artillery is strengthened, it is enough to recapture Shacaofeng." I believe that at this stage, there is no need for the Far Eastern Red Banner Front to intervene too much, and the terrain in the Zhanggufeng area is complicated, which is not conducive to the deployment of large troops, and there is no need to invest a large number of troops. And it takes a lot of time for them to rush to the battlefield......"

Li Xiaofeng's meaning is very clear, that is, Zhang Gufeng's little thing, the troops at hand will be rounded, so that Apanashchenko can go wherever he wants, and he doesn't need to point fingers.

Naturally, Stalin could not agree that if Li Xiaofeng's plan was followed, then Trotsky's plan to take Apanashchenko might be successful, and let him lose the commander of a front army for nothing. However, it is also more difficult for him to dismiss Li Xiaofeng's opinion, Comrade Andre has nothing wrong, and his opinion is reasonable, so why should he dismiss it?

Now it's troublesome, because everyone heard it just now, even through the phone line, you can hear that someone is extremely dissatisfied with Apanashchenko, and with someone's personality, he will never feel at ease to help Apanashchenko. Let such two people get together, I'm afraid that before they can fight with the Japanese, they will be able to fight internally.

After pondering for a moment, Frunze gave a plan for a smooth mud: "Either let Comrade Andrei lead the troops to fight first, anyway, it will take time for Comrade Apanashchenko to gather the troops." ”

But Stalin still objected: "Isn't this nonsense? What if the attack doesn't go well? At such a time, I think it is more reasonable to wait for the main forces of the Red Front in the Far East to arrive at the battlefield, and then solve the problem in one go. ”

Anyway, the public said that the public was reasonable, and the mother said that the mother was reasonable, and in the end, there was no result, so he could only act according to the original plan, and he was still the commander-in-chief of Apanashchenko and the special commissioner of the Military Commission of Li Xiaofeng. After this news reached the Far East, Apanashchenko was still a little proud, and even said to his confidants: "See, what about the alternate members of the Politburo, members of the Military Commission, and directors of the General Political Department, they still have to give me a hand!" ”

Apanashchenko, who had retained the command, was not in a hurry at once, and he was ready to transfer his main forces first and then consider how to fight. Why didn't he use the existing border guards, GRU special operations units, and marines to fight back before Zhang Gufeng was completely lost?

Very simply, Apanashchenko's cautious eyes came up again, and he felt that if he used the troops prepared by Li Xiaofeng to launch an attack and recapture Zhang Gufeng, most of the credit would also be Li Xiaofeng's. He hated Li Xiaofeng so much that he didn't want to share the credit with a certain immortal at all, so under the pretext of insufficient preparation, he asked Zhang Gufeng's troops on the front line not to act rashly, and they had to wait for his main force to arrive on the battlefield...... (To be continued......)

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